by Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT–At a candidate forum sponsored by the nonprofit environmental groups Sustainable Westport and Earthplace, the questions for the three candidates for first selectman were naturally focused on the environment.

The questions asked of Democrat Kevin Christie, Republican candidate Donald O’Day, and Independent Party candidate David Rosenwaks, ranged from the future of the Community Gardens, to regulating leaf blowers, to Westport’s flood resiliency and the use of solar power.

Not much different

Moderator Peter Boyd, a member of Sustainable Westport’s board of directors, told the crowd of about 100 people at the end of the program that although he had tried “to tease out differences” between the three candidates on the subject of the environment, they weren’t that different. Westport’s environment should be in good hands with any of the three candidates elected to the office of first selectman, he said.

The event began with a showing of a new short film by Sustainable Westport, with many Westport residents in the film answering the question, “What do you want Westport to be known for?”  The film was followed by Boyd’s question for each candidate: “What do you want your town to be known for?”

Sustainable CT

Christie said he “would like for Westport to be known again as a leader in sustainability.” The town won a bronze award from Sustainable CT in 2018 and the organization’s silver award in 2021. He wants the town “to go for the gold,” Christie said.

O’Day said he would “like to see Westport do things first,” like the single-use plastic bag plan mandated by the town in 2019. 

Rosenwaks wants Westport to become more walkable and better for cyclists, but would especially like to focus on alleviating flooding in town, he said.

Other environmental goals of the candidates mentioned during the wide-ranging discussion included O’Day’s plan to have “every direct report staff member [to the first selectman] to have sustainable responsibilities,” including work with flood protection, and implementing other measures to move the town toward sustainability and protection of the environment.

Rosenwaks said he would study other towns who have hired sustainability managers, and “every year have a sustainability score card.” He would also work to encourage more green space in town.

Flooding

Sustainable CT “provides a plan and road map,” for the town to follow, Christie commented, and he believes in “working with the town and state to tackle issues like flooding. State resources are available,” he said. He wants Westport to consider more grant opportunities to help with environmental issues, and for the town to prepare a flood resiliency plan.

Flooding was also listed as a top concern by Rosenwaks who wanted to see “tightly managed water retention and flooding controls.”  

O’ Day said he would like to see fewer cars on the road: “School buses are empty. I see a lot of people driving kids to school.” This is both an economic and an environmental issue, he said.

Gardens, leaf blowers

All three candidates were asked about two controversial local issues – the Community Gardens that were removed from the town property adjacent to Long Lots School, and an ordinance to prevent gas-powered leaf blowers to be used in town.

Christie said “I am already committed to the Community Gardens,” and Rosenwaks said the gardens are in his plan for the next four years. “We need to find a good home for the Community Gardens,” he said. O’Day, a member of the Long Lots School Building Committee, called the gardens “highly controversial. We offered to rebuild the gardens at Baron’s South,” he said.

All three candidates agreed that the town should enforce the leaf blower rules, and both Christie and Rosenwaks said that town workers, now exempt from the leaf blower ban, should not be. 

Boyd, in a round of quick-fire questions at the end of the forum, also asked each candidate if he was aligned with the principles of the national political party he represents locally. Christie said his beliefs connect with the national Democratic party’s goals. Rosenwaks said he agrees with the many environmental goals of the Independent Party.

“I believe in science,” was O’Day’s answer to the question about his alignment with the national Republican Party.