No decision was made last night on an elementary school.
Or a garden.
But the Long Lots School Building Committee inched closer to a final plan, at their meeting in Town Hall.
Members discussed 6 proposals for renovating or reconstructing the 70-year elementary school. They also discussed a timeline for presenting those plans to the Planning & Zoning Commission, and Board of Finance.
The various proposals faced criticism from Westport residents, who are particularly concerned about the impact on the adjacent Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve. No votes were taken on the half-dozen plans — or their effect on the gardens and preserve — pending cost estimates from Newfield Construction.
Long Lots Elementary School. The Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve (not shown) are to the left of the parking lot in the lower left corner. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Plans A and B — which call for the renovation of and addition to the existing school — raised concerns among committee members due to undersized classrooms. Members said those plans fail to meet state Board of Education requirements.
Plan B would replace the gardens with a baseball diamond.
Plans C, C-ALT, D and E call for the complete demolition and reconstruction of Long Lots Elementary School. Plans C, D and E would require relocation of the garden, while Plan C-ALT would allow the garden to remain at the expense of Long Lots’ baseball diamond.
Plan C would relocate both the school and the garden.
Advocates for the community garden voiced support for Plan C-ALT, arguing that moving a garden of this size is “impossible,” and that the only way to safeguard it is to keep it where it is.
James Mather, a longtime Westporter, said, “You can’t move a garden that took 20 years of work. Your casual indifference that the garden is a potted plant is disgusting.”
Some gardeners expressed concerns that their interests are being overshadowed by sports fields. They demanded that a Parks & Recreation Department survey detailing the usage of the sports fields on Long Lots property be publicized before any decisions about which plan (or plans) to move forward with are made.
Westport Community Gardens, and adjacent Long Lots Preserve.
“We see the care that you take in deliberating athletic fields, and we don’t see that with the gardens,” gardener Toni Simonetti said.
“I just can’t believe that this far into the process we don’t have any record of how utilized the lower-level baseball field is, and we’re considering destroying a garden that is treasured and loved by 120 families,” Mather’s wife Karen said.
Long Lots School Building Committee members debate Plan E (shown on large screen). (Photos/Mia Bomback)
Ex officio committee member Liz Heyer — who also sits on the Board of Education — reassured the gardeners that their voices and opinions were being taken into account. She noted that board members previously voted against plans that would limit parking access to the gardens.
The committee’s intended timeline also posed controversial. Chair Jay Keenan expressed a desire to request an 8-24 (municipal improvement review) from the P&Z or secure funding from the Board of Finance in the coming weeks, ideally presenting to the Representative Town Meetings on November 14.
John Suggs, an RTM District 9 candidate advocating for the garden’s preservation, likened this timeline to the “moral equivalent of the Amy Coney Barrett being rushed through the US Senate confirmation process one week before the election.”
“Believe me, the voters are pretty speaking out on this,” he said.
The committee plans to make their recommendation after receiving price estimates from Newfield Construction, expected within the next one and a half to 2 weeks.
(Reporter Mia Bomback is a Staples High School junior, and a writer for Inklings)
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Our new “06880” app is earning raves from the hundreds of readers who already downloaded it. (Missed that story? Click here!)
The app — for both iOS and Android users — was created by 2 young geniuses. Georgetown University sophomore Matthew Jordan and his Staples High School senior brother Joshua took a very vague concept, and soon developed a very usable, clever and handsome product.
They understood exactly what “06880” is, what our virtual community is about, and what our readers want. They made it all happen, with creativity, grace and good humor.
The “06880” splash screen is a perfect representation of the blog. The up-to-date record of stories and comments is very cool. The screen appears for 2 seconds — as the app loads
I’ve worked with other developers, on different projects. They often tell me what they want, not what I want. They are all about bells and whistles. They want to show off how much they know, how cool they are.
Matthew and Joshua were the easiest collaborators I’ve worked with. They actually listened to everything I said. They understood every facet of “06880” — its mission, its style, its readers, its look, its quirks — and were able to tweak it, app-style.
