It took over 6 hours of talk. But early this morning, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-3 in favor of plans to renovate Parker Harding Plaza, and add the spots lost there to Jesup Green.
Those parking spots would be at the top of the green.
Tonight (Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; click here for the livestream), the Representative Town Meeting votes on a request to spend $630,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the design and redevelopment of both Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
(Click here for a full report, from the Westport Journal.)
The Jesup Green parking plan.
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And the grand marshal of the 2024 Memorial Day parade is …
… Charles Lamb. He is a Korean War veteran, and a longtime civic volunteer.
The 95-year-old native of Springfield, Illinois joined the Navy in 1946, at 17. He was part of the Naval Aviation College Program.
In 1948 he was sent to Pensacola Naval Air Station. where he became a midshipman and started ground school. In 1950, age 21, he was designated a naval viator.
He amassed over 2,000 hours of flight time and earned 2 medals, each representing 20 aerial combat missions during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of lieutenant.
In 2022, the State of Connecticut recognized him for his patriotic service.
Lamb moved to Westport with his family in 1971, and still lives in the house they bought on Saugatuck Shores.
He served on the Representative Town Meeting (District 1) and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
This year’s Memorial Parade — the first in 54 years not overseen by Bill Vornkahl, who died in January — will be held on Monday, May 27, at 9 a.m. A ceremony follows the completion of the parade, on Veterans Green.
Charles Lamb will be grand marshal for the 2024 Memorial Day parade. After his remarks, a bugler will play “Taps.”
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Westport’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force has been listening, and acting.
On April 25 (7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), they’ll provide an update on their progress.
Residents will also be able to offer comments, and air concerns.
The event — coordinated by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and the Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and Public Safety Departments — will include town employees experienced in traffic management, and well versed in roadway conditions, engineering, and speed calming solutions, as well as the regulations and oversight authority of the town.
Also in attendance: the consultants responsible for preparing Westport’s Safety Action Plan, funded by a federal grant.
Meanwhile, the town’s interactive, online survey is open for residents’ input. Click here for access.
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Plenty of Westporters thrilled to the University of Connecticut’s romp to its second straight NCAA men’s basketball title last night.
A few were in Glendale, Arizona. Many were at home. Some were in Gampel Pavilion, the Huskies’ court, where UConn hosted a viewing party.
Tomaso and Lucia Scotti — siblings, Staples graduates, and fellow students — found each other in the large crowd.
Tomaso graduates this spring with a fine arts degree. focusing on graphic design. He gives tours from his job at the rec center, where he is a fitness instructor.
Lucia has a leadership positions in the visitors center. She is a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, and will study in Italy next year.
Lucia and Tomaso Scotti say: “Go Huskies!”
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Besides UConn’s rousing victory yesterday, the other big news was the solar eclipse.
Dozens of Westporters sent photos to “06880.” Franco Fellah added a video.
He writes: “Too bad the conditions were pretty horrible and cloudy. Here is a time lapse of the entire eclipse, as seen from my front yard on Elmwood Road. It is composed of 160 images taken with a robotic telescope.”
Here it is: a much quicker look than you got yesterday.
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Also yesterday: The Westport Country Playhouse was buzzing, for the world premiere of 3 films. All were Triple Threat Academy productions, made by aspiring actors, singers and dancers under the guidance of professionals.
Two were largely student-produced: “Oceans Fourteen” and “Family Recipe.”
“Family Recipe” actors post, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The feature was “Presumed Incompetent,” directed by Triple Threat founder (and former “Fame” star, and 1981 Staples High graduate) Cynthia Gibb, and written by Jill Johnson Mann.
Jill Johnson Mann and Cynthia Gibb, at the Playhouse.
“Presumed Incompetent” is based on the true story of Wynston Browne, the Staples High School junior with non-speaking autism and apraxia. He’s also the star of the film, which shows how a simple spelling device unlocks his very sharp brain. It’s life-changing — for him, his family, and all those around him who for too long presumed him to be incompetent.
“Presumed Incompetent” — which includes many local youngsters (and Gibb’s mother Linde) — is poignant, uplifting and inspiring. It heads next to festivals around the country.
Wynston Browne, at the “Presumed Incompetent” premiere. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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At 10 a.m. yesterday, a tree toppled. It took down power and cable to 160 homes — and started a brush fire.
The Westport Fire Department extinguished the blaze, but Wilton Road was closed to traffic.
Eversource restored power by 12:30 p.m., and the road was reopened.
(Photo/Steve Stein)
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Marriage equality for LGBTQ people was not always the law of the land. And the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport was not always a “welcoming congregation.”
The history of the local UU road’s to equality is the subject of a documentary film, “Welcome,” by longtime Westporter Rozanne Gates.
It’s being shown at (of course) the Westport church this Saturday (April 13, 7 p.m.). A discussion (and refreshments) will follow.
The showing is free, and the public is welcome.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
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The Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president campaign will be at Sherwood Island State Park this Saturday (April 13), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
They’ll be collecting signatures, to get him on the Connecticut ballot in November. 12,000 are needed.
