Fatal Jackknife

A tractor-trailer in which the driver died in a jackknife accident on I-95 on the Westport-Norwalk line this morning sits on a side street after being removed from the highway. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ron Malone for WestportNow.com

Traffic Backup from I-95 Accident

Traffic backed up on Post Road East near the intersection with Imperial and Myrtle Avenues today due to the aftermath of a fatal tractor-trailer accident on I-95. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Westport Schools on Two-Hour Delay

Westport's public schools are on a two-hour delay today because of the weather, the superintendent's office announced.

I-95 Accident Leaves One Dead

The overnight spring snowstorm may have contributed to a fatal accident early today on I-95 just south of Westport's exit 17 on the Westport-Norwalk border. State police said a van and tractor-trailer were involved in the accident iin the southbound lanes, leaving the tractortrailer driver dead. Westport as well as Norwalk firefighters were on the scene from shortly after 1 a..m. until just after 6 a.m. Crews worked to stabilize the incident, including offloading the diesel tanks on the truck prior to uprighting the vehicle. View is from a Department of Transportation traffic camera. DOT photo

Thursday, March 24, 2005

7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Public Hearing
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Parks and Recreation Committee

Don Imus: "We have a $30 Million Estate on the Water in Westport, Conn."

A charity operated by talk radio host and Westporter Don Imus has come under scrutiny of New York's attorney general, according to Thursday's New York Times.

The newspaper said Elliot Spitzer was looking into the business practices of the charity that runs a New Mexico ranch for seriously ill children.

Quoting "people briefed on the matter," the Times said Spitzer has been reviewing accusations that Imus used the ranch for his personal getaway.

Asked about the matter, Imus told the newspaper that he and his wife ran the charity from New York and spent time at the ranch primarily when children were there to participate in the charity programs.

"We have a $30 million estate on the water in Westport, Conn.," he said. "We're hardly looking for a vacation spot."

The Wall Street Journal carried a similar story and Imus attacked the report on his radio show as a hatchet job. He said that he and his wife work for the charity, both raising money and doing chores during the children's stay at the ranch, all without compensation.

"Why don't you do a survey about other foundations this size and see what they pay their chief executives? Most charities spend 50 cents to raise a dollar," he said. He also called "insane" the notion that he uses the ranch for private use, saying that when he takes vacations he goes elsewhere than the ranch.

"I've got a penthouse apartment in New York and a mansion in Westport (Conn.). Why would I go someplace that I can't breathe," said Imus, referring to medications he takes to help with breathing while he's at the ranch.

It's Spring but it Looks Like Winter

The Saugatuck River in Westport's center took on a winter look tonight as a spring snowstorm moved through the area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Springtime Snow Slows Traffic

Traffic makes its way slowly through falling snow tonight on Westport's Post Road East near the intersection with Compo Road. Forecasters said the spring snowstorm could leave as much as 6 inches in the area before tapering off Thursday morning. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport Property Transfers March 14-18, 2005

Property transfers as reported by the Westport Town Clerk's office for the period March 14-March 18, 2005:

Mark A. and Tammy S. Hoffman to Hakija and Sarah Ea Bevan Hrvacic, 13 Bulkley Ave. North, $585,000.

Anthony F. Slez Jr. to 791 PRE LLC, 791 Post Road East, $1,550,000.

Jalal S. and Mahnoosh S. Naghib to Mark and Lori Silverman Altschuler, 4 Pebble Beach Road, $1,537,500.

G and L Westport Medical LLC to 319 Post Road East Assoc. LLC, 139 Kings Highway North, $425,000

Timothy R. and Kimberly H. West to Andrew M. and Bonnie Marcus, 8 Bolton Lane, $1,453,000

Estate of Daphne M. Bayle to Mark Nicholas Basile 2001 Rev. Living Trust and Steven Clyde Schnepp 2001 Rev. Living Trust, 26 Church St. South, $593,000

Susan Pierce Quinby to Henry T. and Jean M. Hampe, 1 Webb Road, $740,000

Bin Li and Tao Yang to Thomas C. Foran and Jane J. Kim, 11 Mallard Lane, $965,000

Vincent and Frances D. Gallogly to John W. and Kimberly L. Mullen, 23 Hitchcock Road, 1,025,000

Elena M. McKay to Sherwood Homes LLC, 165 Bayberry Lane, $1,165,000

Spring Snowstorm Could Leave Up to 6 Inches

A spring snowstorm is approaching Connecticut that could leave 6 inches on the ground before it tapers of Thursday morning, forecasters said today.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from early this evening through tonight.

