Month: April 2014

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Riding the Waves

Shaun Keating of Norwalk, a kiteboarding and surfing instructor, takes to the waves off of Westport’s Compo Beach late today in heavy rain and high winds. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Airborne

High winds and high surf made for good kitesurfing off of Westport’s Compo Beach today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Working on Kitesurfing Gear

Don Miro (l) of Westport and Shaun Keating of Norwalk work on their kitesurfing gear at Westport’s Compo Beach late today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

GOP Gov Hopefuls Want More State Worker Concessions

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Stamford—Four of Connecticut’s Republican gubernatorial contenders indicated today that they would ask unionized state employees to grant concessions in 2015 -– for the third time in seven years -– to help balance the budget.

GOP candidates for governor debated in Stamford. They are (l-r) Mark Lauretti, Martha Dean, John McKinney, Joe Visconti and Mark Boughton. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ctmirror.org photo

Answering questions at a debate in Stamford, state Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Avon attorney Martha Dean and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti all said the state’s worsening budget deficit requires more worker sacrifices.

And the fifth Republican at today’s debate at the Stamford Sheraton Hotel, West Hartford businessman Joe Visconti, didn’t say he would seek concessions. But he did say workers need to give back, and he predicted they would support concessions to stabilize the long-term future of their salaries and benefits.

Greenwich businessman Tom Foley, the GOP’s 2010 gubernatorial nominee and a candidate again in 2014, did not attend today’s debate, which was sponsored by the Business Council of Fairfield County, Cable News 12 and the Hearst Newspapers

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Royce Tribute An ‘Eloquent Elegy’

To the Editor:

When Linda Hall came from Westport to the City to write for New York Magazine, I wrote [she] “may be the smartest and most talented young woman to hit town since the young Joan Didion.”

And her eloquent elegy to David Royce (“Guest Opinion,” WestportNow, April 17, 2014) underscores my prescience.

Noel E. Parmentel Jr.
Greenfield Hill
Fairfield, Conn.

HDC Gets Update on Emily McLaury House

Members of Westport’s Historic District Commission (HDC) today toured the town-owned and currently unoccupied Emily McLaury house, 99 Myrtle Ave., diagonally across from Town Hall. The visit was to get a perspective on its condition since its restoration and tenant occupancy in mid-2008. Morley Boyd, an HDC member during the renovation period, requested the tour and was accompanied by Wendy Crowther who, with Boyd, were overseers of the restoration of the 1920s-built structure. HDC Chairman Randy Henkels said the commission at its May 13 meeting would discuss and define the role of the HDC in “shepherding the property on a day-to-day basis.” At least one Board of Finance member, Tom Lasersohn, has advocated that the town sell the property. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Despite the Rain, Getting the Job Done

Despite today’s rain, workers were putting last minute touches to South Moon Under, 14 Post Road East, in advance of Thursday’s 6-8 p.m. grand opening party. Westport is the first Connecticut location for the men’s and women’s fashion boutique, which had a ribbon cutting last month. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Tax Receipts Plunge, Next CT Budget $300M in Deficit

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Plummeting tax receipts have ripped a nearly $300 million hole in the next state budget, leaving legislators and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy just one week to fix it, according to a new report today from fiscal analysts.

Meanwhile, proposed new spending for pre-kindergarten programs, the elderly and working poor, public colleges and universities, and for cities and towns hang in the balance –- as do tax breaks for teachers and consumers and the potential expansion of legalized gambling in Connecticut.

New projections from the administration and the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis also worsened the deficit in the first budget after the November election, pushing it close to $1.4 billion or 7.4 percent of annual operating costs.

Meanwhile, the $500 million-plus surplus Malloy touted just two months ago when he proposed a tax rebate has disintegrated to $43 million.

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Summer Has A Home

Summer. Westport Animal Control

Summer has been adopted. She is rebounding nicely and enjoying her new-found freedom. She knows her basic commands and was housebroken very quickly. She has displayed no toy or food aggression and loves to chase the tennis ball. She is becoming socialized in regard to meeting new people but still takes a few minutes to warm up to people. However, she quickly accepts you into her circle and wants to follow you everywhere.

Rain Station

Commuters at the Metro-North Westport train station had their umbrellas out today as they awaited their trains. The forecast called for rain through today and into Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com