Guests in Westport

These visitors were among almost 300 U.N. guests who traveled to Westport today for jUNe Day activities.Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport Gets Pinned

First Selectwoman Dianne G. Farrell "pins" Westport on a world map during today's jUNe Day activities as Michaela MacColl, jUNe Day chairperson, looks on. Saul Haffner for WestportNow.com

Celebrating jUNe Day

Flags of United Nations member countries fly from Westport's Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge today to welcome U.N. visitors to the town's annual jUNe Day. See more photos on COMMUNITY page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Saturday, June 26, 2004

10 a.m. - Saugatuck Elementary School - jUNe Day activities
8 p.m. - Town Hall - Westport Community Theatre presents readings from radio plays, programs

House Minority Leader Campaigns for Farrell

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Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell (c) poses tonight with House Democratic minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John B. Larson from Connecticut's 1st District at a fundraiser in Darien. (See WestportNow June 23, 2004) Contributed photo

Passing the Gavel

Peter Ferrara (l) thanks attendees at tonight’s Westport Rotary Club “pass-the-gavel” clambake at Compo Beach as he took over the club presidency from John Fitzgerald. With him is Rick Benson, a club member and Rotary assistant district governor. WestportNow.com photo

Westport Housing Construction Slowed in May, Down Compared to 2003

Housing construction in Westport slowed slightly in May from the month earlier and is down compared to 2003, the state Department of Economic and Community Development said today.

State housing activity also slowed in May compared to April, but unlike Westport, overall Connecticut activity is up year-to-date compared to last year, the department said.

The agency said Westport authorized 10 new housing units in May compared to 13 in April. Westport year-to-date in 2004 has authorized 44 new units compared to 50 in the same period in 2003.

The department said all Connecticut towns and cities authorized 942 new housing units, a 2.8 percent increase compared with 916 in May 2003.

In April, communities issued permits for 1,022 new housing units, up by almost 20 percent compared with April 2003, the department reported.

"It was an outstanding performance in April. I think it's cooled down in May compared with April," Kolie Sun, senior research analyst at DECD, told the AP.

For the year, the number of permits statewide is up 19.8 percent. Fairfield County saw a 31.8 percent jump, third behind New London and Middlesex Counties.

Hartford and Oxford led the state with 34 units each, followed by Bloomfield with 31 and Brookfield with 28.

Staples: The View from Above

The $74 million Staples High School renovation and expansion project is on schedule with occupation of a portion of the new construction scheduled for sometime in the fall. This aerial view was taken Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Check Your Mailbox

The first of 35,000 tax bills have gone out to Westporters – 10,000 real estate bills and 25,000 auto bills, according to Tax Collector George Underhill. Payments are due by July 1 but residents will have until the end of July to pay without penalty. Taxes increased about 2.5 percent over last year. WestportNow.com photo

Connecticut Public Television to Broadcast "A Gathering of Glory!" July 1

Westport takes center stage on Connecticut Public Television next week when it airs "A Gathering of Glory!," the documentary produced by the Westport Historical Society.

The feature, directed by Westport resident Martin West, will be telecast Thursday, July 1, at 9 p.m. (See WestportNow Sept. 28, 2003)

Denise Torv, executive director of the Westport Historical Society, said she is excited that the documentary will be seen by a wider audience.

“The production of 'A Gathering of Glory!' is yet another way in which the Westport Historical Society works to fulfill its mission of celebrating the history of Westport,” Torv said.

“Any Westporter or Westonite with an interest in the evolution of their towns and especially, in their creative heritage, should have this film in their library.”

"A Gathering of Glory!" tells the story of Westport and Weston, which at the turn of the last century developed into havens for the country’s renowned visual artists, musicians, writers and performers.

Interviews with numerous residents including Joanne Woodward, Christopher Plummer, Jon Corigliano, Evan Hunter, Paul Cadmus, Hilton Kramer and many more, take the viewer on a cultural journey from early in the last century through the present and into the future. (See quotes from participants WestportNow Sept. 28, 2003)
Martin West: two years working on "A Gathering of Glory!" WN photo

West, an award-winning filmmaker and former actor, completed "A Gathering of Glory!" last year after two years of production.

