Two Representative Town Meeting (RTM) committees — Finance, and Parks & Recreation — meet on January 5 (5 p.m., Zoom).
There is one agenda item: consideration of the Board of Finance’s recommendation to approve $275,000 to fund a settlement between the town and Hook’d on the Sound.
If approved by the committees, and then the full RTM, the lease with the food concessionaire at Compo Beach, and the Longshore pavilion and halfway house, would be terminated before the end of the contract.
The door may close on Hook’d. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Before Paul Newman began filming “Slap Shot,” he learned to skate at Crystal Ice Rink — the bedraggled but beloved Norwalk rink.
We’re not sure whether Richard Gere is prepping for a skating-related movie. (“Oh, Canada,” released last year, has nothing to do with our neighbor to the north’s national sport.)
But there he was at the Westport PAL Rink at Longshore, learning from the master: Mar Jennings.
Many people probably just skated by those 2 guys, all bundled up and having a ton of fun. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Mar Jennings and Richard Gere
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Club203’s holiday celebration was filled with joy, laughter and spirit.
Members and friends of Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities filled the Westport Woman’s Club.
They enjoyed snacks from TCC Catering, music by Kasey Clark, gifts (Club203 backpacks, courtesy of the Woman’s Club), and cookie decorating stations with Avery Horne and MoCA\CT.
Logo backpacks, courtesy of the Westport Woman’s Club.
Kevin Christie and his wife Gina were there too. The first selectman offered a proclamation recognizing the evening, and the spirit of Club203.
Organizers say, “Thank you Westport. What a gift you have given supporting inclusion, and meaningful social opportunities where adults with disabilities can connect, be themselves, and celebrate life together.”
Enjoying the festivities, at the Westport Woman’s Club. (Photos/Stacie Curran)
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Staples High School senior Neha Singh has a strong interest in financial literacy education. It is, she says, “not just a practical tool, but an essential vehicle for sustaining communities.”
She recently spearheaded an effort to bring an original multi-session financial literacy module — which she named “Count On It” — to Coleytown Middle School 6th graders.
As co-president of Mu Alpha Theta — Staples’ Math Honors Society — she organized 16 student volunteers. They led the first session for over 140 CMS students.
The 6th graders explored how to make smart spending and saving choices with money. They learned the difference between needs, wants, and waits (items they can save for over time), and discussed the 20 percent savings rule.
Two more sessions will follow.
This is not Neha’s only effort with middle schoolers. For 3 years she’s volunteered at ASPIRE, a Norwalk non-profit serving under-resourced populations.
She developed a bilingual financial literacy curriculum for them. It helps 75 ASPIRE youngsters build strong financial habits. Lessons focus on smart budgeting, real life careers and costs, and staying safe with digital money.
Neha Singh
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An alert but please-keep-me-anonymous reader writes: “The town has changed the categorization of Greens Farms railroad station parking in a row of Lot 1 (effectively the second row adjacent to the tracks).
“I always thought the entire row was for permit holders. But I got a ticket earlier this week for unknowingly parking in a newly deemed day spot.
“The sign they posted is directly behind a space. It could easily be blocked by a large SUV — especially the lower half that specifies this change.”
Greens Farms railroad station sign. Left unresolved: is the spot directly in front of the sign permit parking, or daily?
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows a bobcat skulking around Ben James’ driveway.
Hey — he does live on “Cat”amount Road.
(Photo/Ben James)
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And finally … Edith Piaf was born on this date, in 1915. The French singer died in 1963, age 47, from liver cancer.
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I have a question. Could the Hook’d contract have been terminated for cause at some point over the last few years? Thus saving the town a ridiculous payout of $275k….
The worst decision made by whoever to contract hook’ed , they were terrible, maybe they were opened @ 9:30 on Sunday morning in August maybe they weren’t, when I asked for a cup of ice I was told I had to get it at the pool “really” this is the only golf course in the Country where you can’t get a cup of coffee or a breakfast sandwich prior to playing in the morning, I have a solution HIRE A FOOD TRUCK put them in the lower lot at 5:30 am so golfers and worker’s can get some breakfast, stop trying to out do yourselves and make it simple
Why not bring back Joey?
Town treated him poorly
KISS and make up
Whoever ‘negotiated’ the Hook’d contract was either incompetent or ‘on the take’ from the vendor. But alas, they’re long gone. As far as local taxpayers go: just another example of OPM, other people’s money.
Jack, you may be right on the money. There were rumblings from the get go that there was a connection between the Hook’d ownership and a very high up person in Parks and Rec. To my knowledge it was never looked into. It should have been.
Dave, there is so much intrigue here, so much drama, and way too much skullduggery…take the lead on this. And Dave, follow the $$$. You’re on the right path.
CSI Westport
I hear they are not open for the ice rink this year. Isn’t that a breach of contract that should get the town off the HOOK for the pay out? What about their lack of consistent performance? Did they town not document the performance issues and keep a paper trail which would again, get the town off the HOOK for the contract pay out? Yes, the puns are sort of intended.
So the pricks at Hook’d win…shitty food, shitty or non existent service, and for that, they are rewarded $275,000….the town should refuse to pay for lease termination because, apparently, they DID breach their contract by not opening on time… at least.
For the bobcat trackers: One was spotted on Kings Highway South last week, patiently waiting out a squirrel dinner.