By John Schwing
WESTPORT — TEAM Westport, the town’s multicultural advisory committee — buffeted by controversy over hot-button issues like inclusion and diversity, as well as its role in town government and its own procedures — was told Thursday by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker that its business needs to be transparent and “importantly, civil.”
Tooker, in a statement delivered at TEAM’s Thursday morning meeting — and later widely circulated by email — said civil discourse at the local level is in jeopardy, citing a report, “Civic Pulse: Local Government Leadership,” compiled by Civic Pulse, a group whose “mission is to enhance local government through shared data, research, and benchmarks,” according to its website.
The report reflects a year’s-worth of data the group compiled on “threats, harassment, and attacks against local officials.”
Tooker, however, did not cite any specific incidents in Westport that she feels reflect the degradation of public discourse or lack of transparency. (The first selectwoman’s full statement is attached at the end of this article.)
Asked by the Westport Journal to elaborate on why she chose to make her statement to TEAM Westport or if there are any specific reasons that precipitated her remarks, Tooker’s office responded that the Civic Pulse report “was cited on NPR last week, which prompted an opportunity to address the issue.”
An email sent to TEAM Chairman Harold Bailey Jr. seeking comment was not returned in time for publication.
While Tooker declined to say why she chose to make her statement on civility and transparency at a TEAM Westport meeting — the general nature of the statement could apply to any town board or committee — the heated exchanges that erupted at the group’s recent meetings may be the reason she selected that forum.
TEAM Westport, which had not met since July, last spring hosted several fractious sessions, with a rift opening between longtime members and some new appointees. The new members were named to the panel by the first selectwoman after the legality of the committee’s composition was challenged by two residents who threatened a lawsuit.
Tooker, after consulting with Town Attorney Ira Bloom, agreed to make changes in response to the legal threat, setting new membership guidelines for TEAM and the town’s other advisory committees, essentially requiring that they conform with Town Charter-set rules for elected boards and commissions.
As a result, five new members were appointed by her to the committee in September 2022.
Since then, several of the new appointees — most notably, Andy Frankel — have raised questions about whether the committee’s procedures lack transparency, limit debate and fail to conform with open-government rules.
Frankel, at several meetings, became a lightning rod for criticism from some veteran TEAM members, who despite Frankel’s assurances, questioned his commitment to the committee’s mission, called him “duplicitous,” characterized some of his remarks as “BS” and advised him to “talk less and listen more.”
At a May meeting, Bailey accused Frankel of lying about how the committee’s business is conducted.
Addressing the issue of civility in her Thursday statement, Tooker said, in part: “We are fortunate to have such an engaged community, and when this many people share their different opinions, emotions can run high. I also pride myself on being a leader that listens to everyone. I feel strongly that people need — and deserve — to be heard.”
“We won’t always agree, but we should all have the best interest of our town at heart,” she said. “It’s critical that our decision-making process remains transparent and, importantly, civil …
“I’m asking each of you to join me in keeping our discourse civil and productive.”
John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.
Read the full text of First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker’s statement on civility and transparency here:
Before our ” good intentions” lead us down the path to Hell we had better take a hard look at the “fair” policies that are being enacted across the country, including right here in Westport. Jen Tooker implores people at a TEAM Westpoet meeting to practice civility during discussions. The problem is, as more people become aware of what TEAM Westport and DEI oriented lawmakers are attempting to do they are becoming more outspoken and outraged.
To be clear, DEI policies embraced by leadership here in Westport are harmful and divisive. The salient part of DEI is the E that stands for equity. The D (diversity) and the I (inclusion) can only be achieved if you accept the premise that equity must be the goal separate from any effort on the part of individuals.
Let’s examine for a minute the definition of the word equity- “justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism” Websters New Collegiate dictionary. In the natural world in which presumably exists natural law, how do animals survive, by demanding that others feed and shelter them? And if equity is freedom from bias ans favoritism, how is subsidizing some at the expense if others equity?
TEAM Westport, with the support of town leadership is promoting this pernicious ideology in our town. Emboldened by people’s fear of being called racist, white supremacist, homophobic , etc leftists have been able to intimidate citizens into accepting changes to zoning, school curriculum, policing, etc in the name of “fairness”. After the violent carjacking in Westport there was a Town Hall meeting during which the police explained how they are being hampered by new laws that protect criminals at the expense of being able to protect you. I said at that meeting that we need to vote out of office those legislators who would bring these policies to our town, state and country. That includes all of the nonsense that DEI would impose upon us. Enough is enough. Regardless of party affiliation we must examine each candidate’s stand on the aforementioned issues. If you don’t like what you see vote them out. If you do like what you see reread 1984 and the Gulag Archipelago.