Saturday, May 25, 2013
Grand Marshal Fisher: Artist Who Made Military Maps
By James Lomuscio
Looking back, Westport artist Leonard Everett Fisher, who turns 90 next month, finds it unbelievable that as an 18-year-old with an artistic bent and a knowledge of drafting that he was tapped by the U.S. Army to create military topographical maps for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, for Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army and for the planned invasion of Japan.
Leonard Everett Fisher in his Westport studio on Friday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“It’s kind of bizarre for an 18-year-old to be involved the planning of war,” says Fisher, who will serve as Grand Marshal in Monday’s Memorial Day parade. “I should have been in the infantry, but the Army saw something that I had, and they needed it, and they used it for years.”
Fisher, a children’s book illustrator, moved with his wife Margery to Westport in 1957. Margery served as a librarian at Coleytown Middle School for 25 years. They have three children and six grandchildren.
“I’m a little numb,” he said about being picked as Grand Marshal by parade organizer Bill Vornkahl. “It’s a great honor.”
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WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 8 Danbury Ave.
An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 8 Danbury Ave. in the Compo Beach section, is in process. Built in 1928, the 1 1/2-story bingalow has 1,452 square feet and is situated on a .1-acre property. The property changed hands this month for $1 million. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Tree Down Closes Hillandale
A tree that came down today on Westport’s Hillandale Road closed the roadway while utility workers replaced a pole. The incident occurred near 21 Hillandale Road. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Saturday Morning Find
A one-car rollover occurred sometime overnight at 60 Roseville Road and was not discovered until shortly before 9 a.m. when homeowner Linda Gramatky Smith went outside and found a large rock in her driveway. She then looked around and discovered the car in the woods just off her driveway and called police. They found no one in the car, which was heavily damaged. They traced it to a Fairfield address, and a short time later the driver contacted police, according to reports from the scene. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Into the Woods
The driver of a car that rolled over into the woods at 60 Roseville Road overnight managed to get out of the vehicle and was gone by the time the crash was discovered shortly before 9 a.m. today. The car was traced to a Fairfield address and the driver then contacted police. “What a way to start the Memorial Day weekend,” said homeowner Linda Gramatky Smith, who found the wreckage. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
‘I Was Afraid Someone Was Still Inside’
Linda Gramatky Smith stands in her driveway at 60 Roseville Road today where she found a wrecked car as she headed outside to go a meeting. “I was afraid there was someone still inside and called 911,” she said. She said she and husband Ken have seen many accidents occur in a curve in the road in front of the house, but this is the first time that a car has ended up in the woods. “Thank goodness the driver managed to get out,” she said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Masons Honored for Service
Westport’s Temple Lodge No. 65 Service Awards were presented by Connecticut’s Grand Master MW Simon R. LaPlace (c). Pictured (l-r): Dennis Corsalin, 40-year pin; George Marks, 60-year pin; Irving Lieff, 60-year pin; Donald Treadwell, 65-year pin; Sanford Lunt, 45-year pin; Steve Bowen, past deputy pin, and Lemuel Johnson, past deputy pin. The Masons are a fraternal organization involved in many charitable and social activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Westport Public Library hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. today
10 a.m. - Aspire Fitness (44 Main St.,, 3rd Floor) - Pushups for Charity benefit for Boot Campaign
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “SOLOS 2013”
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “5 Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family” & “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist”
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Friday, May 24, 2013
Family Gathering
Members of Westport’s Gault family gathered tonight at the opening of the Westport Historical Society’s latest exhibit, “Five Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family.” The exhibit, which traces the evolution of the family and its endeavors, runs until Sept. 2 (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Curating Westport History
Brian O’Leary, co-curator with Dorothy E. Curran, explains the history of the Westport Historical Society’s newest exhibit tonight at the opening of “Five Generations of Yankees Ingenuity: The Gault Family.” in the Sheffer Galley and foyer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Historical Society Salutes Tracy Sugarman
Also opening tonight at the Westport Historical Society’s Mollie Dononvan Gallery was “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist” about the life of the Westport illustrator, writer and civil rights activist who died in January at age 91. On hand for the reception were Gloria Sugarman (l), his wife, and Dianne Wildman, who curated the exhibit. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Tracy Sugarman On Display
Guests tonight visit the Westport Historical Society’s “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist” exhibit which opened in the Mollie Donovan Gallery. An inteview with Sugarman plays on a vido screen amid drawings and pictures illustrating his career. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
NTSB: Engineer Saw ‘Unusual Condition’ on Track
UPDATE The engineer of the the Metro-North train that derailed a week ago in Bridgeport has told investigators he saw “an unusual condition on the track” as he approached the area, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said today.
