Parent Praises P&Z Candidates
To The Editor:
My name is Lori Leskin. I have lived in Westport for 30 years. I have a daughter with special needs.
When you are deciding who to vote for this year for Planning & Zoning, please keep in mind what Danielle Dobin, Michael Cammeyer and Neil Cohn have accomplished for some really important, but often overlooked, members of our community.
I felt so encouraged when a text amendment was introduced to allow the creation of affordable, semi-independent style apartments for adults with special needs. However, hearing some of the negative comments from others at P&Z hearings — including other P&Z Commissioners and members of the RTM — broke my heart.
My faith in our elected officials was restored when Danielle and her team made clear that they would not back down from advocating for people like my daughter. The P&Z adopted the text amendment in a split vote and Danielle defended it to the RTM, who in turn voted to support the text change. Now the first project of this type, which involves the restoration of a beautiful antique home, has been approved!
Adults with special needs deserve an opportunity to stay here. We shouldn’t have to send our children off to Stamford or Orange. Danielle, Michael & Neil represent exactly the type of P&Z Commissioners we need — creative, thoughtful, caring, responsive and willing to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. They have my vote and they deserve yours. Please vote for all three of them!
Yours truly,
Lori Leskin
RTM Candidate Endorsed to Return
To The Editor:
I am reaching out with a personal endorsement for my friend and colleague Liz Milwe, who is running for RTM District 1. She has previously held this post and did an excellent job. She’s recently been busy co-chairing Wakeman Town Farm, getting plastic bags banned from Westport, hosting political meetings, introducing the Pollinator Pathway initiative to Westport and so much more.
When you want someone to represent your interests, you want that person to be open, honest and welcoming. Liz is such a person. She asks questions about the people around her, quickly gets up to speed on issues that are important to Westporters, and, refreshingly, when she doesn’t know the answer, she digs in and does her homework to find out more.
Liz is a lifelong Westporter. She grew up in Town, went to Westport Public Schools, and, along with her husband, the late Peter Wormser, raised her three sons here.
Liz knows firsthand the challenges of living in a waterfront area. As a former RTM District 1 rep, Liz has a history of responding to her neighborhood constituents, fighting to restore FEMA grants to raise homes, advocating for extending sewer pump guarantees, spearheading the plastic bag ban to keep local waters clean, stopping phone books from being thrown on lawns, and advocating for funding to rebuild the Saugatuck Island Bridge.
I could go on about Liz ‘s experience, but I think it’s more important to note that Liz Milwe has an open door, to which all of her neighbors will attest. Liz is genuine and thoughtful, and you cannot find a better advocate or listener. When it’s time to cast your ballot, please vote for Liz Milwe RTM District 1. Her track record and her longstanding commitment to Westport issues is unmatched.
Best,
Christy Colasurdo
Candidates Praised for Speaking Their Minds
To The Editor:
Local elections matter. Decisions made here affect our daily lives and our local leaders represent us to the larger world.
Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin are experienced leaders, with integrity, compassion and practical know-how. They build consensus around difficult issues and move solutions forward. I am proud to support them for Selectmen.
I have also met Jen Tooker many times. Long ago when she was a candidate for BOE, I asked for her thoughts on starting school later, a movement gaining national attention. Her answer failed to reassure me that she had given or would give any thought to an issue which was directly in the control of the BOE. Her words were practiced, designed to say nothing, but delivered with a big smile and lots of nods.
This year, similar non-answers are all I have heard from the Tooker/Moore campaign. When equivocating was her response to the recent ugly propaganda bashing our educators, I realized that this inability to take a stand is disqualifying. Contrary to what the Tooker/Moore campaign claims, the “anti-CRT” hectoring from an anonymous group is not about transparency. Curriculum information is posted online, BOE meetings are public, public comments are welcomed, and discussion and debate is public. This rhetoric is not about transparency; it’s about fear-mongering and racism.
Jonathan and Candice didn’t hesitate to speak out against it immediately. I am still waiting for Jen and Andrea.
Frankly, Westport can’t wait. We can’t wait for integrity or leadership. Westport can’t continue to kick the can down the road on a myriad of local issues. It’s not enough to say nothing. It’s not enough to DO nothing. Vote for Steinberg and Savin, and know that they will lead Westport into the future with the values and priorities that we believe in as a community.
Amy Kaplan
RTM Member Supports Steinberg-Savin
To The Editor:
Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin are the right leaders at the right time.
Our town will need to make some difficult choices over the next several years. Whether it be about the environment, taxes, education, or affordable housing, our town will continue to evolve. Due, in part, to the pandemic, climate change, and ever-escalating attacks on our democratic institutions (including Westport’s Board of Education), there is clearly a heightened sense that the stakes these days feel higher.
This is why it’s imperative to have as the leaders of our town a first and second selectmen who have a deep intellectual understanding of the issues, who can set ego aside in order to make tough and sometimes difficult decisions, and who are committed to doing right by all constituents.
