WESTPORT–David Rosenwaks, a singer-songwriter and former owner of a financial firm, has joined the race for First Selectman as the Independent Party’s nominee. In the Nov. 4 election, he’ll face Democrat Kevin Christie and Don O’Day, a lifelong Democrat who changed his party to “unaffiliated” to run on the Republican line. The first selectman serves a four-year term.
A native of New York City, Rosenwaks is relatively new to Westport – and to his political career.
Ivy league to Wall Street
He began his adult life as a magna cum laude graduate from Dartmouth College; from there he headed to Wall Street and Salomon Brothers.
He eventually started his own financial firm, cashed out, and began his second career as a singer-songwriter. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he moved his family from Brooklyn to Westport.
His entry into public life began when he became familiar with redistricting plans in the Westport Public Schools. Living near the border between the attendance zones for Long Lots and Saugatuck elementary schools, he learned that his kids could be redistricted, possibly more than once, he became concerned about their future.
A realization
To learn more, he attended an RTM meeting. During the discussion of adding modular classrooms to the overcrowded Long Lots School, a parent said, “Let’s redistrict right now,” and light went off in Rosenwaks’ head.
The future of Westport results from the actions of its elected representatives, he realized. And those representatives need to listen to their constituents.
Fast forward to 2023. Campaigning for a spot as a Representative of District 6 in the RTM, he went door to door.
“I knocked on 700 doors,” Rosenwaks said. “I got to hear from a lot of my constituents.”
Since being elected, he’s stayed in touch with District 6 residents, “trying to help people and making sure they know where to go to get issues addressed.”
Collaboration
“If I become First Selectman, I’ll want more collaboration and more inclusive conversations,” he said.
Rosenwaks was impressed with former Selectwoman Diane Farrell’s “Brown Bag Lunches,” where she held a weekly bull session with anyone who wanted her ear. “Hundreds of people feel unheard,” he said. “Everyone should be valued.”
All the same team
The political divisions in this town shouldn’t exist, he said. In his view, “We’re all playing on the same team.” Rosenwaks wants to get things done but with “more action, less talking.” If that requires compromise, so be it: “give a little, get a little” should apply when making consequential decisions, he said.
Making decisions is important, Rosenwaks feels. “I’ve spent the last several years going to almost every” municipal meeting in town. While everyone should have a voice, endless discussions are simply a way to kick the can down the road and avoid making decisions, he said.
He lauded the town’s four-step plan to improve parking downtown, especially its graduated approach and careful monitoring.
Centrist
Westport’s electorate is “pretty centrist,” he said. And each voter can hold a variety of opinions. “You can be pro-environment and, at the same time, be pro-security, pro-police.”
On some hot-button issues, Rosenwaks was clear that more transparency in town government is needed.
Positions
Where to site the Community Gardens that will have to move for the Long Lots School rebuilding project was an issue that produced a lot of rancor and disagreement. Rosenwaks feels for the gardeners but, since “taking care of our schools” is Westport’s enduring, number one priority, the town had an obligation early in the process “to have an honest discussion” about the garden’s future.
On the future of Saugatuck, he recognizes that “90 percent of Westport” would welcome change in Saugatuck but that the same share feels that the Hamlet was “too large.”
As a relatively new resident, Rosenwaks wants to be a “bridge between the 40-year residents and the newer Westporters.”
“This is a great town,” with a very proud legacy and a wealth of amenities. But it is constantly evolving.
“I want to listen to the people of Westport [and do what I can to] help them” enjoy this town as it evolves.
First of all. Congratulations David.
I have had the pleasure of speaking on numerous occasions with David.
He does not laude the current administrations 4 step process- destined to be a disaster. Quite the contrary.
David and I have had many frank conversations regarding the downtown/dpic/shit show.
David supports merchants and , I gather, at least from our conversations, believes merchants success is integral to a healthy and thriving downtown. I presume that should be the goal of any town.
