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WestportNow will not be publishing any letters about the forthcoming municipal elections in Westport because Gordon F. Joseloff, WestportNow's publisher and Westport first selectman, is a candidate in the election. Similarly, WestportNow will not be accepting any paid political advertising from any candidates in the races. WestportNow welcomes letters from readers on matters pertaining to Westport and Westporters. Those of 300 words or less are given preference. Letters are edited for grammar, clarity, and accuracy. Publication shall be at the sole discretion of WestportNow. Third-party or anonymous letters, those signed with a pseudonym, or letters appearing in other publications are not published.

A postal address, e-mail address if available, and day and evening telephone numbers are required for verificiation purposes, although this information is not published. Letters may be submitted by e-mail to , via fax at (203) 286-2099, or by mail to 150 North Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Congratulations on Blue Ribbon School

To the Editor:

As a retired school principal here in Nebraska, and having formerly worked closely with Dr. Cary Bell as his assistant principal at Boys Town, Neb., I wish to acknowledge his school’s achievement as regards their recent excellent recognition as a Blue Ribbon School. 

What an honor, but it is not surprising since I know Dr. Bell and always admired him for his leadership and caring attitude towards kids and staff. 

Please extend to him and his staff my most sincere congratulations and best wishes.

Kirk Estee
Omaha, Neb

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Concerned About Seagulls at Compo

To the Editor:

I am very concerned about the seagulls at Compo Beach. Every time I go there I see at least one or two kids throwing large rocks at the gulls.

The last time I was there, two boys were throwing big rocks at circling gulls. I happen to have been with wildlife rehabilitator, Dara Reid She went over to them and pointed out that the birds have feelings and a right to be at the beach. 

She also told them that it is illegal to throw rocks at birds and that they are protected by law.

I talked with her and asked her how often she sees injured gulls at her wildlife center (Wildlife in Crisis) in Weston. She told me that she gets hundreds of gulls per year, and about 50 percent of them have been abused. 

It makes no sense that she has to take in and treat birds that have been intentionally injured by kids while their parents watch from their beach blanket.  Sometimes the parents even encourage their kids to be cruel to the animals.

The beach is a natural habitat of the gulls and when we go there we are invading their home. Rather than hurting the gulls, adults and children should observe them and enjoy their unusual communication behavior. 

They will realize that gulls aren’t just things that can fly but interesting creatures that we are lucky to have.

Ellie Shapiro
King’s Highway Elementary School fifth grade
Westport

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

State’s Film Tax Credit Working

To the Editor:

I’d like to bring to your attention to an inaccurate report that has been widely circulated and reported on by various media outlets in the past week regarding the effectiveness of the film and TV tax incentive program in our state. 

The report was furnished by an advocacy group called Voices for Children and was based on a preliminary document from the Connecticut Film Office that was never intended to be released.

The Film Office made it clear that the draft report did not yet account for millions of dollars spent in Connecticut yet the VFC and the media chose to ignore this and ran with the story as if it were factual and complete. 

Our company, dLife, is a small diabetes health media company based in Westport and is one of the entities that are misrepresented in these reports. 

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Worried About Health Care Availability

To the Editor:

I am worried about the cost and availability of health care.  I know I am not alone.  I have Medicare today, and secondary insurance from my employer.  But how many Westport residents do not have either of these?

There is a proposal before our state legislature that would provide health care for almost everyone. It is called SustiNet. It was created by people who really understand the needs and the dilemmas. It is build on the experience and input of doctors, nurses and hospitals; small business owners and corporate leaders; people without health insurance and with inadequate coverage; labor unions; faith leaders; and health care advocates.

Connecticut can be a leader in health care reform for our country.  SustiNet combines the best of our public and private systems.  SustiNet offers a comprehensive, affordable benefit package including mental and dental health care. SustiNet offers the same health insurance benefits as a typical large employer in Connecticut.

I support this plan and have asked our state representatives to vote for it.  I hope you will join me.  Call today – the vote may come any day.

Catherine Onyemelukwe
Westport

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Don’t Eliminate Collab Course

To the Editor:

My name is Katie Cioe and I am a student at Staples High School. My father, Crispin Cioe, is a renowned musician and my mother is a retired reporter and currently owns her own business. We live on 4 Valley Road in Westport. I want to thank you for being an entertaining source of information and every time I visit your Web site I am thoroughly informed of recent happenings in Westport.

