Tag Archives: Candice Savin

Roundup: Assistant Attorney, Affordable Art, Career Coach

Posted on April 7, 2026 | 1 comment

When Westport’s new assistant town attorney begins work in June, she won’t need a lesson in local government.

Candice Savin is a familiar face. From 2021-25, she was our 3rd selectwoman. Before that she served on the Board of Education, including 2 years as chair.

She will work with town attorney Ira Bloom and his colleagues at Berchem Moses. She succeeds Eileen Lavigne, who will retire on June 5.

Savin is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, and earned a law degree at Duke University.

She has been a board member at The Conservative Synagogue and the Westport chapter of Hadassah. Since 2012, she has co-chaired the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening” fundraiser.

Candice Savin

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“Affordability” — a hot topic nationally these days — is the theme of this year’s 10th annual Westport Woman’s Club Art Show.

Sixteen local artists — with works curated by Miggs Burroughs — are on display Thursday, April 23 (4 to 7 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26 (2 to 5 p.m.).

Burroughs says that by featuring smaller, original works across an array of styles and media, the show offers buyers affordable, local pieces.

Artists include Robin Babbin, John Bygott, Bonnie Edelman, Susan Fehlinger, Hernan Garcia, Rachel Hall, Elisa Keogh, Shelley Lowenstein, Paula Morgan, Larry Morse, Jon Puzzuoli, Butch Quick, Jodi Rabinowitz, Cindy Wagner and Tammy Winser.

Guest artist Sean Keating will show work in the drawing room, where small works donated by the participating artists as chance prizes will be on display.

This year’s show honors the memory of Jo Fuchs Luscombe. The former WWC president — who also served as state representative, 3rd selectwoman and Zoning Board of Appeals chair — died last year.

The opening reception (April 23) features Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Mark Naftalin, playing on the Woman’s Club piano.

Net proceeds benefit local community service organizations, and need-based scholarships.

To see a PDF catalogue (including measurements, media and prices) before the show, email DorothyECurran@aol.com; put “Art Show Catalogue” in the header.

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The “Career Coach” will be in the Westport Library parking lot this Thursday (April 9), for a session on “Computer Basics.”

It returns May 21, covering “Tips for Resume & Cover Letter,” and June 19 (Intro to Excel).

There are 2 sessions ( 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) each day; both are 2 hours long. Registrants can choose one.

The service is available to people who are exploring career opportunities, actively looking for a job, or seeking additional part-time employment. Click here to reserve a spot.

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Speaking of the Library: Staples Players’ first-ever collaboration with that institution — a staged reading of the whimsical, funny and poignant show “Almost, Maine” — drew a large crowd last night.

And because this was both Players and the Library — neither of whom do things halfway — it ended with a Q-and-A led by playwright John Cariani.

Playwright John Cariani (standing), Staples Players co-director David Roth, and the cast of “Almost, Maine.” (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Uni K Wax is opening its first Connecticut location in Playhouse Square tomorrow (Wednesday) — and “06880” readers can snag a deal.

The studio — with all-natural ingredients and “elevated hygiene practices, including individual wax warmers for every service” — offers 50% off their first wax, to anyone using the code 06880Blog.

Click here or follow on Instagram for information about services, opening offers, and memberships.

Wax treat.

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Jazz vocalist Alma Micic first came to Jazz at the Post as part of her guitarist husband Rale Micic’s ensemble. She rocked it.

This Thursday (April 9, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7), she returns — and shares the stage with him.

They’re joined by bassist Peter Slavov and drummer Jason Tiemann. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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The life of Adé Van Duyn — the artist, educator and longtime Westporter who died in October at 98 –will be celebrated this Saturday (April 11, 11 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amnesty International.

Adé Van Duyn.

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Tidal flats are ready to burst out with spring colors, in today’s brown-but-not-for-long “Westport … Naturally” photo.

(Photo/Dick Alley)

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And finally … on this date in 1862, the Union Army defeated the Confederates  near Shiloh, Tennessee.

