Shays Meets Westport Constituents

Rep. Christopher Shays addresses a community meeting in Westport today. The veteran Republican lawmaker touched on a wide range of issues ranging from the war in Iraq to transportation in Fairfield County. About 100 people attended. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Incumbent and the Challenger Meet

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell exchanges a few words with Rep. Christopher Shays prior to the congressman's community meeting today in Westport. It was the first meeting between the two since the Democrat Farrell filed a statement of candidacy this week to challenge the veteran Republican in November. Farrell remained at the meeting only a few minutes. WestportNow.com photo

Just Don't Call it a Shmeer

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

Whatever your race, creed, or religion, if you’re from anywhere east of the Rockies, when Sunday morning comes, you’re going to be thinking bagels. Lucky that Westport has more than our share of top-notch bagel purveyors.
Part of the selection at Bagel Maven: some of the town's best. WestportNow.com photo

It seems it doesn’t take long to become an instant expert on the comparative virtues of bagels. What I find truly amazing is the variety not only in price, but in defining characteristic.

For example, did you ever notice that Stew Leonard’s bagels get hard about 20 minutes after you buy them? That those soft, spongy Dunkin Donuts bagels are really not bagels at all, just slightly-less-sweet donuts in disguise?

That you can pass out from pure carbohydrate pleasure – and gain a few pounds – just by deeply inhaling inside Bagel Maven?

And wouldn’t it be nice if those Gold’s countermen used something other than their bare hands to place your bagels in bag once in a while?

If you’d like to write and tell me about your own personal favorites, I’ll pass it along to WestportNow readers in an update.

Since no self-respecting bagel maven would touch a packaged bagel, I’ve only listed prices of the fresh-baked bagels. And for good measure, I’ve thrown in the price of a bagel with cream cheese.

But just don’t call it a shmeer. This is Connecticut, after all.

Price of one really good bagel:

Stew Leonard’s $.40
Food for Thought $.49
Fortuna’s Deli $.50
Stop & Shop $.50
Bagel Maven $.50
Hay Day $.55
Shaw’s $.62
Village Bagels $.65
Wild Oats $.69
Chef’s Table $.75
Christy’s Country Store $.75
Elvira’s Market $.75
Great Cakes $.75
Oscar’s Delicatessen $.75
Abbondanza $.80
Gold’s Delicatessen $.80
Dunkin Donuts $.85
Commuter Coffee $1.25

And with cream cheese, you’ve got breakfast.

Price of a bagel with cream cheese:

Food for Thought $1.00
Bagel Maven $1.33
Fortuna’s Deli $1.35
Wild Oats $1.38
Abbondanza $1.50
Chef’s Table $1.50
Christy’s Country Store $1.50
Great Cakes $1.50
Gold’s Delicatessen $1.50
Dunkin Donuts $1.65
Hay Day $1.69
Elvira’s Market $1.75
Village Bagels $1.86
Oscar’s Delicatessen $1.95
Commuter Coffee $2.25

To locate any of the above establishments click here, enter the business name, and you'll get the address and phone number. As always, let me know if I have missed any.

Update to In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Coffee, tea or collate (Now, why didn’t I think of Kinko’s?)
Observant WestportNow reader Jeff Jacobs sent along an important addendum to last week’s Fran’s List roundup of 24-hour nightspots. Jeff writes, “You should note the vigorous nightlife on Westport Avenue (Rte. 1) toward Norwalk: both Dunkin Donuts and Kinko's draw their share of late-night denizens.” Now, give that man a WestportNow mug!

Saturday, January 17, 2004

4:30- 6 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Rep. Christopher Shays community meeting

Media Lawyers Submit Arguments on Martha Stewart Trial

Lawyers for media organizations covering the trial of Westport's Martha Stewart urged a federal judge today to reverse her order barring the media from watching jury selection.

In court papers, media lawyers said the high-profile nature of the case is not enough to justify restricting the public's right to monitor what happens in court.

"Because this case is newsworthy, it is all the more important to protect the right of access in order to reassure the public that the law is being applied evenhandedly, and that justice is being done," the papers said.

The judge, Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum of Manhattan federal court, was to hear oral arguments on the matter later today.

Seventeen media organizations are opposing the judge's order, including The Associated Press, all the major New York newspapers, all the major television networks and several other wire services.

Cedarbaum issued an order Thursday banning the press and public from juror interviews, which are to begin Tuesday - the first day in court for Stewart and her former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic.

The judge said the presence of reporters could have a "chilling effect" and keep potential jurors from being fully forthcoming about any biases they may have in the case.

"Without such candor on the part of prospective jurors, there is a substantial risk that defendants' absolute right to a fair trial and an impartial jury will be impaired," the judge wrote.

Juror interviews are held in open court in all but extremely rare cases - particularly mob and drug prosecutions, when there may be a risk of physical harm to a publicly identified juror.

