MTA Graduates 63 New Subway Train Operators as NYC Transit Continues a Slow Rebound
The Metropolitan Transit Authority The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that 63 new subway train operators graduated following their successful completion of training at the New York City Transit Learning Center in Brooklyn.
These operators will help New York City Transit tackle crew shortages and bolster the frequency of subway service. This marked the end of months of intensive training for operators that began in the summer of 2021. The graduation took place as New York City Transit Subway ridership hovers between 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
“As the city continues to return to normal, we have prioritized bringing great people aboard by increasing class sizes and aggressively recruiting,” said New York City Transit Interim President Craig Cipriano. “New Yorkers need access to fast, safe and reliable subway service to get to work, school and family activities. I am really excited to welcome this new group to our team.”
“Everyone knows the staffing challenges that the MTA has experienced, and we’ve accelerated training and filled larger classes so we can provide increased service for New Yorkers,” said Vice President and Chief Officer of Service Delivery Herb Lambert. “Our subway operators keep the city moving and are leading New York City on the way back.”
The new employees join the hundreds of bus and train operators along with conductors who recently completed their training. To date, the MTA has hired 425 train operators and 341 conductors, including those who have already graduated or will do so in the months ahead — part of a deliberate effort by the MTA to rapidly grow the number of bus operators, subway train operators and conductors. A hiring freeze, necessitated by a fiscal crisis that developed during the pandemic, depleted the ranks of train operators with many veteran workers retiring or leaving their frontline posts.
YMCA Honors Retiring Gymnastics Director with “Sally Silverstein Viewing Area” Dedication
The Westport Weston Family YMCA (WWFY) announces the “Sally Silverstein Viewing Area” at the Gymnastics Center, named in honor of retiring Senior Gymnastics Director, Sally Silverstein. During her 34-year tenure at the WWFY, Sally built a thriving gymnastics program for children and youth of all ages, as well as built the nationally and internationally-recognized, award-winning Showtime Exhibition Team, which has performed all over the world. The gymnastics program serves over 500 gymnasts in the facility’s new 11,000 sq. ft. space between Developmental Classes, Showtime, and Competition Teams. The naming ceremony will be held on Friday, March 4, at 6:30 PM, in the Gymnastics Center at 14 Allen Raymond Lane, Westport, CT 06880.
“The Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility have all been superbly reflected in the growth of WWFY’s gymnastic program under Sally’s leadership. It is a tribute to her and her team that we have an excellent gymnastics program that can serve our community and build strong healthy, confident, successful gymnasts,” said Anjali McCormick, CEO.
“Sally developed the gymnastics program into much more than just a sport, it’s about family. The Y was always my home away from home, a safe haven where I could go be my truest self, knowing that I was surrounded by teammates and coaches who supported me.”, says Emily Gruen, Showtime Team gymnast.
David and Beth McKinnis, Showtime Team parents said, “The WWFY Gymnastics program was a second home for our daughter. As a family, we are indebted to Sally for pouring her energy, enthusiasm and love into the program. She set the tone for a program where all the gymnasts were a family and supported and cheered for each other.”
“Over the last 11 years, Sally has been a mentor and provided me with the tools to lead our exceptional gymnastics program. I’m excited to continue to build and grow our program in the months to come,” said Megan Willett, who will step in as Interim Gymnastics Center Director and continue in her position as Head Gymnastics Coach and Competition Team Program Manager and Coordinator.
Under Megan’s supervision, the Competition Team has achieved great success so far this season.
Jan 9 in Glastonbury: Level 3 – 2nd place, Level 4 and 5 – 1st place
Jan 23 in Trumbull: Level 3 – 1st place, Level 4 & 5 – 2nd place, Level 6-7 – 2nd place
Feb 12 in Darien: Level 3 – 2nd place, Level 5 – 1st place
To learn more about the viewing area dedication, our gymnastics program and to read full testimonials, view our Y-News.
