Letter To The Editor: Marpe/Tooker Foresight

How many Connecticut towns wish they had leadership with the foresight to prepare for the fallout caused by the State’s budget issues?

While other communities are forced to open schools late and cut staff, Westport schools were able to open on time with full staff and the resources our families have come to expect of our schools. This is because the Marpe administration and board of finance, of which Jen Tooker is a member, had the foresight to reduce the town budget by $1 million to protect our school’s funding.

In the last four years, the Marpe Administration and Board of Finance have dramatically improved Westport’s financial position. The town’s debt is 27% lower than four years earlier and the town’s employee pension plans have been reformed, resulting in a projected savings of up to $1.3 million per year. All this was accomplished during the last four years while keeping property taxes flat. In light of the State’s fiscal problems, we are fortunate to have leadership with the foresight to protect what makes Westport special while keeping it affordable to all its residents.

Westporters have been fortunate to have the leadership of Jim and Jen these last four years.

Vincent D’Agostino