"I never experienced anything that could take as long as it did," said West.

"If someone had told me in 1999, when I shot the first interview for 'A Gathering of Glory!,' that it wouldn't reach the air until the summer of 2004, I would've felt very stressed out about the next five years.

"But complaining was useless because I understood that any artist must realize that most of the time it actually takes years for a project to reach completion and then to reach people. I feel blessed that both those opportunities happened at all."

The creation of the documentary, with music by Paul Alan Levi, was supported by funding from the Society and individual donors.

The special broadcast will be repeated on Sunday, July 11 at 2 p.m. Joanne Whitehead, CPTV program director, said there are plans to schedule an additional prime time broadcast in the fall.

Copies are available on VHS at the Westport Historical Society for $19.95 ($17.95 for members). Visit www.westporthistory.org for additional information about "A Gathering of Glory!" and to print out an order form.

You may call the the Gift Shop at (203) 222-1424 to inquire about availability of the DVD version and to pre-order larger quantities for the holiday season.

(Editor’s Note: The editor of WestportNow is a director at large of the Westport Historical Society and while thanked in a screen credit, contributed little more than words of encouragement.)

WN Weather Alert: Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the tri-state region in a slight risk for severe thunderstorms for later today, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of an approaching cold front, a few hours of daytime heating and sufficient low level moisture will provide the ingredients to produce a few strong to severe thunderstorms later today.

The main threat for severe weather would be in the form of hail and strong winds.

Once the front moves into the region late today, the severe weather threat will diminish.

However, the threat for locally heavy rains will exist until the front moves offshore early Saturday as an area of low pressure moves along the front and just to the south of Long Island.

No widespread flooding is anticipated at this time, but the usual areas that are susceptible for poor drainage flooding may be affected.

Compo Clouds

A recent sunny day produced these pretty cloud patterns over Compo Beach. The weather forecast for today calls for some morning low clouds and patchy fog followed by variable cloudiness with a chance of showers from around midday on with possibly a thunderstorm., highs in the upper 70s. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

Friday, June 25, 2004

8 p.m. - Town Hall - Westport Community Theatre presents readings from radio plays, programs.

Westport Property Transfers June 14-18, 2004

Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk's office for the period June 14-18, 2004:

Mark P. and Marilyn Johnson to Chistmas Lake Associates LLC, 336 Wilton, Road, $1,500,000.

Land Group Inc. to Royal Bank of Scotland, 52 Cross Highway, $2,288,500.
22 Crawrford Road.: sold for $1.8 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Pauline W. Preston to Ron Marin, 127 Newtown Turnpike, $600,000.

Westbank Shopping Center Associates to Westbank Shopping Center Associates LLC, 221 Post Road West, $3,400,000.

Robert S. Charney to Gregory B. and Dana R. Pearce, 17 Ferry Lane East, $2,020,000.

W R M LLC to Brian Keith and Robyn Wright Green, 22 Crawford Road, $1,800,000.

Nancy Anne Pinkham to Thomas Pinkham, 27 Turkey Hill Road North, $491,539.85.

Doris Jacoby Irrevocable Living Trust Frank Jacoby Irrevocable Living Trust to M B Mvest LLC, 8 West Branch Road 87.85 percent, $1,550,000.

Barbara L. Duffy to Nancy Ellen McCarthy, 11 Wakenor Road, $576,000.

Charles S. and Gail C. Rubinger to David A. and Kerry J. Liles, 4 Clapboard Hill Road, $1,995,000.

Westport Home and Land Co. LLC to Michael David and Kristin Custar, 46 Terra Nova Circle, $991,890.

Brian G. and Suzann E. Poppe to Judith M. Bikulege, 480 Newtown Ave., $539,000.

R. Scott and Elizabeth Franklin Estes to Mattera Construction Co. LLC, 36 Silent Grove North, $659,000.

David A. and Kerry J. Liles to Mitchell and Amanda Thaw, 53 Maple Ave. North, $995,000.

