First Selectman Jim Marpe Endorses Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for Upcoming Board of Selectmen Race
Press Release, Tooker Moore for SelectmanWestport First Selectman Jim Marpe announced today his endorsement of current Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker as the town’s next First Selectman, and current Vice-Chair of the Board of Finance Andrea Moore as Second Selectman. Mr. Marpe has served as First Selectman since his election to the Town’s highest office in 2013. In 2017 he won reelection with Jennifer Tooker as his running mate. Mr. Marpe announced in April that he would not be seeking a third term.
“I am proud to announce my unwavering support for Jennifer Tooker and Andrea Moore for Westport Board of Selectmen,” stated Mr. Marpe. “The primary job of the First Selectman is the day-to-day management and oversight of 15 Town departments and nearly 300 employees. It is truly a combination of being both a CEO and a COO, as well as the “public face” of Westport. Jen and Andrea are the only candidates whose professional backgrounds include significant management and leadership experience. Jen’s additional experience on the Westport Board of Education, Board of Finance and the Conservation Commission make her uniquely qualified to take the helm of Westport leadership,” Marpe continued.
“Jen Tooker has been an invaluable partner in my administration over the past three and a half years,” Marpe remarked. “Her incredible ability to solve complex problems and bring people together is the reason Jen has been tasked with managing some of the most important initiatives of our administration, including chairing the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team. Under Jen's leadership, this team has done remarkable work helping local businesses safely open and operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. This role was a natural extension of the work she has done with the local business community during her entire term as Second Selectwoman,” he added. “Jen also launched another key program of our administration, Westport Together, which promotes the positive development of our children with a focus on the social and emotional health and well being of the community. It is this combination of effective governance and caring and compassion for our residents that makes Jen such a vital asset to Westport. And, because of the key roles in which she has served, Jen has a unique perspective on how to lead Westport into the future and a clear vision of what our community can be.”
“I have also worked closely with Andrea Moore in her roles on the Westport Board of Finance and the RTM over the past several years,” added Mr. Marpe. “I have been continually impressed with
Andrea’s deep commitment to community, her dedication to serving constituents with integrity and transparency, and her common sense, bi-partisan approach to addressing issues facing the Town. I am proud of the work we have achieved together over the past several years on behalf
Westport, and I am confident that Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore are best positioned to continue the Town’s positive direction and meet new challenges and opportunities with success.”
"It has been a privilege, every day of these last three and a half years, to serve this town with Jim Marpe,” remarked Jen Tooker. “Jim leads by example. His love of this community and his tireless commitment to Westport has made us one of the most desirable towns in Connecticut. I am honored to receive Jim's endorsement and to know he has confidence that Andrea and I understand the work of the office and that we will continue the legacy of making Westport the best place to live and work."
“Jim Marpe has been a remarkable leader for Westport,” added Andrea Moore. “He has shown what it means to be a true public servant, and our community has benefited greatly from his responsible, bi-partisan approach to governing. Along with Jen Tooker, I am truly honored to have his endorsement as a candidate for Westport Board of Selectmen, and I am committed to continuing this inclusive, effective and forward-looking management of the town we all love.”
For more information, visit www.TookerMooreforSelectmen.com.
Jonathan Steinberg, State Representative, Joins the First Selectman’s Race this Morning with Running Mate Candi Savin, BOE Chair
According to Westport Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton, Jonathan Steinberg has entered the race for Westport First Selectman, running with current Board of Education Chair Candice as Second Selectwoman, according to their social media. Steinberg is now running against Jennifer Tooker (R) and T.J. Elgin (I/L) after current First Selectman Jim Marpe announced that he would be retiring from the position.
Steinberg, formerly a business executive, has served the Connecticut House of Representatives since 2010, representing the 136th District. He was also a member of the RTM from 2003 until 2010.
Savin, an attorney, has served the Westport Board of Education since 2016, becoming Chair of the Board after a November 2019 election.
Official press release from the candidates has not been released yet.
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.
Senator Haskell Named Senate Chairman of CGA’s Transportation Committee
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) was named Senate Chairman of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, a shift in responsibilities due to the recent election of State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford), who will be sworn in this afternoon. Sen. Haskell will leave the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, where he has served as Senate Chairman for just over two years.
"I'm honored by this opportunity to help shape Connecticut's future," said Sen. Haskell, "For the last two years, I've kept a Metro-North timetable from 1970 on my desk in the Senate. Over the last five decades, those trains have gotten slower, not faster. It's time to reverse that trend by investing in green infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs and helping our constituents get where they need to go. I'll miss my colleagues and friends on the Higher Education Committee, and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished together. But I know that Sen. Slap will excel in the role."
As the youngest member of the General Assembly, Sen. Haskell spearheaded a focus on college affordability during his time chairing the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. Since January of 2019, the committee has:
Established PACT CT, a program that provides debt-free community college to students who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education. Recently, Governor Ned Lamont pledged that the state budget will provide long-term funding for this program that benefits thousands of students.