They explained all their ideas in plain, easy-to-understand English. They were clear and up-front too about the challenges they faced.
Then they overcame every one of them. Their problem-solving skills are masterful. They were patient and persistent (and at the same time, quick). If one path did not work, they pivoted to another. They did not force solutions; they found new ones.
If you were in a war, you’d want them as generals.
Joshua and Matthew Jordan.
And here’s the best part: Matthew and Joshua were a ton of fun to hang with. They’re teenagers. They have senses of humor. They are dope.
Like most developers, they toil in the background. But they deserve a feature story of their own.
Matthew was an excellent varsity soccer player at Staples. He volunteered with Kids in Crisis, developing a messaging app for young people thinking about suicide. (Moffly Media gave him a “Light a Fire” award for his work.)
At Georgetown, the math and computer science major started the Hoya Developers Club. He is involved with Hoyalytics (analyzing data). Now he’s creating a dating app with a twist: It offers only 3-5 matches a week, and includes partnerships with restaurants (for those awkward first dates).
Joshua, meanwhile, has been ranked #1 in the US — and #3 internationally — among the tens of millions of players of the strategy video game Clash of Clans.
He is currently developing his own multi-player game: a “geometry-type puzzle-solving battle royale.” There can be no better creator.
Joshua’s interest in programming began at Coleytown Middle School, and really took off at Staples.
He too has worked on a Kids in Crisis project. “When you realize your software can save lives, that’s pretty important,” he says.
The brothers work well together. “I help the genius,” Matt — who has a keen eye for graphic design — says modestly. “I do the stuff that users see. I get the instant gratification.”
“06880” is not the only very satisfied client. For example, Georgetown’s Psaros Center for Financial Markets & Policy has also benefited from Joshua’s coding skills, Matthew’s front-end talents, and both Jordans’ ease of collaboration.
Now back in college, Matthew is developing a curriculum to tech Python coding. He’s diving even deeper into data science and analysis.
Joshua is plowing through his senior year at Staples.
While hundreds of “06880” readers appreciate their clever, creative work, several times a day.
Now they know who to thank.
(To learn more about their work, contact Matthew Jordan: mdj82@georgetown.edu; 203-258-0115. Or Joshua Jordan: joshua.hqy@gmail.com 203-666-6543.)
(“06880” has made our new blog free to users. It’s our gift to you. Of course, reader support is always welcome. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Thanks to Matthew and Joshua Jordan, the “06880” app includes a different photo from the “Pic of the Pic” books each day, and a daily, randomized list of local restaurants — with clickable links for menus and their websites.
“Yesterday at 2:10 a.m., 2 vehicles were stolen out of a driveway in the Compo Beach/Hillspoint area. Keys were left in both cars.
“The thieves were flanked by another vehicle following, traveling at a high rate of speed circling the cul-de-sac multiple times trying to get out, waking up neighbors.
“At 3:42 a.m. they were seen on camera entering another driveway, looking into vehicles for any valuables.
“One car has been recovered.
“They’re known to be between the ages of 14-26, from the Waterbury/Torrington and New Haven areas, and carrying illegally obtained pistols.
“Reminder: Remove valuables from your vehicle at night, so they are not in plain sight. Lock your vehicles, whether in the driveway, garage or carport, at all times.
“Keep key fobs far from your vehicle, as they might be able to start it within only a short range of distance.
“If you see anything suspicious, call 911 or 203-341-6000.”
Car thieves in Westport don’t have to break in, or jimmy locks. By leaving doors unlocked, with keys in the ignition, we make things easy for them.
Speaking of police: Westport officers made 3 custodial arrests between September 6 and 13.
After a hit-and-run accident on Post Road East at Turkey Hill, an officer spotted the driver northbound on I-95. The driver was stopped at Exit 25, and charged with evading responsibility; operating an unregistered motor vehicle; driving with a suspended license; failure to register a motor vehicle; failure to drive right, and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).
Following a complaint about a check that was stolen, altered and deposited, a man was charged with larceny, criminal attempt at larceny, and forgery.