I wish the sole reason for this letter could be to express how I love when a picture of myself is posted when I am involved in a town event or how I want to publicize a new club or event. However, unfortunately I am writing to you on the more serious manner of the education budget cut that Westport is faced with today.

I am currently a student in the Collab (Collaborative) course which is a class that has been affected by this horrific budget cut. Collab is a non-traditional U.S. history course where students are engaged in-depth discussions and exposed to important texts such as “A Peoples’ History of the United States” by Howard Zinn and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.

This is a course where U.S. History Honors and English Two Honors are combined and students learn educational units as a collaboration of both Social Studies and English. Students learn how to synthesize information and at the end of each quarter write an in-depth analysis of their performance.

According to the new budget, Collab will not be available to students next year. Along with this course, Robotics, Latin American Studies, Senior Option, and many other unique classes will be erased from the Staples curriculum. I am deeply saddened by this drastic cut because it affects my future and my career at Staples. Collab has helped me realize my serious inclination toward government.

Through exposure to current events, Collab is a place where my critical thinking skills have developed. Due to this, I have joined Junior Statesman of America and will participate in my first debate at Staples High School on Saturday, April 25 against prestigious schools like Hunter, Horace Mann, High School of Math and Science, and many various other esteemed private schools. One of the reasons a public school can go up against such highly ranked private schools is because of the dedication this town has to education.

Staples High School was recently ranked No. 1 in the state and the entire Staples community was thrilled at this fact. However, this budget cut seems to disagree with our status because we are cutting the classes that make our school “the private school with no tuition” anomaly it is. Robotics, Collab, and other unique courses are vital to helping students realize their interests and helping them gain the drive to pursue their interests in the future. It would be a shame to let our children’s future go to waste.

Staples High School is one of the crown gems of Westport society. From Wreckers football games to Players’ Productions to Teacher of the Year ceremonies, there is a lot to be proud of at Staples. We truly deserve our No. 1 ranking, or at least we did. I realize we are in a deep economic recession and no one understands this more than students at Staples. We are the ones who are going to have bills to pay and have to try and restore our country in the future.

Clearly, we, as the youth, feel this burden as much anyone in Westport. However, if this budget is replenished, it comes out to a mere $12 a household a month, and $144 per household a year. We need to invest in our children’s future and make this sacrifice.

It is these classes that make Staples what it is. If we let the value and reputation of Staples High School, then other aspects for Westport will decline as well. Housing prices will drop and town will lose many important members of our society. The youth will lose trust in the board and will exude less Westport pride

The main reason my parents moved me here from Fieldston Ethical Culture Private School in New York City was the education system. If we instate this budget cut, then house prices could go down and we could no longer have the same Westport pride. I implore you to make this decision and help the future of our children and the future of America. Thank you for your time.

Katie Cioe
Westport

Friday, April 24, 2009

Staples Collab Class Denounces Potential Course Cancellation

To the Editor:

We were so disappointed and devastated to hear of the potential cancellation of Collab.

This class teaches students in a unique way—one that encourages individual thinking instead of the practiced memorization of facts, asks students to question surroundings and what is expected and known, and has proved to be a progressive teaching style.

We have been taught the importance of thinking for ourselves, working with peers, and how 21st century skills are vital to the learning process.

Westport prides itself on the superior education, individuality, and support it provides to its students. Our town was recently honored with having the No. 1 school in Connecticut.

With these supposedly necessary budget cuts, our class is finding it hard to believe we will be able to maintain this status without the many classes that make Staples unique.

In addition to Collab, many other distinctive classes are being canceled, including ones that are critical to an average high school. French 1, music lessons, Latin American Studies, Senior Options, Current Issues, British and Irish Literature, and A.P. Computer Science are among the courses being cut.

This fight is not simply about Collab. We believe that restricting educational opportunities is a critical error, no matter what the class.

We spent almost an entire quarter researching and studying American education. From this examination, we learned how easy it is for funds to be mismanaged.

Education should never be limited, so we urge the Town of Westport and all interested in furthering the education of its children to help us.

Please join us on Monday night, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Staples cafeteria to protest the outrageous cancellation of these classes. With any questions or comments, please e-mail .

