Garten, Kane to Lead Democrats' Ballot for November Elections

Former Board of Finance Chair Helen Garten and running mate Melissa Kane will lead the Westport Democrats' ballot for the upcoming municipal elections as candidates for First Selectman and Second Selectman, respectively.

The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) officially endorsed Garten and Kane Thursday at its nominating convention.

"A friend said to me I am the right person at the right time for Westport," Garten said following her unanimous nomination. "Now, with Melissa Kane at my side, I can say we are the right team at the right time for Westport."

Garten was elected to the Board of Finance in 2005 and was named chair in 2009, in the midst of the Great Recession. She continues to serve on the board today.

"It was Helen Garten's leadership and direction guided Westport through the recession," Kane said. "She made tough choices to determine Westport's future."

Kane, who serves as a District 3 representative on the RTM, is determined -- if elected -- to lead Westport with Garten by making the tough choices to safeguard the town's future.

"I've worked with others to strengthen our community, our wonderful, incomparable community," Kane said.

She wants to continue that work so that "for the rest of the future, Westport will continue to be one of the best places to live."

Garten added, "Westporters deserve leaders who will always tell them the truth, without political varnish," -- and she believes she and Kane are those leaders.

The DTC filled out the rest of the slate with nominations, except for one slot on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the three vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

There was some contention regarding the nominations for the Planning and Zoning Commission. DTC Chair Jim Ezzes said the search committee was not finished interviewing and vetting candidates that had come forward this week, but members of the search committee felt otherwise.

Kristan Peters Hamlin, a member of the search committee, said nominations were ready to be made on the floor, as is allowed by DTC bylaws.

But other members of the DTC felt that using placeholders until the full field of candidates is vetted would be a wiser move -- the DTC intends to reconvene in August to finish officially endorse those three candidates, plus one for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Current Board of Education Chair Elaine Whitney was endorsed to run for a second term. Fellow school board member Brett Aranow was also nominated.

"I commit to you I will continue to work hard, keep a balance, and a long-term focus," Whitney said. Aranow was not present Thursday.

Current Board of Finance member Brian Stern was endorsed to run for another term. The DTC also pledged support to Blake Benke and Lee Caney to run for the Board of Finance.

"Now is the time to support sensible investments in this town," Stern said, a notion he intends to hold true to if re-elected.  

Elaine Arnow and Jeff Jacobs were each given the nod for the Board of Assessment Appeals. Kieran Costello was endorsed for the position of Probate Judge for the Westport-Weston district. 

Republican candidate for First Selectman Jim Marpe, who was formally endorsed on Tuesday, offered his thoughts on the Democrats' endorsements.  

"The Marpe/Kaner team looks forward to discussing the issues and demonstrating how our vision is best for Westport."

You can read more about the Republican slate and the Marpe/Kaner five-point plan for Westport here.