Today (Tuesday) is Primary Day in Connecticut.
Registered Democrats are choosing between Governor Ned Lamont and his challenger, Josh Elliott.
Registered Republicans vote for a 4th Congressional candidate, to challenge Jim Himes. The candidates are Michael Ted Goldstein and Daniel Miressi.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. They close at 8 p.m. Regular Representative Town Meeting (RTM) polling places are in use:
- Districts 1 and 2: Saugatuck Elementary School
- Districts 3 and 8: Coleytown Middle School
- Districts 4 and 5: Greens Farms Elementary School,
- Districts 6 and 7: Long Lots Elementary School
- District 9: Westport Library
Not sure of your district? Click here. Questions? Click here.
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A concerned “06880” reader writes:
“Dear Westport parents, I’m very worried about the safety of 2 boys in town, as well as the safety of all kids using electric transportation.
“I’ve repeatedly seen the same boys on Valley Road — one on an electric bike and the other on what looks like an electric skateboard. Valley is a winding road with limited visibility. I’ve seen them riding in the middle of the road, talking to each other, looking around, and not paying attention to traffic.
“I happened upon the same 2 boys again on Imperial Avenue at the 3-way stop sign near the police station. They came around another car at the stop sign, slowed down (did not stop or wait their turn), then continued through the stop sign.
“Recently, I was behind one of the boys on the e-bike as he turned from Valley onto Greens Farms Road. He rode down the middle of Greens Farms as though he were a car, before eventually moving over to the side.
“In a separate incident, I was approaching the stop sign at Hale Street when a different boy on an electric scooter suddenly came around the corner from Valley onto Hale on the wrong side of the road. Thankfully I saw him in time.
“I’ve seen another boy in the neighborhood on an electric bike trying to pop wheelies while riding. It reinforces my concern that some kids may not realize how quickly things can go wrong when they’re on roads with traffic.
“I don’t know if the boys on Valley are the same ones I’ve also seen riding in the middle of Compo South, but I’m worried that someone is going to get seriously hurt.
“This isn’t about getting anyone in trouble. It’s simply a plea for parents to remind their kids to stay alert, ride predictably, and understand that drivers may not be able to see them in time, especially on winding roads.”
Not the Valley Road boys. These 2 were not in the middle of the road — but they were not wearing helmets. (Photo/Diane Lowman)
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For more than a decade, Westport has had a special relationship with Catch A Lift Fund. The national non-profit provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal physically and mentally, through physical fitness.
Westporters have donated funds, welcomed veterans, and joined in workouts at venues like the police station, VFW, beach and Birchwood Country Club. The vets give plenty back in return — as inspiration, and serving as “angels” for children, teens and adults with disabilities through myTeamTriumph.
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 — and 250th birthday of the United States — is a great time for Westporters to continue supporting Catch a Lift.
On September 9 (6:30 p.m., Inn at Longshore), a special fundraiser will benefit the noon-profit.
Save the date — and click here for information on how to purchase tickets or sponsorships, and donate raffle items.
Catch a Lift veterans, at a Birchwood Country Club event.
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Congratulations to Dhilan Lowman!
For the 2nd year in a row, the Westport basketball player is the Best Shooter in Connecticut.
That’s not some vague term. Dhilan retained his title against 15 other elite athletes, from around the states.
The event — a fundraiser for Shot for Life is an intense 2-hour contest, involving free throws, mid-range and 3-pointers. Competitors must raise at least $1,000 for cancer research.
Dhilan — a member of last season’s Staples High School state finalist hoops team, who is transferring to Hotchkiss School — took over 1,500 shots. He hit a very impressive 85.46%.
And he did while taking over 100 shots more than the runner-up (who hit “only” 81%)!
Dhilan Lowman, in the state finals at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
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Summer comedy nights keep rolling — and keep audiences rolling (with laughter too) — at VFW Post 399.
This Friday’s headliner is Matt Vita (August 14). He’s joined by Joe Pontillo, Tony Liberti, Autumn Harvist and John Kenneth.
Tickets are $20 online, plus a 1-drink minimum at the show. The VFW has a full bar, and a light food menu. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Also at the VFW: The Jazz Society of Fairfield County’s “Festival of August Guitars” continues this Thursday.
Bob DeVos offers originals and masterpieces, backed by a soulful band: organist Roberta Piket, drummer Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service begins at 6:45. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is our first-ever queen of the night cactus, from the Greens Farms neighborhood.
Koralina Wisniewska explains, “the flower blooms only in summertime; it is huge and smells amazing. They open when it gets dark and close before the sun is out, which is how it gets its name.”
