The candidates for Wilton’s Board of Selectmen–including those running for first selectwoman/man as well as for members of the BOS–as well as candidates for the Board of Finance met onstage Tuesday evening, Oct. 22, in the Wilton Library’s Brubeck Room, answering questions in a town hall-style forum moderated by the League of Women Voters.

For both panels, the differences between the individuals hoping to get Wiltonians’ votes were on display–differences in style, approach, experience and personality. Taking the stage first were the three candidates vying for Wilton’s chief elected officer spot:  current selectwoman Deb McFadden (D), incumbent first selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice (R), and Michael Richard Powers (petitioning). They answered questions submitted by their fellow Wilton residents, which reflected major issues facing the town:  grand list growth, economic development, commercial development and density, fiscal challenges and rising taxes.

After about 20 minutes they were joined onstage by Ross Tartell (D), current Bd. of Finance member Ceci Maher (D), selectman Joshua Cole (R) and second selectman David Clune (unaffiliated), the four candidates from among whom Wilton will pick two to fill the two Board of Selectmen seats up for grabs. Altogether, the seven individuals had only a few more chances to answer resident questions to set themselves apart in the eyes of voters.

The second hour was taken up with the candidate forum for the five Wilton residents who are seeking seats on the Board of Finance, where three seats are available. Those candidates are Chris Stroup (unaffiliated, running on the Democratic ticket), Jung Soo Kim (D), Mike Kaelin (D), current BOF member Peter Balderston and Warren Serenbetz.

The Forum was sponsored by the Wilton League of Women Voters, the Wilton Library and GOOD Morning Wilton.

As a sponsor of the debates, GOOD Morning Wilton has the privilege of bringing the video recording of the one-hour forum to readers. It’s our hope that we’ll be able to bring you a fuller picture of each of the candidates–who they are, what they represent, and how they’ll govern–to encourage readers to turn out to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

FIRST SELECTMAN and BOARD OF SELECTMEN

First Selectman Questions

Board of Selectmen Questions

BOARD OF FINANCE

Board of Finance Questions