Mikey is a really nice older guy (about 10 years old) who was found on the border of Greenwich and Port Chester. Poor guy – he seems to be wondering why he is at the shelter. Mikey is super sweet – he is affectionate and just wants to be petted! Mikey likes going for walks and relaxing with people. He won’t turn down a tasty treat, either! Mikey will be a wonderful, quiet companion for a person or family with older children. He wants to enjoy his golden years in a loving home!

Greenwich Animal Control will host its annual Thanksgiving Open House on Sunday November 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Greenwich Animal Control is located at 33 North Street in Greenwich, 06830.

There will be activities for kids, refreshments and plenty of time to play with their adoptable pets. For those of you looking to adopt, this is a great opportunity to meet some of the local animals in need of a good home.

Check out some of the pets available for adoption on Animal Control’s PetFinder page. (Each time you refresh the PetFinder page, you’ll see different animals for adoption and different adoption success stories).

Gladys is a sweet and friendly lady who is about 9 years old. She loves to go for walks, eat good meals, and just hang out! She is very loving and lovable! Gladys has some arthritis in her knees (know the feeling?), but this does not get her down and it certainly won’t stop her from being a great companion.

Kittens available for adoption at Greenwich Animal Control

Jim Ragusa

Vincent “Jim” Ragusa, passed away on November 13, 2018 peacefully at his home after a long illness. Vincent was born in Greenwich on August 4, 1931 to Emma and Pietro Ragusa. Vincent worked as a lineman for the former Hartford Electric Light Company in Stamford, CT. He was a member of the Air National Guard.

He loved spending time in Naples, Florida and Saratoga Springs, NY. He enjoyed watching his three grandson’s sports activities from their early childhoods.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn Nizolek Ragusa. In addition, to his wife, he is survived by his 5 children, Lynn Gaynor, Cynthia Ragusa, Peter Ragusa, Karen Padden (Scott Wilber) and Gary Ragusa (Pamela).

He is also survived by his three amazing grandsons, Michael and Casey Gaynor and James Ragusa, all loves of his life, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers, George Ragusa (Pamela) and John Ragusa (Joyce) and sister, Marie Curcuruto.

Vincent was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Pauline Petrone and Margaret Viggiano, and son-in-law, Michael Joseph Gaynor. To honor Vincent’s life, family and friends will gather on Friday, Nov 16 4:00-8:00pm at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home 134 Hamilton Avenue Greenwich, 203-869-5968.

Funeral Mass Saturday, Nov 17 at 10:00am at St. Catherine of Siena Church followed by private committal. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to MMRF, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, https://www.myeloma.org/research.

For more information or to place an online condolence,
www.coxeandgraziano.com

The Annual Cos Cob Chili Cook Off is set for ​Saturday, November 17, 2018  from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m at the Diamond Hill United Methodist Church.

The church is located at 521 East Putnam Ave in Cos Cob.

This event attracts the best chili cooks from Greenwich and beyond.

Come taste all of the chili and talk to the chefs who are responsible for some of the best meat, veggie, turkey, and seafood chili around.

The $10.00 tasting fee will benefit Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry.

Taste the chili and cast your vote for your favorites.

Contact officedhumc@gmail.com with questions or call (203) 869-2395.

Two cars went missing from residences on the west side of Greenwich over the weekend.

A 2008 Honda Civic was taken overnight from Almira Drive in Pemberwick on the morning of Nov 10. The reporting party said the car was locked and that they had the only key to the car.

In Glenville, a car was stolen in the overnight hours of Friday to Saturday Nov 10 from River West. In that incident, the car had been left unlocked with the keys inside the vehicle, a 2016 Honda CRV.

Jezzie is a 9 year old Shepherd mix available for adoption from Garden Rescues which is housed inside Spot On Veterinary Hospital and Hotel on Selleck Street in Stamford.

Meet Jezzie, probably the sweetest dog you will ever know. She is 9 years young and loves to lounge on the sofa and put her head in your lap.

The story of Jezzie, a Shepherd mix originally from Georgia, has taken some twists, but Brooke Garden and the staff at Garden Rescues  tell us this girl is a survivor.

Jezzie had loving long-time owners. Along with her family, she survived a house fire, only to have the ultimate setback a few weeks ago when both her owners, a husband and wife, passed away.

Jezzie became homeless and found herself in a high kill shelter, but only for a day, thanks to the networking efforts of the amazing Franchesca Biondo from Greenwich.

On Wednesday afternoon at Garden Rescues in Stamford, Jezzie was giving kisses, wagging her tail and dozing in Brooke Garden’s lap.

“Camera? What’s that? I like it,” Jezzie might have said if she could speak. We fell for this sweetheart and someone will be very luck to bring her home.

“Our main goal for all our dogs is to make them feel as much at home as possible,” said Lauren Simko. “It helps them make the transition to a permanent home. The dogs get exercise, play time, pack walks, socialization and great medical care here.”

Ms. Simko and Ms. Garden said there have been many recent successful adoptions at Garden Rescues including four dogs who came from the Soi Dog Foundation, which is headquartered in Thailand.

