Month: January 2004

Monday, December 11, 2023

Ed Mitchell, Founder of Westport Clothing Store, Dies at 98

Edwin William Mitchell, who with his wife Norma founded Mitchells of Westport clothing store in 1958 and saw it grow into a multi-million dollar regional retail powerhouse, died today after a brief illness. He was 98.

His death at a Fairfield residence for the elderly two months short of his 99th birthday was announced by the Mitchell family.

Mitchell, whose retail expertise drew attention from universities and business groups but was best known locally for his devotion to his community, had recently been hospitalized at Norwalk Hospital. He was a resident of Westport and Pompano Beach, Fla.

A framed picture of him was placed in the store on Post Road East where arriving customers saw it upon their entry and flags outside were lowered to half staff.

Boys Varsity Basketball: Fairfield Edges Staples 54-51

Fairfield edged Staples 54-51 Friday night as a last-second attempt by Wrecker senior John Baumann for a three-pointer failed.

Staples (8-3 overall, 5-4 FCIAC) was down 52-45 with 50 seconds left but managed to pull to 52-50 with 40 seconds left thanks to a pair of free throws by Brian Levine.

But the Wreckers comeback attempt fell short as Baumann rimmed his try for a three-pointer, disappointing the packed crowd in the Staples gymnasium.

Friday, January 30th, 2004

Westport First Selectwoman Outlines Regional Legislative Goals

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell and mayors and selectmen from neighboring communities met today to outline the region’s legislative goals.

Farrell, who is chair of the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, held a breakfast session with the municipal leaders at Norwalk City Hall.

Among the goals cited by Farrell and Daniel Wilder, chair of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA), was continued investment in commuter rail equipment, infrastructure and services, especially for Metro-North’s New Haven Line and its 92,000 daily riders.

The local leaders also asked that state lawmakers integrate funding for critical transit services into the Connecticut Department of Transportations operating budget.

Metro-North Makes More Weather-Related Service Changes

Metro-North said today continued weather-related problems forced it to combine or cancel a number of trains beginning with tonight’s rush hour through the Monday morning rush hour.

The New Haven Line Connecticut-related services changes included:

The 4:05 p.m. train to New Haven and the 4:16 p.m. train to New Haven are combined, departing at 4:16 p.m.

Օ The 5:23 p.m. train to Bridgeport and the 5:28 p.m. train to South Norwalk are combined, departing at 5:28 p.m.

The 5:44 p.m. train to Bridgeport and the 5:49 p.m. train to South Norwalk are combined, departing at 5:49 p.m.

WestportNow Launches New Feature: Community News

As part of its expanded news coverage, WestportNow today launched a “community news” section dedicated to news and features of community groups and organizations.

Today’s stories include news of a new lecture series at the Westport Historical Society beginning Saturday, the screening Saturday of a film about the Iraq War at the Westport Public Library, and appointment of four new board members by CLASP Homes.

If you or your organization would like to be featured in WestportNow’s Community News section, please e-mail your news and photos to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), attn: Community News.

Westport Attorney Files Appeal on Behalf of Former Waterbury Mayor

The Westport attorney for convicted former Waterbury Mayor Philip Giordano filed an appeal today, arguing that the federal government overstepped its bounds when it prosecuted him on child sex charges.

Giordano was convicted last year of violating the civil rights of two young girls by sexually abusing them. He was also convicted of using a cellular phone to set up the sex.

The AP reported that in the appeal filed with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, Attorney Andrew Bowman made several arguments that the conviction should be overturned.

Westport Bartender Died of Pneumonia

Missing Westport bartender David Bargmann, identified by a cyber sleuth almost 10 months after he died as a “John Doe” in Florida, succumbed to bacterial pneumonia, a family source said today.

The 44-year-old Fairfield man was identified only after a 52-year-old disabled woman in Georgia, who searches Web sites of missing persons and unidentified bodies in hopes of finding matches, cracked the case, the Connecticut Post reported today.

Bargmann, who worked at Westport’s V Restaurant & Wine Bar on Post Road East, disappeared without a trace last March 24, leaving behind his wallet and identification.

A family member told WestportNow today they had no idea how he ended up in the Key West, Fla., area but had been told by authorities there that he died from bacterial pneumonia.

Used Westport Sweeper Called in Excellent ShapeӔ

The town of Killingworth thinks its getting a good deal in buying a used street sweeper from Westport.

The Board of Selectmen has been asked to approve a special appropriation of $15,000 to purchase the used sweeper, the Hartford Courant reported.

Jim Ward, highway department foreman, appeared before the board to report that the 1990 double broom sweeper would be available in about two months.

Ward said the used sweeper is “in excellent shape.” He said a new road sweeper costs about $110,000.

He said it would replace a 1976 single broom sweeper purchased from the town of Clinton in 1994.

The board agreed to discuss the proposed purchase at its first budget preparation session early next month.

The expenditure would also need approval from the Board of Finance and from voters at a town meeting.

Levitt Pavilion Winter Benefit to Star Buckwheat Zydeco

To pay for the free summer concerts at the Levitt Pavilion, organizers need to raise money in advance.
Buckwheat Zydeco is the featured performer in the Feb. 27 Levitt Pavilion “Carnivale 2004!” event. Contributed photo
That’s why it has scheduled its “Carnivale 2004!” night Friday, Feb. 27 at the Inn at Longshore.

Described as a “true New Orleans-style Mardi Gras celebration,” the event will star four-time Grammy Award nominee Buckwheat Zydeco.

It will include a “hurricane” bar, champagne and hors doeuvres reception, ongoing dinner buffet and open bar, music and dancing, and silent and live auctions.

Proceeds from the evening will help to underwrite the more than 50 nights of free entertainment planned for the PavilionҒs forthcoming 31st summer season.

Selectmen Approve Silver Brook Road Speed Humps

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell shares a laugh with former Representative Town Meeting member Irwin Donenfeld tonight at a Board of Selectmen meeting at Town Hall. Donenfeld, who chaired a traffic calming committee while on the RTM, was there to urge the board to approve installation of speed humps on Silver Brook Road. The board approved that request but set aside similar requests by residents of Cob Drive and Cavalry Road pending further study. WestportNow.com photo