Tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, July 6, 2 p.m), the Westport Library hosts 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas. They’ll describe the sights, sounds and smells of their recent trip to our sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.
There’s a lot to talk about. And the discussion will be led by a true pro: CNN’s Alisyn Camerota.
She looks forward to the event — called “A Bridge to Ukraine” — as both a journalist and a Westporter.
“We cover the war in Ukraine every week on my program, ‘CNN Tonight,’ with our stellar team of international correspondents who are often in the danger zones,” Alisyn says.
“I also interview generals about war strategy and politicians about funding for Ukraine. But I don’t often get a chance to talk to regular Americans, our neighbors, about their impressions of the war after seeing it with their own eyes. There’s no substitute for the perspective Jen and Foti can share with us.”
The CNN anchor will ask about life in Lyman. Are people working? Do kids go to school?
And, Alisyn wonders, “how can we explain the Herculean strength and determination of the Ukrainian people? What does that look like up close?”
Doing this interview in Westport “makes it more intimate and relatable for all of us,” Alisyn says.
“There’s something wonderful about having a conversation without worrying about satellites going down, or being up against a commercial break. I also love moderating discussions that include a Q & A portion for our audience. Those are often the best questions.”
The event is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
(For more information on “Bridge to Ukraine,” click here.)
A month after Jen Tooker and Foti Koskinas visited Lyman, Ukraine, the sights, sounds and smells of our sister city remain vivid.
Westport’s 1st selectwoman and police chief’s journey to the Donetsk region — the first trip by Americans to the eastern part of the war-torn nation — was an enormous morale-booster, for regional officials as well as other citizens.
Last week, Tooker and Koskinas recorded a special “06880” podcast at the Westport Library.
They grew emotional as they described the men and women of Lyman wearing their best clothes, thanking representatives of the American town that cared. “You gave me bread!” one woman said.
One purpose of the trip — paid for entirely by private funds — was to ensure that the $252,000 raised by Westporters through Ukraine Aid International is actually helping.
It is. The trash trucks we purchased are in constant use. Apartment blocks have been rebuilt. Communications equipment enables the police force to function.
But Tooker and Koskinas were not prepared for so much else on the journey: the app that warns of incoming missiles. The smell of burning flesh, still lingering around the hundreds of abandoned tanks.
Also unexpected: the one school still open, where despite no electricity or running water, their Lyman hosts offered a meal. And where the Westporters delivered over 200 cards and letters, created by Bedford Middle and Kings Highway Elementary School students.
Last month, Tooker and Koskinas solidified Westport’s bonds with our sister city. Click below to hear what that relationship means now — and in the future.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas will long remember many of the sights, sounds and smells of their recent trip to Westport’s sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.
Bombed-out buildings, charred tanks, artillery fire, an app alerting them to incoming missiles — those are seared in the memories of the first Americans to travel to the Donetsk Oblast since the Russian invasion more than a year ago.
But even more meaningful are their encounters with the Ukrainian people: the governor and head of the national police force, who traveled for hours to meet them. The mayor and police chief, finally in person after countless Zoom calls.
Most of all, the residents of Lyman: the people who put on the best clothes they could find, to greet the Westporters. The few children in the lone classroom still open.
And the man who skirted land mines to hike to a lake, bring back three fish, smoke them, and proudly present them as a traditional gesture of thanks.
Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov presents 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker with a smoked fish: a Ukrainian gesture of friendship.
Tooker and Koskinas are still processing all that they saw and did, on their 4-day journey from the Polish border to far east of Kyiv. They took a circuitous route on pock-marked roads and over pontoon bridges, doubling back around destroyed bridges and other obstacles.
In armored vehicles and with a police escort, they sped through every traffic light and stop sign. “It’s harder to hit a moving target,” Koskinas explains.
Yet the tight security was comforting. Tooker always felt safe, under the watchful eyes of the police and military.
US and Connecticut flags, at the Donetsk Oblast border. From left: Brian Mayer of Ukraine Aid International; Police Chief Foti Koskinas; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker; Easton 1st Selectman David Bindelglass; a police officer, and Liz Olegov of UAI.