Sincerely,

The Staples High School Collab Class 2008-09
Westport

Thursday, April 09, 2009

An Appeal: Retired Westport Policeman Needs Kidney

(Editor’s note: Because of its nature, the following letter is being published simultaneously here as well as on our Letters to the Editor page.)
Anthony Giunta: 64, retired in 2006 after 34 years service. File photo

To the Editor:

This is not your run-of-the-mill letter to the editor. In fact, I’ve never written anything quite like this. 

This letter is about my husband’s cousin, Anthony Giunta. He is a retired Westport detective and in dire need of a new kidney. He’s no stranger to the citizens of Westport and surrounding areas.

This is because Tony, a.k.a. Chip, spent the greater part of his life serving the needs of Westport citizens and dedicating his life to helping others. In fact, he’s so out of his comfort zone in asking for help, it took me months to convince him to let me write this letter. 

As a longtime police officer on the Westport force, he tirelessly helped citizens by investigating and solving all types of cases from petty thievery to serious crimes.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Doesn’t Like 5:30 a.m. School Closing Phone Call

To the Editor:

Today at around 5:30 a.m., my phone rang with an automated message that the schools were closed. 

I think the idea of this phone call is great, but I have to say that as a parent of three children ages 6, 4, and 2, it’s ridiculous that they would call anyone at 5:30 a.m.  I could always get this info on your site, News 12, the radio or any local TV station. 

I don’t need to have my entire family woken up at 5:30 for information I can get easily.

What were they thinking sending this at 5:30?

Christopher Pepin
Westport

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Donations Asked for Safety Net Giving Circle

To the Editor:

Too many local families and individuals are suddenly struggling for food, housing, employment and protection from domestic violence. Fairfield County nonprofits are trapped in a Catch-22; just as demand for their services is skyrocketing, donations are plummeting.

Where can one give to help the most? As a board member of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, I’m convinced we offer a smart solution: The Fairfield County Community Foundation will match donations to its Safety Net Giving Circle, which helps area residents hit hardest by the economic crisis.

Thanks to a matching grant from an anonymous donor, donations made to the Safety Net Giving Circle by January 15, 2009, will be matched up to $100,000. Ultimately $200,000 will be pumped into 10 area nonprofits that help residents throughout Fairfield County meet their basic needs. A giving circle pools individual donations to focus on one cause, amplifying the impact of each gift.

The 10 nonprofits are: Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Neighbor to Neighbor, Catholic Charities, Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging,
Person to Person, Operation Hope, Norwalk Community Health Center, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Center for Women and Families, and
TBICO.

Anyone can donate online or by check. To learn more, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
Bernicestine Bailey
Westport

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Mioli Thanks Westporters

Dear Westport Residents,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued vote of confidence and support this Election Day.

It has always been an honor and a privilege to serve you!  Having been re-elected for a third consecutive term as your state representative in Hartford, I look forward to bringing more positive changes at the Capitol to benefit the Town of Westport and the State of Connecticut. 

Positive change is made possible with dedication, collaboration, integrity and honesty.

Please join my family and me for coffee, bagels, doughnuts and whatever on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Westport Pizzeria, so I can personally thank you and celebrate our victory together.

Warmest Regards

Joe Mioli
State Representative
Westport

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Open Letter to Westport Teens

Open Letter to Westport Teens:

I, 7 months pregnant, was strolling down Main Street with my husband the other evening. A few small packs of teenagers were hanging around the area. We slowly neared one gang of teens whose scooters were blocking the sidewalk. One of them spotted us, told his buddies, “We have to get these off the sidewalk” and promptly moved his gear out of the way to let us through.

We walked through. I didn’t say “thank you.” I’m not sure why. Possibly because I was too busy being impressed that a bunch of adolescents would notice a random pregnant woman and her husband out for a quiet evening walk.

So thank you. Not just to the boy who moved his and his friend’s scooters, but to every young person in this town who steps out of their way to let me through, who smiles at my children, opens a door for us, or performs some other act of grace and kindness.

There are many of you in this town, and I notice every single one of you. I may not verbalize it (fine example I’m setting), but it’s young people like you who make me happy we moved here, and who make me hope our children grow up with the same courtesy and thoughtfulness.

Robin Chung
Westport

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Thanks to Dan DeVito

To the Editor:

The Westport Soccer Association (WSA) would like to thank Dan DeVito for the last minute securing of both the Wakeman B and the Ginny Parker turf fields for our travel soccer tryouts on Friday afternoon, May 16.

