Tag Archives: Westport Republican Town Committee

Roundup: Cribari Bridge, Craig Melvin, Railroad Parking, Cyber Threats …

Posted on March 20, 2026 | 1 comment

Among the many details offered at last night’s Cribari Bridge public meeting, this one passed without further comment: The state Department of Transportation has identified 10 properties and 1 dock as potentially affected by the project.

This morning, Bridge Street resident Werner Liepolt wrote to John McAvoy, Federal Highway Administration division administrator in Hartford: “No map, list of properties, or description of the nature of these potential impacts (temporary or permanent) was provided at the meeting nor, to my knowledge, at previous stage of the project.

“Without this information, it is not possible for affected property owners or the public to meaningfully evaluate or comment on the project’s impacts, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Section 106 review process under the National Historic Preservation Act.”

Liepolt asks CTDOT and the FHWA to provide identification of all properties under consideration for right-of-way acquisition or easement; mapping showing the extent and type of potential impacts, and clarification of whether impacts are temporary (construction) or permanent.

He also requests that the comment period — now set to run through April 17 — be extended, so that the public and affected property owners have “a meaningful opportunity to respond.”

CTDOT has not indicated which 10 properties, and which dock, might be affected — including possible condemnation and eminent domain taking — by the Cribari Bridge project. (Drone photo/Alex O’Brien)

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Craig Melvin — co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, and our Westport neighbor — should draw a big crowd to the Westport Library on April 8.

He’ll be interviewed by Jim Marpe. The former 1st selectman is a member of the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston — sponsors of the event.

Craig will share stories from his career at the NBC News desk, including his transition into his current role.

The event is free, but registration is required (click here).

Craig Melvin, in January 2025.

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On April 6, all daily parking in Lot 1 — the large one opposite Riko’s Pizza — will revert back to permit-only parking.

The state Department of Transportation has returned Lot 8 (off Saugatuck Avenue, between I-95 and Exit 17) to the town for railroad parking, following several years as a staging area for the 95 bridge replacement project.

That restores approximately 140 daily parking spots.

During COVID and for some time afterward, permit-only lots were underutilized. The WPD adjusted parking allocations by adding daily spaces to Lots 1 and 3 to help offset the loss of Lot 8, and better utilize the lots closest to the station.

Now that commuting levels have returned to near pre-COVID patterns on most weekdays, they’ve readjusted again.

The website will be updated, and signage posted to alert commuters. A new parking map is also being developed, and will be available on the website soon.

Saugatuck train station parking map. Click on or hover over to enlarge.

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Cyber threats are everywhere.

On April 8 (VFW Post 399; cocktails for purchase 5:45; program 7 p.m.), 3 experts offer advice on keeping safe in the digital age.

Panelists include Westport Police Department Detective James Baker; Connecticut State Police Detective Mathew Hogan, and former Secret Service agent Brian McCabe.

The free event is sponsored by the Westport Republican Town Committee.

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Read to Grow — the great non-profit that ensures children begin life surrounded by books — once again hosts its annual statewide fundraiser in Westport.

“A Night for the Books” is set for May 7 (6 p.m.). The venue is appropriate: the Westport Library.

The evening will highlight the power of books, community, and connection, while raising money for programs that provide books and literacy resources to families across Connecticut.

Dave Briggs — former CNN, Fox, NBC, Turner Sports and Yahoo Finance journalist, and a Westport resident — will emcee.

Twelve Artists Collective of Westport members are creating book-inspired centerpieces, for the auction. Zucca Gastrobar caters the farm-to-table food; Alina’s Bakery adds treats. A giving tree – with gift cards donated by local stores and restaurants — will be part of the “mystery pull.”

Before the event (3 to 5 p.m.), families can pick up free children’s books, at the Read to Grow bookmobile.

The organization’s programs include Books for Babies, which gives newborns in Connecticut hospitals their first book; Books for Kids, through which families request free books delivered directly to their homes, and the statewide bookmobile.

Early bird tickets are available through April 3; click here to purchase, and for sponsorship information. To learn more about Read to Grow, click here.

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In what has become an annual tradition, the Westport PAL 8th grade boys and girls basketball players took the court at Madison Square Garden this week, before the Knicks game.

For the past few years, the NBA (through its Jr. Nicks program) team has offered PAL a great experience. Young players attend the pre-game shootaround, scrimmage on the Garden floor, then watch the game.

Thanks, Jr. Knicks — and Westport resident and former Staples player Brett Tessler — for making it happen.

Westport PAL players, at Madison Square Garden.

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Want to laugh on April 1 — without being a fool?

VFW Post 399 is hosting a free comedy night, with local comedians.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Open mic sign-ups begin at 7.

For questions and more information, email meganharvist@gmail.com.

IYKNY.

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Speaking of entertainment: Corky Laing is no stranger to Westport.

The legendary drummer for Mountain has played — and hung out — here before

Can’t quite place Mountain? They’re the “Mississippi Queen” band.

Laing provided the iconic cowbell intro.

He returns April 11 (7 p.m., VFW Post 399), this time as a special guest with Ten$Grand Band.

Tickets are just $20. The show will sell out soon. Click here to purchase.

Corky Laing

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Up next at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport: “Birthday Club.”

The play — about 5 friends who reunite to celebrate a milestone birthday, and confront changes in marriage, career, health and identity, while examining what has sustained their friendships over decades — will be presented March 27 and 28 (7 p.m.) and March 29 (2 p.m.).

The story “gives space to regret, loyalty and second chances, revealing the warmth and resilience that shape enduring friendships.”

The production is presented by UU Players. Tickets are $25 at the door; students with ID are free. All proceeds support UU Westport.

“Birthday Club” cast.

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At last summer’s Pequot Library book sale, teenager Morgan Kofron bought an antique family Bible.

Soon after, it was learned that the Bible had belonged to the Adairs — Black and Indigenous (Shinnecock) landowning family who played a significant role in the economic and cultural history in both Westport and Fairfield.

The Adair family papers are preserved at the Westport Museum for History & Culture. The Bible will now be added to those materials.

Adair family Bible.

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It’s been a while since we featured Man’s Best Friend as a “Westport … Naturally” item. Our bad.

So let’s hear it for Fergie!

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … Vera Lynn was born on this day, in 1917. The English singer — whose performances lifted all of Great Britain during World War II — died in 2020, at 103.

(They just don’t make ’em like Vera Lynn anymore. Fortunately, “06880” remembers her. But we also do a lot more than that. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Roundup: Dems, Reps React To Shooting; Billie Jean King Tickets …

Posted on July 15, 2024 | 20 comments

Yesterday — in the aftermath of the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania — the Democratic Town Committee said:

Dear Westport Community,

The Westport Democratic Town Committee denounces the violence perpetrated against former President Donald Trump, and all other acts of political violence.

We live in unusually divisive times, where conduct has devolved both nationally and locally. This is unacceptable. The Democratic Town Committee is committed to civility, community, and above all – safety.

Sincerely,

Michelle Mechanic, Chair
Nicole Klein, Vice Chair
Robin Weinberg, Secretary
Alan Shinbaum, Treasurer

This was posted on a Westport Republicans social media account:

There’s no place for political violence in our republic.

Civility & respect.

God bless Donald Trump, America and those harmed by these actions.

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Tickets for this year’s “Booked for the Evening” — featuring tennis legend and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, set for September 12 — go on sale today (Monday, July 15) at 10 a.m.

Click here to purchase, for this sure-to-sell-out-quickly fundraiser. Click here for a seat map of the event.

The library notes: “All tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot guarantee access to tickets.” A livestream/watch-from-home ticket option is also available.

NOTE: If you don’t see tickets available on the website at 10 a.m., refresh your browser. The ticket link might be added to the page after you logged on.

King will come to the Library fresh off the 2024 US Open, whose grounds were named in her honor in 2006.

Onstage, she’ll chat with Chris McKendry, a Westport resident and host of ESPN’s tennis coverage.

Billie Jean King

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Decades ago, Functional Clothing sold used blue jeans in a basement-level Main Street store, near the current Gap.

Soon, a new used clothing store will open downtown this fall.

2nd Street takes over at 17 Main Street. Most recently, it was the site of Loft.

The chain’s originated in Japan in 1996. There are now more than 700 locations there.

The first 2nd Street in the US was in Los Angeles, in 2018. there are now about 3 dozen in the this country. The Westport and New Haven sites will be the first 2 in Connecticut.

The website boasts of “a huge selection of styles from street wear to vintage to Japanese designer and luxury accessories.” It also cites the company’s sustainability and waste-reduction efforts”
As part of our Hand2Hand project, we make sure to reuse all the clothing that arrives in our stores. Any items that we cannot sell are donated to a partner company that will recycle the clothing to clean up oil spills in factories, while other items are resold to create job opportunities and provide clothing to those in need.
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In other business news, Stop & Shop is closing 5 underperforming stores in Connecticut — and 27 others throughout the Northeast — by November.