They also found homes for two dogs from China who were saved from a meat truck by Jeffrey Beri, Founder of No Dogs Left Behind.

Garden Rescues is housed inside Spot On Veterinary Hospital and Hotel in Stamford at 184 Selleck Street. Click here for the adoption application. info@gardenrescues.net Tel. (203) 554-2610.

Follow them on Instagram at spotonadoption

Click here to see the dogs available for adoption at Garden Rescues

Letter to the editor from Greenwich Selectman Sandy Litvack, Nov 14, 2018

I was both surprised and disappointed to see the supposed shock and horror from our First Selectman and 12 mostly Republican women over the use of the word “douche” (yes it is not so terrible that it cannot be written) by Laura Kostin after her loss in a hard fought political campaign.

I might have taken this attack more seriously if it were not so obviously political. Only Republicans are offended by the word? Well, perhaps, but I would be willing to bet that everyone of them has used a more offensive word at one time or another and perhaps, like Laura, they have regretted it and apologized.

Let me be clear: I am not excusing the comment. The remark was inappropriate and not reflective of the Laura Kostin I know. Not surprisingly Laura has publicly apologized for it. Yet for some, an apology is seemingly not enough.  They want a pound of flesh—they want her punished and the punishment they have decreed is for her to resign from the RTM. Even more troubling than the public campaign seeking retribution, is the “underground” campaign that has arisen.

Anonymous letters and emails have been sent to her labeling her “filth” and calling for her to move from Greenwich.

This is despicable and this is not what Greenwich should be.Yet this is what has (unintentionally I am sure) been unleashed.

Let’s put this in perspective: Laura should not resign and Laura should not leave Greenwich. Quite the contrary. She is exactly the kind of person we want and need—one who, when they make a mistake, as we all do, is willing to admit it, apologize and move on.

Those who think otherwise should take a step back and think about what kind of community we are and what we want to be.

Only a month ago, I stood with the First Selectman at my side and told the members of the RTM that I had been very disturbed by a series of public posts that a nominee for a Town position had made attacking Democrats, liberals and a host of individuals he did not like or agree with – including people who had a lot in common with me personally.

There had been a call from many quarters for us to withdraw our support for his nomination. We did not do so.  We actually urged people to support him, not because we thought his posts were appropriate but because he apologized and wanted another chance. Laura Kostin deserves no less.

Indeed Laura’s “sin” was the one time use of an inappropriate word to describe a candidate at the end of a political race.

That in my view is far less troubling than what was at issue with the repeated public posts by a male nominee.

Yet these women who are now calling for Ms. Kostin to step down voted to forgive the Republican male for his repeated public statements that were plainly offensive to many, including me. A double standard? I do not know but I am puzzled by their acceptance of an apology for rather serious inflammatory statements on the one hand, while on the other hand rejecting an apology for a single word used at the end of an exhausting political campaign. A double standard? Perhaps. I do not know.

However, whatever the motives and thoughts of these people are, one thing is clear: while the election season is over, the next election season has apparently begun.

Let’s hope this kind of political escapade and this kind of labeling is not a harbinger of things to come. It is time to pause, take a deep breath and move on. There are enough legitimate issues to discuss without becoming sidetracked by political ploys by either side.

Sandy Litvack, Selectman

See also:

Group of Women Want Kostin to Resign RTM

First Selectman Demands Apology from Kostin for ‘Vulgar Comment’

Rendering of proposed Lincoln showroom at the site of former Greenwich Motor Sales.

On Nov 8 the Greenwich Planning and Zoning commission reviewed an application from 366 West Putnam Managers LLC and 30 Columbus Avenue Managers LLC who seek to demolish the building that was formerly home to Greenwich Auto Sales and construct a two story glass showroom for Lincoln cars.

Vintage photo of Greenwich Motor Sales which hung on the office wall until summer 2018.

For decades the Caviolas sold used cars and worked as auto mechanics at the location, which is in the GB zone. It was a family affair. Patty answered the phones kept the books and John did car repairs. Customers were greeted by John’s dog Buster, though many longtime customers remember “Angel,” the office dog who lived to 16 and more than once served in lieu of ID at the bank when Patty went to make a deposit.

The Caviolas’ grandparents started the business after World War II. Grandmother Olga was the daughter of Russian immigrants. She cashed in war bonds and grandfather Charles bought a car to fix up. Olga did the detailing and Charles did the repairs. They sold that car and bought another. After a while they made enough to fix up two cars at a time. Patty and John’s parents started their business in Port Chester and later rented a building where the Dunkin Donuts is located at 271 West Putnam Ave.

“We help you if you have a flat tire, unlike some dealer service operations that want you to make an appointment,” Patty told GFP back in 2014. “If you’re in trouble – maybe your warning light goes on that your engine is overheating or you have a flat tire – you can just pull in and we’ll help you. You can’t drive into the gas station. All they have is a gas an a convenience store.”

