Right now, Westport is led by a Board of Selectwomen. Since 2021 — and for the first time in town history — the 3 members are all female.
From left: Jen Tooker, Candice Savin, Andrea Moore — our 1st, 3rd and 2nd selectwomen, respectively. (Photo/Dan Woog)
In November, we’ll have a new 1st selectman. All 3 candidates for the top spot are males.
But 2 of the men running — Don O’Day and Kevin Christie — are joined on the ticket by women (Andrea Moore and Amy Wistreich, respectively). David Rosenwaks is on the ballot without a running mate.
Which puts a blogger like me in a difficult position.
What’s the best way to describe the job they’re all running for?
It’s a bit 1950s-ish to call it the “Board of Selectmen,” when there are women in the race.
But “Board of Selectpersons” or “Board of Selectpeople” is a mouthful. Plus, it sounds like a mandate from the Grammar Police.
2025 candidates (from left): Democrats Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich; Independent David Rosenwaks; Republicans Andrea Moore and Don O’Day.
For a few weeks now, I’ve equivocated.
I’ve called it the Board of Selectpersons (or Selectpeople). Someone suggested “Board of Selectmen/women.” I’ve tried various ways to avoid calling it anything, like “the town’s executive branch.” I haven’t been happy with any of those references.
Finally, I’ve come up with a solution. And it’s as simple as, um, 1-2-3.
From now on, I will call it the “Select Board.”
I know that’s not official. But how different is it from calling the Westport Weston Family YMCA just “the Y”?
Making the change official — and why not? — will take some doing, of course.
It might need a revision to the Town Charter, and perhaps approval by a couple of town bodies.
So it sounds like a job for the next Select Board.
Whoever they are.
In 2 months, this will need updating.
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Very cute Dan!
Board of Selectcritters.
Gender dysphoria! Just in time for the Selectperson race.
Why are you so concerned about pronouns? Just write out their full names if you’re so confused.
Glad to see Gov Ned Lamont’s commentary on the assassination of Charlie Kirk: “the tragic attack on Charlie Kirk is absolutely awful. My prayers are with him and his family”…
Russ,
Lighten up!!!
Dan (I assume you’re referring to Dan Woog, not Katz) is not confused. The diverse population that he depends on to sustain his work is (at times) confused. But that’s OK. In Westport everyone feels at home.
BTW, are you related to Tim Considine (my favorite Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club) I watch it every day on YouTube (after I finish reading 06880).
hi Eric. oops, i assumed it was Woog. thought i WAS being “light”🤗 sorry if i came off differently – not intended… & yes, related, distantly – met Tim a few times @ family re-unions both in California & NY back in 70s & 80s. He was a very nice guy🙏 take care.
🫵😇👍😘😎
Selectors is “gender-free”.
Select’men
Why not just call them “The Selected.”
Kind of like “The Untouchables”, “The Departed” or God(dess) Forbid: “The Five” (minus 2).
That way, when they graduate to being media shills (as all washed-up politicians inevitably do) they won’t have to change any signage.
Gender has no place in a civilized society.