To the chagrin of many builders, homeowners, architects and others who have worked with her, Mary Young is stepping down as Planning & Zoning Department director. Her last day is Friday.
Mary tells “06880”:
It has been an immense honor and privilege to serve the residents of Westport since 2002. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. When you love what you do, it hardly feels like work, and I truly cherished my time here.
Land use decision-making is inherently a collaborative process, and Westport is fortunate to have residents who are dedicated to volunteering their time for the greater good and shaping a brighter future. I have been blessed to collaborate with countless unsung heroes who tirelessly advocate for transparency and meaningful change.
As I step aside, I sincerely hope that the residents of Westport will embrace my successor, who has truly earned this position. I believe my legacy will thrive in her continued success. Thank you all for your support and commitment to the Westport community.
I’d like to add my personal thanks to Mary. She has always treated the media with fairness and respect. She is quick to respond to questions, always forthright, and extremely knowledgeable. Thank you, Mary, for making my job easier — and for always having Westport’s best interests in mind.
Mary Young
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t’s b-a-a-a-a-c-k!
The annual Halloween window painting contest returns Saturday, October 26.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is looking for painters for the popular 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event.
Elementary and middle school children paint a store window they request, or that is assigned to them.
Elementary and middle schools winners in 3 categories — Scariest Art Work, Best Halloween Theme and Most Original — earn gift certificates. Click here to sign up.
That’s just the start. On October 29, the Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Halloween Parade begins at 3:30 p.m., at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection.
Costumed kids will walk to Avery Place, then enjoy festivities on Veterans Green across from Town Hall.
Scenes from last year’s window painting contest.
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Westport resident Dave Briggs films intriguing videos for Cheddar, the business, finance and tech website.
The other day he was at a New York location of Dig, the Northeast restaurant chain. Dave was shooting a story on Bite, whose AI-powered kiosks are found at quick-serve spots everywhere.
Chatting with Bite CEO Brandon Barton about the advantages of self-service — ease and comfort; more opportunities for add-sons; “friction-less and pressure-less,” and of course potential cost savings — Dave learned that Barton is also a Westporter.
But that’s not all. Turns out Dig founder Adam Eskin also lives here.
Sounds like Dig needs to open a location here. Then Dave can tape another video, without any of the principals leaving town.
Click here for the clip, on the Cheddar website.
Screenshot of Dave Briggs (left) with Brandon Barton.
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Last year’s Volunteer Fair was a great success.
This year’s event (Saturday, October 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m,, Westport Library), will be even bigger and better.
The adult and youth fairs are combined into one, presenting even more opportunities for volunteerism with many non-profits, organizations, and town boards and commissions. Education, housing, government, youth, seniors, the environment — those interests, and many others, are all represented.
Adult and teen attendees can speak with staff members, and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Click here for more information.
Last year’s Volunteer Fair, at the Westport Library.
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Got an old vehicle you’d like to get rid of, but refuse to donate it to 1-800-KarsForKids because they’ve tortured us with the most obnoxious jingle in the history of advertising for the past 20 years?
The Westport Fire Department wants you! (And yours.)
They train for life-saving rescues by using donated cars and trucks.
Any make, model or condition is fine. It can be damaged, even non-working.
Like NPR, they’ll even tow it for free.
For more information — or to cut right to the chase, and schedule a pickup — call 203-341-5003, or email jkronenberger@westportct.gov.
Westport firefighters practice on a donated vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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This Sunday (October 6, 11 a.m., meeting at the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot), the Westport chapter of RunForTheirLives commemorates the first anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 massacre in Israel with a “peaceful and apolitical march through town.”
Marchers will carry signs to remember the 101 hostages who remain in captivity. They’ll be joined by local clergy from different denominations, and community leaders.
Every Sunday for a year, residents have marched through town, in all kinds of weather.
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1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s newest “In Focus” newsletter has been posted to the town website.
Among the items: an update on the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s work, and a reminder about illegal clear-cutting, filling and dumping in and near wetlands and watercourses.
Click here for the full newsletter.
40% of Westport properties are on or close to wetlands or watercourses. This pond is near Partrick Wetlands. (Photo/Scott Smith)
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The Westport Police Department’s “Coffee with a Cop” yesterday morning, at McDonald’s, was a great success.
Many patrons stopped for a chat with our officers. There were smiles all around.
And no tickets.
One “06880” reader appreciates the outreach, but offers a suggestion for next time: Choose a locally owned coffee shop, rather than one of the biggest chains in the world.
Coffee and conversation. (Photo courtesy of Westport Police Department)
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Speaking of cops: Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between September 25 and October 2.