The current administrations stance on the downtown is borne of sheer ignorance. It is inept and vengeful.
If only they would remove their heads from the sand, they would also see the wood for the trees.
I spoke with David tonight.
He reaffirmed his support of the merchants.
Dividing to conquer is mute.
Having worked with many singers, I have noticed that singers love harmony. Singers make great leaders, but not so much actors (think Reagan) or TV reality show hosts.
I concur with Mary’s comments above – congratulations to David! And congratulations to all of Westport for being given the opportunity to vote for and elect a person who has the vision, the skills, and the temperament to lead our town in a way that will reflect our values and our reputation as a great town to live in. Being an artist himself, David understands how the arts contribute to the quality of life all around us.
Put simply, David Rosenwaks is as good as it gets when it comes to candidates for public office. He is all about giving service to the community and wanting to make Westport the best version of Westport that we can be.
Recently I had to undergo surgery. When I got home from the hospital, the first person who called wanting to bring me chicken soup was David. And he did. When David says he is going to do something, he does it.
David is the real deal. VOTE FOR DAVID on November 4!
Everyone knows community activists and phonies with big smiles who cheat in school (and probably elsewhere) make the “best” leaders. Right.
Ms. Wylie, I’m sure You can’t be talking about David, either you’ve never met him or even spoke to him, or possibly not know him from a hole in the wall? I’ve know David & his family for 25 years that’s why I know you can’t be speaking about him! In my 68 years on this planet I’ve never met a more sincere , modest or smarter person than David. That’s why I know you don’t know him or anything about him or his family! From top to bottom from his father Zev to his mother Stacy his sister Gaelin to his beautiful wife Liz & his two adorable daughters Ava & Ella they are 1st class all the way! That’s why I know You either don’t know my friend David or you’re someone who just has nothing better to do than smear the good name of a Man who’s reputation is impeccable. Sorry to bother you so I’ll let you get back to your fascinating life.
David is an honest, kind and forthright person. He really listens to the neighbors and cares about people – not politics. He is running as an independent, which means that he is not beholden to any party. He does not have any financial ties to local developers or other interests that would create a fiduciary conflict, something that we have seen far too much of in Westport. David is deeply respected across so many different circles and walks of life in our town. He can unite Westport to get things done, and under his leadership he will help to keep us focused on common sense policies that really work and benefit everyone.
To be clear, I do not know David or anything about him other than what I read here. My comment was responding to Ms. Gates snarky reference to Ronald Reagan not being a good leader. I was commenting on the lamentable leadership of Obama (community activist) and Biden (big smile phony).
Ms. Wylie, please be more specific. Is it lamentable that more people now have insurance coverage because of the Affordable Care Act? Is it lamentable that the US had the greatest economy in the world under President Biden? Is it lamentable that, thanks to President Biden and the Democratic Congress, the local and national infrastructure is getting long overdue upgrades?
Is it lamentable that neither President Obama or President Biden had any felony convictions? I think you need to rethink your priorities.
Delighted to oblige Roxane. Let’s start with the so called Affordable Care Act. Unless you have no or almost no income and qualify for Husky Health Care, the ACA is unaffordable. I know this for a fact since one of my own children does not get employer provided health care and after much research was only was able to afford what is in fact only a catastrophic type policy with a 10,000 dollar deductible. The type policy that covers none of the minor ailments of a young person and only really pays out if you are lucky enough to get hit by a bus.
Next an economy that saw inflation reach over 9% was hardly stellar. Add to that the cost to our country of millions of illegal immigrants flooding the border.
As to infrastructure, you need to be more specific
regarding what projects you refer to that are not state improvements, but federally funded.
Last, do you really want to go there on the “felony” convictions? The whole Russia Gate crew from Obama on down to Brennan, Clapper, Comey and others are about to be going down for some actual felonies that may very well rise to the level of treason, not checkbook entries and NDA payments.
So yes, lamentable and then some.