To the editor:

I read with great dismay the latest campaign emails from Jamie Fitzgerald and Camilo Riano, candidates for the Westport Board of Education. In response, I am writing to urge Westport voters to support the three qualified, experienced and sensible BoE candidates — Democrats Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips, and unaffiliated write-in candidate Jill Dillon. The angry extremism of Fitzgerald and Riano has no place in public office in this community.

In their latest fact-free emails, Fitzgerald and Riano contend that efforts to foster an inclusive school environment are aligned with support for terrorism and violence. They imply that their Democratic competitors in this election hold views that, Fitzgerald and Riano claim, are linked to support for Hamas. They essentially accuse the Democratic Town Committee of antisemitism.

There is a lot of gaslighting, and a lot to object to, in these campaign messages. It’s too much to tackle in a short letter. But it’s hard to believe these candidates — and apparently, Westport’s Republican Town Committee, which selected them — think this is the type of conduct Westporters are looking for from their public officials. I am certain they are mistaken. 

In a time when many are suffering amidst great tragedy in the Middle East, the last thing we need are would-be politicians trying to use these events to their electoral advantage. 

Westport’s boards long have been known for their spirit of cooperation and pragmatism. The BoE, in particular, has never been a place where political partisanship prevents things from getting done. Let’s keep it that way.

Westporters can vote for three candidates in the upcoming BoE election. Please vote for Goldstein, Phillips and Dillon.

Rob Driscoll

Westport

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“Experienced, proven public servants … who reach across the aisle”

To the editor:

I enthusiastically support Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips for re-election to our Board of Education. Additionally, I wholeheartedly endorse Jill Dillon as a write-in candidate.

One of many elements of a healthy, thriving democratic republic is an open invitation to those registered to vote to run for local office. Such is the standard in Westport.  Being uniquely qualified to serve, however, is an entirely different thing, made abundantly clear by both Republican candidates running for the Westport Board of Education, judging by their inaccurate, insulting statements regarding our exceptional schools’ performance, our values and priorities, much less a clearly veiled disdain for the daily work of 1000-plus professionals who serve our most important “constituents,” our children.

To claim that the WPS neglect to teach civics or challenge students with rigor, have a particular agenda based upon the selection of books held in library-media centers, should wrongfully abstain from considering vital social emotional factors as we care for student well-being, contributing to readiness to learn and perform, much less insult a team of highly touted professionals, administration and faculty alike, by calling them “groomers,” is misinformed at best, derisive, and destructive to what’s been accomplished at worst, a clear threat to WPS accomplishments and the farthest I can imagine from what embodies responsible, forward-thinking, non-partisan leadership.

Please vote to re-elect Lee and Neil. They work tirelessly, dedicated to steering the WPS, a glowing lighthouse district, through most challenging times. Both are experienced, proven public servants and good listeners who reach across the aisle striving for effective, collaborative, research-based decision-making. 

As importantly, please cast a write-in vote for Jill Dillon, highly qualified in her own right, who stepped up to the plate as a necessary last-minute alternative to those who would, I’ve no doubt, damage our wonderful schools if given the chance.

David Deitch

Westport

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“Caring, dedicated and smart”

To the editor:

Caring, dedicated and smart — vote for Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips for BOE.

Not afraid to speak out and fight for our kids, Lee and Neil care about their emotional health as well as their academic success.  

They want our kids to have libraries that have not banned books, but are focused on encouraging the lifelong love of reading.  

Neil is a great attorney (he is mine) and has served on both the RTM and the BOE. Lee has led our PTA and now is leading our BOE. 

They are caring, dedicated and smart. Vote to re-elect Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips.

Liz Milwe

Westport

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“Lee, Neil and Jill put our schools first”

To the editor:

The Westport public schools have come a long way in four years. 

Four years ago, Lee Goldstein was a CMS PTA president doggedly advocating for the families of Coleytown Middle School in light of severe water incursion, and the resulting need to accommodate over 400 students in a different location. Just the discussion of where those kids would go — whether all elementary schools should keep their sixth graders, should we consolidate in one middle school permanently—was emotionally charged, pitting elementary school communities against each other, let alone the discussion of what to do with the CMS property itself. 

Neil Phillips sat on the board then, listening to every stakeholder, working with the administration to chart a course through the crisis. BOE meetings ran late into the night for board and community members. Thanks to the work of Lee, Neil and others, our community came out of that crisis with a beautiful healthy new CMS, just in time for the COVID 19 crisis.

During the pandemic, the board, on which Lee served and to which Neil returned in 2021, and the community grappled with the health and safety of every student and educator. Discussions were often contentious, but the schools re-opened in a safe and timely manner, with our devoted faculty and administration making herculean efforts.

The board, led by Lee as chairwoman and Neil as secretary, has come through two major crises and still overseen enhancements to programs and offerings, the drafting of a forward-looking and thoughtful strategic plan that prioritizes student well-being, and developed a plan for our facilities. 

These past four years, Jill Dillon has been a devoted PTA leader at KHS and CMS, doing everything from thoughtfully contributing at BOE meetings to hosting school events that bring joy to students, teachers and parents alike. Be it a staff lunch, a dance, an art show or a Coleytown Company production, Jill is tireless in her work on behalf of our faculty and students.

Because Lee, Neil and Jill put our schools first, we have the luxury of arguing about whether our district is number 1 or 2. 

Let’s not forget how we got here! Please vote Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips in Row A and write-in Jill Dillon in Row E for the Board of Education on Nov. 7.

Rebecca Martin

Westport

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“Transparent, truthful and authentic with all Westport residents”

To the editor:

When I go to the polls on Nov. 7, I will vote for Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips for the Westport Board of Education. 

I know and trust that Lee’s and Neil’s judgment and integrity is critical to governing our highest quality of schools. I know and trust that they will continue to prioritize every child’s ability to thrive and to reach their full potential. I know and trust that they will not waiver in their commitment to truth, transparency and trust. 

Trust is the operative word. I trust that  Lee and Neil will protect what is great about our schools and work tirelessly to make our schools even better. I will vote for Lee and Neil to show my support for our schools and stand against any effort to weaken them. I will vote to show my support for all students and stand against candidates who still falsely accuse our schools of illegal and harmful activities. I will vote for the professionalism of our educators and stand against candidates who oppose the new strategic plan, supported by thousands of students, parents and staff.

I trust that Lee and Neil are transparent, truthful and authentic with all Westport residents. Unfortunately, I am deeply worried and cannot say the same of two of their opponents. For democracy to thrive, we need truthful and transparent candidates in both parties. For voters to have confidence in our democracy, they need to know who candidates represent. The campaigns of Lee and Neil’s opponents have torn pages from nationally funded anti-public school playbooks. They cannot be for our schools when they use packaged tactics and words deliberately designed to weaken trust in our teachers and our schools. A functioning board of education starts from a foundation of truth, transparency and trust and not fear mongering and misleading accusations. Westport deserves better. 

Please join me in voting on Nov. 7. I strongly, and with no reservation, endorse Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips. I trust them!

Joan Hogan Gillman

Westport