News and Events

Bob Zappi, Chairman of the Westport Republican Town Committee (RTC), has announced that the Westport Republicans will host their First Annual Autumn Soiree and Silent Auction on Sunday, October 7th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Ave., Westport.

The guests of honor include Westport’s candidates for Board of Finance Charlie Haberstroh, Ed Iannone, Alan Phillips, and Stewart Reifler; Board of Education candidates Sandy DeFelice and Michael McGovern; Planning and Zoning candidates Helen Martin Block, Michael Krawiec, David Press, and Tim Wetmore; Zoning Board of Appeals candidates Bill Harris and Elizabeth Wong; and Board of Assessment Appeals candidate Garson F. Heller, Jr. The event will provide an opportunity to meet Republican candidates seeking election to local boards and commissions in November. Other invited dignitaries include Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays, State Senator Judith Freedman, and Westport Selectman Robert Lasprogato.

A Silent Auction will take place which includes a weekend getaway at the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas in a 2,400 sq. foot, 3 bedroom suite with an ocean view; sporting event tickets; baskets of wine; jewelry; restaurant gift certificates; and many more wonderful and exciting items. Live music will be provided by The Bob Lasprogato Trio. Wine and cheese and other refreshments will be served.

Tickets to the event can be purchased in advance for $35 per person or $50 per couple by calling Desiree Soli at 400-2773 or by mailing your check made payable to the Westport RTC with reservation information including name, address, phone, e-mail and number of tickets needed, to the RTC Silent Auction, P.O. Box 601, Westport, CT 06881. Event sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information, contact Desiree Soli at 400-2773 or Shayne Phares at 259-8623. Proceeds for the event will go towards supporting local candidates and activities

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RTC Chairman Bob Zappi	RTC Vice-Chairman Tim Wetmore

WESTPORT REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE
ELECTS BOB ZAPPI NEW CHAIRMAN

WESTPORT, June 26, 2007 –Pete Wolgast officially resigned as Chairman of the Westport Republican Town Committee (RTC) at a special meeting held on Monday, June 25. The RTC immediately accepted nominations for the office of chairman and unanimously elected current Vice-Chair Bob Zappi to serve out the remainder of Mr. Wolgast’s term which ends in March 2008.

Mr. Wolgast has served as RTC Chairman for 8 of the last 10 years. Mr. Wolgast cited family, civic, and philanthropic commitments as the reason he is unable to continue as Chairman of the RTC. “Bob Zappi has made outstanding contributions to the organization during the last two years. He will bring in fresh ideas and renewed energy to the RTC. Bob works well with people, has exhibited good judgment and will make a fine chairman. He has my full support” said Pete Wolgast.

“Pete is to be commended for his many years of dedicated service to the RTC and Town of Westport. I am very grateful to him for the time he spent mentoring me and thankful that he will continue to serve as a member of the RTC,” remarked Bob Zappi. “Under Pete’s leadership we adopted a series of guiding principles that will be the foundation of our activities moving forward.”

Bob presented three examples of these principles for the RTC members at this meeting. “We will continue in the moderate and bipartisan leadership exhibited by our Republican Governor, Jodi Rell. We are Westporters first and encourage the free exchange of ideas, spirited debate, and compromise that are crucial parts of the democratic process that allow us to make the decisions on how best to lead our town.”

“We maintain our support of the school system which is among the town’s most prized assets. It is after all a primary reason why so many families choose to make Westport their home. Special thanks go out to Republicans Jo Fuchs Luscombe and Tammy Pincavage. They led the Schools’ Building Committee during the recent school construction project. In the future we will look toward continuous improvement as a strategy to deliver high quality education”

“Members of the RTC will continue to stress fiscal responsibility which is not simply a function of spending less. Republicans on of the Board of Finance regularly collaborate with the Democrats and various Town Departments to find ways to identify cost savings and improve processes. For example, several RTC members attended the school contract negotiations and actively participated in recommending improvements to the Town’s audit process.”

Zappi is the founder and CEO of Catalyst, a firm that provides marketing services to Fortune 500 companies. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at New York University and a former Managing Director of the Marketing Corporation of America. Mr. Zappi is involved in several Westport activities and organizations. He and his wife Cathy have lived in Westport for 19 years and have two teenage sons who have attended Westport pubic schools since kindergarten.

Following the election of Mr. Zappi to the office of Chairman, the Westport RTC elected RTC member and Westport Planning and Zoning Committee board member Tim Wetmore to the office of Vice-Chairman. Mr. Wetmore will serve out Mr. Zappi’s term until RTC officer elections in March 2008. Tim and his wife Lorraine live in Westport and have three children.The Westport Republican Town Committee consists of 40 members who are elected at caucuses by registered Republicans in the eight Representative Town Committee districts in January of even numbered years to serve two year terms. The main responsibility of the Republican Town Committee is to select the best candidates to run for public office and then to provide assistance to the candidates in electing them to office. The Town Committee meets at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, usually at the Westport Town Hall.

