We are proud to present our 2025 Democratic Slate for Municipal Office:
Eric Epstein: First Selectman
Eric Epstein is a lifelong Kent resident with a deep commitment to public service and community leadership. He attended Kent Center School and Housatonic Valley Regional High School, and went on to earn a degree in Business from SUNY Cobleskill. Professionally, Eric works as a sales representative for The Gowans-Knight Company in Watertown.
Eric has dedicated much of his life to volunteer service in Kent and the region. He has been an active member of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, including 13 years as Chief, during which he oversaw the planning and construction of the town’s new firehouse. From 2020 to 2025, he served as Kent’s Deputy Emergency Management Director and was twice appointed interim Director. He currently serves as President of the Litchfield County Dispatch (LCD) Board of Directors, which provides 9-1-1 emergency services to 22 towns. He also represents emergency services on the Kent Center School Safety Committee and has served on various local, county, regional, and state-level emergency services committees.
Eric lives in North Kent with his wife, MaryEllen, a veteran middle school STEM teacher, and their two children, Ella and Evan, who attend Kent Center School. With a strong belief in collaborative and forward-thinking leadership, Eric is committed to ensuring Kent remains a thriving, supportive, and accessible community for all who call it home.
Lynn Worthington: Selectman
Lynn Mellis Worthington, a 35-year Kent resident, is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen where she has served for the past 1.5 years. With a background in journalism and communications, she brings decades of experience from her earlier work as a newspaper reporter and teacher. Lynn currently works as the Community Engagement Coordinator and Grant Coordinator for Brooker Memorial, a nonprofit in Torrington dedicated to supporting children and families. Her deep knowledge of town issues, strong communication skills, and commitment to transparency have enhanced government outreach and responsiveness. Lynn has served on several town boards and committees, often in leadership roles, including the Park and Recreation Commission, the Broadband and Mobile Communication Working Group, and the Kent Sustainability Team. A dedicated volunteer, she has long been involved with local organizations such as the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, and St. Andrew’s Parish. Lynn is known for her preparation, thoughtful questioning, and willingness to stand by her convictions in service to the Kent community.
Glenn Sanchez: Board of Finance
Glenn Sanchez has called Kent home since 1995 and is currently serving his second term as a Selectman. With extensive experience working on the Town Budget and several town subcommittees—including as Chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee—Glenn brings valuable insight to his candidacy for the Board of Finance. He teaches history at the Marvelwood School and at Education Without Walls, and he coaches girls lacrosse at Brookfield High School. A past president of the Kent Lions Club and active member of St. Andrew’s Parish, Glenn lives in the village with his wife Sarah, Director of the Kent Memorial Library. Their two children, Alex and Victoria, have followed in their parents’ footsteps as educators.
Deborah Devaux: Tax Collector
Born and raised in Kent, Deborah Devaux has proudly served as the town’s Tax Collector since 1989. Over the decades, she has watched the role grow in scope, even as its core responsibility—collecting municipal taxes—remains the same. A graduate of Kent Center School, Housatonic Valley Regional High School, and Wheelock College at Boston University, Deborah returned to Kent after college and quickly became an active member of the community, serving on numerous boards and commissions. She considers working with Kent’s taxpayers an honor and is running for re-election because she believes in the importance of the work and is proud of the job she’s doing. Kent has always been her home—and she hopes it always will be.
Darrell Cherniske: Planning & Zoning
Darrell Cherniske has served on Kent’s Planning and Zoning Commission since 2001, contributing 24 years of experience as both an alternate and full voting member. Born and raised in New Milford, Darrell graduated from Cornell University and moved to Kent in 1997, where he lives with his wife Melissa and son Aiden. He has worked at Kent Greenhouse since 1993 and is active in the design-build field, regularly working with zoning regulations in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. Darrell has played a key role in major updates to Kent’s zoning regulations and currently serves on the Cannabis Subcommittee and the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) Subcommittee, bringing thoughtful, informed leadership to land use planning in Kent.
