A petition signed by 64 electors has been submitted to the Town Clerk, and Westport Representative Town Meeting moderator Jeff Wieser.
The petitioners — 3 times as many as required — say:
In the interest of having a full and transparent public discussion on the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s goals, process and proposed plan for Parker Harding, we request that the RTM add to its September 5, 2023 agenda the following item:
A review of the DPIC’s goals, process and proposed plan for Parker Harding, to be led by the lead petitioner, with an invitation to the Chair of the DPIC to present if desired, with time reserved for RTM member and public comments following the review.
Petition organizer John McCarthy says, “This is not a step we wanted to take. But we do so to make sure the voices of concerned citizens and impacted merchants are heard.
“The RTM is the public body which most fully represents all the people in town. Letting that body hear, first hand, how people feel about the plan is vital at this stage, before it is set in stone and presented as a yes/no decision to Planning & Zoning, the Board of Finance and ultimately the RTM.
“Following the last DPIC meeting, which included constructive comments from more than 30 members of the public that attended, the DPIC has decided to ignore all of those comments and is pushing ahead with the original plan, which is to spend $6 million, remove over 40 parking spaces and get rid of the vital cut- through road in Parker Harding. We can do better than this.”
The RTM petition follows one on Change.org, opposing the proposed elimination by the DPIC of the Parker Harding Plaza cut-through lane from Main Street to the Post Road, and the reduction of 44 parking spaces.
That petition was signed by over 1,000 residents.
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Chris Paul appears (virtually) at the Westport Library tonight (Tuesday, June 27, 8 p.m.).
The basketball star discusses his life, and new memoir, with journalist, FOX Sports anchor and Westport resident Lindsay Czarniak.
The event will be livestreamed and recorded as part of her podcast, “Lunch with Lindsay.”
After the conversation, members of the audience can ask questions. Autographed copies of Paul’s “61” book will be on sale.
Czarniak tells “06880”: “Human connections are so important. I’m so excited for the audience to get a chance to see and interact with Chris Paul because his story is so impactful and he relates it so well. He is still one of the biggest names in the NBA and he has so much to share.
“I read his book cover to cover. There were so many different layers. He has so much perspective. To be able to talk to him with an audience of kids and adults will be powerful. The fact that he is starting over with a brand new team — one of the strongest in the NBA — makes this even more interesting.”
Paul’s fans are one target audience. So, she says, are anyone interested in hearing a story that goes “way beyond the basketball court. I laughed and cried reading his book because he related his experiences in such a masterful way.”
Interestingly, Czarniak was about to interview Paul for her podcast, when she learned he had been traded to the Golden State Warriors 90 minutes earlier.
“Seeing him still processing the whole thing was pretty cool,” she says.
Chris Paul and Lindsay Czarniak.
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Speaking of the Library: WNYC has been promoting one segment on today’s “All Of It,” with Alison Stewart.
It’s about the Verso Studioes vinyl record released last month — the first one ever produced by a public library, anywhere.
The promo includes a great shout-out to the Westport Library.
We know it’s a special place. Now millions of WNYC listeners will know too. (Hat tips: Tom Broadbent and Mark Mathias)
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When she heard about Westport’s huge July 9 party honoring our sister city, Lyman, Ukraine (click here for details), Felicia Catale wanted to help.
She’s doing it the best way she knows: by offering free haircuts.
Between now and the July 9 party, the owner of Salon Nash on Post Road West will give a cut, gratis, to anyone who donates at least $60 to Lyman.
Those cuts and blow dries — for men, women and kids — usually go for a lot more than that.
Click here to donate via the Ukraine Aid International website (under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman” from the dropdown menu).
Then call or text Felicia (203-747-9753) to make an appointment. Brring your donation receipt to enjoy your free, generous hair session!
Felicia Catale
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Arn Peter Berglund, a 1970 Staples High School graduate, was killed in a bicycle accident last week in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
A motorcyclist struck the University of Idaho graduate, while he was pedaling away. He was wearing a helmet, but died at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.
Arn Berglund
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Joan Harper died peacefully at The Greens at Cannondale in Wilton last week, surrounded by her family. She was 92.
The Bridgeport native worked in retail before landing a job as a secretary at Sikorsky Aircraft. She met her husband Jim there.
They moved to Westport in 1960, and raised their children here. Once they were grown, Joan worked as an administrative assistant at Hall-Brooke Hospital.
Joan was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, and watched old black and white movies. She was an excellent cook, specializing in Hungarian dishes.
