Tag Archives: The Campaign School at Yale

Roundup: Narcan, Farmers’ Market, Campaign School …

Posted on August 5, 2026 | 6 comments

As students head off to college, they pack many things: Clothes. Electronics. Favorite items from home.

And: Narcan.

Positive Directions offers a safety kit for students with the medication that quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, plus fentanyl test strips, a lock bag for drugs, info cards and more.

There’s also a 15-20 minute info session on mental health, substance risks and resources at college, including overdose signs and how to administer Narcan.

There are 3 dates: August 7, 10 and 12, between 4 and 5 p.m. at 90 Post Road West. To RSVP and for more information, click here.

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Happy Connecticut Farmers’ Market Week!

To celebrate, a proclamation signed by Governor Lamont will be read at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday), at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

It’s all part of the weekly event — with fresh produce, breads, meats, ice cream, pizza, Thai food, dog treats, food trucks, knife sharpening, live music and more — at the Imperial Avenue parking lot. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Thursday through November.

Happy Connecticut Farmers’ Market Week! (Photo/Marcus Slomich)

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Missed the Soundview Summer Stroll?

Or were you there, and want more photos of it?

Westport Local Press just posted several dozen shots, by noted event photographer JC Martin. Click here for those images — and to see if you’re included.

Soundview Summer Stroll (Photo/JC Martin)

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Thinking about running for public office?

The Campaign School at Yale University is coming to Westport.

The event — just before Election Day (Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — is a 1-day training program covering how to prepare to run for office, work on a campaign, or effectively lead on an issue in your community.

The curriculum includes speaking techniques, networking skills, and the components necessary to begin a political career, both personally and professionally.

The Campaign School at Yale is a non-partisan, issue-neutral political campaign training program. The program is open to all genders. To register, click here. 

Questions? Email Info@TCSYale.org, or call 203.734.7385.

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The Westport Rotary Club got a backstage look at the Levitt Pavilion yesterday — without leaving Green’s Farms Church.

Andy Fleischman, president of the Levitt board, spoke at the weekly lunch gathering.

A finance attorney with music industry experience, he got involved with the outdoor venue in 2018, to help improve its relationship with the town. He also was interested in the acts being booked, but did not want to interfere in what was already an impressive summer lineup.

He’s helped bring younger popular acts to the open-air theater. A few years ago, he contributed to the effort to book Wilton’s Goose. They recently sold out 2 nights at Madison Square Garden.

Up-and-coming jam band Eggy, which played at the Levitt this summer, also has developed a national profile.

Andy Fleischman at the Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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A few hundred StartUp Westport members ate, drank, socialized — and of course networked — at the group’s summer get-together last night, at Compo Beach.

StartUp Westport is the town’s public/private partnership for entrepreneurs and innovators. It sponsors general and special interest meetings, mentor programs, a pitch contest — and, like last night, an opportunity for creative, like-minded and very interesting people to hang out together, by the water in beautiful weather.

To learn more about StartUp Westport, click here. 

A small part of the large StartUp Westport crowd … (Photo/Dan Woog)

… and another view. (Photo/Noah Fenn)

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There was a lot going on here last night. Besides the National Night Out on Jesup Green, StartUp Westport’s summer social (above) and the Y’s Men’s regular hot dog event — both at the beach — there was an indoor activity at the Westport Library.

Author Chris Bohjalian spoke with CT Public’s Catherine Shen about his new novel, “The Amateur.” It’s a suspenseful, emotionally charged story about tragedy, privilege, secrets, and the devastating ripple effects of one split-second mistake.

Chris Bohjalian and Catherine Shen. (Photo/Susan Garment)

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We feature many fascinating creatures in our daily “Westport … Naturally” series.

But none are more intriguing than owls. Who knows why we have such a soft spot for them?!

(Photo/Deb Krayson)

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And finally … Happy National Oyster Day!

(We hope your burnin’ for us. We also hope you will go one step further, and click here to help support this hyper-local blog you are burnin’ for. That would be so hot. Thank you!)

6 Comments

Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Environment, Library, Longshore, Politics

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Campaign School Teaches Coykendall: Personal Politics Cross Party Lines

Posted on June 25, 2026 | 4 comments

Representative Town Meeting member Gail Coykendall is the most recent graduate of The Campaign School at Yale University.

For 30 years the nonpartisan, issue-neutral training program has worked to train people — primarily women — to run for office and manage political campaigns.

The Campaign School has a strong Westport influence. Pat Hendrickson was a co-founder and former president. Among its graduates: former 1st selectwoman Jen Tooker, State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representative Dominique Johnson, former State Senator Toni Boucher, Board of Finance members Allyson Stollenwerck and Elaine Whitney, and Democratic Town Committee chair Michelle Mechanic. Nationally known alumni include Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Rosa De Lauro, and former Representative Gabby Giffords. 

Today, Coykendall reflects on the lessons — and importance — of her recent week at The Campaign School.

I was honored to be one of 75 women and 2 men selected to attend the Campaign School at Yale last week. The experience was eye‑opening, challenging and energizing.

Early on, students were asked to answer a simple but profound question: Why are you a proud Republican or Democrat?

That question gave me pause. I told the program’s director I wasn’t sure where I fit.

On the RTM we serve as a non‑partisan body focused on collaboration, not party labels. I also wasn’t sure how my background in nursing fit.

What I learned is that the very skills I used every day in nursing —communication, teamwork, problem‑solving — are exactly what our state and national politics desperately need.

As the director reminded me, democracy only thrives when people can discuss, debate and negotiate. That message shaped my biggest takeaway: Change starts with us, and our personal politics often cross party lines. There is much we all agree on.

One person at a time, we can counter the rise of single‑party voting and encourage a more balanced, cooperative approach to governing that focuses on the needs of constituents.

The New York Times once described the course as “sadistically intensive.” That description is well earned.

We dove into leadership, campaign strategy, budgeting, fundraising, media, and the growing importance of campaign security.

Each evening we worked late into the night on group case studies, culminating in a mock‑campaign presentation judged by Betsey Ankney (former campaign manager for Nikki Haley) and Allida Black (special advisor to former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton).

My commitment remains focused on Westport’s needs: responsible fiscal management, strong schools, and thoughtful development. We must balance state housing mandates with the realities of our local infrastructure.

My top concern is the strain on our roads, particularly as large developments move forward. Many residents are unaware of the 157 new units coming to Hiawatha Lane — and the significant traffic impact this will bring near the Saugatuck train station.

These pressures stem from state legislation, which can be out of step with the needs and resources of individual towns. New proposed legislation continues to push for increased density, even in our cherished downtown.

Many residents feel this isn’t what they signed up for. I share that concern. This is why it’s essential that Westport has a strong, informed voice in Hartford.

While I’ve been encouraged to run for higher office now, I plan to wait. My priority is to ensure more Westporters understand what is happening at the state level, and how it affects our daily lives.

We all have a role to play in urging legislators to consider traffic, transit and infrastructure before adding more cars to already overburdened roads.

Together, we can protect the character of Westport while we advocate for smarter, more balanced policies.

(Click here for a News 12 story on The Campaign School.)

(“06880” covers local politics — and the people who represent us. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Politics

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