Click here for more details.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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This week’s Jazz at the Post features saxophonists Dayna Stephens and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi,” in a tribute to the “two tenor sax front line” legacy.
Accompanying them are guitarist Kenny Wessel, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Tim Horner.
There are 2 shows this Thursday, at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399: 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service begins at 7. The music cover is $20 ($15 for veterans and students). Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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Longtime Westport resident George Erickson died peacefully at home on April 3. He was 86.
The Pelham, New York native earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
After graduation he was an officer in the US Marine Corps, rising to captain.
George married Susan Ostrom in 1960. They moved to Quantico, Virginia, and later Westport.
George discovered a passion for restoring old houses, seeing potential that no one else would tackle. Beginning with a 1789 Federal home in Greens Farms, he then worked on homes in Southport, a summer home in Branford, and finally a Victorian on Mill Hill.
He often volunteered to drive vans for soccer tournaments, Scout camping trips and rides to college. He was almost always on the sidelines of games, concerts and graduation ceremonies, for children and grandchildren.
His career started as a Fuller Brush salesman in Westchester, then led to a marketing position at Glendinning, and ultimately his own direct mail business, Curriculum Resources. Owning his company allowed him the freedom he craved.
In Westport George enjoyed a friendship with Jon Fox (who he met in 7th grade). He and Susan traveled often. And ever the volunteer and proud Marine, George enjoyed building Memorial Day floats with the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
George is survived by his wife Susan, children Martha and Jonathan, and his grandchildren Guthrie, Aria, Riley, Nell, Mullein, Romy and Faye. He was predeceased by his daughter Kristin.
Donations in his name may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County.
George Erickson
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Golf is not really part of our natural world.
But dogs sure are. Which is why this shot fits the bill for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Feel free to add your own caption.
(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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And finally … on this day in 1682, Robert Cavelier de La Salle discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River. He claimed it for France, and named it Louisiana.
(Whether you’re in Westport, Louisiana, Mississippi or anywhere else: If you enjoy “06880,” please consider a tax-deductible donation. We rely on reader support. Click here — and thank you!)
RFK Jr claims he has the ability to talk to dead people. Can anyone help me out because I’d like to meet him and together get in touch with my grandfather who died in 1962. If anyone could help me out, I’d appreciate it and I’ll purchase a Trump Bible for you!
I can’t imagine how there is so much dis/mis information about this man (kidding, I know exactly how)), but if anyone is interested to know his policies, they are these (among others): Honest Government, A Restoration of the Middle Class, Peace, Racial Healing, Control Over The Border and Legal Immigration, Safe Vaccines, a Return to Nutritious and Organic Food. He is an environmental lawyer, who for 40 years has successfully litigated against large corporations who have harmed our health, land and waterways. Now, if you are against any of those, I can understand you not wanting more choice. But, if those policies sound reasonable and good, I would say – hey, at least let’s get him on the ballot so his position on issues can be evaluated against the other candidate’s positions and we all get options and the ability to make an informed decision in November. Peace out.
We need to stop being polite about the nut jobs who give mental illness a bad name. RFK Jr., like the Republicans who push him, cannot pick a position and stick with it from week to week. Those ponderously enumerated “policies”—Even When They Are Capitalized—are something you’d see at Boys’ State, not fit for a real world in search of detail, consistency, and basic sanity.
Being polite and listening to others is exactly what we need MORE of – not what we should abandon (imo). I could refute every one of these statements, but people will believe what they want to believe. What I would encourage people to do is not listen to the main stream media (exclusively), but rather do the research to find out what REALLY happened in each of these instances and then make up your own mind. Yes, they all sound bad. Just consider the fact that the narrative of both parties is to make it so. Fight back. Think independently. Listen more. Question everything. btw – there are (again, imo) an equal number of D’s and R’s and G’s and L’s (and others) who all claim he is working for the “other” guy. There’s a good reason for that. He actually thinks on his own and has some views that align with D’s and some that align with R’s and some that align with Libertarians, etc., etc. So people can’t figures out which box he fits in. The answer is none – that’s the point. I consider that a good thing.
(to be clear, the instances I am referring to are from Russell’s post below).
Here is the inteview where he says “no vaccine is safe and effective”. He lied repeatedly about saying it despite the interview being filmed while saying it. Not too bright.
https://youtu.be/G4vP4GdHhoA?feature=shared
I wonder how he sleeps at night considering who knows how many folks declined to get vaccinated as a result of his ignorance and lies, got sick and died.
Here’s a collection of RFK Jrs’ greatest hits collected by that well known left wing rag Forbes. Sorry it’s so long but there is so much to report:
1. Covid-19 targets certain races and gives others immunity:
Kennedy Jr. was caught on camera telling fellow diners that “Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people” and “the people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese,” according to a video made public in the New York Post, which also shows him saying the U.S. “put hundreds of millions of dollars into ethnically targeted microbes” and labs in Ukraine collected Russian and Chinese DNA “so we can target people by race.”
