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Wilton Democratic Committee Chair Tom Dubin’s recent opinion piece in these pages (“Get the USA and Wilton Back on Track”) painted a dire picture of Wilton — and somehow, of the entire United States. It’s an ambitious sweep for a town election. But before we decide whether our local candidates are personally responsible for global warming, cryptocurrency scams and the national debt, it might help to pause and ask a simpler question: what does any of that have to do with running Wilton?
Tom wrote that he’s “baffled” that so many Americans support the current presidential administration. That’s his right, of course. But invoking the president of the United States in a discussion about our Planning and Zoning Commission is an odd detour. Wilton’s local elections are about zoning regulations, traffic safety, budgeting and land use — not foreign policy or Donald Trump’s travel arrangements. If anyone in town is voting Democratic this year to “send a message to Trump,” they might consider saving the stamp. He’s probably not tracking which way Wilton votes.
As for the idea that Wilton is “off track,” it’s worth remembering that the town has faced the same challenges for decades: state housing mandates like 8-30g, high capital costs, and a constant tug-of-war between preserving our character and adapting for the future. These are not partisan failures; they’re the work of ordinary volunteers trying to navigate complex, sometimes conflicting goals under tight state oversight. The men and women serving on Planning and Zoning, regardless of party, are your neighbors. They give up evenings and weekends to read thousand-page applications, get yelled at, and still show up for the next meeting. That deserves respect, not ridicule.
The claim that Republicans “failed” on Hubbard Rd. and Kimco ignores reality. The 8-30g statute allows developers to override local zoning if a certain percentage of units are deemed affordable. Every town in Connecticut is struggling under that law’s leverage. Pretending that a different mix of party labels would have produced a miracle outcome is wishful thinking. What matters is having experienced commissioners who understand the statutes, negotiate tough, and protect Wilton’s long-term interests — not whose lawn sign they once stood beside.
Wilton does face serious financial challenges. We have major infrastructure expenses ahead, and every board must do a better job coordinating planning, budgeting and communication. But the solution isn’t to turn every disagreement into an indictment of one party’s “failure.” The solution is competence, collaboration and a little humility.
Tom’s letter ends with a call for change. Fair enough — change is healthy. But real progress will come from residents who are willing to work with, not against, their fellow citizens. Wilton’s strength has always been its civility and its pragmatism. Let’s not lose that in a rush to mimic the national food fight.
Local elections should be about local issues. If you want to send a message to Washington, write a letter to your congressman. If you want to keep Wilton strong, vote for people who show up, listen and do the work, not those who treat our town as a stage for national grievances.
Pretending there is a disconnect between national politics and local government is a comforting fairy tale for the gullible. Politics is a pyramid with local governments at the foundation. As an independent, I distrust a party that fails to acknowledge the impact their party has on local government. Vulnerable elderly in our community will be without food support, others will no longer be able to afford health insurance. People, including citizens, are being detained illegally. Don’t turn your back on these issues, especially when they are the result of Republican policies. If I can’t rely on you regarding this, how can I rely on you for anything else? You’re showing who you are. BTW – did you get all the financial reporting issues fixed (that also happened during your leadership)?
says the guy who thought a Charlie Kirk Halloween scarecrow was appropriate…with that kind of judgement, you shouldn’t be dog catcher.