Over the past week, I have had many thoughtful and in-depth conversations with my team, friends and family following the Democratic Town Committee caucus.
After careful consideration, I have chosen not to petition for a primary, and will therefore suspend my campaign for State Representative. I wish Lee Goldstein well moving forward.
I am deeply grateful to the volunteers, supporters, well-wishers and donors who placed their trust in me and my candidacy. Your encouragement, dedication and belief in what we hoped to achieve together is something I will always cherish.
This was not an easy decision, and it is certainly not one that comes naturally to me. However, it is the right decision for me personally and for the overall health and well-being of my family.
My commitment to Westport remains as strong as ever. I will continue to be a steadfast advocate for our community and look forward to channeling my energy, experience, and passion into new opportunities to serve and strengthen the town we all care so deeply about.
As director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, Matthew Mandell hears a lot.
He sends regular updates to an email list, from a SaveWestport.com address.
The one that landed in inboxes less than an hour ago is quite interesting. Matthew writes:
I was informed this week that an 8-30g will be coming to 55 Greens Farms Road. (NOTE: That’s the office building next to Assumption Cemetery, opposite I-95 and near Hillspoint Road.)
55 Greens Farms Road
Our old 8-30g lawyer Tim Hollister (Hiawatha) is bringing us another one. Of the 2 buildings at the office park, the front one will become a 70-foot, 250-unit apartment building (175 market, 75 affordable).
The other will remain for office use, at least for now. The Planning & Zoning Commission rezoned this area for medical use, which made a lot of sense, but this is what is coming anyway.
Aerial view of 55 Greens Farms Road. The apartments would be in the front. The rear building would remain offices.
55 is the one closest to the road, and the new apartment building will be much closer to the road. While the folks in the cemetery to the east probably won’t mind much, it’s the poor folks on Gonczy, Lakeview and Medwell who will get this full impact.
This is besides the increase in use of the roads for that area, and the sheer size of it being out of character. And the state Department of Transportation still would like 18-wheelers to come across the Cribari Bridge and be on this road.
Technically the application has not been filed with P&Z. Hollister is coming before the Conservation Commission to do a wetland modification based on new reports. CC pretty much would have to follow the expert analysis, but they don’t have to, nor do they need to do anything quickly.
Once the application arrives formally then we look for cracks in the application, knowing Hollister it will be pretty clean.
This is coming folks. We have not had an 8-30g since we lost the moratorium 2+ years ago. Once Lincoln Street and Hiawatha Lane come on line we will get another moratorium, but until then we are still vulnerable.
(This is a developing story. “06880” will update it, as more information becomes available.)
The Architectural Review Board gets its first look at the proposed development of 606 Riverside Avenue — the Minute Man Dry Cleaners property — next Tuesday (May 26, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, Room 307/309).
Spinnaker Real Estate recently bought the parcel — and a nearby parking lot where boats are now stored — following the Planning & Zoning Commission’s rejection of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project.
Among the computer-generated designs to be considered:
The ARB will also discuss proposed façade modifications, solar panels and lighting at 520 Post Road East — the former nail salon next to Five Guys (and before that, a pancake house). The new proposed use is a Pilates studio.
Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein won the Democratic Party endorsement for State Representative of the 136th District last night.
She beat Representative Town Meeting member Matthew Mandell, 38 votes to 10. The two Westporters vied to replace Jonathan Steinberg, who is retiring.
The process allows for a primary. Mandell heads to Town Hall today, to pick up petitions.
Goldstein vowed to fight for and represent “this vibrant community we love, and for a Connecticut that remains dynamic, compassionate, and full of opportunity.”
She said she will work to protect and strengthen public schools, invest in infrastructure, preserve the environment, and ensure the state budget reflects the values and pressures facing Connecticut residents and towns.
Goldstein highlighted the increasing importance of fighting for reproductive rights, gun control, and civil liberties, saying, “At a time of federal hostility, we will defend our fundamental rights, safety, and freedoms.”
Lee Goldstein and Matthew Mandell
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A Cross Highway construction project will restrict access to residents only, beginning next month.
The small bridge near Wakeman Town Farm and the Wakeman athletic fields will be replaced. Cross Highway will be closed between North Avenue and Bayberry Lane, after students’ last day of school on June 18.
