Greenwich has always been a town that values excellence, respect, and accountability. Yet recently, our public discourse has drifted into something less constructive — a mire of nastiness and partisan gamesmanship that helps no one. The Board of Estimate and Taxation, one of our most important decision-making bodies, has too often become a stage for political sparring rather than civic problem-solving. That must change.
When I served as chairman of the Board of Education, we faced a similar challenge. There were divisions, strong opinions, and competing priorities. But we found a way through it. By focusing on what mattered — improving outcomes for our students while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars — we turned a divided board into a functioning one. We built trust, not by agreeing on everything, but by agreeing to work together respectfully and to communicate honestly. The results were tangible: budgets were passed, schools improved, and the tone of our meetings reflected a sense of shared purpose.
That same approach can work for the BET. Residents of Greenwich are tired of political food fights. They don’t want shouting matches or social media sound bites — they want progress. They want a BET that recognizes the value of collaboration and fiscal discipline, not one at the expense of the other. Good governance is not about winning an argument; it’s about serving the people who put their trust in us.
This new BET has a chance to reset the tone. That begins by listening, by pausing before reacting, and by focusing on the process — setting clear guidelines, engaging all stakeholders, and remembering that compromise is not weakness; it is how communities move forward.
Greenwich has always been at its best when its leaders remember that we are neighbors first and partisans second. If we can bring back that sense of teamwork and civility, our town will not just function — it will thrive. We have done it before. We can do it again.
Joe Kelly,
Candidate for the BET