(Photo/Karolina Wisiewska)
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And finally … in honor of Dhilan Lowman, Connecticut’s best shooter (story above):
(Dhilan Lowman hit 85% of his shots. If just 1% of our readers click here today to support this hyper-local blog, we’ll be thrilled. Hit it!)
Not remotely sure if accurate, but state web site says primary voting is at Town Hall
That was for early voting only.
Just a little perspective from a cyclist: when you see riders farther out in the lane, it often isn’t because they’re trying to block traffic, disregard their personal safety or be inconsiderate. Sometimes they are actually doing it for safety.
On many of our CT roads, the lanes are simply too narrow for a car and bicycle to safely travel side-by-side. If a cyclist hugs the edge of the road, it can unintentionally encourage a driver to squeeze by within the same lane. Moving farther into the lane signals that there isn’t enough room to pass safely and that the driver needs to wait until there is enough visibility and space to go around. I appreciate that this can be frustrating for cars, but this is simply the state of our current roads and infrastructure.
Connecticut law specifically recognizes this. Cyclists are required to stay as far right *as judged by the cyclist* and the law specifically allows them to move farther into the lane when the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to safely travel side-by-side, or to avoid hazards such as potholes, debris, parked cars, drainage grates, etc. (aka “take the lane”).
This is the situation on Valley road and Greens Farms Road. Valley Road is far too narrow and winding for a car to pass, so taking the lane is the safest course of action, and cars should not attempt to pass. In many sections, shoulder on Greens Farms road is currently filled with glass and debris. The town should address that, but until then, bicycles, scooters and e-bikes may need to move into the road to avoid those hazards. On Compo Road South, the road has been narrowed by sidewalk construction for much of the summer, forcing riders into the road.
Most cyclists don’t enjoy having cars backed up behind them, either! The goal is generally to move right and let traffic pass as soon as it is safe to do so.
So if you come upon cyclists riding in the middle of a narrow lane, they may not be oblivious to the cars behind them. They may be very aware of them, and trying to make sure everyone gets through that stretch of road safely.
A very sane perspective on reasonable recreational cyclists. What Dan’s “concerned 06880 reader” was describing is, I’m afraid, an altogether different situation. Having witnessed the middle-(or wrong)-side-of-the-roaders recently in the same neighborhood, I can confirm that not a word of the anonymous post in the round-up is hyperbole. These young people are in serious danger. I thought of emailing Dan days ago but let it go. Bravo to the poster for noticing, caring, writing. And thank you, Dan, for publishing! (Is there a day in Westport that he doesn’t make safer?)
At the very least, riders of e-bikes under the age of 18 should be required to have some type of license or certification showing that they have completed a basic safety course. Helmets should also be mandatory.
If a minor breaks the law while riding an e-bike, fines should be issued to the parents, and repeat violations should result in the bike being confiscated.
The question is not if there will be a serious accident, but when—whether a child is hit by a car or causes serious injury to someone else. These tragedies are preventable, and we should take reasonable steps now to protect our kids and everyone else on the road.
Please don’t post pictures of kids depicting them in a negative way(not wearing helmets, etc). If one of those boys were my son I and anyone who knew him would know that was him.
Why? Public road and if someone is riding dangerously and without a helmet, the least concerning issue is someone posting a picture. No one identifying so perhaps a parent or friend recognizing them is a trigger to have a convo. Sadly, it will likely take a bad event for parents to realize that yes, THEIR kid(s) is part of the safety issue here and some parenting is required. I hope I’m wrong.
Sorry, Brigid, but I disagree.
It takes a village to raise our kids, and everyone in this village wants them to be safe. Pictures are truly worth a thousand words, and if this gets some attention to help prevent a tragedy, that’s the whole idea.
Probably 99% of the photos of young people I post are positive, uplifting and inspiring. I think very highly of kids in this town. They are wonderful, creative, fun, hard-working people.
They are also kids. We all did our share of safe, dangerous, stupid things when we were young. (Many of us still do.) If I were a parent and saw this photo — with no faces visible — but knew it was my son, I hope my reaction would be, “I have told you so many times to wear a helmet and not have anyone with you — we’re taking your bike away for a month!” rather than “Uh oh, I’m embarrassed my friends may think I’m a bad parent.”
I believe the plant is a night blooming cereus.
https://share.google/Nc1iufCWZxigpJDk5
With all of the road hazards out there and so many vehicles speeding, passing illegally, running stop signs, red lights, etc., I assume the worst and drive accordingly. The same defense applies when I see kids on these whatchamacallits. You can’t be too careful. Courtesy is contagious.
As someone who grew up on Valley Road back in the old days I can attest to how narrow and winding it is. We used to ride bikes on Valley Road, Hale Street and High Street all the time but the traffic back then was pretty sparse. I wonder what it is like now? Be careful everyone.