Stewart is accused of lying to investigators about why she sold ImClone Systems stock on Dec. 27, 2001, just before it plunged on a negative report about the company's cancer drug.

The government says Stewart was tipped that ImClone founder Sam Waksal was trying to sell his shares. Stewart claims she and her broker had a pre-existing arrangement to sell the stock when the price fell to $60.

Earlier this month, the judge ordered members of the media not to talk to potential jurors in the case.

But Cedarbaum said Thursday that ruling had already been violated when an anonymous juror posted a report on a gossip Web site listing some of the questions in the questionnaire.

Cedarbaum denied a request by reporters to have a "pool" of one or more reporters watch the juror interviews. Instead, she plans to make transcripts of the interviews available the following day, with juror names withheld.

But only providing a transcript restricts the public's ability to understand what is happening, said Floyd Abrams, a prominent First Amendment lawyer in New York.

"There's a big difference between a transcript and the reality of seeing people respond to questions," he said.

The judge has also ordered the media not to disclose, photograph or sketch potential jurors in the case. Media lawyers contend that is an unconstitutional restriction, effectively creating an anonymous jury.

"There is no finding here - and no evidence of which we are aware - that any risk of juror tampering exists in this case that could justify keeping jurors' names entirely secret," the media lawyers wrote.

Shays: Race Against Farrell Will be "Huge"

Rep. Christopher Shays said today his race against Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell will be "huge."

In an interview with Cablevision News-12, Shays was asked about the November election against Democrat Farrell and said: "It's going to be a huge race and I can't predict the outcome."

Earlier, in newspaper interview, Shays called Farrell a "hugely formidable" opponent.

In a meeting Thursday with editors of The Advocate of Stamford and Greenwich Time, Shays spoke on a wide range of topics, including whether he had an interest in -- or had been asked about -- running for governor in 2006.

"If anyone suggested it, they were not encouraged to pursue it," the 16-year Republican veteran told the editors.

The report quoted Shays as saying he instead will put his energy into a campaign to retain his seat against Farrell.

"I am absolutely running again, and if I win that, I am running again" in 2006, Shays, said. "I am focused on issues that are important to my district and that are national."

Shays, who spoke for the first time on the upcoming race, called Farrell "hugely formidable," and said the campaign would require more work than recent challenges, according to the newspaper.

Friday, January 16, 2004

9:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Commission for Senior Services
2:30 p.m.- 21 Imperial Ave. - Center for Senior Activities ribbon cutting

Westport Schools on Two-Hour Delay Friday

The Westport public schools will be on a two-hour delay Friday due to the extreme cold temperatures, Schools Supt Elliott Landon announced tonight.

Today's classes were canceled because of an overnight snowfall.

Judge in Martha Stewart Trial Bars Media from Jury Questioning

The intense media interest in the inside trading-related trial of Westport’s Martha Stewart has prompted the federal judge in the case to bar news coverage of questioning of prospective jurors.

The process is usually held in open court.

U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum said today she was concerned reporters might disclose the names of potential jurors and their answers to the questions they are asked.

"There is a substantial risk that such publication or the possibility of such publication would prevent prospective jurors from giving full and frank answers to questions posed to them," she wrote.

The judge said she would release a transcript of the interviews the following day, with names withheld. The interviews are to begin Tuesday.

Lawyers for various media organizations covering the trial planned to ask the judge to hear them Friday and reconsider her ruling.

"We don't believe Judge Cedarbaum followed the proper procedures, nor do we think that this type of order is justified in this case," said Stephanie S. Abrutyn, a lawyer for Tribune Co., which owns Newsday.

Hundreds of prospective jurors have already filled out questionnaires.

Closing the process to reporters and the public is a rare step that hampers the public's ability to monitor the judicial process, said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

She said the step is usually reserved for cases in which there may be a risk of physical harm to a juror. But she said closing the process for publicity reasons is becoming more common.

Board of Education Purchasing Policies Again Under Scrutiny

The Westport Board of Education purchasing policies have again come under criticism – this time by a committee of the town's legislative body.

The board discussed revisions to its policies Wednesday night and heard a plea from a member of the Finance Committee of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) that the policies include seeking three written quotations even if a state bid list is used.

The committee had made such a recommendation eight months ago as controversy swirled around a change in vendors for copiers for the schools and how the new vendor was selected.

The town's policy provides that if the state contract bid list is the sole bidding source, then written price quotations shall be obtained from three vendors on the bid list.

But the draft proposal presented to the Board of Education for action did not include a provision for seeking written quotations, only that vendors be among those on a state-approved list.

The matter takes on more significance since the Town Charter provides that the town's finance director, Don Miklus, establish town purchasing standards, subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education on an annual basis.

Alice Shelton, the RTM Deputy Moderator and a member of its Finance Committee, addressed the board Wednesday night and said she was speaking on behalf of the committee's chair, John Booth.

