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3-01-2026 12:51am
OPINION: Why Is There a Lack of Candidates for Westwood Town Election?
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The following opinion article represents the views and opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of Westwood Minute.
By Andy Moore
Why are people not running for open positions in Westwood?
Select Board candidate Erin Sibley wrote introducing herself to Westwood voters. In her introduction she encouraged people to run for the various open positions in Westwood’s Town government. In recent elections there have been a number of positions where there is only one candidate, so there is not really an election.
Why is this?
First, many of the positions require a significant commitment of time, with no pay.
Second, the decisions reached by the Select Board and various committees are subjected to withering criticism by the Town’s voters. I think many of us forget that whether we agree with their decisions or not, they are trying to do what they believe to be best for Westwood.
Third, in my opinion -- if the situation wasn’t bad enough already -- the treatment that Select Chair Rob Gotti received from the Special Town Meeting petitioners and the Town Moderator was insulting to him and an embarrassment to the Town. He was unjustifiably accused of being in a “quid pro quo” relationship. At the Special Town Meeting, when Chair Gotti asked to speak to explain himself, the Town Moderator cut him off saying that he was “arguing” (who wouldn’t with the accusations and treatment he had been subjected to). This is the thanks that he received for devoting 1500 to 2000 hours a year to the Town, for a stipend of $2,000 per year (some insisted that means it is a paid position). Is it really surprising that he chose to resign?
I think Select Board candidate Erin Sibley deserves credit for stepping up and running; it is easy to criticize, much harder to enter the ring. Hopefully she will be treated better than Chair Gotti.
Thanks to Westwood resident Andy Moore for contributing this opinion article to Westwood Minute.
Westwood Minute takes no position on the opinion articles that it publishes, but seeks accurate and thoughtful commentary on topics that matter to our community, from a variety of differing viewpoints. Feel free to reply with your reaction below, or submit another perspective to WestwoodInAMinute@gmail.com.
