Playing Together since 1963, Billy and the Showmen Return to Westport

Bill Frenz plays electric guitar to a dancing crowd on Saturday evening at the Levitt Pavilion. The band has been playing together since 1963 throughout the New York and Connecticut regions, rocking rhythm and blues on local stages for generations. The group graduated Greenwich High School in 1968, and through life changes and 53 years - haven’t missed a beat yet. J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com

CT Premier Water Polo Practices along Hills Point Today, Leaving for Junior Olympics on Wednesday

Lauren Feist, left, watches her son Wyatt (14) and his team practice on Saturday in the waters to the East of Compo Beach. The makeshift water polo enclosures were put up along Hills Point Road when CT Premier Water Polo’s usual pool was closed for private events. The team leaves for Dallas, texas on Wednesday to take part in the Junior Olympics. WestportLocal.com photo

Full Buck Moon over Old Mill Beach

Tonight’s full “Buck” moon over Old Mill Beach was glowing against the dark skies. Photo by Nancy Lally for WestportLocal.com

Dirt Road Returns to Wakeman Farm while Bedford Paving Continues

The dust of the dirt road returned to the former Wakeman farms property as paving continues throughout the Wakefield Field driveway and Bedford Middle School complex. The paving is part of a multi-complex paving project this summer, which includes Coleytown Elementary School, Greens Farms Elementary School, and a portion of Long Lots Elementary School.

Cribari Bridge Continues to Open as Summer Tradition Carries On

The William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge opened this evening to boat traffic, an occasion that happens several times each week throughout the summer as taller boats require passage to the upper Saugatuck River marinas. The opening requires the team work of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Westport Police Department, who close the bridge to traffic while specially trained DoT personnel operate the bridge’s controls. Formerly manually operated, an electric motor now rotates the bridge - opening and closing it in five minutes. Traffic was stalled in the area for just under ten minutes while two vessels made their passage home for the evening. WestportLocal.com photo

Trying to Manage Rush Hour

A Westport Police Department Traffic Agent frees the backup of traffic this evening at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street. Traffic was slowed to a stop from the Cribari Bridge until the intersection of Greens Farms Road and Hills Point Road, with Post Road East also feeling the brunt of today’s new normal traffic pattern. Traffic was moving soon after the agent’s placement at the heavily used intersection. No major accidents were reported in the area, with one minor accident occurring just before 4:00 PM on I-95 Southbound, according to the DoT.

Selectman’s Office Releases Financial Analysis of Police Department’s Tesla Model 3

From Sara Harris, Selectman’s Office Operations Director

The Town has received a report generated by the EV Club of CT providing a financial analysis of the Westport Police Department’s Tesla Model 3.  In December 2019, the Westport Police purchased a Tesla Model 3, fully customized it for law enforcement, and put it into service in February 2020 as a pilot program. This first-in-the-nation Tesla Model 3 squad car is being celebrated for exceeding performance, cost savings and environmental benefits estimates.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas said, “What initially attracted us to the Tesla was how it compared to our traditional fleet vehicles in terms of performance, 5-star crash ratings, and collision avoidance technology. While the Police Department has been using plug-in hybrids for parking enforcement for several years now, this was the first fully electric car to be used in active duty. We needed to confirm our estimates on things like mileage per charge and how the vehicle would stand up overall in the challenging environment of police work. And of course, we were tracking expenses. The purchase price of the Tesla was higher than the Ford Explorer, but we hypothesized that we’d recoup that expense in lower fueling and maintenance costs for the Tesla.”

According to First Selectman Jim Marpe, “Westport is leading the way with electric vehicles and charging stations.  Our town government is also leading on the municipal front.  The decisions to invest in electric vehicles and infrastructure are strategic, data-driven, and smart. I applaud our forward-looking police department and the partnership of the department and the EV club. This is part of how Westport will meet its commitment to being net-zero by 2050.”

