LTE: Fairfield to heal under leadership of First Selectman Christine Vitale

To the Editor:

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST SELECTMAN Christine Vitale/Fairfield BoS.

I’m thrilled (and relieved) that Christine was appointed First Selectman (previously Acting First Selectman) through a just process grounded in law, transparency, and the checks and balances codified in our Town Charter. With this vote of confidence, First Selectman Vitale is carrying forward the work she and Bill Gerber Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber were freely and fairly elected to do in 2023, winning by a clear margin over their opponents.

In the wake of Bill’s tragic passing, Tony Hwang is collecting signatures to force a special election to replace First Selectman Vitale. In the name of “healing,” Mr. Hwang’s tactics suggest otherwise. Invoking “no kings” in campaign literature is manipulative and misleading; it implies that Christine’s lawful appointment is somehow “Trump-like” -- a comparison many of us firmly reject.

The hypocrisy is glaring. The language urging signatures for a special election is straight from the Trump playbook: cast doubt, instill fear, and disguise division as healing.

Yes, the charter allows for this petition. But let’s be clear that this effort is not about unity, healing, or repair; it’s about political ambition. Fairfield deserves honesty, not spin.

I hope you’ll pause to consider the above and encourage others to do the same before signing any petition that may trigger a special election.

Nancy Lefkowitz