The evening began with the public debut of Sustainable Westport’s short film featuring familiar Westport faces answering that very question: “What do you want Westport to be known for?”

Moderator and Sustainable Westport Board Member Peter Boyd then posed the same question to the candidates — Kevin Christie, David Rosenwaks and Don O’Day.

• Christie said he wants Westport to “be known again as a leader in sustainability,” noting the town’s prior SustainableCT Bronze certification in 2018 and Silver certification in 2021 (which has since lapsed), and setting his sights on “going for the gold.”
• Rosenwaks shared a vision for a more walkable, bikeable, and flood-resilient Westport, highlighting the importance of preparing for climate impacts while improving everyday livability
• O’Day emphasized Westport’s pioneering spirit, saying he’d like to see the town “do things first,” referencing the 2019 single-use plastic bag ban as an example of proactive leadership.

Following opening statements, the discussion turned to audience-submitted questions, curated by Sustainable Westport and Peter Boyd. Topics ranged from renewable energy and flood resilience to transportation, green spaces, and sustainable governance.

In a fun twist, candidates also faced a rapid-fire round — answering “Yes,” “No,” or “Maybe” to a series of questions, with the option to add a short “but” for context. The format encouraged clear, quick thinking and highlighted where candidates agreed and where their approaches might differ.

While all three candidates expressed a shared commitment to sustainability, the specific paths toward achieving those goals varied – and in many cases, remained vague and open-ended. Each candidate acknowledged the importance of protecting Westport’s natural environment and prioritizing sustainability at the town level, but the details on how they would do that, including whether to add dedicated staff or allocate town budget to the cause, remain unclear. The discussion also highlighted that turning ideas into action will require continued dialogue, detailed planning, and community collaboration.

The question that opened the evening continues to resonate: What do you want Westport to be known for?

We invite all residents to reflect on their own vision as we approach Election Day. Your answers will help guide your decisions at the ballot box.

Events like this remind us that civic engagement and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. As the election approaches, Sustainable Westport encourages every resident to:

✅ Watch the video recap of the discussion.  

✅ Reflect on what you want Westport to be known for.

✅ Learn where each candidate stands on the issues that matter most.

✅ Go vote for leaders who will help Westport reach its sustainability goals.