Editor’s note: Following is an opinion submitted by Westporter Louis E. D’Onofrio Jr.
Westport, Connecticut is governed under a charter system in which power is divided between a legislative body, known as the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), and an executive / administrative body, the Board of Selectmen (or in current parlance, the Board of Selectwomen). The RTM is the legislative arm: 36 elected members, four from each of Westport’s nine districts, charged with enacting ordinances, approving the Town and Education budgets, reviewing appropriations over set thresholds, overseeing contracts, leases, land or property transactions, and making determinations or oversight in zoning amendments and uses of Town facilities. (westportct.gov)
The Board of Selectmen, headed by the First Selectperson (or First Selectwoman at present), serves as the executive branch. It holds responsibility for implementing policy, managing Town departments, overseeing administrative functions, guiding committees and boards, initiating new projects, setting long‐term planning goals, and representing Westport in intergovernmental affairs. The First Selectperson is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Town, with direct reports over nearly all facets of municipal operations except the school system. The Board has three members, and no more than two may be from the same political party. (westportct.gov)
This dual‐structure exists to ensure both accountability and specialization: the RTM legislates, debates, approves; the Board executes, manages, coordinates. The Charter anticipates a First Selectperson who is transparent, fiscally prudent, oriented toward long‐range strategy, and capable of collaboration with both citizens and other elected bodies.
David Rosenwaks, in his campaign for First Selectman, appears to align well with those chartered expectations. He currently serves on the RTM (District 6), sits on multiple RTM committees (Education; Library, Museum & Arts; Public Protection; IT/Communications), and has been involved in the Arts Advisory Committee. (ctinsider.com) His emphasis on fiscal responsibility, modernizing town infrastructure, enhancing transparency (e.g. reviving “Brown Bag Lunches” to increase citizen engagement), and bridging the divide between long‐time residents and newcomers reflect the skill set the Town Charter demands of the executive office. Given his experience, demonstrated civic engagement, and stated priorities, Rosenwaks fits the criteria anticipated by the Charter for effective service in that role.
Louis E. D’Onofrio Jr., DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PCCN
Hickory Drive
Westport
This civics lesson in how our antiquated charter works doesn’t really say anything about candidate qualifications
Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich are the best choices to sit in the C-Suite of Westport, and I have confidence that they will work productively and collaboratively with other government bodies, and will respect the duty of checks-and-balances.
Good governance has checks and balances, and we have multiple elected bodies to serve this function. The Board of Finance and “non partisan”RTM provide oversight on funding and taxation. The Planning and Zoning Commission and ZBA governs over land use. The Board of Ed governs the school system but its spending is governed by the BOF and RTM. And so on.
These checks and balances serve to prevent autocracy and abuses of power in government (though we are being tested at the national level today).
A provision in the charter about two-party representation on the partisan elected bodies says nothing about candidate qualifications.
The two most qualified candidates in the ballot are on the first line of the Ballot: Kevin and Amy.
Vote the top line!
And again, I remind the voters who voted for Will Haskell when he was 21 years old and running for State Senator against the long standing Republican incumbent, that Will’s governing experience resume was zilch. And yet – he proved to be one of our best State Senators and involved the younger voting bloc to an extent that District 26 had not seen for years. David Rosenwaks has the heartbeat of Westport, he has the intellect, the temperament, the skill set, and the best interests of our town in his approach to governing. I have seen David educate entire rooms of people in a way that they could understand and be understood. David’s name is on the third line. Vote for him. It will be one of the best things you could do for Westport.