Monday’s first selectman candidates’ discussion on sustainability and the environment drew an overflow crowd to Christ & Holy Trinity Church — and a commitment from all 3 to create and adopt a comprehensive Westport Sustainability Plan, within their first year in office.
That’s a milestone long sought by local environmental activists.
Representative Town Meeting member Clarence Hayes was at the event, hosted by Sustainable Westport and Earthplace. He reports:
Over 90 minutes of spirited questioning, moderator Peter Boyd — a lecturer and resident fellow at Yale’s Center for Business and the Environment — pressed candidates Don O’Day, David Rosenwaks and Kevin Christie on their personal engagement with sustainability, their records, and their plans to make Westport a leader in environmental action.
All 3 voiced support for sustainability priorities, including improved walkability, stronger flood resilience, enforcement of the leaf-blower ban, rebuilding the community garden, pursuing Sustainable CT Gold certification, and evaluating solar installations for Staples High School and town parking lots, among others.
While short on detailed road maps, the shared commitment to adopt a formal plan within the first year marked an important first step. None pledged to add dedicated staff immediately, preferring to rely on volunteer expertise and integrate sustainability goals into existing town departments — and to see what progress can be achieved this way first.
When asked how they hoped to be remembered after four years, O’Day said for “a willingness to be first, not just a follower.” Rosenwaks envisioned “a town known for a healthy lifestyle — walking, biking, and clean air and water.” Christie hoped Westport would “become a leader again on the environment, as it once was.”
The conversation continued informally at Emmy Squared, where candidates and residents carried the debate — and Westport’s hopes for a sustainable future — well into the evening.
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Will Westport have a new school holiday?
A petition to add Diwali to the calendar has gained several dozen signatures.
It says: “I am a proud member of the Hindu community in Westport. Every year my family and I celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with great joy and reverence. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, offering a time for reflection, community, and spreading love. As a Hindu, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for me and millions of others around the world.
“On October 1, 2025, Diwali was officially recognized as a state holiday in Connecticut. This acknowledgment is a huge step forward in embracing and celebrating the cultural diversity that enriches our state.
“Our community takes pride in our cultural diversity and our commitment to inclusivity. By declaring Diwali a school holiday, Westport can send a strong message of acceptance and celebrate the rich tapestry of communities within the town.
“I urge the Westport Board of Education to recognize Diwali as an official school holiday. Doing so will not only reflect the values of our inclusive community but also respect the cultural practices of Hindu families living in Westport. This change can serve as an inspiration and positive example for other towns and school districts in Connecticut.”
This year, Hindus celebrate Diwali on October 21.
Diwali: The Festival of Lights.
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Speaking of the Board of Education: They meet tomorrow (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).
The main agenda item is a discussion of the phone-free implementation plan.
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When “06880” last checked in on Dylan Gleicher and Neil Sono, the 2017 and ’18 Staples High School graduates (respectively) had created an app — Prepared 911 — that enabled school employees to seamlessly share information with each other during shootings and other crises. They soon expanded it to focus on 911 centers, police and fire departments, and sheriff’s offices.
With early hire Chris Scherban (Staples ‘17), Prepared quickly became a leader in assistive AI technology for public safety agencies.
Their $16 million Series A funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz.
Last week, the longtime friends sold Prepared 911 to Axon, a global public safety technology company.
Neil Soni and Dylan Gleicher, in their Yale days.
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Speaking of Staples students’ achievements: On Saturday, the top 7 members of the school’s boys cross country team competed in the 26th annual Great American XC Festival in Cary, North Carolina.
The competition draws runners from across the country to the fast WakeMed Course..
Staples competed in the varsity blue 5k race. They scored 228 points, good for a team win.
Congratulations to Oliver Samuel (15:57), Harrison Sydor (16:05), Luke Cooper (16:22), Jackson Wood (16:25), Oscar Jones (17:08), Samuel Burmeister (17:16) and Maxwell Benke (17:25).
Coming up: the FCIAC championship, at New Canaan’s Waveny Park. For more Staples cross country information, click here.
The 2025 Staples boys cross country team, in North Carolina.
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Westport is becoming the Naples of America.
First came Massi Co — Massimo Tullio’s new restaurant, with Neapolitan cuisine.
Now Stephen Kempson London — the high-end tailor on Post Road West, just over the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge — is sponsoring a 2-day trunk show celebrating the artistry and heritage of that city’s craftsmanship.
The genesis for the October 17 (1 to 5 p.m.) and 18 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) event was Kempson’s trip to Naples earlier this year. He was inspired by its devotion to beauty, precision, and passion — qualities found in its cuisine, architecture, and menswear tradition.
Three celebrated artisans will be in Westport
- Paolo Scafora: Master shoemaker since 1956, known for hand-stitched footwear.
- Gennaro Sannino: The house of Sannino shirts.
- Anthony Lonzano (Gabo Napoli): Representing one of Italy’s leading tailoring houses.
Each will showcase signature pieces and take bespoke orders.
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Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer addressed the Westport Rotary Club yesterday. His topic was close to his heart: the Common Ground Initiative.
Recent Common Ground speakers have included Ken Feinberg, who ran the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, and former Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri.
The Common Ground Initiative also includes the Seat at the Table series, where community members discuss intriguing topics.
“Americans regard libraries as one of the last safe spaces in our democracy,” Harmer said.
Bill Harmer, at the Westport Rotary Club (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Early yesterday morning, Westport firefighters responded to a structure fire on Hillspoint Road.
The blaze was discovered by 2 passersby. They notified the home’s occupants, who evacuated before Fire Department units arrived. The fire was contained to the exterior area of origin.
The scene was turned over to the Westport fire marshal’s office for investigation.
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Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate Lynn Barber Mellor died on September 13 in Lake Wales, Florida. She was 72.
She was born in Chicago to Gordon and Jean A. Mellor. Lynn and her family moved to Westport when she was 7 months old. She attended California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, then worked as a graphic artist for marketing Corporation of America in Westport.
An avid scratchboard artist, she retired to Key West in 2006, then to Lake Wales in 2021.
Lynn is survived by her twin sister Gail M. Sibley (Jack), of Poinciana, Florida; brother Mark (Debbie) of Dorset, Vermont; niece Alyssa and nephew Devin. She was predeceased by her parents, her nephew Jes Sibley, and her stepmother, Shirley Mellor.
A private service will be held.
Lynn Mellor
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is one more full moon image. This was one was taken at Burying Hill Beach.
It’s the last, we promise.
Until next month.
(Photo/Anne Bernier)
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And finally … in honor of (perhaps) the next Westport Public Schools holiday (story above):
(Where else but “06880” can you read about Diwali, political candidates, a life-saving app — and much more — all at once? Nowhere else! So please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
