Getting the Best of a Rival

The Staples wrestling team took part in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class L tournament today in Bristol. Here Pete Menchaca gets the best of a rival in his 119 match. The Wreckers came in 20th in the team standings. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Chip Stephens for WestportNow.com

Westporter Knits "The Gates" Scarf

Westport's Jennifer Jackson-Martins shows off a scarf she knitted for a friend working at The Gates project in New York's Central Park. She says her friend showed the scarf to Gates artists Jean-Claude and Christo who were "thrilled to inspire another artist to create something Gates-related." See Jackson-Martins' knitting blog for more details. Jennifer Jackson-Martins for WestportNow.com/ Andrew Martins for WestportNow.com

Filming Westport Teardowns and Preservationist Efforts

Two graduate students, Andrea Chignoli (l) and Suzi Yoonessi, of Columbia University's College of Fine Arts were in Westport this week shooting footage of teardown sites and interviewing a variety of locals for a documentary project inspired by the Westport/Fairfield community effort to save the 200-year-old Abel Bradley house on Sturges Highway. (See WesportNow Feb. 13, 2005) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Beachside View

Sunrise as seen from Westport's Beachside Avenue. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

BIrthday Gift

Jack Klinge (l), president of Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities. accepts a check for $5,000 from Turner Construction Co.'s Rolff Knobel in honor of the recent first birthday of the center. Klinge said the gift will enable the group to expand its programs, which are open to all seniors over 60. Turner's other Westport projects include Bedford Middle School and Staples High School. Marjolijn Wijsenbeek for WestportNow.com

Area Officials Gather in Westport for Security Briefing

Top municipal, fire, police, and health officials from Fairfield County, along with state and federal representatives, met in Westport today for an update on Connecticut homeland security efforts.

Hosted by Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, the meeting at Westport Town Hall heard a similar message from all of them – in order to be effective in meeting any challenge, all agencies must work together and share resources.

"When an event occurs – and it will occur – is not the time to start exchanging business cards," said Dr. John J. Shaw, senior project manager of the Capital Region Metropolitan Medical Response System, an emergency planning group of 42 Hartford-area municipalities.

James M. "Skip" Thomas, a former Glastonbury police officer who was named in December to head the newly-formed Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said he was encouraged by his first few weeks on the job.

But he said federal grants to Connecticut for homeland security efforts in the current fiscal year are almost half of what they were last year – down to $24 million from $45.5 million – and that means spending wisely and "working together at the local level."

"Our goal is to be very inclusive…and build up one source of information for the Connecticut law enforcement community," he said.

Thomas said local law enforcement personnel are critical to efforts to protect the state's population from any terrorist threat and urged municipal officials to contact his office 24 hours a day with potential leads.

"I think it's an officer working some night shift that's going to be important" in providing a clue that could lead to preventing a possible terrorist incident, he said, adding, "maybe it's someone in Westport or Weston."

Thomas said he had some good news for municipal officials – he had just received word of federal funding to partially cover costs of the cleanup after the Jan. 22-23 winter storm. But he said he was still working to get federal reimbursement for security expenditures already made by Connecticut municipalities.

Capt. Peter J. Boynton, group commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, was the only federal official among the speakers, noting, however, that "I'm a fed who is your neighbor."

While he had command of about 250 Coast Guard personnel at three stations around Long Island Sound, he said they are far outnumbered by the ranks of police and fire department personnel in the area – and that's why working with municipalities is so important.

About 700 foreign ships ply Long Island Sound waters every year, Boynton said, and the Coast Guard now is involving local police departments in boarding ships to check them out.

"It's a daunting challenge," he said. "Connecticut is not hidden. There is a lot of activity. And that is why we absolutely rely on our partnerships. There is no way we can do it alone."

Coast Guardsmen are not in port waiting to respond to a call but are actively patrolling the waters and engaging in routine aerial surveillance through a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in the region, Boynton said.

Shaw, representing the Hartford area group of municipalities, said an important component of planning was ensuring that first responders – and their families – have priority access to medicines in the event of a biological or other type of attack.

Relieving first responders of the worry about their families in such a situation "is the only way we can expect people to show up and do their job," he said.

Westport Fire Chief Denis McCarthy said he was pleased that the Fairfield County Hazardous Materials team, which he heads, has become a model for other municipalities in the state. Its success demonstrates that "by working together, we can do better than by ourselves," he said.

Cannon Shot

The Compo Beach cannons are just visible in this picture of Thursday's sunset. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

Talking Transportation: Gov. Rell's Promise to Commuters

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

There was so much good news for commuters, both rail and road, in Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s budget address: new rail cars, promises of more station parking and even improvements to our highways. Gov. Rell really delivered, and for that she deserves a lot of credit.

But these improvements come at a price: a proposed six cents per gallon increase in the gas tax, and a planned $1 per ride surcharge for Metro-North. To her credit, the governor promised that “(commuters) should not be asked to pay for improvements until they actually see them, sit in them or park in them.”

Her plan is to implement this “surcharge” in 2008, when she said the first 50 of 340 or more new rail cars will be delivered. I don’t think that commuters would mind paying a buck more a ride… if they could actually enjoy new cars. But the question is, can the badly needed new cars really be delivered that fast?

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Metro-North officials say they think so, if the Connecticut Legislature moves quickly. But ordering new cars isn’t like going to a store to buy dog food. These are hardly an off-the-shelf item. Here’s what’s involved, and here’s why it will be a real challenge to do it in just three years.

First, these proposed new M8 cars must be designed. Right now, they’re just a concept. The M8’s must be powered using overhead AC power, but are designed after the third-rail powered M7 cars in use in Westchester. Have you ever tried to make an apple out of an orange?

Next, the new cars would have to be put out to bids. And while the State of Connecticut is mandated to get three independents bids for even paper clips these days, the M8 cars can actually be built by only one company -- Bombardier, the financially troubled builder of the M7’s, on which the M8’s will be designed. A one-bid contract for a billion dollars? Stay tuned.

Then the cars have to be built, hopefully first with a prototype to be thoroughly tested. After full production finally starts, the first new cars will be delivered for an extensive assessment and break-in period. Only then can they enter service for commuters.

When the MTA ordered the M7 cars now used in Westchester, it took five and a half years from design to delivery. Even CDOT, in a report to Gov. Rowland last year, suggested a five or six-year delivery cycle for the M8’s. That means, even with legislative approval tomorrow (and don’t hold your breath for that!), we probably won’t be seeing new cars until 2010 at the earliest.

In her budget address, Gov. Rell preached for honesty and candor with Connecticut’s citizens… “straight talk,” as she put it. I’m all for that! But an unrealistic promise of new cars by 2008 doesn’t meet that test.

Still, the Governor, did make one promise she can keep: no ticket surcharge on trains until we can “see them or sit in them,” and I’ll hold her to it. If the cars aren’t here by 2008, there will be no surcharge.

I want these new cars more than anyone. I’ve been fighting for them on the Commuter Council for almost a decade.

Now, it’s time for the legislature to get moving… to sell the gas tax, approve the budget, appropriate the money and let CDOT get on with the task they should have started a decade ago of bringing Connecticut rail commuters the quality ride they’ve been paying for.

(Editor's Note: Jim Cameron has been a Darien resident for 14 years. He is vice chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Shore Line East Rail Commuter Council and a member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area, one of five Transportation Investment Areas established by the Connecticut General Assembly in July 2001 to develop 20-year strategic plans for each of the state's major transportation corridors. He is also a member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting. The opinions and accuracy of information in this article are the responsibility of the contributor. E-mail him at jim@camcomm.com or www.trainweb.org/ct)

Friday, Feb. 18, 2005

9:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Commission for Senior Services

Taking Down Trees at Longshore

Four decaying trees that previously lined the entrance to Westport's Longshore Club Park were cut down today under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. New, young replacement trees have been planted along the road with the intention of retaining the scenic entrance to the community facility. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Resident Writes Vacation Guides for Kids

It's Westport school vacation time next week and for parents short on ideas of what to do and where to go, Westport resident Eileen Ognitz can help.
Eileen Ognitz: offers vacation tips. File photo

Her Kid’s Guide series provides vacation tips specifically geared towards children ages 6 to 14.

Her recently published book, “The Kids Guide to New York City” (Globe Pequot Press, $8.95), explores the Big Apple by neighborhood.

It supplies kids-tested tips on where to go and what to see, along with fun facts and suggestions from native New Yorkers on each neighborhood’s best site, snack, and souvenir.

Another book in the series, “The Kids Guide: Cruising Alaska” (Globe Pequot Press, $8.95), coincides with the fastest growing phenomenon in cruise travel. It provides recommendations and facts on everything from glacier hiking to ship dining etiquette.

Along with her book series, Ognitz has written the popular column “Taking the Kids” for the past 10 years that appears in 60 major newspapers with a readership of more than 18 million.

Speakers to Discuss The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at Y’s Men

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp will be the topic of discussion at the weekly meeting of the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston next Thursday.

The camp, located in Ashford, Conn., provides year-round activities for seriously ill children and their siblings. The 10 a.m. meeting at the Saugatuck Congregational Church will feature James Canton, executive director of the camp, and John McNeil, a former camper.