A 40-year-old man from Nutley, New Jersey and a 32-year-old man from Paterson, New Jersey were charged with larceny, and criminal attempt to commit larceny, following a shoplifting at Ulta Beauty. Officer stopped the suspects’ vehicle on Post Road East, near the Fairfield line. A female suspect has been identified, and is being investigated.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 10 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 6
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 6
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulation: 5
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 4
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
- Traveling too fast for conditions: 2
- Following too closely: 2
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 2
- Improper use of marker plates: 2
- Reckless endangerment: 1
- Transporting a child 5-8 years old, 40-60 pounds without restraints: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Unreadable plates: 1
- Failure to cancel registration: 1
- Illegal operation by a motor carrier: 1
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Over the last 15 years, the Push Against Cancer fundraiser has grown from a small community fundraiser to a giant push-up festival raising funds to support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, aiding children with serious illnesses.
Hundreds of Westporters will join the push-up marathon on Sunday, October 20 (8 a.m., Staples High School).
Registration starts at $40 per participant. It includes Push Against Cancer gear, and a fundraising web page to engage friends and family. Click here to sign up, and for more information.
Participants at last year’s Push Against Cancer.
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Unite the World With Africa Foundation‘s Westport supporters are collecting medical supplies for Kitanga, a small Tanzanian village that is accessible only by water.
Items needed include stethoscopes; blood pressure machines; pulse oximeters; green, dark blue or black scrubs (small); glucometers and hemoglobinometers.
Odds are, you don’t have any of those lying around your house.
No problem!
Click here; the select the “Unite Medical” address at checkout to have the items shipped directly.
If you actually have them on hand — or want them shipped to you — you can drop them off at Village Pediatrics, 323 Riverside Avenue.
Residents of Kitanga, Tanzania need medical supplies.
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“Moms in Security” — a Westport-based nonprofit focused on ending human trafficking and child exploitation — hosts a fundraising 5K walk at Compo Beach Saturday (8 a.m.).
All ages are invited. Click here to register or donate. All proceeds support Moms in Security’s programs and initiatives.
Questions? Email tiffany@momsinsecurity.com.
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Jaime Hastings, executive director of the Arthur Miller Foundation, spoke Tuesday to the Westport Rotary Club.
For the past 10 years, the Arthur Miller Foundation has been increasing equitable access to quality theater education for public school students by certifying and supporting teachers to build sustainable in-school theater programs.
They currently support theater teachers in New York City, Bridgeport, and Norwalk Public Schools.
Jaime Hastings (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
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Sure, we posted a great bee photo on Monday, right here in “Westport … Naturally.”
But this one is equally cool. Photographer Jen Greely says: “This early fall scene in my garden shows 3 bees nectaring from a single dahlia. I guess it’s more fun with friends.”
(Photo/Jen Greely)
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And finally … between Tanzania, Israel, schools in Bridgeport and Norwalk, and stories in our own back yard, today’s Roundup proves once again that “06880” is truly “where Westport meets the world.” So …
(If you enjoy learning about Westport — and the world — through “06880,” please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Dan, thanks for posting the “We are the World “Video. A once in a lifetime chance to hear the great voices of our times create shear musical beauty.
Mary Young – a Westport legend. So fair, so knowledgeable. She will be sorely missed
I beg to differ on the Kars-for-Kids jingle. It’s hardly great music etc. but as radio advertising goes it not as obnoxious as most. I liked the original version with Tom Bodett. The television version with kids is pretty bad though.
Keep up the great reporting!
Mary’s departure is a tremendous loss to Westport. She will be missed.
I am saddened to learn that Mary Young is leaving the town administration. While things did not always go the way I would have liked in Planning and Zoning affairs, Mary was professional, knowledgeable, fair, thorough, and a guiding light for P&Z in the Westport. Brava, Mary, for a job well done. So sorry to see you leave. I hope you will remain a resource for the Westport community in some capacity, and that you are on to better things in the future.
There was a Jimmy Briggs that lived near Bulkley’s Pond in the early to mid 1950s. Would Dave be related to him? I believe he and I were on the same school bus too.
I will be writing directly to Mary Young. I have been involved with Mary through P&Z during her entire career in Westport. I have claimed that I was instrumental in her appointment as Director of P&Z. My words to Mary will express my appreciation, respect and best wishes for the future. I may also comment on those areas in which we disagreed. I may also even try to get Mary to convey some thoughts on topics as to which she was reluctant while she worked for and then headed our P&Z Dept. One thing I know, Mary does not and will not ignore words from constituents.
Many thanks to Mary Young for your dedication, knowledge and patience that you have had with all of us for 20 + years. We are not an easy bunch. Personally, I will miss your humor the most. Wishing you continued good health and much happiness.
Every time Mary Young contributed her knowledge at a meeting I was blown away. Her professionalism in every setting, perfection. The amount of hours dedicated to this town, immense. Thank you Mary, and thank you in advance Michelle.