This afternoon, “06880” honored the life of Jack Klinge with a special story.
His family offers this obituary.
John Gorman “Jack” Klinge Sr. died peacefully this morning, surrounded by his family. He was 87.
Jack Klinge
A gifted student and lifelong learner, Jack graduated from Cornell University with a degree in chemical engineering.
He served as a commissioned officer in the Navy aboard the USS Thetis Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military service, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jack enjoyed a distinguished career in marketing, including leadership roles with General Foods, Arm & Hammer, Topps Chewing Gum Company and Score Baseball Cards. He combined creativity, strategic thinking, and a love of sports throughout his professional life.
Jack Klinge and his wife Jeanne.
While his professional accomplishments were many, Jack’s greatest impact was felt in the community he loved. A resident of Westport for more than 50 years, he devoted countless hours to public service and civic engagement.
He coached youth baseball and softball for many years, mentored students, served as a substitute teacher, and became the longest-serving member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting. He was deeply involved in the development and growth of the Westport Center for Senior Activities, helping create a lasting resource that continues to enrich the lives of older residents.
Jack believed strongly in giving back. Whether delivering holiday meals to homebound seniors, mentoring young people, advocating for thoughtful public policy, or volunteering his time wherever it was needed, he approached every endeavor with integrity, humility, and optimism.
Jack Klinge at the Senior Center with former and current directors Sue Pfister (left) and Wendy Petty.
Above all else, Jack cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. His kindness, wisdom, humor, and unwavering support shaped the lives of those who knew him.
Jack’s legacy lives on through the family he loved, the community he served, and the countless lives he touched through his generosity and leadership.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne Bange Klinge; son John Gorman Klinge, Jr. of Lake Forest, Illinois; daughter, Courtney Klinge of San Francisco, California and her husband, Eric Prosnitz; son Jeff Klinge of Rumson, New Jersey and his wife, Stacey Klinge, and grandchildren Cassie Longo, John Gorman “Jack” Klinge III, and Will Klinge; Paulina, Eliana, and Alexa Prosnitz; and Logan and Davis Klinge.
Family and friends are invited to attend services at St. Luke Church this Friday (June 12, 12:30 p.m.).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westport Center for Senior Activities (21 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880).
Jack Klinge — the longest-serving member in the history of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting, and an unparalleled volunteer who in 60 years in town made his mark in areas from the Senior Center, mentoring and coaching basketball and baseball, to substitute teaching — died this morning at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was 87.
Jack Klinge. When he spoke, people listened.
Klinge and his wife Jeanne moved to Westport in 1966. They bought a home for $32,500 (“$100,000 got you a mansion,” he said), and raised 3 children. All are Staples High School graduates.
After a career commuting to General Foods and Topps — followed by a stint with Major League Marketing at The Mill on Richmondville Avenue — Klinge retired in 1997.
He mentored an 8-year-old boy. He substitute taught at Staples and the middle schools.
And the same year he retired — at the suggestion of his friend Marion Potter — he ran for the RTM. That was a record 15 terms ago.
Jack Klinge and Addison Moore: the longest-serving and youngest RTM members (Photo/Dan Woog)
Klinge learned about the town by talking with department heads, residents and fellow RTM members. Ever since, he enjoyed dealing with town issues, projects and problems. He also enjoyed speaking with constituents.
Among Klinge’s proudest achievements: advocating for schools, helping the Senior Center relocate to its current location at Baron’s South, and helping create workable policies for dogs on the beach.
His professional life is equally accomplished. Klinge invented stovetop stuffing mix at General Foods, then helped Arm & Hammer’s marketing team put baking soda in every refrigerator, and made his final name as a Topps sports cards marketing director.
In 1997, his business — Major League Marketing, headquartered on Richmondville Avenue — was bought out. The new owners moved it to Texas. Klinge retired.
Human Services director Barbara Butler suggested he join Westport’s mentor program. He remained in touch with mentees — including his first boy — for the rest of his life.
