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Stephanie T. Head, 93

Stephanie Townsend Head of Weston, wife of the late Ralph Dudley Head Jr., died Feb. 26 at Norwalk Hospital.  She was 93.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., the daughter of the late William Henry Townsend and Dorothy Dwight Hutchison, she was a 1941 graduate of Bennington College. She received her M.S. degree in early childhood education from Southern Connecticut State University in 1975.

She was deeply involved in the field of early childhood education, as founder of the Hilltop After School Program, and the Norfield Children’s Center in Weston. She served as director of Weston Cooperative Nursery School, Bolton Pre-School and Norfield Nursery School.

She continued as director at Norfield Nursery School for 23 years until her retirement in 1985.

Senate Sends FOI Fix to Malloy’s Desk

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

An emergency fix to Connecticut’s Freedom of Information law—crafted without a public hearing or committee review—was headed to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s desk following today’s unanimous Senate vote.

The measure, designed to clear legal obstacles blocking the release of voter lists and other omnibus public registries, has been criticized by right-to-know advocates who argue that it offers little security to the protected public employees it is designed to safeguard.

“This bill attempts to strike a balance” between the public’s right to know and government’s efforts to safeguard police officers, prison guards and other employees in sensitive roles, said Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, co-chairwoman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee.

The measure, which the House adopted 120-11 last week, was crafted in response to last June’s state Supreme Court ruling, which held that a statute barring disclosure of home addresses of protected employees applied to the motor vehicle registration lists that communities use to prepare property tax bills.

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On ‘Smash and Grabs,’ Cops Work with Other Towns

By James Lomuscio

Westport police say they are working with other communities that have experienced similar “smash and grab” burglaries like the ones that occurred at Mitchells of Westport early Tuesday morning and eight days earlier.

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The smashed window at Mitchells following Tuesday’s pre-dawn break-in. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The latest break-in reported at 5 a.m netted an undetermined number of handbags and leather belts from the upscale clothier at 670 Post Road East, police said.

Capt. Sam Arciola said the earlier Feb. 19 robbery had a similar modus operandi, making it highly probable that the same individuals were involved. Now, the department is working with other, undisclosed communities that have experienced similar “smash and grabs,” he said.

“We have two burglaries that we think with high probability are linked, and we’re working with other jurisdictions that have been affected by these crimes,” said Arciola.

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 5 Marine Ave.

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An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 5 Marine Ave., on Saugatuck Shores, is in process. Built in 1955, the two-story custom split has 2,584 square feet and is situated on a .26-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

RTM Panel Endorses Council of Governments Initiative

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The Planning and Zoning Committee of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Tuesday night voted 6-0 with 2 abstentions to recommend to the full RTM that Westport approve changing from membership in a regional planning agency to a Council of Governments (COG). Proponents of the shift, including First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, said converting from the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) to a COG, as most other regional agencies in the state have already done, would create more efficiencies and potentially give the region a stronger voice in Hartford. Such a move would occur only if legislatures of five of the eight SWRPA member municipalities approve. The RTM will vote on the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, March 6.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, February 29, 2012


10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Toy Stories”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Next Stop: Westport!” & “The Cold War in Our Backyard”
Noon – Westport Public Library – “The Living End,” Robert Leleux
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Green Task Force
7:30 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309 – Deer Management Committee

See more events:  Celebrate Westport Calendar

A Westport Story: David Pogue

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Westport resident David Pogue was the guest interviewee tonight for the second live edition in the WestportSTORIES series at the Westport Public Library. Pogue, New York Times personal tech columnist, author, and “CBS Sunday Morning” contributor, was interviewed by Westporter Mark Mathias, who has worked in the field of technology for both large and small companies and is the technology columnist for the Westport News. The interview, which was conducted in the Library’s McManus Room, was streamed live on the Library and town’s websites and will be available on DVD through the Library catalog. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Noted Politicial Scientist Tells Rotarians About 4th CD

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Gary L. Rose has made a career in politics –- studying, observing, and opining on the subject, especially Connecticut politics and those of the 4th Congressional District, which includes Westport. Today the chairman of the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University told the Westport Rotary Club at the Inn at Longshore some of the things he has learned about the district. The 4th CD has over the years elected representatives who are “independent thinking who voted the way they thought they should vote, not just along party lines,” he said. Part of the district’s uniqueness, he said, is that “the people in our district have a higher educational level—higher than most parts of the U.S.” It also has a different make-up than most districts because of the diversity of its population, Rose said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 5 Norport Drive

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An application for a permit to demolish the house at 5 Norport Drive, off Harbor Rd in Westport’s Saugatuck Shores section, is in process. Built in 1957, the one-story ranch has 2,165 square feet, is situated on a .35-acre property and changed ownership in February 2010 for $900,000. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Jameson Daniel Conte, 20 Months

Jameson Daniel Conte, son of Mark and Stephanie Conte of Westport, died Feb. 25 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 20 months old.

Jameson Daniel Conte
Jameson Daniel Conte: provides four children with gift of life. Contributed photo

The last gift Jameson contributed to this world was the donation of his organs. He has provided four children with the gift of life and the opportunity to become extraordinary, as his family knew he would one day become.

Jameson’s life would seem too short to many, but the quality of his existence far exceeds the quantity of the time in which he lived it. Those touched by his sparkle and laughter will remember the joy he found in music, mealtimes, and being adored by his family.

In addition to his parents, Jameson was the beloved little brother of Alyssa, the cherished grandson of James and Carol Conte and Daniel and Deborah Fratino, all of Westport. He was the nephew of Anthony, Michael and Matthew Conte, and Danielle Fratino in addition he was loved by many extended cousins, aunts and uncles.