LETTER: Paul Harrington For Windsor Locks First Selectman

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — It is time to change the First Selectman in Windsor Locks. I was deeply troubled after watching the embarrassing spectacle displayed by our current First Selectman, Chris Kervick, at the September 28th Board of Finance meeting. His outbursts were unbecoming of a person in his position, and once again showed a disdain for opposing viewpoints.

Our Charter does not centralize power to only one position, but instead to multiple boards and commissions to dutifully debate the challenges facing Windsor Locks. Our form of government demands that the First Selectman lead with humility and a cooperative spirit, and that is why I am supporting Paul Harrington as First Selectman.

Paul has a proven track record of cooperative leadership as Board of Finance Chairman. Under Paul’s leadership, the Board of Finance unanimously passed four consecutive annual town budgets with no tax increases. Paul facilitated open discussion, not just with his Board of Finance members, but involved other boards, commissions and taxpayers to achieve outcomes more favorable to residents.

Since leaving the Board of Finance, Paul has brought that same cooperative spirit to the Board of Selectmen, insisting the residents’ voices be heard, and processes be followed, which is a far cry from the years of divisive politics of our current First Selectman. Issue after issue, he creates a crisis environment where action is needed immediately before we will lose our one and only opportunity. If someone dares to take an opposite viewpoint, he feigns indignance and claims it is politically driven just like his actions on September 28th.

I believe under the current leadership a majority of residents have been pushed aside as our top government priority and replaced by the single focus of main street revitalization. While we must continue to improve main street, we should never forget the rest of the streets within town. If you are looking for less division, more cooperation, and a government that is responsive to all residents, then I ask you to join me on November 2nd and vote for Paul Harrington for First Selectman.

Henri Nadeau
Windsor Locks

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