Partnered with the Banking Committee and Finance Committee on a new tax credit to address student loan debt. This tax credit rewards employers who make loan payments on behalf of their employees.
Advanced the healthy and safety of students, prioritizing mental health services, sexual assault protections and a social safety net on campuses.
Panelists Discuss Equitable Education and Raising an Anti-Racist Society; “This Can be Done in One Generation”
Last night the Democratic Women of Westport and the Staples High School Young Democrats club hosted an online panel discussion about how to better achieve equitable education in the State of Connecticut. Connecticut ranks as one of the highest in the nation for educational success amongst students, however the State also joins many other northeastern states in having large achievement gaps between races.
Panelists included Westporter Dr. Joshua Aronson, NYU, Michael Cummings, Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sandra Donnay, the Racial Equity Initiative, Steven Hernandez, Esq., Commission on Women, Children, & Seniors, Eric Juli, Shaker Heights Ohio Principal, Keith Little, SCO Family Services, and Patricia Billie Miller, 145th district. The discussion was moderated by Justine Marous of Marous Law.
“We need to get kids together” said Dr. Aronson when discussing a way to better raise children without prejudice, describing the works of Nelson Mandela and the common goal of trying to educate children in a way that doesn’t allow a prejudice to grow within them. “We can all agree that we learn better in an environment with people who come from different backgrounds and can give different perspectives.”
The privileges of the surrounding towns, including Westport, were not ignored as they described how even items such as homework or Advanced Placements tests could segregate a school system. An example of a district changing that achievement gap was given by Dr. Donnay when speaking about a New Jersey school system that made sure every student took at least one of the AP courses, leading to positive test scores as well as graduation rates when all students were given the same opportunity.
However changes like these do not come from a passive audience, according to Steven Hernandez, who said “We come with the weight of history” when discussing how citizens think about trying to make changes in racial disparities within districts. “We continue to admire what we’ve done from the backseat'“ he said, describing a situation where towns become content with the progress made, and lose focus on the goals needed to be met for the future of equitable and fair education.
Senator Will Haskell joined the panel to describe the current Open Choice bill, which describes bringing the program to more districts “that are showing declines in [suburban schools] student enrollment, right next to urban districts with overcrowded classrooms”. The program would push suburban districts such as Wilton, Redding, Easton, and others to accept urban students into the schools - fill the seats emptied by lower class sizes with urban students from cities such as Danbury and Bridgeport.
Staples Student and Staples Young Democrats Club member Jayden Melo asked panelists what they can do to push the agenda of anti-racism further in the schools. “Read” was the answer from Eric Juli, who listed some books by black authors or featured black protagonists that he feels should be read more in the high school setting. “Of Mice and Men is only relevant if you’re in the dust bowl in the 1920s. It doesn’t have any relevance to Westport, Connecticut in 2021.” The power of literacy was echoed by other panelists who described volunteering for children in underserved areas to help foster a love of reading, with Dr. Aronson continuing to say that we need to make sure “all kids can read, and love to read, by the 3rd grade.”
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller urged them to “visit us in Hartford (on Zoom)”, as she shared with excitement that the legislative process is easier to access during the pandemic with virtual hearings taking place. Keith Little reminded the high schooler to make sure they had “the right people at the table” because that’s what inclusion requires when making decisions, and to push to look at the relevant topics when given that seat.
Dr. Aronson gave stories of some of the best leaders he knows, who were all great because of their ability to be community organizers - a trait that allows leaders to excel, and to “bring people together to get [stuff] done.”
“You don’t move a mountain in one day” Eric Uli ended the discussion with. He told the over 80 viewers to remain relentless in the fight, and to fight with an unwillingness to give in to issues of race, equity, and inclusion.
“What is the one word answer to all human problems?” the panelist were asked before their screens clicked off.
“Community.”
The panelists, DWW, and SYDC all look forward to continuing the conversation through their respective committees and without the community. This was the second panel discussion hosted by the two Democratic clubs to start conversations about policy that can affect the local community.
Letter: “Westport Democratic Town Committee Responds to the Insurrection in Washington, DC”
From the Westport Democratic Committee Chair Ellen Lautenberg
Ellie Wiesel once said, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
The events of this week in Washington DC should shock anyone who believes in the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States. The U.S Capitol was attacked and occupied, not as an act of protest but in an attempt to prevent Congress from carrying out its constitutional duty of certifying the states’ electoral votes for president. The mob that descended upon the Capitol was encouraged by the President of the United States, who simultaneously attempted to convince his vice president to illegally throw out the votes. There is no other term to describe this but an attempted coup.
That action was not singular but was preceded by 4 years of unrestrained rhetoric of division and damage. We have seen what can happen when good people, regardless of political perspective, keep silent. It is imperative that all community members and leaders at any level, regardless of party affiliation, speak out against such behavior.
As Westporters, we can strive for unity in the face of such divisiveness. We can convey our disagreements in a civil manner and listen with open minds to others' perspectives.
We urge all Westport citizens to stay engaged in a respectful manner. Together, we can continue the important work of democracy.
The Westport DTC