By Thane Grauel
WESTPORT — Representative Town Meeting Moderator Jeff Wieser has asked the committee that drafted the body’s “Conduct Guidelines and Expectations” to reconvene and take another look at the document.
He also walked back some statements he made to member Sal Liccione, District 9, in an April 19 email. Wieser rebuked Liccione for comments he was told were made at an RTM Transit Committee meeting two days earlier.
Liccione had questioned the qualifications and experience of a town employee to tackle the future of the town’s Transit District.
Four members apparently contacted Wieser anonymously, and he emailed Liccione without asking him for his version. Read the earlier story here, which includes an audio clip of the conversation in question.
Wieser’s email reminded Liccione of the code, and said the matter would be recorded with the town clerk as “an unusual event.”
The email upset Liccione, and raised questions about the code restricting free speech. (Part of Wieser’s email referenced outdated text that was removed from the final version for that very reason.)
On Friday, Wieser emailed Liccione once again:
Sal:
My email to you last week has raised a number of issues, many of which were unexpected, and none of which was meant to be publicly embarrassing to you. The public discussion cannot be undone; however, I want to clarify a few things.
I realize that my email reminding you of the Conduct Guidelines should not have implied a warning of any future consequences and should not have been copied to the Town Clerk, and I apologize. The Guidelines, by design and by their own terms do not have an enforcement mechanism. While they set forth the RTM’s own agreements on what we consider respectful behavior, they are not meant to stifle or curtail free speech. To the extent that my letter stated or implied that there were warnings, offenses, or future consequences, I retract that. Please rest assured that there is no file or record of any violations of the Guidelines.
I hope with this letter, we can move on as you continue your active role as a productive and respected RTM representative of District 9.
All the best,
Jeff
Wieser told the Westport Journal on Monday that he had asked Stephen Shackleford, District 8, the chairman of the committee that drafted the code, to take another look at it.
“I did ask the committee to reconvene and look at this …,” Wieser said. “And see what the future holds for the conduct code.”
Liccione said he is still upset.
“I think that it can be used in this aspect was very hurtful,” he said.
“We have to have a rethink of everything, look at all aspects of this thing,” he said, “especially the freedom of speech issues.”
“I would also say I want some outside attorneys to look at this,” Liccione said.
Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.
Walking back unjust actions is not an apology. Also conspicuously absent in the Moderator’s letter is any sense of contrition.
Nor can this issue be broad brushed aside and shrugged off as politics as usual. According to the Town website:
“Unlike many other legislative bodies, Westport’s RTM is nonpartisan, although members may belong to a political party.”
Since words matter, I offer the following words and terms as defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary, in alphabetical order:
APOLOGY: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret. Example: a public apology
BULLY: a blustering, browbeating person, especially one who is habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable
BULLY PULPIT: a prominent public position (such as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one’s views.
JUSTICE: the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
NONPARTISAN: not partisan, especially : free from party affiliation, bias, or designation
WALK BACK: to retreat from or distance oneself from (a previously stated opinion or position)
WITCH HUNT:: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (such as political opponents) with unpopular views
Anyone who chooses to attack me or my comments rather than focusing on the problem — please feel free to have at.
I’ll be right here, wearing my ruby red slippers, eyes closed, clicking my feet together over and over again, whispering repeatedly: ” There’s no place like home.”
I respect the fact that the Moderator took this step. That was the right thing to do.
Nope. Just nope. Continue to miss the mark.
Your word choice is all banged up.
Sal may let his emotions get the best of him sometimes, but I think it’s important to remember that emotion is energy in motion. Rather than suppressing or denying his feelings, he allows them to flow and be expressed. That kind of emotional intelligence and authenticity is something to be admired.