Letter To Editor: Focus On Westport Issues

My wife and I have lived in Westport for 13 years. Over that time, leadership of the Selectman’s office as well as key boards have switched between Republicans and Democrats. Regardless of which party controlled a particular office or board, we’ve always felt that our town leaders focused on local issues and put the needs of the town first in a non-partisan way.

Over the years, local issues have focused on things near and dear to our community: preserving our schools, keeping the town affordable, addressing traffic concerns, enhancing our town beach and golf course, etc. While there are always differences among committed and educated residents, there has been respect for other opinions and a genuine desire to work towards the betterment of our community. National – and even state – level issues have rarely shown up at the local level.As I watch our current local race, I am concerned about the level of national politics being injected into our community. At the second selectman’s debate, Rob Simmelkjaer spoke about how he views this local election as a referendum on what’s happening in Washington. Melissa Kane frequently talks about national issues which have strong views on both sides, yet haven’t historically been big local problems or impacted our quality of life here in town. Hearing that kind of talk makes me worry about what’s happening to our community. Washington is a mess (as is Hartford, by the way), but Westport is not.

Our local politics have historically been about different views towards improving the town, not pushing national party values on those in town who don’t agree.What’s next? We’ll start deciding which friends our kids can play with depending on party affiliation? We’ll stop talking to neighbors because they voted for the other party? We won’t like our kid’s coach because of party affiliation? Already I see nasty comments on social media from local people, implying anyone who supports the other party is simply wrong, uneducated, uninformed, etc., as opposed to just having a different opinion. Perhaps I should expect that in the divisive environment in which we live, but I don’t expect it here in Westport. The last thing I want to see is our community become so partisan that we lose the ability to be friends and neighbors with people of different views.

Recent ads and comments by Melissa and Rob make me worry that’s the direction in which we are heading.As for making this election about Donald Trump in Washington, how about we make it about Dannel Malloy in Hartford? Both have been tremendously disappointing and both have the potential to adversely impact our community. One is a Republican and one is a Democrat. No party has a monopoly on good or bad ideas. I say we keep this race about who is best for Westport and I believe Jim and Jen have demonstrated they have the most inclusive team.

By John Coykendall, Westport resident