Jack Klinge was honored last month by the Senior Center. He served as president of the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
Having taught night classes at Sacred Heart University for 7 years, Klinge joined the Westport Public Schools’ substitute list.
That’s when he first ran for the RTM too. He served on a variety of committees: Education, Finance, Parks & Recreation, Long Range Planning and others.
There was so much more to Jack Klinge’s life. A full obituary will be published soon.
In the meantime, you can read about Jack Klinge from the “06880” archives:
But they do provide a snapshot of a certain part of our educational system.
Yesterday, the New York Times published a sobering data-driven story.
Almost everywhere in the US, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, in both reading and math scores.
The declines are seen in both wealthy and impoverished districts. They cross racial and geographic lines. And — importantly — they began before the pandemic.
The Times included a tool to check thousands of school district, in all the states in the survey. It includes comparisons with similar districts, and each state as a whole.
The (pretty) good news: Westport fell only 0.6 grade levels in reading, and there was no change in math.
That’s better than the Connecticut average, and much better than the nation as a whole.
Speaking of schools: As the Board of Education explores a review of the special education program, they’re hosting a “community conversation.”
The meeting (Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m., Staples High School library) is a chance for residents to provide feedback on the special education program review.
Jack Klinge is one of Westport’s greatest volunteers.
For decades he has served — quietly, faithfully, always with a twinkle of humor and an enormous heart. He’s the longest-serving member on the Representative Town Meeting (29 years!), a longtime Little League coach, a beloved substitute teacher, a deliverer of meals, and a trusted mentor.
Jack also helped found the Friends of the Senior Center.
Tomorrow (Friday, May 15, 3 p.m.), the Senior Center honors Jack.
Anyone and everyone he’s touched — friends, former colleagues, former students and athletes, mentees formal and informal — is invited to the celebration.
Once again, Westport proved it’s a community with “soul.”
The town-wide shoe collection to benefit Soles4Souls — a non-profit that provides footwear for people in need, and creates micro-business opportunities in under-resourced areas — filled 28 boxes. Each holds 20 pairs.
That means 500 pairs of shoes are on their way, to people who need them far more than we do.
From left: Soles4Souls organizers Ted Freedman, Ken Bernhard, Rick Jaffe and friend, with boxes of donations.
MoCA\CT’s wide-ranging exhibition — “Art, Jazz + the Blues” — ends June 7.
But it’s going out with a bang.
On Saturday, June 6 (7 p.m.), Endea Owens & The Cookout star in a night of soul-stirring jazz.
Owens — a Juilliard graduate and member of the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” house band — has earned Grammy, Emmy, and Peabody Award recognition. She has been heard on “Judas and the Black Messiah,” H.E.R.’s Super Bowl LV performance, and Jon Batiste’s album “We Are.”
Owens is also a dedicated philanthropist. Her “Community Cookout” initiative has provided thousands of meals and free concerts to underserved neighborhoods. Click here for tickets, and more information.
In addition to representing this area in Congress, he’s the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
But he always has time for his constituents.
On Monday, Himes spent nearly an hour answering questions from Y’s Women. He spoke energetically and candidly about the war with Iran, the US going it alone in the world, voting rights and redistricting in Southern states, immigration, and the defense of democratic institutions.
Congressman Jim Himes, at the Y’s Women meeting. (Photo/Vera DeStefano)
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“We help the least, the last and the left out.”
That was Bridgeport Rescue Mission CEO Rhonda Neal’s message to the Westport Rotary Club on Tuesday. The Mission provides food and clothing, addiction recovery services, safe housing, healthcare and more.
Neal’s appearance followed the Rotarians’ distribution of $319,000 to a number of area non-profit organizations, including hers. Funds come several events, particularly LobsterFest.
Rhonda Neal, at the Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Rooted in the traditional Japanese style of fireside grilling, robata involves cooking over open flame to create deeper smokiness, texture and layered flavor, while allowing high-quality ingredients to remain the focus.