Still, it was not until they crossed — on foot — into Poland for the return leg that they felt out of complete danger.
The trip — privately financed, with no town funds — was a chance for the 2 officials to see how the $252,000 raised by residents over the holidays for our sister city had been spent.
Police chief Foti Koskinas, with 1 of 2 trash trucks bought by Ukraine Aid International, with funds donated by Westporers. When all such vehicles were destroyed by Russians, there was no way too remove tons of debris.
Ukraine Aid International — the organization founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — handled ground arrangements. Tooker and Koskinas got an up close look at their personnel and logistics.
“Their model is unbelievably effective,” the 1st selectwoman reports. “They go where no other group goes. They even deliver goods for other groups.”
“They’ve developed incredible relationships. When they drive in, the military recognizes their vehicles and waves them through roadblocks.”
Westpor donors have funded an array of initiatives: building materials for apartments; water purification systems; home heating devices; police and trash vehicles; communication equipment; bulletproof vests for utility workers; vegetable and fruit seeds, and more.
Tooker and Koskinas saw that all those goods and materials had been delivered efficiently. “That’s not always the case with humanitarian aid,” Tooker notes. “But Ukraine Aid International gets the job done.”
Utility workers repair equipment near the front lines. Westporters’ contributions paid for protective and other equipment.
A second reason for the trip was to cement personal relationships. Since the holidays, Koskinas has spoken almost daily to his counterpart, Police Chief Igor Ugnevenko. Tooker has been in frequent contact with Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov.
Spending time with those officials underlined the importance of Westport’s sister city relationship. “Foti and I are more committed than ever to do everything we can to help,” Tooker says.
They’re spurred by a cascade of images. In the one functioning classroom, in the only school left standing. students of all ages come on a rotating schedule. Despite the challenges, “it’s as warm and welcoming as our classrooms here,” Tooker says.
There is no running water or electricity in the building. But in a makeshift cafeteria, educators proudly set out a lunch of homemade food for their guests.
The school is like the rest of Lyman. As they toured the town, Tooker and Koskinas were allowed to walk in only a few areas — and only on asphalt. Land mines are buried everywhere.
“Picture the most graphic World War II documentary,” Koskinas says. “We saw it. There’s a ‘graveyard’ of Russian military artifacts. You can still smell the burning flesh.”
The perseverance and warmth of the Lyman people was “astonishing,” says Tooker. They found the best clothes they could, ironed them, and greeted the Westporters with smiles and hugs.
A Lyman resident hugs 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, as thanks for Westport’s help rebuilding her apartment.
A ceremony for the signing of the official sister city relationship was held in a remote area. The governor, and the heads of the national police (the equivalent of our FBI) and patrol police traveled for hours to be there. It was important for them to see the Americans who had traveled so far, Tooker says.
“They kept calling us ‘heroes.’ It was embarrassing. We were horrified,” she adds.
The chasm between the US and Ukraine was brought home in sharp relief minutes after their arrival at Newark Airport.
“People were fighting over taxis. I mean, really?” Koskinas says.
They came home a few days before Memorial Day. This year’s holiday “had a whole new meaning for me,” the police chief says. “You know the saying: ‘Freedom is not free.’ That’s so true. They’re giving up all they have to be free.”
“My respect for the armed services was always high. Now it’s higher than ever,” Tooker adds.
The officials are eager to share all that they saw, felt and did. They are filled with respect for the Ukrainian people — and for the help that Ukrainian Aid International delivers.
Discussing clean-up operations, amid the remains of Russian tanks.
“Brian and Marshall Mayer told us that going there would make a difference to Lyman,” Koskinas says. “It did. That’s my biggest takeaway.
“Foti and I made a professional and personal commitment to our counterparts,” Tooker says.
“We will communicate regularly. They face a generation of rebuilding. We will be there for them.”
(The second round of donations for Lyman has begun. Click here, then select “Westport” from the “Where it is needed most” dropdown menu. And mark your calendar for July 9: A town-wide “Lyman-AID” celebration with food, music and more. It’s free — but there are also many ways to contribute to help our sister city. Click here for details.)
