Letter to the Editor: Support Republican Candidates for P&Z

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support and admiration for the four Republican candidates for the Planning and Zoning Board. As one of the 11% of Westport residents over the age of 70, I believe that Cathy Walsh, Jack Whittle, Al Gratrix and Chip Stephens displayed enormous leadership, courage and forward-thinking in their efforts to preserve the Barons South property as open space rather than convert that particular town-owned property to senior and affordable housing. From the outset, after several discussions with members of the Board of Finance, I have consistently questioned the economics of using town amenities for the development of housing, especially since such housing would not be limited to Westport residents. With open spaces diminishing through the development of projects over the years, keeping land tracts such as Barons South from future development inures to the benefit of all Westport residents and not merely my 11% affinity group. By designating Barons South as park property, these four candidates for reelection preserved the character and quality of life we have all come to expect in Westport while initiating new legislative efforts that will permit senior housing projects to be successfully developed on private land. They have proven their ability to focus on a host of other timely and critically important land use issues throughout their tenure on P & Z and we should return them to office in November and insure that Westport’s charm and life style remain intact for the foreseeable future.

Peter Thorner