First Selectwoman Jen Tooker reacted yesterday to charges of racial incidents in Westport schools, leveled at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
She said: “Every time I speak publicly, even as recently as last week at the State of the Town address, I state that one of my top priorities is to ensure Westport is a place where everyone feels like they belong – where people feel safe and seen and heard. I regularly acknowledge that we have more work to do as a community.
“It is with shock and disappointment that I listen to the devastating comments made by parents at the Board of Education meeting this week. I want the residents and business owners to know there is no place for any form of hate in Westport. There is no place for racism in Westport. Our community strongly rejects hate in all forms.
“We must all stand together and speak clearly and unequivocally on this issue. We should demand accountability. Westport has my unwavering commitment to continue to work with local leaders, including TEAM Westport and the school administration, to create a supportive environment where we, as Superintendent Tom Scarice said, treat each other with dignity and respect. We all want to feel like we belong. Every one of us deserves to feel valued. When one of us is harmed, we are all harmed.”
Click below for a video of her speech:
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Connecticut’s presidential primary begins this month.
Early voting is set for Tuesday through Thursday, March 26-28 (Town Hall Room 201) and Saturday, March 30 (Town Hall auditorium); polls are open fro 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those days.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 2 (6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Republican candidates are Donald Trump, Ryan Binkley, Nikki Haley and “Uncommitted.” Ron DeSantis is listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Democratic candidates are Joseph Biden, Dean Phillips and “Uncommitted.” Cenk Uyuger and Marianne Williamson are listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Workers are needed at the polls (for pay). Contact registrars Maria Signore (Republican) or Deborah Greenberg (Democrat) at 203-341-1117 for more information.
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A fed-up reader wants help or advice from “06880” readers. She writes:
“Can anyone tell me how to stop Westport News home delivery, which we never asked for and never pay for?
“When we are away, it is impossible to stop delivery. There is no phone number to call, no email to send to, and lots of newspapers cluttering up our driveway indicating we are away. Since we live on a major thoroughfare, this is particularly concerning.
“Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem – who to call or write to so we can stop delivery forever?
“My husband is apoplectic. I am mad. Your suggestions and any info are most welcome.”
Please like “Comments” below for suggestions.
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If you get voicemail from someone claiming to be Captain David Wolf from the Westport Police Department, requesting a call back — and then hear there’s a bench warrant for your arrest, or a $5,000 fine — don’t worry.
It’s a scam.
The WPD will never request that a fine be paid over the phone — or solicit payment of any kind.
And of course, do not ever give personal banking information like an account number to someone who calls, unless you are absolutely sure who you are speaking with.
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“Gloria” has had a tough time since Alan Sterling died.
His oyster boat survived in Gray’s Creek for several years. A recent storm pushed it ashore, where it is slowly falling apart.
It looks like the end is near. This was the view yesterday.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Weston author Lisa Grunwald’s 7th novel, “The Evolution of Annabel Craig,” will be published this spring.
It is set in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee during the infamous Scopes “monkey trial.” In the midst of a town and marriage divided by issues of faith and science, Annabel Craig must learn to question her own beliefs.
Mingling fictional characters with famous figures and events, the novel is both a portrait of a marriage and a harbinger of many of today’s deepest controversies.
Much of it was written in her Weston house (and discussed with her husband, a journalism professor and former head of Reuters) during walks on Compo Beach.
Click here for more information, and to pre-order.
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the East Coast Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 5th anniversary with a gala at MoCA Westport (March 2, 7 p.m.).
The evening includes a dance performance, open bar, auction and live music.
Many of the dancers teach in the area. Every summer, they offer a dozen free outdoor performances at the Fairfield County Dance Festival.
For more information on East Coast Contemporary Ballet, click here. For tickets to the gala, click here.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image highlights Winslow Park, in serene winter stillness:
(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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And finally … in honor of the imminent end of Gloria, Westport’s favorite oyster boat (story above):
(Please help “06880” survive. Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Your music videos are fabulous… be like the I MAN‼️🇺🇸
I believe the Westport News is managed by the Hearst Corporation which among others publishes the Norwalk Hour. Here is how to contact them:
Email us at subscriberservices@hearstmediact.com
Contact us by phone at 1-203-354-1000
They are usually very helpful and should solve your problem.
Okay Lou, You only have one comment remaining.
Oops.. you have three and I have three. Two seemed to have disappeared.
Something is going wrong with the comment section.
My favorite Gloria song is by the Cadillacs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U28e4EEC2j4&list=RDEMqJpQqNjGUlQ7Po6L_zwuRw&index=2
I chuckled reading the Westport News item. I’ve had the reverse problem, I wanted to receive the Westport News. I’ve tried calling multiple times, and emailing multiple times. I’ve even drove to the offices on route 7 in Norwalk where the lobby attendant told me there is no one in the offices.
I was so perplexed I even dreamed up a scheme to call their advertisers and complain I’m not getting their advertisements and they should cancel their Ads…LoL
What I believe is when they were acquired by the media giant they have a sinister scheme to keep us in the dark….LOL
Lets face it the only Westport News worth reading is right here on “06880”
Mark, I share your sentiment 😁
One option could be to open and read the paper.
You may like it😁
Anyone who is religious, speaks about bullying, mean girls, racism, or anti- semitism, should not be voting for Doanld J Trump!
