Melissa Kane Naimed Chairman of Downtown Steering Committee

A news release issued Friday afternoon from the First Selectman's Office:

First Selectman Jim Marpe this week formally appointed Westport resident Melissa Kane to serve as the new Chairman of the Downtown Steering Committee (DSC).

Ms. Kane is a current member of the DSC and has been serving as the Chair of the Outreach and Communications Sub-Committee.

Ms. Kane will replace Dewey Loselle who has assumed a new full- time position as Operations Director for the town.  Mr. Loselle will continue to serve on the DSC as the Selectman’s representative in an ex-officio (non-voting) capacity and will continue to provide assistance to the Chairman and the Committee.

Mr. Marpe said:

“I am pleased to appoint Melissa to this important position leading our town master planning effort. Melissa is a current member of the DSC and has long been involved in town affairs having recently served on the RTM and various other town organizations and committees.

"She has worked closely with Dewey over these last several months and is well versed in the details of the planning effort. She has demonstrated her skills and project management capabilities.

"In particular, she has also shown she is a good listener and has the ability to work well with people and with a diverse board. I have every confidence that Melissa will continue the project on the successful trajectory set by Dewey Loselle.”

Jessica Newshel Also Appointed to DSC

In addition, Mr. Marpe announced that Jessica Newshel will be joining the DSC with the movement of Dewey Loselle to ex-officio status. Ms. Newshel was a member of the predecessor Downtown 2020 planning committee.

Mr. Marpe stated, “ I was glad to be able to re-engage Jessica. She is a certified planner who brings a wealth of public and private sector planning experience to the team. She will be a great asset and contributor.”

On Monday night, June 30, the Downtown Steering Committee will be holding another “Visioning Workshop” in the McManus room of the Town Library from 7 to 9 p.m.

All Westporters are encouraged to attend and give their views on Downtown. Everyone is also encouraged to complete the “Downtown Citizen Survey” which can be found at the DSC’s website, www.downtownwestportct.com .