Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, April 3, 2016
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as
noted
Former School Superintendent Margot
Desjardins announces her candidacy for School Committee.
Now Is The
Time To Prepare, Become a Safer Boater.
Dedee
Shattuck Gallery opened its 2016 Season on Wednesday March 30th with Works on
Paper.
‘Cake Craft’ 9th Annual
BCC/Skills USA Cake Show & Competition.
Bill Harkins most experienced to
serve on Westport Board of Health.
Westport selectman Richard Spirlet speaks
out.
To the Editor: Residents express
support for Phil Weinberg for Board of Health.
|
The project helps conserve habitat
for the rare sea run brook trout, protects water quality, and expands public
recreation opportunities at the Herb Hadfield Conservation Area. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 A
conservation partnership between the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Westport Land
Conservation Trust (WLCT) has led to the conservation of 50 acres of forests
and wetlands to help preserve some of Westport's unique and threatened
sea-run brook trout habitat. Historically,
sea-run brook trout could be found in coldwater
streams all along the southern New England coast. However as a result of
coastal development, Angeline Brook in Westport is one of only a handful of
these streams that still exist along the coast from New York to Cape Cod.
Protecting the natural forests and wetlands that surround Angeline Brook is key in On
March 28, 2016, the project was completed when the Coalition and WLCT
protected two neighboring properties totaling 50 acres of land along Angeline
Brook. The properties run along Cornell Road in Westport. Inset: summertime photo of Angeline
Brook.
Submitted photo The
properties will be owned by WLCT, as an expansion of the Herb Hadfield
Conservation Area. The Buzzards Bay Coalition coordinated the project,
securing the contracts to purchase both properties as well as raising over
$165,000 in federal and state grants and private contributions. In addition,
the Mass Department of Fish & Game will hold a conservation restriction
providing an extra layer of protection and The Trustees provided funding to support
the project. "The
Coalition is proud to partner with the Westport Land Conservation Trust to
make this project a success," said Coalition President Mark Rasmussen.
"Angeline Brook is one of the Buzzards Bay watershed's most important
resources for native fish. This project is part of our ongoing commitment to
protecting these rare, coldwater streams; for the
fish, of course, but also for the people of Westport and for clean
water." "Adding
50 acres to the 100 already preserved as the Herb Hadfield Conservation Area
and more than 500 acres of protected land within the Angeline Brook
vicinity is a great step forward in the conservation story of
Westport," said Ryan Mann, Executive Director of WLCT. "We
are glad to have worked with the Coalition on this project and look forward
to additional projects in the future. Together, with the help of so
many, we are protecting what makes Westport so special for generations to
come".
Photo | EverythingWestport.com © March 30, 2016 Former School Superintendent Margot Desjardins announces
her candidacy for School Committee. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 My
name is Margot Desjardins and I am a candidate for a seat on the Westport
School Committee.
The
schools have seen a lot of change in the past three to four years. Now
we need to pull everyone together to reassess who we are and where we want to
go. We have work to do. I am ready to hit the ground running.
My
education includes a Master’s degree in Education, a Certificate of Advanced
Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership, and a law degree. A
Department of Education Review Team recently evaluated our school system
including the area of school governance. They found that our school committee
could be more effective if it focused on big picture issues rather than
getting bogged down with day-to-day management decisions best left to
administrators. I agree with that assessment. The school committee’s
job is to create a map of where we want to go, approve a budget that will get
us there, and hold the superintendent accountable for making progress toward
the goals they have set. I believe I have the insight and background to
make a positive contribution to move our school management team in that
direction. If
elected, I would advocate for the consideration of goals such as: to achieve
Level 1 status at all schools, improve teacher retention and teacher
satisfaction, market our high school program to better compete with private
schools, create high school career oriented electives in coding and software
applications, improve the quality of the school committee public access
broad-casts, upgrade the high school’s network infrastructure, and so much
more. I am
sure that parents, students, school councils, parent organizations, and staff
will have no trouble brainstorming additional suggestions. Whatever the
consensus, a goal driven committee would provide the staff and students with
structure and stability to move forward as a school system and as a community
of lifelong learners. Our students deserve no less. I
respectfully ask for your support and your vote. Now Is The Time To Prepare, Become a Safer Boater. The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have
saved the lives of over 80 percent of the hundreds of boating fatality
victims each year. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 Spring
is currently upon us and the Boating season will soon follow. Now is
the best time to take advantage of Safe Boating training.