In her remarks, she referred to the fact that two members of the board – Republican Lewis Brey and Democrat Mark Mathias – were not on the board last April 30 when the RTM committee made a series of recommendations to the educators.

She also said that others on the board may have forgotten the committee's recommendations.

"In our report on the 2003-2004 Education Budget, the RTM Finance Committee recommended 'that the Board of Education give strong consideration to amending their policy such that large purchases should be subject to formal bid procedures or should be documented with three written price quotations – even if the purchase is made utilizing the state's purchasing contract,'” Shelton said.

"Personally, I believe that the RTM Finance Committee’s request is a reasonable one," she said. "The issue is not legality; rather, the issue is fiscal prudence."

She added: "I don’t believe it to be an onerous task to request three price quotes – especially in those instances where there are multiple vendors listed in purchasing collaborative lists available to the Board of Education."

"On behalf of RTM Finance Committee Chair John Booth, I respectfully request that the Board of Education give careful consideration to all recommendations from the RTM Finance Committee, including the aforementioned recommendation," Shelton said.

Shelton said today that Schools Supt. Elliott Landon responded to her remarks by saying he had considered the committee suggestion that three written price quotes be obtained but that he had rejected it.

She said the board agreed to put off a decision on the new purchasing policies so they could move on to the next agenda item, the superintendent's proposed budget.

Board members will meet with the committee later this month to discuss the purchasing policy recommendation and others.

Editor's Note: The editor of WestportNow also serves as Moderator of the RTM.

Tentative Resolution Reached in Daybreak Nurseries Case

A tentative resolution has been reached in the Town of Westport's complaint against Daybreak Nurseries for using a residential area for business operations.

Town Attorney Ira Bloom said today the agreement was reached Wednesday in the second day of a hearing in Superior Court in Stamford.

The town had asked the court to issue an injunction against Daybreak.

He said Daybreak has agreed to submit an application to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) which will address complaints by the town and neighbors.

Daybreak's application will include establishing buffer areas along the perimeter of the property, limiting hours of operation, including Sunday limits, and limits on height of stockpiling, Bloom said.

In view of the tentative resolution, Judge William Lewis continued the case pending the outcome of the ZBA application and decision, he said.

If the ZBA approves, the case will be concluded. If the ZBA disapproves, the temporary injunction hearing will proceed, according to Bloom.

Mark J. Kovack, Bloom's associate who actually handled the case on behalf of the town, said he did not anticipate renewed complaints about Daybreak before the ZBA hearing.

Although Daybreak did not expressly agree to adhere to the new limits to be proposed by it to the ZBA, "it is certainly reasonable to expect that Daybreak will voluntarily adhere to limits, both as a gesture of good faith and as a basis to support its own application." he said.

He added that Daybreak "does recognize the fact that the neighbors can pursue a nuisance claim against it independent of any action taken by the town, including the pending claim for an injunction."

According to Kovack, Daybreak's application must be filed on or before Feb. 6. A public hearing of that application will take place on March 23.

It’s a Dog’s Life: From Westport to Paris -- But Who Am I?

Editor’s Note: Former Westporter Suzy Gershman is now living in Paris with her dog rescued from the Westport dog pound. The dog is featured on the cover of her new book, "C'est la Vie." But there’s some background information on the pooch missing, as explained below.

.

By Samantha Joe Cocker Spaniel
Special to WestportNow

PARIS—Don’t cry for me Argentina.

In fact, don’t cry for me Fairfield County.

Instead, cheer for me please, shout bravo and tell me, one more time, what a good dog I am.

I used to be a regular Westport bitch, but now I am French.

You may have given me up for glue, but now I am on the cover of a hardback book called "C’est la Vie," by Suzy Gershman (also from Westport) and published by Viking Press.

Please buy this book, take a good hard look at me (I do look small on the cover, it’s true) and get in touch. No recriminations, no barking—but I have needs too.

For whatever your reasons, you left me in The Pound in Westport in late September or early October of 2001.

The people at The Pound were very nice, but frankly, I was at death’s door. And the food wasn’t great either. Someone was just about to call out Dead Dog Walking.

Then suddenly, like on a television show about miracles, I was not only rescued, but stuffed into a kennel and flown overseas.

One day it was bleak concrete and dog chow; the next I was in the City of Light, nestled on a silk setee while a white-coated waiter brought me water in a silver bowl.

I have had a rather perfect life in this land of dog-lovers and don’t miss the old life too terribly much. Potically speaking, I stand (all four legs) with Jacques Chirac on this Iraq thing.

Don’t come to me for French-bashing. I like the butter too much.

But like all adoptees, I have been wondering about my old family and my life before Paris.

Since I cannot have my photo on a milk carton and am not likely to be featured on Without A Trace, if you know who I was, would you please contact me? I am about 12 years old (gulp) and need some medical history if possible.

Here’s what we know. I am all black and black is indeed beautiful. When I was adopted in 2001, you said I was seven years old. Everyone knew that was a fib, but since a woman never reveals her age—no one minded. I am, of course, older. My name was Samantha and I answered to Sam.

In my new life, I am officially named Samantha Joe Cocker Spaniel, but I am not really a cocker spaniel and only answer to Sam, even in French.

I am a tad shaggy, short, very fat and some sort of spaniel mix—maybe with teckle. I like to eat, sleep and shop. I hate parks and playing with toys. I love to be petted. I crave attention.

In fact, when people ignore me, I tend to throw back my head and howl. I love French food and sniffing candy wrappers in the street. I am cuddly and smart and speak French and English fluently. Do you know me?

My mistress—as we say in France—adopted me a year after her husband, Michael Gershman, died. She says I saved her life. But then, she saved mine.

If you know me, or knew me, please write to suzykgparis @ aol.com. I already have a French doggy passport, so I’m not coming back, but I am needing to know my roots.

Westport Public Schools Closed Today

The Westport public schools are closed today due to the snow.

First the Announcement, Then the Web Site

Westport Democratic First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell has launched a Web site at www.farrellforcongress.com in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Christopher Shays in November in Connecticut's 4th Congressional District. WestportNow.com photo

Thusday, January 15, 2004

5:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Community Mental Health Committee
7 p.m. - Toquet Hall - Youth Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission

Farrell Says Running Westport is her "Primary Responsibility"

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell said today her Democratic campaign for Congress to oust Republican Rep. Christopher Shays will take a back seat to her town responsibilities.
Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell at today's brown bag lunch: "Running Westport will be my primary responsibility." WestportNow.com photo

Addressing her weekly brown bag citizens' lunch, Farrell said she was very excited and proud of her decision, announced Tuesday, to officially file a federal form declaring her candidacy.

"However, I am still running the Town of Westport and that has got to be my primary responsibility," she said.

Farrell added, though that she will "obviously be actively campaigning for the next 10 months.

"And, as I am fond of saying these days, everybody has to multitask, and this will, obviously, be part of that -- juggling the responsibilities."

Farrell said she was "proud and honored to have come from Westport and expanded the issues important to this town to the district as a whole."

The town official cautioned her luncheon guests that she would not be using the weekly luncheon as a campaign forum.

"As much as I appreciate your support, the brown bag lunch must remain a place to discuss Westport issues," she said. "I don't want this somehow to be perceived as a campaign vehicle."

In answer to a question, Farrell said there would be a campaign headquarters established at some point "and all the things that are necessary in an election for federal office."

She added, "There are over 700,000 people living in this district. – so I am going to need a lot of votes."

Farrell said many people had asked her about running for governor, especially given the turmoil surrounding Gov. John G. Rowland.

But she explained even if Rowland were to resign or be ousted from office. Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell would serve out the three years or so of his remaining term.

Town Argues for Injunction Against Daybreak Nurseries

The Town of Westport went to court today to try to convince a judge to issue an injunction against Daybreak Nurseries to stop using a residential area for its business operations.
The town has issued repeated cease and desist orders against Daybreak Nurseries this year. WestportNow.com file photo

Arguments in the case began Tuesday in Superior Court in Stamford and continued today, according to Town Attorney Ira Bloom.

"It may or may not continue through tomorrow (Thursday)," he told WestportNow.

Bloom said because there are legal issues involved, he anticipates that the judge will request the parties to submit briefs after the evidence is completed.

"Therefore, I would not expect an immediate decision at the conclusion of the evidentiary portion," he said.

The town has issued repeated cease and desist orders against Daybreak Nurseries this year after neighbors complained it was splitting logs and moving dirt on the property in violation of conditions set down in a 1983 variance approval.

Kathy Barnard, Planning and Zoning director, said the town sought a court order against the nursery, located at the intersection of Weston Road and Main Street, only after repeated attempts failed to get it to comply with regulations.

Neighbors have complained that commercial activity at the nursery has expanded considerably over the last summer or two.

Westport News Repeats Call for Rowland Ouster

The Westport News, one of two weekly newspapers in Westport, today repeated its call for the resignation of Gov. John G. Rowland.

"For the well-being of the state you claim to so dearly love, John G. Rowland have the good grace and enough sense to realize the time to resign is overdue," the newspaper said in an editorial.

The newspaper, part of the Denver-based MediaNews Group Inc. whose other properties include the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, had issued a similar call at New Year's.

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch
5:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
6 p.m. Westport Arts Center - Project Return's "The Birdhouse as Art" opening reception
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
8 p.m. - Staples High School library - Special Board of Education meeting

Staples Basketballers Roll Over Danbury 59-50

The Staples High School boy's basketball team, paced by John Baumann scoring 33 points and bringing down 10 rebounds, defeated Danbury tonight 59-50.

