Westport Welder, 93, Builds Tribute To Donald J. Trump
A recent construction detour in Westport forced me to take an unexpected turn onto some unfamiliar turf. What I found along the way was simply amazing.
Not only is the scenery on the backroads of Westport an eye-popping experience, but there is usually enough going on to fill all of the senses. This is farm country, after all, and that means cows and horses and all that comes -- and goes -- with it.
There was still enough autumn color on the trees on this sunshiney afternoon to make you appreciate being a New Englander.
And then, there was, seemingly out of nowhere, a tribute to Donald J. Trump.
On Charlotte White Road stands a collection of twisted, welded, painted metal figures and shapes, the creation of 93-year-old Trump devotee welder Roger Chandanais.
Chandanais has operated Last Stop Auto and Welding at that location since 1969. He and his son, 62-year-old Rick Chandanais, are big Trump supporters. They have been since Trump first declared for the presidency in 2015.
Unfortunately, Roger Chandanais was not around when I visited, but son Rick, who learned to weld when he was 8 years old, tells me his dad is hard at work in the shop making a new 6-foot-tall Trump figure to add to his roadside collection.
Rick says, "Trump was doing great when he was in office." He and his father plan to vote for Trump again should he run in 2024.
I asked Rick if the Trump tribute has received any pushback from the neighbors, and while he didn't answer directly, he did say, "I don't care what the neighbors think."