Police: Error in Connecticut Post Article, “I'm deeply apologetic for this mistake” says Response
Press Release
On January 31st, 2023 Connecticut Post newspaper published an article titled “Advocates call for policing reforms, as Lamont questions whether Tyre Nichols incident could happen in CT.” This article discussed the recent events in Memphis and how that incident translates to Connecticut. The author of the article, Alex Putterman, quoted Scot X. Esdaile, President of Connecticut’s NAACP chapter, “What we saw is what’s going on in America”. The article goes on to quote Mr. Esdaile “It’s not only happening in Memphis, we’ve seen it in New Haven, we’ve seen it in Westport (hyperlink attached), we’ve seen it in Hartford, we’ve seen it in Bridgeport. The same thing that we saw there we’re also seeing in Connecticut.” The link associated with “Westport” references a case from 2011 in Westport, MA. Understandably, members of the Westport Police Department were disappointed by this article because we feel we have worked hard to build relationships and have never had any incident that resembles what we saw in Memphis.
Initially, we reached out to Hearst Media and they admitted that the link was incorrect and should not be linked to Westport, CT. Hearst Media deleted all mention of Westport from the article. We reached out to Scot X. Esdaile and he provided the following statement:
“I Scot X. Esdaile the President of the CT NAACP State Conference, would like to apologize to Chief Foti Koskinas, the Westport Police Department and the Town of Westport. During my interview with Alex Putterman from the CT Post, I misquoted stating Westport, CT when I should have said West Haven, CT. I'm deeply apologetic for this mistake, I have had a conversation with the Chief along with Harold Bailey the Chairman of the Westport Civilian Review Panel, and we had a wonderful and energetic conversation. I apologized during the call several times and we are looking forward to working together in the future.”
Chief Koskinas would like to highlight that once this article was brought our attention, the conversations between Mr. Esdaile and Chief Koskinas, were productive and brought about a positive resolution.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
Westport Country Playhouse Announces Revised 2023 Season
Press ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse has reduced its 2023 season to three productions from the previously announced five. The change reflects the impact that COVID has had, and continues to have, on the Playhouse and the performing arts community nationwide, according to the Playhouse board of trustees and staff leadership.
“Although we learned how to produce shows safely last season — we never had to cancel a performance due to COVID illness! — audiences are coming back slowly and we have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels of participation,” said Gretchen Wright, Playhouse director of development and interim managing director. “As a result, in 2022 we successfully produced one musical and four plays but finished with low ticket revenue and a significant deficit – a fate similar to many other theaters in Connecticut.”
“Even in the best of times, ticket sales only cover 40% of a show’s cost,” noted Anna Czekaj-Farber, chair, Playhouse board of trustees.
“The board of trustees have been very engaged in supporting the theater and all the changes, proactively leading the Playhouse to brighter future,” Czekaj-Farber stated. “We are an agile organization and we are trying to adjust to ensure the longevity and health of this important institution that has been a part of our community for more than 90 years. We are confident that we are making the prudent decision that would allow us to prosper as we have many exciting plans for the future of this wonderful theater.”
The revised 2023 season will include three previously announced productions, each running three weeks: “Ain’t Misbehavin, from April 11 through April 29; “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” from July 11 through July 29; and “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” October 24 through November 11.
The goal is also to focus on broadly appealing and revenue-positive programming, and on building deeper community partnerships.
Current 2023 season ticket have been contacted by the Playhouse box office on how to claim the value of the canceled tickets by gift certificate, refund, or donation. 2023 Flex Pass holders have also been contacted.
“Stay tuned in the coming weeks for announcements of additional programming and events,” said Czekaj-Farber. “Thank you as always, to our loyal subscribers and new audience members for their support.”
For complete 2023 season details and season ticket information, visit: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/2023seasontickets
Single tickets for 2023 season productions will go on sale in March.
All titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.
For more information, visit westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), Instagram (@wcplayhouse), and YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Governor Launches Cold Weather Protocols for Thursday - Sunday ahead of Cold Snap
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience extremely cold air and strong winds later this week, he is directing the state’s severe cold weather protocol to go into effect beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Although Connecticut will experience relatively mild conditions for the first few days of this week, temperatures are expected to plummet starting on Thursday night, dipping into the mid-teens. The severe cold conditions will remain on Friday and Saturday, especially during the evening hours when temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits and possibly below zero degrees. Combined with sustained winds of around 20 miles per hour and gusts at times of around 30 miles per hour, the conditions outdoors will be severe during this period.
“Don’t be fooled by this mild weather that we are experiencing right now, because it looks like a blast of arctic air and winds will impact Connecticut later this week and this weekend,” Governor Lamont said. “With the kind of severe cold weather that is headed our way, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in under 30 minutes. Spending long periods of time outdoors in these conditions is not only harmful, it can be fatal. Shelters and warming centers are available across Connecticut. Anyone in need of a safe place to stay warm is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to a nearby location, and transportation can be provided if needed.”
The purpose of the Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
Anyone in need is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services. Safety measures have been enacted at shelters and warming centers throughout Connecticut to adhere to the needs of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security activates its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions. The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to assist in finding shelter space for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services, Connecticut Department of Housing, and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.
For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares or download the CTPrepares app to mobile devices at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.