One of the joys of the holiday season is expressing our gratitude for the people and places that enrich our lives. I am so grateful for this vibrant community - the residents, business owners, town employees and volunteers that make Westport so wonderful.
It’s truly amazing to see how far we’ve come since this time last year! Our arts and cultural organizations are back to pre-pandemic levels with plays, concerts and shows, and our amazing residents are out in force supporting their fundraising efforts.
We continue to welcome new residents and business owners who, like many of us, chose Westport because of all it has to offer. They bring new energy and enthusiasm to our already vibrant community.
Our restaurant scene and local businesses are thriving, and our residents are taking full advantage of Westport’s many recreation facilities like Longshore, Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach, where a new jetty was installed this year.
Of course, we can all agree that the resulting traffic issues are less than ideal, but I am happy to say that the newly created Traffic Safety Unit of our police department is working on providing some much welcome relief.
Projects to reinvigorate our green spaces, like enhancing Longshore and reconnecting the riverfront to downtown, are also currently underway. We know how important it is to ensure our special town amenities stay relevant and continue to exceed the expectations of our residents and visitors. Very exciting times! For more on these initiatives, please visit www.westportct.gov/parksandrecreation and www.downtownwestportct.com.
As First Selectwoman, it is my goal to ensure that Westport continues to be the best place to live, work and play in the region, where everyone feels that they belong. From the day I moved here 14 years ago, I knew that Westport was a special place. Today, I am especially thankful for how our community came together to face the many challenges of the past year with good humor, kindness and support for one other.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!
Jen Tooker
First Selectwoman, Town of Westport
