Russell Oost-Lievense’s fight continues.
In the wake of last month’s Board of Education hearing to appeal the non-renewal of his contract as Staples High School boys soccer head coach, the 2008 graduate filed a complaint with the state Freedom of Information Commission.
Oost-Lievense said that he intends to challenge the hearing, and the Board’s decision not to renew his contract, in court.
However, he says, he is handicapped in litigation because “the Board unlawfully deliberated my nonrenewal in executive session.” He had repeatedly requested the hearing be held entirely in open session.
Stating that the public and he were deprived of the ability to evaluate and challenge the Board’s decision, he asks that the meeting be declared “null and void.”
Russell Oost-Lievense
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Westport’s delegation in Hartford — State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson — meet constituents tonight (Monday, June 16, 6 p.m.) in the Library’s Komansky Room (behind the stage).
It’s called an “End of Session Town Hall.” The public is invited, to learn about the legislative year that just ended.
From left: Senator Ceci Maher, Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson.
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The Westport Museum for History & Culture celebrates Juneteenth (Thursday).
At 10 a.m., they’ll offer a guided walking tour through downtown. It’s based on the Museum’s previous exhibit on African Americans in Westport
Museum staff will share stories of soldiers, sailors, activisits, artists and other citizens who helped build this town, while pointing out historic sites and buildings.
Tickets are $10 for Museum members, $15 for non-members. Click here to reserve a spot, and for more information. (Hat tip: Harold Bailey)
A plaque on Elm Street commemorates 22 1/2 Main Street, home to a thriving Black community. In 1950 it burned to the ground, in a suspicious fire.
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Meanwhile, the Levitt Pavilion’s first Comedy Night of 2025 is tomorrow (Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m.).
The free show is billed as a special “Pride Edition.” Click here for (free) tickets, and more information.
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And … after a brief Yankee Doodle Fair-induced detour to the Levitt pavilion parking lot, the Westport Farmers’ Market returns to its Imperial Avenue home this Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
It was a different venue last week, but the scenes were familiar to its many fans. For example:
Fresh strawberries, and …
… these regulars. They’re there every Thursday from a nearby office, always smiling and looking dapper. (Photos/Lori Cochran-Dougall)
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Congratulations to Adam Friedman!
The Westporter won the 123rd annual Connecticut Amateur golf championship.
The (very large) trophy was nice. Even better: Friedman earns an exemption into this year’s US Amateur event. It’s set for San Francisco’s Olympic Club, in August.
Friedman attended Staples as a freshman, then earned a scholarship to Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Florida. He attended Montverde Academy, and graduated in 2016 with high honors. Adam then played at Florida Atlantic University. His home course now is Great River Golf Club in Milford.
Adam Friedman
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Jeffrey Cohen captured this guy yesterday.
No worries … he did it with his camera only.
But it sure is a cute “Westport … Naturally” capture, right?
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And finally … in honor of Jeffrey Cohen’s photo (above):
(Another week, another Roundup … and another request: If you enjoy this — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
I haven’t been following Westport news a lot, but Russ Oost-Lievense has a long history of being an excellent soccer coach, and felt my sons’ teams were fortunate to have him as his coach back in the day.
Your song selections rival Imus‼️
The Comedy Night graphic is the worst I’ve ever seen. There is little to no contrast between the background and the font, making it nearly impossible to read. My vision with glasses is 20/20, and I still struggled to read it. Very poor design.
What a typical Westport comment…click on the link Dan provided, you may get a better visual of the ‘graphic’.
20/20 vision, yet you still can’t see.
Unlike Tracy, who appears to be a professional, I’m just some rando looking at the graphic. Depending on what the designer was trying to achieve, Tracy is not wrong.
On both the graphic here and on the link, it appears that the “Pride Edition” outline’s color is halfway between the “Comedy Night #1” white and the background pink. Given the narrowness of the outline on both (versus, say, the clarity of “Presents”) it almost seems the intent was to make it difficult to read. I suppose if the goal was to make it difficult to read, it worked, but if they were trying to be clear, it is a bit of a fail.
Big shout and proud thank you to Jonathan for standing up for his constituents and leading with a decision/vote for the people…not his party.
Living up to the slogan of 2017, “Vote Row A: Local Control on Local Matters.”
Congratulations Adam on your win!!!🏆
Shoutout to Dan for keeping the soccer coach debacle alive‼️🇺🇸
Shoutout to Jeffrey for the wonderful, unusual share of white squirrel. Never seen one.
Thanks.
The chance, BTW, of another white squirrel, is 1 in 100,000.
Bet even Jeff didn’t know the rarity he shared with us.