Letter to the Editor: “values are unquestionable”

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Join me on Election Day in supporting Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for Board of Selectmen to ensure Westport’s continued success.

Jen and Andrea possess unmatched experience and leadership that enables them to understand how our town works and build relationships that deliver results. They are big proponents of community engagement, regularly attending local events, not just during campaign season.  Jen and Andrea take great pride in all aspects of our town, and they are committed to listening to community members to best serve our interests.

As a member of the Westport Board of Education, I know Jen and Andrea will continue to be champions for our schools.  As Second Selectman, Jen always considers the impact town-wide decisions have on our school district. She prioritizes a strong partnership with our school district’s leadership, while respecting management boundaries.  In 2019, while a current opponent sat on the Board of Education endlessly discussing whether to rebuild or restore Coleytown Middle School and where to place students while the school was offline, the Marpe/Tooker Administration stepped in to create the CMS Building Committee and provide much needed action to move forward. 

I also have the pleasure of working closely with Andrea in her role as Vice Chair of the Board of Finance.  Andrea works collaboratively to ensure our schools receive funding to provide an excellent education for all students, while ensuring tax dollars are spent efficiently. She also understands the importance of balancing all the financial needs of our town.  During the Coleytown Middle School fiasco, she prevented Westport from making a significant, fiscally irresponsible decision by voting against funding for an impractical plan proposed by the Board of Education.

Jen's and Andrea’s values are unquestionable. They support diversity in all forms, work tirelessly to foster a sense of belonging and understand the importance of unifying our town rather than promoting divisiveness. If you have any doubt about their values, I urge you to talk with them instead of believing the “disinformation” their opponents perpetuate as a campaign tactic.  Jen and Andrea are role models for our children, and I am honored to serve the town of Westport alongside them and fortunate to call them friends.  

Liz Heyer

Westport Board of Education Member