Every Tuesday until Election Day, GOOD Morning Wilton will publish endorsements received by the candidates. This information has been compiled from press releases sent by the campaigns. These are not endorsements from GMW.com.
Jeffrey Rutishauser Backs Vanderslice
Board of Finance member Jeffrey Rutishauser sent the following statement to GMW.
“I fully endorse Lynne Vanderslice as the most qualified and capable choice for first selectman. Providing the leadership to run the Town of Wilton requires deep operational and financial experience that Lynne gained from actually running things throughout her career in the private, non-profit and public sectors. In particular, her many years on the Board of Finance has afforded her a comprehensive understanding of how the Town of Wilton currently works and ways to improve it in the future.
“As a fellow Board of Finance member, I have seen firsthand her intellect, incisive mind and ability to fully understand an issue and formulate potential solutions. She has worked collaboratively with groups of us on the Board and other Wilton Town organizations to improve on what we are currently doing or be more efficient in how we can deliver services – always with a keen eye on the financial implications for Wilton’s taxpayers. Her efforts on our Board have always been in helping build a consensus in a non-partisan way to get things done.
“Wilton needs a leader that has proven executive experience and deep financial understanding of the entire Town budget and the record of taking action to get things done. Lynne will provide that leadership because she has demonstrated it many times before here in Wilton.”
John Kalamarides, Bd. of Finance Member, Supports McFadden
The following statement from John Kalamarides was sent to GMW:
“Deb McFadden will bring a new style, a young spirit, real-life experience, an openness to voter’s opinions and ideas, great enthusiasm, and a passion for Wilton and Wiltonians to the position of first selectman.
“In her 18 years in Wilton, Deb has been a devoted working wife, a mother to children who attend Wilton Schools, a dedicated member of her church, and a community leader and office holder.
“She has taken on many important projects in her community and public life seeing them to completion with people who should be involved beyond the committee. She has spoken up at all public meetings. She has taken public officials to task. She has been deeply involved in Wilton issues.
“Deb has worked in municipal government beyond Wilton and Connecticut. She knows how to work with government to get things done. She brings a close working relationship and friendship with many other local, regional, state, and national elected officials.
“As we go forward, we need a leader who will work to keep our taxes in perspective, who will seek efficiencies in Town government without sacrificing essential services or devoted employees, and who will work to broaden the tax base working hand-in-hand with the business community.
“This year we have a real choice as to who will be our next first selectman.
“For all these reasons, I give my endorsement to Deb McFadden for first selectman.”
Dick Dubow Endorses McFadden
Dick Dubow is currently a member of the Board of Selectmen and has previously served on the Board of Education, the Board of Finance for eight years, including one year as chairman for one year; and two previous terms on the BoS. The following statement from Dubow was sent to GMW.
“For the first time in many years, Wilton has been given a real choice as to who will be our next first selectman. In considering the two candidates, both of whom I have come to know well, I heartily and enthusiastically endorse Deborah McFadden for the office, and urge Wilton voters to go to the polls on Nov. 3, make your voices heard, and elect her to lead our town into the future.
“For those who know Deb from her previous work on behalf of Wilton’s citizens, it is clear that she provides the right balance of experience, skills, judgment and temperament to wisely manage Wilton’s finances while also maintaining the high level of services our residents and businesses have come to expect. Reducing the tax burden for Wilton residents, especially for our seniors, will always be a priority for Deb. At the same time, she fully understands that fiscal management and leadership require more than blind adherence to a set of accounting principles or the establishment of an arbitrary percent increase in the mill rate.
“I can assure you that electing Deborah McFadden will make you and me proud to call her our first selectman, and that all of us will benefit from the energy, enthusiasm, empathy and commitment she will bring to the job.
“Keep in mind that the Republican Party in Wilton does not own the keys to the first selectman’s office, so please vote on Nov. 3 and please elect Deb McFadden to lead Wilton over the next four years and beyond.”
It’s terrific to see people starting to become engaged in the election. As the Democrats circle their wagons around their candidate, I would hope that they debate the facts and set aside the melodrama that is the crux of their argument bolstering their case.
Our community is engaged. They know the facts. They’ve seen the candidates in action. They’ve read the resumes. As recent headlines decry our rise in tax rates compared to our neighboring Towns, Wiltonians understand that the value of their largest investment, perhaps even the legacy they leave their children – their home – rests with a leader who has led such herculean efforts. Someone with the experience that will lead the town to a more competitive position. This is not the time hope and change, it is the time for someone who has navigated such tumultuous waters and successfully led efforts that have created competitive advantages. It is time for Lynne Vanderslice.
Dubow, McFadden are of the same cloth. They will outspend our community’s ability to pay. Enough of their unfettered taxing. It’s time for experience.