Connecticut and Ukrainian officials, after a meeting in Sviatohirsk .
Staples High School choral director Luke Rosenberg is leaving Westport.
The much-admired, multi-talented musician has taken a position at Greenwich High School.
He told “06880”: “I am incredibly thankful to Westport for the last 11 years. Shortly before I was hired at Staples, I thought my career as a choral director was over.
“But Westport took a chance on a young teacher, and I was able to continue doing what I love. I will forever be thankful for all that Westport has given me.”
Hiro Wyatt — one of the stars of Staples High School’s baseball team — has been named Gatorade Connecticut Baseball Player of the Year.
The honor recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field. Wyatt is now a candidate for National Gatorade Player of the Year.
The 6-1, 190-pound senior right-handed pitcher and designated hitter posted a 7-0 record with a 0.67 ERA and 90 strikeouts (and just 10 walks) in 41.2 innings pitched. He allowed no runs in 31.1 innings leading into the state “LL” (extra large schools) state tournament.
The Wreckers — seeded 3rd in the state tournament — host #6 South Windsor in today’s quarterfinals (1 p.m.).
Perfect Game’s Number 1 state prospect in the Class of 2023 also hit .359 with 3 home runs, 15 RBI, 18 runs scored and a 1.025 OPS through 20 games.
Wyatt has volunteered with Special Olympics and helped fundraise for the St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
He has a 3.63 weighted GPA in the classroom. He has signed a mational letter of intent to play on scholarship at the University of Southern California this fall.
Previous Gatorade Athlete of the Year honorees include Chad Knight (2019) and Ben Casparius (2017) in baseball, and Kyle Martino (national winner) in soccer, in 1999. (Hat tip: Vince Kelly)
Hiro Wyatt.
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Still at Staples:
Rebecca Schussheim was honored last week, as winner of the Key. It is the high school’s highest honor.
The Class of 2023 salutatorian is co-president of Staples’ Sikorsky STEM challenge team, principal cellist in the Chamber Symphonic Orchestra, and co-captain of the squash team.
She did an Independent Learning Experience in astrophysics, examining galaxy images with a Yale University graduate student. She presented her findings at the International Science Youth Forum in Singapore in January.
The 2 other finalists for the award were musician/actor/youth volunteer James Dobin-Smith, and political activist/club founder Spencer Yim.
Rebecca Schussheim
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And we haven’t left Staples yet:
The jazz combo plays an hour-long set this Monday (June 5, 7 p.m., Westport Library). The event is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
Band director Phil Giampietro will talk about the Staples jazz program, and answer questions.
The Staples High School Jazz Ensemble, with director Phil Giampietro (front right).
Speaking of the Y’s Men: If it seems like they’re everywhere, it’s because they are.
Molly Alger joined several members of the very active social group yesterday, on an in-town hike near Winslow Park. She photographed them crossing the bridge over Deadman Brook, by Evergreen Cemetery.
Very wisely for walking in Westport, they wore very visible bright colors.
From left: Jay Dirnberger, Peter Donovan, Baxter Urist, Joel Wasserman, Dick Sallick, Larry Lich. (Photo/Molly Alger)
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas headed to New Haven on Thursday.
He joined a small group of Connecticut Police Chiefs who met Attorney General Merrick Garland and Connecticut US Attorney Vanessa Avery. The discussion included crime trends, fentanyl deaths, addressing juvenile offenders and resources at the federal level.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland (front row, 3rd from left), Connecticut US Attorney Vanessa Avery (front row, 4th from left) and Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas (back row, far right).
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Speaking of law enforcement:
The man accused of illegally squatting at Cobb’s Mill Inn is in jail, on an unrelated charge.
Connecticut Insider reports that Anthony Villano was ordered locked up by a judge in Milford Superior court, for violating conditions of release for not fully complying with random drug tests. He also allegedly removed his GPS anklet.