Westport Launches Glass Recycling Pilot Program
Town of Westport Department of Public WorksPublic Works Director Peter Ratkiewich announced today that the Town of Westport has launched a Pilot program to separate glass from the single stream recycling. The Department of Public Works (DPW) has provided a special container at the Transfer Station, located at 300 Sherwood Island Connector, where residents can deposit clean glass beverage bottles, juice jars, condiment bottles and food jars. Residents are asked to rinse the glass containers, remove lids or caps, and place them in a separate box or bin from the single stream recycling. The clean glass can be deposited in the separate container during the Transfer Station’s normal operating hours.
Mr. Ratkiewich explained, “The problem with glass in the single stream is that it breaks, and then contaminates paper, cardboard, and other recyclables with broken glass particles. This reduces the market value of all recyclables. Conversely, small bits of paper, bottle caps, straws and other metals contaminate the glass so much that it can’t be effectively recycled, so it either gets used as landfill cover, or is discarded as residual waste. By separating glass from the single stream, contamination is eliminated on both ends, and makes the glass more valuable.”
The separated, clean glass is being directed to a glass recycling facility in Beacon Falls, CT where it is converted to an additive that replaces fly-ash in concrete products and actually makes the concrete stronger. This additive also reduces the carbon footprint of the concrete industry as fly ash is a byproduct of coal burning power plants. The new facility will soon have the capacity to take all the glass generated in the State’s 169 municipalities.
Mr. Ratkiewich stated that Westport is one of five towns in the 14-town Greater Bridgeport Regional Solid Waste Interlocal Committee (GBRSWIC) that are doing a “soft-launch” of the program to work out logistics and procedures. This pilot will be expanded into a full pilot project with the other nine towns in about six months to a year. “We are working with our partners at Oak Ridge Waste in Shelton to make this program as successful as possible,” he said. “A similar program was implemented in the Housatonic Resource Recovery Authority (HRRA) about a year ago and was a huge success. We aim to duplicate that program.”
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker added, “This is an important step in making our recycling program more effective, and reducing the portion of our solid waste that is going to landfills. Westport is proud to be part of the group leading the program that we hope to see implemented across the whole region, and the entire State”
Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Announced Great Westport Salad Contest
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new event for the Town and its residents, the Great Westport Salad Contest. This event is a follow up to the highly successful and embraced Pizza, Burger, Soup and Sandwich Contests run the last four years.
On Monday March 1st at Noon, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker will proclaim the month of March as Westport Salad Month. This announcement and the kick off of the event will take place at Granola Bar.
The contest, to take place throughout the month of March, will have 20 salad making restaurants, delis and markets compete in eight different categories to be crowned Best Salad Maker in Westport. Judging will be done by the residents of the Town by voting on-line for each category. Furthermore, by voting, each participant is entered into a drawing to win a free salad from one of the eight winning restaurants. Over 5000 votes were cast in total during the last four contests.
"This is a fun way for our community to interact, support our local restaurants, delis and markets and best of all get to eat lots of delicious salads," said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber about his newest event. "It's all about creating experiences and this will be a positive for everyone; businesses, residents and of course the Town as a whole.”
The 22 competitors from across the town are: A & S Fine Foods, Calise’s, Capuli, Don Memo, Granola Bar, Joe’s Pizza, Kawa Ni, La Plage, Manna Toast, Match Burger Lobster, Mystic Market, Organic Krush, Pane e Bene, Parker Mansion, Planet Pizza, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci, Spotted Horse, The Boathouse, The Whelk, Tutti’s and Winfield Street Deli.
The eight categories are: Best Cobb Salad, Best Chef Salad, Best Caesar Salad, Best Deli Salad, Best Mediterranean Salad, Best Make Your Own Salad, Best Unique Salad and Best Greens Salad.
Each Restaurant, Deli or Market can enter up to four categories, but can only win two at most.
Residents have a month, beginning on March 1 and ending on March 31, to visit all the venues, enjoy the offerings, then go to the Chamber's Salad Contest web page to vote via cell phone or PC. As the community participates throughout the month the social media hash tag #greatwestportsalad may used in posts. The more pictures of people eating salad the better.