The Wreckers, playing at home, improved to 7-0 overall on the season and 4-0 in the Fairfield Country Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC).

But it was not all smooth sailing. Staples had to overcome a four-point deficit at the half to go on to victory.

Matt Cook had 12 points and eight rebounds as he pounded the boards from his guard position.

Staples got off to a slow start, missing several lay-ups and quickly falling to an eight- point deficit in the first quarter.

But the Wreckers managed to close within one at the quarter and kept it close until the half. In the second half, Staples came out strong and never looked back.

Staples meets Trinity Catholic in a battle of the unbeatens at Trinity on Friday at 7 p.m.

New Feature: Westport Property Transfers Jan. 1-9, 2004

Editor's Note: WestportNow today inaugurates a new feature – Westport property transfer listings as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office. The new feature comes as WestportNow simultaneously launches a new real estate section. Click on the left hand column sections list to see all real estate stories.

Richard R. Floersch to George S. and Ana Lucia Corey Jr., 2 Tiffany Lane, $3,550,000.

Westport Home & Land Co LLC to Andrew T. and Meera D. Gilbert, Lot 19, 40 Terra Nova Circle, $905,222.

Judi A. Bishop to Gregory W. Altschuh and Janis G. Lipman, 196 Hillspoint Road, $915,000.

Allan P. Cramer to Estate of Howard K. Levy, 8 Lincoln St., 50 percent interest, $200,000.

Estate of Howard K. Levy to Allan P Cramer, 28 & 44 Post Road West, $500,000.

Nicholas T. and Joanne S. Zeoli to Roberto C. and Nikki Z. Porzio, 20 Meeker Road, $500,000.

Dorothy K. Tarrant to Stone Ridge Builders LLC, 167 Compo Road South, $500,000.

Estate of Corrine L. Mills to Richard Grimaldi, 6 Narrow Rocks Road, $355,000.

Trotters Lane LLC to Ronald and Jamie Prentki, 32 Easton Road, $2,040,000.

Mike and Seema Jain to Westport Rental Holdings LLC, 21 Hiawatha Lane, $441,000.

Hook & Needle General Partnership to Westport Design Center LLC, 1860 Post Road East, $1,314,665.

John Pino to Augustus Pappajohn, 31 Orchard Hill Road, $1,000,000.

Evelyn S. Plant to Jeffrey H. and Denise A. Baer, 7 Melon Patch Lane, $1,200,000.

274 Riverside Associates LLC to Lexham Riverside LLC, 274 Riverside Ave., $12.65 million.

Estate of Edward L. and Bridget Anthea Saxe to Peggy A. Sawyer and Augustus T. Crocker Jr., 81 Old Hill Road, $800,000.

Off to the Races

Members of the Westport Staples High School ski team head for the team's first races of the season today against Amity, Ridgefield, and Wilton High Schools at Mt. Southington, Conn. Co-captain Evan Rock (l), along with co-captains Ray Cheng and Nick Vornle (not shown), escort ski team members onto the buses. WestportNow.com photo

Westport First Selectwoman Takes First Step in Congressional Bid

Westport's Democaratic First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell filed papers today to form a campaign committee and raise funds to challenge Rep. Christopher Shays, a 16-year Republican veteran, for his 4th District congressional seat.

"I am thrilled to be taking the first step to run for Congress," said Farrell in a statement.

"It has been years since I have heard such a groundswell of concern that our country is on the wrong track and that our region is underserved."

Accompanying the announcement was a copy of a letter Farrell sent to Shays informing him of her candidacy.

"Since we have had a respectful working relationship over the years, I wanted to inform you personally of my intentions," she wrote.

"As a veteran campaigner myself, I know it is never much fun to be challenged, yet we both know the electorate benefits when presented with meaningful choices and solid debate."

She told Shays that she looked forward to the coming months, "though no doubt there will be trying times (especially for our mutual friends)."

Farrell added: "I am confident we can maintain a level of professionalism that will benefit the district." The letter was signed, "Best wishes, Diane Goss Farrell."

The statement said that Farrell planned to make a formal announcement next month and prior to that would travel throughout the district "listening first hand to and sharing her concerns and hopes with her fellow residents."

The announcement, faxed to media outlets, came from the Farrell for Congress Committee and listed a Westport post office box as an address. It also listed Nancy DiNardo as treasurer.

Today's filing, formally called a "Statement of Candidacy," was sent to the Federal Election Commission in Washington.

It listed the campaign committee's name as well as a declaration that Farrell did not intend to expend personal funds in the race, according to a Farrell aide.