But for the better part of 60 years they were at 366 West Putnam Ave, having tried to find someone to move the original home that sat on the spot. With no takers, the house was torn down.

The Caviolas closed their business at the end of August.

Lincoln Showroom

The applicant, Dominic Franchella and attorney Tom Heagney said the goal of the Lincoln showroom will be to provide “an effortless experience” for customers.

Intended as a ’boutique Lincoln store,’ for sales, service and detailing. Customers will be able to drop off their cars in Greenwich for service but service will be done at the Lincoln / Ford dealership on Magee Ave in Stamford.

“We hope that 100% of people take pick up and delivery. It’s all about coming to you even with test drives. We come to your office or home,” Franchella said.

There was much discussion on lighting intrusion given the building is clad in glass.

The applicant said the lighting will be on a timer and set to turn shut off outside at 7:00pm. At night the display lights will be dimmed by 75% at 7:00pm on both floors. There are exceptions for lighting around exits.  except for safety  like exit.

Mr. Franchella said all initial prep of vehicles will take place in Stamford and that vehicle transportation trucks will be stored there as well. He said that only single car carriers will come to Greenwich and unload on site.

P&Z director Katie DeLuca said she was concerned that the applicant’s rendering indicates cars would be dropped off on Columbus Ave , which she noted is very narrow and usually has a lot of cars parked on it. It’s also the location of a very busy Chicken Joe’s restaurant.

Acting P&Z chair Margarita Alban said that was important because the commission does not want vehicles being loaded or unloaded on Putnam Avenue.

Mr. Macri said asked about signage. He said the commission hears the signage is dictated by “corporate.”

“You want it really nice with high end vehicles, please don’t screw it up with signage,” he said. “Nothing lit, spinning or flashing.”

The applicant assured Mr. Macri that signage would be limited to a monument sign, and “not be in your face.”

During the day the dealer intends to park a few cars parallel to Putnam Ave but they would not remain there over night.

The applicant said they have done environmental testing and that the site will be remediated by the demolition firm as part of the demolition process. “Before we thought about preparing this submission, that was done. People in the automotive and petrochemical industry would think of those things,” Mr. Heagney said.

As for setbacks, the applicant said they received ZBA approval for a 30 ft setback versus the required 50 foot setback in the zone.

Greenwich Motor Sales had paved the entire front of the property paved and filled with used cars, but Lincoln will reduce the overall coverage of the lot.

The applicant said they will reduce parking between the building and street from 40 spaces to six, of which three will be for display and three will be for customer parking.

Mr. Levy asked Mr. Franchella if he had financing on the property.

The property is actually two parcels in separate LLCS owned by the Caviola family and Mr. Franchella will have a long term lease.

There was some discussion about curb cuts on Josephine Evaristo and Columbus Ave and removal of a “Charlie Brown” tree and creating screening between the showroom and the residential neighborhood adjacent.

The application was left open.

The Caviolas closed Greenwich Auto sales at the end of August 2018. Photo: Leslie Yager

John Caviola working in his garage on West Putnam Ave in 2014. Photo: Leslie Yager

An early photo of Greenwich Motor Sales hung on the wall of the business until recently.

Greenwich’s Historic District Commission (HDC) meetings have never been so popular.

The past several meetings, which included request for a historic overlay for a jumbo synagogue in exchange preserving some of the historic Armory, have drawn standing room only crowds.

On Wednesday night, the HDC met in the Gisborne Room at Town Hall, and again it was standing room only.

Why has this commission emerged from semi-obscurity recently?

For months residents have spoken at POCD workshops, urging the P&Z commission to preserve historic homes and put the brakes on development.

Over the summer there was an outcry among residents against a proposed text amendment that would make possible a 30% bump in FAR for schools. Ultimately that was withdrawn by P&Z.

Then, last month the RTM voted 72 in favor and 98 against another term for P&Z chairman Richard Maitland on the grounds that he was soft on developers.

It is as though a sleeping giant has awoken and is angry at the speed and intensity of development, and redevelopment, in Greenwich.

That was the backdrop on Wednesday night as Attorney Bruce Cohen, along with architect Tim Peck and landscape architect Bill Kenny, and Greenwich Academy’s headmistress Molly King requested a favorable HDC advisory opinion and a certificate of appropriateness for their application for 96/100 Maple Ave.

(Greenwich Academy purchased 96 Maple Ave for $2,800,000 from Michael and Christopher Constas in June. Then, in August the school purchased 100 Maple Ave for $1,450,000.)

The school seeks to relocate their existing Cowan Center preschool and daycare for 60 children, as young as 8 weeks old, and up to four-years-old, plus 16 staff, to classrooms in the basement and the first floor of 96 Maple which was built in 1910.

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They also want to create three faculty apartments on the second and third floors.

“We’re willing to engage,” Ms. King said. “We’ve been meeting with neighbors.”

“I think it’s falling on deaf ears,” said Doreen Pearson who has for decades owned Stanton House Inn with he husband Tog.

“The school is very mindful of their concerns,” Attorney Cohen said of the neighbors. “We’ve come up with a robust fencing and landscaping plan. We want them to feel differently. We think it will be a nice thing.”

