To the Editor:

We wanted to express our outrage and disappointment to PAL for choosing June 30 for the fireworks. It is a Thursday night with people having work the following day. We usually host a party of nearly 110-120 people and already have 20-30 cancellations right off the bat. PAL will be the loser and we are very sorry to see that happen. Everyone we have spoken to is just as disappointed as we are.

Charlene Girden
Westport

To the Editor:

(Westport resident Annie Fasanella marked the retirement of Police Chief Dale Call after 35 years in verse:)

What paths you chose and did not yield,
For your quest to be best in your field.
To Westport’s police force, you dedicated your life,
Always focused and calm, despite any strife.

As a 1980s Staples grad,
You were brilliant and a lanky lad.
With your perseverance and your demeanor,
And years of hard work in graduate school,
You became a 21st century leader and a flawless jewel.

You “walk the talk” of “protect and serve,”
For the past 35 years.
I give thanks to you, with deep gratitude,
And “3 cheers!”

You’ve been a beacon of light-
Keeping Westport safe, both day and night,
In all kinds of weather,
Have made our town today, so much better.

To the Editor:

On October 23, 2015 our son Andrew suddenly and for no apparent reason, cardiac arrested during halftime on the Staples soccer field. Andrew survived due to the amazing teamwork of some trained professionals and loving Staples parents.

Andrew was and is a conditioned varsity basketball athlete, with no prior medical history or pre-existing medical condition before this event.

We would like to publically thank Gaetana “G” Deiso (head athletic trainer at Staples), who provided breaths of life and chest compressions to maintain blood and oxygen flow; Tiffany Kinahan (a SCSU intern in athletic training at Staples) who assisted in CPR; Kerry Liles (a nurse and Staples parent) who assisted in CPR; Nicole Donovan (Westport EMT and Staples parent) who also assisted in CPR; Mark and MaryGrace Gudis (Staples parents) who had a defibrillator (AED) in the trunk of their car, which was used to shock Andrew back to life; and Corey Iomonico (assistant Staples athletic trainer) who brought an additional defibrillator to the scene.

Without the quick administration of CPR and the use of the AED, Andrew may not have survived.

To the Editor:

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Westport Fire Department, Red Cross, and First Selectman Jim Marpe for their outstanding public service in response to a recent fire at our home.

On Friday, October 9 at about 9 p.m., we experienced an accidental fire at our home in Westport. Within minutes of our call, the Westport Fire Department arrived at the scene. 

The firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the external flames and contain the damage. Once the fire was out, several firefighters cleaned up the water and other debris inside our house. 

The Fire Warden went out of his way to explain the situation and allay our concerns. The firefighters were the height of professionalism—efficient, thorough, safety-conscious, and courteous.  These guys are awesome! 

To the Editor:

Your story dated August 25, 2015 appears to be extremely misleading and lacks fact-based information. The headline “Already Over Crowded, Staples will get 100 more Students” is extremely misleading to your readers. This leaves the reasonable reader to believe Staples High School will get 100 more students this school year… And that the high school is in a crisis mode with no plan to deal with overcrowding.

The Facts are below:

In 10/1/2012 SHS had actual enrollment of 1,882 students
In 10/1/2013 SHS had actual enrollment of 1,837 students
In 10/1/2014 SHS had actual enrollment of 1,855 students
In 10/1/2015 SHA was forecasted to have enrollment of 1,888

Source: Board of Education Adopted Budget

The facts show that Staples High School enrollment is forecasted to be approximately the same level in 10/2015 as it was in 10/2012. Moreover, enrollment for SHS, as forecasted by the administration for 10/1/2015, is an additional 33 students vs prior year, not 100.

The numbers and the story do not add up.

Paul Block
Member, Westport Board of Education

(Editor’s note: the original story says Staples will have 100 more students than it can accommodate. It does not say 100 more students will enroll this fall, though the headline erroneously suggests that is the case. The headline and story have been updated. The story now notes Staples has been overcapacity for several years, but the 1,900 figure cited by Landon is the highest enrollment in recent years and is 45 more than last year.

To the Editor:

The Coalition for Westport (CFW) congratulates WestportNow for its outstanding series of articles on the lack of adequate senior housing in Westport. (Click here for series)

The series presented the history of the senior housing issue and the manner in which the Planning & Zoning Commission voted to change the zoning of the entire Baron’s South property to recreation/open space.

Our town, which is such a leader in creating and providing first class community amenities, has failed abysmally in looking after its seniors, a shocking indictment of the shortsightedness of those charged with the responsibility of ensuring that Westport welcomes and values residents of all ages.

The personal consequences of this lack of planning was highlighted by telling the stories of long-term residents who have been forced to leave Westport and find housing facilities in other towns. Many of our neighboring towns boast one or more such facilities.