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I’ve had the privilege over the past couple months to talk to hundreds of Wilton residents at their doors and at events in town, and through those discussions I’ve come across a few specific feelings and themes that I believe will guide my time on the Board of Selectmen.
First and foremost is the palpable fear and anxiety felt by many in our town over the cruel, unconstitutional and anti-science actions taken by the current regime in Washington. There have always been differences in ideas across the political spectrum, however my conversations have revealed the exact magnitude of shock and disbelief at the degree of extremism impacting the entire country, and now extending to Wilton. Many people I’ve spoken with feel driven to do anything in their power to protect their values, and are counting on votes for like-minded candidates at the local level to provide that level of protection.
After the broader concern of national political extremism is the far more local issue of development in town. There is a clear anxiety over the impact on traffic, essential services and the overall feel of the town as development continues, and many Wilton residents don’t feel fully informed of, or in position to voice their views on this development. Wilton Democrats have made clear their view that meetings to discuss town decisions should be held in person, and allow for public commentary at an earlier phase. Giving residents a greater sense of agency in the process I hope will reduce the feeling of helplessness around these decisions. Beyond providing an immediate channel for feedback, many residents want to feel confidence that the town is developing in line with a carefully planned long term vision for development.
The sense I get at doors is that many people feel like we are responding haphazardly to development being presented to us, rather than seizing an opportunity to proactively drive what we want our town to become.
Lastly, I have heard a lot of commentary about turnover at Wilton’s Town Hall, and the acrimony within the existing Board of Selectmen over how to replace empty seats. Like the topic of development, frequent news about departures and dysfunction does not breed confidence in our town’s operating stability.
Put all together, I believe that the town’s voice is clear, and that I have a mandate in front of me in this role. Most of the work of the Board of Selectmen involves hyper-local decisions, where adherence to simple expectation, time and task management along with effective communication can go a long way to improve operations. With smoother operation on the board, hopefully turnover in the town can stabilize, and residents can feel more confidence in their elected leaders.
On the front of development, I will do what I can within the mandate of the Board of Selectmen to evaluate decisions against the backdrop of our Plan of Conservation [and] Development (POCD), and foster transparency to the town during all processes. I will be proactive in encouraging thoughtful development opportunities with a long-term vision towards smart growth.
Lastly, but certainly not of least importance, I will stand firm to protect Wilton’s values from the regime in Washington to the greatest extent that my role on the Board of Selectmen allows. I hope to reassure many residents of this town who are rightly troubled and made anxious by events nationally with the acknowledgement that I feel this anxiety as well, and will be a defender of our values in education, health, infrastructure and general public finance.
Following my conversations with residents at Wilton’s doors, I’m both humbled and inspired by the task ahead of me. I can’t wait to get started, but I do need your vote, either this week in Early Voting, or next week on Election Day. Thank you!
