Letter: Candidate responses revealing; vote Valcourt, Ouellette

Posted 4/4/17

To the editor:

We write in support of Brian Valcourt and Steve Ouellette for selectmen, and in opposition to Dick Spirlet.

There are many accomplishments and characteristics to recommend …

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Letter: Candidate responses revealing; vote Valcourt, Ouellette

Posted

To the editor:

We write in support of Brian Valcourt and Steve Ouellette for selectmen, and in opposition to Dick Spirlet.

There are many accomplishments and characteristics to recommend Valcourt and Ouellette. Primary among them being their fair-mindedness across constituency interests, north to south, and both men’s determination to improve the health of the Westport River.

But let us evaluate each of the three candidates by their responses to earnest questions posed by Join the Conversation Westport with regard to another enormously important issue.

JTCW is a Facebook page, which was created in the immediate aftermath of the Medieros “farm” animal abuse tragedy. JTCW has 335 members and is followed closely by many people. It has served as an open, civil forum for a much-needed conversation in our community. The thousands of exchanges between its members have been enlightening and fruitful.

Three weeks ago, JTCW invited all the candidates running for BOS and BOH to respond to a set of six questions. The questions covered a range of important topics including possible changes at the local and state levels to stop the abuse of farm animals, and concern about a general feeling of disconnection between much of the public and its elected officials, along with a perceived lack of transparency within Town Hall.

The three BOS candidates’ own words speak volumes. We invite everyone to read them firsthand on the JTCW page, but want to cite responses to one question.

JTCW: What changes would you like to see happen locally and at the state level to prevent a third case of animal abuse on the scale of what happened on the Medeiros property this past summer?

Valcourt: We can do only what the state allows us to do as far as enforcement is concerned. But I will be vocal in expressing my stance on these issues with our state representative Paul Schmid and senator Mike Roderiques on what can be done at the state level. Putting some teeth into the Right to Farm bylaw at our town level is a start. We can require more frequent inspections, and proof of proper papers, vaccinations, etc. (just like we do for dogs and cats) for farm animals kept on private property, even if they are not being sold to the public. We know that these operations were most likely used to supply illegal slaughterhouses and that the meat was being sold to the public, in private, off-book transactions. I would like to see more vigorous prosecution of these crimes and stiffer sentencing guidelines. You need to send a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.

Ouellette: Any kind of livestock should have [to] be registered and I personally think unannounced visits by inspectors/officials should happen, similar to our car lot inspections.

Spirlet: Hold the Animal Control office as well as the Board of Health and if they can't come to a conclusion the[n] come to the BOS.

We did not “cherry pick” this particular question, but chose it because it is of such great concern to many of us. The responses accurately reflect the quality of the candidates thinking across the entire set of questions.

Please join us in voting for Brian Valcourt and Steve Ouellette for BOS. The choice is clear between those who are open to new solutions—and someone who is not.

Constance Gee

Kathy Saylor Feininger

Westport

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