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Crossing the Party Line

Every few years we have the privilege as Westbrook residents to select leadership that best represents our ideals and principles. This November we again have the opportunity to choose our first selectman. As a registered Democrat and self-professed liberal, I have no problem in crossing the party line to support the Republican incumbent Noel Bishop.

While my stance may not be popular in today’s polarized society, I am pleased to offer my support to Noel. My decision is based on the fact that I had the opportunity to work with Noel on a variety of humanitarian projects over the years and he always embraced them with enthusiasm and optimism. Noel was instrumental in helping my daughter establish a clothing and relief drive to assist families that were displaced by Hurricane Maria. He has also led the way to address the challenges for the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE families) in our community by establishing a committee to focus on the needs of these hard-working low-income families.

Party affiliation aside, it is refreshing to know that Noel understands the needs in our community (and beyond) and will work tirelessly to address them. I am also impressed that our schools remain high performing, our crime rate is low, and so is the mill rate. The bottom line is who would not want to vote for a man who believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to have a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job and enough income for a family to be economically self-sufficient? Noel just might be a Democrat!

Scott K. Wilderman

Westbrook