Eight charges against Villano include drunken driving, trying to fraudulently sell a Post Road property, and stealing a vehicle he once owned from the Milford Police Department impound lot.
Westport’s newest landmark — the Pride crosswalk at Taylor Place and Jesup Road — has drawn raves since it was installed early Thursday morning.
Here’s how it looks from a drone:
(Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Westporters can see it from ground level tomorrow (Sunday, June 4, noon to 4 p.m.). The 3rd annual Pride festival at Jesup Green includes music, speakers, kids’ activities and more. The public is invited, and welcome.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics made its way through Westport yesterday afternoon.
Police officers from several towns took part, before the opening of the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games. The “Flame of Hope” was passed along at each town line in the area.
The run ended at Fairfield University, where the Summer Games opening ceremony will take place.
Special Olympics Torch Run on the Post Road, at the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The Westport Book Shop’s June Artist of the Month is Sally VanDevanter Her colorful abstract and figurative acrylic and oil paintings, done with cold wax, are on display throughout June.
VanDevanter has a background in advertising, working as an art director at Saatchi & Saatchi, and in art book production management for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
She studied at the Art Students League of New York, the School of Visual Arts in New York, and the Cocoran School of Art in Washington. She holds an MA in organizational psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a BA in art history and psychology from the University of Virginia.
And finally … Cynthia Weil died Thursday in Beverly Hills, She was 82.
With her writing partner and husband, Barry Mann, she wrote some of the most memorable songs of the rock and pop era. One — the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin'” — was cited by BMI as the most played song on radio and television of the 20th century,
Click here for a full obituary. Click below for a few of her songwriting classics.
(From Staples High School to downtown — and everywhere else in Westport and Weston — “06880” has you covered. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Several days after returning from Ukraine, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas are still processing the sights, sounds and smells of that war-torn nation.
But they sat down with Dick Kalt, podcast director for the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
In this special addition of the biweekly feature “Westport … What’s Happening,” Tooker and Koskinas — the first American officials to travel east of Kyiv, to the Donetsk Oblast — describe their visit to Westport’s sister city, Lyman. The trip was arranged by Ukraine Aid International, founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer.
They saw first-hand the life-changing impact of residents’ $252,000 fundraising, over the holiday season. They spent hours with their counterparts, Lyman’s mayor and police chief, cementing relationships that had begun by Zoom.
Though just a few kilometers from artillery shelling, they were well protected by military forces from the moment they crossed the Polish border.
Their time in Lyman was highlighted by impromptu meetings with grateful residents. Some put on their best clothes to greet the Americans, and say thanks.
Click below to hear Tooker and Koskinas’ first reflections from their groundbreaking, friend-making journey.
(The second round of donations for Lyman has begun. Click here, then select “Westport” from the “Where it is needed most” dropdown menu. And mark your calendar for July 9: A town-wide “Lyman-AID” celebration with food, music and more. It’s free — but there are also many ways to contribute to help our sister city. Click here for details.)
Westport 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas have just left Poland, after a historic trip to Ukraine.
The officials were part of the first-ever delegation of US officials or politicians to the liberated territories of Donetsk, since the Russian invasion began.
Their visit launched a new era of cross-cultural collaboration and friendship.
Tooker and Koskinas met with their sister city counterparts, Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov and Police Chief Igor Ugnevenko of Lyman, Ukraine.
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (far left and middle), Easton 1st Selectman David Bindelglass (far right) and Ukrainian officials, entering Lyman. Their bulletproof vests and helmets were not for show. Fighting still rages nearby.
Westport and Lyman formed the first sister city partnership in the US, last winter. Ukraine Aid International — founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — facilitated the program.
Other Connecticut communities including Easton, Fairfield, Stamford and Greenwich have also formed sister city relationships, through UAI. Easton 1st Selectman David Bindelglass joined Tooker and Koskinas, and met his counterparts from Sviatohirsk. The Governor of Donetsk was also involved.
The delegation’s tours of Lyman and Sviatohirsk were very emotional. Both towns have suffered greatly from Russian attacks.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov, at one of Lyman’s many ravaged apartments.
