First Selectman Jim Marpe Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election: “every organization benefits from regular changes in senior leadership”
Press ReleaseFirst Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that he will not pursue re-election for a third term in the upcoming November municipal general election.
Mr. Marpe said, “It has been an honor to serve my community as its Chief Elected Official for the past seven years, and I deeply appreciate the bi-partisan support and encouragement I have received throughout that time. While the Westport Town Charter does not place term limits on our elected officials, my experience in the private sector taught me that every organization benefits from regular changes in senior leadership. I am proud of what my administration has accomplished or set in motion, including our responses to COVID-19, fiscal responsibility, physical improvements, and addressing social justice concerns. We have prioritized the delivery of superior services at a predictable cost to the taxpayer. As such, I am very proud that we kept the mill rate stable throughout my entire term in office.
I also know that the real key to our success as a community is the professionalism and commitment to serving our residents that is exhibited every day by the women and men who are employed by the Town and the Westport Public Schools. It is also the result of the remarkable dedication and creativity of our dozens of citizen volunteers and elected officials. I am so fortunate to have led a team of employees and residents that is the envy of my counterparts in other communities.
During the remaining seven months of my term, I will continue to focus on leading Westport safely out of the pandemic tunnel we have been in for the past year, as well as achieving or launching the initiatives that I have described in various budget and State of the Town presentations. When I first ran for election to the Selectman’s Office, I committed to bringing a citizen-centric, professional management style to my responsibilities, and I assure you that will continue into November.
I want to thank the voters of Westport for allowing me the opportunity to have the special privilege of serving them in the First Selectman’s Office. I remain humbled by, and grateful for, the responsibility you have granted me.”
Board of Education Votes to Keep Shipman & Goodwin as Legal Counsel Despite 2019 Claim of Conflict
The Westport Board of Education voted unanimously tonight to keep the legal counsel of Shipman & Goodwin for Westport Public Schools.
In 2019, claims of a conflict of interest were brought up during a Board of Finance meeting. The claim stemmed from a Shipman & Goodwin attorney fighting the Town of Westport, while the Town paid the Stamford-based law firm for their services.
Timothy Hollister, a Shipman & Goodwin attorney, claimed that the town was preventing affordable housing after blocking a new housing development project in Saugatuck - leading to issues of diversity.
Hollister described to the Connecticut Mirror “Does anybody say we need to keep blacks and Hispanics out of Westport? No, but they talk about property values, safety and preserving open space — all the things that a town can do to prevent development that would bring up a more economically and racially diverse housing population.”
The housing development would have been in the Hiawatha neighborhood of Saugatuck, and would have included 187 apartments created by Summit Development LLC.
Hollister continued to The Mirror, saying “They don’t use the overt racial terms, but it’s absolutely clear to everybody in the room that’s what they’re talking about.”
Members of town leadership questioned the firm and fought back - some saying the District should get rid of their services due to the possible conflict and Hollister’s negative comments - a more than $200,000 annual blow to the group.
However the claims were ultimately not substantiated by law - and tonight - a unanimous Board of Education vote concurred that they will continue to serve the District after July 1. This continues a relationship between the town and the firm that has lasted over 30 years.
Board of Education Chair Candy Savin described the benefits of keeping the firm, and said that although other firms were interviewed, they were still the best choice for the District and its students. Savin also said that they would not be used for certain legal issues, such as special education circumstances. The firm’s attorneys who work on affordable housing, specifically in Westport, do not represent Westport Public Schools.
Click here to read the 2019 Connecticut Mirror article about the conflict.
Positive Changes: Selectmen Discuss Fine Arts Fest, Pedestrian-Only Church Lane, and Garden Club Plant Sale at 9 AM Meeting
A slew of warm-weather topics will be discussed at this morning’s Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board of Selectmen’s agenda describes several activities which were cancelled or changed in 2020 due to the pandemic, making 2021 the year of their return - if permitted. Residents and local business owners are urged to attend meetings such as this to voice their opinions on the topics at hand.
Returning events would include the Downtown Merchant Association Fine Arts Festival, which is slated to be held on the weekend of May 29th if approved by the Board, and the Westport Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale, which would be held on Jesup Green on Friday, May 14th if approved.
They will also discuss the closure of Main Street on May 1st for the Downtown Merchant Association Fitness and Health event, which included fitness classes and information on health and wellness throughout the day on the business section of the street.
Many residents loved when Church Lane was closed to all vehicle traffic in Summer 2020, allowing it to be used completely by pedestrians and restaurants for additional outdoor seating. If approved, the street will again be closed from April 30th until September 30th to allow pedestrians and diners alike to enjoy the extra downtown space alongside the newly renovated Bedford Square throughout Summer 2021.
The meeting begins at 9:00 AM today, and can be seen on Optimum channel 79, Frontier channel 6020, or online at this link.
Public comments in support or opposition to the above topics can be emailed to BOScomments@westportct.gov.
News 12: Westporter Wants to Clear Name after 2019 Arrest, Running Again for First Selectman
Westporter TJ Elgin during his News 12 Connecticut interview yesterday. Screengrab from News 12 Connecticut video interview. Westport man runs for first selectman, looks to clear name after 2019 arrest
News 12 Staff, March 17thA Westport man says he's running for office again despite being arrested over a year ago - and he's looking to clear his name.
TJ Elgin is back on the ballot for Westport first selectman. He ran for first selectman before and also for Rep. Jim Himes' seat.
Elgin was arrested at the end of 2019 after neighbors thought he was burglarizing a home. He says police used excessive force. The case has since been resolved.
First Selectman Jim Marpe did not comment on Elgin's campaign, and says he doesn't even know if he's running yet.
Westport Republican Town Committee Chairman Joe Sledge confirms that Elgin has filed as a candidate for this November's election.
He says anyone has the right to file.
Elgin says he is in the process of filing with three different parties for Westport first selectman. He says his platform focuses on environmental issues.