Local residents can access their roads. But through traffic will not be allowed.
The project will last 6 to 8 weeks. The road is planned to reopen by the end of August, before school starts.
The contractor, FGB Construction, has already put up signs announcing the work. Electronic signs will be placed there too.
Access to Wakeman Town Farm and the Wakeman fields is available, as always, through Bedford Middle School on North Avenue.
Questions? Contact town engineer Keith Wilberg: 203-341-1128; kwilberg@westportct.gov.
Cross Highway bridge. (Photo courtesy of Google Street View)
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You never know what kind of art you’ll see at the Westport Library.
And this spring, Artists Collective of Westport members didn’t know what they were creating, either.
48 artists received a printout of a single 12″ x 12″ section of a much larger, 6-foot high by 8-foot high work, and a blank panel. Each reimagined it, in his or her own way, using any medium they chose.
The result is “Piece by Piece” — a “vibrant and often surprising mosaic of styles, perspectives, and artistic voices … a playful yet powerful celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration. As the individual pieces come together, the larger image is gradually revealed, reminding viewers that every contribution plays a role in the creation of something greater than itself.”
It’s one of 2 Artists Collective exhibits opening at the Library on June 4 (6 to 8 p.m.). “Piece by Piece” will be unveiled at 7.
“Piece by Piece”
The other exhibit is “American Journeys,” an all-member exhibition inspired by America’s 250th birthday. The title reflects the idea that there is no single American journey, but rather a tapestry of countless personal paths, experiences, struggles and triumphs that together define the American story.
75 Collective members contributed works. All are available for purchase.
Speaking of the Library: A quarter century of “Shrek” came to life last night there.
Roger Schulman — co-writer of the iconic animated fantasy comedy — spoke with Sacred Hart University professor of communication, media and the arts Todd Barnes.
Schulmanl discussed his journey from journalism to Hollywood — and took the audience behind the Shrek scenes.
Roger Schulman (right), Professor Todd Barnes, and the Shrek franchise. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Speaking of entertainment: As the Westport Pops Concert nears — it’s June 5 (7 p.m., Levitt Pavilion) — the Staples Music Parents Associates announces a partnership with Romanacci’s.
Meals are available by pre-order only (click here). A portion of the meal price supports Staples Music. The deadline is May 29.
There are no food trucks in the Levitt Pavilion parking lot. However, the Oggi gelato cart will be on site.
The lawn opens at 6 p.m. (BYO lawn chair). Pre-show groups begin performing at 6. The main show starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are free, though a suggested donation of $15 per ticket helps offset production costs. Donations in lieu of tickets can be made at the same (new) Stpales Music website — click here.
Compo Beach got a “C” grade, while Burying Hill Beach and Sherwood Island both earned “B”s, in Save the Sound’s analysis of water samples during the 2025 swimming season.
55 of 72 public and private Long Island Sound beaches in Connecticut (76%) received an A or B.
Last summer, water quality samples at Compo Beach failed 9% of the time. The rates for Burying Hill and Sherwood Island were 7 and 3%, respectively.
Burying Hill Beach closure last summer. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
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Mark Shapiro is buying a stake in another pro team.
This time it’s in the NFL.
The Westporter will join with his sports and entertainment industry partner Ari Emanuel in a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The deal is expected to close this month. The current ownership group includes Michael Dell and Tom Brady.
Shapiro’s NFL ties run deep. In 2005 he acquired Monday Night Football while running programming and production at ESPN. He later created the NFL Honors.
Shapiro also led Endeavor Group Holdings’ acquisition of On Location, the NFL’s exclusive hospitality provider. Shapiro is also a minority owner of MLS soccer team Los Angeles FC.
Emanuel and Shapiro are longtime business partners. Shapiro is now president and COO of TKO (comprising UFC, WWE, PBR, On Location and IMG), president and managing partner of WME Group, principal investor and board member of MARI (owner of the Miami Open, Madrid Open, Frieze and TodayTix), and is involved with WME Basketball.
Mark Shapiro — StartUp Westport’s 2025 Innovator of the Year — was interviewed at the Westport Library by Sara Eisen of CNBC.
