Avon Republicans Announce Council Candidate Running for May's Seat

As the Avon community mourns the sudden death of former Councilman Christopher May, the Republican Town Committee had a decision to make.

Who will run for his seat on the Republican ticket this fall?

Republican Town Committee Chairman Brian Ladouceur Jr. announced Sept. 9 that the party has chosen Board of Education Vice Chairman William Stokesbury to run in May's place for Town Council, alongside newcomer Heather Maguire and incumbents Mark Zacchio and Douglas Evans.

“While Chris made an important impact during his brief time on the Town Council the Town of Avon will benefit from William Stokesbury’s experience and keen insights as he continues driving Avon’s articulated long range plan that has succeeded in providing the community quality services at an affordable cost," Ladouceur, Jr. said.

Kenneth Birk, an Inland Wetlands member and local actuary, will run in Stokesbury's place for the Board of Education, alongside incumbents Peggy Roell and Kathy Zirolli, according to a press release.

“We are excited to have a young leader like Ken Birk, someone new to town and recently married, ready to identify creative ways to build upon the quality education Avon offers its students”, said Ladouceur Jr.

Stokesbury is currently the school board's liaison to the Board of Finance and has long served on the Town Council’s administrative services committee. Through that work, he has "helped improve efficiencies across all town services," according to the Republican Town Committee, which Bill added that he "will make an immediate contribution to the Town Council’s existing successful initiatives."

Birk is the president of the Actuaries’ Club of Hartford & Springfield, as well as a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst "who will enhance an already existing strong financial skill set on the Board of Education," according to Republican party.

"Ken also with his natural affinity to math and science education will make an immediate impact to improving the opportunities to Avon students in those curriculum areas," the press release states.