Positive Changes: Selectmen Discuss Fine Arts Fest, Pedestrian-Only Church Lane, and Garden Club Plant Sale at 9 AM Meeting
A slew of warm-weather topics will be discussed at this morning’s Board of Selectmen meeting. The Board of Selectmen’s agenda describes several activities which were cancelled or changed in 2020 due to the pandemic, making 2021 the year of their return - if permitted. Residents and local business owners are urged to attend meetings such as this to voice their opinions on the topics at hand.
Returning events would include the Downtown Merchant Association Fine Arts Festival, which is slated to be held on the weekend of May 29th if approved by the Board, and the Westport Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale, which would be held on Jesup Green on Friday, May 14th if approved.
They will also discuss the closure of Main Street on May 1st for the Downtown Merchant Association Fitness and Health event, which included fitness classes and information on health and wellness throughout the day on the business section of the street.
Many residents loved when Church Lane was closed to all vehicle traffic in Summer 2020, allowing it to be used completely by pedestrians and restaurants for additional outdoor seating. If approved, the street will again be closed from April 30th until September 30th to allow pedestrians and diners alike to enjoy the extra downtown space alongside the newly renovated Bedford Square throughout Summer 2021.
The meeting begins at 9:00 AM today, and can be seen on Optimum channel 79, Frontier channel 6020, or online at this link.
Public comments in support or opposition to the above topics can be emailed to BOScomments@westportct.gov.
News 12: Westporter Wants to Clear Name after 2019 Arrest, Running Again for First Selectman
Westporter TJ Elgin during his News 12 Connecticut interview yesterday. Screengrab from News 12 Connecticut video interview. Westport man runs for first selectman, looks to clear name after 2019 arrest
News 12 Staff, March 17thA Westport man says he's running for office again despite being arrested over a year ago - and he's looking to clear his name.
TJ Elgin is back on the ballot for Westport first selectman. He ran for first selectman before and also for Rep. Jim Himes' seat.
Elgin was arrested at the end of 2019 after neighbors thought he was burglarizing a home. He says police used excessive force. The case has since been resolved.
First Selectman Jim Marpe did not comment on Elgin's campaign, and says he doesn't even know if he's running yet.
Westport Republican Town Committee Chairman Joe Sledge confirms that Elgin has filed as a candidate for this November's election.
He says anyone has the right to file.
Elgin says he is in the process of filing with three different parties for Westport first selectman. He says his platform focuses on environmental issues.
Senator Haskell Named Senate Chairman of CGA’s Transportation Committee
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) was named Senate Chairman of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, a shift in responsibilities due to the recent election of State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford), who will be sworn in this afternoon. Sen. Haskell will leave the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, where he has served as Senate Chairman for just over two years.
"I'm honored by this opportunity to help shape Connecticut's future," said Sen. Haskell, "For the last two years, I've kept a Metro-North timetable from 1970 on my desk in the Senate. Over the last five decades, those trains have gotten slower, not faster. It's time to reverse that trend by investing in green infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs and helping our constituents get where they need to go. I'll miss my colleagues and friends on the Higher Education Committee, and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished together. But I know that Sen. Slap will excel in the role."
As the youngest member of the General Assembly, Sen. Haskell spearheaded a focus on college affordability during his time chairing the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. Since January of 2019, the committee has:
Established PACT CT, a program that provides debt-free community college to students who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education. Recently, Governor Ned Lamont pledged that the state budget will provide long-term funding for this program that benefits thousands of students.
Partnered with the Banking Committee and Finance Committee on a new tax credit to address student loan debt. This tax credit rewards employers who make loan payments on behalf of their employees.
Advanced the healthy and safety of students, prioritizing mental health services, sexual assault protections and a social safety net on campuses.
Panelists Discuss Equitable Education and Raising an Anti-Racist Society; “This Can be Done in One Generation”
Last night the Democratic Women of Westport and the Staples High School Young Democrats club hosted an online panel discussion about how to better achieve equitable education in the State of Connecticut. Connecticut ranks as one of the highest in the nation for educational success amongst students, however the State also joins many other northeastern states in having large achievement gaps between races.
Panelists included Westporter Dr. Joshua Aronson, NYU, Michael Cummings, Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Sandra Donnay, the Racial Equity Initiative, Steven Hernandez, Esq., Commission on Women, Children, & Seniors, Eric Juli, Shaker Heights Ohio Principal, Keith Little, SCO Family Services, and Patricia Billie Miller, 145th district. The discussion was moderated by Justine Marous of Marous Law.
“We need to get kids together” said Dr. Aronson when discussing a way to better raise children without prejudice, describing the works of Nelson Mandela and the common goal of trying to educate children in a way that doesn’t allow a prejudice to grow within them. “We can all agree that we learn better in an environment with people who come from different backgrounds and can give different perspectives.”
The privileges of the surrounding towns, including Westport, were not ignored as they described how even items such as homework or Advanced Placements tests could segregate a school system. An example of a district changing that achievement gap was given by Dr. Donnay when speaking about a New Jersey school system that made sure every student took at least one of the AP courses, leading to positive test scores as well as graduation rates when all students were given the same opportunity.
However changes like these do not come from a passive audience, according to Steven Hernandez, who said “We come with the weight of history” when discussing how citizens think about trying to make changes in racial disparities within districts. “We continue to admire what we’ve done from the backseat'“ he said, describing a situation where towns become content with the progress made, and lose focus on the goals needed to be met for the future of equitable and fair education.
Senator Will Haskell joined the panel to describe the current Open Choice bill, which describes bringing the program to more districts “that are showing declines in [suburban schools] student enrollment, right next to urban districts with overcrowded classrooms”. The program would push suburban districts such as Wilton, Redding, Easton, and others to accept urban students into the schools - fill the seats emptied by lower class sizes with urban students from cities such as Danbury and Bridgeport.
Staples Student and Staples Young Democrats Club member Jayden Melo asked panelists what they can do to push the agenda of anti-racism further in the schools. “Read” was the answer from Eric Juli, who listed some books by black authors or featured black protagonists that he feels should be read more in the high school setting. “Of Mice and Men is only relevant if you’re in the dust bowl in the 1920s. It doesn’t have any relevance to Westport, Connecticut in 2021.” The power of literacy was echoed by other panelists who described volunteering for children in underserved areas to help foster a love of reading, with Dr. Aronson continuing to say that we need to make sure “all kids can read, and love to read, by the 3rd grade.”
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller urged them to “visit us in Hartford (on Zoom)”, as she shared with excitement that the legislative process is easier to access during the pandemic with virtual hearings taking place. Keith Little reminded the high schooler to make sure they had “the right people at the table” because that’s what inclusion requires when making decisions, and to push to look at the relevant topics when given that seat.
Dr. Aronson gave stories of some of the best leaders he knows, who were all great because of their ability to be community organizers - a trait that allows leaders to excel, and to “bring people together to get [stuff] done.”
“You don’t move a mountain in one day” Eric Uli ended the discussion with. He told the over 80 viewers to remain relentless in the fight, and to fight with an unwillingness to give in to issues of race, equity, and inclusion.
“What is the one word answer to all human problems?” the panelist were asked before their screens clicked off.
“Community.”
The panelists, DWW, and SYDC all look forward to continuing the conversation through their respective committees and without the community. This was the second panel discussion hosted by the two Democratic clubs to start conversations about policy that can affect the local community.