James D. McIntyre Sr. Linda Jane McIntyre to Paul C. Joan M. Westerdale, 377 Main St., $775,000.

S & V Loretta LLC to Rosalind F. and Jeffrey M. Looby, 5 Loretta Court, $2,200,000.

William H. R. and Ruth C. Swanstrom to Joan E. Frank, 7 Old Hill Farms Road, $1,200,000.

Philip R. Avonstade Jr. to Vijay C. and Lynn Carlson Popat, 16 Woodside Ave., $1,135,000.

Wilson Seth and Emily R. Warren to Jayne L. Schorn-Gottschalk, 83 Clinton Ave., $1,230,000.

Marie M. Sodaro et als to Hillandale Partners LLC, 11 Hillandale Road 75 percent $836,121.07.

Estate of Dominick A. Calise to Hillandale Partners LLC, 11 Hillandale Road 25 percent, $296,378.83.

Bedford Art Restored at YMCA

Members of the Bedford family pose with the restored portrait of Edward Thomas Bedford, the Westport businessman and philanthropist who founded the Westport YMCA in 1923. Family donations made possible restoration of the work, which has been in the YMCA's Bedford Building for 80 years. Shown are Bern Dibner, great-great-grandson of E. T. Bedford, Mrs. Lynne A. Warren (Lucie Bedford Warren), Bedford's granddaughter, and Victoria Dibner, Bedford’s great-granddaughter. Contributed photo

Compo Meets Hawaii

These youngsters dressed Hawaiian Wednesday at Westport's Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Thursday, June 24, 2004

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission

Westport Poker Player Wins $98,000

Pete Muller: Wins $98,000. Worldpokertour.
com photo Westporter Peter Muller placed fourth on the Travel Channel's "World Poker Challenge" broadcast tonight. His winnings were $98,022

The event at the Reno Hilton in Reno, Nev., was taped April 1 for airing on the cable channel.

The 40-year-old Compo Mill Cove resident is an amateur player.

A former Wall Street trader and founder of a hedge fund, he says he uses the poker table as a place to get away from the stresses and demands of work.

Muller is a singer-songwriter as well and will appear at the Levitt Pavilion as "Pete Muller and Friends" Aug. 7.

Selectmen Endorse Dogs-at-the-Beach Rules; RTM Review Likely

The Westport Board of Selectmen tonight voted 2-1 (Izzo opposed) to endorse Parks and Recreation Dept. regulations that delete a "sunset clause" from controversial rules governing dogs at Compo Beach. The issue is now likely to go before the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) which has inserted the clause two years in a row so it could review the regulations governing dogs off leash in the non-summer months. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Uncertainty Still Surrounds Plans for Upgrading Power Lines

Town Attorney Ira Bloom said today uncertainty still exists over how Westport will be impacted by a snag that has developed in plans to upgrade power lines from Middletown to Norwalk.

Bloom spoke after attending a meeting today in New Britain to discuss objections by the operator of New England's power grid to put some of the lines underground, including the route planned through Westport.

Asked whether Westporters could be confident any lines would be underground here, the town attorney replied, "It's difficult to say. I'm hopeful they will remain underground, but it's not clear."

A top executive for ISO-New England Inc. told the Connecticut Siting Council last week that the grid operator will not support current plans to bury lines from Norwalk to Stratford.

Stephen Whitley, chief operating officer of the Holyoke, Mass.-based agency that operates the electric grid in the six-state region, said that to have any of the Norwalk-to-Stratford portion of the power lines considered reliable enough to be supported by ISO-New England, only small portions could be buried.

Whitley's comments prompted today's special meeting to discuss possible alternatives to the proposal by Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating Co. to bury 24 of 69 miles of high-voltage lines.

Bloom said participants in the meeting agreed to form a steering committee that will attempt to report to the Siting Council by Aug. 16 modifications in the proposed plan that would be acceptable to ISO-NE.

He said members of the committee would hold weekly telephone conference calls with all interested parties in the matter to keep them up to date on progress of the panel.

Bloom said he and other municipal representatives made clear to the Siting Council that they wanted time to review any proposed modifications in the plan.