The Westport location will remain open.

The 5 Nutmeg State stores to be shuttered are in Ansonia, Danbury, Milford, Stamford (West Main Street) and Torrington.

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Many readers enjoyed yesterday’s “06880” story on Westport road names.

Nancy Anderson adds: “My father, Dr Arnold Pearlstone, moved to Westport in 1963 where he lived until his passing in 2020.

“In 1963 he and his partner Leonard Flom (they were both well known ophthalmologists) purchased adjacent plots of land on a road without a name. It  is off North Ave extension, and was named “Arlen Road” after both of them.”

Dr. Leonard Flom

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Cali Carleton is a Westport mom of 5. A year ago, she launched Domino & Juliette.

They create high quality, safe, affordable and “educationally accurate” toys for children. Favorite items include alphabet and numbers puzzles. Made from food grade silicone, they are dishwasher safe (and great for crafts and messy play).

The toys are hailed by by parents of neuro-divergent children and therapists, because they are soft, flexible and chewable.

D&J also sells placemats for children of all ages to practice counting, spelling, sorting, geography and science.

With every order placed, the company donates a 24-pack of Crayolas to children in need, in places like Bridgeport.

Last month, Domino & Juliette entered retail space for the first time. They joined Honeypie, the children’s boutique on Riverside Avenue also run by a Westport mom.

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A bird found a home on Dave Briggs’ front porch.

Feeling safe, she hatched 5 tiny chicks. “It’s been amazing to watch,” he says of the process that led to today’s very cool “Westport … Naturally” photo.

(Photo/Dave Briggs)

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And finally … on this date in 2006, Twitter was launched. The world has never been the same.

(From local roads and stores to national politics, “06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” Please click here to help us keep those connections strong. Thank you!)

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Posted in Children, Downtown, Library, Local business, Politics

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[OPINION] Analyzing Tuesday’s Numbers, And Wondering What’s Next

Posted on November 9, 2023 | 34 comments

Local Republicans took a shellacking Tuesday, up and down the ballot. The result — which included a massive defeat of their 2-person Board of Education slate by a write-in candidate — surprised even longtime Westport political watchers.

Rick Himes — a Westporter for over 20 years, and parent of 2 Staples High School students — took a deep dive into the numbers, and posted his analysis on social media yesterday. It’s worth a look here. Rick says:

I’m no political expert, but here’s what I see in the results. (Spoiler alert: It was a massive rebuke to the local Republican Town Committee.)

But I’m not here to gloat. Please read on.

Turnout appeared to be about 7,400 voters.

Democrats outpolled Republicans 2 to 1 across the field. In the Board of Education race, Republicans were outpolled 3 to 1. A BOE write-in candidate outpolled both Republican candidates by more than 2 to 1.

This “landslide” held even in races where there were more seats open than Democrats running — for example, the Planning & Zoning Commission, where Paul Lebowitz received 5,907 votes, while no Republican received even half of that total.

Someone can check my math, but I think that means Lebowitz received one vote from 80% of voters. The closest Republican (Michael Calise) pulled a vote from only 43% of voters.

For the Zoning Board of Appeals, the numbers were nearly identical, 80% voted for the only Democrat, but only 43% for each of the Republicans in a race that allowed voters to vote for all the candidates.

The ZBA race allowed voters to choose 3  candidates – and there were 3 candidates. That means in a race for a town board where, let’s face it, most of us don’t really know the candidates or the major debate topics, Westport voters withheld their votes for any Republican.

Other numbers are similar. Joseph Sledge, running unopposed for Board of Assessment Appeals, only received a vote from 50% of voters. That means half of the off-cycle voters would rather vote for nobody than vote for any Republican, even an incumbent in a down ticket race.

I can’t say for sure whether the Board of Ed race was the root cause, but the results for write-in candidate Jill Dillon sure make it look that way. She received more votes than either Republican candidate did in 2021.

And in 2021, Republicans Robert Harrington and Dorie Hordon each received nearly twice as many votes as either Camilo Riano or Jamie Fitzgerald did in this cycle. (Turnout was larger in 2021, as best I can figure, but those are still large numbers.)

 

The Republican Town Committee has the right to nominate candidates. But that comes with the responsibility to field candidates who are not so divisive, out of step with the town, or manifestly unqualified that they, for example, help elect unvetted write-in candidates in numbers that a major party nominee would drool for.

