Darien Elections 2021

Letters to the Editor

First Selectman on GOP Board of Selectmen Candidates: Exceptional, Experienced, Committed

By DARIENITE.COM | October 20, 2021

To the editor:
When it comes to politics, local issues are the things that impact our daily lives the most. 
Safe neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown, thoughtful development, great schools, clean parks, well-maintained sidewalks, roads and public facilities and best-in-class emergency services — at a sustainable price for tax payers — are foundational to our quality of life. The people we elect as our local leaders matter! Local leaders set the vision for our town and, important in these divisive times, the tone of policy and political discourse. They determine the size of your local tax bill. Our leaders should advocate for Darien beyond our borders and must be willing to support our town’s future free from unsolicited regional and state interference. 
There is no greater privilege than serving as an elected or appointed official. Thank you for trusting me for 10 years to serve as your first selectman!

Letters to the Editor

Board of Ed Member Isn’t a Political Post — Evaluate Candidates With a Partisan-Free Lens

By DARIENITE.COM | October 19, 2021

To the editor:

I’m writing to express my support for Julie Best and Stacey Tié for the Darien Board of Education. And, for full disclosure, I’m a registered Republican. I believe it is of vital importance to understand that the Board of Ed is not a political position. Board of Ed members should be chosen in a similar fashion to how our tremendous police department is staffed, accountability and meritocracy. Personally, I just want the most qualified people in charge, regardless of their political backgrounds.

Letters to the Editor

Julie Best and Stacey Tie: Curious, Hardworking, Humble, Dialed-in and Passionate About All Kids

By DARIENITE.COM | October 19, 2021

To the editor:

We moved to town for the outstanding public schools like many others. Today we find our schools at a crossroads, and in order to continue to inspire Darien’s children to be lifelong learners who think critically and innovatively while making a difference in the world with integrity, we need leaders that do the same. Leaders that focus on what matters to Darien’s kids, families and community. Julie Best & Stacey Tie are those leaders. Time and time again, Julie and Stacey have shown us the leaders that they are, the people that they are.

Letters to the Editor

Stacey Tie and Julie Best Understand the Importance of Social-Emotional Learning

By DARIENITE.COM | October 17, 2021

To the editor:

Stacey Tié and Julie Best are the most inclusive candidates for the Board of Education and have my vote. They bring the experience, energy and compassion that’s needed to ensure our schools remain a positive climate for all kids to learn and that teachers have the training and resources they need to deliver successful outcomes for our diverse student population. Our town needs continued remediation to the impacts of COVID-19 on education, such as mental health, social skills, literacy and executive functioning. Now more than ever, we need leaders on the Board of Education who understand the importance of social-emotional learning — because kids with strong mental health and resilience are better able to learn and thrive. As longtime engaged residents of Darien with children of all ages across Darien Public Schools, Stacey and Julie are champions of children.

Letters to the Editor

On the RTM, Monica McNally Was Instrumental in Addressing Complex Problems

By DARIENITE.COM | October 11, 2021

To the editor,
I have served with Monica McNally on the Representative Town Meeting in various capacities since she first joined the Public Works Subcommittee, a committee she would chair the following session. I also worked alongside Monica on the Rules Committee to the RTM and the Technology Subcommittee to the Rules Committee during the most recent legislative session. In each of these leadership roles Monica consistently demonstrated a willingness to jump in, listen, learn and do whatever necessary to benefit our town and residents. Through hard work, patience, inclusiveness, curiosity and fiscal good sense, I observed Monica would build a solid knowledge base that governed her actions on the items that came before her. By taking into consideration the perspectives of various constituencies Monica was instrumental in advancing environmental, safety and operational initiatives, with budgetary discipline taxpayers expect to improve the quality of life in Darien.