The National Weather Service said precipitation will gradually overspread the local area in advance of a strengthening low pressure center off the Virginia coast.

Rain will be the predominate type of precipitation during the daylight hours although some snow and sleet may mix in at times.

This mix should yield little more than a minor slushy accumulation through this evening.

As the low pressure center intensifies to the south of Long Island this evening and tonight, colder air will be drawn into the system. This will change that the precipitation over to all snow by late this evening.

The snow is expected to be heavy at times which may produce greater than 6 inches of snow by Thursday morning when things begin to taper off.

The snow that falls overnight will likely be the heavy wet type which could down branches which in turn could down power lines and thus cause scattered power outages.

Highs in the mid-40s are forecast for Thursday, with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon.

Down by the River

An early spring evening Tuesday along the Saugatuck River in Westport's center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens Brown Bag Lunch
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Long Range Planning Committee - CANCELED
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library -- Eileen Ogintz, family travel expert, author and syndicated columnist ("Taking the Kids") will give a talk and answer questions on how to plan stress-free family trips and vacations for parents and grandparents
8:45 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - RTM Ordinance Committee - CANCELED

Music Theatre of Connecticut Masterclass

Westport's Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) presented a masterclass by actress Anne Kanengeiser, currently seen in "Little Women" on Broadway. Attending the workshop were: front row (l-r) Chris McNiff; Westport; Dana Parisi; Trumbull; Hannah Dubner; Easton; Brooke Benedetto; Easton; Back row (l-R) Alexa Aron, Westport; Sarah Riordan, Fairfield; Anne Kanengeiser; Michael Bloom, Norwalk; Kathryn Mary Gau, Westport; and Tyler Paul, Westport. MTC's forthcoming production of "Anything Goes" will be presented at Saugatuck Elementary School on May 6 and 7. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport's Chris Halstead Repeats as Swim Champ

Chris Halstead: repeat champ. Emory University photoWestport's Chris Halstead, a senior at Emory University, helped lead the school to its second consecutive second-place finish at the NCAA Division III national championships in Holland, Mich.

Halstead, who turns 22 next month, defended his national title in the 200-yard backstroke becoming the second Eagle from the Atlanta, Ga., school to repeat as a national champion.

His time of 1:48.98 seconds is the fourth-fastest time in school history behind three of his own. He now holds all 10 of the top 10 times in Emory record book.

Halstead set a school record by earning six All-American certificates at the national meet. He earned three individual certificates and three for relay events.

Halstead becomes the first Emory swimmer to earn three individual All-American certificates at more than one NCAA championship meet.

In addition to the 200 backstroke, Halstead finished second in the 200-yard individual medley (1:51.31) and third in the 100-yard backstroke (0:50.69).

Halstead also swam a leg on the 400-yard medley relay, 200-yard medley relay, and 800-yard freestyle relay, all of which attained All-America recognition.

Halstead ends his career at Emory with 14 All-American certificates which is the second most in Emory history.

He is the son of Steve Halstead, a member and former chair of the Westport Board of Education, and Rosemary Halstead, president of the Westport Weston YMCA board of directors.

Westport Police Officer's Son Joins Greenwich Department

Growing up, Andrew Kassay watched his policeman father helping people.

That was his inspiration to follow in his father's footsteps and Monday he was sworn in as one of two new officers in the Greenwich Police Department.

The 25-year-old Stratford resident has aspired to follow his father into a police career since his early teens, according to today's Greenwich Time newspaper.

His father, Detective Sgt. David E. Kassay, is a supervisor in the detective division of the Westport Police Department.

After graduating from Stratford High School he received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

He had worked as a traffic agent for the Westport department, writing parking tickets.

"Growing up around a police officer and seeing him help people made me want to get involved," Kassay said.

Following OSHA Guidelines, Sort Of

Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell told guests at today's Westport Rotary Club meeting that Town Hall received a surprise visit this morning from an inspector from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). So she said she was pleased to see that while she was speaking to the group that a worker outside the dining room of the town-owned Inn at Longshore was wearing a protective hearing device as he used a loud leaf blower. That was the good news, she said. But she drew a laugh from the crowd when she said the bad news was the device was positioned not over his ears but above them. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Water Main Break Shuts Down Service to Woodside Avenue Area

A water main break on Westport's Woodside Avenue today shut down water service for several hours to area residents. The break in the street in mid-afternoon affected about 40 residents before it was repaired, according to a spokesman for the Aquarion Water Co. The street was reopened at 5:45 p.m.