“Walking through our beautiful sister city that has faced unprecedented devastation, I am humbled by the resilience and spirit of its people,” Tooker said earlier today.
“Witnessing the devastation first hand has only deepened my commitment to this partnership. Together we will help rebuild, restore and breathe life back into these unjustly shattered communities.”
Tooker and Koskinas were accompanied by the Mayers, and Liz Olegov of UAI. The group saw firsthand the destruction of schools and municipal buildings, the bombing of railways, and the ecological disaster caused by the accumulation of trash and debris in Lyman,
The trip — which did not involve any municipal funds, and was not announced previously due to security concerns — ended with a summit in Sviatohirsk. Against a backdrop of ruins surrounded by greenery, an official memorandum cementing the sister city partnership was signed by Tooker and Zhuravlov.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov, with their signed sister city partnership.
Several high-ranking Ukrainian officials were also present. They expressed deep respect and gratitude for the Americans’ visit, in a high-risk area amid an ongoing war.
Fighting continues to rage not far from Lyman and Sviatohirsk.
Throughout the visit, the American delegation was protected by the National Police and the Patrol Police of Ukraine.
Ruslan Goriachenko, head of the Department of General Inspection and Human Rights of the National Police of Ukraine, played a pivotal role.
“We were so fortunate to meet our fellow officers in Donetsk Oblast,” said Koskinas.
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas with his Lyman counterpart, Igor Ugnevenko.
“Their bravery and leadership in protecting the people of this region and keeping order is incredible. We look forward to working more closely with our Ukrainian friends, and helping with anything they need.”
Officials discussed how to strengthen communication between Westport and Lyman, deepen governmental-level ties, and foster enduring partnerships based on mutual respect and shared aspirations.
From left: Foti Koskinas, David Bindelglass, Jen Tooker, Alexander Zhuravlov, Igor Ugnevenko, Brian Mayer and Liz Olegov, with Westport and Lyman flags.
In just 3 weeks over the holiday season, Westport raised $252,000 for Lyman. The funds have helped rebuild housing, and paid for police and garbage vehicles, communications equipment, bulletproof vests for frontline utility workers, thousands of seeds for planting, and more.
In addition, holidays meals were delivered to residents. Each child still in Lyman received a Christmas gift.
Bedford Middle School and other Westport youngsters have sent cards and posters to their new friends in Lyman.
A new round of fundraising will be announced soon. To contribute now to Westport’s sister city of Lyman, click here. Under “Designation,” click on the dropdown menu to find “Lyman.”
Connecticut and Ukrainian officials, at the Sviatohirsk meeting.
The Ukrainian American Club of Southport — adjacent to the I-95 northbound entrance ramp — is the site of a “thank you” party for Westport’s help with our new sister city of Lyman, Ukraine.
In 3 weeks, we raised $252,000. Funds have paid for building materials, communication equipment, trash and police trucks, meals, holiday gifts and more.
The July 9 event will be a day of music, food and fellowship. There will be plenty of opportunities to donate too — the need in Lyman is ongoing — but all are welcome.
The New York Times marked today’s 1-year anniversary of the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine with a retrospective of photos — and the memories of the men and women who took them.
Two Staples High School graduates — both Pulitzer Prize winners — are included.
Lynsey Addario (Staples ’91) stunned the world with this photo, in March:
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for New York Times)
She says:
In war, anything can change in a moment. Leading up to this photograph, mothers were running with their children from the Irpin bridge across my viewfinder toward the relative safety of Kyiv. Mortar rounds were coming in, urgency was in everyone’s step. Pink and blue puffy coats passed with rolling luggage. Surely the Russians wouldn’t target a civilian evacuation route?
But each round came a little closer, bracketing onto desperate people fleeing for their lives. And then I saw a flash, heard the crash and felt the impact from a wave of air being compressed in an explosion that smashed into our bodies as we dived for cover.
The aftermath will stay with me forever. When we stood up, my neck was sprayed with gravel. I asked my colleague Andriy if I was bleeding. “No,” he said. It was dusty and chaotic. We couldn’t see across to the other side of the street, so we didn’t know that a mother, her two children and a church volunteer had been killed. Somehow, we had been spared.
Tyler Hicks (Staples ’88) took this image in November:
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for New York Times)
He writes:
Bakhmut, in the eastern Donbas region, began last year as the home of about 70,000 people. Over the year of war, I’ve watched the fighting chew this city apart, as both sides have thrown masses of troops and weaponry into desperate attempts to control it.
In the earlier months it was always tense, but there were still civilians on the streets; Ukrainians, particularly in the east, have learned to live in the shadow of war. On this visit, it had reached a clear turning point in its militarization.
This armored vehicle passed me as I was leaving a military hospital, and the faces of the soldiers seemed to represent what has taken shape in the city’s shell: a relentless determination to fight.
Click here for all the Times photos, and photographers’ comments.
This Monday, (February 27, 11 a.m.), the Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee holds a public hearing on Bill #6745. The proposed legislation addresses a statewide plan for the installation of sound barriers. (Click here for the full bill.)
To register to speak about the proposal, click click here. To submit written testimony about it, click here. To watch the hearing, click here. (Hat tip: State Senator Tony Hwang)
Sound barrier under construction on I-95 in Darien.
Last week’s trash pick-up at Westport Animal Control was successful.
But there’s still more to do be done on Elaine Road (Compo Road South, between I-95 and the train tracks).
Elaine Road serves as the entrance to the water sewage treatment plant, and public access for boat and kayak launches, along with Animal Control. It attracts plenty of I-95 trash too, from vehicles and their irresponsible drivers and passengers.
All volunteers are welcome on March 5 (11 a.m.). Bring garbage bags, and dress appropriately.
Speaking of pitching in: Yesterday was Police Chief Foti Koskinas’ birthday.
Westport’s top cop leads a department of 64 uniformed officers. In his spare time, he pitches in wherever he can around town.
Here’s a typical shot: Police Chief Koskinas helping clean garbage from the I-95 hill, in Saugatuck. It was Sunday — his day off. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The Y’s Women had a 2-fer yesterday. They enjoyed a pair of Westport treasures: the Westport Public Art Collections and MoCA.
The women enjoyed a private tour of the museum’s current exhibition, “Paul Camacho: El Ritmo y La Unidad” (which closes Sunday). Camacho was active in Westport’s art life in the 1960s and ’70s.
MoCA also shows 20 other abstractionists, including Alexander Calder and Robert Motherwell. All are from WestPAC’s holdings of more than 1,800 works.
Because most of their art is in schools and town buildings — not always available to the public — the Y’s Women were thrilled to see so many outstanding works. (Hat tip: Jilda Manikas)
Sorelle Gallery’s first “On View” feature of the year opens March 3. Artists Ned Martin and Pete Sack will be showcased on the main wall of the Church Lane gallery, through March 25.
Both artists create abstracted work with an emphasis on color and geometric design elements.
To learn more about the artists and the show, click here.
Speaking of art: George Billis Gallery may have moved to Fairfield (1700 Post Road). B
But the upcoming spring show is true to its Westport roots.
Local resident Dala Najarian is one of the 8 featured artists — and it was curated by fellow Westporter Amy Zoller.
Najarian works in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, acrylics, mixed media and oils. A passionate photographer, her Shadow Series merges the realistic quality of a photo with the abstract translation of a scene, to depict a dreamlike painting.
The opening is March 2 (5 to 8 p.m.). It runs through April 16.
During the holidays, Westporters responded generously to pleas to help Lyman, Ukraine.
In less than 3 weeks, residents contributed $252,000 to help the ravaged, war-torn town — our new sister city.
Now Westport’s Police and Fire Departments have added their resources.
On Friday Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Fire Chief Michael Kronick and their staffs packed dozens of boxes. They’re filled with crucial gear for their first responder counterparts in Lyman.
Among the items: gas masks, bulletproof vests and helmets, tourniquets, radios, electrical charging units, wool hats, gloves and baseball caps.