Highlights at chef Brian Lewis’ acclaimed Wilton Road restaurant include salmon and Asian pear with miso mustard, hanger steak with black garlic aioli, teriyaki chicken with white miso aioli, and Japanese eggplant and mushroom with umeboshi.
Robata at OKO.
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between May 6 and 12.
A 34-year-old Manchester woman was charged with risk of injury to a child, after she was alleged to have provided a juvenile with a THC-infused cannabis gummy at St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to obey stop sign: 16 citations
Failure to renew registration: 8
Texting while driving: 5
Distracted driving: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 4
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Creating a public disturbance: 2
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
School zone violation, 2nd offense: 1
School zone violation: 1
Distracted driving, 2nd offense: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to use turn signal: 1
Too many drivers don’t use turn signals. One got nabbed this week.
And finally … reacting to the item above, concerning national standardized test scores:
(We are very proud of our Westport schools — and students. We’re proud too to be their — and your — hyper-local blog. If you’re proud, or just like us, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
NOTE: This morning’s story called Jack Klinge the oldest member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting.
He turns 87 in January. That makes him 11 months younger than Dick Lowenstein, who will be 88 in February. Klinge is the longest-serving member, however.
When Addison Moore was born in 2005, Jack Klinge was in his 5th term on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Last night, Moore — now 20 years old just began his first term on the town’s legislative body. He’s the youngest member ever elected.
Klinge — who turns 87 next month — is still at it. Now in his 15th term, he’s the second oldest member (and longest serving). Dick Lowenstein is 11 months older.
On Monday they sat together at the Westport Library. Klinge had plenty of advice for the newcomer.
Moore was eager to listen.
Addison Moore and Jack Klinge. (Photo/Dan Woog)
But Klinge wanted to hear from Moore too.
Both understand the meaning of the first word in “Representative Town Meeting.” Westport residents span every age group. All voices need to be heard.
Klinge and his wife Jeanne moved to Westport in 1966. They bought a home for $32,500 (“$100,000 got you a mansion,” he says), and raised 3 children. All are Staples High School graduates.
After a career commuting to General Foods and Topps — followed by a stint with Major League Marketing at The Mill on Richmondville Avenue — Klinge retired in 1997.
He mentored an 8-year-old boy, with whom he is still in touch. He substitute taught at Staples and the middle schools.
And the same year he retired — at the suggestion of his friend Marion Potter — he ran for the RTM.
Klinge had little idea how the town operated. He listened, and learned.
Jack Klinge and Addison Moore, at an October candidates’ forum. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Moore — born 8 years after Klinge’s first election — is a 10-year Westporter, and a 2022 Staples graduate.
He served on several youth advisory boards — including Human Services, the Westport Library, Toquet Hall and MoCA\CT — and founded Up Next Teens, a non-profit that grew to hundreds of Fairfield County youths addressing food insecurity.
As a junior at Lafayette College, he continued to seek ways to be involved in his home town. (He is on campus Tuesdays through Thursdays; much of his education is remote.)
Someone suggested he run for the RTM. It seemed far-fetched — until it didn’t.
He knocked on hundreds of doors, and beat an incumbent en route to one of 4 District 9 seats.
“Listen. Observe. Absorb,” Klinge tells Moore. “Learn all you can. Sort out who makes sense, who doesn’t, and what makes sense to you. Your time to talk will come. When it comes, speak from your heart and head.”
Jack Klinge speaks.
But, he adds, “Be succinct. And don’t talk unless you have something to say.” Klinge cites the words of former member (and police chief) Ron Malone: “Everything has been said. But not everyone has said it yet.”
Klinge also says, “Be yourself. Don’t sell yourself out. Make your decision, then stand by it. I’ve been outvoted 35-1. That’s okay.”
Klinge learned about the town by talking with department heads, residents and fellow RTM members. Ever since, he has enjoyed dealing with town issues, projects and problems.
Talking to all constituents is important, Klinge reiterates. It’s great that Moore has the ear of new, young residents. But there are 5,000 seniors in town too, he says. Their concerns and issues are also important.
