First Selectwoman Urges Civility In Discourse In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — First Selectwoman Jen Tooker is urging residents to practice civility during discourse over issues in Westport.

In a statement released Thursday, Tooker suggests residents read the essay "Threats and Harassment: The cost of local government leadership" to gain perspective on how "civil discourse is in jeopardy" throughout the United States.

"I will continue to lead by listening to all viewpoints," Tooker said. "I will not be afraid to take action that I believe is in the best interest of Westport – that is what this community elected me to do. I am committed to ensuring everyone feels like they belong here, not only our residents and business owners, but our elected and appointed officials as well. This has been a core tenet of my administration from the beginning - and it remains a top priority."

Last month, Westport police issued a warning to residents not to steal political signs from properties, and this week, the Westport Journal reported that the Representative Town Meeting voted down a measure to clarify petitioning to get items on the legislature's agendas.

"We are fortunate to have such an engaged community, and when this many people share their different opinions, emotions can run high," Tooker said. "I also pride myself on being a leader that listens to everyone. I feel strongly that people need - and deserve - to be heard. Please know that I read each and every correspondence that is received. We won't always agree, but we should all have the best interest of our town at heart."

Below is the full text of Tooker's statement:

When this community elected me as your First Selectwoman, I made a promise to all of you that I would take action on a number of priorities. I pride myself in being a leader that gets things done. Many of these decisions will affect the future of Westport. We are fortunate to have such an engaged community, and when this many people share their different opinions, emotions can run high. I also pride myself on being a leader that listens to everyone. I feel strongly that people need - and deserve - to be heard. Please know that I read each and every correspondence that is received. We won't always agree, but we should all have the best interest of our town at heart. It’s critical that our decision-making process remains transparent and, importantly, civil.

Attached is a report that indicates civil discourse is in jeopardy even at a local level. The report is entitled Threats and Harassment: The cost of local government leadership: Civic Pulse: Local Government Leadership It is a sobering article featuring data about communities just like ours. Westport is not exempt and must do better.

I will continue to lead by listening to all viewpoints. I will not be afraid to take action that I believe is in the best interest of Westport – that is what this community elected me to do. I am committed to ensuring everyone feels like they belong here, not only our residents and business owners, but our elected and appointed officials as well. This has been a core tenet of my administration from the beginning - and it remains a top priority.

I'm asking each of you to join me in keeping our discourse civil and productive. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. It's incumbent on all of us to take an active role in this. That is the only way we will be able to collectively make good decisions on behalf of Westport.