Soccer is a game that typically is played even in inclement weather (they say it builds character!), but surely it is not an enjoyable experience for the kids when it is raining and cold, as was the case this past week.  Despite the poor weather conditions, the children persisted – thanks to our ability to play on synthetic turf.

It seems that lately we’ve only heard the negatives about synthetic turf fields.  I think most players and parents would agree that the synthetic turf fields provided a clean, safe playing environment in less than optimal playing conditions. 

After being rained out on our first scheduled attempt to hold tryouts, the turf fields allowed us to “get it done.” It brought meaning to the term “grin and bear it” as we had record numbers attend our tryouts this year, and it certainly was a Field of Dreams for many hopeful children vying for spots on next year’s team rosters.

Thanks again Dan.

Paul Rossi
Director
Westport Soccer Association

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Freedman: “Thank You for Giving Me the Opportunity”

To the Editor:

Since announcing I will not seek reelection to the State Senate on April 21, 2008 it would be remiss of me if I did not thank you, your readers and my constituents for the support they have given me over the last 22 years.

I am appreciative of the honor bestowed upon me by the voters and the residents of this district through 11 elections. I have listened to you, have worked with you to resolve the problems you have brought to my attention and, when appropriate, taken your advice to pursue legislation. 

As I said in my statement to the press, when one serves as a legislator there is always unfinished business that needs to be addressed and, so, one can always rationalize running for reelection. But this is the right time for me to go forward with my life.

I have met some wonderful, devoted people in all seven towns. I will treasure the many friendships I have made during this time. I have some wonderful memories of my colleagues in both legislative chambers and on both sides of the aisle.

I hope the legacy of my 22 years is one that will encourage more people to become involved in what is happening in our state and to become part of the process that sets Connecticut apart from the other 50 states.

Thank you for giving me that opportunity.

Judith G. Freedman
State Senator, 26th District
Westport

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Honoring a Friend

To the Editor:

A friend and former classmate of ours, Sameer Mathur, passed away on April 30, losing his battle against meningitis. He was a distinguished member of the Authentic Science Research program at Staples High School and graduated in the class of 2006. 

To honor his memory, we are working to create the Sameer Mathur Memorial Award for Execllence in Neuroscience or Infectious Disease to be awarded by Dr. A.J. Scheetz, director of the ASR program and a mentor of Sameer’s. In addition to a physical award, we would like to facilitate the endowment of a small monetary prize. 

If you would like to contribute to help us create this award in Sameer’s memory, you can visit www.SameerMemorialAward.org or send a check, made out to “Staples High School,” to Dr. AJ Scheetz, 70 North Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

Any small contribution will be extremely helpful in establishing this permanent memory of Sameer.

Aaron Eisman, Steve Beckoff, and Rob Sobelman
Staples High School ‘04

Saturday, April 26, 2008

“Lifetime of Love and Fun”

To the Editor:

Seeing photos of those adorable dogs needing a home on Westportnow.com prompted me to write about our wonderful 16-year experience with Thor, a mixed breed (probably partially Border collie) adopted as a puppy from the Westport branch of the Connecticut Humane Society.

Thor was healthy and had been given his shots when we took him home, and for the rest of his life received loving care from Westport veterinarian Dr. Christian Benyei. With all the dogs available and waiting at the Humane Society I don’t know why anyone who isn’t interested in “showing” dogs would buy one, or even want a purebred; mutts are known to be healthier and smarter.

Thor looked after us with total dedication. He alerted us to snakes in the grass, and to people arriving at our house, had a great bark but never bit or even snapped at a human, or hurt an animal or bird he found - merely brought the creature to our attention.

Thor did, unfortunately, have a couple of tiffs with Boo-Boo, a dog he played with as a puppy, after the two matured and the testosterone, or whatever male dogs have, kicked in.

He also fell in love - with Beuli Getts, Lise Connell’s dog, also obtained from the Humane Society, who looked enough like him to have been a sister, but Beuli was cool to his advances, and the tender letters he wrote to Beuli’s column in the Westport News didn’t alter her indifference. 

(Adoptions at the Humane Society then - and perhaps now - were not “open” so we never found out anything about Thor’s original family.) What a blessing Thor was; he truly enhanced our lives.

For anyone thinking about getting a dog, I strongly recommend visiting the Humane Society on the Post Road to find the right dog for a lifetime of love and fun.

Nina Streitfeld
Westport

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