Janine Scotti is a longtime Westport resident. She is concerned that — as the town debates contentious issues — many officials have been silent. Janine writes:
Westport is an incredible place. I chose to make it my home shortly after graduating from college.
I soon learned through volunteering what an incredible community I chose. There are many definitions of community, but for me it stands for people who work together towards common goals and who stand by each other when in need.
Many of us are standing with the smaller subset of our communities right now, being supportive and active. However, I need my community leaders more than ever right now.
Over the years when I have had concerns about something adversely affecting members of my community, I stood alongside my neighbors. I became informed and involved in the process.
Westport town government is filled with incredibly intelligent and dedicated individuals who have chosen to serve. We have elected officials who are volunteers, we have paid elected officials, and we have town employees who are paid for their expertise.
All of these groups have their own leadership. We have a 1st selectperson, chairs of the Boards of Education and Finance chiefs of the Police and Fire Department, and a superintendent of schools.
We need those leaders — people who chose to be leaders in those groups — more than ever to step up, and steer the ship of our community.
We are floundering. We are discouraged, we feel disenfranchised, we are disheartened and angry.
As leaders, you have the knowledge of how our town charter works. You have the ability to enlighten and inform the public regarding true, historical facts about any given process. It troubles me when there is not enough information informing, correcting or educating the public about a matter at hand.
During the past year there have been many situations where the community rose to demand explanations, pleaded for collaboration, or needed education. I believe these needs of the community should be satisfied by our various leaders both paid and volunteer.
I am extremely grateful to some elected officials who continue to try to help the public. But too many are silent, except for when an issue is before them in a meeting. Nothing is stopping them from restating the facts, educating the public about a town process, or clarifying a fact. Being silent and letting the public implode is unacceptable.
Leaders: Aren’t you troubled and concerned? Courageous, truthful, and engaged leadership is needed now. Please respond to this call to action.
100%. Janine, you have been gracious yet persistent in seeking honesty and leadership from those in power. Brava.
being silent in the face of troublesome issues is a strategic position by certain individuals
Well said Richard.
Thanks Janine I agree Fully thanks I understand what you’re saying I would want I can as a rtm member and have. Been from sal liccione
Brava, Janine!
Well said & much needed, my friend!
Well said. Its about time that the 1st Selectwoman finally show the residents of Westport some respect and transparency. The various incidents that you are alluding to over the last year have the stink of ‘back room deals’ among other things. If not an actual, physical listening tour, how about at least a weekly email newsletter? Selectpersons in other towns employee this mechanism to keep residents informed.
How ironic that the systematic disenthronement of Westport from its citizens is being led by a political heir to Herb Baldwin.
we need a heir cut?
Well stated Richard. My work is done.
Agree with the sentiment but hardly surprising our elected officials – small town people dealing with, at times, highly emotional issues & arguments – choose to be less communicative. Frankly, I give major props to those who seek & hold office. The comments on the blog are a great example. It’s probably 80/20 (and I’m being generous) in favor of people ranting about something or someone, and yet we ask these people to speak up even more knowing that many will cast their factless opinions etc. Very tough ask, especially in this age of social media where everyone has an immediate reaction.
commenters are not ranting, as you so condescendingly put it.
We are tax payers, and by the way, I presume from your previous stances and comments you mean that the gardeners are ranting ? Yet the only ranters here, spreading false rhetoric, have been those other than the gardeners.
I do not give major props to anybody holding office other than to please do a good job. You volunteered, and if you do a decent job,you will be thanked.
Transparency is not only expected, it is the law. It is in the constitution. It should be demanded or you should be fired. Just like in corporate America.
Sneaking around, with secret agendas and doing back room deals, fostering narcissistic and arrogant big egos, should not, and must not be tolerated. And oh boy, that is rife !
This , no compromise-compromise smells like the crap that it is.
It achieves nothing except to further delay the school.
Mark my words.
Remember my words when this project albeit urgent, most unfortunately gets way more delayed, either by all the nuances ( polite) which will be found out as it goes along, due to the, I guarantee, wishy washy 8.24 which will be now submitted, so every step of the way , there will continue to be very correct and justified questions and objections holding it up.
A wish washy 8.24 that perhaps the P&Z might have to , or not, approve but without the important details, is an invitation for huge delays and debates… do not bitch when that happens. It is a given and the reason for these delays will be the wishy washy bs, 8.24
Ahhhh the first selectwoman forgot to mention that. What a surprise.
Every site plan, every drainage plan , size of fields, effect on neighbors, ( everyone forgets the neighbors- except our P and Z who pointed out the drastic effect on them)
This “play” by the administration is by no means over.. they just assured further huge delays with their obsessive determination to be vengeful. Why ?
Because they cannot hear NO !
Why ? Ego, narcissism, arrogance, Oh and spite.
We need to realize in todays working world of public service employees and local town leadership to “SPEAK UP” is to make one more acountable. THEY DON’T LIKE BEING MORE ACCOUNTABLE ! Puts their retirement, positions and benefits “AT RISK!” THEY DON’T LIKE THAT !
Sometimes they take the position, the title but they also sometimes shy away from accountability and responsibility and by not speaking out or up they find near invisibility!
well said. It’s true locally. It’s true nationally