Letter: Support Marpe for First Selectman

Editor,

I am privileged to have served along side Jim Marpe on the Board of Education for the better part of six years. The qualities that made Jim a great Board of Ed member, Vice-Chairman and acting Chairman will also make him a great First Selectman.  Jim always demonstrated a firm grip on the complex financial matters faced by the Board, and could be counted on to suggest creative ways to manage spending without compromising educational services.  

He built consensus and helped foster a spirit of non-partisan cooperation among board members. Jim always reminded us that "good is the enemy of great," and worked tirelessly to keep our great schools great.  The recent Blue Ribbon School Award received by Staples High School shows what can be achieved with the kind of focus on continuous improvement that was the hallmark of Jim Marpe's service on the Board of Education.

Please join me in helping make Westport a "Blue Ribbon Town" by electing Jim Marpe as First Selectman on November 5th.

Signed,
Michael McGovern
Vice-Chairman Westport Board of Education
Westport