Warming Up at Compo

Today's sunny weather and temperature in the 50s brought people and dogs to Westport's Compo Beach. But the forecast called for a return to colder, rainy or possibly snowy weather Wednesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

From Westport to Bridgeport: Honoring Scholars

Andy Boas (r), president of the Westport-based Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, Monday congratulated five Bridgeport high school students chosen as Charter Oak scholars. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship over four years and a laptop computer. Also shown (l-r) are: Dudley Orr, Central High School principal, and seniors (l-r) Vanessa Berrios, Kanha Bou, Victor Santos, Diana De los Santos and Hasan Henry. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

8:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Westport Transit District Directors' Meeting
12:15 p.m. - Inn at Longshore - Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell addresses Westport Rotary Club
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102- Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - RTM Finance, Education and Employee Compensation Committees
8:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A - RTM Finance and Education Committees
9:00 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - RTM Finance Committee

Lt. Gov. Sullivan: "I'll Decide Within Three Weeks Whether to Run for Governor"

Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan told a meeting of the Westport Democratic Town Committee tonight that he expects to announce within three weeks whether he will be a candidate for governor. The former president pro tem of the state senate said his wife has had a serious back operation and that will be a factor in making his decision. "I'm inclined to do it," he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

New Board of Ed Member: "I Have a Lot to Learn"

James. S. Marpe, selected today to fill a vacant Republican seat on Westport's Board of Education, said he's long had an interest in some sort of public service in town and when the chance came to serve on the board, he grabbed it.
James Marpe: believes in "giving back." WN photo

"The Westport schools are the centerpiece of Westport," he said following his unanimous election at a special board meeting in Westport's Town Hall. "It sets the tone for the community. For me, it's exciting to be part of that organization."

Marpe, 58, a retired management consultant who has lived in Westport 16 years, was one of five applicants to fill the unexpired term -- until November -- of Mark Owades. Owades announced his resignation in January due to the press of other business. His resignation became effective at noon today.

Three of the applicants, including Marpe, were recommended by the Republican Town Committee. Two others applied directly to the board. The board interviewed all five in executive session at their request.

"I would just like to say to the five candidates who came forward what a pleasure it was to have the opportunity to speak with each of you," said Mary Parmelee, board chair, before the vote. She said the board had met with each candidate for 45 minutes to an hour.

The opportunity to discuss educational issues with the candidates "was not just interesting – it was encouraging for those of us who spend so much time on educational issues to know that there are people out there that are watching but that are also interested," Parmelee said.

Lewis Brey, board secretary and one of three Republican members on the seven-member board, said,"We had some really outstanding candidates here. We had a total of five people who came forward with really, really great credentials."

It was a "very difficult decision for us," he said, and acknowledged that "we all had a different viewpoint, as we frequently do." But he said he was hopeful the board would come to a unanimous decision today, which it did.

Brey noted that all the candidates were given the opportunity to be interviewed in public but declined. The board had come under criticism from a member of the Representative Town Meeting who said the interviews should have been held in public.

"I’d like to encourage those who are not chosen today to stick with community service in Westport," he said.

"If there is continuing interest in the Board of Education, this summer is the time to do that. Sometimes the nominating process goes under the radar here in Westport. So anyone who is interested, we would like to see them continue."

Marpe, whose daughter, Samantha, is a 2002 Staples High School graduate now attending Pennsylvania State University, said, "I'm a guy who believes in giving back. This is an opportunity to do so."

The former partner in Accenture, Ltd., which long had a contractual relationship with the former Arthur Andersen firm, retired in 2002 as head of the company's worldwide financial services merger and acquisition practice.

During his career, he worked with a variety of corporate and public sector organizations, including the Boards of Education of Chicago and Washington, D.C., to develop business and information strategies critical to their missions and to implement those strategies.

Marpe said he had recently attended a number of Board of Education meetings since submitting his application and had watched more on television.

He said he was particularly anxious to see that "kids in the middle," in addition to "high achievers," get the attention they need in the school system. Westport schools have done a good job in turning out "educated learners," Marpe said, and he wanted to see all students engage in a "lifetime of learning."

From a fiscal point of view, he said he wanted to make sure that after spending $200 million to upgrade the physical plant of Westport schools, that the board is committed to maintaining the buildings and not let them deteriorate.