After a traffic stop for going straight in the “left turn only” lane on Post Road West at Riverside Avenue, a man was charged with 2 counts of failure to appear, based on active re-arrest warrants in Bridgeport and Fairfield.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations 11 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
Failure to obey traffic control signals 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Traveling too fast for conditions: `
Unsafe passing: 1
Failure to comply with passing on the right side rules: 1
Speaking still of police: They may soon be called to the corner of Post Road West and Riverside Avenue (see above) — not for failure to turn properly, but for this accident that is waiting to happen:
(Photo/Ken Warren)
Ken Warren — who took the photo — says, “I can loan them a level if they need it.”
The Westport Public Schools will offer free, confidential cardiac screening for students.
The voluntary event 14-point screener and EKG screen can identify risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.
In A Heartbeat — a Connecticut nonprofit — will provide the screenings October 4 (3 to 7:30 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria). Parents will receive EKG results within 2 weeks. Click here to register.
Volunteers are needed for medical and non-medical duties. Email mike@inaheartbeat.org to help.
They’re clickbait, and often based on arbitrary criteria. Besides, if (for example) our school system is #1 one year, and #2 the next, people push the panic button and wonder what the hell is wrong.
But then I read the writeup. It’s bizarrely interesting. “World Atlas” writes:
There are many waterfront towns in Connecticut — and then there is Westport. This Connecticut treasure boasts the most ocean waterfront in Connecticut. So if you are looking for a blue-space gem, complete with refreshing breezes and beaches, look no further.
And it is not just about the oceanfront area. Westport also boasts the largest riverfront in the state. Aside from the serene waterfront vistas that define Westport and its sand-fringed beaches, Westport, unknown to many, is a bibliophile’s dream destination. It plays host to the Westport Library, for instance, the only 5-star library in the state.
Aside from this idyllic, one-of-a-kind community gem, you will love to spend an afternoon (or an evening) strolling through Westport’s Library Riverwalk and Garden, a stunning walkway that runs along the scenic Saugatuck River.
Here’s the photo that ran with the story. (Hat tip: Richard Stein)
The first event of the second season for Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — is next Wednesday (September 20, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Toquet Hall).
Called “Reconnect, Renew & Karaoke Too,” it’s a chance to meet old friends, make new ones, and sing along.
Snacks are available ($1 to $3). The Westport Book Shop provides popcorn for all. (Parents can head over to the Book Shop for a “sip and chat” with artist Maj Kalfus). Click here to register.
One of the fall’s best events is Push Against Cancer.
It’s also one of the most strenuous.
And most worthwhile.
The 14th annual PAC takes place Sunday, October 15 at Staples High School’s Jinny Parker Field.
The all-fitness-level/all-ages event begins at 9 a.m. There are 2 registration types. A 40-minute family-friendly pushup event challenges individuals or groups to do as many push-ups as possible in 40 minutes. The contenders division is a competitive 1-hour pushup contest. Championship belts go to the male and female who complete the most pushups in an hour.
All proceeds benefit children with serious illnesses and their family members through The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Click here to register or donate, and for more information.
Sorelle Gallery’s new exhibit showcases Connecticut artist Carol Young.
Her work explores America’s rural and coastal landscape, in energetic, vibrant and nostalgic ways.
Her paintings are on view from tomorrow (September 15) through the 24th. Carol Young’s original paintings will be on view through Sunday, September 24th. Click here for more information. Works by Carol Young
And finally … Larry Chance, the leader of the classic doo-wop group the Earls — died last week in Florida. He was 82, and suffered from lung cancer. Click here for a full obituary.
(Remember: “06880” relies on reader’s contributions! Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Dr. Stefanie Lemcke lives on North Avenue. She is the founder and CEO of Gokid, a carpooling technology for schools. Stefanie writes:
When my husband and I learned (after the fact) that Mary Young, director of Westport’s Planning & Zoning Department, had issued a permit allowing the new school bus company First Student to park at Staples and other Westport schools, we were concerned.
First, there had been no notice or public hearing on the matter. In fact, we only learned of the permit when P&Z issued a press release.
Second, we believed any such decision properly lay with the Planning & Zoning Commission, and not with Ms. Young.
And third, we were concerned that this was a backhanded way to save money by permanently moving the parking to school property. (The previous company provided a parking lot on the Post Road).
We were assured, however, that this was only an interim measure, and that the conditions attached to the permit would protect neighbors and adequately address our concerns.
It turns out that we were right to be worried. Not only are these buses creating additional traffic around schools, but every weekday since school started, our entire North Avenue neighborhood has been awakened at 5:45 a.m. by the sound of buses firing up, then beeping and backing up, as well as the sound of motors idling.
Every morning, way before school starts, we have also been treated to the toxic pollution produced by those engines. Here’s a video:
Ali Stanley of Willow Walk says: “Since the first day of school I have been awakened by the beeping and honking of the buses parked at Staples. I look forward to October 31 when they can find an alternate home. The noise pollution is unsustainable.”
We raised the problem with the schools, the town and the Board of Education over the past week. We believed that we were on firm ground in doing so. After all, the permit expressly prohibits any activity that “adversely impact[s] the students, neighbors, and the community at large.”
Moreover, the permit states that any complaints will be resolved within 7 days.
Yet the town has done nothing to remedy the situation. In fact, when we raised the issue of idling buses, we were told that this was simply the company “doing their maintenance thing.” (Never mind that maintenance is specifically prohibited on school grounds.)
We are particularly concerned because the permit is due to expire on October 31, and to the best of our knowledge, the town has done nothing to procure alternative sites for the buses.
Buses parked during the day at Staples High School. (Photo/Stefanie Lemcke)
We believe that it would be unconscionable (and potentially illegal) for the town to extend this permit, given the lack of public input at the time it was adopted and the environmental and health consequences for residents.
It is time for the town to become more transparent about these types of decisions, to include neighbors in the process, and to reveal what efforts have been undertaken to find a permanent location for the buses.
We are a leading school district, so let’s lead by example: We are asking to bring back dedicated, off-campus parking for buses, which will decrease traffic around school sites, improve access, air quality, and safety for students and staff, and generally improve our quality of life.
Last week, in response to numerous concerns about school buses — including not only school parking, but routes and reliability — superintendent of school Thomas Scarice addressed the bus question. In an email to Westport Public Schools parents, he wrote:
The district has officially transitioned transportation providers from Dattco to First Student. Our efforts certainly are not perfect, particularly at the beginning of the school year, but performance is much improved and will only continue to get better as the days and weeks ensue.
Bus Parking: The district secured temporary authorization to park in our school lots through October 31 and we are actively pursuing options for the permanent parking of buses. An extension of authorization for school-based parking may need to be pursued in the interim.
New Buses: A completely new fleet of buses will roll off the assembly line and into our schools in December. When that happens, the transportation app will return. The current fleet does not have the technology to support the transportation app.
First Student buses. (Photo/Amy Schneider)
Drivers: There is a full roster of drivers this year, which significantly contributes to more reliability. Many Dattco drivers have been hired by First Student. However, there could be a time where a combined route is necessary if a significant number of drivers call out on a given day. There are a couple of routes that continue to need attention to improve performance and I can assure our families that this work is underway. Improvements will continue to be felt in the coming days and weeks.
Traffic: One pervasive challenge that has only worsened is the traffic volume around town. As we moved beyond the pandemic, traffic patterns became problematic. These problems are worse this year than any of my three previous years. We will work to reroute as needed to mitigate the effects of town traffic.
Overall, the entire transportation operation is better, but there is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly at this point in the school year. Communication will improve and parents should look for messages from building administrators when there are delays.
To support our ask to bring back a dedicated school bus parking lot, please email me: stlemcke@gmail.com.
(“06880” covers education, transportation, town politics — and all related issues — 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Saturday was a magical night at Wakeman Town Farm.
The annual Harvest Fest fundraiser was — as always — one of the highlights of the year.
The rain held off, and hundreds of WTF supporters enjoyed fantastic food and drinks (served, in part, by some of the town’s top celebrities and elected officials, with help from Staples High School students), great music, a raffle and more.