Among Klinge’s proudest achievements: advocating for schools, helping the Senior Center relocate to its current location at Baron’s South, and helping create workable policies for dogs on the beach.
Right now, Moore is in his own early learning phase. He too is meeting as many people as he can.
Among the issues he’d like to address: making the town safer and more accessible, and expanding the Wheels2U transportation system.
Addison Moore, helping distribute food last winter.
The RTM has evolved since Klinge’s first term, nearly 30 years ago. There are more women and younger residents. (Three of the 4 District 4 members — including now-veteran Andrew Colabella — are in their 30s.
However, Klinge cautions, some RTMers ran just because of one issue close to their hearts. He urges members to be “town-oriented, not cause-oriented.”
One issue that will impact the entire town is the redevelopment of Saugatuck. Klinge hopes that there are enough “energetic, smart, creative, think-outside-the-box problem solvers” on the RTM to address that complex topic with wisdom and foresight.
Moore, meanwhile acknowledges the importance of longtime members like Klinge.
“They have an amazing level of experience,” the youngest RTMer says. “I want to keep learning from them about the past, and how things work. They can help me know about what went into decisions that were made earlier.”
Last year, Klinge helped the RTM celebrate its 75th anniversary by producing a booklet about its long history. He urges Moore to read it.
It gives a great sense of the Representative Town Meeting’s first 3/4 of a century — its big issues and votes, and its quirks too.
For example, certain members have certain seats.
“I’m a little nervous about sitting in the wrong spot,” Moore admits.
“I’ve had the same seat for 28 years,” Klinge notes.
Left unsaid: That’s 8 years longer than Moore has been alive.
Posted onJuly 13, 2023|Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
It’s one of the joys of summer here: eating veggies picked — literally — straight from the garden.
This Saturday, Westport Community Gardens celebrates 20 years by hosting a giveaway garden pop-up stand.
On July 15 (10 a.m. to noon; Hyde Lane just south of Long Lots Elementary School), gardeners share their bounty — vegetables, herbs and flowers — from the summer harvest.
You can also take a tour of all 120 plots (plus the pergola, community tables, bocce court and adjacent Long Lots Preserve).
To learn more about the Westport Community Gardens, click here.
Bounty from the Westport Community Gardens.
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The annual “06880″ party is just a week away.
And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.
Next Thursday (July 20, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited. We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: The party is a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
See you next Thursday!
(PS: Because “06880” is now a non-profit, Westport Parks & Rec allows a limited number of out-of-towners without beach stickers. Please email 06880blog@gmail.com to be put on the list. First come, first served!)
The “Play4PinkAid” fundraiser — with your choice of golf, tennis, pickleball, canasta or mah jongg — is set for Wilton’s Rolling Hills Country Club (Monday, July 24).
But there are plenty of Westport connections.
Jarret Prussin and Brian Falik are running the event. Jarret’s wife Courtney is Pink Aid’s co-president.
And of course, many Westporters have long been involved with the non-profit, which offers compassionate support and emergency financial assistance to patients in treatment for breast cancer, supporting families during a critical time.
“Play4PinkAid” is a day-long event, with lunch, dinner and drinks. Susan Hess, founder of women’s golf wear brand Golftini will share her personal connection to breast cancer, and how she is paying it forward.
A few foursomes as well as several tennis and pickle spots remain. Click here to register, and for more information.
The players on Westport’s 12u Little League team were just 2 years old when our town’s boys made it all the way to the World Series national championship game.
Now they’re embarking on their own road to Williamsport.
Westport takes on Fairfield National — their fiercest rivals — in Connecticut’s District 2 championship contest this Friday (July 14, 5:30 p.m., Unity Park, Trumbull).
There’s nothing better than a summer baseball game like this. Play ball!
Jack Klinge is a true friend of the Senior Center.
Last night at the Ned Dimes Marina, the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities honored and thanked him for more than 20 years of service.
The retired executive — and current RTM member, and Westport Public Schools substitute teacher — is stepping down as president. He’ll remain (thankfully and happily) a Friends board member.