The
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is reminding boaters to take a boating education
course now before the season rush. First District Northern Region
boating statistics in 2015 clearly show the importance of wearing life
jackets and taking a safe boating course. Because
of the high demand for training Coast Guard Auxiliary units around the
country conduct boater education courses year-round. Westport
Flotilla 6-18 will be offering a Safe Boating Course entitled ‘About
Boating Safety.’ Enrollment is now open and all interested boaters
ages 12 - Adult. They highly encourage to attend: About Boating Safety – April 12,
2016 Westport Fire Dept., 54 Hix Bridge Rd., Westport Tuesday evenings – 7:00 – 9:00
p.m. Course Fee - $35.00
This
is a 7 week training course and a certificate will be awarded upon successful
completion. For more information or to enroll – email Frank MacKinnon,
lead instructor at lazydaze4@verizon.net
or visit their website. “It’s
extremely important to get the Safe Boating message out,” said Marshall Ronco, Auxiliary District Captain. The Coast Guard
Auxiliary has provided safe boating classes since the beginning in
1939. Their purpose then, as it is now, is to improve recreational
boating by living up to the slogan "Safe Boating is No
Accident." Click here for 9 boating safety tips
that can save the lives of novice and experienced boaters alike. Enroll
today, seating will be limited. The
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a uniformed volunteer component of the United
States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's
Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's
missions.
Above: Frank MacKinnon, Lead - Public
Education Instructor, Flotilla 06-18 Westport, photographs navigational aids
for chart updates, Westport Harbor. Photo | by Marshall A. Ronco,
PA1 Dedee
Shattuck Gallery opened its 2016 Season on Wednesday March 30th with Works on
Paper. Six printmakers illustrating the diversity of the printmaking
practice. Works on Paper | Lyell Castonguay, Henry
Ferreira, Elizabeth Ferrill, Megan Foster, Joanathan Palmer, Brian Shure. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 Exhibit
runs Wednesday, March 30th - Sunday, May 1st; Artists' Reception: Saturday,
April 2nd from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Visit
their website
to order a catalog online!
Above: Brian Shure, Boulders Beach
1, 2014, spitbite aquatint on gampi
chine collé, 8" x 12" Boulders
Beach Series Co-published by David Krut Projects in
Johannesburg and their New York Gallery. Dedee Shattuck Gallery is pleased
to present Works on Paper, the debut exhibition for our 2016 season. This
exhibition features a variety of printmaking techniques and thematic
explorations by six different printmakers living and working throughout the
region and across the country: Lyell Castonguay,
Henry Ferreira, Elizabeth Ferrill, Megan Foster,
Jonathan Palmer, and Brian Shure.
Above,
left: Elizabeth Ferrill,
Border #15, 2015, Pochoir, 8"
x 8". Right: Henry
Ferreira, Rock Barrier 1, 2012, Screenprint,
47" x 35". All of
the featured artists in Works on Paper investigate some aspect of basic human
behavior. Each describes experience, either real or imagined, by examining
the self and one's relation to the natural world, by seeking knowledge
through detachment or communal participation, or by isolating specific
imagery that represents the constructed, material world. Dedee Shattuck Gallery is located
at 1 Partners Lane, Westport. Gallery hours are Wednesday - Saturday 10:00
a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Artists'
receptions and exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more
information about this exhibition, to arrange an interview with the curator
or the artists, or to obtain additional publicity images, please contact the
gallery directly by phone or e-mail. ‘Cake Craft,’ 9th Annual BCC/Skills
USA Cake Show & Competition. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfRaspX39cA
2013 EverythingWestport.com video!
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the
Commonwealth Center (G Building), Bristol Community College, Fall River. Bill Harkins most experienced to serve on Westport Board
of Health. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 To The
Editor:
Waste
management, affordable means to update septics to
reduce the total daily maximum load (TDML), setting
regulations for population growth while protecting the character, fragile and
vulnerable rural environment of Westport are just a few of the issues on the
agenda. A solid Board of Health whose course is set to protect our town
and ensure its ability to prosper is key. Electing
Bill Harkins to the Board of Health will complement the existing strengths of
a dignified Board whose tasks determine our future. This election is incredibly
important to the future of Westport.
The difference between urbanization or protecting and prospering in
our beloved rural town hangs in the balance.
If we don’t begin protecting all the resources that are the
attraction, we will be just another town. Please
join us April 12th and vote for Bill Harkins Board of Health. Samuel
Riley and Kristie Furrow Westport Westport selectman Richard Spirlet speaks out. It is the opinion of this selectman, and the Westport’s Board of
Selectmen, that it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid exposure to risk
(marijuana), and protect citizens’ health. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 If
Westport were to legalize marijuana, it would send a message in the
community, and especially to our children; that the drug marijuana is acceptable.
