by Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — I’d be remiss in not issuing a brief note of introduction, so let me simply state, “Welcome to Westport Journal!”

People have made it clear to me — a veteran journalist who’s covered the town off and on for decades for different publications — that they’re starved for the kind of news website that WestportNOW once was.

While valiant attempts are made to meet the surprisingly vast information needs of this very unique community — and particular praise goes to Dan Woog’s vital & ubiquitous 06880 blog — there’s clearly ample room to shed more light on the myriad functions, faces and facets that constitute our little town.

In the coming months WestportJournal.com hopes to explore and explain a great range of topics vying for people’s attention — among them various zoning and planning issues, downtown development, school reopening questions, social issues, traffic and more — all couched within the drama of upcoming elections …

We also hope to devote ample space to other aspects of life in Westport — art, sports, entertainment, history, culture and more …

My personal goal is to bring a sober lens to each story we present … While it’s going to be impossible to cover everything worth exploring here, our editorial team will strive to make engaging choices that we hope will interest & truly augment our readers’ lives.

Many of you already know me, but I invite everyone to reach out with queries, questions, quips or quality content suggestions at Press@WestportJournal.com.

A native son who ultimately returned to raise my own children here, I’ve spent the greater part of my life in Westport. It will now be my honor & joy to take part in this worthy endeavor … Cheers!