The NTSB said investigators are focusing on a repaired section of track. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) NTSB photo
“During an interview with the eastbound train engineer, he informed NTSB investigators that he saw what he described as an unusual condition on the track as he approached the Interstate 95 overpass,” the NTSB said in a news release.
“He also stated that the train came to a stop before being struck by the westbound train.”
In a Friday night update, a spokesman for the NTSB, Nicholas Worrell said that replacing the track was what the NTSB meant in its earlier statement that a repair had been made in an area where the derailment occurred. The earlier statement referred to repair of a joint bar. MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg said the joint bar had been replaced, not repaired, in April.
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Himes Interviews Grand Marshal for History Project
Congressman Jim Himes today paid a visit to the home of Westport Memorial Day parade Grand Marshal Leonard Everett Fisher to interview the World War II veteran for the Veterans History Project, a Library of Congress initiative designed to preserve the experiences of the nation’s veterans. Leonard served in the U.S. Army’s 30th Engineer Topographic Battalion, participating in the tactical mapping of Mediterranean, European, and Pacific Ocean invasions and campaigns. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Committee Again Picks Rose to Build Senior Housing
By James Lomuscio
Westport’s Baron’s South Committee today selected Jonathan Rose Companies as the developer to construct a 100- to 130-rental-unit senior housing facility —30 percent of the units deemed affordable—on the 22-acre town-owned property known as Baron’s South.
Develpper Jonathan Rose addresses the Board of Finance last November. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Committee member G. Kenneth Bernhard said that his group plans to recommend Jonathan Rose to First Selectman Gordon Joseloff by the first week of June. The planned senior housing complex has been a key initiative of Joseloff and Second Selectwoman Shelly Kassen who want to provide seniors who had contributed much to Westport over the years an opportunity to remain in town.
Jonathan Rose was one of three respondents to the town’s RFP (request for proposals). Others included Atria Senior Living, which the committee weeks earlier dismissed for having too high rents, and TransCon Builders, which was edged out today for wanting to build a minimum of 150 units.
“These were two very qualified builfders,” Bernhard said about today’s selection.
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Former Selectman Lasprogato Hospitalized
Robert F. Lasprogato, the Westport Republican registrar of voters and a former selectman, has been hospitalized with a “heart-related” event, Marla Cowden, the Democratic registrar of voters, told the Board of Finance Thursday night.
Bob Lasprogato performs at the Westport Center for Senior Activities last September. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
“Bob was hospitalized on Sunday after a heart-related event,” she said at the outset of the meeting, explaining why an appropriation request had been pulled from the agenda.
“Whether it is positive thoughts, good karma or prayer, please join me in wishing Bob a complete and speedy recovery. Please keep Bob in your thoughts and prayers.”
Lasprogato, 71, a well known drummer with his Uptown Jazz group, was elected registrar of voters in 2010. He previously served as a selectman from April 2006 to November 2009 following the resignation of John Izzo from the board.
Westport Property Transfers May 6 - 10, 2013
Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period May 6 - 10, 2013:
Albert Pizzirusso to Muhammad K. Gill and Saadia E. Ahmed, 11 Calumet Road, $735,000
Lisa R. Gernard to Jeffrey R. and Mara U. Barth, 60 Edgewater Commons Lane, $823,500
James T. and Jodi M. Grogan to Elenee Argentinis, 9 Willowbrook Drive, $603,000
James A. and Melanie C. Nangle to Robert and Rachel Phillips, 53 Partrick Road, $1,907,500
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Woman’s Club Awards Scholarships
The Westport Woman’s Club today presented college grants totaling $30,000 to 10 Staples High School seniors at a ceremony at its 44 Imperial Ave. headquarters. Pictured (l-r) are: Elizabeth Zaffina (Sacred Heart University), Brianna Reedy (University of the Arts) Audrey Reedy (Chapman University), Fallon Bottone (University of San Francisco), Jasmine Henry (New York University), Michelle Lee (University of Connecticut), Shannon Connors (Eastern Connecticut) and Margaret Mills (University of New Hampshire). Missing from the photograph: Nicholas McCarthy (Fairfield Univeristy) and Gillian Manantan (Norwalk Community College.) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 23 Westfair Drive
An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 23 Westfair Drive, near Bulkley Avenue North, is in process. Built in 1954, the 1 1/4-story cape has 1,181 square feet and is situated on a .29-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Friday, May 24, 2013
9:30 a.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Baron’s South Committee Work Session
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – RTM Ordinance Committee
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “5 Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family” & “Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist”
10 a.m. - Westport Arts Center - ArtCafé
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “SOLOS 2013”
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - Opening Reception, “5 Years of Yankee Ingenuity” and “Tracy Sugarman”
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Board of Finance Increases Mill Rate Less Than 1%
The Westport Board of Finance tonight set a mill rate for the 2013-14 fiscal year of 18.07, an increase from 17.91, or just under 1 percent (.089). The vote was 5-2 with Democrats Helen Garten and Brian Stern voting against, saying they wanted no increase. In dollars, this means that the average homeowner will now pay $18.07 for every $1,000 of a home’s assessed value. Chair Avi Kaner said the vote would result in a real tax increase of less than 1 percent. He said it was important not to have a lesser increase in order to have a general fund reserve of 10 percent. “We do not want to handcuff our administration,” he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Flash Flood Warning Extended
The National Weather Service in Upton, N.Y. has extended a flash flood warning for Westport and area until 2:45 a.m. Friday.
