Friday, September 29, 2023

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Irwin Donenfeld, Veteran RTM Member and Comic Industry Giant, Dead at 78

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Iriwn Donenfeld: giant in comic industry. Westport Historical Society photo
Irwin Donenfeld, one of the longest-serving members of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) but better known outside of his hometown as a giant in the comic book industry, died Monday night at Norwalk Hospital. He was 78.

His wife, Carole, said he had been in ill-health for some time. Donenfeld was forced to retire from the RTM in 2003 after 22 years because of health problems. Only two others in the legislative body’s 55-year history had served the same period or longer.

“The town has lost a treasure,” said Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell. “He always had Westport’s interests at heart. He kept his sense of humor and on many occasions brought discussions back to the right perspective. He will be missed.”

Gordon Joseloff, Moderator of the RTM (and editor and publisher of WestportNow), said as longtime chair of the RTM’s Public Protection Committee, Donenfeld had left Westport a much safer place.

Update: Farrell Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election, to Explore “Options”

Less than a month after making an unsuccessful but strong run for Congress, Westport First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell announced today she will not seek re-election and will explore “other options that may arise in the public and private sectors.”farrellleamanmeyer11300401260.jpg
First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell confers today with Selectman Carl Leaman (l) and Representative Town Meeting member Bill Meyer a short time after announcing her intention not to seek re-election. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Farrell, a 49-year-old Democrat, informed her staff of her decision in a morning meeting and then issued a press release.

“I have no immediate plans,” she said. “I will explore other options that may arise in the public and private sectors.

“I will be talking over time with some of my advisers from my recent campaign to whom I owe a great deal people in and out of public office that supported me.”

Westport First Selectwoman Tells Staff She Will Not Seek Re-Election

Westport First Selectman Diane G. Farrell, narrowly defeated in her bid for Congress earlier this month, notified her staff today that she will not seek re-election, staff members said.

Farrell’s office said an official statement will be issued later in the day.

The 49-year-old Democrat has been First Selectwoman since 1997. She was re-elected to a four-year term in 2001. Her running mate, Carl Leaman, has said that he has no plans to seek the top office if she decided not to run again.

Farrell was narrowly defeated by popular incumbent Republican Rep. Christopher Shays in the Nov. 2 election. She carried the district’s major cities but did not do well in suburban towns but did manage to carry Westport by a slim margin.

Irwin Donenfeld: Giant in the Comic Industry

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Westporter Irwin Donenfeld, who died Monday night at the age of 78, was best known to his neighbors as a longtime town legislator. But his notoriety outside of Westport was as a giant in the comic book industry. He was the son of Harry Donenfeld, founder of DC Comics, and later became editor and publisher there, overseeing Superman and other super heroes. Donenfeld often boasted that he was the first kid in the country to see a Superman comic. He is shown visiting a Westport Historical Society summer camp for youngsters in 2002. Private funeral services will be held Thursday with a town memorial service in January. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Historical Society photo

Longtime RTM Member Irwin Donenfeld Dies

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Irwin Donenfeld, a 22-year veteran of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) who retired from the legislative body in 2003, died Monday night at Norwalk Hospital. He was 78 and had been in ill health for some time. First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell called him “a true Westport treasure” and ordered town flags lowered in his honor. They are pictured together last January. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Martha Stewart Readers Renewing Magazine at Good Pace

She may be in prison and away from the editorial operation, but the legal troubles of Westport’s Martha Stewart apparently are not negatively impacting subscriber renewals to her flagship magazine.

A new survey found that readers are renewing their subscriptions at a pace well ahead of industry norms.

That faithful readership may help encourage the return of advertisers who haven’t demonstrated the same loyalty since the magazine’s founder became tainted by a stock-trading scandal in June 2002.

Almost 70 percent of Martha Stewart Living subscribers said they planned to renew their subscriptions, according to a September survey conducted for WPP Group PLC’s Mediaedge:cia.

Mitchells Hosts Benefit Wednesday for the Westport Country Playhouse

If you want to do your holiday shopping and at the same time make a donation to the Westport Country Playhouse, Mitchells is the place to be Wednesday evening.

The well-known retailer on Post Road East will host a gift-giving evening of exclusive shopping to benefit the Playhouse from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ten percent of customers purchases will be rebated as a tax-deductible donation to the Playhouse.

Many of Mitchells accessory vendors will be in the store to present their collections, including: furs from Ann Dee Golden, personal appearances by jewelers Michael Beaudry and Robin Rotenier, Pomellato fine jewelry, and fine time-pieces from Anonimo, Franc Muller, Buccellati, and Cartier.