Jack Klinge, flanked by Sue Pfister and Wendy Petty, the former and current Senior Center directors, respectively. (Photo and hat tip/Diane Bosch)
Otis & the Hurricanes storm onto the Weston History & Culture Center’s lawn.
Their Sunday, July 23 show (5 p.m.) is part of the 8th annual “Music at the Barn” series. Attendees can bring a picnic dinner, beverages and lawn chair.
Otis & the Hurricanes play American roots rock, influenced by Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Little Feat, Alan Toussaint, Delbert McClinton abd Chuck Berry.
Otis Cross has opened for and played with James Montgomery, Mark Naftalin, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Buckwheat Zydeco.
Also on-site: a kids’ crafting table, lawn games, and the Daniel E. Offutt, III Sculpture Garden.
Tickets ($15 members, $20 non-members, children under 12 free) are available at the show or online.
And finally … you don’t have to be a Mensa member to have guessed who today’s featured artists are:
(From actual turtles to The Turtles, you can read about it all on “06880.” If you appreciate our coverage, please consider a donation. Just click here — and thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
Yesterday’s Roundup featured a $7.9 million house. It’s being built on one of the most famous spots in Westport: 233 Hillspoint Road, site of the former Positano restaurant.
Diagonally across the street, at 246 Hillspoint, there’s another well-known home. Built in 1930, it’s the last remaining bungalow on the increasingly modern (and pricey) stretch of water-view road.
Of course you know it:
At 695 square feet, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on a 3,049-square foot lot, it could have been yours — for a mere $2 million.
But you had to act fast. Offers were due by Sunday
I don’t know a lot about real estate. But I’m guessing the buyer does not plan to live there as is.
So that $2 million is just a starting point. (Hat tip: John Richers)
David Winther graduated from Staples High School in 2006. He went on to a career as a talent agent (focusing on music and arena touring. He works now in Los Angeles at Elite World Group as a director of global partnerships. He also owns Winther Agency, which strikes brand and licensing deals for content creators.
The other day, he was interviewed by ShoutOut LA. Asked who deserved credit for his success, he gave shout-outs to 2 people from his Westport past: his mother Lynn, and his mentor Jack Klinge.
David said:
My 2 sisters and I got to grow up in Westport, CT, an affluent town with great education systems that push kids academically, athletically etc. to excel. She worked 2 fulltime jobs to get us a “slot” in that town. Ma missed a lot of soccer games, football games, lacrosse games, band recitals to afford that town. I think there was a certain teenage angst I had where I didn’t understand it and actually grew distant from her for a while. Now, in my mid-30s I see what she did and what she keeps doing and how much she gave for her kids. I know she would do it again in a second.
Second, Jack Klinge. I didn’t have a father figure at all my entire life. The town of Westport has a great program that mentors kids who may not have the “typical” nuclear family… In my case I was a latchkey kid in a rich town. Jack and I met when I was in 2nd grade and we started off our first day by going outside and playing soccer against each other. The relationship was great. He became more like a grandfather figure who would give me sage advice and be at my games. He would be proud. I know he is proud, even though I thoroughly believe he still doesn’t understand what I do, haha!
Thank you Mom. Thank you Jack.
In a follow-up conversation, David told “06880”:
I owe everything I am as a person and a professional to my upbringing and my roots. My roots will always be with Westport. Without the strong leaders like Cathy Schager, Jack Klinge, John Dodig, David Roth and many many more, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
To any parent reading this: Please trust in Westport. There is a special love and care for its community to succeed in whatever they want to do in life.
Rick Tripodi was the beloved music director and organist at Green’s Farms Congregational Church.
That organ was close to Rick’s heart. As a teenager in 1965, he attended its dedication.
Classically trained, with a master’s degree in organ performance from Juilliard, Rick designed the refurbishment of the Peragallo/Walker organ during the church’s recent renovation project.
Sadly, he died just 2 days before the instrument was reinstalled.
