“A Seat At The Selectman’s Table”: Break Bread With The Candidates

Perhaps the most important first selectman’s race in Westport’s history is 11 weeks away.

There will be many opportunities to hear candidates’ views on important topics: affordable housing, Saugatuck development, the Cribari Bridge, capital expenditures, the Community Gardens, traffic, and much more.

Organizations ranging from the League of Women Voters and Chamber of Commerce to the Youth Commission will sponsor debates. “06880” is conducting Instagram Live chats; the Westport Journal will host a forum.

It’s important for voters attend those events, tune in, listen closely, and figure out who is best equipped to lead our town for the next 4 years.

But leadership is about more than policy decisions. It’s about personalities and values too.

It can be hard to discern who a person is from a podium.

It’s a little easier after they share a meal.

On October 21, Westporters have the chance to do just that.

“A Seat at the Selectman’s Table: An Open Discussion with Westport’s Candidates for First Selectman” is a unique opportunity to listen in on an informal chat — over food — about topics that reveal the hearts of the human beings beneath the public policy statements.

The 6 p.m. event — part of the Westport Library’s Common Ground initiative — may be the first of its kind in the country. It could serve as a national blueprint for taking the electoral process beyond the podium.

What got you to Westport? What kept you here? What do you love about this town? What are some challenges you’ve faced? What’s your neighborhood like? What are your go-to spots? What’s your hidden gem? What brings you joy? What keeps you up at night?

Those are some of the prompts I’ll offer, as moderator. But it will be a discussion — not a Q-and-A — with Kevin Christie, Don O’Day and David Rosenwaks conversing a lot more than “responding.”

Because each candidate will be asked to bring food to share at the table, the first prompt may be something like: Why did you choose this dish?

(There will be snacks and drinks for the audience too. They’ll be seated around the table, which will be in the middle of the Trefz Forum — like the runway for Fashionably Westport.)

As the 3 candidates chat as neighbors, not rivals, they’ll share personal stories, moments of candor, and the values that shape their leadership styles. We hope it will be educational and inspirational. We know it will be different.

Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer is excited about this first-of-its-kind event. It fits in well with the Common Ground Initiative — the Library’s forum for productive conversation on how we work together to move forward as a civil society; encourage respectful, constructive dialogue, and build capacity to tackle challenging and/or controversial issues.

“At the Westport Library, we believe democracy is strongest when neighbors see each other as people first,” Harmer says.

“‘A Seat at the Selectman’s Table’ is more than politics. It’s an invitation to break bread, lower barriers, and discover the values and stories that shape our community’s future. By reimagining how we connect with those who seek to lead us, we hope to inspire participation, foster trust, and remind all of us that civic engagement begins with authentic human connection.”

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce hosts a debate at the Library earlier the same day: October 21.

That’s a don’t-miss event. So is “A Seat at the Selectman’s Table.”

Go to the noon debate for the policy. Go back at 6 for the people.

NOTE: “A Seat at the Selectman’s Table” is free, but seats are limited. Click here to reserve a spot, and for more information.