It said heavy rain has ended for the time being. However, runoff from earlier rainfall and additional heavy showers and thunderstorms after midnight could cause additional flash flooding of streams and low lying and poor drainage areas.
WN Wins 10 Citations in State Journalism Contest
WestportNow has won 10 citations, including three first place prizes, in the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Connecticut Chapter Excellence in Journalism competition. The awards were announced tonight at the group’s annual banquet in North Haven.
James Lomuscio and Helen Klisser During show off the 10 citations won by WestportNow in the 2012 Excellence in Journalism Competition of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists. Winners were announced tonight at the group’s annual banquet in North Haven. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
First place winners included Helen Klisser During for her photo of a large storm cloud at Compo Beach, Douglas Healey for his photo of a Staples football player being consoled after a defeat, and a contributing photographer for a photo of Storm Sandy victims walking through floodwaters.
James Lomusico, associate editor, won two second place prizes for his story about construction of a Storm Sandy sand berm at Compo Beach, and his story on a man who committed suicide in downtown Westport. He won an honorable mention for a story on a vigil for Newtown shooting victims.
Klisser During also won a second place prize for a photo of artist Susan Malloy sitting on the Compo cannons, and an honorable mention for a photo of a young girl at the Sherwood Island 9/11 memorial. Dave Matlow, associate editor, won a second place prize for his photo of the cleaning of a statue on Veterans Green, while Lynn U. Miller won a second place prize for her photo of Newtown mourners on Jesup Green. See complete winner list here.
Westporter to Place Wreath on Unknown Soldier’s Tomb
By Dave Matlow
Monday will mark the first Westport Memorial Day parade that Anne Beers, who served in the Navy as a pharmacist’s mate during World War II, will miss due to another call of duty.
Anne Beers will miss Westport’s Memorial Day parade this year for a good reason. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
She has been invited to Washington, D.C. to place the wreath on the tomb of the “Unknown Sailor” in a Memorial Day ceremony.
“Can you believe this?” she said. “I will also be in the first row with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a concert this Sunday at the White House.”
Beers was recommended for the ceremony by lifelong friend Ted Mauger, a World War II Air Force veteran, who had been asked to place a wreath on the grave of the an unknown Air Force veteran.
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Town Gets Liability Notice in Pedestrian Death
UPDATE (clarifies content of notices) The estate of a Fairfield man who was killed in March while crossing Post Road East not in a crosswalk in front of Shake Shack has put the Town of Westport on notice of a potential claim of liability for wrongful death damages.
Bruce Tabackman: Fairfield attorney. File photo
The March 2 death of Bruce Tabackman, 68, a lawyer, was the fourth pedestrian fatality on Post Road East since 2008.
The notice was delivered to the Town Clerk’s office Wednesday by the lawyer representing the estate, Alan B. Fodeman of Fairfield. Also delivered was a notice from Liberty Mutual, the insurance company representing the owners of the vehicle that struck Tabackman.
It was driven by a 16-year-old Westport youth whose identity and that of the car’s owners are being withheld by WestportNow because the teen, who was not charged, is a minor.
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Immigration Unites, Then Divides House
By Mark Pazniokas
www.ctmirror.orgUPDATE and CORRECT The push and pull of immigration politics played out over a marathon House session that began Wednesday with bipartisan consensus on one bill and ended today in partisan rancor on another.
In a vote likely to reverberate in the 2014 races for governor and General Assembly, the House voted 74-55 after sunrise today for a bill allowing people in the country illegally to obtain a Connecticut driver’s license, beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
The same legislators began their workday a little after noon Wednesday with a 132-0 vote for a bill that limits the circumstances under which state and local law enforcement officers can detain illegal immigrants for deportation.