Sponsoring the event again is Westport law firm Berchem Moses PC. "We are pleased to sponsor this event. Not only is the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce an outstanding organization, but there is nothing better than a good salad," noted Berchem Moses PC Westport managing partner, Ira Bloom. "I hope to sample them all during the month."
The winning restaurants, delis or markets, to be announced in April, will receive a plaque to commemorate their achievement. For more information and to access the voting pages, go to www.westportwestonchamber.com/salad .
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 22 over Weekend; State Hospitalizations Decline by 47
The Aspetuck Health District and the State Department of Public Health reported 22 new COVID-19 case for Westport over the weekend. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 2.58% while hospitalizations declined by 47 patients.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 3,826 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 35 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 2.58% [up from 2.55%]
State Hospitalizations: 188 patients [-47]
Letter from the Editor: Raising the Next Generation During a War
I had the opportunity to attend a demonstration in support of Ukraine at Washington Square Park, Manhattan yesterday. I'm attaching photos of yesterday's demonstration and a letter I published in this past Saturday's "Saturday Morning Review." This is not my story to tell, but after several supportive emails from readers - I'm sharing my perspective. I feel helpless against the violence and hatred striking Ukraine and its people, but I know I can amplify the love and support I witnessed for our Ukrainian neighbors. Letter from the Editor
Jaime Bairaktaris
February 26, 2022
I find myself picking my phone up more often to flip through the images of communities and lives being destroyed in Ukraine. I can’t seem to avoid it. Each time I look, I decide I don’t want to look anymore. Then I look again. And then again. And again. I can’t seem to avoid it. The images of destruction, of bravery, of war. I can’t seem to avoid it.
And at the same time: I need to see it. We need to see it. Because it’s not normal.
I’m not the only one being inundated with the details of war. While at work, one of my school’s 7th graders ran up to me after learning about the Selective Service, asking me if I would be drafted. I reassured him that the Selective Service was not being activated.
Then he asked if I was afraid of the war.
I couldn’t answer him.
It’s 2:00 AM now as I try to write down how I would have answered his question. There aren’t many soft ways to describe that yes, I am afraid of the war.
However, I’m not just afraid of the destruction and human loss - I’m afraid that we may raise another generation of children who will think that watching TikToks and Instagram reels of bombings is normal - that killing other humans is normal.
I’m afraid that we’re raising another generation of children who will grow to remember that an entire military was sent to destroy them and their families - that their childhoods were taken away from them by other humans with whom they share a planet with.
I’m afraid that we may raise another generation of children who think that war is normal.
My paternal grandparents both survived war torn countries - their stories sit in my mind as I pick up my phone another time. And then another time. Their stories formed my belief that war is not normal, and it cannot be normal.
My grandmother, Oma, escaped at a young age from a formerly occupied region as her family lived through World War II Germany.
She describes a vivid memory of being thrown down stairs into their cellar one night. She - as a small child - was not moving fast enough as her family raced the war looming outside.
1,500 miles away on a small Greek island, my grandfather, Papou, sought refuge in a church basement as bomb explosions pierced silence over the Aegean Sea that surrounded Syros. He - as a small child - would faint every time he heard a bomb drop.
A photo I took of Agios Dimitrios Church in June 2018, with the basement bunker beneath the building and the Aegean Sea surrounding it. In 2018, decades after that childhood memory, I had the opportunity to visit this same church with him. We walked the grounds that overlooked the sea until we came to an opened doorway. He pointed to the floor where he and his siblings had hidden during the attacks and explained how the strong stone of “Dimitrios” saved him and his family - a name that both he and I share.
From those two childhoods suffering from violence and famine - they found each other and then traveled until they settled in Larchmont, taking all of their memories and history with them. Each time my brothers and I walk into their house we’re reminded of the stories they’ve told us of their childhoods - childhoods very different than our own. The pictures on the walls, artifacts on the tabletops, the small piece of the Berlin wall on the shelf - as if a small cornerstone of my family’s journey. A reminder that war is not normal.
