Westport Election 2021: Jennifer Tooker For First Selectman

WESTPORT, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in town will be on the ballot.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 2, Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on a few topics.

Republican Jennifer Tooker, 52, is running for First Selectman in Westport.

Occupation: Second Selectwoman, Westport

Family: I thank my lucky stars for my wonderful family. My husband, Mo, and my three children, Jack (20), Riley (18) and Nicole (13).

Experience: Conservation Commission, Board of Education, and Board of Finance

Family in government: Just me.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

We are not going back to 2019! More residents work from home and are increasingly using our parks, beaches and other local amenities. We have more traffic than ever and more people visiting our local businesses. I will support these post-pandemic lifestyle choices by strategically investing in infrastructure to enhance Westport’s many public amenities, and to continue the successful revitalization of downtown by improving our pedestrian pathways, green spaces, and parking lots.

I will continue to communicate effectively with and support new and existing business owners. I will work with residents, public safety, public works and P&Z officials to solve traffic issues on town roads while, at the same time, continue to pressure state officials to finally address failing state controlled infrastructure and roadways.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I am the candidate with the management experience and leadership skills to keep Westport moving in the right direction. Westport needs a leader and seasoned executive at its helm. I have over 20 years of management experience in the private sector and understand how to manage our staff and our budget, making strategic investments while maintaining a steady mill rate.

As well, I know how our town government works. I have been a member of Westport’s Conservation Commission, Board of Education and Board of Finance. As Second Selectwoman for the last four years, I have been intimately involved in the day-to-day business of Westport. My executive management and leadership experience in both the private sector and local government is simply unmatched by my opponents.

Accomplishments:

During the last four years, I led the effort to make Westport an attractive place to start and grow a business. I went door to door asking local business owners what they needed to be successful in Westport. I responded to their needs and concerns by giving existing and prospective business owners a sense of stability and an effective channel of communication. The result is a thriving local economy with more than 30 new businesses moving into the downtown area this year and numerous others in Saugatuck and along the Post Road.

New business in Westport allows us to balance our residential and commercial tax revenues, helping to maintain a steady mill rate while providing excellent town services and amenities, and fully supporting our world-class schools. From the very start of the pandemic, I worked tirelessly with our town department heads to implement measures to protect our residents during an unpredictable, ever changing period.

When the time was right, I chaired the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team to help local businesses open and operate safely while also keeping our residents safe. There is more to do, but I have been on the ground in Westport since day one and I am fully prepared and able to do the job.

Other issues:

I am proud to have launched the Westport Together alliance with the town, schools, PTAs, and local non-profits to advance programs supporting the social emotional health and well-being of residents. This partnership laid the groundwork that allowed our community to respond effectively to many of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone – children, parents, seniors, business owners and employees – has access to robust resources and the support they need to address the continuing mental health and wellness challenges from the pandemic. Our leadership team also expanded accessibility at our town facilities and amenities to ensure those with disabilities and mobility issues can enjoy all our town has to offer, including new walkways and handicap accessible bathrooms at Compo Beach.

In collaboration with the Commission on People with Disabilities, as well as our Departments of Human Services, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation, we will continue to make Westport a welcoming community.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

A Tooker-Moore administration will lead with compassion and kindness, treat all our residents with respect, and make certain everyone's voice is heard. We will work to build trust and find common ground while respecting differing opinions, and ensure Westport is a place where everyone belongs.