“The bookends of the day tell a very different story,” said House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk. [State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg of Westport, a Democrat, voted yes, and state Rep. Gail Lavielle, a Republican of Westport, Wilton, and Norwalk, voted no. (corrects votes).]
Click here for more of story
Westport PBA Aids College Students
The Westport Police Benevolent Association (PBA) presented Wilbur Foundation grants to five Fairfield County students whose parents are associated with the Westport Police Department and a grant to a Staples High School senior who will study forensic accounting. Pictured (l-r) are Officer Scott Morrison, PBA president; Jasmine Henry, a Staples senior who will attend NYU to study forensic accounting; Matthew Librandi, son of Officer Dave Librandi and wife Michele, a Stamford High School senior who will attend Holy Cross College;, Erica Shannon, daughter of Police Lt. Jerry Shannon, UConn sophomore; Iain Baxter, son of retired Westport officer Dave Baxter and who will enter his sophomore year at the University of Pikeville (Kentucky), and Officer Don Rice, PBA board member. Absent from the event were Cameron Rice, son of Don and Betsy Rice, who will enter his senior year at Old Dominion, Norfolk, Va., and Benjamin Call, son of Police Chief Dale Call, who will enter his sophomore year at the University of Chicago. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Thursday Farmers Market Opens Eighth Season
The Thursday Westport Farmers’ Market opened its 2013 season today—its eighth—at the Imperial Avenue Parking Lot. Toasting the opening with locally made green juice from Kaia Cafe were (l-r) Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave and the Dressing Room restaurant; Jeff Mayer of Soluxe Energy Solutions, a sponsor; Selectman Shelly Kassen, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, Selectman Charles Haberstroh, and Lori Cochran-Dougall, market director. Several dozen vendors are participating in the summer session which runs until Nov. 7. The market is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jacob Meisel for WestportNow.com
Difficult Choices
Plants and flowers were among the items on sale today at the Thursday Westport Farmers Market opened its eighth season at 50 Imperial Ave. Several dozen vendors are participating this year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 106 Old Road
An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 106 Old Road, near Bulkley Avenue North, is in process. Built in 1954, the one-story split level has 1,421 square feet and is situated on a .51-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Woman’s Club Bestows Gifts
The Westport Woman’s Club today distributed $31,000 to 27 recipient nonprofits at its annual community service grants breakfast at club headquarters. according to Charitable Giving Chair Pat Jensen. The club, organized in 1907, is a nonprofit philanthropic organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the charitable, educational, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Weather Forces Postponement of Art About Town
The Westport Downtown Merchants Association announced that today’s Art About Town opening night street party has been postponed a week because of the weather.
The event will be held Thursday, May 30, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The WDMA iinvited everyone downtown next week for an evening of art, music and free fun for the whole family.
Memorial Day Parade Details Announced
Westport Veterans Council President William Vornkahl and Parks and Recreation Director Stuart McCarthy announced today details of the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies to be held on Monday.
Westport police units lead the 2012 Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The parade starts promptly at 9 a.m. from Riverside Avenue near Saugatuck Elementary School and will end in Parker-Harding Plaza. Memorial sevices will follow immediately on Veterans Green.
The program will begin with the Invocation by the Rev. Edward Horne of United Methodist Church. Maggie Miller and Molly Liles of Brownie Troop 5048 will lead the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem performed by Staples High School soloist Grace McDavid Seidner.
First Selectman Gordon Joseloff will give a welcoming address, followed by “America The Beautiful” by Tyler Jent, a student at Staples High School.
More "Memorial Day Parade Details Announced"
BBQ’s Await Memorial Day Weekend Crowds
All was in readiness today at South Beach at Compo Beach for the Memorial Day weekend cookouts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mark Molesworth for WestportNow.com
Thursday, May 23, 2013
8:15 a.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Downtown 2020 Committee
8:30 a.m. – Parks/Rec Conference Room – Compo Beach Site Improvement Committee
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - 50 Imperial Ave. lot - Westport Farmers Market
10 a.m. – Earthplace – Sasco Brook Pollution Abatement Committee
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “SOLOS 2013”
4:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Historic District Commission Work Session
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Main Street area - Art About Town street party Postponed to May 30
6 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Just Out on DVD: “Zero Dark Thirty”
7 p.m. – Earthplace – Sherwood Mill Pond Committee
8 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Board of Finance Public Hearing (live coverage cable channel 79, AT&T channel 99, and westportct.gov)
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Realtime NY Metro-area traffic reports from Traffic.com
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Westport Property Transfers May 6 - 10, 2013MORE >>
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