Roundup: Election, Trash, Hoops …

A small crowd gathered at Toquet Hall last night, for the League of Women Voters’ “Meet the Board of Education Candidates” night.

The 8 BOE hopefuls answered questions ranging from the life experiences that define them, and their motivation to run, to how the Westport school would be different 4 years from now, if they’re elected.

The event was co-sponsored by “06880.”

From left: Jodi Harris, Stephen Shackelford, Robert Harrington, Michelle Hopson, moderator Dan Woog, Kaitlin Zucaro, Dorie Hordon, Andy Frankel, Abby Tolan. (Photo/Joan Gillman)

A similar “Meet the Candidates” conversation is set for tonight (Thursday, 7 p.m., Senior Center), with the Planning & Zoning Commission candidates.

There are 2 debates next week:

• Candidates Debates: Board of Education (with statements by Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals and Board of Finance candidates): 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 the election: If you missed Tuesday’s “Seat at the Selectman’s Table” — the one-of-its-kind event at which the 3 1st selectman candidates shared both a meal, and honest, heartfelt insights about their lives, passions, dreams and vulnerabilities — you’re in luck.

The event — sponsored by the Library’s Common Ground Initiative, in conjunction with “06880” — has been posted on the Library’s website.

Click here or below, for a fascinating look beyond policies, into the personalities of the trio who hope to lead Westport for the next 4 years.

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Speaking still of the election: Here is an update on the Voter CheckList website, which allows users to access early voting records in real time.

Residents who wish to use it must contact the Registrar of Voters’ office, to get a login and password. Email dgreenberg@westportct.gov or msignore@westportct.gov.

The site shows that through yesterday — the first 3 days of early voting — 2.86% of eligible Westport voters have cast ballots.

The breakdown:

• Democrats: 322 of 7,954 eligible voters (4.05%)
• Republicans: 76 of 3,338 eligible voters (2.28%)
• Unaffiliated: 144 of 7,582 eligible voters (1.90%)

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Last Sunday’s season-opening group-focused town cleanup was a resounding success.

Assumption Youth Group and St. Francis Youth Group, in collaboration with SCA-Crowley, spearheaded the effort.

The teenagers and parents focused on the Greens Farms corridor along I-95, from Hillspoint Road to Compo Road South.

They measured the amount of waste collected with a digital scale. The result: 135 pounds.

Organizers Andrew Colabella and Michele Harding will announce the next trash pick-up soon.

Trash pick-up, near Greens Farms Road.

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The 3rd annual “Hoops for Heart” event — held last weekend at the Westport Weston Family YMCA — was special.

It raised nearly $79,000 for research into single ventricle (half a heart) syndrome.

Community support was outstanding. There were 12 teams, with nearly all the players from Westport. Over 150 people attended.

Extra special: Staples High School captains Sam Clachko and Dhilan Lowman played.

Sure, their team won.

But their presence there — as role models for young boys and girls — and their “big hearts” (for those born with half a heart) made a great day even better. (Hat tip: Britt Melsheimer)

Sam Clachko (third from left), Dhilan Lowman and friends.

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Want to start a native meadow at home?

Next Tuesday (October 28, noon to 1 p.m.), Westport landscape designer Jay Petrow leads a free webinar, on that topic.

The event is sponsored by Sustainable Westport, which warns: “Planting native meadows can be addictive. Side effects may include unplanned trips to native plant sales, many hours wandering outside looking at bees and butterflies, and spending your winter months planning to buy more plants.”

Click here to register, and for more information.

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Speaking of the environment: Town officials joined the Sierra Club at Earthplace earlier this week.

They toured the facility, and spoke about environmental concerns.

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Wreathing for Community — the great volunteer group — is making, then donating, 50 wreaths for the apartments of Norwalk’s Open Doors Shelter.

All materials have been donated by Westporters.

1st and 2nd Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore, with their wreaths.

Interested in donating materials or getting involved? Email FaithASargent@gmail.com.

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between October 15 and 21.

A 54-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with larceny, following a  shoplifting incident of goods valued at $510.56.

Two New Haven women, ages 45 and 29, were charged with larceny, following a shoplifting incident of goods valued at $607.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

Driving while texting: 3 citations

• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
• Failure to drive in the proper lane: 3
• Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
• Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
• Passing a standing school bus: 1
• Speeding in a school zone: 1
• Reckless driving: 1
• Evading responsibility: 1
• Distracted driving: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
• Failure to renew registration: 1
• Failure to display lights: 1
• Permit violation: 1

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Adam Bovilsky, executive director of the Norwalk Housing Authority, outlined the challenges his 110 staffers face, in Tuesday’s presentation to the Westport Rotary Club.

He noted the importance of annual Rotary grants, which come from events like the LobsterFest.

Adam Bovilsky (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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Westport Library Verso advisory board member Sam Hendel spoke last week on “Capital, Creativity & the Future of Music Rights: at the Mondo Music Industry & Technology Conference in Brooklyn. He is the founder and managing partner of Chord Music, among other music ventures.

Other Mondo speakers included Henry Rollins and Nabil Ayers, a speaker at the Library’s VersoFest in April. Ayers also participated in the Library’s StoryFest last weekend.

Two other Verso advisory board members, Dick Wingate and Les Dinkin, also attended Mondo. Wingate spoke at the first conference, in 2015.

Sam Hendel with Paul Sipio, Apollo managing director.  

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Greens Farms Academy students did not have far to go to study the environment this week. They explored New Creek, just west of campus.

And Seth Schachter did not have far to go to photograph them, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Seth Schachter)

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And finally … in honor of all those who helped last weekend’s “Hoops for Heart” event (story above):

(Have a heart! Here at “06880,” we work our butts off for you. Show us some love! Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)