Cohen continued by warning that many of the issues being discussed were to be decided by P&Z, not HDC.

In exchange Greenwich Academy would repair and maintain the historic home.

Confusion arose because the house already has an existing Historic Overlay that dates back to 1979.

In 1979, the then owner of 96 Maple Ave, Harry Costas, an attorney, received a historic overlay (HO) to add a second unit to the single family home. In exchange, Costas agreed to preserve the historic home in perpetuity.

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However, between 1979 and 2018, the house was illegally converted to four apartments. In fact, a sun porch is kitted out with one of four kitchens in the house.

Mrs. Pearson said the stretch of Maple Ave from Patterson to Putnam Ave is residential, and that just because there has not been enforcement of regulations at 96 Maple doesn’t mean there should be exceptions to zoning regulations.

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“There have been no exceptions to zoning on Maple Ave in 50 years, with the exception of these schools,” she said.

Pearson said her bed & breakfast has been legally, historically non conforming since the 1940s.

She also said lower Maple Ave has “a nightmare of traffic and parking lots scattered all over the neighborhood” for Brunswick and Greenwich Academy.

Longtime Greenwich resident Ed Bloom, who owns with his wife the single family residence directly behind 96 Maple, objected to having a playground full of children just feet from his front yard.

Though he and his wife live at their other house at 92 Maple, they said they intend to move back to 94 Maple because it offers one story living.

Mr. Bloom discouraged HDC from approving the application, saying somebody else would have bought the house and made all the repairs and kept the house residential.

“Can you imagine the traffic going in and out to drop off the kids off, for service and the 18 teachers and administrators? It’s a god damn nightmare I tell you, to inflict this on our neighborhood,” he said. “But Greenwich Academy just announced to the neighborhood they’re going to tear down a four-story building on the corner of Patterson and North Maple right and make that open space, and then tear down a good repair building next to it to make parking,” Bloom said. “My god they don’t have to tear down the second building. They could put the daycare center there.”

Like Ms. Pearson, Mr. Bloom insisted the neighborhood was residential.

He said he was offended by Mr. Cohen’s description of the neighborhood having mixed use with “a large institutional feel to it.”

Also making the application complex is the purchase by Greenwich Academy of 100 Maple Ave, a deep flag lot, they seek to combine with 96 Maple.

Should 100 Maple be considered under the 1979 historic overlay for 96 Maple? The plan as proposed includes a turnaround circle in front of 100 Maple. Would that be an extension of the historic overlay?

Greenwich Academy bought the single family house at 100 Maple this summer. It is on a flag lot at the end of a long driveway behind 96 Maple Ave.

The Bloom family owns 94 Maple Ave which is directly behind 96 Maple. Greenwich Academy’s preschool and daycare playground would be right in front of this one story house at 94 Maple. T

What about the proposed playground in the house’s side yard? Would that be approved under a HO for a two-unit residential house? How about the proposed wood chip playground surface?

And what about the plan for parking, which will increase from 8 spots to 20 spots, including two spots at 100 Maple.

Would that be approved under the existing HO for a two family house?

What about ripping out the 10-foot rhododendrons and replacing them with arbor vitae? Would that be compatible?

At the end of the day, the HDC said no to all questions.

Though the HDC is advisory to P&Z, and they are not tasked with a change of use from residential to daycare and residential.

They voted unanimously that neither the landscape nor the proposed parking were compatible with the original HO for a two-unit residence.

In their decision the HDC asked P&Z for a clarification on whether 100 Maple Ave is included under the HO.

See also:

Greenwich Academy Seeks to Locate Pre School in Historic Maple Ave Home

Residents Share Putnam Ave and Greenwich Ave Likes and Dislikes at POCD Workshop

P&Z Folds on Proposed 30% Increase in FAR for Schools

Rob Mathes – Photo credit: Rob Mathes Music

Emmy winner and Grammy, Tony, and Drama Desk-nominated arranger and composer, music producer/director, and singer/songwriter Rob Mathes returns to the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, on Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15, at 8:00 p.m., and the Schimmel Center, Sunday, December 16, at 4:00 p.m., for the annual Rob Mathes Holiday Concert.

Rob Mathes is celebrating 25 years of performing his annual holiday concert and is honored to be joined this year by special guests Sting, Vanessa Williams and saxophonist David Sanborn, who will each perform a couple holiday-themed songs with Rob and the band. 

David Sanborn – Photo credit: Scott Chernis

Vanessa Williams – Photo credit: Rod Spicer

Sting – Photo credit: Eric Ryan Anderson.

Tickets are available at:

Performing Arts Center – December 14 & 15, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15, 8:00 p.m., at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College (PAC), 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York. Tickets are available online at artscenter.org or through the PAC Box Office at 914-251-6200.

Schimmel Center – December 16, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 16, 4:00 p.m., at the Schimmel Center, 3 Spruce Street, New York, New York. Tickets are available online at schimmelcenter.org or by calling 212-346-1715.