Canton has been involved in the camp since it was created in 1988. He had served as counselor, unit leader, assistant director, and, camp director before becoming executive director three years ago.

McNeil was born and raised in Fairfax, Va., but starting in 1995, he traveled every summer to Connecticut for the camp. Since then, he has graduated from the University of Virginia and is now an intern for the camp he attended as a child.

Westport "Minds in Motion" Event Features Author Sylvia Rimm

The third annual Westport "Minds in Motion" event next month will feature an address by nationally-known child psychologist Dr. Sylvia Rimm.
Sylvia Rimm: keynote speaker. File photo

She will be the keynote speaker at the Saturday, March 19 event from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bedford Middle School. Her topic will be “The Pressures Gifted Children Feel and How to Keep Them Motivated."

An announcement described the event as "an afternoon of fun, fast-paced, hands-on workshops geared to high-ability, motivated children" and said the workshops are designed to enrich and encourage interested -- not necessarily gifted -- students in grades K-8.

This year’s offerings are diverse and include 32 workshops divided by age group, sponsors said.

While the children attend workshops, parents may hear Rimm's address and then attend their own workshops on parenting gifted and high-ability children.

The keynote address is available to the public at no charge regardless whether they have children registered for the “Minds in Motion” program.

Rimm has been a contributing correspondent to NBC's "Today Show," makes frequent appearances on public radio, and writes a nationally-syndicated parenting column.

She runs the Family Achievement Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and is a clinical professor at Case Western School of Medicine. Her books include "Keys to Parenting the Gifted Child," "Education of the Gifted and Talented," "Gifted Kids Have Feelings Too," and "How to Parent So Children Will Learn."

After the Westport event on the following Tuesday, March 22, Rimm will speak in New Canaan on “Parenting and Teaching the Gifted Child." The lecture will be held at Saxe Middle School Auditorium, 468 South Ave. The event is open to the public.

The "Minds in Motion" Westport event is co-sponsored by The Connecticut Association for the Gifted (CAG), the Westport Public Schools and Westport Advocates for Gifted Education. For further information or to receive a registration brochure, contact Katie Augustyn at KPAugustyn@aol.com or (203) 454-4735.

The lecture in New Canaan is co-sponsored by the Challenge Parent Group at Saxe and the New Canaan Public Schools’ Special Education Department. For further information, contact Melissa Dobbyn at mtrosse@yahoo.com or (203) 966-8946.

Update: Connecticut’s Homeland Security Commissioner to Brief Area Officials

James M. “Skip” Thomas, commissioner of the newly-formed Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will hold a briefing for regional officials at Westport’s Town Hall on Friday.

The session is not open to the public, according to a clarification issued today by Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell's office.

Thomas, a 28-year police veteran, had been director of justice planning in the Office of Policy and Management before being appointed commissioner in December.

The department, which began operations in January, was formed to coordinate homeland security communications systems in the state and distribute information and security warnings.

Westport's Martha Stewart Helps Bradley House Preservation Effort

Martha Stewart: "Sad to read" of potential destruction of Westport house. File photoShe may be in prison in West Virginia, but Westport's Martha Stewart is keeping up on issues in her hometown and has pledged $10,000 to help save a 200-year-old house on the Fairfield-Westport border.

Eleanor Dickey, a Fairfield resident who is leading efforts to save the Abel Bradley House on Sturges Highway, said she received a letter from Stewart saying, "I was very sad to read of the potential destruction of the Bradley House…Will no one else buy it?"

Dickey said Stewart, who lives in an old farmhouse on Turkey Hill Road South, had been following the issue for some time and in her Jan. 19 letter pledged $10,000 for the preservation effort. Earlier this month, those trying to save the Bradley House said their efforts may succeed after all (See WestportNow Feb. 5, 2005)

Partly as a result of a suggestion by Stewart, the coalition has found several people who are eager to buy the property and preserve the historic house, Dickey said.

One of these people has offered the current owner, Mark Iuraduri, $850,000 for the property, which Iuraduri purchased in October for $600,000, she said.

"Unfortunately, however, Iuaduri has so far not accepted the offer, instead holding out for a substantially higher figure that he has not permitted the coalition to disclose," Dickey said.
Historic House: the bell-shaped gambrel roof is the most distinctive and historically significant architectural feature of the structure. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

"Unless he changes his mind about this figure, the coalition needs to raise a great deal of money before March 3 in order to save the house."

She said her group was "absolutely thrilled by Martha's generosity."

"We knew we could count on her, because she understands the importance of our historic heritage and the need to preserve it," said Dickey, a classics professor at Columbia University.

Stewart, who is serving a five-month sentence for lying to government investigators who were probing her December 2001 sale of ImClone Systems Inc. stock, is due to be released from a federal women's prison in Alderson, W.Va., next month. She will then serve five months house arrest at her home in Bedford, N.Y.

Dickey said contributions to the preservation fund can be made to the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and sent to Bradley House Preservation Fund, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT, 06517.

Contributions are tax deductible and if the house is not saved, they will be returned to the donors, she said.

Meanwhile, the coalition said the Fairfield Historical Society had unearthed a collection of photographs of the house taken over the course of the first half of the 20th century.

The photographs, which have been posted on a Web site, show the house before and after its reshingling in 1910 and suggest that the dormer in the rear, long thought to be a later addition, may in fact be an original feature of the house, the group said.

If that is in fact the case, the house has undergone no significant exterior alteration at all since its construction in 1800 or 1801, meaning that it is in a state of preservation extremely rare for houses of such age, the coalition said.

Republican Town Committee Recommends Three for Board of Ed Vacancy

Westport's Republican Town Committee has recommended three persons to fill the unexpired term of a resigning Republican member of the Board of Education.

Party Chairman Peter Wolgast said his group recommended Richard Chappo, Dewey Loselle, and James Marpe to fill out the term of Mark Owades who has announced his intention to resign from the board in March. (See WestportNow Jan. 18, 2005)

Under the Westport Town Charter, the remaining members of the Board of Education have the sole responsibility of replacing him. Since Owades was elected as a Republican, the Town Charter calls for his replacement to be a registered Republican.

Typically, in this type of situation the remaining members of the Board of Education choose someone who is recommended by the town committee of the party to which the resigning member belongs, according to Wolgast.

The Republican Town Committee recommended the candidates unanimously at its meeting Tuesday night, acting on the advice of a Nominating Committee chaired by Otis Crawford, according to Wolgast.

The Board of Education plans to interview candidates in early March and presumably will select a candidate to replace Owades by mid-March, he said.

The term for the new Board of Ed member will expire in November. It is expected that whoever is selected will run for a full four-year term in the November election, the party chairman said.

"The RTC is extremely pleased to be able to recommend three highly qualified candidates to the Board of Ed for their consideration," Wolgast said.

"Each of these men is outstanding and each has the capacity to be an excellent member of the Board of Ed. The fact that all three were endorsed unanimously is a tribute to the respect that the RTC has for them as individuals."

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005

7 p.m. - Toquet Hall - Youth Commission
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Environment Committee

CERT Training Sessions Begin Next Week

Westport's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is continuing to sponsor training sessions for interested citizens beginning Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Westport Police Department.

The program is free and training will be conducted by the Westport Police Department, the Westport Fire Department, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, and the Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

After 24 hours of classroom training, CERT volunteers will become Special Call members of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Services. Volunteers must be 18 or older. For more information contact Jay Paretzky at 341-6014 or westportctcert@aol.com

Elizabeth Kuechenmeister Named "Penguin Plunge" Co-Chair

Westport resident Elizabeth Kuechenmeister will serve as co-chair for the seventh annual “Penguin Plunge”on March 5 at Compo Beach, it was announced today.
Elizabeth Kuechenmeister: co-chair. File photo

Kuechenmeister has been involved with the plunge since its inception, gathering support from local agencies and organizations for the Special Olympics event and last year was a recipient of the “Unsung Hero” award for her service, an announcement said.

The "Penguin Plunge” raises funds for the Southwest Region of Special Olympics Connecticut fitness training and sports competition programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Prior to the plunge, participants collect donations from family members, co-workers and friends to support the organization's programs.

Kuechenmeister will serve alongside Gail Feinstein of Stratford as co-chair of the event. Registration will take place at 8:30 a.m. followed by the plunge at 10 a.m. Registration is also available at www.soct.org.

Staples Names Students of the Month for February

Staples High School today announced the names of students chosen as "Students of the Month" for February.

The students, selected by their teachers, represent the all-around positive spirit of Staples High School and are recognized for their commitment to the school, their hard work and their cooperative attitude, an announcement said.

They are considered to represent the essence of what makes Staples a special high school with exemplary citizens.

The students are: Erica Adler, Laura Blackburn, Dan Bowen, Michael Delson, Taylor Fries, Brian Hawell, Geoffrey Jordan, Emily Langham, Matt McIntosh, Elle Nussbaum, Geoffrey Rice, Phillip Seo, David Sobel, Thomas Stroud, Allie Vega, Jaclyn Wainer and Megan Wormser.

Metro-North Reminds Commuters of March 1 Bought-on-Train Fare Increase

Metro-North and its New Haven Line reminded riders today that fares will increase effective March 1 for tickets bought on trains and that "peak" fares will apply to all trains leaving Grand Central Terminal between 5:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

There is no increase in the $14.25 one-way peak fare between Westport/Greens Farms and New York, but tickets bought on the train will go up from $17 to $19. The off-peak one-way fare of $10.75 also remains unchanged, but buying the ticket on the train will go from $14 to $16.

Also, peak fares will now be in effect for trains departing Grand Central Terminal between 5:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., the busy hours for "reverse commuters" – those traveling from New York City to jobs in Connecticut.

Monthly and weekly commutation tickets as well as all other fares remain unchanged.

Today's Westport Teardown: Building No. 9 at Staples High School

Today's WestportNow teardown is Building No 9 at Staples High School. The structure was demolished today as part of the $74 million expansion and renovation project at the school. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Lunch
6 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Finance Budget Workshop
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Conservation Commission
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Library Board
8 p.m. - Room 201 - RTM Ordinance Committee

Westport Property Transfers Feb. 7-11, 2005

Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period Feb. 7-11, 2005:

Stephanie Y. Wilson to Stanley I. Stern, 90 North Ave., $1,174,000

Timothy Sperry and Michelle Spiridigliozzi to Steven and Theresa L. Lewis, 32 Tamarac Road, $1,295,000

Linda W. Finnie to Nancy Vorel, 3 Nassau Road, $972,000

Gustav W. and Linda Maikish to Gary Fullenbaum and Michelle Picker, 15 Side Hill Road, $1,056,500

Eleanor L. Reed Trust to Andrea Toth, 3 Norport Drive, $705,000

Steven and Theresa L. Lewis to Maria Dipasquale, 111 Regents Park, $757,977

Westport Rotary Hears from Red Cross Officials

Janet Filling (r), executive director of the Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Ann Segall of Tel Aviv, representing the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, addressed the Westport Rotary Club today. Filling talked of local efforts while Segall spoke of opportunities to provide broader and more effective support in Israel and Palestine in light of the current cease-fire. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport's Save the Children: We've Got Enough Tsunami Relief Donations

Westport's Save the Children said today it has raised more than $200 million -- given or pledged -- through its worldwide organization for its Asian tsunami relief fund and that's enough.

It asked donors to consider giving to the charitable organization's other programs.

“Save the Children is enormously grateful to all those who have responded so generously to help the most vulnerable victims of the tsunami tragedy – the children,” said Charles MacCormack, president and CEO of Save the Children in a statement.

“We ask that people now consider giving to Save the Children ’s emergency and longterm development work in more than 40 countries around the world, including the United States."

To date, more than $200 million has been given or pledged by donors to Save the Children organizations around the world for tsunami related work, the organization said.

"Thanks to this unprecedented generosity, Save the Children estimates it has raised sufficient funds to carry out its operations in the region," the statement said.

It added that relief and recovery effort will take years and significant funds.

"While Save the Children will not actively solicit further fundraising activities, many donations remain in 'pledge' form and, while not yet received by Save the Children, have been incorporated into our plans for the tsunami effort," the charity said.

"It is important for supporters to fulfill their pledged gifts, including completing special events, corporate matching gifts, and customer and employee donation programs currently planned and underway.

"All donations designated for the tsunami relief effort will be used to support the international response to those impacted by this devastating tsunami."

Big Night for Westport's Lynette Saltzman: Judging Dog Show

This is a big night for Westport's Lynette Saltzman – she is judging the Best in Show competition at the prestigious Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Westporter in the spotlight: Lynette Saltzman judges Best in Show tonight at Madison Square Garden. USA Network/WestportNow.com photo

The longtime Easton Road resident has attended every Westminster show since 1949 and finished her first champion at the 1957 show. But this is the first time she has been selected to judge Best in Show.

And it all started with a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog).

One day long ago, as an adolescent, Saltzman convinced her parents that their Manhattan apartment could accommodate such a dog, she told the New York Sun.

Now more than 50 years and litters of Shelties later, Saltzman is, well, top dog in the judge's area.

"My parents thought I would grow out of it," she said. "Obviously, it didn't work out that way."

Is she nervous? "Not at all," Saltzman told the newspaper. "At Westminster, first of all, you're starting off with just champions. Then, they've got to defeat all the champions in their breeds, and then win the group.

"By the time you reach Best in Show, you wind up with seven out of 2,500 dogs. You have some pretty good dogs in there. As a judge, it's hard to go too far wrong."

As far as preparation for her moment in the sun, she has one item on the agenda: "Buying a dress."

