Friday, July 23, 2004
Government Witness in Martha Stewart Trial Spared Jail Time
The stockbroker assistant who was the government’s star witness in the case against Westport’s Martha Stewart today was spared jail time and probation and was fined $2,000 for his part in the case.
Douglas Faneuil, 28, who testified that his boss ordered him to tip Stewart about a stock trade, previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and cooperated with government lawyers.
U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum handed out a lesser sentence than recommended by guidelines. She cited Faneuil’s “substantial assistance” during the trial.
The federal sentencing guidelines recommended a prison sentence of up to six months that could have been followed by probation.
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Thursday, July 22, 2004
Singing at Camp
Youngsters in grades five through nine participating in Westport Continuing Education’s Westport Youth Summer Theater Camp wound up their five-week workshop Thursday night. Norah Kennedy and Zoe Apoian sang “Ah, Paris!” in the “Around the World in 80 Plays” revue. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com
Getting Ready for “A Community Collects:” What Do Our Neighbors Collect?
By Emily Laux
Contributing Editor
WestportNow.com
The homes in my quiet neighborhood are full of surprises. One of my neighbors, a banker with a lot of frequent flyer miles, collects sand from beaches and deserts around the world. 
Elise Meyer, curator of “A Community Collects,” with her collection of 1930s-era Chase Chromeware, which she says proves that once the collecting bug hits, itӒs hard to stop at just one. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux for WestportNow.com
His collection is meticulously displayed—each sample of sand is sealed and neatly labeled in a glass laboratory vial.
Hundreds of the matching glass vials are perfectly lined up in rows in an enormous rosewood cabinet he had custom made in Hong Kong.
His wifeԒs collection of snow globes is equally impressive, but less rigorously displayed.
They sit in a friendly manner on open shelves suspended below her kitchen cabinets, inviting guests to pick them up and shake vigorously.
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Friday, July 23, 2004
8 p.m. Levitt Paviliion - Rock around the docs with DNR, Fairfiield County’s all-physician rock band
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Good Buddies
The pet companion program of Westport-based CLASP Homes was recently featured in a national newsletter of PetsMarts Charities. CLASP, which serves developmentally disabled adults, found that by adopting homeless pets and bringing them into CLASP homes, both the pet and resident benefited. Shown here are Hollis and her cat Sky. Contributed photo
Thursday, July 22, 2004
7:30 p.m. - Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission
8 p.m. - Levitt Paviliion - The Armstrong Duo, chamber music
Blumenthal Announces Global Warming Lawsuit at Sherwood Island
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, joined by Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, tells a Sherwood Island press conference today about a “groundbreaking” lawsuit filed by Connecticut and seven other states against global warming polluters to force them to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
UPDATE: New Haven Line Restores Normal Service
Downed power lines in New Rochelle disrupted service on Metro-North’s New Haven Line at the end of the morning rush hour today affecting thousands of commuters. But the line said normal service was restored by 5 p.m.
A Metro-North spokesman said four tracks in the area of New Rochelle were knocked out of service due to wire damage, which occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m.
Service remained disrupted throughout the day, but in mid-afternoon a spokesman “Metro-North expected to operate regular PM peak service on the New Haven Line.”
An announcement shortly after 5 p.m. said full service had been restored.
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Longtime Westporter Stanley A. Barnett Dies at 83
Stanley A. Barnett, a longtime Westporter who served as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission and was active in the Westport League of Women Voters, has died at the age of 83.
His son, Don, said his father died Monday at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness.
Barnett moved to Heritage Village in Southbury in 2000 after living in Westport for more than 40 years. But he returned here frequently for town events and the occasional Town Hall brown bag lunch.
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, who appointed Barnett as one of her representatives to the Southwest Regional Planning Agency, said she was saddened by his passing.
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Westport’s Sherwood Island Hosts Global Warming Suit Announcement
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal used Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park today as the backdrop for announcement of a suit aimed at forcing the nation’s largest power companies to cut their carbon dioxide emissions.