The organ will be re-dedicated this Sunday (November 20, 4 p.m.). Justin Bischof — known internationally for his improvisations — will play. His program will include themes submitted by the audience.
Pianist Brian Marsella returns to “Jazz at the Post” this Thursday (November 17; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 6:30 p.m.; VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue).
He’s joined by bassist Reid Taylor, drummer Brian Floody and the “Jazz Rabbi,” saxophonist Greg Wall.
The cover charge is $15. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
In 1997, Jack Klinge was a newly retired commuter. Looking for local activities, he discovered the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Elected that fall, he has not lost since. Now in his 25th year on Westport’s non-partisan legislative body, the former marketing executive is its longest-serving member.
Of all time.
The first RTM — a change from Westport’s previous “town meeting” government, which was great in theory but unwieldy in a rapidly growing suburb — was elected in 1949. Over 200 candidates vied for 26 seats.
Nearly 3/4 of a century later, competition is less keen. But the RTM — which, among other duties, approves town and education budgets, and any appropriation over $20,000; enacts ordinances, and reviews certain changes to zoning and recreation regulations — remains one of Westport’s most important bodies.
And Klinge is one of its biggest boosters.
A young Jack Klinge
His route to the RTM is as typical as anyone’s. He and his wife Jeanne bought a 1780 Cape on Partrick Road when he began working for General Foods in White Plains. In 1974 they moved with their 3 young kids across town, to Sturges Highway. They’ve been there ever since.
The usual amenities — the schools, beaches, Longshore, sports — kept them here. Jeanne got involved in a variety of civic affairs, including the original Levitt Pavilion.
But Jack — who invented stovetop stuffing mix at General Foods, then helped Arm & Hammer’s marketing team put baking soda in every refrigerator, and made his final name as a Topps sports cards marketing director — was less active in town.
He coached Little League baseball and rec basketball. But beyond fighting proposed developments on the Partrick wetlands and what later became Winslow Park, he was “an apolitical commuting father and husband.”
In 1997, his business — Major League Marketing, headquartered on Richmondville Avenue — was bought out. The new owners moved it to Texas. Klinge retired.
Human Services director Barbara Butler suggested he join Westport’s mentor program. A quarter century later, he still helps his first mentee — and his family.
Having taught night classes at Sacred Heart University for 7 years, Klinge joined the Westport Public Schools’ substitute list. He still subs.
But a chance comment from a friend about the RTM piqued his interest in town government. When he heard what it did — and that candidates ran without party affiliation — he was in.
He got a petition signed by 25 District 7 electors (including, he laughs, “5 Klinges”).
Klinge had no time for door-to-door campaigning. But he did fill out a comprehensive questionnaire, for the League of Women Voters guide.
Besides, there were only 4 candidates, for 4 seats. He couldn’t lose.
Moderator Gordon Joseloff assigned Klinge to 3 committees: Education, Finance, and Parks & Recreation. He’s still on them — and others — today.
Klinge has run unopposed, and against a larger field. By now he’s well known. But he takes no chances. He prints flyers, and gains endorsements.
And — always — he listens to constituents. They send emails. They stop him and Jeanne on their walks through the neighborhood. They ask questions (and offer opinions) on the golf course.
Jack and Jeanne Klinge.
Some know a lot about town government. Others are clueless. But an RTM member’s job is to serve them all.
“I love this job,” Klinge says. “The other night, we met until midnight about the Burying Hill groin. I wanted to use ARPA funds. I said, ‘We need to do this now.'” The vote passed.
Klinge enjoys “every meeting and committee session” — some more than others, of course.
Decisions are not made lightly. Proposals like dogs on the beach and tasers for police consume months of committee and full meeting debates. Westport “never lacks for good issues,” the legislator notes.
He is proud of most decisions. Years later though, Klinge regrets that the RTM failed — by 2 votes — to overturn a Planning & Zoning Commission decision regarding senior housing on Baron’s South.
“That shut off all discussion,” he says. “We need housing for older people in Westport, and having it right next to the Senior Center would have been great.
