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Saturday, November 27, 2004

A Good Day for a Walk on the Beach

Saturday’s mild temperatures were ideal for a walk along the beach at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com

11/27/04 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Protesting in Westport

Westport’s Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge across the Saugatuck River was the scene today of a political protest. Residents from Westport, Fairfield, and Monroe waved placards reading “Recount in the Ukraine,” “And Ohio” “And Florida” and “The Votes Dont Add Up.” The protesters urged those interested to find more information to visit www.usvip.org, home page of the Voting Integrity Project. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/27/04 01:18 PM Comments (5) • Permalink •

Hey, Get Your Hot Pop Corn Here

Members of Westport’s Boy Scout Troop 36 were on Main Street today selling popcorn and accepting donations for their annual fund-raiser. Among those taking part were (l-r) Alex Nitkin, 12, Michael Bregman, 14, and Marshall Knutsen, 12, Scoutmaster Jack Berry (r) supervised. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/27/04 01:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Friday, November 26, 2004

Westport Downtown Does Brisk After-Thanksgiving Business

Westport’s Main Street was crowded with shoppers today on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Downtown merchants reported brisk sales on the day after Thanksgiving. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/26/04 04:20 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Barbeque Restaurant Opens in Onion Alley Space

Just in time for the holiday season, a new barbeque restaurant has opened on Westport’s Main Street where Onion Alley was a mainstay since 1985 until its closing earlier this year. (See WestportNow Jan. 7, 2004). Bobby Q’s Barbeque & Grill offers barbeque cooking along with salads, sandwiches and wraps. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/26/04 04:05 PM Comments (3) • Permalink •

Staples Will Meet Newington in CIAC Football Semifinal Tuesday

The Staples Wreckers, 9-1 on the season, will meet the Newington Indians, also 9-1, Tuesday night under the lights at Staples in a Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) semifinal.

Staples won its right to advance to the semifinal with Thursday’s 38-0 lopsided win over Fairfield Warde while Newington defeated Wethersfield 44-21 for a berth in the Class L game. Staples is ranked No. 2 in the class while Newington is No. 3.

The game will begin at 6:30 p.m. using temporary lights. Members of the Staples Gridiron Club Inc. donated $15,000 to install the lighting, which has been approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

11/26/04 02:55 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Saluting Wall of Famers

Westport’s Staples High School inducted four new members into its football “Wall of Fame” during halftime ceremonies at Thursday’s game against Fairfield Warde. Among them was 1942 athlete Walt Melillo who acknowledged applause from the fans. Melillo was a stalwart two-way player who was one of the Wreckers’ first great running back/receivers. Others honored inlcuded Glenn Hartman, who captained the 1975 Paul Lane-led squad to a perfect 11-0 mark; Mark Brockwell, who captained the 1979 Wreckers to a 7-2 mark, and Mike Ungari, a two-way starter at fullback and linerbacker in 1992-95. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/26/04 09:41 AM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Dark and Light at Compo

Rain clouds rolled through Westport at mid-day Thursday, creating alternating sunshine and dark skies. This was the scene at the Compo Beach marina. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Richard Barnett for WestportNow.com

11/25/04 11:10 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Government Urges Court to Uphold Martha Stewart Conviction

The government has urged a federal appeals court to uphold the conviction of Westport’s Martha Stewart, arguing that “overwhelming evidence” supported the guilty verdict against her.

Stewart, serving a five-month sentence at a West Virginia prison, had argued to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prosecutors improperly suggested at her trial that she was charged with insider trading.

She was charged with lying about why she sold ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001. Federal prosecutors, in a 220-page brief filed Wednesday evening with the appeals court, said they did not mislead the jury on the issue.

“The only party relentlessly seeking to introduce the subject of insider trading was Stewart, not to rebut anything the government (prosecution) was doing, but as part of a defense strategy,” the prosecutors wrote.

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11/25/04 11:05 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Foreign Students Spend Thanksgiving in Westport

More than 100 international students visited Westport today to share Thanksgiving dinner with 44 families. The event was sponsored by the local chapter of the United Nations Associates headed by AA Thant. Barbara Jay coordinated the event. Although the scene at the Westport train station appeared chaotic as the morning trains arrived, the visiting students were quickly whisked away to spend the day with their host familes. Students came from Asia, Europe, and South America and attend such area schools as Columbia University, New York University, City University of New York, and Rutgers. The event has been an annual happening since 1969. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Saul Haffner for WestportNow.com

11/25/04 02:50 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Thanksgiving Day Feast Draws Crowd

The Saugatuck Congregational Church community Thanksgiving feast today attracted a large crowd to the event on Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/25/04 01:23 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Plenty of Pie

There was plenty of traditional pumpkin pie at today’s Saugatuck Congregational Church community Thanksgiving feast in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/25/04 01:19 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Music to Feast By

Today’s Saugatuck Congregational Church community Thanksgiving feast in Westport included some musical entertainment. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/25/04 01:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Saugatuck Congregational Church Offers Thanksgiving Day Meal

Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church is holding a community Thanksgiving feast today at 1 p.m. in the church’s Hoskins Hall, 245 Post Road East. Participation is not limited to members of the church. For information call (203) 227-1262.