I hope that as you go through this week, you will help stop the normalization of war and start normalizing kindness for those around you. This will be the first war that we experience through social mediums that keep us hyper-engaged, while also keeping us desensitized. May it also be our last.
Monitor the media your youngest family members are seeing - because they are seeing it. Connect their minds to the communities and people on the ground, educate them on the culture and beauty that comes from these regions, tell them on the facts while trying to sift through the fiction, and remind them that humans must love their fellow humans.
In difficult times, we look for ways to help. So be kind. And then be kind again, and again, and again. The world needs, and will always need, more kindness.
Washington Square Park Demonstration: Sunday, 02.27.22
all photos by Jaime Bairaktaris, Executive Editor. Click to enlarge gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 18. Light and variable wind.
Tomorrow
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. South wind 5 to 13 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 31. South wind 7 to 9 mph becoming west after midnight.
Judy Brown Stroup, 78, Died; Former Westporter, World Traveler
Judy Brown Stroup passed away in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Judy was born on March 4, 1943, in Montgomery, Alabama to Doris Bailey Brown and Captain James Couch Brown while they were stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base. Judy attended Decatur City Schools and graduated from Druid Hills High School in 1961. While in high school, Judy was selected to the J.P. Allen Teen Board, which ignited her passion for sophisticated fashion. Following high school, Judy attended the University of Georgia where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and the Angel Flight Drill Squad.
After leaving the University of Georgia, Judy began working for Western Electric and then McCann Erickson. Following her time with McCann Erickson, she worked for Alitalia Airlines and organized numerous international trips for her fellow Atlantans. Her time at Alitalia is what sparked her love of travel. In 1966, Judy married Wesley Stroup, her high school sweetheart, and throughout their life together, they made numerous trips to all corners of the globe. Whether they were entertaining clients at Super Bowls and other sporting events or traveling with friends, they saw it all.
After the birth of their first child, Judy decided to leave the corporate world to focus on her most important role of being the best mom. In 1980, Wes' job moved the family to Pittsburgh, PA, where she formed a new circle of lifelong friends. Following several years in Pittsburgh, the family moved to Westport, CT and then to Manhattan, NY. Wes had always promised Judy that he would get her back to her beloved Atlanta, so when he retired, they moved back home in 2000.
Back in Atlanta, Judy remained active in the community as a member of the Tri Delta Sorority Alumni group, the Woman's Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital, and the Auxiliary Volunteers at Northside Hospital. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, going to new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 48 years.
Judy has left us with wonderful memories as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and warmhearted friend. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile. Surviving are her children, son James Stroup (Kathy) of Dunwoody, GA, daughter Virginia Carper (Jon) of Sandy Springs, GA, brother Dr. Samuel Brown (Linda) of Milton, GA, grandchildren James and Bailey Carper and Wesley Stroup, and loving companion Jim McLellan.
Funeral Services celebrating her life will be conducted on Tuesday, the 1st of March at two o'clock in the afternoon at H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs. The Rite of Committal will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Atlanta Humane Society in memory of Judy Brown Stroup.
CDC Allows Students to Un-Mask on School Buses
Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
Dear Westport Families and Staff,
The CDC issued revised mask guidance on Friday afternoon. Included in this guidance were two key pieces of information relative to our return to school tomorrow following the winter break.
The first is that according to the Covid-19 County Level tracker, Fairfield County is in the “Low Level” category. This means that the CDC suggests residents remain up to date on vaccines and test if demonstrating any symptoms for the virus.
The second is that the CDC no longer requires the use of masks on public and private school transportation vehicles. This means our students will not be required to wear masks on our buses and vans tomorrow. This message has been shared with our bus drivers.
While the CDC updates are continued good news we do want to remind all students and staff that the wearing of masks on our buses and in our schools is still an option. We want all to feel supported in whatever decision they feel is best for them.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent