Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service’s new president is a familiar face — but also a young one.
Jaime Bairaktaris has already served as a board member and crew chief. When he succeeds Michael Burns on July 1, the 26-year-old will be the youngest Westport EMS president in history.
He began volunteering in 2013 as a Staples High School freshman. He has logged
nearly 3,000 hours since.
Bairaktaris was named Volunteer of the Year in 2016, and Crew Chief of the
Year in 2022.
EMS is one of his many activities. Bairaktaris works full-time as a support staff member at Redding’s John Read Middle School, and recently finished a term on the Westport Representative Town Meeting for District 4. He also founded and publishes The Westport Local Press.
Bairaktaris hopes to add initiatives for current volunteers, while attracting and growing the next generation of EMTs.
Another goal is to strengthen public education, with new classes focused on mental health.
Current president Burns will transition to serve as vice president, continuing his work on the non-profit’s new endowment goals to allow long-term financial sustainability.
Burns’ leadership was crucial to WVEMS’s growth and stability following the pandemic.
For more information on Westport Volunteer EMS and its service to Westport, click here.
Jaime Bairaktaris
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Sherry Jagerson got the sendoff she deserved on Saturday afternoon.
Friends and admirers packed the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport. They smiled and laughed as family members and colleagues told stories about the longtime Westporter’s many accomplishments, as a sailor, sailmaker and women’s sailing instructor; self-taught home renovator and repairperson; environmental activist and Nash Pond steward; human rights advocate; mother, grandmother, and role model to all.
The next day, 2 dozen family members and friends paid the ultimate tribute to the passionate woman, who died earlier this month at 80.
They gathered at the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve — whose transformation from the former Allen’s Clam House to an idyllic spot for reflection and kayak launching Jagerson spearheaded over a decade ago — to weed, prune and replant the site.
As they worked, the crew told Jagerson’s story to curious passersby and preserve-goers. They included 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, who was there to go kayaking, and volunteered to take a group photo.
Sherry Jagerson’s family and friends, at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. (Photo/Jen Tooker)
“It was a fabulous few hours, giving us one more opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude for our amazing mom,” daughter Stacy Fowle says.
Cleaning up Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. (Photo/Stacy Fowle)
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Several dozen people enjoyed the warm sun and broad front lawn, at Saugatuck Congregational Church’s first-ever Pride event yesterday.
There was food, camaraderie, a bouncy house for kids, and more.
Including plenty of rainbows.
Saugatuck Church prepares for Pride. (Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Compo Shopping Center has the parking lot Westporters love to hate.
The front is narrow, confusing and dangerous. The rear is spacious, but — in part because it has been potholed and poorly maintained — underutilized.
Part of that problem has been solved. New owners Regency Centers recently repaved part of the back lot.
It’s a great improvement. Now, about rest of the place …
Compo Shopping Center repaving. (Photo/Rob Haroun)
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“Who” stopped by for a Father’s Day “Westport … Naturally” portrait yesterday?
This guy!
(Photo/Barry Kresch)
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And finally … on this date in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, spent the next 17 years building her mausoleum. Today it is called the Taj Mahal.
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All of us who enjoy the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve have long owed a debt of gratitude to Sherry Jagerson for her efforts in starting, building and maintaining that modest, but delightful space. Sherry was crucial to its existence and upkeep. Now, our parks director, Michael West, is doing a fine job in keeping the pathways clear and addressing other aspects. I help out by picking up trash.
Don Bergmann
Re: Compo Shopping Center- I love the back parking lot, but a number of the businesses don’t have entrances from the back and there’s no safe walkway from the back to the front (other than cutting through CVS).
Additionally, congrats to Jaime and the rest of the Westport VEMS service. It’s always sad to me how little financial support this group gets from the town. The best way anyone can help is to send a donation!
Jaime you will do wonderful as president of ems I hope we can have a meeting thanks for your service to Westport if was great that we were on rtm together.
So heartwarming to know of Sherry’s memorial and the wonderful working gathering at Mill Pond. As a friend and choir-mate at UU Westport, I’m saddened by her passing but was blessed to have known her.
Well done Jaime!
Taj Mahal is the best! He’s incredible live – so talented and very entertaining. He plays the blues, folk , jazz , reggae, etc. I have seen him many times over the years.
I saw him at the Levitt a few years ago!
Bravo, Jaime! We miss you on the RTM, but not surprised you are continuing your public service!