Gordon Ends State Senate Race, “now is not the right time”
From Michael Gordon, a former Westport Board of Education chairperson:Friends -
I’m writing to let you know that I will not be moving forward with the State Senate race. After diving in a few weeks ago, I’ve come to realize that I can’t juggle effectively the multiple demands of family, work and this campaign/the State Senate. The simple truth is that I thought I could do all of it at a high level, but I’ve learned that I can’t.
I was excited both to campaign and to serve, but I’m also clear that now is not the right time if I want to do the job well.
I want to thank our wonderful friends for their enormous outpouring of support, kindness and offers of help. I also want to thank the many kind and wise new friends I’ve made throughout the 26th District. I wish Ceci and Ken the best of luck, and I look forward to supporting our nominee this Fall.
Michael
Superintendent Provides Update on Wednesday Weather, COVID-19 Information
Greetings,
Just a few quick updates for our school community regarding an inclement weather forecast for tomorrow and the sunsetting of some Covid measures.
Inclement Weather Forecast for Wednesday: We are watching the weather for tomorrow. The forecast just received indicates that most of the snow, if it sticks to roads, will be late morning/early afternoon. We are having our sidewalks and driveways pretreated today and we are working with Westport public works to ensure that roads are treated. Given that the expectation is for snow to arrive in the late morning/early afternoon, at this point, we are planning on a normal arrival time unless the forecast changes. Although there is a chance there will be a slushy commute, public works should be able to keep up with the snowfall given the sun today and warm weather over the weekend. This should keep conditions reasonable for travel. There is a regional superintendents call with our consulting meteorologist between 4am-5am and we should have a definitive answer shortly after 5am. In the absence of delay or cancellation notification shortly after 5am, families should plan on a regular arrival time
Daily Covid Reports: As promised, we have committed to providing daily Covid case reports through Friday March 11. Given the low infection rates, the daily reports will end this Friday March 11. The district is still required to continue to report new cases to the State Department of Education.
End of Quarantine Tutoring: Beginning March 14, 2022 the Westport Public Schools will discontinue remote tutoring services for students in quarantine. Given the low number of students in quarantine and the decreased number of days students are required to be out of school, we are confident that student needs will be met by classroom teachers upon their return to school. Classroom teachers will continue to schedule times to check in with students while they are in quarantine. As outlined in the Westport Public Schools Parent/Guardian Handbook, students absent for less than two consecutive days will usually not be given special homework. When the absence extends beyond two days due to illness or extenuating family circumstances, homework will be provided if requested or necessary.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 33; State Reports Increase due to Backlog in Reporting
The State Department of Public Health reported 33 more cases in Westport, with a separate announcement describing “approximately 37,000 backlogged test results from March-April 2021.”
The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 2.28% while hospitalizations were up by 6 patients.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 3,888 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 2.81% [up from 2.22%]
State Hospitalizations: 151 patients [+6]
Wheels2U Westport Announces Limerick Contest
Wheels2U Westport, the Westport Transit District’s on demand, group ride, door to train platform shuttle service, is launching a limerick contest to help promote the use of its Wheels2U commuter shuttle. Sample limericks appear throughout this release.
A bright young commuter named Gus
Said getting to work is no fuss.
Why drive to the train?
That’s surely a pain,
When you can easily take the bus.
Gift certificates to Westport restaurants of their choice will be given to the top seven entries. One first prize winner will receive a $100 gift certificate, two second prize winners will receive $50 gift certificates, and four third prize winners will receive $25 gift certificates.
Peter Gold, Director of the Westport Transit District, stated “Wheels2U Westport provides many benefits. It’s easy, inexpensive, and convenient to use. It comes when you call it, picks you up right at your door, and takes you right to the train platform at the Westport and Greens Farms stations. No more walks from the parking lots in the cold and dark, no more need to scrape snow from the windshield in winter. And it’s a greener way to get to the train.”
A brilliant lawyer named Lena
Said be smart and commute greener.
Give the bus a try.
It’s as easy as pie!
If not, you’ll get a subpoena!
Westport residents and commuters to Westport can use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 AM and 10 AM and between 4 PM and 9:30 PM and be taken to or from the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train platform and their front door almost anywhere in Westport. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station. The fare is $2.00 when paid with the Wheels2U app.
An aspiring poet named Poe
From his house to the train had to go.
The bus came to my door!
I’ll drive never more!
Said the famous young poet named Poe.
For more information about Wheels2U go to www.wheels2uwestport.com. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities go to www.WestportTransit.org
Official Rules
The contest is open to all residents of Westport. Enter as often as you like. Entries should be sent to Peter Gold at pgold@westportct.gov no later than March 25, should have Limerick Contest in the subject line, and must include the sender’s name, address, and email address. Winners will be chosen by the Director of the Westport Transit District in his sole discretion. All entries become the property of the Westport Transit District. Entrants give the Westport Transit District permission to use their entries to promote the operations of the Westport Transit District and Wheels2U Westport as the Director of the Westport Transit District sees fit, including, but not limited to, using the entry as an advertising poster at the Westport and Greens Farms train stations. The Westport Transit District may modify entries if necessary to meet the needs of the Westport Transit District.