As always, it was fun and funky. No one dressed up; everyone had a blast.
Hundreds of guests had a great time at Harvest Fest.
But events like Harvest Fest don’t just happen.
Organizers spent hundreds of hours, sweating thousands of details. Wakeman Town Farm would not exist and flourish without their help.
Kudos too to farm stewards Jen and John Montoni. WTF co-chair emeritus and events director Christy Colasurdo says, “They are truly the force behind almost everything that happens at the Farm — and most of what they do is behind the scenes and unheralded.
“For instance, John makes sure the gardens and grounds are tip-top, and that the animals are lovingly cared for. He manages all the maintenance issues, our garden and animal care teams, and is the go-to guy for almost everything that happens on the farm.
“Jen quietly manages the WTF logowear sales. She recently spent evenings (after her day job) before Harvest Fest alongside John stringing thousands of lights around the tent perimeters, hanging paper lanterns, wrapping tent poles with corn stalks and setting up tables and chairs — all to ensure that the décor was set up to her aesthetic standards.
“The Montonis are an incredible team, and often bring in their two 20something sons, Niko and JC, to help with tasks around property. We are extremely fortunate to have them as our caretakers. They are at the heart of everything that happens in the property.”
John and Jen Montoni.
But the event would not have happened without vendors.
Some donate 100 percent of their time and/or product — like Sal Gilbertie, who has brought a van on Harvest Fest for more than 10 years, dropping off over 100 mums from Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center to decorate the tents, tables and grounds.
James Boyer, of Greens Farms Spirits brings hundreds of bottles of red and white wine, and is a big supporter of and donor to other WTF events too (including the upcoming Beer Garden on October 15).
Many other vendors come to the Farm on a Saturday night, leaving their own venues, turning down paying gigs and donating their staffs and time, during an extremely busy season.
Beef and salmon kebabs …
Their culinary talents are spectacular. And they return year after year because they believe in Wakeman Town Farm, and its mission to bring people together around local food, farms and community.
This year’s vendors included:
AMG Catering & Events
Barcelona restaurant
Fairfield Cheese Company
Herbaceous Catering
Love Lou Wines
Marcia Selden Catering
Mixxed by Ed
New Yama Fuji Sushi
Nit Noi Provisions
Tony Pizza Napolitano.
… and special salads …
It takes a village to support a farm. Event co-chairs Colasurdo and Danna Rogers; committee chairs Liz Milwe and Bill Constantino, and sub-committee heads Haley Schulman, Susan Schmidt and Nicole Gerber, did superb work.
All who contributed to Saturday’s success — and every other WTF venture — are this week’s Unsung Heroes.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com)
(Like Wakeman Town Farm, “06880” is a non-profit that relies on Westporters’ support. Please click here to help. Thank you!
The Long Lots School Building Committee will hold a special meeting tomorrow (Thursday, September 14, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
The agenda includes a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public is welcome to attend the work session but may not participate.
The work session will be followed by public comment and questions regarding the feasibility study project.
Drone view of the current Long Lots Elementary School.
Mimi Greenlee saw yesterday’s Roundup story on the do’s and don’ts of yard signs, and noted that non-profits are restricted to signs no earlier than 2 weeks before an event. She wondered if the same rule applied to political signs.
I asked Mary Young, Westport’s Planning & Zoning Department director. She says: “Free speech is protected and is not regulated by zoning, including political signs, distinct from signs advertising special events which are regulated as they must be removed after the advertised event is over.”
She sent over Section 33-5.1 of the Zoning Regulations, last revised in 2012:
“The following signs are permitted without a Zoning Permit in all districts, herein.
“One temporary free standing sign not over 2 square feet per side for a residential property or 9 square feet per side for a non-residential property set back from any property line at least 5 feet, advertising the sale or lease of the premises.
“One temporary construction sign not over 24 square feet in aggregate area
identifying the designers and/or builders for a lot on which a building is under construction or reconstruction. Any such temporary sign shall be removed from the premises within 10 days after the rental of the space, sale of the premises or completion of the construction.
“Temporary signs for public and charitable events which shall be removed after the publicized event.
“Signs for political purpose.”
Political signs are treated differently than those for non-profits.
Speaking of local politics: The deadline has passed to declare candidacy for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Four of the 36 incumbents are not running: Liz Milwe (District 1), James Bairaktaris (4), Stephen Shackelford (8) and Lori Church (9).
Four candidates are elected from each district. There will be contested races in 5 of the 9 districts. They are:
District 1: Incumbents Matthew Mandell, Kristin Mott Purcell, Chris Tait; petitioning candidates Richard Jaffe, Andrew Bloom.
District 2: Incumbents Harris Falk, Jay Keenan, Louis Mall, Mike Perry; petitioning candidate Melissa Levy.
District 5: Incumbents Peter Gold, Karen Kramer, Dick Lowenstein, Claudia Shaum; petitioning candidates Katherina Palmer, James Mather.
District 6: Incumbents Candace Banks, Jessica Bram, Seth Braunstein, Brien Buckman; petitioning candidates Alma Sarelli, David Rosenwaks, Louis D’Onofrio.
District 9: Incumbers Nancy Kail, Sal Liccione, Kristen Schneeman; petitioning candidates Douglas Enslin, Jennifer Johnson, John Suggs, Rachel Halperin.
Districts without contested races:
District 3: Incumbents Ross Burkhardt, Lyn Hogan, Jimmy Izzo, Don O’Day.
District 4: Incumbents Andrew Colabella, Noah Hammond, Jeffrey Wieser; petitioning candidate Clarence Hayes.
District 7: Incumbents Brandi Briggs, Lauren Karpf, Jack Klinge, Ellen Lautenberg Hendel.
District 8: Incumbents Wendy Batteau, Rachel Steel Cohn, Julie Uman Whamond; petitioning candidate Ari Benmosche.
Ms President US — a non-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers young girls through leadership development and civic education — has opened a new chapter in Westport.
Girls in grades 4-8 can join. Meetings begin September 29, and are held monthly from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. The program includes a field trip to the state Capitol, and a campaign and election for “Ms. President US.”
Participants develop public speaking skills; gain confidence; meet with local, state and federal leaders and role models, and work with high school mentors.
Staples boys soccer was in the house last night — in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Kyle Martino — the 1999 graduate who was Gatorade National Player of the Year, and went on to become MLS Rookie of the Year, then played for the US national team — called the USA-Oman game for TNT. Bruno Guiduli — a student at nearby Macalaster College was in the stands, and got his fellow Wrecker’s attention.
Speaking of soccer: Marisa Shorrock — a 3-sport athlete in Staples’ Class of 2020 — has been named to College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week. The Yale University All-Ivy selection was also named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, for the second time in 3 weeks.
The senior goalkeeper made 13 saves as the Bulldogs beat Seton Hall 2-1 and the University of Connecticut 1-0.
Shorrock — who began her college career as a 3-sport (soccer, basketball, lacrosse) walk-on at Bowdoin College, before transferring to Yale — will play an additional year of soccer next season as a grad transfer at the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels have won 21 NCAA Division I national championships.
Last year, a Westport Rotary Club grant helped clients of Bridgeport’s Burroughs Community Center do their taxes for free. Volunteers with the VITA national program helped over 1,600 people save money in refunds, deductions and tax credits.
Yesterday, at their weekly meeting, Rotary Club members learned more about the program, from Burroughs officials.
Burroughs Community Center executive director Michael Quon addresses the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Longtime Westport resident and former Representative Town Meeting member Jane Young died September 6 in Washington, with her family offering love and comfort. She was 91 years old.
The Detroit native attended Indiana University, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She and her husband James Edward Young lived in the then-territory of Hawaii, Cleveland and Chicago, before settling in Westport in 1971. Jane worked for MetLife until her retirement.
She was elected to the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission, before serving two terms on the RTM for District 4. Jane was passionate about historic preservation, at a time when Westport was undergoing pressure for new development. A founding member of Save Westport Now, she worked tirelessly to preserve the Baron’s parkland on the Post Road, the William F. Cribari Bridge, and National Hall. She also lobbied to extend the borders of the historic downtown district, to anticipate expansion in the years to come.
Jane was an active member of Assumption Church, and she and Ed were founders of a longstanding social and play reading club called the Turkeys. They traveled extensively throughout the world, including China and the former Soviet Union before they were open to Western tourism.
Jane moved to Iowa City in 2001 to be near family, and spent her final years in the Washington area.
Ed Young died in 2008. Jane is survived by her son Mark (Vicki Grassian) of La Jolla, California; daughter Gayle Young (Thomas Carroll of Washington); brother David Koval, and granddaughters Alexandra Jordan and Samantha Young.
Her ashes will be interred at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery at a later date.
And finally … Ray Charles was born today, in 1918.
No, not that Ray Charles.
This one — a white guy — was a musician/singer/songwriter/arranger/ conductor. He led the Ray Charles Singers (not the Raelettes) on Perry Como’s records and TV shows for 35, and made 30 albums in the 1950s and ’60s.
His biggest hit was:
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On Monday, Republican Board of Education member Robert Harrington wrote an “Opinion” piece on “06880” about his party’s candidate selections for the board. He strongly criticized Camilo Riano for saying that superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice is “grooming” children.
Harrington also said he has “never met” Riano’s running mate, Jamie Fitzgerald, and has never seen her at any Board of Ed or Republican Party meetings.
Robert Harrington
Last night Harrington tried to dial in to his first Republican Town Committee meeting in Westport since his comments. The “special meeting” — to fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission — was set for 8 p.m., via Zoom.
Harrington was at a work meeting in New York, but left to participate in the RTC meeting. He planned to show his support for Michael Calise, the RTC-endorsed candidate for the P&Z slot.
Harrington told “06880” that he tried to join the meeting several minutes early, from multiple devices. He emailed and sent other messages to the organizers, but says he was not let into the meeting.
Harrington told “06880” that this was the first time he has been unable to access an RTC meeting. As of 10 p.m. last night, he had not heard back from the RTC about his inability to access the meeting.
“I don’t know if I was intentionally excluded from entering a public Zoom meeting of the Westport Republican Town Committee. Maybe it was a technical glitch. It has never happened before. I still haven’t heard back from them about the issue.
“I have a message for my party: I am not going anywhere. This is too important. I’m not a Democrat, and I will keep trying to change our party. I will keep knocking on the door and showing up to party events.
“Issues matters. Parental involvement in our children’s education is non-negotiable. But words matter too. I am proud to state without any hesitation that Mr Scarice, as superintendent of our public schools, you are not child grooming any children.
“I am not angry with Camilo. This is not personal. Those are his views. However, I am saddened that my local Republican Party has chosen to endorse those words by endorsing this candidate. I do not not endorse those words or this candidate.”
“06888” asked Westport Republican Town Committee chair Joseph Sledge for a comment late last night, but has not yet received a comment.
On Monday, Republican Board of Education member Robert Harrington said that Republican candidate Camilo Riano “crosses the line.” Harrington cited Riano’s comments about superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, and 2 complaints Riano filed against the town of Westport.
Riano replies:
As one of the Republican candidates for the Board of Education, I was truly hoping for a campaign in which we had substantive discussions on topics which are important to the parents, the teachers and the children of Westport. Instead, we are already down the path of character assassination.
Camilo Riano
During the past few days, there has been an increase in social media posts that reiterate the innuendo against me that my Democrat rivals have been circulating in their campaign communications. The comments are also consistent with the various smears and character attacks that their supporters have been directing towards me in different media outlets.
The objections to my candidacy seem to revolve around two major points. First, my use of the phrase “child grooming.” Second, my legal efforts, as a concerned citizen, to correct violations of the Westport town charter.
For the benefit of voters, I will address both points head on.
First, in an open letter to Superintendent Scarice, and at Board of Education meetings, I have asked for an end to the “child grooming” that is taking place within our schools.
Pornographic images are widely recognized tools within the child grooming toolkit. According to retired FBI Agent Bob Hamer, “the most important step” in seducing a child through successful grooming techniques is the introduction of “sexual talk and pornography, explaining to the child that he was old enough to understand and mature enough to appreciate sexual topics.”
Along with many parents in our community, I considered the “banned books” display that was set up at the high school library extremely problematic. Some of the images in these books were so pornographic that Dan Woog himself took them down from his website, after briefly posting them. This material was not merely sitting on the shelves of our school libraries. The book display was intentionally designed to tempt our children to review the images by inviting students to “find out why” the books were “banned.”
Three books in the Staples High School Library were challenged by parent Tina McLaughlin. A special committee later voted unanimously that the books could remain in the library. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice affirmed the decision; McLaughlin later dropped her appeal of that decision.
I do not believe, and never stated, that anyone connected with our schools intended to abuse our children physically, but the unintended risks associated with sexually inappropriate material are potentially very serious. If rational people are having a genuine discussion as to whether or not material displayed in our school library legally qualifies as obscenity or child pornography, something is seriously wrong.
While some might be offended by my choice of words, attacking the words I used does not change the inappropriateness of what has been taking place in our schools. Citizens have a right to dislike this word or that, but I believe most parents, across party lines, are quite uncomfortable with many things happening in our school district that would have been unimaginable in years past. I believe parents are much more concerned about the recent escalation of sexual content and themes in so many facets of our schools and much less concerned about which terms are the most politically correct. As a candidate for BOE, I stand for reasonable and appropriate boundaries when it comes to sex and gender related matters.
Second, let’s discuss my engagement with the town of Westport on the topic of the violation of the town charter. In two instances, I brought to the Town’s attention (working with an attorney who actually acts as legal counsel for multiple other towns in our state) what I believe were clear violations of the Town Charter.
In the first instance, my engagement on the subject of the composition of TEAM Westport, the town lawyer and the first selectwoman actually concurred with our analysis and responded to it by restructuring the committee to bring it in line with the charter. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to thank me for bringing this to the town’s attention, rather than using my involvement here as some kind of talking point against me? Do we not value compliance with the law in Westport?
In the second instance, I communicated my view, supported by legal analysis, that the Board of Ed lacks the legal standing to add student representatives who will function as de facto board members. All 3 Republican board members had objections to the installation of these student “representatives.” I stand with them in their positions.
I am putting myself out there as a candidate because I have strong objections to how the Democrats, under the so-called leadership of chairperson Lee Goldstein, are running the school system. I think it is time to renew the membership of the Board of Education and give parents the representation they deserve.
I continue to believe that how we approach the issues of gender and sexuality within our schools is very important. While activists may continue to insist on their various philosophical positions, these are our children and we need to stand up for them. It was only because of strong advocacy from parents that superintendent Scarice recently had to clarify that our teachers are prohibited from inquiring about student pronouns (indirectly asking children as young as sixth grade, on their very first day of school, if they are transgendered). In some cases, teachers were even asking the students if they wanted this information to be withheld from their parents! Mr. Scarice is correct in his determination that this practice is unacceptable, and I commend him for making that unambiguous.
We should not just blindly trust ideologically motivated activists who have been ignoring what the administration told them. Parents need to be involved. This is why we have a Board of Education. By and large, our teachers are excellent and I have been always on their side, but when something is going wrong in our district, it is the obligation of good parents to step in and make their voice heard.
Enough with the personal attacks. Let’s stop distracting voters with semantics and focus on substance. Let’s have a real dialogue. I welcome the opportunity to engage with my Democrat rivals on these crucial issues.
Let’s have a meaningful and civil exchange of ideas. Let the voters decide. This is how American democracy works.
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He too has worked on a Kids in Crisis project. “When you realize your software can save lives, that’s pretty important,” he says.
Works by Carol Young
Second, let’s discuss my engagement with the town of Westport on the topic of the violation of the town charter. In two instances, I brought to the Town’s attention (working with an attorney who actually acts as legal counsel for multiple other towns in our state) what I believe were clear violations of the Town Charter.