Tag Archives: Democratic Town Committee

Roundup: Osprey Returns, Mattress Recycling, Staples High Honors …

Posted on March 19, 2025 | 4 comments

Right on schedule — actually, a few days early — a Fresh Market osprey is back.

The nest next to Terrain is occupied by at least one of the magnificent raptors. The second member of the pair usually arrives after the first.

As we do every year, Westport waits anxiously for the little ones. (Hat tip: Dana Kuyper

Fresh Market osprey. (Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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Earlier this month, the Democratic Town Committee’s nominating committee interviewed 4 “excellent” candidates for this November’s first selectperson election. It’s an open seat, now that incumbent Jen Tooker is running for governor.

The nominating committee settled on 2 “very qualified” candidates to present to the full DTC. Board of Education member Kevin Christie was one. The other asked not to have their name put forward.

However, despite a previous announcement, the full DTC will not vote on a candidate next month. Instead, in July they’ll introduce Christie’s name. At that point, nominations can be made from the floor.

That information was offered to DTC members — and other attendees — at last night’s monthly Zoom meeting, by chair Michelle Mechanic.

Next month, the Democrats also begin interviewing candidates for all open board and commission seats.

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Americans discard 20 million mattresses and box springs annually. That’s 55,000 that land in incinerators and landfills each day.

 

But up to 90% of old mattresses can be recycled into carpet pads, exercise equipment cushions, bike seats, insulation, air filters and steel materials.

 

Sustainable Westport can help. They’ll host a free mattress/ box spring recycling event on Saturday, April 26 (8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Earthplace).

 

Dry and unsoiled mattresses and box springs are welcome. Please do not bring those that are damaged, wet, or contaminated (bed bugs, etc.).

 

If you can’t bring your mattress or box spring, Westport Boy Scout Troop 36 will provide a pickup service for a small donation. Click here to sign up.

 

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Twenty Staples High School seniors will graduate in June with high honors.

They represent the top 4% of the graduating class. Congratulations to Aidan Stubbs, William Borowsky, Andrew Rebello. Annam Anjolaoluwa Adachukwu Olasewere, Sam Rossoni, Jackson Tracey, Cole Siegner, Perrin Root, Mack Haymond, William Boberski, Carolina Proctor, Alexis Krenzer, Mia Bomback, Matthew Guadarrama, Abe Lobsenz, Alessandra Gavriloiu, Megan Sargent, Kendra Cheng, Shreyas Gorre and Suhani Aggarwal.

Principal Stafford Thomas notes, “these students were involved in a number of extracurricular activities and various aspects of school life which took a great deal of time, focus and concentration outside of the classroom. We were lucky to have had them for 4 years, and will no doubt hear about their next great achievements in the years to come.”

Staples High School Class of 2025 high honors students, flanked by assistant principal Pat Micinilio (far left) and principal Stafford Thomas (far right).

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VersoFest is near. Time to take the Westport Library decibel level up another few notches.

Actually, more than that. On Saturday, April 5, the goal is to become the loudest library ever.

Starting at 10 a.m., visionary artist 5iveFingaz hosts a 90-minute celebration. It includes a rotating cast of DJs, “an electrifying fusion of music, art, and community, and the Library version of a primal scream.” (Plus doughnuts and beverages.)

“Our goal is to make this a true celebration and community experience, showcasing the transformative power of community and creativity,” says Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer.

“We want everyone to feel welcome, from our youngest patrons to our longtime music supporters. The emphasis here is on fun, and setting the right tone to what promises to be an incredible weekend of events at VersoFest 2025.”

This kickoff coincides with 5iveFingaz’s Interactive Community Participation Mural. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Residents  are invited to create a one-of-a-kind work of art from 10 am to 2 pm.

It will be followed by an all-star panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” (1 p.m.), and 2 Verso Visionary conversations: 4 p.m. between The Roots founder and lead emcee Black Thought and June Archer, followed by hardcore punk legend Henry Rollins in conversation with Nabil Ayers at 7.

The festival closes Sunday, April 6, with a VersoFest live podcast discussion between longtime David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer and SNL Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman.

Click here for more VersoFest details, including a full schedule.

5iveFingaz

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It takes a week to transform the Westport Country Playhouse stage, from one show to the next.

But you can watch it happen in just 3 minutes, on video.

Immediately after “Native Gardens” closed, a crew began building the “Theatre People” set.

The comedy opens March 25. Will they get it done in time?

Watch below!

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Club203 celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style last night.

The Westport Library was filled with smoke machines — and decked out in green — at a special karaoke night.

Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities enjoyed soda breads and honey buns donated by Cob’s Bread, green bagels from Village Bagels, and cookies Baked by Belle.

As always, there was plenty of volunteer support, and MoCA CT ran an art table.

Club203 rocks the Westport Library.

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Also yesterday: a presentation to the Westport Rotary Club by Catalyst CT CEO and president Marc Donald.

The nonprofit began by combating teen substance abuse. It has since branched out into reducing gun violence, suicide prevention, and practicing restorative justice.

The organization trains police and security guards in Bridgeport and Fairfield public schools to help defuse potentially violent situations. They also partner with Park City Presents, helping familiarize Bridgeport teenagers with music production technology.

Marc Donald, at yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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Fleet Feet’s United Track Club program, for boys and girls in grades 2-8, begins April 27. All athletic levels are welcome.

The program runs Sundays (11 a.m. to noon, Staples High School track) through June 8.

It includes sprints, hurdles, long jump and endurance running. The focus is on coordination and confidence.

The cost is $160. Click here for details.

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The Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy Association invites all teenage girls and boys to a packing party this Sunday (March 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m., United Methodist Church) for Dignity Grows.

The goal is to pack 200 bags of menstrual hygiene products, for distribution to local food pantries, shelters and organizations. 

This will be a fun time, a great cause — and there’s pizza and snacks. RSVP your their faith community youth leader, or Heather Sinclair: hsinclair@westportumc.org.

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Yesterday’s “Roundup” item about TAP Strength’s first “lifespand and health span” wellness event — a conversation between TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro and Jennifer Boyd — did not include the date and time. It’s March 26, 6 p.m.

A team from Rhone will offer performance-driven gear. Register by email: info@tapstrength.com.

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Just 3 days remain before Westport Pride’s annual drag show.

This year’s special guest is Patty Bourée. The 18+ event — with cocktails, songs and comedy — is Saturday (March 22, 7 p.m.) at The Knowlton, Bridgeport’s premier event space.

“Come dressed to spring eternal,” organizers say. And why not? It’s the second day of spring!

Click here for tickets, and more information.

 

 

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Most Sherwood Mill Pond sunsets are dramatic.

Yesterday’s was particularly vivid.

Matt Murray captured the scene, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature:

(Photo/Matt Murray)

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And finallly … Jesse Colin Young, co-founder of the Youngbloods and the lead singer on “Get Together,” a still-beloved paean to love and brotherhood, died Sunday in South Carolina. He was 83. Click here for a full obituary.

(Come on people, smile on your brother, everybody get together and support “06880” right now. Please click here. It’s groovy — and we thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Environment, Library, Local politics, Sports, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse

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1st Selectman’s Race: Kevin Christie Seeks Democrats’ “Informal Endorsement”

Posted on March 10, 2025 | 10 comments

With Republican incumbent Jen Tooker declining to run for a second term, the first selectperson’s race is wide open this fall.

The Democratic Town Committee interviewed 4 “strong” candidates for the position. The Nominating Committee chose 2 to recommend to the full Democratic Town Committee.

But they released only one name today.

Kevin Christie — a current Board of Education member — will participate in the DTC’s meeting this month, when members make an “informal vote of endorsement.”

The other candidate has decided not to participate. However, he or she “is free to seek the nomination” in July, DTC chair Michelle Mechanic said in a press release this afternoon.

Kevin Christie

“I am overjoyed that so many great candidates came forward,” Mechanic said.

“We narrowed it down to 2 incredibly qualified candidates, who boast both municipal and private sector experience. The ultimate decision is in the hands of the full committee. As a valued nominating committee member stated, ’70 voices is far better than 9.’

“Furthermore, we are returning to the process of forming an early consensus, which has proved successful both here in Westport and across the state. We all look forward to hearing from Kevin Christie at our next meeting.”

Christie was elected to the Board of Ed in 2021. He chairs its Policy Committee.

A graduate of Union College, with an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he spent more than 15 years in investment banking, and corporate development and strategy. He is now a stay-at-home dad, raising twins.

Other volunteer efforts include the Coleytown Elementary School PTA, and coaching in the Westport Soccer Association.

The Republicans have not yet met to discuss their candidate. Tooker announced last week that she is running for governor.

 

10 Comments

Posted in Local politics

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Hamlin Withdraws Suit Against DTC Member

Posted on July 20, 2021 | 14 comments

Kristan Hamlin has withdrawn her lawsuit against Democratic Town Committee member Lisa Newman. Hamlin — also a DTC member — was seeking damages, based on alleged defamatory statements.