Charles Sampson of the Westport Police, who managed this project stated, “Feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve have been contacted by at least 50 other police departments – from all over the world – with questions about our experience. I know many of them have gone on to purchase Teslas for their fleets.”

Barry Kresch, President of the EV Club of CT said, “I offered to do this analysis for the police because it is a such a visible and tangible proof point that EVs can be cost-effective, and that the decision by the Westport Police to move forward with the Tesla Model 3 pilot was financially, as well as environmentally, sound. The presentation I built for them visually demonstrates the economic case for using EVs in public sector fleets."

Sailboat Sunset

With clearer skies tonight, the sunset was easily visible from throughout the community. Storms pushed away from Westport this evening, allowing for a calm evening on the harbor. WestportLocal.com photo

Writer Recounts Racing in the Flying Scot North American Championships in Westport over Weekend

Photo by Art Petrosemolo for The Daily News of Newburyport. 

As I See It: Fear conquered in the waves

The Daily News of Newburyport | by Marilyn Archibald

“Big wave, big wave, BIG WAVE!” 

It was our second day of sailing in the Flying Scot North American Championships in Westport, Connecticut. I had been told that the worst problem with sailing in Long Island Sound during July is usually a lack of wind. Instead, we had stormy, gray skies, 18-knot winds with gusts to 25, and 4-foot seas.

These conditions were unlike anything I had ever encountered. Heading straight into the waves, our 19-foot boat Talk like a Pirate rose and fell with stomach-churning slams. Going sideways to them heeled us over dangerously. In either direction, bucketloads of water drenched us to the skin almost continuously.

 Heading out of the harbor, things hadn’t seemed so bad, but the minute we hit open water the real conditions became apparent. Any mistake could result in immediate capsize, a broken boom, collision with another boat, or one of us being flung out of the cockpit into the water.

“I don’t know if I can do this!” I shouted to my husband, David, gripping the jib and shroud lines like grim death.

“Try it! Just one race! You can do this!” he shouted back. 

“Nooo,” I moaned, sobbing slightly. Then, I gave myself a mental shake. The truth was, I wasn’t afraid. I trusted my skipper. And if I didn’t do my job as crew to the absolute best of my ability, using everything I had learned over the last 10 years of sailing, I would put us both in real danger. My husband needed me, I needed him, and together we could do this. 

So I hung on, moving from one side of the boat to the other as we tacked, yelling back when the waves in front of us looked like something out of The Perfect Storm.

Sailboat races have both upwind and downwind sections, called legs, and while sailing upwind right now was absolutely savage, sailing downwind — while seeming less scary — was actually more dangerous. The waves can push the boat faster than the actual wind speed and cause the front, or bow, of the boat, to be pushed under the water, causing the rudder to come up and control to be lost.

“Get back, get back!” David shouted, as we surfed down one enormous wave after another, and water cascaded over the front of the boat. I scrambled aft and the bow came back up. We finished the race and wave by wave, made it back to the harbor like a rocket ship, soaked, battered and for me at least, utterly exhilarated.

The two days of sailing that followed could not have been more different — nearly flat seas, and so little wind that most boats were towed in and out of the race course like baby ducks in a line. But these light wind conditions, which require the extreme patience that Skipper David has in abundance, favored our skills. We won second place out of more than 20 boats in our division on both days. 

I’m a better sailor today than I was a week ago. I’m unlikely to see those extreme conditions again soon, but now I know I can handle them. Doing scary things is hard, but it’s how we grow stronger, as sailors, and as people. 

Marilyn Archibald lives in West Newbury and sails with her husband, David, out of Sandy Bay Yacht Club, Rockport, Massachusetts.

Westport Republican Town Committee Endorses Jen Tooker for Selectman Seat; Other Endorsements Announced

Back (L-R): Jack Whittle, Andrea Moore, Joe Sledge, Dorie Hordon; Front (L-R): Robert Harrington, Jen Tooker, Michael Keller, Karen Kleine. Contributed photo. 

Westport RTC Press Release

The members of the Westport Republican Town Committee met  last night to officially endorse Republican candidates for this November’s municipal elections.  Among those receiving the unanimous endorsement of the Westport Republican Party are:  Current Westport Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker for First Selectman; Westport Board of  Finance Vice Chairwoman Andrea Moore for Second Selectman; Robert Harrington, Dorie  Hordon and current Board of Education Vice Chair Karen Kleine for Board of Education,  Michael Keller for Board of Finance; former Westport Planning and Zoning Commission  member Jack Whittle for Planning and Zoning Commission; and Current Board of Assessment  Appeals member Joe Sledge for re-election to the Board of Assessment Appeals.  

“We are absolutely delighted with our strong slate of candidates led by our current Second  Selectwoman, Jen Tooker,” noted RTC Nominating Committee Chair Jim Foster. “With  principled, experienced leaders like Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore on the Board of Selectmen;  Karen Kleine’s, Robert Harrington’s and Dorie Hordon’s passionate advocacy for our school  community on the Board of Education, the excellent addition of Michael Keller to the Board of  Finance, Jack Whittle’s unparalleled expertise on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Joe  Sledge’s knowledge and thoughtfulness on the Zoning Board of Appeals, I am convinced  Westport’s future will remain bright. Our candidates understand the challenges and  opportunities facing Westport, and they are the best prepared, most qualified public servants to  lead us forward.” 

Click Here to Expand Information About the Candidates: 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN 

JEN TOOKER – Candidate for First Selectman 

Jennifer Tooker is the current Second Selectwoman of Westport, a position she has held since  her election in 2017.  She has previously served as a member of the Westport Board of Finance,  the Westport Board of Education, and the Westport Conservation Commission. As Second  Selectwoman, Jennifer has worked on several key initiatives.  She launched Westport Together, an alliance between the Town, Westport Public Schools and local non-profits to promote the  positive development of our youth. Jennifer also created and hosts Westport Means Business - a  series of events that brings together local business owners and entrepreneurs to establish  connections, exchange ideas and promote Westport as the best town in which to start and grow a  successful business. Most recently, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, First Selectman Jim  Marpe appointed Jennifer as Chair of the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team in May 2020.  This  team is tasked with helping Westport businesses open and operate safely during the global  pandemic. Prior to her public service, Jennifer had a 22-year career as an executive with Gen  Re, during which time she held various leadership and management positions in the U.S. and  European reinsurance markets.  Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and  International Studies from the University of Notre Dame.  She is married to Mo Tooker and  they have three children; Jack, Riley and Nicole. 

ANDREA MOORE – Candidate for Second Selectman 

Andrea Moore is the current Vice Chairwoman of the Westport Board of Finance. She was  elected to the Board in 2017 and was selected by her fellow Board members as Vice Chair in  2019. She also serves on the Board of Finance’s Audit subcommittee. Prior to this, Andrea was  an elected member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM), representing District 9  and served on several key committees, including the Education, Public Protection, and the  Library and Museum Committees. Andrea has had a 15+ year career in the financial services  industry, holding positions in institutional equity sales, equity research and investment banking  with some of the world’s leading firms, including UBS, BT Deutsche Bank and Salomon  Brothers. She is also an active volunteer in the community and has served on the boards of  several local non-profit organizations, including Staples Tuition Grants, the Saugatuck  Elementary PTA, the Westport Weston Family YMCA, and the National Charity League,  Westport Chapter. Andrea is a life long Westporter and a Staples High School graduate. She  received her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the School of Management at the  University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is married to Dave Moore and has three daughters;  Tessa, Janna and Ella. 

