Wilton First Selectwoman Vanderslice Endorses Nabulsi and Healy

To The Editor:

When casting two votes for the Board of Selectmen, I ask residents to consider three things:

• What are our community priorities over the next four years?
• What experience and background are best suited to help address those priorities?
• What experience and background are currently needed on the Board of Selectmen, specifically, to address those priorities?

After doing so, I hope you will join me in concluding that Bas Nabulsi and Kim Healy are the two best qualified candidates for the Board of Selectmen.

Bas Nabulsi has a proven record as a thoughtful, non-partisan and intelligent decision maker. The knowledge he acquired while serving as an elected member of the Planning and Zoning
Commission, plus his analytical skills as an intellectual property attorney and a chemical engineer by education, will be assets to the Board of Selectmen as we analyze much-needed potential investments in town infrastructure and amenities. This analysis, like the Board of Selectmen itself, works within a framework of state statutes and town ordinances. As an attorney and long-serving member of a town board that had regulatory authority over often complicated land-use matters, he understands what that means and requires as a board member.

As a 29-year resident who raised two active sons in Wilton, Bas also understands how important Wilton’s schools, recreational amenities and natural environment are to this community. Balancing the costs and benefits of developing these assets will require diligence and sensitivity to community-wide needs and concerns. Importantly, as Bas has himself expressed, he recognizes that taxes are the number one issue for most residents, and as Board
members, we should never lose sight of that fact in achieving that balance.

I first met Bas and his family more than 20 years ago, when our sons played on the same Little League baseball team. Through the years, I have crossed paths with him and his wife through mutual volunteer efforts. Bas’s knowledge of a wide cross section of residents will be a benefit to the Board.

Kim Healy is a former CPA, a former Wilton Library Trustee and a former treasurer of many Wilton non-profit organizations. A central Board of Selectmen responsibility is developing and recommending an annual budget for town departments, nonprofit grants and funding for tax relief programs, as well as projects for bonding. The Board of Selectmen’s budget, debt service and tax relief account for over one-third of the annual town budget. Kim is already familiarwith the town’s budgeting process as she was involved with budget discussions as the treasurer of the Wilton Library, which receives approximately 75% of its funding from the Town. Having an additional Board member with a professional financial background and town budget experience will enhance the Board’s budgeting activities.

As a mother with teenage and adult children, Kim will also bring an underrepresented demographic to the board. Ross and I (and Bas) are empty nesters with children in their 30’s; Josh is the father of young children. She is also the daughter and sister of police officers. Kim’s unique perspective will provide valuable insight.

In summary, considering their knowledge of the Wilton community and town government and their professional and volunteer experience and backgrounds, Bas and Kim are the best qualified candidates for the next four years. Please join me in voting for them on November 2nd.

Lynne A. Vanderslice