“Now we worry about finding spots for housing all over town. That vote still hurts.”
When Jack Klinge speaks, people listen.
Now, as head of the RTM Long Range Planning Committee, Klinge is trying to tie ARPA funding in to the 5-year capital forecast. “We need better, quicker decision-making,” he says. “These are the things that keep me up at night.”
They don’t keep every Westporter up, that’s for sure. Many residents — especially newcomers — know very little about the RTM, Klinge says.
Or any other facet of town government.
“Realtors don’t provide ‘RTM 101,'” he says. “I’d have kids learn about how the town works in school. Then they could teach their parents.”
As Westport changes throughout the years, so has the RTM. Fewer seats are contested, and the old civility — “convivial, congenial, lots of laughs” — has eroded somewhat.
The move to virtual meetings has not helped. Klinge misses the days when everyone sat together, in Town Hall.
Still, he says, the RTM remains “non-political. There are liberals and conservatives. But debate is still open to all points of view.”
Jack and Jeanne Klinge with their children, in-laws and grandchildren.
Klinge notes one other change. Though some newcomers know little about town government, others have stepped up to run for RTM seats.
“It used to be an old boys’ club, with a few women. Now probably half the members are under 50, and we’re about half male, half female.”
He hopes the new members will keep it apolitical, while making sure the body is proactive in confronting important town issues.
And, he insists, “always putting Westport first.”
At 83, Klinge says he still has a great deal to contribute to the RTM. He’ll keep running. “I love serving,” he says. “And I hate losing.”
So far, he is 12 for 12. The end is nowhere in sight.
(Hat tips: Matthew Mandell, Eileen Lavigne Flug, Jeff Dunkerton)
David Winther graduated from Staples High School in 2006. He went on to a career as a talent agent (focusing on music and arena touring), and is now head of strategic partnerships and operations at Falkon, a trend-setting creative production house.
David Winther and Amanda Schemer.
His life is full. He works with interesting people in sports, culture and music. He and his fiancée Aleasha travel far and wide. He runs and hikes with his dog Arrow.
David lives now in Los Angeles. But he has never forgotten his Westport home. He writes:
My mom, Lynn Winther MD, moved my 2 sisters and me up from Houston in 1994, after I got bullied (and lost my 2 front teeth) in the Texas school system.
My grandparents had lived in the Coleytown area for many years. My mother knew we needed quality schooling and a better town.
Lynn Winther MD
She was a single mom, and did what was best for her kids. I was enrolled at Kings Highway Elementary School. Moving to Westport was the best move my mother could have made for me and my sisters. The support in the town and the school systems made us the successful adults we are today.
My mom made a lot of sacrifices. She went to Westport with little money, but wanted to get into a house in the school district that was best for all of us.
After living in a hotel for our first 2 months, my mom found 191 Wilton Road. We all liked that it was interesting, and different from other houses.
The front of 191 Wilton Road …
She agreed. With a lot of luck from the mortgage lender and real estate agent, she purchased the home. My mom raised my sisters and me in that house.
… and the rear.
The town also raised us.
I did not have a father around. But the school system and Department of Human Services had a great mentor program. I found a mentor named Jack Klinge. To this day, he is still my mentor.
He instilled real character and value in me. I would had a much harder time learning that in a different environment. I still keep in touch and talk with Jack Klinge.
Jack Klinge with David Winther and his sisters.
All the parents of my friends knew that my mom had to work 2 full-time jobs. The community supported me as a kid and a young man. The mothers and fathers in Westport helped raise me.
My best friend from elementary school’s dad taught me how to throw a football. Friends invited me to their tutoring sessions, and other events. It provided a great foundation.
I spent many afternoons with friends at Westport Pizzeria and the library in downtown Westport. They were an easy walk from 191 Wilton Road.
It’s my turn now to thank my mom for everything she has done for me and my sisters. She deserves to retire and live in Santa Barbara, where she can be closer to me and my sisters.
