Letter to the Editor: Westport Democrat for Iain Bruce

Iain Bruce has exactly the mix of talents Westport needs for the Board of Finance. His financial skill and proven dedication to the community will serve our town well.

Professionally, his entire 33 year career has been in finance, managing various forms of financial risk and executing complex transactions in project finance and other areas. For the past several years, he has been restructuring transactions, demonstrating a talent for negotiating resolution of complicated commercial disputes, often without resorting to litigation. It’s not hard to see that this experience will be extremely helpful to our Board of Finance.

Iain has also demonstrated that he cares deeply for our town. He has been on the Boards of the Westport Weston Y for the past 13 years, including as President of the Board of Directors during the permitting phase for the new Y. Iain worked with many parties, often with competing interests (members, staff, boards, consultants, town officials, etc.) to find workable solutions to complicated problems. He also spent a few hundred hours in Town Hall participating in and observing public hearings, RTM meetings, and so on. Iain gained valuable insight into how our town works and how collaboration achieves useful ends.

Iain’s community involvement goes well beyond the Y, having lived here since 1989. Iain is a dedicated cyclist, not just riding the bike, but using his passion to help others. He is a leading fundraiser for the annual SpinOdyssey event, a marshal for the CT Challenge and Smilow Cancer Center’s “Closer to Free” ride, as well as a ride leader for the Sound Cyclists club. He has also volunteered in various capacities around town, including at A child’s Place, Suzuki Music School of Westport and the Saugatuck Church.

What more could we want for a Board of Finance Member—deep financial skills and experience, demonstrated leadership and a clear passion for making Westport a better place. I will enthusiastically vote for Iain in the coming election.

Harold Kamins

Westport