The current plan calls for all Westport portions of the line go be underground. Bloom noted that two alternative routes call for the lines to be above ground, but neither of the routes goes through Westport.

The Siting Council is supposed to reach a decision by the end of December on the CL&P and UI proposal to replace existing 115-kilovolt electric lines that are above ground with 345-kilovolt lines.

The Middletown-to-Norwalk upgrade is the second phase of the joint plan. The siting council approved a 20-mile stretch of 345-kilovolt lines from Bethel to Norwalk in July 2003.

The 69-mile project, the largest transmission project in Connecticut in 30 years, is designed to improve reliability of power transmission to Fairfield County.

ISO New England is responsible for the day-to-day operation of New England's bulk generation and transmission systems and is administrator of the region's wholesale electricity marketplace.

New Assessor: "My Head is on the Chopping Block Here"

William Gaffney (r), who began work Monday as Westport's new assessor, meets with members of the Revaluation Working Group today at Town Hall. Gaffney said he hopes to have bid specifications ready Thursday for firms interested in conducting Westport's physical revaluation. He said he is determined to conduct the best survey possible, adding, "(I know) my head is on the chopping block here." WestportNow.com photo

You Can Get There From Here

The controversial path from Evergreen Avenue to Westport's Winslow Park is now complete and area residents can make their way on foot to the Westport facility. A sign tells visitors: "Thank you for visiting Winslow Park. This park crosses a wetland property. Please help us to preserve the wetlands. Please leash dogs beyond this point." WestportNow.com photo

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag lunch
2 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Revaluation Working Group
5:30 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 516 - School Building Committee Staples Subcommittee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Boating Advisory Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen

Getting Ready for Saturday's jUNe Day

Preparations are almost complete for Saturday's annual jUNe Day in Westport. More than 300 guests from the United Nations will come to Westport for a day of swimming, boating, and other leisure activities. The day is sponsored by Westport's International Hospitality Committee and will include flying U.N. member flags from the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge, seen here in a 2003 photo. WestportNow.com photo

Westport Town Hall Television to Expand

Westport's cable government access channel is about to expand its ability to cover Town Hall meetings.

The Board of Finance at its June 28 meeting will consider a request to fund the $7,356 cost of the expansion, funds for most of which have already been received via a $7,090 grant from the Area Nine Cable Council.

Eileen Zhang, the town's director of the Office of Information Technology, said the funding will enable live or taped meeting coverage from Town Hall rooms 309 and 201/201A.

The town's government access channel 79 has been able to transmit live telecasts from the Town Hall auditorium for several years.

It now routinely carries meetings of the Representative Town Meeting and Board of Finance when they meet there.

Zhang noted that the June 28 BOF meeting will be held in room 201/201A and thus will not be available for a live telecast.

All meeting rooms in Town Hall were wired for television coverage some time ago. But funds had not been available to buy the wall-mounted, remote-control cameras for all the locations until now.

The telecasts will continue to be coordinated from the television control room located in the auditorium using a paid consultant and volunteers.

Fairfield County Business Journal Spotlights WestportNow

The latest issue of the Fairfield County Business Journal includes a special section on Westport, including a story on WestportNow. The weekly, published by White Plains, N.Y. -based Westfair Communications Inc., circulates throughout Fairfield County.

Westport GOP Women Install New Officers

Westport's State Sen. Judith G. Freedman (l) congratulates Republican Women of Westport President Lillian Krause (c) and First Vice President Rita Lener as the group installed its new officers for 2004-2006 at its recent annual spring luncheon. Contributed photo

Farrell Getting Fundraising Help from House Minority Leader Pelosi

In an indication of the importance national Democrats are giving the 4th Congressional District race, Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell is getting some fundraising help this week from House minority leader Nancy Pelosi.
Nancy Pelosi campaigning for Farrell. File photo

The California Democrat will attend a Farrell fundraiser Friday evening at a private home in Darien.

Farrell was in Washington last week and met with Pelosi and other Democrats. She was introduced to the House Democratic caucus by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who represents Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District.

Farrell's campaign, which raised more money in the first quarter of the year than opponent Republican incumbent Christopher Shays, is anxious to have even more funds committed prior to the next campaign finance reporting date of June 30.

Farrell will officially open her campaign headquarters on Westport's Riverside Avenue on Sunday, July 18 at 2 p.m.

Westport Summer Scene

Monday was the first full day of summer and WestportNow contributing photographer Dave Matlow caught this morning scene at the edge of the Saugatuck River near Westport's center in the area called the Taylortown Salt Marsh section of the Aspetuck Land Trust. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A Closer Look

The same scene as above but a little closer in. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
8 p.m. - Kings Highway School Library - RTM Education, Finance, Health & Human Services Committees

"Time Out" in Stamford

Westport artists (l-r) Eve Stockton, Leslie Giuliani, and Nina Bentley sit in Bentley's "Time Out Room" exhibit at the "Artists Play House" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Selected artists were asked to design interactive playful exhibits for children and adults. With Bentley's Time Out chairs, visitors can pick one of dozens of red flags displaying various offenses such as "screaming" or "argumentative" or "messy room," set the timer on the wall, and sit in a chair until time is up. The show runs until Sept. 26. Miggs Burroughs for WestportNow.com

Rowland Makes it Official -- He's Out Effective July 1

Gov. John G. Rowland made official tonight what many Connecticut residents had long seen as inevitable – he announced his resignation following a probe into corruption charges and possible impeachment charges by the state House.

In a televised address, Rowland did not discuss his guilt or innocence but said he tried to do what was right by the people of his state. He will be stepping down as of noon, July 1.

"I acknowledge that my poor judgment has brought us here," Rowland said, standing on the back lawn of the governor's residence in Hartford. His wife Patty stood beside him.

"I can only hope that when all is said and done, when dust settles and time casts light back on our time in office, that the people will see that we tried to give something back as well," he said.

Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, will serve as governor for the final two years of Rowland's term. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, D-West Hartford, will be elevated to lieutenant governor.

In Westport, reaction to Rowland's resignation was low key.

First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, in a statement, did not mention Rowland but said she wished Rell "well in her effort to rebuild the administration and move our state forward."

At Westport's Bogey's Grille & Tap Room, most patrons paid scant attention to the speech on a television over the bar but several asked to have the sound turned up so they could hear.

"What's the big deal?" asked one man, who declined to give his name. "You knew it was going to happen sooner or later."

Rowland Resignation Speech Not Much Interest at Bogey's

Patrons at Westport's Bogey's Grille & Tap Room paid only passing attention to Gov. John G. Rowland's resignation speech tonight despite the intense media coverage of the event. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Happy 174th Morris K. Jesup

The Westport Public Library today marked the 174th birthday of benefactor Morris Ketchum Jesup. (See WestportNow June 17, 2004). Mr. and Mrs. Jesup (library employees Kathy Breidenbach and Ray Porter) greeted guests at the door, including Molly, 7, a student at Green's Farms Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Farrell Wishes Rell Well, Shays Says Rowland Doing "Right Thing"

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell today wished Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell well as she takes over for Gov. John G. Rowland, who announced his resignation today.
Flashback: Gov. John G. Rowland and Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell at the June 15 Governor's Arts Awards ceremony in New Haven. Linda Gramatky Smith for WestportNow.com

"I wish Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell well in her effort to rebuild the administration and move our state forward," Farrell said in a statement.

"The people of Connecticut deserve a fresh start, and today they received it."

"I look forward to partnering with the new administration on the issues affecting the people of our region including transportation, education and economic development in all of our towns and cities."

Farrell made no direct comment on Rowland, with whom she had appeared on stage in New Haven last week as the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection received a 2004 Governor's Arts Award.

Meanwhile, Congressman Christopher Shays, Farrell's Republican opponent in the 4th District in November, told reporters that Rowland had done the right thing.

"Today is a sad day for John and his family, but he is doing the right thing," he said.

"Accepting gifts from people who do business with the state left the governor no alternative but to resign.

