Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe's Annual Thanksgiving Message Addresses the Trump Election

WESTPORT, CT — Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe delivered his annual Thanksgiving message Thursday and addressed current community concerns.

His address comes on the heels of the Westport Democratic Town Committee's open letter-challenge to Marpe to reiterate the town's commitment to being an inclusive community.

Below is Marpe's full Thanksgiving message:

Westport has always been and will continue to be a place where we live by and teach our children the values that we cherish -- values that embrace equality, inclusiveness, open-mindedness, respect for each other as well as the law, and of course, education. We hold fast to these ideals regardless of political party, religious affiliation, social strata, gender, or age. This Thanksgiving, we thoughtfully and respectfully reflect upon these qualities in light of recent events that have transported our nation into divisiveness and turmoil.

A recent “open letter” to me as the First Selectman of this great community called for a response to the events in our nation related to the 2016 presidential election. I believed that it was appropriate to do so in the context of my annual Thanksgiving message to all 27,000 Westport residents.

I want to start with my reflections expressed to those gathered in the Town Hall Auditorium on Veterans Day this past November 11; that ceremony occurring merely days after the tumultuous election. I confidently assured those present that the rights and freedoms for which veterans fought so valiantly are alive and well in this great nation, and in the Town of Westport. The political events of the past year have tested our collective understanding of democracy, creating conflict nationwide and anxiety at many a dinner table and social gathering throughout Westport and the rest of the country. While the outrage and despair over the problems that our nation and our community need to address remains, it is our democracy which makes this such an extraordinary country.

The 2016 election has stirred us all to reconsider our core values and our rights as Americans; rights which many in Westport may have taken for granted because we thought we had the luxury of doing so. However, with recent events fresh in our minds, we must be cognizant that with the freedoms we cherish come certain personal obligations. Despite differences, Westporters must treat each other with mutual respect and civility. We are no strangers to making our world, country, and our community a better place. The Town’s municipal, civic, religious and volunteer institutions operate under the mantle of these values. Our laws and our values don’t change because of the most recent political winds. We encourage thoughtful and constructive means to embrace each other’s differences. We denounce hatred, divisiveness and manipulation by words and deeds. We remember that in Westport, we are grateful and thankful for and continue to be committed to, the values we hold so dear in our cherished Town. I can assure you that this Town will continue to embrace and protect all its citizens and will stand firmly against hate and intolerance, now and always.

Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for our freedoms and our good fortune. We remain steadfast in our resolve to help those less fortunate, all the while remaining aware of the world events around us that may inhibit that resolve. We express our heartfelt thanks to those in our community that stand for the downtrodden or disenfranchised. I am personally thankful for our extraordinary volunteers, teachers, civic leaders, clergy, and residents, young and old, of all races, creeds and ideals, who work tirelessly and diligently each and every day, at times with little or no recognition. They share their time and talents without fanfare, so I want to acknowledge their contributions and let them know that they are valued and appreciated.

I wish all the citizens of Westport a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday. I encourage you to take the opportunity to pause and reflect on how you may contribute to making our community a place where all are welcome and respected.

Thank you.

Photo: Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe at a 2015 meeting of the Y's Men. Photo credit: Larry Untermeyer