A decade and a half after it was first proposed, a 2-story office building will be built at 715 Post Road East.
That means the towering log pile on the 1/3-acre site — across Roseville Road from McDonald’s — will finally be gone. The target date for removal is 3 months. The building is expected to open, for medical and other uses, in a year.
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the office plan — finally — on Monday. The vote was 6-1, with Michael Calise dissenting.
Click here for more details, from CT Insider.
715 Post Road East (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Westport-based national journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have done some great interviews on their “Sanity” podcast. They’ve asked tough questions of figures like Senator Richard Blumenthal and (former Westporter) James Comey.
Their most recent interview may be their deepest and most insightful yet.
Our Congressman — Jim Himes — is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He’s one of the few people on Capitol Hill (or anywhere) to have seen the full video of the US military’s twin strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug dealers’ boats.
For half an hour, Himes spoke about the video (“it made me nauseous”), Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the 53% of Americans who approve of killing suspected drug dealers, along with other subjects like his colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Click here or below for the full, fascinating interview.
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The Residence at Westport invites Westport residents — and everyone else – to today’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop (Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1141 Post Road East).
Local artisans will sell handmade works, including jewelry, pottery and gifts.
The Residence at Westport
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Army and Navy may no longer be at the top of the college football heap.
But there’s still plenty of interest, when the military academies meet.
They kick off for the 126th time this Saturday (3 p.m.). And what better place to watch than VFW Post 399?
There’s a party there (465 Riverside Avenue), beginning at 2 p.m.
Everyone is invited. But if you’re a veteran (or active duty): Wear something that lets everyone know which team is yours.
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Roni Goldberg — the new executive director of A Better Chance of Westport — spoke to the Westport Rotary Club on Tuesday.
Since 2002, the organization has provided outstanding and academically-gifted young men of color a home, and other support services, while they attend Staples High School.
The community has gotten behind the local chapter of the national ABC program — and the dozens of teenage scholars have given back plenty to our town.
Roni Goldberg, ABC executive director, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between December 3 and 9.
A 69-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with criminal mischief and intimidation based on bigotry, after an investigation into vandalism at the former Westport National Bank building. A large symbol, described as a Star of David combined with a swastika, was drawn in blue paint. Identical symbols were painted on other structures in the area. He was unable to post a $75,000 bond.
A 30-year-old Westport woman was charged with risk of injury to a minor, after signs of injury were observed by school staff on a juvenile student. She was released on a $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 5 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
- Failure to renew registration: 3
- Speeding in a school zone: 2
- Distracted driving: 2
- Assault: 1
- Breach of peace: 1
- Speeding in a school zone (2nd offense): 1
- Speeding: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Improper turns: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic control signals: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Using an unauthorized insurer: 1
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Among the many Westport homes decorated for the holidays: this one on Sylvan Road North:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
There are decorations aplenty indoors, too. This is the scene at the Senior Center:
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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Is it the lighting? Mother Nature’s camouflage?
Either way, this eagle fits in quite well on the Compo Beach Hillspoint Road jetty, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally … on this date in 1913, the Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence, Italy. Leonardo da Vinci’s famed painting had been stolen more than 2 yeares earlier, from the Louvre.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — from Jim Himes to the Mona Lisa. If you enjoy these daily Roundups — or any other feature of our blog — please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
Noooooooo! I love that log pile! It’s one of the most unique and amusing things about Westport! Another office building? Yeah, that’s special. Whoopdee doo. Just what we need, more traffic at that intersection.
Yes, Tommy! The logs beat another office building hands down.
Far be it from me to agree with my own son. But… what if I concur with Tommy Greenwald’s every syllable?! Or at least those immediately above! The log pile will be sorely missed by some of us. Which raises the question of whether another office building will be welcomed by any of us.
That’s so funny … I have NEVER been bothered by the lumber on that lot. But oh yay – another office building and more cars. That and large apartment complexes seem to be the new look for Westport. Bit by bit we’re losing our charm.
I agree! And that’s “my” intersection. Trying to make a left turn from Hillspoint onto Post Road is already a take your life in your hands proposition: Sit and wait forever, maybe get your chance just before the light changes; then someone crossing straight through onto Hillspoint barrels through at 30 MPH. Personally, I’m all for the logs.
Thanks for the Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs “Sanity” interview with Himes. Now I can dive deeper into what it feels like, this deep & profound shame to be an American. Fueling hate & violence against American Somali’s who have thrived in America, the increased hate speech from the people who pretend to represent us. I could not imagine a worst representative of my values. This is only a drop in the bucket of vile & shameful acts by no doubt the most vile, money grabbing, corrupt & hate filled government in the World right now – our government. Hate language is surely the demise of any society & we have arrived in full dress. Please speak up against it. It kills both us and the innocent victims. It’s not a mistake by the White House – it repeatedly seems to represent their goals, desires, beliefs, ethical & moral fiber. Please counter by being kind on a daily basis – and write to those Somali’s in Northern Vermont who have thrived in America & are now suffering from the hate & violence unleashed on them by continued hate speech from the White House. Disgusting is the best word used to describe in this piece. Profound shame is another. Crying into your hands for America is another.