"Our state now has an opportunity to move forward in the capable hands of Jodi Rell. She will be a good governor and has my strong support."

Westport's State Sen. Judith G. Freedman, in a statement, said, "“What we are viewing in the political world is the unfolding of a Shakespearean tragedy.

"The governor is doing the right thing by resigning. I only wish he had done it six months ago when I asked him to step aside in order to spare our state the trauma and embarrassment.

"Now the state can move forward."

Like Freedman, Farrell and Shays had earlier called for Rowland to resign.

"I appeal to Mr. Rowland to step down from his duties as governor effective immediately," Farrell said in a statement on Jan. 10.

"We in lower Fairfield County especially know how disruptive scandals and investigation can be to the function of government and daily lives of our citizens."

Rep. Christopher Shays calls for Rowland's resignation at a Hartford news conference Jan. 12. WTNH.com photo

"I remind Mr. Rowland that in disturbingly similar circumstances, he urged former Mayor (Joseph) Ganim of Bridgeport to vacate his office."

Farrell said Rowland's resignation was the only way to allow state work to continue.

"For the good of Connecticut's citizens, state employees and to allow our legislators to do the work of the state, Mr. Rowland should help to facilitate a smooth transition enabling Lt. Gov. Rell to assume the responsibilities of governor," she said.

Two days later, on Jan. 12, Shays told a Hartford news conference that "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."

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."

Report: Rowland to Resign This Evening

Gov. John G. Rowland will announce his resignation tonight amid a federal corruption investigation and a growing move to impeach him, an administration source told The Associated Press.
Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell to move up. WN photo

The governor was planning to announce his resignation on a live television address to the state at 6 p.m., the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Rowland's resignation would elevate Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell to governor.

Rowland, 47, a Republican easily re-elected to a third term in 2002, admitted late last year that he lied about accepting gifts and favors from friends, state contractors and state employees.

State and federal authorities have been investigating those allegations and a special House committee also has been considering whether to recommend Rowland's impeachment.

The word comes days after the state Supreme Court ruled that the legislative panel could compel the governor to testify.

Enjoying the Beginning of Summer

Sunday was a good day to explore at Old Mill Beach. Summer officially began in the northern hemisphere at 8:57 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

UConn Study Cites "Wealthy, Westport-Like Towns"

Contrary to popular opinion, Connecticut is not a state of rich and poor but is really "five Connecticuts," one category of which is best described as "wealthy, Westport-like," according to a new University of Connecticut study.
The Connecticut towns in blue are categorized as "wealthy, Westport-like" in a new UConn study. The ones with a red x were reclassified from wealthy to a different group from 1990 to 2000. University of Connecticut graphic

The suburban rich got richer and the urban poor made a slight gain in Connecticut between 1990 and 2000, according to the study.

Per capita income in the state's eight wealthiest towns, all in Fairfield County, increased 31.3 percent in the 10-year period, besting the state average of 11.1 percent.

The urban poor, meanwhile, saw their per capita income grow only 2.1 percent in the same period.

Median family income in 1999 in the eight towns -- New Canaan, Darien, Weston, Westport, Greenwich, Wilton, Easton and Ridgefield -- outmatched the state average by a ratio of 2.5 to 1.

That median income, $155,655, was culled from information in the 2000 Census and did not account for capital gains.

Racially, the wealthy towns became 93.2 percent white by 2000, up from 91.9 percent in 1990.

The study said the wealthy group of towns "can be characterized as having exceptionally high income, low poverty and moderate population density. The single variable that best distinguishes this group is its high income or wealth.

"Located in southwestern Connecticut, the coastal town of Westport was the most representative of this group.

"Statistically, Westport best represented this group in both 1990 and 2000. Westport had 25,749 residents and a population density of 1,287psm in 2000. The population density was higher than the group average.

"In 1999, the median family income was $152,894, which was slightly below the group median of $155,655.

"Westport had a poverty rate of 2.6 percent, which was below the group average of 2.9 percent in 2000."

UConn's Center for Population Research said the data make it hard to paint a picture of the average Connecticut. Researchers said "two Connecticuts" of rich and poor does not exist.

