To the editor:

When I announced my candidacy for selectman two months ago, I knew that Westport was home to some of the best people around, and now that I have met so many more of you I am certain of it. I want to be sure you know who I am so you can make an informed decision with your vote on April 12.

My husband Gary and I found Westport when we were looking for a place to raise our family. Our childhoods involved a lot of moving around so it was important for us to give our children a hometown. Those kids are teenagers now and I want to give back to the community that has been so important to our family.

I have been a member of the Finance Committee for five years. I have a detailed understanding of the budget and the overall financial health of the town. Every department comes to us and talks about the work they do so I have seen how many people - employees, elected officials, volunteers on town committees and other groups – make this community work. I want to be your next selectman to bring these people together to focus on a common goal, making Westport an even better place to live.

Professionally, I work in software development as a systems analyst and project manager. I want to bring the processes and methodologies I use at work to our Town government. Process-based decision-making brings the right people together to understand a problem, set clear objectives and evaluate a range of possible solutions. Businesses use this process to achieve results; our Select Board should too.

I want to change the way our selectmen work with each other. I work in project teams and highly performing teams figure out how to work together in a way that creates energy and enthusiasm. They get a lot done, and others want to be a part of it. Our Board of Selectmen can work like that; I want to get us there.

I want our selectmen to lead through communication. Voters must have access to easy to understand, unbiased information about an issue long before they are asked to make a decision at Town Meeting. I want to make sure you get that information in a timely manner.

I want to be your next selectman because Westport is an amazing place to live and I hope to work with you to make it even better. Every vote will count on April 12 — please vote Shana.

Shana Shufelt

Westport