Drugs are addictive, even though marijuana is considered a ‘soft drug’, it is
still addictive. The use of marijuana usually leads to the use of ‘hard
drugs’, which is why it is called a ‘Gateway’ drug. It is the opinion of this
selectman, and the Westport’s Board of Selectmen, that it is in everyone’s
best interest to avoid exposure to risk, and protect citizens’ health. During
my thirty-six years in law enforcement, many of those years in the Narcotic
Unit, it is my belief that the repercussions of marijuana use have social
ramifications which increases the burden on law enforcement, as well as negatively
affects our environment. Marijuana is
a mind altering drugs which can affect memory and emotions, renders an
individual unable to think logically or to make rational decisions, and can
lead to dependency. Statistically,
some of the social consequences of marijuana use are the dramatic increase in
drugged-driving incidents, fatal crashes, and marijuana among teen’s results
in educational problems in middle and high school. These are just a few reasons why I will
always oppose the recreational use of marijuana.
“It is confusing to me why a
country that has spent billions of dollars educating the public on the
harmful effects of smoking is now asking the populace to consider legalizing
marijuana; which will make the possession and use of marijuana legal under
state law, even though marijuana is an intoxicant, proven to be dangerous to
adolescents with regular use, as well as to adults who are addicted to its
calming, high-producing chemical, THC.” – Richard
Spirlet Outdoor
marijuana cultivation creates a host of negative environmental affects that
is not best for Westport and our farm lands. These grow sites affect
wildlife, vegetation, water, soil, and other natural resources through the
use of poisonous chemicals, toxic insecticides and fertilizers which are used
to protect the crops from insect damage, ward off or kill rats, deer,
rodents, and other animals that could cause crop damage. However, these
poisonous chemicals pollute the land and contribute to food chain and water
contamination. The size and scale of
the negative environmental impact marijuana cultivation can have, is far too
dangerous to entertain in Westport; as I believe if marijuana were legalized
we would begin to see individuals attempting to create grow sites on their
property. It is
confusing to me why a country that has spent billions of dollars educating
the public on the harmful effects of smoking is now asking the populace to
consider legalizing marijuana; which will make the possession and use of
marijuana legal under state law, even though marijuana is an intoxicant,
proven to be dangerous to adolescents with regular use, as well as to adults
who are addicted to its calming, high-producing chemical, THC. I understand the reasoning behind the
medicinal purposes of medical marijuana; as this drug assists in the
treatment of diseases and painful symptoms.
However, it would not be in anyone’s best interest to have marijuana
readily available and easy to obtain for non-medicinal purposes. While
taxing marijuana could generate some revenues, it is my opinion that the
economic and social costs of drug use and its consequences far outweigh any
benefit gained from any revenue it would generate. It could not keep pace with the financial
and social costs associated with this harmful and mind altering drug. Case in point is the economic realities of
other substances, as the tax revenue collected from alcohol pales in
comparison to the costs associated with it. While
many communities are facing serious budget challenges, innovative solutions must
be explored to reach financial stability.
It is clear that the social and environmental costs of legalizing
marijuana or the revenue it would generate is not the answer to keeping
citizens safe from risk and potential sorrow.
Richard
Spirlet Westport
Selectman Editor’s
note: Mr. Spirlet is running for
re-election the Westport Board of Selectmen. To the Editor: Residents express support for Phil
Weinberg for Board of Health. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, April 3, 2016 We want
to express our strong support for Phil Weinberg, who is running for the Westport
Board of Health. Phil’s personality and
experience qualify him uniquely for this role. He is thoughtful, fair, independent and
open-minded. He has a long history of
public service, including many years developing fact-based, common sense
solutions to environmental problems. One
of his most impressive traits is his ability to listen, a trait which he
exhibits both professionally and personally. Phil
is also adept at understanding the fine print in legal standards and drawing
practical, reasonable conclusions based on those standards. He has been and will be an independent
decision-maker, resolving each matter that comes before the Board based on
the law and on what would be fair in the individual case. Phil Weinberg
is a great choice for Westport. Jean Rosiello Steve
Ouellette Michael
Segal Cathy
Dunham Jim Whitin Jack
Reynolds James
Dorsey Wendy
Dorsey Westport,
MA To the Editor: In my opinion, the town is lucky to have
the chance to elect Shana Shufelt to
the Board of Selectmen. EverythingWestport.com Sunday,
April 3, 2016 I had
the pleasure of serving on the Finance Committee with Shana Shufelt for five years. She brought youth.
She brought new ideas. She brought a business-like approach that
facilitated an effort to look objectively at what the problems were and
determine what it would take to deal effectively with them. Her
leadership skills and her background in finance and software management made
her an effective Chair of the Budget Advisory Group, where she worked with
representatives from the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.
The town has now seen her at work as Chair of the Finance Committee,
including at Town Meeting where she has presented the Committee’s annual
financial report and where she served at one point as Assistant Town
Moderator. In my
opinion, the town is lucky to have the chance to elect her to the Board of
Selectmen. I ask you to join me in voting for Shana on April 12. John
Miller Westport,
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