Front row (from left): Matthew Schwartz (Staples graduate), his girlfriend Amanda Winther), Amanda Winther, Lynn Winther MD. Back row: Shannon Winther, David Winther, Aleasha Schemer.
191 Wilton Road has still so much potential and room to grow with a family. There is a lot of love in that house. We want to share it with a young family who wants to grow in Westport.
It’s not easy in this climate to purchase any house, especially in Westport, which is why we decided to list the price at such a fair rate. The house is perfect for a young family looking to get into a genuine community.
With so much potential to continue to build on the house itself, we can’t wait to see what the next owner will do. The sky is the limit at 191 Wilton Road.
Unique upstairs at 191 Wilton Road.
(To learn more about the Westport Department of Human Services’ mentor program, email edaignault@westportps.gov.)
Town Hall’s Room 201 was jammed like the fireworks today, as the Compo Beach Site Improvement Committee met for the 1st time since Mike Calise’s public letter lamenting the proposed elimination of perimeter parking.
Chairman Andy Moss opened the meeting by acknowledging the SRO crowd. He said that the committee — whose charge is to “refresh our much-loved town asset” — would define its success by achieving compromise.
“We have no illusions we will please everyone,” the former Parks and Recreation Commission chair added.
Moss noted that the committee was examining issues relating to safety, traffic flow, improving South Beach, pedestrian and bike access and more.
Early arrivals examined a proposed Compo Beach site plan, before today’s meeting.
An unidentified consultant to the committee described the new beach plan. It includes a new entrance area opposite Bradley Street; a roundabout; an “activity area,” and 700 paved (“or gravel,” she quickly added) parking spaces.
A self-described 52-year resident of the town shouted, “Have there been many pedestrian accidents?”
Parks and Rec director Stuart McCarthy described the desire to keep cars and pedestrians separate. He emphasized that the plan was “conceptual,” and that the town and various boards would make the final decision.
Several speakers noted the importance of easy access to the beach for elderly users, and families with small children. A comment about New Yorkers taking “all the early spots” drew applause.
Committee member Skip Lane compared the new plan to a state park like Hammonasset or Sherwood Island, with centralized parking. In response, several speakers said that what is right for a state park does not work well for a town beach.
That caused an audience member to yell, “We’re fixing a problem that doesn’t exist. Please tell me the problem. I’ve been here since 1970, and I came because of Compo. It’s spectacular!”
Westporters never tire of life at Compo.
Moss pointed out various areas that need improvement: the brick wall near Joey’s destroyed by Hurricane Sandy; traffic that backs up to Owenoke; port-a-potties on South Beach.
“Rather than fixing things piecemeal, we’re looking at the big picture,” he said.
When RTM member Jack Klinge said that he was very pleased with the proposed new entrance and bathhouse, but had been asked by “hundreds” of seniors to protect convenient access to the bathhouse, Moss reiterated: “That’s coming through loud and clear.”
The back-and-forth continued. Bob Driscoll said, “I’ve been coming to the beach for 80 years, and it’s worked out pretty damn well.”
Every day at the beach is not, well, a day at the beach. But even storm clouds can be beautiful.
A self-described “traffic and logistics guy” claimed the committee was taking a traffic and safety problem, and turning it into “a major reconstruction.”
Moss repeated, “I hear the concerns about parking along the beach. That’s very important to hear.”
Recent Staples graduate Hannah Dickison had the last word. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here in 10 years,” she said. “Please don’t chip away at the beach too.”
After most of the crowd left, the committee turned its attention to policy issues. Among other things, they discussed the removal of the skate park, and the importance of parking revenue from out-of-towners.
(The committee’s next meeting is Wednesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall Room 201. To follow the progress of the committee, and make comments, click here.)
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“They have an amazing level of experience,” the youngest RTMer says. “I want to keep learning from them about the past, and how things work. They can help me know about what went into decisions that were made earlier.”
But a chance comment from a friend about the RTM piqued his interest in town government. When he heard what it did — and that candidates ran without party affiliation — he was in.