At the same time, Marpe said "taxpayers have a right to expect us to manage as best we can but not at unlimited cost."

Marpe, who had been involved in numerous searches and interviews involving top executives during his career, said he felt there had been "good chemistry" during his interview with the board. "I felt positive about it," he said.

He said he was well aware of the time commitment involved in joining the board --"almost to the person, people said I was crazy" -- and fully intended to run for a full term in November "unless I find it worse than I expected."

After congratulating him after the vote, Parmelee handed Marpe a packet of information in advance of tonight's board meeting.

He accepted it with a smile and later told reporters: "I have a lot to learn. It's like coming in in the middle of a movie."

Westport Police Cite Six Merchants in Unannounced Tobacco Inspection

The Westport Police Department, aided by state inspectors, carried out unannounced compliance inspections of Westport merchants selling tobacco products and found six in violation, the department said today.

Lt. Gary T. Golas, detective commander, said the inspections were carried out Saturday by police along with staff members of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

"The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 18," he said in a news release.

Under the direction and supervision of state investigators, an underage youth, employed by the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, entered the establishments and attempted to purchase tobacco products, Golas said.

A total 18 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. There were six establishments found in violation and the offending clerks were issued an infraction in the amount of $200 for the illegal sale of tobacco to minors under
18, the police official said.

Those cited and the employee involved were:

Calise's Market 734 Post Road East, Kenneth Vaitruardrok; Cumberland Farms 690 Post Road East, Mohammad Jawaid; CVS, 397 Post Road East, Ricardo Cipriano; Caruso Motor Sports (Sunoco), 322 Post Road East, Grant Squires; Elvira's Market, 222 Hillspoint Road, Chris Theodoridis; and Bridge Garage ( Mobil) 558 Riverside Ave., John Roddenbury.

The following establishments were found to be in compliance with the law: Walgreen Drug Store 1870 Post Road East; Greens Farms Getty, 1830 Post Road East; Stop & Shop, 1790 Post Road East; Westport News Plus Variety, 1535 Post Road East, BP (Westport Amoco), 1510 Post Road East, Castle Wine & Spirits, 1439 Post Road East; Eckerd Drugs, 1086 Post Road East; Westport Self Service (Mobil), 1060 Post Road East; Walgreen Drug Store, 880 Post Road East; Shaw's Supermarket, 605 Post Road East; Far East Market, 222 Post Road East; and Fast Stop Food Market, 20 Saugatuck Ave.

Congratulations -- Now Here's Your Homework

Newly-appointed Board of Education member James S. Marpe accepts congratulations and a packet of homework material from Mary Parmelee, board chair, at Westport Town Hall today. Marpe, a 16-year Westport resident and retired management consultant, was unanimously approved to fill the unexpired term of resigned Republican member Mark Owades. Board member Steve Halstead is at center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport Board of Education Names James Marpe New Member

The Westport Board of Education today voted unanimously to name James S. Marpe, 58, to fill the unexpired term of Republican member Mark Owades who announced his resignation in January. Marpe will serve until November. Board members, voting in a special session at Westport Town Hall, were: (l-r) Steve Halstead, Linda Merk-Gould, chair Mary Parmelee, Sandra Urist, and Lewis Brey. Mark Mathias participated by telephone. Schools Supt. Elliott Landon is at right. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Shays Votes Against Schiavo Measure

Rep. Christopher Shays, who met with Westport Republicans Sunday afternoon, returned to Washington later in the day and was among those who voted early today against legislation that would allow a federal court to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo.

The measure passed by a vote of 203 to 58. Shays was among five Republicans who joined with 53 Democrats in opposing the legislation.

"My heart goes out to Terri Schiavo, her parents, and family, and, yes, even to her husband," Shays said in a statement today.

"My heart goes out to everyone who may have found themselves in a similar situation in the past or might find themselves in a similar situation in the future.

"I wanted to stay back in Connecticut and avoid having to cast a vote because I do not want to play God, and either way I vote I feel I am.

"We all know this is a time for real thoughtfulness and wisdom and inspiration, and I believe that is what we are all trying to do.

"On both sides of the aisle we ask 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.'

"Sanctity of life, sanctity of marriage, sanctity of an individual to decide for themselves what should happen to their own life, I find myself wondering why is there so much focus on this life when we ignore the countless lives throughout the world who die minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day from hunger and disease that this Congress could address and this Congress could prevent? Why only Terri when there are others like her in our country?

