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Westport’s land use community was stunned this week by the death of Larry Bradley. The town’s Planning and Zoning Department director from 2005 to 2016 succumbed to a heart attack on Wednesday. He was 54 years old.
Bradley resigned to become planning director of planning and community development for the Seminole tribe in Florida. Since 2019, he serve das director of Palm Bay Growth Management, also in Florida.
Before Westport, Bradley worked at municipal planning posts in Greenwich, White Plains and Rye.
According to Florida Today, he was a New York Giants fan; he enjoyed travel and opera, and was a ember of the Loyal Order of Moose. He is survived by his wife Maria.
Former Westport Planning & Zoning Commission chair Chip Stephens told “06880”:
“Larry Bradley was beloved and respected in Westport, especially by all members of the P&Z and Zoning Board of Appeals.
“Larry was a master of land use regulation, and a gentle person with residents and elected officials. In a time when many sought to show their power or position Larry was always a steady voice, listening and seeking advice from those who had an opinion but not always the regulatory knowledge to back it up. He played well and patiently in the sandbox.
“There were always voices that said Larry was not forceful or aggressive enough on Westport land use, but those voices did not appreciate his working hard to engage all parties, while inserting his wealth of local, state and overall land use regulation and theory.
“Larry was a big influence on Westport as we know it today, establishing regulations protecting open space and natural resources, reining in sprawl, and maintaining a level playing field between development and preservation.
“Westport residents today: Whether or not you were lucky to have known Larry Bradley in his time here or have arrived since his departure. we all owe a smile and prayer in his passing with a big thanks for being here, and hope Larry’s new home allows him to smile back down on Westport.”
Larry Bradley
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Tomorrow (Sunday, July 11, 2 to 6 p.m.), the Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club hosts its first-ever tea dance.
Modeled on one at its semi-namesake — the Boatslip in Provincetown — it’s open to the public. Music is by DJ Mo. The LGBTQ community is especially invited. Proceeds from the $10 admission will be donated to the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth organization.
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Neither rain nor sleet nor gloom of night keep the Westport Garden Club from delivering its #FridayFlowers. This week — despite torrential rain — an arrangement including a variety of hydrangeas welcomes Westporters at the main entrance to Longshore Club Park.
(Photo/Pat Nave)
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“Westport … Naturally” offers this lesson on dragonflies: They were among the first winged insects to evolve, 300 million years ago. Modern dragonflies have wing spans of only 2 to 5 inches — but fossil dragonflies have been found with spans of up to 2 feet.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … On this day in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee, the “Monkey Trial” began. John T. Scopes, a high school science teacher, was accused of teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act.
Scopes was found guilty and fined $100 (equivalent to $1,500 in 2020), but the verdict was overturned on a technicality. Nearly a century later, Americans continue to argue about the importance of science in our daily lives.
Chip said it well. Larry Bradley was a steady unbiased voice who maintained an excellent, diligent and tolerant staff. His unbiased presentations to the elected P & Z were impeccably accurate and provided the guidance and facts required for them to do their job well. Westport owes him a debt of gratitude for all that he gave our community.. My condolences to his family.
I can confirm the thoughts from Chip and Michael. Larry was a good man, and he worked long hours, finishing late in the evening after a meeting, and then driving to his home across the line in New York State. What a tragedy to lose him at such a young age, but he made a positive mark on Westport.
Any ideas if we can make song requests for the Tea Dance? This is so exciting!
I was saddened to read about Larry Bradley. I echo Chip’s, Michael’s, and Ira’s comments. Larry was a wonderful colleague and I enjoyed working with him. He will always be remembered for the person he was – kind and respectful. My prayers are with his family.
My comment will look callous in the midst of kind remembrances of Larry Bradley, I just wanted to say, Dan, your music choice is so funny and wonderful!!
Lou, I love your dragonfly photo. Despite their scary name and appearance, they are harmless (don’t sting or bite) and are miracles of flight. They can fly forward, backward, upward, downward, sideways and even upside down. They are also considered good omens by most cultures. That bodes well for you and all who see them.
Larry Bradley was hard-working, helpful, and respectful of the public. He gave much of himself to the town, for many years. May he be remembered well for a long time. My condolences to his family. Sincerely,
Judy Starr