Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Norwalk resident Nicola McDowall

In friendship and admiration, I am writing in support of Michele Paquette’s  candidacy for a seat on the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission. I have had the pleasure of knowing Michele since we met at an event in Fairfield a few years ago. I was new in town and Michele made a point of welcoming me and spending time with me. She was immediately genuine and interested in me, asking questions, listening, and relating. These kindnesses and skills are inherent in the person that she is. We very soon became hiking buddies, and great friends.

All weather hikers have the opportunity to share the challenges of the seasons, both physically and metaphorically. Family health issues, the effects of natural disasters, dealing with medical and institutional processes and the effects of mosquito bites and poison ivy, to name a handful. I have found Michele’s values to be those of a person with a servant’s heart and a true compass. She also has the strength and wisdom to make decisions based on research and taking into account the concerns of others, while never shirking a responsibility, even in the face of opposition. 

You can imagine our surprise when one day, before the last general election, we found that we had a different voting history. I am a registered democrat and Michele is not. 

This has actually, ironically, even strengthened our friendship as we have a deep respect for each other and for democracy. We cherish our rights to disagree and have found ways to do so agreeably. 

Michele has managed some difficult issues since I have known her. Unexpected situations where she had a leadership role and needed to consider opposing objectives and human motivations. She managed to do this and also keep check on her own preferences. This demonstrates to me that she is a person who has the deepest integrity. I watched her willingness to listen to all sides and work toward a fair and sensible outcome. She weighed the benefits of a speedy but unbalanced resolution, versus fulfilling her duty and ploughing through the process to create a solution that was fair to all. This required a lot of time consuming work on her part.

Westport voters, if I lived in Westport I would have a Michele Paquette lawn sign in my front yard. You are beyond fortunate that Michele found time to attend the meetings and become involved in the Planning and Zoning Commission. I have been listening to each step of this journey. From the first meeting she attended, to the research on the development and traffic issues, to the questions she raised at public hearings, to the day that she was approached and asked to run for this office. 

Michele has choices. She has a brilliant mind, is quick to learn and seeks out information and the motivating factors in the issues that she concerns herself with. The fact that she is willing to spend so much of her time and executive energies being a public servant is your gift. I highly suggest that you say “Yes, please, and Thank you” to this gift and elect Michele to serve you. Her clarity and ability to speak the truth consistently, with integrity and an appropriate gentle humor, will refresh the process and keep it transparent.

From what I have heard, it seems to me that a position on the Planning & Zoning Commission requires a unique balance of forward-thinking and respect for established community character, and Michele possesses this rare combination. I am confident that Michele would be a valuable and trustworthy asset to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Nicola McDowall
Winfield Court
Norwalk