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

KAREN KLEINE 

Karen Kleine grew up in CT and has lived in Westport for over 20 years. Her three children all  attended Westport Public Schools. Karen has served on the Westport Board of Education for  eight years and is currently Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Policy Committee, a member  of the Finance and Facilities Committee and holds regional BOE positions with CABE (the CT  BOE) and Cooperative Educational Services, where we send some of our students who cannot  learn in a traditional learning environment. In addition to the BOE, Karen is President of the  Westport Women's Club and serves on the Board of the Friends of the Senior Center. Past Board  positions include TEAM Westport and ABC.

ROBERT HARRINGTON 

Robert Harrington has lived in Westport for more than 10 years. He is married to Claire  Harrington and has four children including a Staples High School graduate and three daughters currently attending Staples. Robert has worked in finance for over 20 years in London, Geneva  and New York, focusing on technology. He has been an active member of the Westport  community and a vocal campaigner for protecting the Westport Public Schools budget, fully  restoring Coleytown Middle School during the mold crisis, and advocating for COVID-19 vaccinations for Westport’s teachers. Born in the U.K., Robert recently became a U.S. citizen. 

DORIE HORDON 

Dorie Hordon has served on the Westport PTA for many years and just completed her tenure as  PTA Council Co-President. She was previously President of the Bedford Middle School PTA  and a member of the Executive Board at Greens Farms Elementary. She has a professional background as an educator, having taught in the lower school of the Spence School in New York  for six years. She currently works as a local coordinator for Cultural Care, where she helps place  and manage au pairs from foreign countries with area families. She is also an active volunteer as  a member of Temple Israel. Prior to entering education, Dorie held various roles over the course  of several years at JPMorgan Chase. Dorie has a Master’s in Education from Bank Street  College and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the College of Wooster. She has lived  in Westport for 14 years with her husband Rob and their three sons. Theo and Nate are both  students at Staples, and Josh attends Greens Farms Elementary. 

BOARD OF FINANCE 

MICHAEL KELLER 

Mike Keller is a partner with the Boston based law firm of Morrison Mahoney LLP and leads  their Bridgeport office with a focus on civil litigation defense. Mike attended Miami University  in Oxford, Ohio for his undergraduate degree in political science before continuing directly to  law school on a full academic scholarship at Widener University School of Law in  Delaware. After law school, he and his now wife, Courtney, lived in Philadelphia and then  Boston, but traveled to Westport often to visit family and fell in love with the town. In 2015,  they moved to Westport to start a family of their own. Their oldest son is a rising third grader at  Coleytown Elementary School, and his younger brother is starting kindergarten at CES in the  fall. 

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 

JACK WHITTLE 

Jack Whittle grew up in Westport attending Westport schools, and after graduating Staples High  School in 1981, he went on college at the University of Colorado (BA in Political Science, 1985) and then law school at Syracuse University (JD, 1988). He began his career in law as a litigator  at the Wilson Elser law firm in New York City and continued to practice in that area at Mudge  Rose before shifting focus to M&A and regulatory work in the insurance area at the New York  City offices of LeBoeuf Lamb. Since 2009, Jack has worked at Odyssey Re in Stamford, CT  where he is Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. Jack and his wife Corrine have  raised their family in Westport, with the last of their children graduating from Staples in 2021.  Jack previously served on the Planning & Zoning Commission for five years, being elected in  2011 along with Chip Stephens, Cathy Walsh and Al Gratrix and then reelected in 2015. 

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS 

JOE SLEDGE 

Joseph Sledge is currently the Chair of the Westport Republican Town Committee, a position he  has held since 2019. Joe currently serves our community as a member of the Board of  Assessment Appeals; has served on the Westport Historic District Commission; and as a Director  of the Westport Transit District. Joe worked in investment management business for 42 years  and retired as a partner of an investment advisor and principal investor of a national real estate  investment management firm. He and his spouse, Darcy, have resided in Westport for over 30  years and have two children, Kyle and Christopher, both of whom attended Westport Public  Schools. Joe has served as a director of The Community Preservation Corporation, The Real  Estate Board of New York, Inc., The Urban Land Institute, and the Mortgage Bankers  Association of America. Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and MBA  from the University of Houston.