In addition to the wealthy, Westport-type towns, the other four categories included:

--Suburban towns like Cheshire. The 61 towns have above-average incomes that are gaining ground in terms of educational attainment and income, but becoming less racially diverse.

--Rural towns like North Stonington. The 63 towns are characterized by average incomes, below-average poverty, but are losing ground in terms of education relative to the rest of the state.

--Urban periphery towns like Manchester. The 30 towns are characterized by below-average income, average poverty and high population density.

--Urban core cities and towns like Bridgeport. The seven communities, including Hartford and New Britain, are characterized by the lowest incomes and the highest poverty and population density.

Between 1990 and 2000, 44 cities and towns changed classification, with 28 formerly "rural" towns growing so much that they changed to a "suburban" classification.

"Rural Connecticut," the report concludes, "is transforming into Suburban Connecticut."

The number of suburban towns grew from 37 in 1990 to 61 in 2000, as development led to a rise in wealth and population density in some rural areas, including Salem and Lyme.

The state's seven urban centers, including New London, absorbed an increase in poverty from 19.1 percent in 1990 to 19.4 percent in 2000.

Both figures far outpace the state average of 7.6 percent in poverty and the national average of 12.1 percent.

The UConn report, "The Changing Demographics of Connecticut - 1990 to 2000, The Five Connecticuts," is available at the UConn Web site.

Gone Fishing

Father's Day weekend activities including a bit of Westport fishing for this sportsman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Monday, June 21, 2004

8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education

They Go the Distance - Part 2

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

One of our most popular “Fran’s Lists” so far was the one citing my favorite salespeople in town.

The message was that despite much ongoing discontent about the creeping commercialism of Westport’s retail scene, there are still a more than a few sales associates who will go the distance to make a customer happy … and beyond.

Here are a few more suggested by WestportNow readers:

Nina Royce

Nina Royce sparkles at Max's Art Supply.Contributed photoOne has to wonder whether Westport would have its longstanding reputation as an artists' community without the guidance and dedicated assistance of Nina Royce.

She has been helping and guiding customers at Max’s Art Supply for an astounding 35 years. Owner Shirley Mellor calls her "the heart and soul of this place."

One would never know that this slight, self-effacing woman is a Yale Master of Fine Arts graduate. She can advise an accomplished artist on various oil paint mixtures as well as help an 8-year-old select Sculpey clay.

Nina's praises are regularly sung by local artists such as Miggs Burroughs and Ann Chernow. She calls her “the most empathetic person in a commercial establishment I’ve ever met.”

This year Mellor threw a big party to mark Nina's 35th year with the store.

Jay Ostreicher and John Fisher

Jay Ostreicher and John Fisher win customers' praises. WestportNow.com photoLongtime Westporter and car enthusiast Jane Sherman wrote to us: “My favorites are Jay and John at Westport Getty.

"Jay and John and their crew give the best, personal service on cars and show a continuing interest in all their customers.

"My father and mother, son, daughter and I all benefit from their technical expertise and pleasant smiles. They always have time for us. Jay and John - You're the best!”

OK, I said it wasn’t fair to plug owners. But just to test them out, I (a perfect stranger) rolled into Westport Getty with a low front tire.

They promptly investigated the situation, removed a nail and repaired the leak, checked out and filled the other three tires, and sent me on my way with a bill for $15.90.

Not a big money-maker but a great way to build customer loyalty.

Bonita (Bonnie) Wright

Bonnie Wright is great. WN photoDan Woog wrote to make sure we didn’t miss Westport’s ray of sunshine named Bonnie at Great Cakes.

Bonnie may be the busiest lady in town, flying from baking ovens to cash register and back again from the wee small hours of most mornings.

Many weary commuters about to hit the morning misery of I-95 stop at Great Cakes on the way.

They know that a hot muffin, cup of fresh Green Mountain coffee and bright smile from busy Bonnie will make it feel just a little more like Sunday morning.

What a way to start a day.

Vanessa Todisco

Vanessa Todisco has great hands.WN photoNow, I usually have a problem when someone half my age (or less) calls me “honey,” but not so with this cheerful, 21-year-old sweetie at NuWave Salon.

Vanessa is the one you secretly hope will be chosen to shampoo you at this pleasant, refreshingly non-trendy Westport hair salon.

With her amazingly strong hands, Vanessa’s shampoos can more accurately be called a powerful head-and-neck massage.

When people love what they do it shows – or maybe Vanessa is just one of those eternally happy souls who it’s just plain good to be around. She can “honey” me all she wants, any time.

To WestportNow readers: Please keep writing to let me know your favorites. Either post a comment below or write to me directly at fran@westportnow.com.

A Relaxing Father's Day

What better way to spend Father's Day than relaxing on Compo Beach today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westporter's NYC Olympic Torch Run "Phenomenal"

Westport's Ernest Verina III, one of 140 persons to carry the Olympic flame through New York City Saturday, said today the experience was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.
Ernie Verina makes his run through the Big Apple Saturday. Spencer T. Tucker/Office of the Mayor photo

"It was great. I got to meet so many people. It was so phenomenal," he said. "I feel honored to have taken part."

Verina, 26, was chosen to participate by the Coca Cola Company after his wife wrote a 100-word essay to the company, a presenting sponsor of the torch relay.

The 1995 Staples High School grad works for the Department of Homeland Security in New York where he is a special agent in drug trafficking cases.

"He has taken the humble path to help keep America safe," Jennifer Verina wrote.

Verina said he knew nothing about his wife's submitting the entry until he received a call on his cell phone from a Coca Cola representative.

The flame began its 46,800-mile global journey from Athens, the site of the 2004 Summer Olympics, on June 4. It will travel across six continents, 26 countries, and 33 cities with some 11,000 runners before returning to Greece.

Verina said he ran with the torch for about a quarter mile.

"I was not physically pressed by any means," said Verina, who said he played "lots of basketball at Staples" and noted that keeping physically fit was part of his job.

As a souvenir of the run, he was able to keep the actual torch he used in the relay.

Verina said meeting other torch bearers on the route and at a Gracie Mansion dinner Friday night was very exciting.

"Donald Trump was a couple of seats to our right and (Olympic gold medalist) Sara Hughes was nearby, too," he said.

Verina said Olympic officials told him an interesting statistic – that if you divided the world's population by the 11,000 people chosen to participate in the relay, it works out to each runner representing a million people in the world.

"One in a million," "Verina said."That's pretty incredible."

Westporter to NY Times: "I Intellectualize Too Much About Yankees"

Westport's Alan Kaye, in a letter to today's New York Times Sunday sports section, said he has a new attitude about the New York Yankees.

"Did you watch the Yankees game last Sunday?" he wrote to the newspaper.

"Amazing game! You know, I have decided that I intellectualize too much. My compulsively analytical personality tells me that baseball is all messed up because teams can just go out and buy the players they need, with the Yankees being the most blatant culprit.

"Now, I have a new attitude. Why should I deprive myself of all the positive emotions of witnessing what might be the best lineup in the history of baseball overcome mediocre pitching and stage what is the most exciting thing in sports to watch — the comeback?

"The Yankees did it twice last Sunday . . . in one game! They have done it 27 times already this year. So, I am back to being an unabashed — and maybe even enthusiastic — Yankees fan."

Preserving the Saugatuck Tributaries

The Nature Conservancy in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Connecticut Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) unit launched a streamwalk training initiative Saturday. The goal is to preserve the treasured natural aquatic system that is comprised of all tributaries in the Westport-Weston-Wilton area that flow into the Saugatuck River, a network known as the Saugatuck River Watershed. Todd Bobowich (on rock top) and Seth Lerman (next to him), both of the NRCS, provide streamwalking guidance to 18 charter volunteers who over a four-month period will survey miles of waterways.(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sunday, June 20, 2004

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Greens Farms Academy - Southport-Westport Antiques Show
Noon - 6 p.m. - Westport Woman's Club - Yankee Doodle Fair
2 p.m. - Westport Town Hall - Community Theatre presents "The Laramie Project"