Submitted by Mary Ellen Markowitz
The team of Laura Erickson as First Selectperson and Janet Stone McGuigan as Selectperson is the one we need running our town. How fortunate we are to have two such amazing women at the top of our ballot. At this moment in time they are critically important to the future health and well-being of Greenwich. It is time to have two people of the highest caliber tackling the challenges of a town the size of Greenwich. They can bring about the end to one-party -control, fiscal mismanagement and short-sighted policies.
These are two very thoughtful, civil, level-headed and intelligent women who have spent years volunteering in our town. They have both been involved with the public school PTAs and both have a history of holding various political offices – giving of their free time to contribute to the betterment of our town. Laura is a former commercial banker who has served on the Board of Education as chair, is currently serving her second term on the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and has served on the RTM. Janet is a former environmental policy analyst and mediator. Previous to becoming our current Selectman, she served on the RTM. Their credentials speak for themselves.
So how would they enhance our town? First of all, as First Selectperson, Laura would ensure that our public schools would receive the appropriate funding set forth by the Board of Ed’s educational specifications. She understands that our students and our teachers need to be able to teach and learn in a positive, safe environment – one without fear of walls or ceilings collapsing, or sewage pouring into a classroom after heavy rains. In addition, they are focused on making our schools ADA compliant, as well as remediating the toxic fields at Western Middle School, which have been closed for the past seven years. They will prioritize our children and teachers.
Our current First Selectman has been concentrating on fountains on Greenwich Ave., dog parks and debating whether or not various flags, such as a gay pride flag, should be flown at Town Hall, rather than advocating for the funding and construction of our aging schools. We are in a crisis, and we need focused, reliable, smart leaders to make our town one that we can be proud of. The can has been kicked to the end of a dead-end street, yet our current First Selectman and his allies continue to talk about limiting the budget for our schools and important town departments – hardly responsible leadership.
For too long the do-nothing Republicans have continued to use delay tactics to put off the necessary construction projects to bring our schools up to code and be the kind of environment that reflects our commitment to our children. Under their leadership smart financial opportunities came and went in terms of fixing our schools by taking advantage of low interest rates. As a result of their lack of foresight the cost of rebuilding or renovating our schools has increased. But the work has to be done. Should our families live in fear of Central Middle School being temporarily closed again due to unsafe conditions?
Janet as Selectperson would ensure that the building committees are supported and the plans in place would continue. Janet understands that post pandemic enrollment in our schools is increasing with the enrollment of 100 more kindergartners than expected starting in public school this year. Thus, the proposed shrinking of the plans for Central Middle school is out of line with accurate projections for the future.
Besides the overarching need to solve our school crises, Laura and Janet are committed to creating a plan for climate change, establishing responsible, long-term investment ideas which will hold the line on property taxes, and making certain our underfunded first responders get the resources they need to keep us safe, to name just a few of the issues on which they are focused. Laura and Janet are the inclusive problem solvers we need at this moment. They are extremely approachable, personable, caring and always willing to work across the aisle. They are opposed to extremism. With these two incredible women at the helm, I am confident our town will continue to be a desirable place to live for us and for future generations.
Vote on November 7 for Laura Erickson and Janet Stone McGuigan.
NOTE: the deadline to submit a letter to the editor about candidates for the Nov 7 election is Oct 30 at 12:00 noon