By John Schwing
WESTPORT — Candice Savin, unlike her Democratic running mate in the Nov. 2 election, would be “honored” to serve in the Board of Selectmen’s third seat.
That, however, depends on whether Jennifer Tooker, the Republican who won the first selectman’s race, and her running mate, Andrea Moore, choose to appoint Savin to the expected vacancy.
“I would be honored to serve the town as third selectperson,” Savin said Saturday. “It is important to me to accurately understand the rules and the process of filling this position, under the circumstance that Jonathan Steinberg declines the position.”
Savin said she has “reached out to First Selectperson-elect Jennifer Tooker to discuss how we might work together for the benefit of the town and she was extremely gracious.
“If I am able to assume this role I believe it would be a nice signal to our community that we can all come back together after a hard-fought campaign,” she added.
Savin is a lawyer who has been a Board of Education member since 2016, serving as its chairwoman for the last two years.
Steinberg not interested in “third-wheel” status
State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, the Democrats’ candidate for first selectman, narrowly lost to Tooker in the contest for the town’s top job.
A day after his defeat, Steinberg said he would decline to serve as the board’s minority-party selectman, as is the usual case for the defeated first selectman candidate.
Citing his leadership role in the state legislature, Steinberg told the Westport Journal, “I am a six-term state representative and the chairman of a large committee [in the state General Assembly]. Why would one give up a large job for a tiny one?”
He further described the minority-party selectman as a “third wheel,” adding that logistics would have made it too difficult for him to keep both jobs, and responsibly carry out his legislative duties in Hartford and selectman’s role in Westport.
That means, under the town charter, the seat is formally considered a vacancy once Tooker and Moore are sworn in Nov. 15, according to Assistant Town Attorney Eileen Lavigne Flug.
Flug said the Republicans must appoint a Democrat to fill the board’s third seat.
However, Tooker and Moore are not required to appoint a Democrat recommended by the Democratic Town Committee.
Unlike Steinberg, Democrats’ leadership calls third selectman seat ‘valuable’
In a statement distancing itself from Steinberg’s comments about the third selectman’s seat, Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Ellen Lautenberg on Saturday said the committee “recognizes the third selectman as a valuable member of Westport’s leadership team …”
If Steinberg formally declines to take the seat, Savin “is interested in being considered to fill the position … Candice has expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for the benefit of the town,” according to the party’s statement.
“The DTC appreciates the significant contributions that third selectmen have made to Westport over the years and looks forward to recommending a new Democratic member to the Board of Selectmen.”
Elgin contends vacancy is rightly his
TJ Elgin, the Libertarian Party’s first selectman candidate, said Wednesday he feels the vacancy belongs to him.
“The third [selectman] spot goes to the next highest voted [first] selectman candidate, which means second selectman candidates are not included,” contended Louis D’Onofrio, Elgin’s running mate.
“Unlike my opponent, Steinberg, I will not let the town down again,” Elgin said Wednesday. “I will happily be seated for the third selectman seat.”
Elgin and D’Onofrio received 64 votes in the municipal election, while Tooker and Moore won with 4,237, and Steinberg and Savin got 4,168.
I voted for tooker and would be happy with SAvin or another qualified candidate they chose. Elgin is unqualified – please do not give him a role where responsibility is needed.
I am confident that Jen & Andrea will approve a quality candidate to complement what will prove to become an outstanding Board of Selectpersons. The 3rd position has always been important IF the first two care about what’s best for Westport. As I’ve stated before, ideas are not partisan.
From my non- partisan vantage point, Candace represents a highly qualified 3rd, with the temperament, intellect and articulation that will be highly regarded during ANY contemplation that comes before the Town – as it should be.
As a 37 year Wesrpirt resident, I thank Mr. Elgin for his willingness to run for office, participate in the debates, and for presenting alternative perspectives and worthy ideas.
However, having said that, as disappointing as it might be I would appreciate his acknowledgment that receiving only 64 votes has significant meaning vis a vis Westport’s reception of his desire to lead our Town.
With that resident desire being of paramount importance, the 3rd selectperson vacancy should not become about him – and I suspect that he knows that. Instead of reaching for a legal “loophole” I would hope that, like all Westporters, he will desire that our new First Selectwoman be afforded the opportunity to round out her Town executive board in the most effective manner she deems appropriate for the entire Town.
That’s what love of Westport is all about.
Dr J
Candi participated in a campaign against Jen and Andrea that was not based on disagreements about issues but rather focused on Jen and Andrea’s deficient values and implicitly their racist backward attitudes. Given how she portrayed and smeared her opponents during the election, she should not be willing to serve with them on ethical grounds. The administration likewise should not trust her to use that seat for any purpose but undermining them.
If it matters, Randy Grove is not a Westport voter,
TJ Elgin Sent out a press release on Oct, 10th stating Mr. Steinberg would drop out if he did not win and requested Mr. Steinberg address this on the debate stage. Please read their press release here: https://votewestport.com/historical-press-releases
I find it funny that people called this man a conspiracy theorist or mock the vote tally when he has been speaking truth the entire election. I would not be surprised if he had more votes than reported either.
His running mate ran to shine light on town corruption, but yet none of the other candidates, Selectman Tooker or Representative Steinberg, even discussed the missing funds at the health department.
This town needs Elgin but does not deserve him.
Lets go TEEN WOLF!
Democrat, Marty Hauhuth ran successfully against Republican Bill Seiden for first Selectman in 1985. When Seiden declined to serve as 3rd Selectman, Mart chose Joe Fuchs to 3 Rd selectman. When Fuchs departed from the board. Marty appointed Ken Berhard.
In 2010, Democratic First Selectman Gordon Joselof and Second Selectman Shelley Kasse appointed Republican Charlie Haberstroh to fill the Third Selectman spot when Gavin Anderson resigned due to health reasons.
The Town Charter require vacancies to be filled by remaining board members. They must fill the position with a member of the same party as the person that has left the board.
I thought Teen Wolf was getting the 3rd seat! Better lock your doors! He may get upset and go on a howling…….