The competition can be viewed on the USA Network at 8 p.m. ET.

Former Bank to Become Patagonia Clothing Company Outlet

Patagonia, a designer of outdoor clothing and gear, will open a Westport branch in the former Westport Bank & Trust Co. (more recently Hudson United Bank) bank building in Westport's center.
Flashback:Developer David Waldman in front of the landmark building last November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Developer David Waldman said Ventura, Calif., based-Patagonia Inc. has signed a 10-year lease for 7,784 square feet of space in the building, a landmark in Westport's center for 80 years.

Waldman bought the building last November for $4.2 million and said he intended to turn it into a retail store, restaurant, and offices but maintain its historic façade and lobby murals. (See WestportNow Nov. 16, 2004)

He said Patagonia, which he described as a "very environmentally-conscious" company, would not only display the murals and keep the façade but also intended to keep the old bank vault doors.

At the time of the purchase, Waldman said he and his partners in David Adam Realty intended to spend about $2 million to renovate the building. He said he expected it be completed by November of this year with the new tenant ready to open in time for the holiday season.

Originally built in 1924 at a cost of $100,000, the building remained home of Westport Bank & Trust Co. until 1996 when Lafayette American Bank took it over.

Hudson United Bank, which owned Lafayette, renamed the bank with its own name in 1999. It has moved its operations across the street to the old Westport Town Hall building.

Update: State Highway Work Underway in Saugatuck

State highway officials advised Westport officials today that inspections to the I-95 bridge over the Saugatuck River could cause some disruption to traffic in the Saugatuck area today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They said an earlier statement that the Bridge Street Bridge would be closed during that time was in error.

Burying Hill Sunrise

Monday's sunrise as seen from Westport's Burying Hill Beach in the Greens Farms section. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005

8:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Human Services Commission
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Administrative Review Committee
5:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Tree Board

Staples Girls Varsity Basketball Team Edges Danbury 54-47

The Staples girls varsity basketball team edged Danbury 54-47 in a must-win game tonight. Tied at No. 3 in the FCIAC standings, Staples dominated in the second half to retain its ranking. Here junior Liz Hood (No. 2) reaches over for a rebound in the second half. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Madeleine Roche for WestportNow.com

Freedman Favors Banning Hand-held Cell Phone Use While Driving

State Sen. Judith G. Freedman of Westport today asked fellow legislators to approve her proposal to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

“Statistics have shown cell phones to be a major distraction to drivers and as a consequent have been cited as a cause of motor vehicle accidents," Freedman said in testimony before the Transportation Committee.

"For the past few years, I have advocated the use of hands-free devices for those who must use a phone while driving. It is time to follow through on this issue and make Connecticut roads safer for everyone."

Freedman, who has proposed similar legislation in the past, noted that inexpensive hands-free devices are widely available.

“Requiring drivers to either use a hands-free device or wait until they reach their destination to use a cell-phone is a matter of common sense and public safety,’ she said.

Freedman’s proposed legislation, SB 326, An Act Prohibiting the Use of a Hand-Held Cellular Phone Operating Vehicle, is awaiting initial legislation action by the Transportation Committee.

Freedman Urges Support of Sherwood Island 9/11 License Plate Proposal

State Sen. Judith G. Freedman of Westport today urged the legislature to support her proposal to issue a commemorative motor vehicle registration plate to generate revenue to fund maintenance of the 9/11 Memorial at Westport's Sherwood Island State Park.

Freedman told members of the Transportation Committee, including Westport state Rep. Joe Mioli, that she views her proposed legislation as a way to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the terrorist attack.

“By creating this new plate we not only pay tribute to those who innocently lost their lives, but will assure the maintenance of Connecticut’s memorial to them," Freedman said. "I know this will help to ease some of the pain and the worry the families have about the future of this lovely tranquil spot.

Freedman said the memorial includes a plaque and plantings near the beach from which visitors can see New York.

Freedman told committee members that the state Department of Environmental Protection estimates that replacing and maintaining the plantings will cost between $5,000 and $6,000 annually.

She added that she was gratified to hear the testimony in favor of her bill offered by Paul Kirwin, a former Weston resident now living in New York, whose adult child died on 9/11.

Freedman’s proposed legislation, SB 571, An Act Concerning Commemorative Registration Plates to Support the 9/11 Memorial, is awaiting initial legislative action by the Transportation Committee.

Staples Senior Charged With Distributing Alcohol to Minors

Westport police have cited a Staples High School student for distributing alcohol to minors, a police spokesman said today.

Sgt. Jerry Shannon said Amanda Zarrilli, 17, received a summons Saturday after police responded to a "911 hangup call" from her home and found youths playing cards with open beer cans. Shannon said it is usual procedure to dispatch police to a home if someone calls 911 but hangs up before the call is completed.