She is survived by her son Jim (Karen) of Oxford; daughter Susan Kowalsky (Daryle) of Westport; grandchildren Harley and Barrett Kowalsky, and Jessica and Caitlin Giorgio (Stefano); great-grandson, Hudson Giorgio, and brother Richard Donnelly of Stratford. She was predeceased by her husband, and sister Barbara Fritz.
The family thanks The Greens at Cannondale for their kindness, compassion and care, and her caregiver and friend Marjorie Reid for her love and support.
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This deer gets its daily requirement of greens — and much more — at Grace Salmon Park.
It’s a “Westport … Naturally” scene that too many homeowners are too familiar with.
But you gotta admit: It’s cute!
(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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And finally … Doc Pomus was born today, in 1925.
You may not know his name. But you sure know some of the songs he wrote.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Arn was a classmate. In Mr. Marciano’s 6th grade class ‘63-‘64 we shared the lead in The Prince And The Pauper at Kings Highway Elementary. RIP old friend.
Re Parker Harding: Certainly members of the RTM should engage on the issues. Probably many already have participated in the DPIC meetings that have been going on for a long time. There was also much involvement of so many in Town with the creation and approvals of the Downtown Plan many years ago. More discussion is usually a good thing, unless it is a vehicle for delay and, ultimately, inaction. So far, it sems that mostly commercial interests are objecting, which if so, must be examined.
The Downtown Plan has so many positive aspects, with several of them being already accomplished. The focus now appears to be on downtown parking and traffic movement from Main Street to the Post Rd.. We all need to get our facts straight, but first should ask themselves if the fundamental goal for changes to Parker Harding, namely to enhance the riverfront, is desirable. I and most others believe that goal is desirable. Then the question becomes how is it achieved. We do need to retain a through route from Main Street to the Post Rd. I believe we do and that will occur. As to parking, people disagree as to parking needs, a disagreement that has long been expressed, but which in most cases has been determined not to be truly a problem, except during the Christmas season. In all events, parking should not be allowed to thwart the effort for enhance the riverfront. Parking issues, if real, can be addressed.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not again raise the appeal of a pedestrian bridge extending from the present bridge leading into the Saugatuck River, but continuing to the other side. Another alternative would be a pedestrian bridge across the river from Gorham Island.
Don Bergmann
No, Don. I’m afraid you have it wrong. The plan at issue is NOT the same plan that was previously developed as part of the Downtown Masterplan. It’s not the plan that reflected all the input from Westport residents like you. And it’s not the plan that DPIC was charged with actually implementing. This is a entirely DIFFERENT plan. For reasons which are not completely clear, the DPIC folks, at some point, opted to go rogue and throw out the vetted and approved plan to increase greenspace while maintaining the critical pass through. Not surprisingly, once this was discovered, it resulted in considerable controversy. And here we are. I hope this helps clarify things for you.
Completely agree with Morley, and fundamentally disagree with Don who appears completely out of touch regarding this matter.
Sure it would be lovely to add green space or recreational space on the river BUT, there is no room to do so.
Therefore it’s a moot point.
We need more parking not less, we need a proper unobstructed road through Parker Harding and that does not mean through the parking lot to sit behind cars waiting ever more desperately for a parking spot.
The suggestion made by a Mr Stein a few weeks ago to give consideration to a huge pier out over the saugatuck river was an excellent one.
That will tick many boxes. It will maintain parking as is and it will maintain the through roadway.
Adding green space will do absolutely zero to fix flooding.. ( the new stick with which we are being beaten over the head)
Anyone who understands flooding knows this is an absolute figment of their imagination.
What night is a pervious parking area, instead of a black top one.
But either way don has completely lost touch.
Morley is spot on.
And at this point legal council and stopping this with an injunction followed by a law suit is very much looking like a reality.
Has anyone actually raised my idea in the proper forum?
End of the day, eliminating parking and eliminating the cut thru (as it is, it should not be changed to go through a parking lot that is dangerous), goes against all common sense IMO. You can create land and greenspace, plenty of other towns/cities do it (piers is one way).
Thank you John McCarthy for your leadership on this petition. As we continue to discover, most residents of Westport are completely in the dark about the actual plans moving forward through DPIC. It is imperative to have a full airing of the original intent, current plans, and why DPIC has deviated. The effects of the current plan will ripple far beyond downtown. Citizens are entitled to know how they will be impacted, and be able to express their support or opposition for the plan.