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It may not be entirely true, as Tip O'Neill once observed, that "All politics is local." But it is certainly true that the decisions Westporters make next week on who should serve as first selectman, and as members of other town boards and commissions, myriad aspects of our lives. Local leaders handle different problems than officials on the national level, but their decisions affect us literally "where we live."
Just as important, residents pretty much give up their right to complain about tax increases or other governmental decisions if they don't take time to vote for their municipal officials.
Running for first selectman and second selectman this year are Democrats Gordon Joseloff and Shelly Kassen, who are completing a four-year term; and Republicans Gavin Anderson and Kristin LaFleur. John Izzo is a registered write-in candidate. All have had years of experience in various capacities in town government, and all have presented their cases strongly in the months leading up to the election.
The first selectman, under the town charter and state law, has no direct control over spending for education, other than his powers of persuasion. All the candidates say they support a strong education system, and the voters' assessment of how the candidates would meet the needs of Westport schools will be an important determining factor in the voting next Tuesday.
The election for positions on the Planning and Zoning Commission has also drawn much attention this year, and the results will be a good indication of how Westporters view issues of development in our town.
We will not presume to tell Westporters for whom they should vote on Tuesday. We hope residents have read the many Minuteman articles on the campaign and attended one or more of the candidates' debates. Some of the literature mailed by the candidates may also be of help in making informed decisions at the polls.
Residents interested in further details of the candidates' positions can also study the Voters Guide that was distributed in the Oct. 22 issue of the Minuteman.
Above all, it is vital for Westporters to take the time to go to the polls next Tuesday, or arrange for an absentee ballot if they will be out of town that day. Many people in the world envy our right to vote, and in these perilous times, we dare not take this right for granted.