Hook 'n Needle Sells for $1.3 Million

Hook 'n Needle, a Westport landmark on Post Road East for more than 30 years, has been sold to Westport Design Center LLC for $1.3 million, according to a filing in the Town Clerk's office. Owners Marc Bloch and James Henry announced last September they were retiring. The needlepoint store was housed in a former mill and served customers all over the world via the Internet. WestportNow.com file photo

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Noon - Toquet Hall -- Westport Arts Center's "Play With Your Food" play reading
2 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201A - Planning & Zoning Commission Historic Properties Rezoning Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - Zoning Board of Appeals
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - RTM, cable TV coverage Channel 79

Schools Superintendent Seeks 6.9% Budget Increase

Westport Schools Supt. Elliott Landon tonight presented what he called a "3 R's budget" of $74.9 million to the Board of Education for the 2004-2005 school year that is a 6.9 percent increase over the current year's budget.

Schools Supt. Elliott Landon goes over budget figures tonight with board chair Sandra Urist. WestportNow.com photo

In a document prepared for tonight's Board of Education meeting at Staples High School, Landon characterized the budget as being built on "3 R's" – re-examination, rationale, and responsibility.

"Whether addressing personnel, curriculum, equipment or facilities, every decision in this budget is both educationally and fiscally responsible," he said.

He told the board that he shaped the budget "clearly cognizant of the fiscal pressures bearing down on the Town of Westport." He called the 6.9 percent increase "modest."

Landon reminded members that a year ago when he presented the current year's budget, he had a goal of "not to do business as usual."

He called the year-ago proposal "a pared down budget that, while educationally sufficient, was far from optimal."

The new budget maintains "excellent class sizes we have been able to secure at the elementary and middle school levels" and further reduces academic class sizes at Staples High School, Landon said.

The budget includes addition of several staff members due to enrollment increases and program enhancements.

It also adds $125,000 to the fuel and utilities accounts for anticipated increases in use in the expanded and renovated Staples, he said.

There is also a $70,000 expenditure for beginning the process of duct cleaning in "select schools" to ensure healthy school environments for students and staff, Landon said.

Landon noted that the budget also includes an $800,000 reduction in the medical insurance reserve, an area of repeated discussion with the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting.

The budget does not provide for funds to restore last year's start times to Coleytown Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools.

The controversial issue has been discussed repeatedly by board members and was a hot item during the November election for board members.

Landon has said it would cost $250,000 to move the schools back to the original start times, money he said he would rather spend elsewhere.

Former Westport Resident Leonard Kaminsky Dies

Leonard P. Kaminsky, a former Westport resident who served on the town's Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Assessment Appeals, has died in Hawaii, friends said today. He turned 76 last Wednesday.

Kaminsky, who moved to Shelton several years ago, had undergone bypass surgery in the past and his death early Sunday was apparently caused by a heart attack, according to the friends.

Kaminsky, a retired vice president of Cone Mills Marketing Co., was last seen by friends in Westport at a recent Y's Men meeting.

Active in many local organizations, Kaminsky was a past president of Westport Sunrise Rotary, a former member of the Temple Israel board of trustees, and was an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

He served on the Planning and Zoning Commission from 1992 to 1995 and the Board of Assessment Appeals from 1997 to 2001. He was P&Z chair in 1992 and 1995.

"Len was probably one of the nicest human beings you could ever come across," said Jo Fuchs Luscombe, a longtime Westport friend.

"He was a devoted family man and a good friend."

Survivors include his wife, Eve, and two sons, James, who is editorial director of Playboy magazine, and Richard, and two daughters, Laurie, and Lisa.

Services for Kaminsky will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Westport's Temple Israel.

Riverside Avenue Office Building Sells for $12.65 Million

In another sign or the vitality of the Westport commercial real estate market, a Riverside Avenue office building has been sold for $12.65 million.

This office building at 274 Riverside Ave. sold for $12.65 million. WestportNow.com photo

The five-story building at 274 Riverside Ave. was sold by Westport-based 274 Riverside Associates LLC to Stamford-based Lexham Riverside LLC.

The building, which was built in 1973, last changed hands in 1994 for $4 million when 274 Riverside Associates bought it from National Home Life Assurance Co.

The sale resulted in a $31,500 payment to the town for real estate conveyance tax, according to the town clerk's office. State taxes were $126,000.

According to papers filed with the town clerk, principals of 274 Riverside Associates include James Randel, Richard Resnick, Allan Stern, ABS Investing Co., Inc., Doug and Barbi Sheffer, Kirby Jonas, and Steve Nussbaum.

Tenants at the office building include Greenfield Consulting Group and Janus Capital Management.

In a news release, Greenwich-based Mercury Partners LLC, a boutique merchant bank, said its real estate private equity affiliate, Mercury Ventures LLC, had purchased the 48,000-square foot building with operating partner Lexham Realty, whose principal is Marc K. Lewis.

According to David R. Jarvis, senior managing director of Mercury, “This transaction exemplifies our investment strategy of purchasing institutional quality assets in irreplaceable locations and in high barrier to entry markets."