“Twenty five years ago, at a church on a hill in Connecticut, we performed the first Rob Mathes Holiday Concert,” Mathes said. “I gathered together a bunch of brilliant musical friends to play the holiday music I had written over the years, and since then, the concert has become a tradition. It has became the center of my musical year at my favorite time of year. Now we have a loyal fan base and we are celebrating. This 25th year of ringing in the holidays will be extra noteworthy with some special guests joining me on stage for a song or two. Sting, Vanessa Williams and David Sanborn will grace us with a few of their favorite holiday songs. I have been honored to work with Sting on a variety of projects, including co-producing his album Symphonicities and orchestrating his Broadway show The Last Ship. I am beyond excited that he is able to help us celebrate 25 years of performing this concert. Vanessa has been instrumental in helping launch my career and I’ve had the honor of working with her on her own holiday music. David joined us a few years ago when we taped the concert for PBS and I’m thrilled to have him back with us this year. Happy holidays. Please come celebrate with us.”

Rob is also joined by his all-star band and choir of “saints and friends.” Rob’s all-star musicians include instrumentalists from the Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and groups like the Rolling Stones, and features Will Lee (bass), Billy Masters (guitar), Joe Bonadio and Shawn Pelton (percussion), Rick Knutsen (keyboards), Jeff Kievit (first trumpet), Don Harris (second trumpet), Andy Snitzer (tenor sax), Aaron Heick (alto sax), Mike Davis (trombone), and Jeff Nelson (bass trombone). He is also joined by vocalists James “D Train” Williams and Cindy Mizelle. The concerts are a combination of rock, jazz, and blues – original tunes and holiday classics that will put the audience in the spirit of the season.

Mathes has worked with virtually every big name in the music industry, arranging, producing, directing, recording, and performing with the likes of Bono, Bennett, Sting, and Springsteen. This year is no different with Rob spending a lot of time in Los Angeles and London orchestrating and arranging the new Panic! At The Disco record Pray For The Wicked, which went number one; the continuing work on The Greatest Showman music which has taken the world by storm. He orchestrated Pasek and Paul’s beautiful songs and just did a new orchestration for the Pop companion record coming out featuring Pink and others. Rob is currently working on a project with the band Train and also musically directed and supervised a reading of a new musical by Elvis Costello. He produced a record of Sondheim material Sondheim Sublime for the wonderful singer Melissa Errico which the New York Times have recommended as a “Holiday Pick.” He also orchestrated and supervised the UK version of Sting’s The Last Ship, which garnered rave reviews and will be in Toronto in the new year. Rob also produced a record by a very gifted singer songwriter named Pete Muller.

Despite his busy schedule, Rob who is a Greenwich, Connecticut, native, returns “home” for the holidays. This year’s concert also benefits a non-profit close to Rob’s heart, the award-winning photo project, Through the Eyes of Children.

For additional information on Rob Mathes, visit robmathesmusic.com, facebook.com/robmathesmusic, or twitter.com/robmathesmusic.

On Wednesday Greenwich Police officers responded to Greenwich Country Club on a report of a past employee trespassing and refusing to leave.

Greenwich Police had previously warned Samuel Fulton, 30, of Titicus Rd in North Salem, NY, on Sept 21 to stay off the property and told him that if he did it again he would be charged with Trespassing.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Fulton had also trespassed on the property on Nov 12.

Fulton was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespass 1st degree. His bond was set at $100, which he was able to post. He was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on Nov 28, 2018.

Greenwich Police announced on Thursday that a blue drop off mailbox at the Old Greenwich Post Office was found damaged, and that a second mailbox was found tampered with in Cos Cob.

Lt Slusarz said it was  unknown whether any mail has been taken, but the US Postal Service is handling the investigation.

Residents and businesses who may have used a mail drop-off box in Old Greenwich or Cos Cob should follow-up with the recipients of their mail to confirm receipt.

Further steps should be taken to protect any sensitive information in the out-going mail and monitor banks accounts.

On Wednesday night the Board of Education voted on its officers.

While it wasn’t long ago the board was stymied in its effort to select a chair, this vote was unanimous in its choice of Peter Bernstein.

“I am thankful for the unanimous vote of support last night for another term as Chair of the Board of Education,” Bernstein said in an email on Thursday morning. “I look forwarding to continuing to work alongside Vice Chair Jennifer Dayton, Secretary Barbara O’Neill and all the members of our Board as we serve our students and the entire community of Greenwich.”

Bernstein added that the Board members are well aligned for a focus on student growth and the implementation of a strategic plan.

“Thanks to the efforts of Interim Superintendent Mayo and the administration and our dedicated teachers and staff in the schools, who are driving results each and every day, we can be proud of the success of our students and the Greenwich Public Schools overall,” Bernstein added.

The vote was 7-0. Peter Sherr, who was appointed chair by the Board of Selectmen in 2016, was absent.

Back in December of 2016, the BOE tried and failed several times to elect a chair. To successfully do so requires 5 votes out of the 8 board members. Tie votes, or votes of 4 to 3 with one abstention, did not satisfy the requirement.

One 2016 vote was 4-3-1, with Peter Sherr abstaining. A subsequent ballot again resulted in a vote of 4-3-1, with Peter Sherr again abstaining.

First Selectmen Peter Tesei said if the Board of Education failed to elect a chair with five votes out of eight, by law it comes to the Selectmen to pick one, though he said there was no record of it having happened before.

John Toner nominated Peter Sherr as chair, which Tesei seconded and despite advocating for Ms. Erickson, then selectman, Democrat Drew Marzullo voted for Mr. Sherr for a vote of 3-0.

See also:

Sherr out; Bernstein In as Chair of Board of Education. GHS Neighbors Balk at Litigation, Say GHS is “Maxed Out”  Nov 2017

Board of Selectmen Install Peter Sherr as Board of Ed Chair; Laura Erickson is Out Dec 2016

King School students had a sneak peek at the school’s weekend production of The Laramie Project on Thursday morning. One scene is a painful look back at the provocative signs that Westboro Baptist Church members waived the day of Matthew Shepard’s funeral. Photo: Leslie Yager

King School alumni Noah Fouad ’09, Michael Toy ’09, Leigh Fondakowski (head writer of The Laramie Project and a member of the Tectonic Theater Project), and Julia Bonnell ’10 talked about the impact of The Laramie Project when it was produced on campus 11 years earlier. Photo: Leslie Yager

On Thursday cast members from the King School’s production of The Laramie Project performed the first three lines, plus ten minutes from the third act of the play.

Brief as it was, it was a powerful reminder for everyone old enough to remember headlines following the torture and death of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay student who walked into a dive bar in Wyoming one night for a drink 20 years ago.

The audience however, were King School upper school students who weren’t even born when the violent anti-gay murder took place in 1998.

That said, the students are living a similar moment in history, with 11 lives taken in Pittsburgh at the Jewish Tree of Life  synagogue just two weeks ago.

Leigh Fondakowski, head writer of The Laramie Project, who collaborated with King School on the Laramie Project 11 years ago, returned on Thursday to speak to students.

Fondakowski said that after the brutal assault happened, and Matthew Shepard was left tied to a fence, his six day fight for life became a national news story that was covered by all major media outlets.

Where free speech and freedom of religion confront each other. When The Westboro Baptist Church members protested Matthew Shepard’s death because he was gay and Church members shouted slurs like “God Hates Fags,” the response from the LGBTQ community was to dress as Angels, with large wings. They blocked the protesters from view as the family of Matthew Shepard entered the courthouse for the trial of their son’s murder. The “angels” were provided earplugs to block out the shouts of protesters. Photo: Leslie Yager

“There was a groundswell of hope he would survive and it became a giant story,” Fondakowski said. “I was a young artist, 28 years old at the time, and I was working with the Tectonic Theater Project and our leader said, ‘Do we as artists have a role to play in this national conversation happening about hate?'”

Fondakowski said at the time they knew hundreds of gay people were killed every year, but Matthew Shepard’s murder was the first time the whole country stood up and said it should not have happened.

She said she was one of ten people who went to Wyoming to conduct interviews with Laramie residents, and later transcribed their interviews for a fast draft of a two-act play that ended with Matthew dying.

“We were wondering if that was the end of the story,” she recalled. “We decided to go back for the trial of Russell Henderson.”

Dr. Jackie Martino, director of the Performing Arts department at King School, had directed students in the Laramie Project in its 2007.

“It was a play about a town in crisis,” Fondakowski said. “We returned for both trials of the perpetrators and documented what happened to the town as a result of this crime.”

Fondakowski said the play premiered in Denver and then went to New York where it was not successful and closed quickly after a poor New York Times review.

“Then HBO called,” she said.

“They wanted to make a movie based on the play,” Fondakowski continued. “They wanted movie stars to play the townspeople, which was counter-intuitive. We grappled with that.”

Laramie Project Director Mark Silence addressed King School upper school students before they previewed production during an assembly on Thursday. Photo: Leslie Yager

In the end Fondakowski said her group gave their blessing to HBO knowing that millions of people would see the film.

“We thought about gay kids sitting in their towns with no access to gay people, no access to a gay community of any kind, and that they might be touched by watching that HBO film. That was the deciding factor,” Fondakowski said.

The success of the HBO production led to many high schools and regional theater groups staging The Laramie Project.

“It’s taken on a life of its own,” Fondakowski said. “It’s a testament to the Shepard Foundation and Matthew’s parents getting anti-hate crime legislation passed in Congress.”

Even though in the intervening years since Shepard’s murder, gay marriage has become legal, Fondakowski said she is still struck by how much has not changed.

“This play should feel historical and outdated, but it still feels like it could happen again tomorrow or today,” she said.

King School’s Dr. Jackie Martino, who directed the Laramie Project at the school back in 2007, said she has been busy doing outreach with parents and faculty to prepare the students students.

“The school and community has been unbelievable supportive,” she said, adding the interment of Matthew Shepard’s ashes finally took place two weeks ago on Oct 26 at Washington National Cathedral.

