Separated by 2 floors at Town Hall — but echoing pledges to unite the town — the Republican and Democratic Town Committees endorsed their slates of candidates last night, for November’s elections.
Representative Town Meeting member Don O’Day — an unaffiliated voter — and 2nd selectwoman Andrea Moore will head the Republican ticket for 1st and 2nd selectpersons, respectively.
Board of Education member Kevin Christie and Planning & Zoning commissioner Amy Wistreich lead the Democratic slate.
Democratic selectperson candidates Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich. (Photo/Jerri Graham)
Both parties also chose candidates for the Boards of Education, Finance and Assessment Appeals; the Planning & Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Both parties’ nominating committees chose a mix of current members, and those running for the first time.
None of the nominating committee selections were contested from the floor. However — as reported earlier this morning on “06880” — 2 Democrats who were not nominated for the Board of Education hope to qualify for a primary in September.
Jim Marpe praised O’Day, before the RTC’s formal vote. The former 1st selectman cited the candidate’s “dedication, integrity, business acumen and transparency,” and called his approach to governing “collaborative, not combative.”
Of all potential candidates, Marpe said, O’Day is “the most personal, political and professional.”
O’Day — who until 6 weeks ago was a registered Democrat — addressed what he called “the elephant in the room, pun intended.”
“To people who say ‘how could you?’, I say ‘why not?'” O’Day countered. “Local government is about people over politics. It’s about our neighbors in Westport, not divisiveness in Washington or Hartford.”
Adding, “the only thing I have in common with President Trump is our first name,” O’Day vowed to make both the RTC and Westport “proud.”
Republican selectperson candidates Don O’Day and Andrea Moore. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Christie was nominated by State Representative Jonathan Steinberg.
Seconding the nomination, DTC member Lisa Newman said, “At every turn, Kevin has shown up with heart and integrity.”
She praised Christie’s role on the Board of Education during transportation contract negotiations, relaunching the Long Lots Elementary School building process, and fulfilling campaign commitments.
“Kevin is not just a good candidate,” Newman said. “He’s a good human.”
Christie thanked the DTC “as an institution and as individuals.” Being a Democrat “means something,” he said. “It’s not something I can toss aside.”
Both O’Day and Christie earned standing ovations from party committee members, following their official votes.
The rest of the Republican slate includes:
Board of Education: incumbent Dorie Hordon, Michelle Hopson, TEAM Westport member Andy Frankel, and Kaitlin Zucaro.
Planning & Zoning Commission: Michelle Paquette.
Board of Finance: Brian Gaines.
Zoning Board of Appeals: Scott Schuster.
Board of Assessment Appeals: Current board alternate Tom Bloch.
The Republicans did not nominate Robert Harrington for a second term on the Board of Education. The incumbent has clashed several times with fellow board members from both parties, most notably in the recent controversy over the decision to not renew the contracts of 2 Staples High School soccer coaches.
Harrington did not respond to “06880”‘s requests for comment.
The Democratic ticket includes:
Board of Education: RTM deputy moderator Lauren Karpf, incumbent Abby Tolan.
Planning & Zoning Commission: incumbent vice chair Neil Cohn, incumbent secretary Michael Cammeyer, incumbent alternate Bre Injeski.
Cohn announced that he would be stepping down from the P&Z, after a decade of service. He was nominated as a placeholder, until a new candidate is chosen.
Board of Finance: incumbent Allyson Stollenwerck, Parks & Recreation Commission member Elaine Whitney.
Zoning Board of Appeals: Current alternate Sheri Gordon.
Board of Assessment Appeals: Incumbents Ifeseyi Gayle and Lynette Pineda.
(Click here for information on the Democratic Town Committee. Click here for information on the Republican Town Committee. Additional reporting by Katherine Phelps.)
Republican Town Committee meeting last night. Foreground (from left): Vice chair Joseph Sledge, selectperson candidates Don O’Day and Andrea Moore. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
How could you vote for either of these guys? O’Day who demonstrated a lack of interest in the plight of the gardeners and a lack of understanding of what inclusion means and what due process requires while the LLSBC pursued its agenda, or Christie who remained silent throughout the savaging of the soccer coach, tacitly endorsing the kangaroo court which ratified his dismissal, also in violation of every norm of due process.
Is this really what we want for Westport going forward?
No thanks. I’ll sit this one out.
Well said Larry.
O’Day also won’t have “ winner” in common with President Trump. What a stupid comment.
If you are not running AND you decide to “sit this one out”, then please keep future diatribes about the politicians and the plight of the town. IMO, when one “sits [this one] out”, then one abdicates ones voice. SAD
While I generally agree with this take, we have two awful choices for FS – and Mr Weisman notes a couple of solid reasons why. One hopes that the BOE and BOF races give voters better alternatives. Who wants to vote for the lesser of two evils? Though, in the case of FS, I’ll try to avoid the evil of two lessers.
The DTC had obvious alternative choices who they didn’t choose (or who didn’t choose to run) and the RTC is so lacking in quality candidates they did this.
Why the DTC can’t do better with FS candidates is odd in a Town that is solidly blue. Of course, they pack the Boards, do what they want, and don’t listen to constituents, because they don’t have to.
The RTC… well I thought it had shuttered until they came forward with some candidates. Their problem is that all of the centrist Republicans have left the party and what is left are the, for lack of a better term, crazies (and one opportunist running for FS). The average active Republican who is left is far to the right of the average Westporter, so you see them not re-nominating Robert Harrington, who actually can win elections, and instead running one of Camilo Riano’s apologists – even though Riano was destroyed in the last BOE race by a write-in candidate. Remind me of the definition of insanity?
I don’t think that refusing to vote for either of two candidates, both of whom have demonstrated a willingness to ignore fundamental requirements of due process is an abdication of responsibility. I think it’s an act of patriotism.
Andy Frankel = Camilo Riano II,
If Robert Harrington wanted to run again, could he be petitioned to the ballot? Or would it need to be a write-in campaign, like in the last election.
So did Mr. Harrington decide not to run or is this his penalty for speaking his mind and not falling into line with the parties (yes, plural)? Inquiring minds would like to know. I hope he can run as an independent and will do so. We need his openness and spirit on the otherwise feckless BOE. Of course I can also understand if he’s just tired of banging his head against the brick wall of Westport politics as well. If he’s done I want to thank him for his waging the good fight.
My only hope is that Westport can transcend national politics and strive to align with principles. Party politics leads to stagnation in a locol context. Westport has great and wonderful traditions.
The current BOE members (minus RH) are just Scarice’s stooges. They don’t care about the kids, just the man. I will not vote for any of them. I don’t know where that leaves me on FS vote…. It won’t be KC but it cannot be DOD. Hoping for a 3rd choice/alternative.
I would like to know more about Andy Frankel and his past opposition to the ADL. Will he be transparent about his criticism of the ADL that we so need in Westport? NOTE: I am not related to Andy.
I highly suggest everyone reading this thread read the ADL’s “No Hate” materials and see if they disagree with it. The more you learn, the better equipped you are. Hate has no home is not a problem, except for people who want to be bigots.
Dorie has accused me in a private email of making blanket statements. I would like to clarify that I would like transparency from her, Andy Frankel and any parent who opposes the ADL “ No Hate” program for schools. I asked her specifically what they oppose in that specific program. She did not answer my question, rather she accused ME of making a blanket statement somehow. Holding our BOE members or candidates accountable for their own words or opinions and asking them to be specific is not making a blanket statement and I refuse as a resident of this town to be gaslit.
Please answer Andy and Dorie what you specifically oppose to the No Hate program of the ADL.
Thanks