WESTPORT, January 24, 2007 -- Renowned futurist and business consultant John Krubski spoke to an enthusiastic group on ENGAGING ACTIVITST CONSUMERS, which is based on a landmark research project of over 10,000 respondents identifying what motivates Americans as customers, citizens, and individuals. According to Krubski, “ACTIVIST CONSUMERS are the future of commerce in America and businesses that don’t understand how to deal with Activist Consumers run the risk of becoming irrelevant in a world where the rules of engagement are defined by the customers.” Referring to the unique data which his company has compiled, Krubski defined the four types of Activist Consumers: Advocates (true believers and proponents), Sophisticates (interested in THE BEST of everything), Mechanists (bent on manipulating the system to their own benefit), and Indulgents (who buy what they want whether they can afford it or not); and he offered strategies for engaging each key Activist Consumer group.

The presentation was well attended at the Peppermill Restaurant on Tuesday, January 23. Alan Booth of Westport extolled “Hats off to a great meeting of the minds” and he was “inspired to do more.” Ed Iannone, also of Westport, stated “It’s easier to find the time for events such as this when I remind myself how important is to step back and sharpen the saw.”

The Entrepreneur and Small Business Leadership Series sponsored by the Westport Republican Town Committee consists of periodic gatherings focused on issues and information important to Westport residents who are entrepreneurs and small business owners. The gatherings will provide a forum for discussion sparked by presentations from notable speakers, and will be an opportunity for attendees to network with other local entrepreneurs.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) announced today the Westport Fire Department won a $152,306 Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security. The funding will go toward protective clothing, safety gear, and fitness and wellness programs.

"Our first responders put their lives on the line every day. It's critical to give them the tools and training they need to do their jobs and remain healthy," Shays commented. "I'm grateful for this support from the Department of Homeland Security."

"Westport is grateful for the granting of this federal assistance for our firefighters which will improve the safety of all Westporters. The monies will be used to purchase new air tanks, turnout gear, and other equipment," said Gordon Joseloff, Westport First Selectman. "After several failed attempts in recent years at securing federal funding--and spending increased taxpayer dollars to improve the safety of our first responders and residents--we are appreciative of the funds provided by the U.S Assistance to Firefighter Grants."

"On behalf of all of the members of the Westport Fire Department, we are pleased to be the recipients of a grant of $152,306 from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighter Grants Program," said the Westport Fire Department's Assistant Chief Gene Maloney. "The long, somewhat arduous effort to obtain these funds resulted from the efforts of members of all ranks within the department to assess the department's material needs. This assessment was performed in order to provide an immediate solution to our Personal Protective Equipment deficiencies and to strengthen Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety in the future. "

The funding will support the purchase of new gear, including:
· new breathing apparatus air tanks to replace tanks that have exceeded their service life;
· protective coats, pants, hoods and boots to replace old, torn and tattered turnout gear;
· Vehicle Intercom Systems to provide firefighters hearing protection while enhancing communications ability; and
· equipment to improve the department's established employee wellness program.

"Acquisition of the equipment funded by the Assistance to Firefighter Grant will enhance the ability of the Westport Fire Department to fulfill our mission to provide the highest level of protection and services to those in need," added Maloney.

The primary goal of the AFG is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. For additional information please access the following link: http://www.firegrantsupport.com

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This is a periodic series focused on issues and information important to Westport Residents that are Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners. This event will provide a forum for discussion sparked by a presentation from a notable speaker with expertise in areas important to this group.

“Art of Persuasive Communications”
Thursday, March 15th
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The breakfast event will take place at the
Peppermill Restaurant on Post Road in Westport and admission is free-of-charge.

Keynote Speaker:
Jerry Doyle

For more information about Jerry Doyle go to www.commcoreconsulting.com

Those interested in attending should contact
Cathy Walsh by email at cawalsh6@optonline.net
to register for the event.

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Introducing an Entrepreneur and Small Business
Thought Leadership Series Sponsored by the
Westport Republican Town Committee.
This will become a periodic series focused on issues and information
important to Westport Residents that are Entrepreneurs and
Small Business Owners. This event will provide a forum for discussion
sparked by a presentation from a notable speaker with expertise
in areas important to this group.

The inaugural event will be held on
Tuesday, January 23rd 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The breakfast event will take place at the Peppermill Restaurant
on Post Road in Westport and admission is free-of-charge.
Those interested in attending should contact Cathy Walsh by email at cawalsh6@optonline.net to register for the event.

Keynote Speaker:
John Krubski

About John Krubski

For additional information and an invitation please contact
Cathy Walsh by email at CAWalsh6@optonline.net