11/24/04 11:24 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

“Edyo” Keehan Tells Story of Westport World War II Monument in New Book

1943 Saturday Evening Post cover. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) File photoEdward J. “Edyo” Keehan, a 79-year-old Westport native, went off to World War II at the age of 17, survived battles at sea, and 60 years later fought and won another battle in his hometown—to erect a monument to his fallen comrades.
Edyo Keehan: new author. Contributed photo

Now he has authored a new book recounting his experiences, “Battle for Honor” (Trafford Press, $17.95). “I hope many people in Westport get a chance to read it,” he said.

Keehan’s book tells of his time aboard two World War II cruisers, how he came home and worked as a truck manager for 18 years, and then retired and went into real estate.

But all the while he was concerned that a World War II monument that once stood outside the old Westport Town Hall on Post Road East was missing.

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11/24/04 11:20 PM Comments (4) • Permalink •

‘Tis the Season for Toquet Teens

Members of Westport’s Toquet Hall Teen Governing Board were in Westport’s downtown Wednesday giving away homemade baked goods and hot chocolate to raise funds for their annual holiday project. Pictured are ( l-r) Kevin Godburn, assistant coordinator of youth services, Matt Jacobs, a Staples senior, and Jordan Kunkes, a Greens Farms Acadeny senior. Funds go to purchase holiday gifts for residents of the Interfaith Housing Association community. Contributed photo

11/24/04 11:10 PM Comments (1) • Permalink •

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004

10:30 am. - Staples High School - Staples vs Fairfield Warde High School
1 p.m. - Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East - Community Thanksgiving feast

11/24/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Man Gets Jail Term in Fatal Crash

A Westport man who killed his childhood friend in a 2003 car crash will go to prison for two to four years after pleading no contest today in Norwalk Superior Court.

Igor Bronov, 48, of Hills Lane, Westport, pleaded no contest to second-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence. This means he does not admit guilt but declines to contest the charges. He will be sentenced Jan. 20.

The fatal crash occurred early April 5, 2003, when Bronov failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway while driving on Westport Avenue in Norwalk not far from Stew Leonard’s. The car struck a utility pole.

He suffered minor injuries in the crash but his passenger, Alexander Boyko, 46, of Brooklyn, N.Y. died of multiple blunt traumatic injuries. The two had been childhood friends in their native Ukraine.

Boronov, who remains free on bond, could have faced 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges related to the crash.

11/24/04 08:00 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

All Gone: 16 Compo Road North

The end came today for 16 Compo Road North, WestportNow’s teardown of the day Oct. 5. The address is adjacent to the Peoples Bank and opposite Winslow Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/24/04 04:22 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Looking More and More Holiday-Like

Downtown Westport is beginning to look more and more holiday-like. This was the scene Tuesday night on Post Road East near Imperial Avenue. Downtown merchants will officially light Main Street lights today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Laura Glickstein for WestportNow.com

11/23/04 11:10 PM Comments (2) • Permalink •

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee

11/23/04 11:04 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Zoning Board Approves Staples Football Temporary Lights

The Westport Zoning Board of Appeals tonight approved a request to erect temporary lighting if Staples High School hosts a semifinal championship night game Tuesday, Nov. 30.

The vote was 5-0. Staples football parents have pledged $15,000 to pay for the lights which would be necessary if Staples is victorious in its Thanksgiving Day game against Fairfield’s Warde High School. (See WestportNow Nov. 18, 2004).

The vote was not a surprise. The zoning board has approved at least three similar temporary lighting requests at the field in 1997, 2001, and 2002 for conference football games.

Neighbors who oppose permanent lights at the field now being proposed again ֖ have said they do not object to the temporary lighting.

11/23/04 10:16 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

WestportNow Editor to Address Y’s Men Dec. 2

WestportNow Editor and Publisher Gordon Joseloff will address the Westport/Weston Y’s Men group Thursday, Dec. 2.
Flashback: Gordon Joseloff with Walter Cronkite in Moscow in 1981. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) CBS News photo

Joseloff will speak about the Westport news and information Web site he founded in 2003 as well as his experiences as a CBS News and United Press International correspondent in London, Moscow, Tokyo and other world capitals.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East.

Joseloff, who has been moderator of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) since 1995, began his journalism career as a teenage reporter in Westport where, among other stories, he covered the RTM.

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11/23/04 08:19 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

CL&P Asks for Almost 17 Percent Increase

Connecticut Light & Power Co., citing rising fuel costs, asked state regulators today for permission to raise electricity rates next year by almost 17 percent.

Word of the request came hours after elected officials in southwest Connecticut met at Westport Town Hall with Attorney General Richard Blumenthal about an electricity surcharge that would raise power bills in 2006 by at least 12 percent. (See story below)

CL&P, which serves more than 1.1 million customers in Connecticut, told the Department of Public Utility Control in its filing that it must raise rates because of higher supply costs, increased federally imposed costs and other increases “that are beyond the control of the company or are required by law.”