Heather Brand: Board of Education
Heather Brand has lived in Kent for 31 years and works as a Senior Administrator at Marvelwood School, serving as Dean of Students, Library Director, and Safety Coordinator. A strong believer in public education, she is seeking re-election to the Kent Center School Board of Education to continue supporting access to quality, inclusive learning. Heather brings experience from past service on the Kent Park and Recreation Commission and various nonprofit boards, including her current role as Secretary of the Kent Community Nursery School. Trained in mediation and de-escalation, and with a background that spans both political parties, she values collaboration, fairness, and giving back to the community.
Cinda Clark: Board of Education
Cinda Clark brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood development and education. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Florida, where her work focused on policies and practices that support young children, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Cinda currently works remotely as a research coordinator for the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, leading federally and state-funded projects in professional development, program evaluation, and early learning. Since moving to Kent in August 2024 with her husband, Rich—Rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church—and their daughter Lydia, a third grader at KCS, Cinda is eager to give back to the community through service on the Kent Center School Board of Education.
Elissa Potts: Sewer Commission
Elissa Potts has been a Kent resident for 50 years and is the owner of the Fife ’n Drum Restaurant and Inn. A dedicated member of the community, Elissa has served on the Kent Sewer Commission for over 15 years, including the last 12 years as Chair. She is currently leading the Commission through a major upgrade of the sewer plant to ensure it meets the town’s future needs—a project she is committed to seeing through to completion.
Elissa brings deep experience as a small business owner and community leader. She previously served as President of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and co-chaired the Washington Montessori School Auction for several years. Elissa views her work on the Sewer Commission as an important way to give back to the town she loves. Her leadership ensures that Kent’s sewer system—operated as a self-sustaining utility with full-time staff—is run with the same fiscal responsibility and long-term vision she brings to her own business.
Catherine Mazza: Sewer Commission
Cathe Mazza has been a resident of Kent since 1981 and is a graduate of the Kent School. Now retired, she remains deeply engaged in the community through her volunteer work with the Kent Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and the national Food Rescue program. She also serves on the Board of the Kent Community Fund and is a veteran member of the Fire Department/EMS Corps. As a homeowner connected to the sewer line, Cathe has a vested interest in the town’s infrastructure and is running for a second 6-year term on the Sewer Commission to help ensure its effective operation and long-term sustainability.
Gary Ford: Board of Assessment Appeals
Gary has served on the Kent Board of Assessment Appeals since 2017 and currently chairs the board. He is seeking a third term, bringing over two decades of experience in commercial real estate acquisition and development, with a focus on property valuation, negotiation, and conflict resolution. A Kent resident for 14 years, Gary also serves as President of the Saddle Ridge Farm Association and Treasurer of Kent Affordable Housing. He is committed to fair, respectful, and collaborative public service, grounded in a deep appreciation for the community.
Steve Pener: Zoning Board of Appeals
Steve grew up in Kent, where he attended KCS and Housatonic Regional High School before going on to graduate from Skidmore College. He has worked as a Realtor in Litchfield County for the last 16+ years. He has a thorough knowledge of land development and local land-use policies acquired through years working in home construction, land surveying, and his service on the Town of Kent's Planning & Zoning Commission. Beyond his professional achievements, Steve serves as the Executive Director of Pond Mountain Natural Area, a protected tract of nearly 800 acres located in Kent. When he's not assisting his clients in navigating the local market, Steve can often be found enjoying his passion for cycling or coaching youth sports.
John Johnson: Zoning Board of Appeals
John grew up in Oregon where he met his wife when they were students. They moved east to be near her family in 1981. A highly-respected contractor by trade, John served on Kent’s Planning & Zoning Commission for 30 years and chaired that group for 12 years, including overseeing the last comprehensive review and re-writing of Kent’s Planning & Zoning Regulations. John is seeking a second term on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Justin Potter: Zoning Board of Appeals
Justin Potter has lived in Kent full-time since 2020, following several years as a part-time resident. He brings experience as both a member and alternate of the Zoning Board of Appeals, having first joined the board in 2023. Recently elevated to full membership, Justin is seeking election to continue contributing to the work he has found meaningful and informative. A small business owner since 2005, Justin also serves as President of Kent Affordable Housing and has served on the Kent Housing Plan Steering Committee. His broader conservation and land use experience includes board service with the Adirondack Council, the Adirondack Landowners Association, and the Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station. A Shepaug Valley High School and Cornell University graduate who grew up on a dairy farm in Washington, Connecticut, Justin is committed to civic involvement and the long-term well-being of the Kent community.