Hamlin’s lawsuit against 1st selectman hopeful Jonathan Steinberg is still pending.

Hamlin says:

“I have instructed my counsel to withdraw without prejudice the complaint I brought against Jonathan Steinberg’s former campaign manager and DTC Secretary, Lisa Newman. This means it can be re-brought at any time within 2 years of the defamatory remarks that she has made against me, and which are described, in part, in the complaint.

“My counsel (William P. Lalor) has accommodated my wishes, and issued this statement:

The complaint filed on behalf of the plaintiff sets forth well-pleaded causes of action and is supported by evidence of the defamation that includes written communications and recorded voicemail, along with willing witnesses. My client, in an abundance of good faith, has instructed me  to withdraw the operative complaint on a “without prejudice” basis as against defendant Lisa Newman, in order to give settlement discussions an opportunity, and importantly, so that the Wednesday Democratic Town Committee caucus can proceed without the public specter of division that Ms. Hamlin feels has  been created by the present DTC leadership.

Hamlin continued: “If Ms. Newman  can refrain from personalized attacks against me and others in the community, and is able to stick to the merits of political arguments, grow and benefit from reasoned dissent, and focus on unity instead of calumny, then this offer of peace will be rewarded. If instead she pursues a pattern of ugly, vicious personalized attacks against me and/or other members of our Democratic community, then she will return us to the status quo ante, the lawsuit  will be revived, and we will be back to this place, which is disruptive for our democratic community.

“I will be watching her conduct carefully, which she may pursue directly, or through counsel and others, and so should our DTC. If the defamation suit against Ms. Newman needs to be resuscitated because  the defendant was unable to embrace an opportunity for peace and instead continued down the path of denigrating and disparaging me either directly or through others who she employs, the DTC will all then understand that she/they are the authors of what ensues. I hope the defendant will advantage herself of this gesture of peace, quit personalized attacks against me and others, and rise to the higher angels of her nature. I hope she will make a mature commitment to peace within our DTC so that other, innocent candidates can win their races for the boards they seek without such distractions.”

Newman’s attorney Josh Koskoff says:

“Facing the prospect of an impending motion to dismiss her case for lack of merit along with the risk of having to pay costs associated with having to defend against her baseless claims, the plaintiff, Kristan Hamlin, withdrew her lawsuit against Lisa Newman today without any settlement on Ms. Newman’s part.

“The plaintiff had sought more than $15,000 of compensatory damages, along with unspecified punitive damages against Ms. Newman for allegedly defaming the plaintiff. The plaintiff alleged that Ms. Newman made false and defamatory statements concerning her in an executive committee meeting of the Westport Democratic Town Committee on May 10 of this year including statements, for example, that ‘the plaintiff was trying to undermine the DTC’s candidates, that the plaintiff was a liar and a bully who mistreated her Committee members’ and ‘that there were people who did not want to join the DTC because of plaintiff.’

“The plaintiff herself did not attend the meeting, but 2 witnesses who actually were present at the meeting signed affidavits attesting to the fact that Ms. Newman made no such comments and in fact remained mostly silent during the meeting. Ms. Newman was also prepared to argue that even if she did make such statements – which she did not – they would not have been actionable by arguing that the statements were nevertheless true and that the truth of a statement is an absolute defense to a claim of defamation.

“Ms. Newman is pleased to have the distraction and anxiety caused by this unnecessary case out of the way and the time spent in defending herself back, so that she can re-dedicate herself to being an unpaid civil servant as secretary of the Westport DTC, and a member of the RTM, along with the role that matters most to her: raising her 3 young children.”

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Posted in Local politics

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Lawsuit Roils Democratic Selectman Race

Posted on July 9, 2021 | 28 comments

Westport’s race for 1st selectman has taken an unexpected turn.

A lawsuit filed in Bridgeport Superior Court charges State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and his campaign chair Lisa Newman with defamation. Steinberg seeks the Democratic nomination for 1st selectman. The DTC will endorse a candidate later this month.

Kristan Hamlin — a member of the Democratic Town Committee — claims, among other things, that:

  • Steinberg falsely represented his marketing background to her, voters and others
  • His workplace conduct rendered him unemployable
  • He worked in a “low-paying” government position (state representative), sought the more remunerative 1st selectman’s post in 2013, was not nominated and now has entered into a “quid pro quo” agreement with that nominee (current 3rd Selectman Melissa Kane) in which Steinberg will run for 1st selectman, while she seeks his state representative post.

Hamlin also charges that Newman and DTC chair Ellen Lautenberg worked together to manipulate elections to the DTC executive committee, and the makeup of the Nominations Committee, to ensure Steinberg’s nomination.

Hamlin asks for compensatory and punitive damages against Steinberg and Newman, for pain, suffering, emotional distress, humiliation and more.

Newman’s attorney, Josh Koskoff, says:

In May, after a lengthy discussion, and on the heels of multiple complaints regarding her conduct, some of which date back years, the plaintiff was removed from all Westport DTC subcommittees unanimously by the 14-member executive committee.

The plaintiff then filed a complaint with the State Democratic Party, making numerous allegations against the Westport DTC for allegedly violating multiple rules. The State Party panel hearing the plaintiff’s allegations unanimously ruled against the plaintiff and summarily dismissed the complaint.

In 25 years of practicing law I have never filed an appearance on behalf of a defendant. The fact that I am doing so now should speak for itself. This appears to be a vindictive suit motivated by self -interest.  We are confident the case will be dismissed by the Court in short order for its lack of merit.

Click here for the entire case. Click here for the most recent and relevant portion: the Amended Case.

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Roundup: Politics, Jogging, More

Posted on September 30, 2020 | 1 comment

In the wake of last weekend’s hate messages on Church Lane, leaders of Westport’s Democratic and Republican parties — along with the town’s 3 selectmen, also representing both parties — issued this statement:

As chairs of the Westport Republican and Democratic Town Committees and elected leaders of Westport, we publicly and jointly denounce the hateful messaging that was discovered in town on Sunday morning. We believe that regardless of political affiliation or personal beliefs, there is no place for disrespect, hateful messaging or violence to express one’s perspective. We hope that all Westport residents will do what they can to maintain civility both leading up to and beyond Election Day.

The Joggers Club has new long and short courses at Compo Beach. Members meet every Saturday at 8 a.m. Annual membership ($50 individual, $75 family) in the fun, social organization includes running gear and invitations to private running parties. Click here for more information. For routes, check out Facebook or Strava.

And finally … Helen Reddy died Tuesday, at 78. Her most famous song is an anthem that resonates today, 48 years after it reached #1. But there’s a local connection with the Australian-born artist too: She was the guitar-playing nun in “Airport 1975” (released in 1974) who comforted a sick little girl on a doomed plane. That child was Westport’s own Linda Blair.

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Posted in Local politics, Politics, Sports

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Bill Meyer Brings Westport Together — Again

Posted on October 16, 2015 | 2 comments

Keith Stein sent an email the other day. He wanted me to promote a special event.

Because it honors Bill Meyer, I said “sure!”

Bill Meyer

Bill Meyer

The event is a reception and staged reading of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” It’s a fundraiser for the Westport Community Theatre’s Bill Meyer Scholarship.

Bill — who died last June, at 85 — was an avid WCT supporter, and served as a director.

But he did much, much more. He:

  • was elected 9 times to the RTM
  • founded the Westport Little League softball program
  • served as Y’s Men president and membership chairman
  • was a director of Sunrise Rotary, Senior  Center, First Night, Westport’s AARP chapter, and 2 intercity Bridgeport agencies
  • served on the Saugatuck Congregational Church council
  • helped with Meals on Wheels
  • was a board member of Isaiah House in Bridgeport, which helps parolees transition from prison to life outside

All those are great reasons to support the Bill Meyer Scholarship. But here’s the really intriguing thing about Keith Stein’s email, asking me to publicize the event:

Bill was also a staunch Republican. Keith is the chair of Westport’s Democratic Town Committee.

The staged reading includes a cast of veteran WCT actors — and a bipartisan cast of local politicians, including Martha Aasen, Toni Boucher, Gail Lavielle, Dewey Loselle, Jim Marpe and Jonathan Steinberg.

Westport Community Theatre

“Bill was an enthusiastic cheerleader for Westport,” Keith says. “I’m involved in the Democratic Town Committee because I want to promote Westport. Sure, he was a Republican. But he transcended politics.”

So did Keith’s email.

Washington: Are you listening?

(The Westport Community Theatre’s fundraiser for the Bill Meyer Scholarship is set for Saturday, October 24 [6-9:30 p.m.] at the Westport Historical Society. It starts with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, followed by a staged reading of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” Tickets are $50 per person. Click here or call 203-226-1983.)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Local politics, Organizations, People, Sports

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