All are vital to helping Lyman’s police officers, firefighters and public safety personnel do their jobs. The Russians occupied the town for 5 months. When they left, they took or destroyed nearly every piece of emergency gear.
From left: Fire Chief Michael Kronick, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, with bulletproof vests, helmets and other gear, ready for shipment to Lyman, Ukraine.
Koskinas and Kronick learned of the urgent need in Zoom calls with Lyman’s police chief. They were arranged by Westporter Brian Mayer, founder of Ukraine Aid International.
Stunned by the bleak situation, Koskinas, Kronick and their deputies scoured their inventory for items that might help. They found plenty of equipment that was not longer used, but still quite serviceable. There is no cost to Westport taxpayers.
Radios and other communications equipment, heading soon to Lyman. (Photos courtesy of Jennifer Petrosinelli, Westport Fire Department)
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker joined police and fire officials yesterday at the police garage, as they assembled the packages.
Delivery to Lyman will be facilitated Mayer and his brother Marshall, and Liz Olegov of Alex21, Ukraine Aid International’s on-the-ground partner.
Donations to Lyman are still welcome. Just click here for the credit card “Donate” button. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” You can also scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.) Or you can donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
School bus safety is high on the list of every Westporter’s concerns.
Well, almost everyone.
As aggravating as it is to be behind a bus that stops at what seems like every driveway, most drivers grit their teeth and ride their brakes. It’s kids we’re talking about, after all, and this is the way buses operate in today’s society.
Some drivers can’t wait. They blow past the outstretched “Stop” arms that drivers extend. Often they come from the opposite direction. Sometimes they just race past a row of cars trailing the bus.
Trailing a school bus is seldom fun.(Photo/Christie Stanger)
An “06880” reader recently chatted with a man who drives a Dattco elementary bus in Westport.
He enjoys his job very much. But when the reader noted that the job demands plenty of responsibility and patience, he said that drivers routinely ignore bus stop signs.
He said that just a few weeks ago, a speeding driver nearly hit a young girl. Her father yanked her back, as the car came near.
And, the driver continued, following up on incidents is a process. Video is reviewed by police. Then the driver must take half a day off to testify in court — losing pay, and other incentive compensation given for consecutive days on the job.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
The driver’s perception is that even when the process works, if it’s a first offense there are seldom significant consequences for offending drivers.
That sounds pretty bad for Dattco, Westport’s school bus company.
But it’s not true.
I contacted Bryony Chamberlain, the company’s vice president. She said that any employee asked to go to court gets paid by the company.
She added that there are forms for drivers to fill out whenever their bus is passed by a vehicle. Dattco then sends the forms to local police departments, who mail a ticket for a $475 fine to offenders.
“I don’t know what happens after that,” Chamberlain said. “We don’t have a way to follow up.”
My next call was to Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas. He confirmed what Chamberlain said.
There are 3 types of complaints about motorists passing school buses: from the bus drivers themselves; from other witnesses, and from police officers who sometimes follow school buses for just that reason.
The police contact the driver to hear their side. In almost every case, Koskinas said, a ticket follows.
The reader who contacted “06880” about school bus safety recalled a tragedy from the 1990s, which led to changes in policies.
It seems that Dattco, and Westport Police, are doing their part to ensure that every child gets on and off the bus safely.
Now it’s up to every driver to do the same.
We stop for deer. Let’s stop for school buses too. (Photo/Paul Delano)
Posted onJanuary 9, 2023|Comments Off on “Westport … What’s Happening”: Jen Tooker, Foti Koskinas And Lyman
Today’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast is special.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas talk passionately about Westport’s new sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.
They provide background information on the war-torn town; describe the logistics of our humanitarian aid; note the close ties our chief has developed with his security counterparts in Lyman, and emphasize the importance of our relationship — not just for delivering crucially needed goods and materials, but for morale too.
Tooker and Koskinas also note that our sister city partnership has only just begun. Students, and many other townspeople, will be involved in a variety of projects in the weeks and months ahead.
“Westport … What’s Happening” is produced by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. Click below to see:
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