"On arrival, the officers looked in a window and saw several youths playing cards at a kitchen table with open beer cans," he said. The officers requested to be let in, Shannon said, and then cited Zarrilli with distributing alcohol to minors.

Police took the names of eight other teens at the house and notified their parents, he said. Zarrilli, whose parents returned home a short time later, was released on a promise to appear with a court date set for Feb. 22, he said.

In another incident involving a teenager and alcohol, Shannon said police responded to a burglar alarm call at a home on Sturges Highway Friday night and on arrival found a 16-year-old youth who was intoxicated. An ambulance was summoned, but the youth's parents contacted police in the meantime and he was not transported to the hospital, the police spokesman said.

No charges were filed, Shannon said.

The incidents came as the town's legislative body, the Representative Town Meeting, is considering a controversial ordinance on underage drinking that allows police to issue summonses on private property. The RTM heard three hours of comments on the issue Feb. 1 but postponed any action. (See WestportNow Feb. 2, 2005)

(Editor's note:The editor of WestportNow is also moderator of the RTM. This is an updated version of an earlier posting that removes some references cited in the comments below.)

"The Gates" Viewed by a Westporter

The $21 million art project "The Gates" in New York's Central Park attracted out-of-towners over the weekend, among them WestportNow contributing photographer Larry Untermeyer, who provided this view. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westporters Make the Central Park Scene

Among Westporters viewing "The Gates" by artists Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude, over the weekend were (l-r) Nikki Untermeyer, Pearl Marcus, Herb Dubow and his wife, Simone, and Melvin Marcus. Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Compo Melt

Sunday's milder temperatures – it got up to 43F in some parts of Westport – began to melt some of the ice that formed at the Compo Marina. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

Talking Transportation: Let's Blame the Trucks

By Jim Cameron
Special to WestportNow

What’s the biggest cause of congestion and delays on I-95? Just ask anyone who drives that route, day or night, and they’ll say trucks. Unfortunately, those opinions, while popular, are not supported by the facts.

Those of you who know me should recognize that I’m no apologist for the trucking industry. I’d love to get trucks off of the highways and on to freight cars on rails. Unfortunately, that isn’t likely in the foreseeable future (the topic for a whole other column).

Neither is the token effort of barging a few hundred trucks a day from New York docks to Bridgeport going to make much difference, though I still support that idea as well. Rather than looking for a scapegoat, let’s consider the facts before we blame truckers for the mess we have created.

As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” It is all of us in our single occupancy vehicles (s.o.v.’s) that cause the congestion, not trucks. Here are the facts:

Trucks are high-occupancy vehicles. They don’t drive up and down the interstates empty. They’re delivering goods that we want to buy. How do you think the big boxes get to “the big box stores”?

Every piece of clothing, item of food, and newsprint for your newspaper was delivered by truck. Our insatiable consumption created this demand.

Trucks are only permitted on the interstate highways, while s.o.v’s can use local streets or the parkway. Did you know that the average journey on I-95 is less than 10 miles? We local residents use our interstates like cross-town shortcuts and wonder why they’re congested.

Trucks deliver their goods when the merchants tell them. Why are trucks on I-95 at rush hour? Because selfish store owners won’t accept deliveries outside of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. store hours they find convenient.

In parts of Manhattan, by law, all truck deliveries must be made at night -- and the daytime street traffic flows more freely.

Trucks are responsible for most of the accidents. Wrong. Sure, trucks do occasionally jackknife, dump their contents and cause delays. But often those accidents are caused by s.o.v. drivers.

Connecticut Department of Transportation statistics prove that most accidents on I-95 involve cars, not trucks. In general, I think truck drivers are better than automobile drivers. It’s what they do for a living.

Unlike s.o.v. drivers, truckers don’t juggle a cellphone, toddler and a latte while operating their vehicle.

How about the truck inspection stations? Why aren’t they open more hours? Good question and best answered by the NIMBY politicians from Greenwich, whose clout has kept those safety stations closed so their tony neighbors won’t complain.

Even the trucking industry supports greater safety vigilance, so let’s open those inspection stations 24 x 7 -- and hit them all with a toll while they’re there, especially trucks that are just “passing through” the state, treating Connecticut like “drive over country.”

And while we’re at it, let’s force the industry to design a cleaner diesel engine to save whatever is left of our LA-quality air. Let’s open more parking areas so road-weary truckers don’t have to sleep on the shoulder at night.

And sure, let’s pass a law stopping truckers from using “jake brakes” to noisily downshift. I’m all in favor of safer, cleaner and quieter trucks.

