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Friday, January 01, 2010
2009 In Pictures
Once again, WestportNow presents as a New Year’s gift to our readers a review of the past year through the eyes of Westporters who contributed photos, video and illustrations to WestportNow in 2009.
The year 2009 was unusually busy, and we are pleased to have been your No. 1 source for breaking and ongoing news coverage of Westport for the seventh successive year.
Dozens of persons contributed news stories, photos, and illustrations to WestportNow over the past year. The 2009 review, with video and drawings for the first time, includes almost 350 entries and represents the work of 30 photographers by name and one illustrator.
In 2009, WestportNow continued to record remarkable growth. This last week alone, while unusually busy, WestportNow had more than 90,000 page views and more than 15,000 unique visitors. No other Westport news source, print or online, delivers as many daily or weekly readers to its advertisers.
We urge you to patronize our advertisers and spread the word about WestportNow. We continue to be grateful for the public trust shown in us and look forward to continuing to serve Westport in 2010. Best New Year wishes to all WestportNow readers.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
CCLU Lawyer: P&Z Decorum Policy is “Problematic”
By James Lomuscio
The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission’s new decorum policy banning signs and T-shirts expressing a view is “problematic” according to an attorney for the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union (CCLU).
Supporters of the Westport Family Y’s move to Mahackeno wore yellow T-shirts at the opening of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s hearings on the application in March 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
“Messages on T-shirts are often a constitutionally protected form of expression,” said David McGuire, the CCLU’s staff attorney based in Hartford.
“A ban on speech related to an item before a municipal body is problematic because it constitutes the most highly protected form of speech.”
McGuire was reacting to the new policy approved last week which says: “In order to minimize disruptions or distractions, the following behaviors will not be permitted at our meetings: displays of any kind on any surface including but not limited to clothing and signs.”
More "CCLU Lawyer: P&Z Decorum Policy is “Problematic”"
Westport Fire Department Collecting Food Today
The Westport Fire Department today from 9 a.m. to noon is participating in a statewide “Day of Caring & Compassion” as fire stations around Connecticut collect donations of nonperishable food to help replenish the state’s two main food pantries.
“Mark it on the calendar. July 31 will be the day we can all help fill the shelves the shelves of Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank,” Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a statement last month. (See WestportNow July 14, 2010)
“Fire departments around the state made our 2009 campaign such a success that we are delighted to have them again this year as partners.
The governor said the economy is still very volatile and the need remains great for many families who continue to struggle to make ends meet.
More "Westport Fire Department Collecting Food Today"
Friday Night Sunset Show at Compo
Dozens of Westporters and their guests stayed late at Compo Beach for Friday night conversation, cooking and cocktails and were treated to another pretty sunset show. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
9 a.m. - noon - Westport Fire Headquarters (515 Post Road East) - Collection point, non-perishable food for Connecticut food pantries
11 a.m. - noon - Earthplace - Woods Explore
Noon - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “The Kids’ Wall” 10th Anniversary
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Earthplace - Critters & Crafts (ages 3-10)
3 p.m. - Sherwood Island Nature Center - “Come Plant with Us”
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School - Staples Players Summer Theatre: “Rent”
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Washboard Slim & the Bluelights
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Friday, July 30, 2010
Westport Property Transfers July 12 - 16, 2010
Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period July 12 - 16, 2010:
Antonio A. and Fatima Pugas to Michael and Mody K. Brown, 301 Main St., $970,000
R B Properties to 5 Flower Farm Lane LLC, 5 Flower Farm Lane, $4,750,000
Louise S. Couffer Est. to Amanda V. and Marc W. Rowley, 28 Woods Grove Road, $537,500
Richard Christopher Montanaro to Heidi Mitchell, 5E Gorham Ave., $1,345,000
More "Westport Property Transfers July 12 - 16, 2010"
Westporters Pay Tribute to Fallen Bridgeport Firefighters
Westporters were among thousands paying tribute today at funeral services in Bridgeport for two fallen Bridgeport firefighters. First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff, Chief Christopher Ackley and Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried led the Westport contingent that included many off-duty firefighters. Other off-duty firefighters helped man Bridgeport firehouses while their Bridgeport counterparts attended the services, including the one above at St. Augustine Cathedral for Lt. Steven Velasquez, 40. A later service was held for Firefighter Michel Baik, 49, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church. The two died Saturday while fighting a house fire. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Sad Mission
