Roundup: Meet The Candidates, Politicians Bike & Walk, Church Moves …

Nearly 200 people filled the Senior Center yesterday, for the first all-Select Board-candidate event of the campaign season.

The “Meet the Candidates” session — co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and “06880” — was a chance to talk personalities, not policy.

Moderator Dan Woog asked the 1st selectman hopefuls about their leadership styles, growth experiences, and how they hoped to be judged by residents.

One question — about experiences that have shaped their lives — drew very personal stories.

Republican Don O’Day spoke about saving his father from a house fire, at age 18. Independent David Rosenwaks described being served pork and sausage at a school in Richmond, Virginia and — though he kept kosher — being told to clear his plate. Democrat Kevin Christie related his move from a tiny Vermont town to one in upstate New York, for broader exposure to the world.

Moderator Dan Woog (far right) with (from left) 1st selectman candidates David Rosenwaks, Don O’Day and Kevin Christie. 

Second selectwoman candidates Andrea Moore (Republican) and Amy Wistreich (Democrat) also fielded questions about their experiences, and views of their roles.

2nd Selectwoman candidates (from left) Andrea Moore and Amy Wistriech. (Photos/Joan Gillman)

There will be many more opportunities for Westporters to assess the candidates, for a variety of offices. Among them:

• Fall Brunch & Design a Sign: Meet Your RTM Candidates: October 4, 10 a.m. to noon Westport Library. The event includes coffee, donuts, snacks, and art activities to keep kids occupied. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.”
• Selectmen Candidates: Focus on Sustainability (October 6, 6:30 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church). Co-sponsored by Sustainable Westport and Earthplace.
• Selectmen Candidates (October 14, 7 p.m., Toquet Hall); Sponsored by Westport Youth Commission. Special event for students; adults invited too.
• A Conversation with Board of Finance Candidates: October 15, 2 p.m., Senior Center. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.”
• First Selectman Candidates Debate: October 16, 6:30 p.m., Greens Farms Academy. Sponsored by Westport Journal. Registration required; click here. 
• Select Board Candidates Debate: October 21, 12 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
• A Seat at the Selectman’s Table: October 21, 6 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by Westport Library Common Ground Initiative. Registration required; click here. 
• A Conversation with Board of Education Candidates: October 22, 7 p.m., Toquet Hall. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.”
• A Conversation with Planning & Zoning Commission Candidates: October 23; 7 p.m. Senior Center. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters Westport and “06880.”
• Candidates Debates: Board of Education, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Finance: October 27, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westport.
• Candidates Debate: 1st Selectman and Planning & Zoning Commission: October 28, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westport. 

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Speaking of politics: Bike Westport invites all 76 candidates — from 1st selectman and boards through the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) — to a “Walk & Talk” along one of the town’s most important corridors: downtown to Saugatuck.

All other interested Westporters are invited too.

The October 12 event begins at 9 a.m. at the Westport Library. They’ll ride or amble over the bridge, down Riverside Avenue, and end at Kneads Bakery for refreshments.

The walk/ride “will highlight the opportunities and challenges of making Westport safer and more connected for everyone — whether walking to school, biking to the train, or moving between downtown and our neighborhoods,” says Bike Westport founder and executive director Markus Marty.

“Along the way we’ll discuss the Pledge for a Walkable, Bikeable Westport, and offer you the chance to sign on in support.

“This is a chance to see firsthand how walkability and bikeability impact daily life in Westport, and to connect with community members who care deeply about the town’s future.

For more information and to RSVP, click here. 

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The Saugatuck Congregational Church — white, steepled, set far back on a massive lawn, a few steps from downtown — looks straight out of a Hallmark New England movie.

It was in those pews, in 1835, that a group of men hammered out the details that created the town of Westport from parts of Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield.

But it did not happen exactly there.

From its founding in 1822 through August 28, 1950, the 200-ton Saugatuck Church was located diagonally across the street, where the Shell station is now.

That year — in a day-long move so impressive it was documented by Life magazine — the church was rolled across State Street to its present site.

At 11 a.m. this November 1 — 75 years and 2 months after the move — the Saugatuck Church celebrates that momentous occasion. The event includes a (much smaller) re-enactment of the move, food trucks, a bounce house, lawn games, a screening of footage from the move, and a few words from Rev. Steven Savides.

The entire town is invited. A special welcome is extended to anyone who was actually there, 3/4 of a century ago.

Two people have already been found: Miggs Burroughs and Jack Mitchell.

If you were there that day in 1950, email Jberkowsky1@gmail.com to give a head’s-up. Or just come by.

That church isn’t going anywhere, any time soon.

Life magazine featured the move in its September 11, 1950 issue.

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Speaking of religion: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport invites the community to hear 2 experts on personal organization and auctioneering share advice on how to think about offloading our possessions — especially as life’s changes dictate new demands on space and ways of living.

The “Reduce/Reuse/Recycle” event — at UU Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road — is this Monday (September 29, 7 p.m.).

The session will address how we think about our treasured possessions: when do we pass them along, and what’s the best way to do it? How much is our stuff worth, in money and sentimental attachment? How do we handle an estate we’ve inherited, work through a move or downsize?

Questions? Email beth@uuwestport.org, or call 203-227-7205, ext. 10.

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The Westport Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant of $94,952. FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a highly competitive initiative that helps fire departments across the US strengthen their emergency response capabilities.

The award will fund swiftwater rescue technician training for Westport firefighters. It includes hands-on, scenario-based instruction in moving water environments, to perform rescues during floods, coastal incidents and other water emergencies.

Westport firefighters during a 2021 swift water exercise.

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“Rollin’ On the River” is both a song, and the title of the next First Folk Sunday (October 5, 12:30 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).

The “celebration of water-themed music” features First Folk creator Suzanne Sheridan (singing “Sailing,” among other tunes). She’ll be joined by Bob Cooper on keyboards, Tim DeHuff on guitar and Matt Livigni on bass.

The Rowing Club is a great spot for the monthly concerts, with music, food and drink by the water. The upcoming “river” theme adds to the enjoyment.

Click here for tickets ($20). For more information, call 203-984-7562.

Suzanne Sheridan

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Our “Westport … Naturally” feature has focused on spotted lanternflies beore.

Today’s image shows swarms at the Compo Beach lockers:

(Photo/Ed Paul)

There were hundreds more.

Here’s a nature lesson. The good news: A “hard frost” will kill the adults, and any remaining nymphs.

The bad news: The insect spends the winter as hardy egg masses. They survive freezing temperatures.

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And finally … in honor of the Saugatuck Church’s upcoming 75th anniversary celebration of its 1950 move across the street (story above):

(“06880” will follow this political season closely — and, as noted in the first item, is co-sponsor of several meet-the-candidate events. Please click here to support all our non-profit work. Thank you!)