But let’s not kid ourselves when it comes to explaining the true cause of our traffic mess. Next time you’re crawling up I-95, look around you. Count the number of s.o.v’s and the number of trucks. Then tell me who’s really causing the delays?

It may be easy to blame it on the trucks -- but it’s not true.

(Editor's Note: Jim Cameron has been a Darien resident for 14 years. He is vice chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Shore Line East Rail Commuter Council and a member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area, one of five Transportation Investment Areas established by the Connecticut General Assembly in July 2001 to develop 20-year strategic plans for each of the state's major transportation corridors. He is also a member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting. The opinions and accuracy of information in this article are the responsibility of the contributor. E-mail him at jim@camcomm.com or www.trainweb.org/ct)

Today's Westport Teardown: 23 Bayberry Lane

Today's WestportNow teardown is at 23 Bayberry Lane. A demolition permit has been submitted for the home, built in 1957. It sold in September for $750,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Monday, Feb. 14, 2005

7:30 p.m. -Town Hall Room 201/201A - Parks and Recreation Commission
8 p.m. - Staples High School Library - Board of Education (live coverage on cable channel 78)

Now It's "Save the Abel Bradley House" The Movie

They might not be able to save a 200-year-old house on the Westport-Fairfield line, but those battling to keep the Abel Bradley House away from the wreckers will be able to see their efforts preserved on film.
Abel Bradley House 1934 view: preservation efforts to be preserved on film. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Fairfield County Preservation Trust photo

The controversy over the fate of the circa 1800 house on Sturges Highway has attracted the attention of an independent, New York-based filmmaker, according to neighbor Eleanor Dickey, who is leading the fight to save it. (See WestportNow Feb. 5, 2005)

She said Suzi Yoonessi, a graduate film student at Columbia University, where Dickey teaches classics, is directing a documentary about the issue and the people involved.

Yoonessi was attracted to the subject by the human interest dimension of the controversy, particularly the life of Ruby Brotherton, the elderly widow who lived in the house until a few months ago, Dickey said.

She became aware of the issue at Columbia, where she is completing an MFA in film, and where news of the preservation effort has been spread by Dickey, who is president of the Coalition for Preservation of the Bradley House.

Yoonessi has participated in the making of 10 films since 1997. She has worked with a wide range of artists including Academy Award-winning playwright Israel Horovitz, noted director Miguel Arteta, and director/conceptual artist Miranda July.

Her work has been recognized at festivals in the United States and abroad, according to Dickey, including an award for "best documentary" at the Back East Film Festival in 2002. This year three of the films she collaborated on were in the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
Suzi Yoonessi: filmmaker will tell story of efforts to save Abel Bradley House. Contributed photo

The film about the Bradley House controversy is currently in production, as the issue may not be around any more after March 3.

"I am intrigued by the complexities of the story, and the dedication of each party to their cause," Yoonessi said in a statement released by the preservationist group.

"I hope the film captures the vastly different perspectives, and the unique beauty and voice of the city of Westport."

"We're delighted that this story will be preserved for posterity, even if the house ultimately is not," said Dickey.

"We realize that Suzi is an independent voice and may not end up taking our side, but we feel certain that if the truth about this whole effort is out there, it will help us and help the cause of preservation in general in the long run."

She added, "The issue at stake here is a much larger one than that of the demolition of a single house, so we hope that the film will capture the tragedy of the loss of our historic resources and local neighborhoods to teardowns and MacMansions."

Leading the Wreckers to a State Championship

Staples junior Remi Ray powers ahead in the 4x400 relay Saturday night at the New Haven Athletic Center as the Wreckers boys indoor track team captured its sixth straight state title, winning the Class L championship. Ray shattered the Class L record in the 600 meters and anchored the 4x400 relay that broke another state record. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

Pointing to Victory

The Staples boys indoor track team engages in some playful finger-pointing with coach Laddie Lawrence after winning its sixth straight state championship Saturday night at the New Haven Athletic Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

Staples Girls Take 1600 Sprint Medley

Junior Annie Sullivan helps the Staples girls indoor track team win the 1600 sprint medley Saturday night at the New Haven Athletic Center. Sullivan took second in the 1000 meters as the team came in eighth in the competition. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

A Hint of Warmer Days Ahead

The early morning at Westport's Old Mill Pond hinted at warmer days to come. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Banging the Drum for Charity

More than 75 people of all ages banged their drums Saturday at Save the Children’s Westport headquarters to raise funds for victims of the Asian tsunami. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

The Sound of Money

Saturday's drumming event to raise money for Westport's Save the Children was sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Women’s Network. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com