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal chats with Westport Fire Chief Christopher Ackley (l) and Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried today outside St. Augustine Orthodox Church in Bridgeport where a funeral service was held for Bridgeport Fire Lt. Steven Velasquez. He and Firefighter Michel Baik died fighting a house fire on Saturday. First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff was also at the funeral along with Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Senator Christopher Dodd, Congressman Jim Himes, and other state and local leaders. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Comings and Goings: AAA Leaving Saugatuck After 20 Years
The AAA Travel office, located in the strip of stores at 20 Saugatuck Ave. in Westport’s Saugatuck area for the past 20 years, is closing its office at the end of the business day today. It is not leaving Westport, however. See below for its new home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: AAA Travel Office to Post Road East
The Westport AAA Travel office is relocating from 20 Saugatuck Ave. to its new office at 419 Post Road East in the Compo Shopping Center. The new office opens on Monday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Scenic Westport
A view along the Saugatuck River in Westport on Thursday near the Saugatuck Rowing Club. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Friday, July 30, 2010
9:30 a.m. - Westport Arts Center - ArtCafé
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “The Kids’ Wall” 10th Anniversary
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School - Staples Players Summer Theatre: “RENT”
8 p.m. - Levitt Pavilion - Cracked Ice
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Another View: Twitter and Facebook Deserve Police Use Too
By J. Michael Lomuscio
With Westport Police Deputy Chief Dale Call’s announcement that the department will begin issuing text message alerts to notify residents of downed trees and power lines, closed roads, and other traffic snags, Westporters will surely be able to save time behind the wheel and drive more safely during emergencies, too.
Putting in place the notification system, called Nixle, is a good step, and residents should sign up. The department’s plan however is missing a few components, namely Twitter and Facebook.
Chief Call decided against using these social media networks as notification platforms because of their Facebook’s accessibility and Twitter’s security, saying “The problem with Twitter is that it’s really easy to pretend to be somebody else. It can take very little effort for someone to pretend to be at the Westport police and send things out to people.”
He’s right to be cautious, but Twitter has taken a step to guard against these abuses by offering “Verified Accounts.” This system can establish the authenticity of government authorities so that users know who to trust - it’s something the department should consider.
More "Another View: Twitter and Facebook Deserve Police Use Too"
Westport Tea Group Meets Again
About two dozen persons attended a meeting tonight of the Westport Tea Group at the Westport Public Library. Led by Westporter Dean Slack, they discussed “the role of taxes in our economy and our individual freedom to save or spend.” Unlike the group’s first meeting two months ago (See WestportNow May 24, 2010), there was no request that reporters not name names or photographers avoid shooting faces. Those present did not include John Izzo, a former unsuccessful candidate for first selectman who has identified himself as chair of the Westport Tea Party. Republican candidates present included state Senator Toni Boucher and Nitzy Cohen who is challenging endorsed GOP candidate Stephen Rubin in the Aug. 10 primary in the state representative race in the 136th District. The group will meet again Aug. 5. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Westport Police Arrest Three for Credit Card Fraud
An alert liquor store clerk’s call to police today led to the arrest of a New York trio on credit card fraud and identify theft charges, Westport police said.
Police recovered fraudulent credit cards, credit card statements, and a credit card reader from their vehicle, indicating they were involved in an organized credit card fraud and identity theft operation, said Lt. John Calka.
He said they had hit five Westport businesses in all. The haul was significant enough to raise the interest of the U.S. Secret Service which is assisting in the investigation, Calka said.
The investigation began when a clerk at Castle Wine and Spirits, 1439 Post Road East, called police to report a customer’s credit card had failed to be approved and that the store had received calls from other merchants warning of similar experiences with the trio.
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport
