Candidates are listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot. 

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Jay Keenan

RTM 2005-17, 20 Year resident, Chair Public Works Committee, Staples School Building Committee,
Trustee Earthplace, KHS Air Quality, Coach - 46 Seasons,
Lehigh University, Architect, Married to Caroline, (Conor, Callie, Carrick)

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Christine Meiers Schatz

Mother of four
· Harvard-trained litigator, prosecutor, and current financial industry arbitrator
· 13+ years’ experience in the financial sector
· Founder of Westport non-profit related to resident health/safety
· Water polo coach

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Neil Phillips

Native New Yorker and 25+ year resident of Westport.  Married with twin boys in elementary school.  Trusts & Estates attorney in Westport.  Adjunct Professor at Fairfield University.  Two term RTM...

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Louis M. Mall

35+year resident of Westport, Lou lives with wife Joan and daughter Tessa; 6 years on RTM, Chair of Employee Compensation Committee, sits on the Education, Public Protection, and Ethics Committees. 

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Catherine Calise 

 Native to Westport, my family has lived in Westport for more than 100 years!
Staples High graduate.  BA Math/Economics UC Santa Barbara. Working locally in a profession allowing flexible scheduling.

 What do you believe are the two most important issues the RTM must address and what solutions would you propose?

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Keenan

The issues facing Westport vary from maintaining our investments in our school system,  infrastructure and open spaces like Compo and Longshore to managing our Pension/OPEB obligations and long term debt as well as keeping our Seniors in Westport.  There is no “100” word answer to any of these issues.  Each issue affects each resident in a different way.  The reality is…it is a balancing act.  Westport is fortunate to have talented people working and volunteering for the Town which allow us to look at each of these issues from many different perspectives and come up with long-term effective solutions. 

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Meiers Schatz

As a Harvard-trained attorney and financial-industry expert, I’d work to make Westport a better, more affordable home for everyone, from my twin toddlers to my parents.  This will require (1) maintaining and improving our most valuable assets – including schools and recreation facilities, and (2) reducing traffic congestion and improving walkability.  Accomplishing this will require new ideas, technology, and leveraging Westport’s greatest untapped resource: our smart, sophisticated residents.  We must modernize government so it’s easier for residents to stay informed.  And when you can’t participate, I have the requisite advocacy background to ensure your concerns get the voice they deserve. 

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Phillips

One of the most important issues that the RTM will address this year is the consideration and approval of the annual town and school budgets.  This upcoming budget season will be particularly important because of the financial crisis in Hartford and the impact this is already having on many municipalities within the state.  As a result, this will require creative thought and deliberation by the RTM about how we allocate tax dollars for the betterment of our town.  I am confident that the RTM, along with other town bodies, will work collaboratively on this critical issue. 

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Mall

The two most important issues facing the RTM are declining revenues from the State and increasing expenses from our Schools and our Town.  I will continue to work with School and Town Administrations, our employees, Board of Education and Finance, and fellow RTM members to find ways to increase revenues without raising taxes, and to hold on spending without cutting our excellent services.  The last four years have proven it CAN be done, working together in a collegial, non-partisan manner to the benefit of Westport.

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Calise

First having been an incumbent RTM member for three terms and an active member of the Parks & Recreation RTM sub-committee, I am involved at a level where changes are addressed. Recreational facility usage, including Longshore and especially Compo Beach needs to be dealt with in a manner in which our residents are comfortable and satisfied. Increased maintenance in all facilities, capping and/or controlling number of non-resident passes sold will help. Secondly the development of Saugatuck Center and traffic control are critical concerns. I will continue to keep residents aware so their opinions can be voiced.