Or cause down-ticket effects like unopposed, non-divisive candidates receiving less than 50% of the vote.

As for sitting elected Republicans: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker beat Jonathan Steinberg in 2021 by fewer than 100 votes. Anybody want to handicap that race if it were held Tuesday?

We live in a 2- party system. We need the push/pull of different viewpoints for the system to work. Compromise between those viewpoints is how all of our views are represented, and it is critical for a functioning government at any level — but particularly at the local level where pure partisanship, tribalism and the resultant gridlock has almost immediate effects on our daily lives. Nobody runs the table in a functioning 2-party system.

So what happens next? I suppose it depends on what the RTC was actually thinking when they nominated their BoE candidates.

If they are true believers in the culture war, it may be curtains for Westport Republicans up and down the ticket. If voters are willing to withhold votes for unopposed candidates on non-partisan boards, based purely on their party affiliation, we are likely to see more centrist write-in options — who will be more successful — up and down the ticket.

If the RTC doubles down, there will be a multiple-cycle shadow effect, and I think people will start sussing out the partisan leanings of even the non-partisan RTM candidates.

If the RTC was just floating Mr. Riano as some kind of favor or test balloon, they may pull back. But they’ve done a huge amount of damage that voters won’t soon forget. At least they may have a path out of the crater.

Either way, their next cocktail party should be interesting…

(If you appreciate our “06880” coverage of local issues — politics, education, zoning, you name it — please consider a tax-deductible contribute. Just click here. Thank you!)

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Harrington: Locked Out Of GOP Meeting?

Posted on September 13, 2023 | 10 comments

On Monday, Republican Board of Education member Robert Harrington wrote an “Opinion” piece on “06880” about his party’s candidate selections for the board. He strongly criticized Camilo Riano for saying that superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice is “grooming” children.

Harrington also said he has “never met” Riano’s running mate, Jamie Fitzgerald, and has never seen her at any Board of Ed or Republican Party meetings.

Robert Harrington

Last night Harrington tried to dial in to his first Republican Town Committee meeting in Westport since his comments. The “special meeting” — to fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission — was set for 8 p.m., via Zoom.

Harrington was at a work meeting in New York, but left to participate in the RTC meeting. He planned to show his support for Michael Calise, the RTC-endorsed candidate for the P&Z slot.

Harrington told “06880” that he tried to join the meeting several minutes early, from multiple devices. He emailed and sent other messages to the organizers,  but says he was not let into the meeting.

Harrington told “06880” that this was the first time he has been unable to access an RTC meeting. As of 10 p.m. last night, he had not heard back from the RTC about his inability to access the meeting.

He told “06880”:

“I am glad that you have provided Camilo an opportunity to respond to my opinion piece from earlier this week.

“I don’t know if I was intentionally excluded from entering a public Zoom meeting of the Westport Republican Town Committee. Maybe it was a technical glitch. It has never happened before. I still haven’t heard back from them about the issue.

“I have a message for my party: I am not going anywhere. This is too important. I’m not a Democrat, and I will keep trying to change our party.  I will keep knocking on the door and showing up to party events.

“Issues matters. Parental involvement in our children’s education is non-negotiable. But words matter too. I am proud to state without any hesitation that Mr Scarice, as superintendent of our public schools, you are not child grooming any children.

“I am not angry with Camilo. This is not personal. Those are his views. However, I am saddened that my local Republican Party has chosen to endorse those words by endorsing this candidate. I do not not endorse those words or this candidate.”

“06888” asked Westport Republican Town Committee chair Joseph Sledge for a comment late last night, but has not yet received a comment.

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Roundup: GOP Slate, Young Shoots, World Champ …

Posted on July 23, 2023 | 1 comment

The Republican Party of Westport’s slate for the November elections features a mix of current and experienced candidates, and 3 new faces.

Meeting Thursday night at Town Hall, the GOP chose incumbent Liz Heyer, and newcomer Judy Domkowski.

Former Board of Finance member Tom Lasersohn joins Rich Hightower and Perry Winter in the Board of Finance race. Two current members will not run for re-election. Jay DesMarteau is moving, and Jim Foster has switched his registration to unaffiliated.

Incumbents Amie Tesler and Patricia Zucaro, alternate John Bolton, and former member Jack Whittle will vie for seats on the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Zoning Board of Appeals vice chair Liz Won and alternate Michelle Hopson are running again, while Joe Sledge was nominated to remain on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

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Only 2 Westport Farmers’ Markets remain before the “Young Shoots” photography contest deadline.