2. Mass shootings are linked to prescription drugs:
Kennedy Jr. blamed school shootings on drugs like the antidepressant Prozac in a recent Twitter Spaces discussion, telling owner Elon Musk, “Prior to the introduction of Prozac, we had almost none of these events” (there’s no scientifically established correlation between psychiatric drugs and mass violence, according to experts cited by PolitiFact).
3. The 2004 presidential election was stolen:
Kennedy Jr. said in a 2006 Rolling Stone article he was “convinced” that voter fraud in the 2004 presidential election allowed former Republican President George W. Bush to steal the victory from Democrat John Kerry, but while a 2005 postmortem by the Democratic Party found a breakdown of the election system in Ohio, it found no evidence of fraud.
4. The CIA was involved in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy:
Reprising the unfounded claim he has made for years, Kennedy Jr. recently made the suggestion to Fox News’ Sean Hannity (though the federal government’s Warren Commission convened to study the killing found that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he shot JFK in 1963).
The wrong person may have been convicted of killing his father: Kennedy Jr. cast doubt on the conviction of Sirhan Sirhan in the 1968 assassination of his father, former U.S. Attorney General and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, to which gunman Sirhan Sirhan confessed days later, though his lawyers have claimed in recent years that he was hypnotized and coerced to kill Kennedy.
5. The pharmaceutical industry is throwing money at Democrats:
After the Affordable Care Act of 2010, “Democrats were getting more money from pharma than Republicans,” Kennedy Jr. claimed on Twitter Spaces, though an analysis by STAT News found 23 of the country’s biggest drug companies and 2 pharmaceutical trade organizations have favored Republicans in 14 of the past 16 elections from 1990-2020, the most recent year STAT studied.
6. Gun ownership in Switzerland is similar to the United States:
While vowing not to “take away anyone’s guns,” if elected president, Kennedy Jr. made the debunked claim, despite data that shows U.S. civilians possess an average of 120.5 firearms per 100 people, the highest per-capita rate in the world, compared to 27.6 in Switzerland, according to the Small Arms Survey by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.
7. The Covid-19 virus was genetically engineered:
“Covid was clearly a bioweapons problem,” he said on Twitter Spaces, repeating a claim promoted by some hard-right lawmakers—U.S. intelligence agencies have said it’s possible the virus originated from a lab accident, but have found no evidence to support the claim that it was deliberately leaked.
8. Former White House medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates sought to exaggerate the pandemic, in part, to promote vaccines:
Kennedy Jr. accused the pair in his 2021 book, The Real Anthony Fauci of launching “a historic coup d’état against Western democracy” by exercising outsize influence over the media and public health realm, while Kennedy also promoted use of unapproved treatments for Covid-19, such as ivermectin.
9. Vaccines can cause autism:
For years, Kennedy Jr. has promoted the theory that the preservative, thimerosal, which has largely been phased out of modern vaccine formulas, appears to be responsible for a rise in autism diagnoses and that the government knew but “knowingly allowed the pharmaceutical industry to poison an entire generation of American children,” he wrote in Rolling Stone and Salon in 2006, despite consensus among a number of certified health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and more that have found no credible link between vaccines and autism.
I’ll give you 6 stars.
We already have safe vaccines.
Even P&Z elections have consequences.
Why are we wasting money to rearrange parking spots from the convenient location where they are (next door to stores) to a further away location? We don’t need a beautified river front for visitors to come and hang out.
This seems like a pet project that goes contrary to common sense and prudent fiscal management. This and the rest of the $400m capital spending planned by this administration will result in higher taxes – as profligate public spending usually does. I understand renovating schools, but no pet projects please.
PS: well done Triple Threat Academy, cast and crew on the premiere last night!
As Dr. Suess said, the trees have no tongues.
His Lorax “speaks for the trees which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please.”
If the environmental argument to preserve beautiful stately and mature trees doesn’t compel you to contact your RTM members to ask them to withhold funding from this ill-conceived proposal, how about the resulting flooding that will be exacerbated by paving over this green space and uprooting trees that absorb water to add more impermeable surfaces that will cause more runoff and economically damaging water conditions.
Worry about RFK while a senescent old man is on the verge of starting WW111. No problem with that.
By “WW111,” do you mean “World War III”?
And please send details on this impending war. I have not heard details.
Also, please explain how a senescent person can at the same time be able to start a world war.
Thank you.
The US is flying B-52 bombers in the Artic, over Poland and what do you think they are carrying? The MSM will never tell you this but Prof. Mearsheimer will and they are nuclear armed. Maybe look a little deeper.
Before Trump was romancing Kim Jong Un, you might recall the report of him questioning why, if we have nuclear weapons, we can’t use them. Charming. Then, he threatened “little rocket man” with his “bigger button” and with fire and fury “the likes of which the world has never seen”. What could go wrong?
There’s your senescent old man on the verge of “WW111” dialed up to 11. I mean, XI.
Well… when RFK Jr and I talk to my grandfather and Einstein, I’ll have more comments! Stay tuned.
regarding the beautiful dog and golf photo it’s clear the hole is a dog leg left