The “State of the Town” meeting has become a mid-winter Westport tradition.
But this year’s event (February 1, 2 p.m., Westport Library) will feature 2 somewhat-new faces.
Kevin Christie makes his first appearance as 1st selectman. And Abby Tolan will represent the Board of Education, in place of chair Lee Goldstein.
They’ll speak about 2025 achievements, upcoming projects and initiatives, and answer questions.
The event is co-sponsored by the Westport Sunrise Rotary and Westport Rotary Club. It will also be livestreamed; click here for the link.
Kevin Christie and Abby Tolan
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On Saturday, Professor Jelani Cobb inspired a large Westport Library crowd, with his words about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy.
The town’s Martin Luther King Day celebration continued last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
A free screening of “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality” drew another rapt audience. Trey Ellis — executive producer of the film about the noted civil rights attorney’s struggle to create greater fairness in the criminal justice system — was joined in conversation by TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey.
Ellis — a novelist, 2-time Emmy- and Peabody-winning filmmaker, playwright, essayist, and professor at Columbia University’s School of the Arts — also led the conversation with his Columbia colleague on Saturday.
Both events were a partnership with the Library, Playhouse, TEAM Westport, the Westport Museum for History & Culture, and the Westport/Weston Clergy Association.
Trey Ellis (left) and Harold Bailey. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
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The Board of Finance is one of Westport’s most important elected groups.
Members scrutinize and pass the town budget, and send it to the Representative Town meeting for final approval. They set the mill rate.
And although their meetings are open to the public — and their phone numbers and email addresses are on the town website — they’re looking for ways to be even more open and transparent.
Which is why they’re offering “office hours.”
Once a month at least one BOF member will be at the Westport Library, for casual conversations with Westport residents.
They’ll listen to concerns, answer questions, and explain how the town plans and oversees its finances.
There are 2 sessions each, on the third Thursday of each month: 10 to 11 a.m., and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The first is this Thursday (January 22).
No appointment is necessary. Just head up to the 2nd floor meeting rooms.
The fiscal year 2024 town (non-educational) budget.
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The Joggers Club is warming up for its 6th year of working with young runners/
It’s a fun group — organized by age and level, so everyone runs with friends.
All youngsters in kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome, regardless of experience. They meet every Sunday (April 5 through June 7), from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the Staples High School track. The cost is $199.
There is a different theme each week., including long runs, games and races. The final session is a track meet and field day (with a free ice cream truck).
Email thejoggersclub@gmail.com for more information. Click here for the website.
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Westport’s favorite jazz singer — Melissa Newman — returns to “Jazz at the Post” this Thursday (January 22; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7).
She’s backed by an equally talented band of popular regulars: guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard. Click here for tickets.
Melissa Newman
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Amid all the white snow last weekend, Jill Grayson spotted one bit of red.
Enjoy her hopeful “Westport … Naturally” image:
(Photo/Jill Grayson)
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And finally … in honor (sort of) of the Joggers Club’s program for kids (item above):
(You don’t have to run anywhere, to support “06880.” You’re already at your device. Just click here, and make a tax-deductible contribution to your hyper-local blog. Thank you so much!)
Why is Abby Tolan giving the address that the Board of Education chair usually gives?
anyone who was touched by that red robin in freezing snow photo is going to love this, it’s a book but here’s some animation to it, it’s so sweet, and if you’re into dogs and then the red robin (the snow dog and the robin, out of UK) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBPYkZ7t4oM
Cardinal, right?
I’m 100% ignorant on bird types … I’m going with red bird, snow bird 😉 but you’re probably very right w/”cardinal” 😉
👍👍
This is a critical year for the town budget. With this being a revaluation year and property assessment values increasing, the town budget will be a primary driver of the new mill rate. Thanks for this information Dan! (fyi- I don’t think the library has the new BOF ‘office hours’ listed their website yet 🙂
Will the State of the Town talk be recorded and available on the Town’s website for those who can’t attend in person or on the live stream?