“I had no idea his ashes were never laid to rest because the Shepards were worried people would defame his grave and that they had to carry that fear all those years,” Martino said.

The Laramie Project will be performed at the King School performing arts center on Friday, Nov 16th at 7:00pm, Saturday, Nov 17th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, and Sunday, Nov 18th at 2:00pm.

The King School performing arts center is located at 1450 Newfield Avenue in Stamford.

Click here to reserve tickets for $5.00.

The view of Westboro Baptist Church protesters at Matthew Shepard’ funeral were blocked by members of the LGBTQ community with “angel wings” and earplugs.

In a preview of King School’s production of The Laramie Project on Nov 15, one scene included words from Russell Henderson, who received two consecutive life sentences for his part in the murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998. Photo: Leslie Yager

King School alumni Julia Bonnell ’10, Micaela Scully ’08, and Micaela Scully ’08, talked about the impact of The Laramie Project when it was produced on campus 11 years earlier. Photo: Leslie Yager

King School actors from The Laramie Project previewed a scene depicting the funeral for Matthew Shepard who was murdered by two homophobic men in 1998. Photo: Leslie Yager

Letter to the editor from Mike Bocchino, Nov 15, 2018

This is in response to Mr. Litvack’s article condoning Mrs. Kostin for her outright sad and disgusting display during the DTC election results gathering.

First and foremost, as I write this letter at 5:oopm on Nov. 15th, I have still not received a phone call or had any in person interaction with Mrs. Kostin.

So in fact I have not had the courtesy of an apology from Mrs. Kostin.

Most individuals who subscribe to Mr. Litvack’s ideology may think that a Facebook or social media post is sufficient, for those of us who grew up in Greenwich and many others who were raised to have values and a conscious, its important to take responsibility for your actions by facing the person that you publically defame and apologize.

Who doesn’t remember your parents dragging you to a neighbor’s house to apologize for calling their child who probably was your best friend, a name or breaking a window while playing baseball? We dealt with our poor decisions at the time face to face and we moved on.

It’s obvious those days are gone and the double standard now applies in Greenwich.

For Mr. Litvack to write such a letter condoning this behavior (and lets not kid ourselves he is) and shifting the blame to a group who was angered and insulted by the action is completely shameful. Maybe his lovely bride Joanna Swomley, the leader of the indivisible group, was the ghostwriter since Mr. Litvack, who is supposed to be serving as one of our selectman, is never in town.

How about you start doing the job you were elected to do and serve our town instead of contributing to its division?

As for Mrs. Kostin, Keep your apology it wouldn’t carry any weight now as it is. But let’s just think about this, could any of the residents of Greenwich imagine if I were to be the one that said this about Mrs. Kostin or my opponent Mr. Meskers (who unfortunately for the 150th district didn’t have the courage to denounce this type of rhetoric and has still remained silent).  I would have been National news and probably had paid protesters marching outside my house and harassing my kids at school.

I am surprised however that the President wasn’t somehow blamed for this. The double standard is alive and well in Greenwich.

It is being utilized by yes Mr. Litvak, I’m sad to say, Democrats, Liberals, Indivisibles and a Socialist agenda to serve their rhetoric as evident by the room full of applause and laughter when it was said. Anything it takes and we don’t care who gets hurt along the way.

It doesn’t matter if they have a family and children who have to ask their mother what the word “douche” means. Neither I, nor anyone else will change the mindset of those who hate. But together we can make a difference. We can stop the divisive nature of our wonderful town. We can allow our children to be friends and be free thinkers. We can pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off when things don’t go our way without the need of counseling. We can support those elected to office even though we didn’t vote for them. We can be nice. We can be civil towards one another. We can be respectful to each other and their beliefs. We can be role models for our children and their friends.

We can show up to Veterans events that honor our heroes. We can give our time to those that need it. We can stop spreading false truths and lies about one another. Most of all we can be the Greenwich Community that we once were, one of grace, dignity and respect.

Put the world away for a minute and lets return to the community that was united and would help one another at the drop of a hat.

Let’s be reminded of the school norms our children are asked to live by everyday:
• Be Here
• Be Safe
•  Be Honest
• Care for Self and Others
• Let Go and Move On

I think its time we started to practice these as well. Lets start with the latter and let’s let go and move on.

Mike Bocchino, State Representative 150th district.

On Thursday night Greenwich Schools interim superintendent sent an email to families asking them to check the schools website and local media for the status of school opening Friday morning, November 16.

“When I made the decision this morning to remain in school for the full day and to cancel after school and evening activities, the forecast was characterized as a winter storm advisory, with less than an inch of snow predicted for our area,” Mayo said. “Believing that students and staff would be well on their way home or already safely home as the heaviest of the storm hit, I decided we could proceed with a full school day. ”

Unfortunately, Mayo said, later in the afternoon, the forecast shifted to a winter storm warning, and it was too late to dismiss early.