The Bedford Middle School 6th grader placed first — and won $600 — in the World of 8 Billion International Student Video Contest. The event, sponsored by Population Connection, drew thousands of entries from teens in 63 countries around the world.
Her 60-second video, “Hanging by a Thread,”tackles environmental challenges created by fast fashion, and proposes the use of biodegradable fabrics in clothing production as a key to a more sustainable future.
This year’s contest challenged students to explore how population growth intersects with three critical global issues: wetlands, energy and economics.
Contest officials said, “Katherine Rose’s entry stood out for its smart analysis of fast fashion as well as its colorful animation.”
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!)
The first candidate has declared an intention to succeed Jonathan Steinberg as Westport’s state representative.
Matthew Mandell — a 20-year member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), and the longtime executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce — today announced his candidacy for in the 136th District.
Calling himself an advocate for open space preservation and historic protection, Mandell released a video outlining his priorities and reasons for seeking the seat.
In the video he emphasizes the importance of maintaining local control over town planning decisions, while also addressing the need for additional affordable and workforce housing in Westport.
He points to his decades of civic involvement and grassroots leadership as preparation for representing the community in Hartford.
Matthew Mandell
“I have always had Westport’s best interests in mind,” Mandell says. “From preserving the Partrick Wetlands and saving the Kemper Gunn House to creating unique town festivals and most recently spearheading the establishment of an Affordable Housing Fund, I have worked to strengthen this community. I believe I can do even more for Westport by serving at the state level.”
Mandell says his campaign will focus on listening closely to residents and community stakeholders, gathering their concerns and ideas, and working collaboratively to move thoughtful solutions forward.
Additional priorities include strengthening consumer advocacy for residents, and advancing environmental initiatives such as expanded alternative energy and improved recycling and sustainability programs.
In response, DOT communications director Josh Morgan says: “CTDOT has made no decision whether to perform a major rehabilitation or full replacement of the Cribari Bridge.
“Given the complexities of performing work on this historic structure, it was important to have firms lined up for either potential option to ensure construction schedules are met.
“As noted numerous times in the Request for Letters-of-Interest, CTDOT was seeking prequalified firms for both major rehabilitation and replacement options of the bridge.
“If design firms were solicitated after the public hearing and after a formal decision was made, there would have been a significant impact to the construction schedule,” he explains.
Cribari Bridge (Photo/Nancy Lally)
In related news, the state DOT will hold a public hearing on March 19 (6 p.m., Town Hall), on “Rehabilitation/Replacement of the Cribari Memorial Bridge.”
The session will “provide the community with an opportunity to learn about the proposed project, and allow a place to provide feedback concerning the proposed improvements.”
The project involves “a resilient structure that addresses the structural and functional deficiencies of the the existing Cribari Memorial Bridge, which carries Route 136 over the Saugatuck River, while accommodating safe vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian and marine traffic,” the announcement adds.
DOT spokesman Morgan notes that the flyer includes both potential options: rehabilitation and replacement.
Morgan says, “We know there is interest in this project, which is why we created that Save the Date flyer so people could mark their calendars before legal notices ran in the local papers. These public notices will be published over the next several weeks inviting the public to attend the March 19 hearing. We encourage residents, businesses, and those interested in the future of the Cribari Bridge to attend the public hearing, ask questions, and give feedback.”
The question is: How can the DOT go to bid if the Environmental Study is not complete, as well as the Section 106 Federal Historic Study also being incomplete?
Maybe they can, but it seems out of order. It certainly catches us all by surprise. (For a previous”06880″story on Section 106, click here.)
There is also a DOT meeting set for Westport on March 19. I surely had not heard about this one either, but there it was on the site. Click here to see the flyer.
Here is the whole DOT site to read about all aspects of the bridge and project.
This is a bit befuddling for sure.
Timing is everything. In the last few days, hearing from concerned residents regarding the bridge, RTM Districts 1, 4 and 9, as the closest districts to the bridge, were planning to have a public meeting to discuss the bridge.
We wanted to also hear from the public as well. in a different venue than that of a DOT meeting. There has not be something close to a resident discussion since the PAC in 2018.
While there are different views on what should be done, the idea of large trucks seems to be a common thread. We are working on a date toward the end of the month. It will be via Zoom.