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We depend on donations from readers like you. If you enjoy our 24/7/365 coverage of all things Westport, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Library, Local business, Local politics, Staples HS

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[OPINION] GOP Board Of Ed Candidates: Democrats Use “Character Assassination” To Distract Voters

Posted on October 5, 2023 | 46 comments

Yesterday, “06880” published an “Opinion” piece by Candice Savin. The Democratic 3rd selectwoman and former Board of Education chair said she was “shocked, disappointed and highly concerned” about Republican Board of Ed candidate Camilo Riano, and worried  about what it means “for the future of our top ranked school district.”

Today, Riano and fellow Republican Board of Education candidate Jamie Fitzgerald respond. They say:

Another day, another lengthy character assassination by Westport Democrats or their allies directed at Camilo.

How many thousands of words can be used to express outrage over one single word, “grooming,” that was used to protest inappropriate sexual content put in front of our children? At this point, we believe Westport voters can decide for themselves how they feel about that.

Camilo Riano

The much more important thing to do at this juncture is to turn our attention to what is really going on here, politically. Westport Democrats are clearly panicked about losing their control of our Board of Education.

So they are engaging in character assassination as a distraction from what voters in Westport are actually worried about: how the major initiatives of the Goldstein-controlled board are damaging the quality of education in Westport.

The Goldstein/Phillips campaign sent out their email on books, and fired up their proxies to try to tear Camilo apart as a human being, precisely because they don’t want to have this conversation.

But we do.

The 2 major initiatives championed by our rivals — equity and a strategic plan based around social emotional learning — rely on deeply flawed philosophies that are already degrading the quality of education in Westport.

Goldstein and Phillips try to take credit for a favorable ranking of our school district in a recent survey. We agree that our schools are still benefiting from a foundation of excellence that was laid over many decades. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it didn’t collapse in a day.

But to borrow a term from the NYU Metro Center, even though we are only at the beginning phases of “dismantling” the educational approaches and strategies that made Westport a leading school district, we are already seeing signs of trouble.

Earlier this year, the administration acknowledged enrollment fell short of expectations as parents are either pulling their children from Westport Public Schools or choosing not to enroll the younger ones in the first place. As we have campaigned, we have in fact heard a great deal of dissatisfaction with the educational experience in our schools, which has led many families to abandon them.

The emerging problems are particularly acute at the elementary level, and Camilo has witnessed this firsthand. Saugatuck Elementary, where Camilo sends his own 4 children, is now ranked 56th in Connecticut, a far cry from number one.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: According to the 2023-24 Niche rankings, Saugatuck Elementary School is ranked #10 out of 575 elementary schools in Connecticut. All other elementary schools are also in the Top Ten: Greens Farms #2, Coleytown #4, Kings Highway #5 and Long Lots #8. Overall, the Westport Public Schools are ranked #1 in the state.] 

Jamie Fitzgerald

It is at the elementary level where the district’s accelerating shift away from traditional academic foundations, in favor of politicized approaches based on establishing racial equity and emotional programming, has already had its greatest impact.

It is worth noting, in the same Niche poll that our competitors cite, Staples High School is in fact not the number one ranked public high school in Connecticut, but is now second to New Canaan High School.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: See note above; for 2023-24, Niche ranked Westport first, New Canaan 2nd.]

The majority of the New Canaan Board of Education is controlled by elected Republicans, who have taken a principled stand against the same highly politicized DEI agenda that their own local activists are trying to foist upon the school system. Do not believe the myth that erasing academic standards and racializing education does anything to enhance student outcomes.

The erosion of rigor, the politicization of the curriculum and the classroom, the preference for emotional manipulation over educational fundamentals — these are real points of differentiation between the two tickets. This is what voters need to be talking about. Even if our rivals just want to engage in partisan antics, we will continue to do so.

We just dropped “Part 2: Equity,” the second installment of our Fireside Chat Series. You can watch it here.

It follows our well received “Part 1: Introductions,” which provides background on who we really are as candidates and parents in the community, available here.

We urge Westport voters to watch these videos.

Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/fitzgeraldandrianoforboe for more episodes and other useful content.

