Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to members of the Representative Town Meeting, and a copy submitted to the Westport Journal for publication.

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To RTM Moderator Jeff Wieser and our other RTM representatives:

Something extraordinary occurred at the Feb. 13 RTM meeting, which has not received deserved attention.

An RTM representative declared and manifested, significant anxiety about being bullied, assaulted, insulted, disparaged, falsely accused, intentionally mischaracterized and segregated for expressing legitimate concerns. 

Visibly nervous, this elected representative informed 100-plus attendees, cable TV viewers and archival posterity, that in addition to her own disquietude, other RTM representatives and public attendees maintained silence for fear of retribution and reproach. It was distressing to witness.

The importance of this occurrence cannot be overstated, so it bears repeating:

A kindhearted, caring, intelligent, diligent, practical, ever-respectful, soft-spoken representative of Westport’s electorate was visibly shaking and afraid to speak, while other RTM representatives were silenced due to similar intimidations, and fear of retribution and reprimand for expressing views.

Imagine how absurd and disturbing that reality is — that due to fear and intimidation it required extraordinary courage for RTM representatives to express legitimate concerns and recommendations to their colleagues, constituents and to the general public.

THIS is illustrative of how far your RTM has fallen. You have not adequately recognized this. You avoid acknowledging this. You have not sufficiently cared.

History teaches that censorship arrives in a variety of manner. While instituting repression via policy is a direct means, exacting discomfort is a soft tyranny utilized in a democracy to silence those with contrary viewpoints, who dare to question the leadership or majority, differ in perspective, desire debate, or recommend an alternative approach.

Instead of the “doubling-down self-congratulatory parade” displayed by the RTM representatives at this meeting, and the effusive praise of vitriolic parents who were encouraged by the silence of our officials, we should have (at a minimum) heard a degree of RTM contrition about how the Long Lots process could have been better — should have been better. 

We should have heard how the Town Charter provisions and precedent are meaningful. We should have heard that the reckless aspersions voiced by too many Long Lots parents was UNjustified and will not be tolerated; instead it was thanked, praised, and even falsely and disingenuously insinuated as being appropriate and necessary to ensure that the Long Lots School remedy occurs. Preposterous. Ludicrous. Absurdity.

Sadly, “The ends justifies the means” and entrenched cronyism continues ensconced as a viable modus operandi to discourage and stifle. It once again illustrates that bullying, insulting and intimidating opponents, and concocting then parroting a “big lie” is tolerable — even encouraged — because it’s an effective means to overpower dissension and overcome undesired obstacles.

Understand, this letter is NOT written regarding the $6.8 million appropriation decision, nor to impugn the LLSBC volunteers or the work they have done.

AND I DO NOT write this letter absent great appreciation for the good work that many of the RTM representatives engage in, or without recognition of the numerous hours most representatives dedicate voluntarily to serving our town’s interests.

However, volunteerism is not a garment that legitimatizes what we have witnessed, and should not be repeatedly trumpeted by RTM membership as such.

Despite never being affiliated with the community gardeners, having had two children who graduated Long Lots Elementary School, being supportive of the school’s reconstruction, and dedicating nearly four decades to a field of acute care medicine that prioritized the health and well being of children, I anticipate that my perspectives will remain either ignored, disparaged, distorted or intentionally mischaracterized by those who revel in so doing — the “empowering” device of haters is that they always manage to fabricate justification. 

As in the past, I might be conveniently disregarded and derided as being a solitary, unappreciative resident’s opinion. So be it. I risk it. However, hopefully others might chose to reflect, perhaps concur, and do something with my concerns.

Regardless, I urge you to review how you have affected more than one of your own, and reflect upon whether this is the reality and consequence that you desire.

I hear RTM insiders espouse derision, with a professed concern about allegedly hearing some residents question the worthiness of volunteerism that might expose them to undesired criticism. How ironic, disturbing and worrisome that RTM members themselves refuse to recognize and acknowledge their own culpability in fomenting these very concerns — how certain members are known to mistreat not only the public, but also injuriously regard their own colleagues if they do not adequately “step in line;” or via their silent passive tolerance of such behaviors by others. 

This hypocrisy is not subtle.

What occurred, and continues to occur at the RTM, is not only disheartening, but dangerous — and it clearly does not engender the collaboration, confidence or optimization of Westport’s best interests as openly displayed and intentionally prioritized by the RTM and town leadership in 1999. 

Watching that public display of credible apprehension and witnessing the decidedly apathetic reception by the RTM was chilling. You need only revisit the evening of Feb. 13 to witness the validity of my words.

The appropriate reaction is for the RTM membership to meaningfully embrace, and with swift determination rectify what transpired — unless with unrelenting hubris you prefer to cling steadfast to self-congratulatory approbation, and remain resolute to not sufficiently care.

Respectfully,

Jay M. Walshon, MD FACEP

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