You have other options and should be speaking out against Doanld Trump if you go church, temple, or a mosque. You should be speaking out against Doanld Trump if you want your kids to learn truth and facts. You should be speaking out against Doanld Trump if you are against lying, narcissism, and committing crimes. If you respect women, you should be speaking out against Donald Trump. If you are for Democracy, you should be speaking out against Donald Trump.
I need to see more Republicans fighting for the better options, humans, and candidates!
We should be seeing you all fighting for Nikki Hayley!
Where are you ? Where are your loud voices?
Ahhhh.. Stephanie, Trump’s tiny little fingers got him an 83.3 million dollar penalty, so even though rich and powerful men have been doing “that” for a million years, no one should vote for this creep!
The disclosure of racist school behavior leading to statements by town and school officials is missing key ingredients: parents and students. Parents have been asking for more influence about what is taught and learned in schools. Now is a time to make good on that ask. Parents need to pledge to reinforce non-racist behavior at home and support reinforcement of the same in schools. It needs to be very clear that students using language or actions at school, at home, in media are accountable. Parents also need to address this specifically, to hold themselves, their families and the town systems to a standard of care and legal compliance. The incidents show that this is not something that can be excused away or assumed that people of all ages know what is acceptable.
Westport is the most inclusive town I’ve ever lived in. To make sure an issue of this so called discrimination is just grandstanding. When most of us grew up the Italians called the Polish names and every other nationality was fair game. This adolescent behavior was just that. We outgrew it. How is it ok to curse out a police officer when you get questioned ( your 1st Amendment right) and the town is ready to jail an adolescent who uses such defamatory words. Get on with your life people looking to make this such an issue
It’s probably not a great idea to reply to such an incoherent comment, but I can’t help myself. Are you actually telling a middle school girl who, at school play rehearsal, had a prop gun put to her head and told “we kill people your color” to just get on with her life? Are you really telling a freshman girl who has been repeatedly called a n****er in the halls of Staples and whose “friend” LMAO’d at a text suggesting that they “put that monkey in a cage where she belongs” to toughen up? That’s what you want for the children of color in our perfectly inclusive community? Shame on you.
I remember the supposed antisemitic incident at Staples did you tell them to get over it?
Ms. Tooker may SAY she wants Westport to “be a place where everyone feels like they belong”. But you can bet she voted at least once for Trump, the most divisive President since George Wallace. And in November, you can bet she ain’t goin’ for Biden.
Trump has $400 gym shoes to sell to Republicans for being a fraud! Any takers in Westport?
Typical liberal Democrat response. You live in a all white town Dan.
If your dumb enough to vote for the worst administration again God Bless you. Biden and Kamala lol!!
Ms. Tooker doesn’t owe anyone and apology. Your just an angry white liberal Westporter who acts like they give a crap about racism.
Glad I moved down south to raise my kids in a more diverse area that doesn’t worry about what they have and who they are.
Trump 2024 sir.
I like the all white town, Jeff, as do the black families that havechosen to live here.
As are you, Jeff, I am also glad you moved “down south.”
Katz sucks
“You’re”. Yet you feel obligated to respond here. Bitter eh?
I have to ask: do you think Trump is a good human with good values? Does he treat others with kindness and respect? Does he use kind words towards others? Is he a good Christian himself? Does he follow the Golden rule and the teachings of the Bible? Does he respect the rule of law for himself? Does he respect women ? Does he respect Democracy? Does he respect that Putin is an evil murderer? What kind of names does he call others? Does he lie a lot?
Anyone but Trump 2024
Nikki Hayley is an option! What is your beef with her?
She is smart, kind, respectful, has a clean record and no indictments, strong on foreign policy, and knows abortion is not a winning issue for Republicans.
As one who was raised in the Deep South, I know I’ll never go back. The prevalence of reactionary politics in Redneckistan is more than I can stand. But I’m happy to know that Jeff has taken my spot. He’ll fit right in.
Trump-Putin 2024-MRGA Make Russia Great Again . It amazes me how anyone can be dumb enough to vote for this wife cheater, convicted rapist, and fraudster!
Since George Wallace RAN, of course.
Years ago, we stopped getting Westport News because it…just stopped coming. I called, because I WANTED to get it, and they said it’s based on if the driver feels like going up a street or not, and since we’re not on a main road, she thought it was too inconvenient. Whatever. So, we don’t get that paper, but will happily take yours!
Damn. I’ve been hiding out in Montana ever since Captain Wolf called. Does this mean I can come home now?
The Orange Mussolini is being sued by the police officers who were injured or killed on January 6th. Hopefully the fraudster has to pay another 350 million! I’d vote for Biden’s underwear before I’d vote for that rapist! By the way, I’m not a Democrat!
I’m not surprised about the Westport School incident when I see how people here post nasty comments because someone has a different opinion. I say to myself I hope the kids in this town don’t see these comments, they are often mean spirited, not kind or positive. We don’t need to read about hate for Jen (I don’t know her at all) I read the comments and it’s awful.
Get out the kleenex. A black dentist who practices in diverse Norwalk chose to move on up.to Westport where now she says the biggest challenge of her life is raising Black children in Westport. To that I respond she should thank God everyday if that in fact has been her greatest hardship .The Westport Patch published an article last week regarding parents who have dealt with their child’s battle with cancer ,his resulting malpractice and their having to pull the plug on life support just 4 days after his 13th birthday, That’s a nightmare life challenge which these parents can never escape. Whereas if kids are unhappy for whatever reason ,parents can move in a New York minute.