The request drew immediate criticism from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who called the proposed rate increase outrageous.

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11/23/04 04:37 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport Bank Robbery Suspect Sought

Westport police today released this surveillance photo of a suspect sought in today’s Westport bank robbery at Bank of America, 1815 Post Road East. He is described as a white man, clean-shaven, about 6-foot, wearing a Patriots baseball cap and a blue and green vinyl jacket. Anyone having information is asked to call Westport detectives at (203) 341-6080. Contributed photo

11/23/04 04:00 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Westport’s New Fire Rescue Truck Dedicated

The Westport Fire Department today dedicated its new $350,000 rescue truck, known as Rescue 3. First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell addresses the ceremony at Fire Headquarters attended by firefighters and town officials. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/23/04 02:48 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

A New Tower of Light in Westport

The Westport Fire Department’s new Rescue 3 truck carries powerful lighting, including two rotating tower lights, to aid in rescue efforts. Fire officials demonstrated its capabilities to guests at today’s dedication ceremony. The truck replaces Rescue 8 which was purchased by the Coleytown Volunteer Fire Department in 1983 and donated to the town. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/23/04 02:46 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Rescue Truck Was Five Years in Planning

The Westport Fire Department’s new Rescue 3 truck was five years in planning and design. Guests at today’s dedication ceremony get briefed on the equipment it carries. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/23/04 02:43 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

“Share the Pie” Pickups Today

Today was pickup day for the Interfaith Housing Association’s “Share the Pie” fund-raiser. Volunteers and staff served up the goodies in the parking lot of the Conservative Synagogue. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

11/23/04 02:19 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Attorney General Meets With Area Officials on Electricity Surcharge

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal met with area officials at Westport Town Hall today to brief them on his opposition to a $375 million electricity surcharge being imposed on Connecticut ratepayers.

The one-hour and 20 minute meeting was attended by elected officials from Westport, Weston and Wilton as well as towns ranging from Greenwich to Orange, according to Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell.

“Dick (Blumenthal) told us what the municipalities can do,” she said, “and we agreed to try to send a protest letter from the chief elected officials of the 54 southwest Connecticut communities affected.”

Blumenthal has filed testimony with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing ISO New England’s plan to impose the surcharge. The proposal would raise power bills at least 12 percent as soon as January 2006.

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11/23/04 01:25 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Message: “I’m Safe, Fit and Healthy”

Westport’s Martha Stewart, in a new message on her Web site, says she is safe, fit and healthyӔ and grateful this Thanksgiving for the support of her fans.

Stewart, who entered the federal women’s prison in Alderson, W. Va. Oct. 8, also says she is being treated fairly by staff and other inmates.

As you would expect, the loss of freedom and the lack of privacy are extremely difficult,Ӕ the message says. Visits from my friends, family and colleagues ӗ together with your goodwill and best wishes will get me through this chapter in my life.ה

Stewart, 63, is serving a five-month sentence for lying to investigators about a 2001 personal stock sale and will be released from prison in early March. She is appealing her conviction.

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11/23/04 01:06 PM Comments (2) • Permalink •

Holdup at Westport Bank

A man held up a Westport bank today near the Fairfield town line and escaped with about $4,000, police said.
Bank of America branch at 1815 Post Road East: holdup target. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WN photo

The robbery occurred at the Bank of America branch at 1815 Post Road East at Bulkley Avenue North at about 10 a.m. The bank recently changed its name from Fleet Bank.

Police said the man, who did not display a weapon, escaped on foot. He was described as white, about 6 feet, in his 20s, wearing a baseball hat and a vinyl blue and green jacket.

There were three customers in the bank at the time, police said. There were no injuries.

Detectives brought a police bloodhound to the scene to help them track the suspect. A trail led to the nearby Garelick and Herbs at 1799 Post Road East, but the track was lost there as he apparently entered a car.

The FBI’s Bridgeport office was assisting Westport police in the investigation. They later released a security camera picture or the robber, but the face was dark and partially hidden by his baseball cap.

11/23/04 09:29 AM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Monday, November 22, 2004

Best Wishes from the Governor

Westport’s Pete Wolgast is pictured with Gov. M. Jodi Rell Monday night at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Hartford. Rell signed a picture of herself with directors and trustees of the Westport/Weston YMCA, giving them her best wishes. Contributed photo

11/22/04 11:06 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004

8:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Westport Transit District Directors’ meeting
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Architectural Review Board
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Zoning Board of Appeals

11/22/04 11:03 PM Comments (0) • Permalink •

Bogey’s Presents Golf Proceeds

Jim Stablein, (l) owner of Bogey’s Grille and Tap Room in Westport, recently presented the proceeds of the restaurant’s 9th Annual Golf Tournament to Tracy Flood, CLASP Homes president, and George Taylor, president of the Westport Police Benevolent Association. With them is Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

11/22/04 09:11 PM Comments (1) • Permalink •

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