(Other RTM districts, hold tight. I spoke with the moderator. Let’s get this one going and have it not be a meeting of the body. Attend if you want of course, and it can expand if needed as we move forward.)
I always say we need to remain vigilant. Thanks to a diligent ally who went to the site to simply take a look at what might be up.
After 16 years, Westport will have a new representative in Hartford.
CT Mirror broke the story yesterday that Jonathan Steinberg — the 1974 Staples High School graduate, who has represented the 136th District for 8 terms — will not seek re-election to the General Assembly’s House of Representatives.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg
Steinberg said that he told fellow Democrats in Westport of his plans months ago. Until the online service asked though, he said he had “been able to avoid it being broadcast across the globe.”
The news broke when Matthew Mandell — a Representative Town Meeting member, and executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce — registered to run for the seat on Wednesday.
“It’s been a long time,” Steinberg said. “I think I’ve had a good run … My wife retired in October. She’s happily retired at home. I’ll be 70 in a few weeks. Seems like the right time.”
Steinberg’s current term ends next January.
Mandell told “06880” he will make a formal announcement of his candidacy soon.
It’s nice that Westport attracts high-end national chains. They bring a certain cachet to town.
But they don’t make this place go.
Small businesses are both the economic driver and the emotional heart of 06880.
Savvy + Grace. JL Rocks. Stephen Kempson. Earth Animal. Calise’s Deli. The Grapevine. WEST. Westport Hardware. Organic Market. Party Harty. Your favorite restaurant (except McDonald’s).
Those are the places where everyone knows your name. Where they know your preferences. Where we go when we need a program ad, a raffle or auction item, a flyer in the window.
Behind all that are small business owners struggling to stay, well, in business. They have rents to pay, payrolls to meet, town regulations to follow — and of course, the very real battle to convince customers to buy from them, and not online.
AI — the technological marvel that has transformed education, healthcare, big business and many other areas of modern life — can help small businesses too.
But most owners are so busy doing all the things noted above, they don’t have time to figure out what AI can do for them.
Plus: As good as artificial intelligence is, it’s global in scale. It works by scraping up an unfathomable amount of information from everywhere, then figuring out patterns of words and phrases.
AI knows what’s going on around the planet. It does not necessarily know what’s happening on the Post Road.
Until now.
Westport resident Jay Norris has a long and successful career in business, real estate and technology. He’s been a board member of the Westport Library and Westport Weston Family YMCA.
He knows the town. He knows AI. And he knows how both can work together.
Norris’ newest venture is ThoughtPartnr. The AI model is designed to help small and mid-size businesses streamline operations, make informed decisions, create content, and accelerate growth.
And its national rollout is taking place right here in Westport.
Yesterday, Norris and his ThoughtPartnr team joined the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce at The Clubhouse. Several dozen members learned how the “local language model” — as opposed to the more familiar “large language model” — can help their own businesses and ventures use Chamber and community data to assist with marketing, operations, compliance, funding and growth.
Someone thinking of opening a new restaurant here might, for example, find all the steps needed through ThoughtPartnr — including links to all permits needed.
Chamber of Commerce attendees were intrigued. They were particularly impressed when a Friends of Sherwood Island board member asked how, specifically, ThoughtPartnr could help find grants, and raise funds.
Matt Snow typed in that prompt. Almost instantly — on The Clubhouse’s big screen, for all to see — the local AI delivered a host of resources: the Westport Woman’s Club, environmental organizations, and along with advice on how to apply for state grants, links to applications, and much more.
The difference between those responses and ChatGPT, say, is that the latter would provide much more generic information, based on how a non-profit in general could get grants.
From left: Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell; ThoughtPartnr’s founder Jay Norris, technology advisor Anil Nair, and chief marketing officer Matt Snow. (Photo/Frank Bruce)
AI of any kind is clearly helpful. But it can hallucinate. And sometimes, users need human help.
That is one more element to ThoughtPartnr. Subscribers gain access to real, live local experts, who can answer questions, build on suggestions, and leverage the AI information even more personally.
Westport Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell announced that members will have free use of ThoughtPartnr from now to the end of 2026.
