Roundup: Politics, Penny Proskinitopoulos, Police …

The Democratic Town Committee’s endorsed slate of candidates for November’s local election includes familiar names.

And a couple of new looks.

Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein and secretary Neil Phillips, Planning & Zoning Commission vice chair Paul Lebowitz, and Zoning Board of Appeals chair Jim Ezzes will all stand for re-election.

Danielle Dobin — chair of the P&Z — was nominated to run for the Board of Finance. She is in the middle of her current term, so if elected to the BOF would have to resign.

Nancie Dupier is moving from Westport due to a job change, and must vacate her seat on the Board of Finance. Because she made that announcement this week, the DTC must reconvene to interview candidates. A new nominee will be announced soon.

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When Dr. Parthena “Penny” Proskinitopoulos took over as the new principal of Coleytown Middle School yesterday, her commute scarcely changed.

For the past 2 years, she’s been an assistant principal at Staples High School, a mile or so south of her new post.

The appointment by superintendent of school Thomas Scarice was approved this week, by the Board of Education.

Proskinitopoulos’ career began in 2006, as a middle school social studies teacher in Fairfield. In 2014 she became a technology integration specialist. She then served one year as an interim assistant principal at Roger Ludlowe Middle School.

At Staples, she earned praise as administrator in charge of the Response to Intervention program. 

Proskinitopoulos earned a BA in psychology from St. John’s University, and a master’s of arts in teaching and 6th year diploma in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University. Her doctorate of educational leadership comes from the University of Bridgeport.

Dr. Penny Proskinitopoulos

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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between July 12 and 18.

They issued the following citations:

• Traveling unreasonably fast: 4 citations
• Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
• Failure to renew registration: 3
• Distracted driving: 2
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
• Breach of peace: 1
• Assault: 1
• Larceny: 1
• Engaging police in a pursuit: 1
• Disorderly conduct: 1
• Reckless driving: 1
• Speeding: 1
• Failure to obey stop sign: 1
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
• Improper use of markers, license or registration: 1
• Improper tinted glass: 1
• Failure to display lights: 1

One person was arrested for engaging police in a chase.

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Speaking of police: the Westport Department and Kneads Bakery Café Mill are partners in “Coffee with a Cop.” It’s next Wednesday (July 26, 8 to 9:30 a.m.), at Kneads on Riverside Avenue.

There are no speeches or agendas — just honest conversations about issues affecting our community,

What? No donuts?!

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It’s summertime. But learning never ends.

The Westport Public Schools and Teachers College Reading and Writing Project  at Columbia University are collaborating on 2 virtual sessions, for parents and caregivers. Both provide insights and tips on creating a love of reading and science.

“Fostering Future Scientists: Helping Your Kids Learn About the Natural World” is set for next Tuesday (July 25, 7 to 7:45 p.m., grades K-3; click here to register) and Wednesday, July 26 (7 to 7:45 p.m., grades 3-8; click here to register).

Sure, bees sting. But they do so much more. A free webinar will help kids learn about the natural world.

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Where is Westport headed?

It’s an existential question.

And also a literal one.

Robin Frank spotted these dueling signs at Myrtle Avenue and Main Street, near Town Hall:

(Photo/Robin Jaffee Frank)

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Westporter Dan Gross is a financial and economic journalist. Edmond Safra has been called “the greatest banker of his generation.”

Last year Gross — who, like Safra, traces his heritage to Syria — wrote “A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra Built a Global Financial Network.” It traces the financier’s remarkable journey from Beirut to Milan, Sao Paolo, Geneva and New York.

Yesterday, Maria Maloof — a Lebanese journalist — interviewed Gross. Fellow Westporter Avi Kaner made the introduction.

Check out the translation at the bottom in the video below, to see how the story of the Lebanese Jewish banking titan was shared with the Arab world.

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It’s an all-ages “Kaleidoscope.”

The 1-day MoCA Westport exhibition (August 27, 12 to 4 p.m.), features works from “MoCA Gives Back Healing Arts” and Camp MoCA participants.

It’s a celebration of MoCA’s commitment to offer equitable access and meaningful experiences, including employment and access to the arts, to under-resourced community members.

Healing arts classes were led by MoCA instructors. Works reflect participants’ inspiration, joy and deeper connection to the world they experienced through the healing power of art.

Over 200 pieces of camper artwork will be displayed. All are being created at this summer’s camp.

There is a suggested donation of $10 per adult. For more information on MoCA Gives Back, Camp MoCA or Kaleidoscope, click here.

MoCA campers. (Photo/Isabelle Engelson)

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You never know what you’ll see in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

Today it’s cattails, at Grace Salmon Park:

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … in honor of the mixed messages at Myrtle and Main (story above):

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