The Westport Democratic Town Committee (DTC) tonight announced its endorsed candidates for the November municipal election. Formal nominations will be made Tuesday.
As previously announced, Melissa Kane and Rob Simmelkjaer make up the top of the ticket for first selectman and second selectman.
Two incumbents were each endorsed for the Board of Finance and Board of Education as well as two on the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z).
But incumbent P&Z Commissioner Alan Hodge was dropped in favor of Jill Saluck, an employment litigation attorney.
It was announced at Thursday’s P&Z meeting that Hodge had submitted his resignation. Republican member Chip Stephens called Hodge “a victim of political nastiness.” (See WestportNow July 13, 2017)
While elected as a Democrat in 2013, Hodge supported Stephens as P&Z chair soon afterward, giving Republicans control of the commission. His action brought a strong rebuke from the DTC chair.
There is also a new name for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)—Victoria Gouletas, a real estate attorney who will fill the slot being vacated by Simmelkjaer.
The DTC said its nominating committee had selected the following candidates:
First Selectman
Melissa Kane
Second Selectman
Rob Simmelkjaer
Board of Education
Candice Savin
Elaine Whitney
Board of Finance
Lee Caney
Brian Stern
Planning & Zoning Commission
Michael Cammeyer
Danielle Dobin
Jill Saluck
Zoning Board of Appeals
Bernard Deverin
Victoria Gouletas
Board of Assessment Appeals
Elaine Arnow
David Keisman
The Republican Town Committee (RTC) will also nominate its candidates Tuesday night.