I have known both candidates for quite some time, not just as a political colleague or constituent, but also as friends. I know with certainty that they are above all else people of unquestionable integrity, who are honest and not afraid to speak their truth. These are compassionate and empathetic individuals, who understand that Westport does not and should not exist in a bubble, and who can be counted on to stand up for the things they care about without hesitation. Lucky for us that they care so deeply about Westport.
I encourage you to support Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin at the polls on November 2.
Sincerely,
Lauren H. Soloff
Three RTM-9 Candidates Endorsed
To The Editor:
I write to express my support for the re-election to RTM District 9 of the two incumbents running, Sal Liccione and Kristin Schneeman.
In their own ways and with their differing backgrounds, both Sal and Kristin have served our Town well.
I also write to express my support for a first time candidate for the RTM, Nancy Kail. Nancy and I have interacted at Winslow Park and over coffee, including to address 10 town issues I conveyed to all on the RTM. Nancy’s parents are well known for their work on behalf of Westport over many years. I expect Nancy to become a meaningful addition to the RTM.
I ask that the District 9 voters take a look at Nancy and support her candidacy.
Don Bergmann
Tooker & Moore Will “Walk the Walk”
To The Editor:
I am writing to express my strong support for the Tooker/Moore ticket for First Selectman and Second Selectman and encourage all Westport residents to vote in this important election on Nov. 2nd.
As a Westport resident for nearly 20 years, I have had the opportunity to get to know and work alongside Jen and Andrea in multiple local volunteer roles and strongly believe they have the right qualities to lead our town today and into the future. They are hardworking, thoughtful, empathetic and insightful leaders who take the time to understand all points of view on the various challenges and opportunities facing Westport, and make informed decisions that benefit all our residents. They possess a unique combination of managerial experience, fiscal stewardship and passion for our community.
Most importantly, Jen and Andrea are conveners who work to ensure that all voices feel they are heard and considered. They listen, they learn, and they act, working to optimize all the great attributes of Westport today, while addressing the areas for improvement in an informed and inclusive manner.
While their opponents like to talk the talk, Jen and Andrea have and will continue to walk the walk for Westport.
Please vote Tooker/Moore on Nov. 2nd.
Jackie Kolek
Board of Ed Member Endorses Steinberg & Savin
To The Editor:
Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin have what it takes to lead Westport to the next level … and they are deeply committed to ensuring the continued excellence of our schools as an essential pillar of our community. Please support both on November 2nd.
Jonathan is an independent thinker with a solid and consistent track record of bringing people together to find common ground and to get things done. He has steadfastly supported our schools and actively contributed to the resolution of challenges along the way, both in the RTM and as our state representative.
Candice has led the Board of Education through unprecedented times and has ensured that our students continue to thrive.
Jonathan and Candice have a clear vision for making our town even stronger, and they have the skills and experience to deliver on it.
Elaine Whitney / Secretary, former Chair, Board of Education
Some takeaways from last night’s LWV P&Z debate:
Kudos to Michael Cammeyer for admitting that denial of the proposal to improve the Wilton Rd. – Post Rd. Intersection was a mistake, and shame on Jack Whittle for spinning a false narrative to defend that decision on the basis that it would only have added 14” to the roadway.
[Unsaid but equally regrettable was the rezoning of Baron’s South to preempt a proposal for senior housing which had all the elements of a win/win for the town, another misjudgment which Jack inexplicably continues to defend.]
The incumbents took justifiable credit for increasing affordable housing options by green-lighting ADUs and in-home apartments and for their cooperation with the ad hoc bus shelter group by amending the Regulations to exclude bus shelters from the definition of “structure.”
Much credit also goes to Ron Corwin who reminded us that while chairing the Commission he advocated forcefully for outdoor dining, lights at the Bedford and Staples athletic fields, and relocation of the Y; and that as co-founder and Chair of the Coalition he championed initiatives to improve access to the river by relocating parking on Jesup Green and Parker-Harding Plaza.
Although there was some sense that we could have handled 8-30g better than we did, Jack disagreed with the incumbents about who deserves credit for the moratorium.
Opinions differed about the Cribari Bridge – no surprise there – but there seemed to be an understanding that we have to wait for the State to make its recommendations before confronting the issue.
All in all, it was a respectful and mostly substantive exchange which bodes well for the future.
I loved the P and Z debate…agree with Larry Weisman, it was civil, and informative with zero political grandstanding . All the candidates stayed on course, and kept it Westport. Thank you!!!
Westporters leading Westport forward
Recently, my wife and I witnessed a presentation by Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore. What impressed us was that neither one made disparaging comments about their opponents. That was refreshing as we prefer the nastiness of our national political discourse, stay out of our beloved Town of Westport. Most impressive though, is how deep their knowledge and experience is with actually running this Town. They are highly qualified leaders and both wonderful women.
Bob Corroon