He added, "We purchased this well- located and fully-leased office building with very affordable financing, high stabilized cash flow and significant potential for additional rent growth.”

Shays Calls for Rowland Resignation

Rep. Christopher Shays today called on Gov. John G. Rowland to step down "in a gracious manner" and said the sooner the better.

Rep. Christopher Shays calls for Rowland's resignation at a Hartford news conference today. WTNH.com photo

Shays spoke at a Hartford news conference.

"I believe the time has come for our governor, John Rowland, to step down in a gracious manner, and allow the lieutenant governor, Jodi Rell, to become our new governor," the 4th District Republican congressman said.

Shays added, "I believe the sooner this happens the better for our state and believe it or not, the better ultimately it will be for John and his family."

Asked if had personally told the governor of his position, Shays said he tried to call him Friday, but the call was not returned.

"It strikes me as being so obvious (that he ought to step down) – but not to him." Shays said.

Asked if he thought the governor would resign, Shays replied, "I don’t think he plans to in the near future."

Shays said the impeachment process "should begin based on what we know but I don’t think it necessarily should result in impeachment."

Shays said he had been prepared to forgive Rowland for lying about accepting gifts from employees and a state contractor.

"But I am not prepared to stand by a governor, even a friend, who has done wrong, lied about it and then refused to account for his actions," said Shays, who is serving his ninth term in Congress.

Six more Republican state senators -- including Westport's Judy Freedman -- today also called for Rowland to resign and a new poll indicated his public support continues to erode.

The University of Connecticut poll found 63 percent of state residents think Rowland should resign for taking gifts for his summer house from subordinates and a contractor and lying about it.

A similar poll taken last week put the number at 58 percent.

The new poll finds 56 percent of residents support an impeachment, compared with 50 percent last week.

"Public opinion about Rowland continues to spiral downward," said UConn poll director Ken Dautrich.

In addition to Freedman, Republican senators George "Doc" Gunther of Stratford, Thomas Herlihy of Simsbury, John McKinney of Fairfield, Andrew Roraback of Goshen and Win Smith Jr. of Milford also said Rowland should step down.

At his news conference, Shays praised Rell and said she would make an "extraordinary" governor.

Asked if he had an interest in the job, he replied: "I am not a candidate for governor. I don't anticipate that I will be."

Posing a question to himself, Shays said: "Would I be surprised if more (damaging information about Rowland) came out? Absolutely not."

Overnight Snow Causes Two-Hour School Delay

The Westport public school system is on a two-hour delay today due to an overnight snow fall.

Monday, January 12 2004

7:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 -Board of Education anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library -Board of Education

Westport's State Representative Calls on Rowland to Step Aside Temporarily

State Rep G. Kenneth Bernhard said today that Gov. John G. Rowland, a fellow Republican, ought to step aside temporarily while a federal investigation about him proceeds.

"I intend to call him tomorrow (Monday) and tell him he ought to take advantage of the provisions of the state constitution," Bernhard, who represents the 136th District, told WestportNow.

"The constitution provides that a governor can write a letter saying that he is unable to perform the duties of office and that he is temporarily stepping aside," he said.

"Usually it is reserved for medical reasons, but it could be applied in this case," Bernhard said.

"What is readily apparent at this juncture is that guilty or innocent, fair or unfair, the governor cannot perform the duties entrusted to him by the people who elected him to be governor."

Bernhard said the governor ought to step aside until a federal investigation into his acceptance of gifts from politically connected friends and contractors is completed.

By taking the action, Rowland would allow Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell to take over the role of governor and "allow the legislature to function in providing services and addressing the issues of the state," he said.

The legislator said if the federal investigation shows there is no reason to call a grand jury, Rowland could then say he was prepared to resume the duties of governor.

He said the legislature would still have the option at that time of deciding even if there were no offenses of a criminal nature that it still wanted to consider impeachment on ethical grounds.

Update: Support for Gov. John G. Rowland continues to erode, a new poll indicates.

The UConn poll released Monday found 63 percent of Connecticut residents think Rowland should resign. A similar poll taken last week put the number at 58 percent.

The new poll finds 56 percent of residents support an impeachment, compared with 50 percent last week.

"Public opinion about Rowland continues to spiral downward," said UConn poll director Ken Dautrich.

The poll questioned Connecticut residents by telephone from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11. The poll has a sample error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Almost three-quarters of Democrats, two-thirds of independents and 40 percent of Republicans think the governor should go, the poll found.

Rowland's job approval rating remains about the same as last week, with 28 percent thinking the governor is doing an excellent or good job.

Shays: Rowland Remains Evasive

Rep. Christopher Shays told a Greenwich meeting that he believes Gov. John Rowland still has not adequately explained his actions and statements regarding improvements to his summer cottage, according to today’s Greenwich Time.

The Republican congressman’s town meeting in Greenwich Saturday was one of four he held in the district during the day. He holds a session in Westport next Saturday.

He told the Greenwich audience that he had advised Rowland during a private meeting in December to "take tangible actions to win back people's trust. . . (and) answer any and all questions about his conduct," the newspaper reported.

"John has chosen not to do that," Shays said. About 100 residents attended the meeting.

Shays has scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon in Hartford to discuss the controversy surrounding Rowland, and he told constituents that he would make additional comments then, the newspaper said.

Shays is expected to call for Rowland's resignation at the news conference, according to a report in today's Hartford Courant.

Another Connecticut Republican congressman, Rep. Bob Simmons of the 2nd District, Saturday called for Rowland to resign. So did Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell, a Democrat who is considering challenging Shays in November.

In addition to Rowland's situation, the Greenwich meeting covered a variety of state and national issues, including Shays' recent warning to avoid Times Square on New Year's Eve., Greenwich Time reported.

The comments outraged New York City officials, but Shays stood by his statement Saturday.

"We were at an orange alert, the second-highest level," he said. "If we're going to go to that level, it's got to mean something.

"So for the Homeland Security director to say 'go on with your daily activities' is bizarre."

But Shays acknowledged that his comments may have been impolitic.

"What I should have said was, 'I think it's not a wise thing to do, but if you want to make a statement of solidarity, do it,' " he said.

Hartford Courant: Westporter 's Hawaii Home Loan to Rowland Raises Ethical Issues and Maybe More

Today’s Hartford Courant cites a Hawaii visit almost four years ago by Gov. John Rowland to a home loaned to him by a retired Westport advertising executive as an example of a pattern of accepting gifts from friends that raises ethical questions and maybe more.

Rowland and friends stayed at the Mauna Kea Resort home of Barry Blau, 76, of Bayberry Ridge Road, in January 2000, according to the newspaper. It said Blau was not there at the time but that he confirmed he loaned it to Rowland.

The Courant said the trip raises not only ethical issues but perhaps legal ones as well.

The newspaper headlined its story “Rowlands Are No Strangers To Gifts -- Hawaii Trip, Other Freebies Raise Question: When Is A Little Help From Friends Too Much?”

”The mercury hovered just above freezing in Connecticut for much of March 2000 - a fine time to fly away to the sun-kissed Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii, for a week at the spectacular oceanfront Mauna Kea Resort,” the Courant said.

”It was a dream vacation for Gov. John G. Rowland and his wife, Patricia, in a house that would rent for thousands of dollars a week. But their accommodations didn't cost them a dime - another case of friends and supporters picking up the Rowlands' tab.”

The report added: “Unlike some of the other freebies that Rowland and his wife have enjoyed, no part of the Hawaii getaway appears to have come via the courtesy of any state contractors - the kind of free benefits that have thrown the governor into political and legal jeopardy.

”Despite the absence of a contractor connection, however, the Hawaii story illustrates a significant pattern of behavior by the governor: While drawing a middle-class paycheck for most of his years as governor, his lifestyle has been studded with the trappings of affluence - often through the kindness of others.

”And it again raises what many view as a threshold ethics issue: Did Rowland receive special benefits simply by virtue of holding office?”

According to the newspaper, Rowland's legal counsel, Ross Garber, said Rowland can even take gifts from state contractors, as long as the contractors do not deal directly with the governor's office.

The Courant quoted Garber as saying the governor would have no comment on its story – “but by the counsel's logic, it is perfectly fine that in late March of 2000, the first couple paid nothing for their stay in the Mauna Kea resort house of retired advertising executive Barry Blau of Westport.”

It said Blau is a Republican political donor who met Rowland through his gubernatorial campaign.

”Blau and his family spent $7,000 to stage a Rowland fund-raising event in 1994 and contributed $3,000 to his 1998 re-election effort, records show,” the newspaper reported.

According to the Courant, Rowland’s repeated insistence that no one who did him favors got anything in return may not absolve him of legal problems.

“A key question about the Hawaii accommodations - and about anything else Rowland has taken from people, whether or not they do business with the state - may be: How far can an officeholder go in accepting things from friends or associates without crossing the ethical line into impropriety?,” the newspaper said.

One of the keys to the answer appears to be whether a gift comes from a newfound political friend or an old personal one, the report said.

It quoted the State Ethics Commission's executive director, Alan S. Plofsky, as saying last month that it is illegal in Connecticut for a public official to accept an expensive gift that he receives by virtue of the office he holds.

One test of that is whether the giver has presented him with such gifts prior to his taking office, Plofsky said, according to the newspaper.

”By that test, it appears that Rowland may have violated state law even by accepting expensive benefits from people such as Blau who do no business with the state - because Blau is a newfound friend who met Rowland in the context of his role as candidate and then governor,” the Courant said.