To the Editor:

CLASP Homes was pleased to host the Second Annual Taste of Westport on May 4. The Westport community was treated to a delicious array of gourmet food displayed by some of Westport’s finest restaurants. The fundraiser was extremely well received by the community. The monies raised benefited CLASP Homes, a local not-for-profit agency serving people with developmental disabilities.

We’d like to thank Lance Herman, general manager of the Westport Inn, and his staff for helping to make the event such a wonderful success.  Thank you to Carline Dean, our event chairwoman, who gave so freely of her time and talent.

Special thanks go out to our major sponsors TD Banknorth and Mose Associates Architects. We cannot forget to give kudos to the Staples High School football team for their help cleaning up after the event.

CLASP looks forward to many more Taste of Westport’s and would like to thank the community for welcoming us with open arms!

Tracy A. Flood, President
CLASP Homes, Inc.
Westport

To the Editor:

Connecticut residents and businesses have recently experienced one of the largest energy rate hikes the state has seen in years. It is for this reason that I am writing you to as a Commissioner of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). The DPUC has developed a variety of programs and services available to electric ratepayers that will help them understand and address the high increases in energy costs.

Most immediately, the DPUC has partnered with Connecticut Public Television and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to release a television series entitled “Connecticut Energy: On the Line.” This program features five 30-minute documentaries and a town meeting broadcast that will investigate power, price and performance while examining energy issues in Connecticut and unraveling the complexities of the energy marketplace.

Residents will find out how fuel costs are affecting their electric bills, how the electric grid operates and about the challenges of demand response and load control. There will also be information about renewable energy and ways to conserve and use energy more efficiently.

Each episode in the series will discuss a current energy topic in a simple and easily understood format. It will explore how we can, individually and as a whole, reduce our electric usage along with year round energy saving tips. The programs will take a close look at the next generation and what we all need to do moving forward to avoid a future energy crisis.

The next episode, episode 3, premiers Thursday, April 20 at 9 p.m. The remaining airdates are: Episode 4 on May 18 at 9 p.m. and Episode 5 in June 2006 (date to be determined.) There will also be a live town meeting to be aired on April 11 at 8 p.m.

The series is extremely informative and will help Connecticut residents not only manage their energy usage, but also explain the current increase in energy costs. I would urge all Connecticut ratepayers to please tune into CPTV to see this timely series.

For more information about the CPTV series and energy savings tips, visit The Department of Public Utility Control’s Web site at www.WattsNewCt.com.

John W. ‘Jack’ Betkoski III
Commissioner, DPUC
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone (860) 571-6203

To the Editors:

Special Olympics 8th Annual Penguin Plunge at Compo Beach on Saturday was an outstanding success.  The 250 Penguins raised $100,000 for Special Olympics’ year round fitness, training and sports programs for children and adults in Connecticut with intellectual disabilities. More than 400 cheered on their efforts.

An event this unique, and this risky, could not take place without on-site public safety provided by the Westport Police Department, Westport Fire Department, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, the Dive Rescue Team, and the Westport Parks and Recreation Department.

The Westport Police Department won the “Arctic Hero Award” for the top public safety deparment fundraiser. Lt. Det. Commander Gary Golas and Deputy Chief David Heinmiller plunged for the police force.

Fire Chief Christopher Ackley and Assistant Fire Chief Larry Conklin lead a team of firefighters into the frigid waters. Staples High School turned out an outstanding group of penguins.

As always, Michael Falbo, facility manager, Parks and Recreation Department, made sure that the beach was ready for the more than 600 who arrive en masse.

Generosity, good humor, and kindess abounded on the beach Saturday afternoon.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Kuechenmeister
Co-Chairman
Special Olympics Pengiun Plunge

To the Editor:

The members of the Westport Police Union would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who participated in this year’s Holiday Fund for Children project. 

For the past several years, WICC AM Radio and AMR Ambulance Service have sponsored local police departments in annual toy drives throughout Fairfield County in an effort to collect holiday gifts for the less fortunate children in hospital pediatric centers and around our communities.

Each year, Westport Police Officers collect donations at Police Headquarters, Town Hall and the Toys-R-Us Store located at 1850 Post Road East, Westport.  The toy drive this year was one of the most successful we have had to date. 

Our success could not be accomplished without all of the hundreds of generous people who donated to the fund.  The local residents, town employees, businesses, corporations, Westport Volunteer EMS and those who just came to shop and ended up donating, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

To the management and staff at Toys-R-Us (without them, we could not do it!), our deepest gratitude. They not only allowed us a place to collect donations, but they go above and beyond in their efforts to help us succeed each and every year.

Because of all of you, we were able to supply hundreds of children with gifts for the holidays which they otherwise would not have had.  You have all helped to touch the life of a child this year – they are grateful and so are we, the Westport Police Benevolent Association and the Westport Union membership.

Thank you.

Jill Ruggiero
David Heinmiller
Westport Police
Holiday Fund for Children

To the Editor:

As we begin a new year, we would like to recognize the many gifts we receive year round.  On behalf of Dress for Success ® Mid-Fairfield County, and Buttoned Up, we would like to give tremendous thanks to our amazing volunteers who have helped us make a difference in the lives of more than 3,000 women since 1998; our board and committees who so generously give of their time to guide our work; and, our 100 plus community partners who keep us busy with referrals year round!!!

Lastly we would like to thank our individual and corporate donors who give of their wardrobe, their time, and much needed financial support. 

Your collective gifts are the backbone of Dress for Success ® Mid-Fairfield County. We would not be able to do what we do, help the hundreds of women we help each year, without you.

We wish you all a happy, healthy, safe, and successful New Year.

With appreciation,

Darryl Manning, Executive Director
Mary Sarin, Director of Development
Carmen Nieves, Director of Programs
Vicky Solano, Program Coordinator
Marjorie McAllister, Program Coordinator
Elma Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant
Margarita Rodriguez, Buttoned Up Manager  
Margo House, Bookkeeper
Katherine Griffing, Development Assistant