Tag Archives: Westport RTM

So Sue Me

The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recent hissy fit — resolving to sue the RTM for exercising what is probably their legal right to overturn a decision — has spawned a new Westport trend.

Yesterday, “06880” learned of 3 other bizarre intra-town lawsuits.

  • Emergency Medical Services is suing the Fire Department, for responding to a choking victim before the EMS arrived.  Referring to the incident earlier this month, an EMT said, “We’re sick and tired of those firemen with their big red trucks thinking they’re like medical personnel.  They should stick to putting out fires, and we’ll save people’s lives.  Am I right?”
  • The Highway Department is suing the Board of Education, after a teenage driver crashed into a stop sign while texting.  It was Martin Luther King Day, causing a road crew to come out — at triple time — to repair the damage.  “What the hell are they teaching at Staples these days?” a Highway Department spokesman asked.  “Don’t they friggin’ know anything?”
  • First Selectman Gordon Joseloff is suing Second Selectman Shelley Kassen for dereliction of duty, and gross incompetence.  “I sent her to Starbucks for a vente skinny cinnamon mocha latte frappuccino smoothie tea, half soy, half skim, half decaf, half Half-and-Half, and she comes back with a Dunkin’ Donuts small black coffee,” the chief executive thundered.  “WTF?”

Speaking Of Students

I turned on Channel 79 tonight expecting vitriol and venom.

The show was the RTM education budget discussion. After decades worth of Town Hall meetings — from busing Bridgeport students and recalling a Board of Ed chairman to bundles of budget battles — I thought I knew the drill.

During public comment, speakers would sputter and spew.  They’d impugn opponents’ motives and integrity, stopping just short of assailing their ancestors.  It would be a nasty night, and when it was over I’d want to take a shower.

It’s only 10 p.m., and this thing could go on until tomorrow.  But so far I’ve been pleasantly surprised to hear reasoned discussion, rational discourse, even dollops of humor.  It came from both sides of the aisle.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised too by the vigorous defense of our school system by folks on the other side of the aisle from me — citizens who in past years have wielded sharp elbows but who tonight embraced the importance of education, and the way it is delivered in Westport.

But I was most pleasantly surprised by the speeches of the youngest attendees.  Unlike me, they did not sit home watching on TV.  They got themselves to Town Hall.  And then they stood up to speak, in public, in front of a bunch of adults.

The students — many from Staples, some (particularly impressively) still in middle school — were poised and passionate.  They were articulate and clear.  They were funny.

They talked about their lives.  They talked about the importance of preparing themselves to live in a global village.  One quoted from the Board of Ed’s own mission statement.

Now it’s 10:15 p.m.  The RTM just voted overwhelmingly not to restore $1.4 million previously cut.  Odds are, more disappointment lies ahead for our young people.

But whatever the outcome, they’ve already done themselves proud.  They’ve done their parents proud, their school system proud and their town proud.

Maybe their calm yet insistent presence helped create the overall civil tone for tonight.  If so, they taught us well.

Happy Birthday, Bill Meyer!

If you live in Westport and don’t know Bill Meyer, you don’t really live in Westport.

In his 35 years in town, Bill has:

  • Been elected 7 times to the RTM, where he chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee
  • Serves on the RTM’s Education, and Health and Human Services Committees
  • Been a member of the Little League board of directors; still umpires — and had a softball field named for him
  • Served as Y’s Men president and membership chairman
  • Been a director of Sunrise Rotary, Friends of the Senior  Center, First Night, Westport’s AARP chapter, Westport Community Theatre and 2 intercity Bridgeport agencies
  • Served on the Saugatuck Congregational Church council
  • Helped with Meals on Wheels
  • Won the 2004 Service to Older Adults award
  • Earned a Westport First award
  • Received the YMCA’s Faces of Achievement honor

Today, Bill turns 80.  If his 3 1/2 decades here are any indication, he’s just warming up.