I’m also going to miss the log operation there. Never bothered me one bit. Nor did the construction vehicles parked there in prior years. Another office building? Oy. Thanks for trying Mike Calise…..
Dan, I’ll have to write a few details on this post into my log as soon as I log out of my computer. I keep a hand written log!
I saw Westport’s Democratic representative Jimmy Hines clutching his pearls after seeing drug narcos killed for killing our kids. He’s not the strong leader Westport needs.
Give it a rest Feeley.
Your antagonistic comments are surely meant to stir.
And most often just bs
Keep bombing away. It’s about time someone has the balls to keep drugs from coming to America and killing our kids.
Thanks to Kamala and Joey Biden we had open borders and drugs, Guns and human trafficking Coming in Daily over our border. Your party is a bunch of hypocrites.
Merry Christmas and let’s keep bombing these thugs.
And yet Trump pardoned the convicted president of Honduras who brought 500 tons of cocaine into the USA. And was busy serving his 45 year sentence when he was set free. Care to square that circle?
Jeff, When you speak of human trafficking, especially under age girls, don’t forget Epstein, who was Trump’s closest friend for ten years!!! Also, we’re the real narcotics problem because we’re a gigantic market for drugs. Get rid of the buyers, and the drug industry disappears. Jeff, why aren’t the boats carrying camel feces to sell to Americans?
💣🤣
I’ve ignored so many ignorant comments that I can’t take it anymore. So I’m not going to stay silent. Westport has so many delusional Democrats that it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. TDS is prevalent on this blog no matter what the subject. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Tom, Listen to the Hollywood Access Tapes with Trump bragging in vulgar terms about sexually assaulting and abusing women! It’s HIS OWN WORDS!
Jack you are allowing TDS to degrade some of your interesting comments. Try not to go TDS off topic. 🙏
Foxtrot Oscar🙏
false
I was hoping the log operation site would entertain a pizza establishment. There’s just not enough pizza options in Westport.
Michael, Perfect spot for “wood fired” pizza…lol
Dave: you have won the comment of the week.
If history has taught us anything it’s that evil exists and flourishes when good people do nothing. An extension of that is evil cannot be stopped without brave men and women who are willing to get their hands dirty, get down in the gutter where evil operates and do what is necessary on behalf of those who won’t or can’t. Distasteful? Yes. Unfortunate, yes. Ask the relatives of the 100,000+ Americans buried in France. But you don’t get a pit bull to release your leg by petting him on the head and giving him a treat. Two in the head is the only way to deal with it. Every drug running boat our brave military sinks saves about 25,000 American lives. Sorry but American lives are more important to me than protecting criminals, period. Certainly more important than performative politics and Jim Himes testing the waters for a presidential run. As for being “ashamed” to be an American? Be glad that you live in a country where you are welcomed and safe to be ashamed and to voice your feelings loudly and strongly. America is by far the greatest country on the face of the earth even with all our challenges and problems.
could you provide 06880 the facts that every boat sunk saves 25000 American lives ?
Sorry contrain you, but those brave men and women swore an oath to the constitution and to the rule of law. You believe in the rule of law, don’t you? So why hasn’t the pentagon released the complete footage of the second strike by our forces on a small boat with outboard engines and a tank of gas so we the american people can see what is being done in our name? If what was done was legal then there should be no hesitation.
You do know that the military holds back plenty of operational material when releasing it could reveal tactics, intel sources, or how they track and target these networks. That’s not the same as ignoring the rule of law.
Congressional oversight exists for exactly this reason. Members like Himes have seen the full video, and they’re in a position to judge legality under the actual statutes and rules of engagement. Public release isn’t the only benchmark for whether something was lawful.
Asking questions is fair, but assuming something illegal happened just because certain footage isn’t public doesn’t really hold up. There are national-security limits on what gets released, even when actions are justified.
the boats were not going to to the USA. Those boats were not intercepted and boarded. the Venezuela oil barge was intercepted and boarded The crew is being interviewed for details. Where do you get the idea that every small boat blown up in the Carribean saves 25000 lives? There is no documentation that proves Trumps rhetoric. Why haven’t the second strike video been released? is it with the Epstein files ?
Hey Richard
Why should we believe you
2007
Westport Chiropractor Gets Eight Months in Fraud Scheme
A federal judge in New Haven today sentenced Westport chiropractor Richard Fogel to eight months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on a health care fraud charge.
Judge Janet Bond Arterton ordered that the first three months of his release must be served in home confinement with electronic monitoring and that he perform 200 hours of community service.
Fogel, 52, also has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $1,109,580.61, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
On May 24, 2006, Fogel, of Cederargate Lane, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. (See WestportNow May 25, 2006)
Fogel admitted that he created false medical records for patients who were involved in personal injury claims, settlements, and lawsuits while operating the Norwalk-based Chiropractic Center, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The records falsely stated the patients’ health conditions, and Fogel submitted the false records in order to be paid either directly by insurance companies or as part of the patients’ personal injury claims, according to federal officials.
U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor said the investigation is part of “Operation Settle Back,” an undercover health care fraud investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In addition to Fogel, two chiropractors at his practice have pleaded guilty to making false statements in medical records while they were employed at East Avenue Chiropractic Center, and they subsequently were sentenced to terms of probation.
A patient of Fogel’s practice served more than four months in prison for using a false Social Security number while being treated as a patient at East Avenue Chiropractic Center, according to prosecutors.
“It is our hope that successful prosecutions like Operation Settle Back, and the potential for terms of incarceration like the sentence imposed today, will have a clear deterrent effect to licensed professionals who are weighing the risks associated with committing health care fraud or insurance fraud,” O’Connor said in a statement.
During today’s sentencing proceeding, the judge departed downward from the federal sentencing guidelines range of 46 to 57 months of imprisonment, crediting Fogel for his cooperation with the government’s investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said
Tom, great job of calling out felon criminal and fraud.
USA!
Well, there’s a criminal felon x34 in white house.
USA!
the president is a felon
He hasn’t had your experience of three hots and cot though.
You two have much in common.
So that makes your stealing from taxpayers sort of OK?
You’re still deceiving.
this issue has come up repeatedly by cruel people like you. You don’t intimidate me one bit. in fact you make me stronger and more resilient with my head held high. I have withstood great punches. America loves a great comeback. I am standing tall living in one of the best communities in the world surrounded by a loving family. obviously you are against comebacks and success. I imagine you are extremely resentful and unhappy. I remain strong and refuse to let cruelty dominate merry Christmas
Try to rehabilitate your TDS and you might be more believable. Glad to hear you feel better.
We should have an 06880 drinking game. Every time addled Tom posts “TDS” you have to drink a shot. This post would leave most people sounding as incoherent as Tom.
Goose-step away, Tom.
Agree with Dave Eason ‘Wood fired pizza!!’ 🙂
Since another likely unattractive office building is being considered, I implore the architect to consider making this small building, on a postage stamp of property in a prominent location, appropriate for Westport and not culled from pages of a catalog du jour of architectural sample images. Given the statements that this building will contain medical offices, why would there NOT be an interior elevator for folks who cannot manage stairs and especially exterior staircases which also make it difficult for everyone to deal with the elements (ice/snow and/or rain and/or wind and/or steepness of staircase…?) and leads one to wonder where the second floor emergency exit would be located. Would parachutes be included for all? Seriously? Are there not requirements for ADA compliance? An accomplished architect can find a way to incorporate an interior elevator. Skillfully executed, this could be a little jewel of a building meeting all requirements and that also would burnish the architect’s reputation.
Dan presents objective facts- the demise of an eye sore wood pile, an interview with our congress man Jim Hines, a pop up shop at a Westport Residence, the Army Navy game on view at our VFW, ABC opportunities available in our community, police reports, a pair of local Christmas decorations and three Mona Lisa songs.
And the wood pile becomes better than another office building to a few! Okay- I get that! But what if the wood pile guy is just moving to another cheaper site on Post Road? Maybe next to the Club House or Calise’s Market? NIMBY? How would we feel if it is rebirth of the Big Top or an Ocean House Restaurant at the wood pile site? Does anyone else have the sense when they drive by the pile that a huge log will slide off and crash into your car?
Was it really necessary to post something from 18 years ago to make what you more believable. In my humble opinion that is not a way to score points or make what you say more believable.
In a non political way- I think the American public should be able to see the tapes for themselves- to judge the justification for our gunboat diplomacy (board and investigate) and to judge who else was involved in the Epstein underaged sex trafficking- (equal justice under the law for the participants and the enablers).
Final thought for the evening- we have laws that are supposed to make us a civilized democratic society- entitled to judges and juries of our peers. Read the Magna Carta and then our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Steve
Your comment on my post is gibberish. Try proof reading. Knowing who the posters are is helpful in evaluating what they say and it provides a frame of reference. If it’s not useful for you you can simply ignore it.
You don’t have humble opinions. Eg telling us what to read. Your entire post is disconnected and your Chicken Little wood pile fears are absurd.
Nice chatting with ya
Meanwhile, there’s Dan’s 5-posts-per-thread suggestion.
Merry Christmas.
Sorry for the delayed response!
I will post in English this time!
And poof read!
I agree knowing who is posting is helpful- that’s why Dan requires name and email. Do you also require age, cv or pedigree to make what someone says believable.
And finally- Your right the constitution and bill of rights have no place in current discussions- Local or National.
Just my (not so humble) opinions.
Addendum- TDS works both ways!
MAGA uses it to belittle people opposed to Trump policy and actions.
I use it to describe MAGA.
It’s a tough situation, and I get why Himes walked away from that footage feeling sick. Any use of military force should make people pause. At the same time, I understand the argument about going after trafficking networks that are armed, organized, and operating far outside normal law-enforcement reach. Stopping those boats isn’t simple, and the people running them aren’t exactly harmless.
I think the bigger question is whether these strikes actually break the supply chain or just push it somewhere else. If the goal is to save lives and weaken the cartels, the strategy has to be effective, not just forceful. That’s the part I’d want to hear more about from Himes and the Pentagon.