The 7th annual event — for students ages 5-18 — offers cash prizes in three age groups (and a chance to attend a MoCA art class). Click here to submit, and for more details.

But the WFM is a great place for artists too.

Quinn Fitts is a 14-year-old Westporter. He works in sculpture, pottery and watercolors. He’s also an accomplished glassblower and blacksmith.

A favorite subject is Farmers’ Market food. Here are 2 of his works:

“Carrots” (Quinn Fitts)

“Mushrooms” (Quinn Fitts)

Maybe next year, the “Young Shoots” contest will add an artists’ category.

Another creative shopper is Nisha Amir. She personalized her tote bag with a photo of her son, at the Bees Knees Ice Pops stand.

And maybe a “personalized tote bag” category too …?

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You won’t find this in the Westport Police reports.

But maybe in New York’s.

Yesterday, the cops were called when the line at Popup Bagels’ Thompson Street  location in SoHo got too long.

At one time, over 400 people were waiting at the site that opened in May. Several platforms have named Westport-based Popup the “best bagel in New York.”

The next location is the Upper East Side. Details soon, for the fall opening.

This is only half the line yesterday. It wrapped around the block in the other direction too.

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Westport has a new world champion

Mason Banks joined fellow US Naval Academy midshipman/crew teammate Jackson Fuller to capture the lightweight men’s pair title yesterday at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Bulgaria.

Though it was well before dawn here in Westport, he was “cheered on” by a group of fellow Staples High School alums, watching the livestream.

Banks’ team won the race in 6:36.37, nearly 4 seconds faster than the Italian runners-up.

“It’s everything I imagined and more,” Banks says. “It’s one of the greatest honors that I could achieve at this age.”

Click here for a full USRowing report. (Hat tips: Jill Johnson Mann, Scott Robins)

Mason Banks and Jackson Fuller, on the winners’ stand.

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Speaking of 2-person crews:

The Saugatuck Rowing Club was the site of a recent marriage proposal.

This was the scene:

(Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

The answer was: Yes!

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Everyone loves the Westport Community Gardens.

And everything.

Plants, herbs and flowers attract an astonishing array of wildlife. This dragonfly paused just long enough to be captured — on camera — by Gardens director Lou Weinberg, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … in honor of the message of love at the Saugatuck Rowing Club (story above):

(From Westport to Bulgaria, “06880” has got 06880 covered. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local business, Local politics, Sports, Staples HS

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Dems, Reps Set November Slates

Posted on July 22, 2021 | 2 comments

The candidates for November’s local elections are set.

Meeting electronically last night, both parties endorsed slates with great enthusiasm, and little debate.

State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and Board of Education chair Candice Savin were nominated for 1st and 2nd Selectman, respectively. Steinberg was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee’s Nominating Committee, which interviewed 5 potential candidates. His vote was 57 for, 2 against and 1 abstention.

The Democrats also nominated incumbents Danielle Dobin, Michael Cammeyer and Neil Cohn for the Planning & Zoning Commission; Kevin Christie and Christina Torres for the Board of Education; incumbents Lee Caney and Brian Stern for the Board of Finance; Josh Newman and Amy Wistreich for the Zoning Board of Appeal, and Ifeseyi Gayle and incumber Lynette Pineda for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

In an acknowledgment of recent controversy, several DTC members — including Steinberg, nominating chair Andrew Nevas and Rob Simmelkjaer — spoke of the need for unity and cohesion.

Steinberg accepted the nomination promising a return to Westport values, closing with a commitment to “Westport, better than ever.”

Jen Tooker — current 2nd selectwoman — leads the Republican ticket, for 1st selectman. Her running mate is Board of Finance vice chair Andrea Moore.

The GOP also nominated Robert Harrington, Dorie Hordon and incumbent vice chair Karen Kleine for the Board of Education; Michael Keller for the Board of Finance; former Planning & Zoning Commission member Jack Whittle for that office, and incumbent Joe Sledge for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

“We are absolutely delighted with our strong slate of candidates,” said RTC nominating committee chair Jim Foster.

“I am convinced  Westport’s future will remain bright. Our candidates understand the challenges and  opportunities facing Westport, and they are the best prepared, most qualified public servants to  lead us forward.”

The election — which includes all 36 non-partisan Representative Town Meeting positions — is November 2.

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