They’ll be part of a big rollout. With Mandell’s help, Norris hopes to network with Chambers of Commerce around the country.
He’s starting small, in his home town.
But he has large plans. And he can make them succeed.
Among Norris’ many hats: He chairs the Technology and Innovation Council for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Today, Westport. Tomorrow, New York.
And then: small businesses, all across the country.
There were no fireworks or personal attacks at today’s selectman’s debate.
David Rosenwaks, Kevin Christie and Don O’Day — the 3 candidates for first selectman — and Amy Wistreich and Andrea Moore, running mates of the latter two — agreed on the need for proactive planning and collaboration.
All cited their experience, in a variety of endeavors.
And all agreed on the need for a parking deck at the Baldwin lot.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event at the Westport Library drew a crowd of about 150. with more watching on livestream. They listened to calm, reasoned answers to questions from Chamber director Matthew Mandell.
From left: Kevin Christie, Amy Wistreich, David Rosenwaks, Andrea Moore, Don O’Day, moderator Matthew Mandell.
Differences were in emphasis, not policy. O’Day and Moore — running on the Republican ticket — cited their managerial experience, both professionally and on 2 school building committees and as current 2nd selectwoman, respectively.
Democrats Christie and Wistreich noted their work sitting on 2 elected boards — Education and the Planning & Zoning Commission, respectively.
Rosenwaks cited his Independent Party endorsement, being beholden to neither party.
There was some daylight between them regarding Westport’s relationship with the state Department of Transportation’s involvement in the Post Road project, the Cribari Bridge and a new maintenance facility on the Sherwood Island Connector.
Christie noted the Democrats’ relationships with the governing party in Hartford. O’Day and Rosenwaks countered with their abilities to work across the aisle.
Both Rosenwaks and Wistreich said that on “Day 1,” their administrations would hold meetings with stakeholders in DOT projects.
David Rosenwaks
All agreed that the $400 million-plus capital plan is not set in stone. O’Day was the only candidate to set priorities — Coleytown Elementary School and the Longshore clubhouse and Inn — while Wistreich floated the idea of a townwide facilities manager, to also oversee Board of Ed assets.
There was agreement on the need for some kind of development in Saugatuck — though not at the scale proposed by ROAN Ventures for the ill-fated Hamlet project — and the importance of meetings with the developer (who has options on the property),
Wistreich called it “a generational project that will transform this town forever. And Westport is not for sale.”
Moore agreed with her rival for second selectwoman. “This is such an emotional project. If we don’t talk, and get the grown-ups in the room together, we will continue to get nothing done.”
Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich.
Rosenwaks cited Darien as an example of a public/private partnership that works for development, while O’Day said he preferred private development in Saugatuck.
In the area of state mandates for affordable housing, all agreed on the need for solutions. They praised State Representative Jonathan Steinberg for voting against HB 5002, which would have taken local control away from zoning near transportation hubs. They also hailed Westport’s Affordable Housing Fund (though, as Moore noted, its current $1.5 million will not go far).
Christie said, “We want more control — and credit for what we’re doing.”
The only applause in the 90-minute session came during a discussion of downtown parking, when Wistreich said, “It’s time to stop taking about Parker Harding, and do something.”
Andrea Moore and Don O’Day.
All the candidates had previously voiced support for a parking deck, and urged action by the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee. Christie advocated for businesses to be represented on that body. Moore noted that some had been on it yet not participated, but that Massimo Tullio, owner of Massi Co, has just been added.
The final questions were about the Community Gardens, and climate change.
O’Day said that Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri is working on a garden site, and that as first selectman he would support the director.
Christie said, “Amy and I would have brought everyone together, at the beginning. That would have saved a lot of time.”
As for sea rise, flood mitigation and other environmental concerns, O’Day noted, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” Data, he said, would lead to “action, and an embrace of science.”
Part of the debate crowd at the Westport Library. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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DOT spokesman Morgan notes that the flyer includes both potential options: rehabilitation and replacement.
Timing is everything. In the last few days, hearing from concerned residents regarding the bridge, RTM Districts 1, 4 and 9, as the closest districts to the bridge, were planning to have a public meeting to discuss the bridge.
But most owners are so busy doing all the things noted above, they don’t have time to figure out what AI can do for them.