"The only way this bill has any legitimacy is if it applies to all cases, not just Terri's, and that is what concerns me. How deep is this Congress going to reach? How deep is this Congress going to reach into the personal lives of each and every one of us?"

Monday, March 21, 2005

10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Historic District Commission
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Joint Work Force Senior Housing Committee
1 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Special Board of Education anticipated executive session
1:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Special Board of Education - (cable coverage on channel 79)
7:45 p.m. - Staples High School, Room 1028 - Board of Education anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Staples High School Cafeteria - Board of Education (cable coverage on channel 78)
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan addresses Westport Democratic Town Committee

Shays Addesses Westport Republicans

Rep. Christopher Shays addressed a Westport Republican Town Committee party in Westport today. He is shown with Republican Town Committee Chairman Pete Wolgast as he commented on key issues facing Congress. Jo Fuchs Luscombe and Tammy Pincavage were co-hosts for the party which took place in a new home Rick Benson has recently completed at 1 Flower Farm Road. Later, Shays returned to Washington where he voted against legislation that allows a federal court to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo. The measure passed by a vote of 203 to 58. Contributed photo

Celebrating the Most Festive Jewish Holiday

Families at Westport's Temple Israel today celebrated the Jewish holiday of Purim with a carnival fundraiser. Purim, the most festive of the Jewish holidays, begins at sundown Thursday. It is celebrated with fun and feasting as children dress up like their favorite Purim characters. The festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther. Among those taking part in the carnival were (l-r) Julie Zuckerbrod, Julie Samuels, Bizz Wiggin, Nick Pulvino, and Daniela Sawyer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marilyn Smith for WestportNow.com

A Winner

Temple Israel's celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim today made Tori Lubin a winner of a goldfish. Sister Lexi Lubin is in the background. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marilyn Smith for WestportNow.com

Health District Sets Emergency Preparedness Seminars

The Westport Weston Health District will sponsor two emergency preparedness seminars titled “Are you Ready?” on Thursday, April 7, in observance of National Public Health Week, the health district has announced.

The seminars will provide current information on the readiness of the community, local resources that are available to all residents during an emergency, and necessary supplies that should be in everyone’s homes, an announcement said.

Program locations are at the Weston Town Hall (Meeting Room), 56 Norfield Road, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the Westport Town Hall (Room 201) from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Guest speakers include Michelle DeLuca, director of disaster services, American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter, and Richard Frazier, public safety officer and coordinator of the Westport CERT Program.

Schools to Meet With New Kindergarten Parents

Parents of incoming kindergarteners are invited to an orientation meeting with the Westport public school officials Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at each of the town's public elementary schools.

As this is an informational meeting with the principal, parents are requested not to bring children to this session, according to a school announcement.

A special program for children is planned for later in the school year after the official registration period, scheduled for Monday, May 2.

To be eligible for kindergarten in September, 2005, children must reach their fifth birthday on or before Jan. 1, 2006.

Only Westport residents may attend Westport public schools. Residents unsure of which school their children will attend may consult the district Web site, www.westport.k12.ct.us.

A button marked “Elementary and Middle School Districts by Street” leads to the site where a click on a street name reveals the correct elementary and middle school district.

Westport kindergartens are on an “extended day” schedule, meeting for 4 hours and 45 minutes each day, in morning sessions only. Children have lunch at school.

Historical Society Hosts Hilla Rebay Exhibit Reception

The Westport Historical Society Saturday hosted a reception in connection with its current exhibit "Hilla Rebay -- A Baroness in Westport." Hilla Rebay was the visionary spirit and co-founder of what is now the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, as well as a noted painter of non-objective art. A special section of the exhibit is devoted to her home and life in Westport. Pictured (l-r) are: Wally Woods; Enid Monroe; George Sterling; Mollie Donovan; Harry Monroe; Joyce Thompson, curator for the exhibit; Elizabeth Strick, assistant curator; Karole Vail, curator for a Hilla Rebay exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum called “Art of Tomorrow” opening May 20; and Stephen Lowy, New York gallery owner and owner of the Hilla Rebay art and others in the Westport exhibit. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Palm Sunday Procession

The Rev. John H. Branson III leads the annual Procession of the Palms outside Westport's Christ and Holy Trinity Church this Palm Sunday morning. Chip Stephens for WestportNow.com

Marching in the Rain

A misty rain and a temperature in the 30s -- on the first day of spring -- did not dissuade participants in the annual Procession of the Palms today at Westport's Christ and Holy Trinity Church. Chip Stephens for WestportNow.com