Adam Manes: Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Adam Manes was appointed as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals in April 2025. He previously served on Kent’s Planning and Zoning Commission, including as Vice Chair, and was actively involved in the POCD Subcommittee and the most recent zoning regulation rewrite. With a strong understanding of Kent’s zoning regulations and land use policies, Adam brings valuable experience to the ZBA. He works locally as a property manager, advising clients on building and landscape projects and overseeing contractor work, giving him a practical, hands-on perspective on zoning matters. Adam lives in South Kent with his wife and three sons.
Eric Epstein, our first-time First Selectman candidate, gave a great speech at the Democratic caucus. We thought it deserved reprinting here:
“Good evening, everyone.
Thank you all for being here tonight. It is truly an honor to be standing before you seeking your nomination for First Selectman. I’m incredibly humbled by your support and trust. This moment means more to me than I can fully express — not just because of what it represents for me personally, but because of what it represents for the town I love.
Kent is, and always has been, home. I was born here. I was raised here. I went through the school system right here in this town and region. After college, I didn’t go searching for somewhere else to build my life — I came home. I worked here. I built a career here. And now, I’m raising my family here.
This community, this town, has given me everything. And it’s because of that deep connection — that lifelong bond — that I feel so strongly about serving and giving back.
If elected as your First Selectman, my top priority will be clear and consistent: to do what’s right for Kent — for our residents, for our families, and for future generations. Every decision I make, every policy I support, will be guided by one central question: Does this make Kent a better place to live, work, and grow?
We’re lucky to live in a place as special as Kent. We have a rich history, a strong sense of community, and a rural charm that makes this town unique. But we also face very real challenges — challenges that require thoughtful leadership, open dialogue, and a shared vision.
We need to make sure Kent remains a place where people can afford to live — whether they’re young professionals just starting out, growing families looking for a supportive environment, or longtime residents who want to retire here with dignity. Affordability matters. And it's up to us to make smart, forward-thinking choices to ensure that Kent is inclusive and accessible to all who want to call it home.
At the same time, we must protect the very things that make Kent what it is — our open spaces, our farmland, our rural character, and our quiet roads. But preserving what we love about Kent doesn’t mean resisting all change. It means embracing the right kind of growth — the kind that strengthens our community without compromising its identity.
Growth, when done responsibly, can be a good thing. It can mean new local businesses, more jobs, enhanced recreation, improved services, and better infrastructure. It can mean opportunities for our young people to stay here and build lives here — and for new families to find the same welcoming community that so many of us have cherished for decades.
That’s why I believe strongly in thoughtful planning — in building a vision for Kent that includes both preservation and progress.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about leadership. It’s about common sense. And it’s about collaboration.
No First Selectman can lead alone — nor should they. My approach will always be rooted in transparency, communication, and respect. I am someone who listens first, who brings people together, and who puts our shared values before personal agendas. I want to hear your ideas. I want to hear your concerns. And I want you to know that your voice will matter in the decisions we make together.
I also want to prioritize investing in the things that make life better — recreation for our kids and families, resources for our seniors, support for our emergency services, and infrastructure that works for everyone. These aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities if we want a strong and vibrant future.
And I want Kent to be a place that feels alive — where our downtown is welcoming, where our local businesses thrive, where we take pride in our schools, and where we build on the strong foundation we’ve inherited from generations past.
Let me be clear: I don’t have all the answers. But I do promise to bring my full energy, commitment, and heart to this role every single day. I love this town — deeply — and I believe in what we can achieve together.
So thank you. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. Thank you for your support and for standing with me as we work toward something better.
I’m ready to get to work. And I hope you’ll join me — as neighbors, as partners, and as fellow residents — in building a future for Kent that honors our past, reflects our values, and rises to meet the challenges of our time.
Thank you, and may we always keep Kent a place we’re proud to call home.”