Sherwood Island State Park: Global warming lawsuit announced. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Blumenthal and attorneys general from seven other states and New York City filed a public nuisance lawsuit in Manhattan’s federal district court earlier in the day and then addressed a news conference there.
Blumenthal later traveled to the Westport state park where he held another news conference. Also in attendance were Chris James of the state Department of Environmental Protection and Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell.
Blaming the federal government for inaction, Blumenthal said he expects more states to join California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and New York City in the legal action.
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Paul Newman Stars in Special Benefit Performance of “Trumbo” Tonight
The Westport Country Playhouse, located temporarily in Ridgefield, presents a special benefit performance tonight of “Trumbo” starring Paul Newman and Gordon MacDonald. The play is about the blacklisted screenwriter and novelist, Dalton Trumbo, and the loss of his freedom of speech. Contributed photo
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Gillespie Center Shelves No Longer Bare
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The shelves at the Interfaith Housing Association’s Gillespie Center are bare no longer. The Rev. Peter Powell, head of the Westport group, said Tuesday he has been overwhelmed by the community response to his plea to help restock the food shelves at the facility which serves the homeless as well as distributes food to the needy. Contributed photo
Riding the Cannon
One of the cannons at Compo Beach was a good place for this youngster to enjoy the warm sunshine Tuesday. WestportNow.com photo
Board of Finance Approves $700,000 Reval Funding
The Westport Board of Finance Tuesday night approved $700,000 to conduct a physical revaluation of Westport homes and businesses.
Before the 6-0 vote, the town’s new tax assessor, William Gaffney, assured members that he would personally oversee the work of the firm chosen for the job and was putting his reputation on the line.
“If this performance is unacceptable to the citizens of this town, that is my performance,” he said.
Two firms have submitted bids for the work, both under the approved amount.
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Ready to Go Over the Side
Westport volunteer firefighter Mike Acquino (l) gets some last minute instructions from Westport firefighter Brett Kirby before repelling from the roof of Westport fire headquarters Tuesday evening in a training exercise. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Easy Does It
Westport volunteer firefighter Mike Acquino carefully makes his way down the side of Westport fire headquarters Tuesday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Almost There
Almost to the ground, Westport volunteer firefighter Mike Acquino gives a wave after a successful exercise Tuesday night. Fellow volunteer Bob McManus mans the safety rope. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Conservation Commission
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Sommers-Rosenthal family band
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A- Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Library Board
7:45 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - RTM Finance and RTM Public Works Committees
Comedy Night at the Levitt
Comedian Andy Campbell was one of several comedians who entertained the audience tonight on a clear, warm evening at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Mally for WestportNow.com
Farrell Speaks Out on Town Hall Theft
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell said today she has ordered a tightening of handling of cash in town departments following discovery of the theft of $500 in cash and $2,000 worth of electronic equipment from a Town Hall office.
In a statement, Farrell said, “It is important that we assure Westport residents that cash transactions are properly accounted for and managed.”
She said she and John Kondub, town controller, have met with heads of departments that handle cash “to review their practices and, in some cases, modifications to their daily procedures will be made in order to assure that no amount can be pilfered.”
In her statement, Farrell said she was informed July 8 that a Town Hall office was missing $500 in cash and immediately notified police. (See WestportNow July 19, 2004)
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Farrell: We are Reviewing Procedures for Handling Cash
Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell, seen addressing a Board of Finance meeting tonight, said today that she has met with heads of departments which handle cash to review procedures to assure that no amount can be pilfered.Ӕ She spoke after police disclosed they are investigating $500 in cash missing from a Town Hall office. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Construction Crew Hits Gas Line at Long Lots School
A construction crew working on the expansion of the parking lot at Long Lots Elementary School hit a high pressure gas line today, fire officials said.
Firefighters ordered the site and school evacuated as they checked for gas inside the building and awaited utility crews.
The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at a time when some residents were using the school’s playing fields. They were told to move away from the affected area.
Police detoured traffic in the area until repair crews gave the all clear shortly after 6 p.m.