Mayo said some buses were stuck in the traffic, and District administration worked with Greenwich Police and the bus company to ensure all students arrived at their destination safely or were reunited with their parents.

“We apologize if we caused students, staff or parents concern or put you at risk in any way,” Mayo concluded. “Please know that my primary concern is for the health and safety of our students and staff.”

#GivingTuesday is coming up on Nov 27 and the Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation has some wonderful news to share – to coincide with the philanthropic movement.

The Foundation has pledged to support to help fund the restoration of Greenwich Point’s historic Chimes Tower, built in 1901 as part of the Chimes Building.

Through this partnership with The Greenwich Conservancy, the physical chimes and their intricate mechanisms will be restored to their melodic glory and will honor Emily Fedorko’s life, being named “Emily’s Chimes.” Additionally, a new water safety center will be established at the Chimes Tower, in partnership with the Foundation, to educate the community about the importance of water and boating safety.

The Foundation has launched a Facebook Fundraiser leading up to #GivingTuesday, and are encouraging the community to help support the Foundation’s pledge to fund the project.

Those interested in donating are encouraged to do so on Facebook at: http://bit.ly/ChimesforEmily

Letter to the editor submitted by Augusta Perrin, Phyllis Behlen, Robert Brady, Joanna Swomley, Kenneth Greenberg, Rommel Nobay, Lori Jackson, Lucy Krasnor, Jeffrey Stewart, James Thomas, Joseph Smith on Nov 15

In this ‘new era’ of politics, one thing that stays the same is people make mistakes, and people apologize. Whether they are allowed to move on with their lives seems to be up for debate. Laura Kostin made a mistake last week. She said something unkind about Mr. Bocchino while conceding to Mr. Camillo, and has since apologized.

On election day a retired Greenwich resident was videotaped having an early morning temper tantrum, ranting at a Greenwich Democrat about sign placement. He called all Democrats scumbags among other things. He has since apologized, and the video has been removed from social media.

While he was in office, Mr. Bocchino made a classless ‘joke’ about rapes being the hallmark of a good college party. He apologized and kept his elected position.

It would seem that while we can forgive Republican men for their mistakes and their words, the town of Greenwich must clutch their collective pearls and come after Ms. Kostin to demand apologies and concessions with the full weight of the office of the first selectman before setting her adrift on an iceberg to ‘think about what she’s done.’

The woman used a naughty word. She apologized. Put down the rotten fruit, douse the torches, and let this be a teachable moment before she winds up in stockades in front of town hall.  If this is truly the worst thing that the local GOP has heard, we have an Access Hollywood tape that will have them reaching for the smelling salts.

Signed
Augusta Perrin
Phyllis Behlen
Robert Brady
Joanna Swomley
Kenneth Greenberg
Rommel Nobay
Lori Jackson
Lucy Krasnor
Jeffrey Stewart
James Thomas
Joseph Smith

See also:

Melillo: Is the Golden Rule Universal or Just a Political Weapon?

Bocchino on Kostin Comment: I’m surprised Trump wasn’t blamed for this.

Litvack: Shock and Horror over “Douche” Comment are Politically Motivated

First Selectman Demands Apology from Kostin for ‘Vulgar Comment’

Up to the minute Greenwich property transfers Nov 7-9, 2018 

403 Sound Beach Ave

403 Sound Beach Ave from Ramy and Kristan Saad to John Unger on Nov 7, 2018 for $3,200,000

37 Montgomery Lane

37 Montgomery Lane from David Oxman Trustee and Phyllis Oxman, Trustee to Phyllis Oxman on Nov 7, 2018 for $1,700,000

7 Richmond Drive

7 Richmond Drive from Mark Califano to Syed Hussain on Nov 8, 2018 for $900,000

134 Indian Head Rd

134 Indian Head Rd Riverside from Joseph Dowling III and Diana Dowling to Richard McVey on Nov 8, 20218 for $12,050,000

136 N Water Street

136 N Water Street from Andrea Vojt Budner and Jeannette Vojt Zboray to Nicola Arpia on Nov 8, 2108 for $629,000

321 Sound Beach Ave

321 Sound Beach Ave from William and Marci Featherston to Betsy Bernstein on Nov 9, 2018 for $1,975,000

29 High Street

29 High Street from Thomas and Matthew Bocchino to Timothy Lyons on Nov 9, 2018 for $675,000

134 Cat Rock Rd

134 Cat Rock Rd from Gordon and Susan Coburn to Mark Maletz on Nov 9, 2018 for $3,000,000

58 Ridge Street

58 Ridge Street from 58 Ridge Associates LLC to Joseph L Dowling III on Nov 9, 2018 for $3,550,000

See also:

No Favorable HDC Recommendation for Greenwich Academy’s Daycare at 96/100 Maple Ave

Free Design Symposium to Feature Award Winning Panel 

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers Nov 5-6, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, Nov 1-2, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, Oct 29-31, 2018

Historic District Commission Wants Historic Armory “Drill Shed” Preserved, Not Demolished

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, Oct 25-26, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich property transfers, October 22-25, 2018