There are real substantive issues in this election, and the stakes could not be higher. Let’s call it quits on the political posturing and have these important discussions.

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Posted in Education, Local politics

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Candice Savin Selected, Sworn In As 3rd Selectwoman

Posted on November 23, 2021 | 4 comments

Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore made history last week. They were sworn in as 1st and 2nd selectwomen — the first time 2 females occupied to town’s top spots.

They made history again. As a special meeting of the Board of Selectwomen, they chose Candice Savin as 3rd selectwoman. This marks the 1st time in the town’s 186 years that all 3 members are female.

Savin was quickly sworn in, in the selectwomen’s meeting room, by Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton.

The swearing-in ceremony.

Savin’s route to Town Hall began when she  ran on the Democratic ticket, with 1st selectman candidate Jonathan Steinberg. They lost to the Republican candidates by 69 votes.

Steinberg declined the 3rd selectman’s seat, citing his obligations as Westport’s state representative in Hartford.

Libertarian candidate T.J. Elgin — who received 64 votes — claimed he was then the rightful 3rd selectman, since Savin had run for the 2nd post. He filed a lawsuit in Superior Court, but withdrew it yesterday.

Savin — whose most recent position was Board of Education chair — was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee last week.

The new 3rd selectwoman told “06880”: “I am so pleased to take on this role, and look forward to working with Jennifer Tooker and Andrea Moore on behalf of our town.”

4 Comments

Posted in Local politics

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Roundup: Selectmen, Trunk Or Treat …

Posted on November 7, 2021 | 25 comments

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Jonathan Steinberg does not want to be 3rd selectman.

T.J. Elgin does.

Now, Candice Savin does too.

The question of who will fill the final seat on the Board of Selectmen arose when Steinberg — the loser for 1st selectman in Tuesday’s election — decided to keep his day job, as Westport’s state representative in Hartford.

By law, the position goes to “the defeated candidate for First Selectman having the highest number of votes.” Elgin — a Libertarian who received just 64 votes in the race — contends that with Steinberg’s withdrawal, Elgin should be next in line. He says that Candice Savin — Steinberg’s running mate — was a candidate for second selectman, not first selectman.

The Democratic Town Committee believes that as the defeated party with the next highest number of votes, they get to fill the spot. Yesterday, they said:

The DTC recognizes the Third Selectman as a valuable member of Westport’s leadership team and would like to address any questions surrounding this potential appointment in the newly elected administration. In accordance with the Town Charter, if Jonathan Steinberg chooses not to accept this role, the DTC recommends a candidate to the newly elected First and Second Selectmen for their consideration.

Candice Savin, who ran for Second Selectman, is interested in being considered to fill the position of Third Selectman should Jonathan Steinberg choose not to accept it. Candice has expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for the benefit of the town. The DTC appreciates the significant contributions that Third Selectmen have made to Westport over the years and looks forward to recommending a new Democratic member to the Board of Selectmen.

If Savin is selected, Westport’s 3 selectmen would all be women, for the first time in history.

Which means we should then call it the Board of Selectwomen.

Candice Savin

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Halloween was last week, but it’s never too late to say thank you.

The United Methodist Church is grateful to all who attended Sunday’s Trunk or Treat event.

Scores of local kids (and their parents) enjoyed spooky displays in 20 car trunks  (and safely picked up lots of candy).

At the same time, a collection for area food banks was very successful. Over 40 shopping bags of groceries were donated by church members. In these times of increasing food insecurity, that’s a great “treat” for many people.

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Fall flowers are as beautiful as spring’s. Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is from Jennie Lane:

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … on this day in 1874, a Thomas Nast cartoon in Harper’s Weekly is considered the first important use of an elephant as a symbol for the Republican Party.

Here to celebrate elephants is Staples High School Class of 1966 graduate/longtime musician/certified “Vermont State Treasure” Jon Gailmor.

PS: Jon is most definitely not a Republican.

 

 

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Posted in Children, Local politics, religion

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CLARIFICATION: Steinberg Running For 1st Selectman — Not Official Dem Selection Yet

Posted on June 15, 2021 | 2 comments

“06880” reported this morning that the field is set for the selectman’s race this fall.

In fact, while Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin have filed documents with the town clerk to run, the formal nominating process has not yet taken place.

The Democratic Town Committee caucus will occur in the last week of July. At that meeting there will be recommendations from the Nominating Committee for the selectman’s race, and others.

But other candidates may be nominated from the floor. The officially endorsed candidate will be made by a vote of DTC members at that meeting.

 

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Posted in Local politics

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[UPDATE] Jonathan Steinberg, Candice Savin Enter Race For Selectmen

Posted on June 15, 2021 | 12 comments

Democratic State Representative Jonathan Steinberg has entered the race for 1st Selectman.

His running mate is Board of Education chair Candice Savin.

Steinberg — a native Westporter, and 1974 Staples High School graduate — is in his 6th term as state representative. As co-chair of the Public Health Committee, he worked closely with the Department of Public Health and governor’s office on COVID response.

A long-term member of both the Transportation and Energy & Technology Committees, he has addressed issues like electric vehicles, solar power and infrastructure. In Hartford, where he is a leader of the House Democratic Moderates Caucus, Steinberg has also been at the forefront of budget issues.

Jonathan Steinberg

Before joining the legislature, Steinberg spent 7 years on Westport’s RTM. He was elected unanimously 3 times as deputy moderator. He represented the RTM on the Town Plan Implementation Committee. He also co-founded the Westport Cinema Initiative, to bring a movie theater downtown.

Steinberg’s political career follows nearly 2 decades in healthcare marketing, with Fortune 100 companies. A graduate of Yale College and NYU’s Stern School of Business (MBA), his hobbies include softball, golf and antiquing. He and his wife Nancy have 3 children — all Staples graduates — and are members of Temple Israel, which his grandfather helped found.

Steinberg cites “friends on both sides of the political aisle, combining compromise with the need to move forward,” and more than 20 years’ experience in strategic analysis and decision-making in the business world, as reasons to run for 1st selectman.

“I have a vision for Westport,” he says. “No one will work harder than me.” Referring to the hours he puts in, he jokes he is one of the state’s “best minimum-wage workers.”

Jonathan Steinberg, in Hartford.

Steinberg’s vision includes reinstating “brown bag lunches,” implementing many of the Downtown Plan ideas (such as dredging the river, and embracing it for multi-use), encouraging economic vitality, and initiating conversations on topics like what to do with Baron’s South.

“The flip side of the pandemic is so much pent-up energy,” he says. “New families are here, looking to do things in new ways. I love the spirit of volunteerism here. Everyone wants to get involved, however, they can.”

Steinberg applauds Westport’s environmental awareness, but sees opportunities to do even more, in areas from expanded composting to additional solar panels. He’s interested too in expanding diversity among town employees, and encouraging mass transit.

All his ideas, he says, “relate to our values as a community.”

Steinberg says that “over many years, our selectmen have served our community well. We are proud of their managerial competence.” However, he would ask, “How can we do things differently? Do we need a director of economic development? What about charter revision?

“I think we can do a better job of interfacing with the community. I really want dialogue with residents, commissions and boards. I’d hit the ground running. I don’t have too many preconceptions. But I’m prepared to lead.”

Steinberg is pleased to run with Savin. “She’s demonstrated true leadership,” he says of her work with the Board of Education.

“Her ability to take on different tasks is what I want in a partner. We’d work together like (former selectmen) Gordon Joseloff and Shelly Kassen did.”

Candice Savin

Savin — a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Duke University School of Law — began her career as a New York City prosecutor. After moving to Westport in 2002 with her husband and 2 small children, she built a thriving real estate law practice.

As Board of Ed chair she faced a series of challenges: a controversial superintendent of schools, mold at Coleytown Middle School, and COVID.

She is motivated by “a strong focus on kids, and the importance of consistency and excellence in our schools.” She is proud to have led the board during the past few difficult years. “Our schools are in a really good place now,” Savin says. “We have strong leadership and vision, and greatly improved maintenance.”

Savin — whose community involvement includes co-chairing the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening”; leading The Conservative Synagogue’s rabbi search, and serving as the Democratic Town Committee’s finance chair — says a major factor in her decision to run is “the chance to work with Jonathan. He’s decisive, he gets things done, he works super-hard for Westport, and he knows the issues better than anyone.

“We’re a great team. We know everyone, from young people to seniors. We have a broad connection to the community. And we both know how to build consensus, make tough decisions, be inclusive as possible, and lead in the right direction. We’ll be true to Westport’s values: the arts, environment, inclusion, and taking care of our neediest citizens.”

(Click here for the Steinberg/Savin website.)

 

12 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Education, Local politics

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Roundup: Parks & Rec Rules; Drive-In Movies; Assumption Food Drive; More

Posted on June 13, 2020 | 2 comments

New Parks and Recreation rules!

As of today (June 13), doubles play will be allowed at the tennis courts at Longshore, Staples High School, Town Farm and Doubleday (behind Saugatuck Elementary School).

Also as of today, dogs will no longer be required to be on leash in the off-leash area of Winslow Park or other town property where dogs are allowed.

As of Wednesday (June 17), one pickleball court at Compo Beach will be open for singles play with restrictions.  It’s first come, first serve.

Also as of Wednesday, both platform tennis courts at Longshore will be open for singles play with restrictions.  Advanced reservations are required, and can be booked online 5 days in advance, or by calling the Longshore tennis office at 203-341-1180 2 days in advance. No walk-ups allowed!

Registration for Parks and Rec and Wakeman Town Farm summer programs begins Wednesday. To see programs and register, click here,

And in more Parks & Rec news: The Compo Beach bathrooms are open. They bear these signs:

(Photo/Andrea Cross)

Coming attraction: Movies in the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

A “drive-in theater” will be set up there this summer. The Remarkable Theater — the initiative employing men and women with disabilities — is behind the project, which got a unanimous go-ahead from the Board of Selectmen.

Four films will be shown on a 40-foot-wide screen over 2 weeks at the end of June, said Remarkable creative director Doug Tirola. Up to 80 cars can be accommodated in the lot, which during the day is both a commuter parking lot and the site of Thursday Farmers’ Markets.

Film titles and more details will be announced soon.

 

A pair of Norwalk food pantries — St. Philip’s and St. Vincent de Paul — feed 350 families a week. Both the families and the pantries are in desperate need of help.

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), the Knights of Columbus will conduct a “drive-through food drive.” The site is the Assumption Church parking lot (98 Riverside Avenue).

You don’t have to leave your vehicle. K of C members will pick up your donation from your trunk or back seat.

Food that is needed:

  • Small bags of rice
  • Small packets of pasta/macaroni
  • Pasta sauce
  • Bags of dried black beans
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly
  • Vienna sausage – regular or chicken
  • Cereal – oatmeal or cornflakes
  • Powered milk
  • Coffee

Checks are great too. Make them payable to Church of the Assumption; in the memo line, write “Food Drive.”

Assumption Church (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

Staples High School and University of Southern California journalism student Becca Rawiszer recently interviewed Board of Education chair Candice Savin about where Westport schools go from here. Click here to download the Persona Interviews app to watch the full interview — and ask Savin a follow up question.

Screenshot from the Candice Savin interview.

And finally … like Tacocat, we can dream, right?

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Posted in Education, Entertainment, Longshore, Media, Organizations, religion, Sports

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“State Of The Town” Meeting Set For Sunday

Posted on January 20, 2020 | 2 comments

Presidents have their State of the Union addresses. Governors deliver (oddly named) “State of the State” talks.

This Sunday (January 26, 2 p.m., Westport Library), 1st Selectman Jim Marpe will discuss the “State of the Town.” He’ll be joined by Board of Education chair Candice Savin.

They’ll look back at town and school accomplishments over the past year, and preview upcoming initiatives.

There’s audience participation too. A question-and-answer session will be led by RTM deputy moderator Jeffrey Wieser.

The event is sponsored by Westport’s 2 Rotary clubs.

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Posted in Education, Library, Local politics, Organizations, People

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