A Little Cooler at Compo
The temperature got up to the upper 80s in portions of Westport today, but at Compo Beach sea breezes kept things a little cooler perfect weather to work on a tan. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Bayberry Blocked by Dump Truck Rollover
A dump truck belonging to Westport’s Kowalsky Bros. Inc. construction company flipped over today on Bayberry Lane near Meeker Road. No one was injured in the mishap, but traffic was blocked in both directions until it was cleaned up. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Monday, July 19, 2004
Getting in a Little Sun
Sunny skies and warm temperatures Monday made for perfect weather for reading and getting some sun along the Saugatuck River in Westport’s center. Today’s forecast: partly sunny and humid with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, highs in the lower 80s. WestportNow.com photo
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
8:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Human Services Commission
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Jesup Green - Westport Public Library book sale—all books free
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Administrative Review Committee
10 a.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Arts Advisory Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 201 - Youth Commission Executive Committee
5:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Tree Board
7:15 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309 - Board of Finance anticipated executive session
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Board of Finance
Martha Stewart Appears on CNN’s “Larry King Live”
Westport’s Martha Stewart appeared tonight on CNN"s “Larry King Live,” her first live interview since her sentencing Friday. Asked her opinion about her longtime Westport friend Mariana Pasternak, who testified against her at her trial, Stewart said she could not comment on specifics of her case but added: “Let’s say that her two daughters are my god children…It’s pretty hard…” CNN/WestportNow.com photo
Books at Half Price
Volunteers Gloria and Tom Hunter collect the money as shoppers take advantage of today’s half price sale at the Westport Public Library’s annual book sale on Jesup Green. The sale winds up Tuesday with all remaining books available at no charge but donations encouraged. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Westport Police Say Town Hall Theft Investigation Underway
Four days after Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell confirmed she put Deputy Assessor Kevin Murowsky on administrative leave, Westport police today said a theft investigation is underway at Town Hall involving about $500 in cash and $2,000 in electronic equipment. 
Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore: Theft investigation underway (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
A brief statement from Police Chief Alfred R. Fiore did not name Murowsky, but a Town Hall source said he was linked to the investigation.
The Westport Police Department is conducting an investigation of a complaint that was filed by a town employee,Ӕ the statement said.
Approximately $500 in cash and electronic equipment valued at approximately $2,000 is missing from an office at Town Hall.Ӕ
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Sunday, July 18, 2004
Definitely Not the Dog Paddle
Sunday was a good day for a canoe ride along the Saugatuck River. Lowrie Gibb of Westport took along his dogs Puppet (l) and Pookie. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Monday, July 19, 2004
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Jesup Green - Westport Public Library book sale—all books half price
Westport Historical Society “Ultimate Sale” Day Two
The Westport Historical Society hosted day two of its weekend “Ultimate Sale” today as the downtown area attracted hundreds of visitors for the Westport Arts Festival and Westport Public Library annual book sale. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Commentary: Martha Stewart Put Westport on the Map? I Dont Think So
By Gordon Joseloff
Editor/Publisher
WestportNow.com
The media frenzy whipped up by Martha Stewart’s sentencing Friday produced some interesting and frankly, dead wrong portrayals of Westport by media organizations and reporters who ought to know better.
This lead on an Associated Press story datelined Westport about reaction in Stewart’s hometown no doubt made many Westporters flinch:
“Martha Stewart helped give this prosperous town cachet as she built a local catering business into an empire showcasing domestic perfection.”
CNN reporter Alina Cho, reporting live from in front of Oscar’s Delicatessen on Main Street Friday, informed her audience that Westport “has always been an affluent community but a bedroom community until Martha Stewart put it on the map.”
With all due respect to my media colleagues, I donԒt think so.
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Saturday, July 17, 2004
Sunday, July 18, 2004
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Jesup Green - Westport Public Library book sale
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Main Street - Westport Arts Festival
10 a.m. .- 5 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - Ultimate Sale
7 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Eight to the Bar - swing, boogie woogie, jump music
Can’t Wait for a Good Read
Maddie Jones, 5, and Julian Anton, 2, look on as Damian Anton, 7, reads from his new book near the children’s book tent today at the Westport Public Library annual book sale. Dave Matlow for WestportNow
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport