Hillary Clinton knocked her convention speech into the mile high night. A big game performer is right. She did what Barack needed and more. Best speech she ever delivered.
What’s it like to attend a presidential political convention? A half dozen or so Bridgeport pols, including Mayor Bill Finch and his wife Sonya (a Hillary Clinton delegate), sojourned to Denver to take in the light air, intrigue and anticipation leading to Barack Obama’s formal nomination.
I imposed on Bridgeport City Council President Tom McCarthy to share a flavor for the convention atmosphere. His report, from the convention floor, follows:
Writing to you live from day 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. I am currently listening to Rahm Emanual, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He worked closely with Diane Farrell and currently with Jim Himes in their runs for Congress in the 4th district. This is my second Democratic Convention. I went to Boston 4 years ago. It is incredibly exciting to be here. You have a feeling of being part of history. Hillary Clinton is scheduled to speak tonight and there is a huge buzz in the Pepsi Center. She has a lot of support among the Democrats here. I think the press has blown the division in the party issue out of proportion. The large majority of Clinton supporters (of which I am one) that I have talked to are completely behind Obama. I think Hillary’s speech will go a long way to unifying the party.
A few impressions of the convention:
1) Security: the level of protection for the convention is impressive. There are multiple layers and perimeters one has to go through before you get into the arena. They check your credentials mutlpile times and even have a check for counterfeit credentials. It is like getting on an airplane multiplied by 10.
2) Denver: this is my first time in the Mile High City. It is a very welcoming place. Friendly, clean and very new. The downtown looks like it was all built in the last few years. There seems to be a very active downtown. The most interesting thing from a City Council perspective is the light rail system. It is a very impressive, yet simple system to get people in and out of downtown. What is most interesting is that the rail runs a distance in Denver that is similar to the distance between Bridgeport and Stamford. That has led to a few interesting conversations among myself, Mayor Finch and Mayor Malloy of Stamford.
3) Taking advantage of opportunities: Mayor Finch grabbed me last night and pulled me into a conversation with a well dressed gentleman. Finch introduced him to me as a high ranking official in the US Department of Transportation. Well, Finch and I proceeded to lobby hard for federal money for the Congress Street bridge. Will it lead to any money, who knows, but being at the convention leads to opportunities to talk to people who make decisions important to Bridgeport.
I am going to sign off now. While writing this there have been many great speakers. I am excited and deeply honored to be here at the Democratic Convention. I, also, am more sure than ever that we need to elect a president that cares about issues that affect cities like Bridgeport. That is why I am voting for Barack Obama.
Tom McCarthy
Party Time
Hey, everyone, mark your calendars. The next OIB party will be September 25, 5:30 p.m. at Captain’s Cove Seaport. I’m inviting all candidates so we can torture them a little. No speeches. Just fun and a chance to schmooze the candidates. First drink is on OIB. We’ll also have munchies.
And one more thing, it’s the first day of school. Good luck to the kids, teachers, administrators and Superintendent of Schools John Ramos.
Caroline delivered a message from Camelot. Teddy cranked up the crowd. Michelle Obama reached out to Hillary. If you’re a Democrat, irrespective of a Hillary or Barack fan, Monday’s kickoff to the Democratic National Convention had a little for everyone.
Tonight is Hillary’s night. Somewhere out there, Republican operatives are sticking needles in Democratic voodoo dolls hoping for a burp to continue this media-fanned divide between Hill and Barry. The production wizards are churning out television spots with every minor gaffe to try to widen the divide. Remember those Biblical words, paraphrased by Abe Lincoln, a house divided cannot stand, or something like that; well, John McCain has so many of them he cannot recall how to divide them. Nice problem to have. Methinks we’ll see a television spot on that too.
I couldn’t help think about the good time Mayor Bill Finch was having at the convention. Bird Man’s love for Kennedy politics inspired his first run for public office more than 30 years ago. Mention Kennedy politics to hizzoner, and you better pull up a chair for a romp through Camelot Country.
Interesting that the two combatants in one of the highest-profile congressional races in the country, Republican Christopher Shays and his Democratic opponent Jim Himes, have both decided to bag their respective party conventions to squeeze in extra campaign time at home.
Talk about fun. The two had a spontaneous debate Monday morning when the congressman decided to interlope Himes’ press conference denouncing lack of action on the long-dormant Congress Street Bridge connecting the East Side to downtown. Two ways to look at this from a strategic perspective: Shays wanted to get in his two cents because he felt his position on the bridge was being distorted. The potential downside is his appearance could turn a so-so story into something much larger while boosting the stature of his opponent.
Speaking of crashing parties, Shays is hosting a fundraiser today for Republican State Senate candidate Milton Johnson at the congressman’s home in Black Rock, 37 Beacon Street at 5:30 p.m. Milton says all OIB readers are welcome. What you want to donate is up to you. I wonder if Jim Himes will crash? It’s a great view of Black Rock Harbor.
Hey, what gives with the mayor calling a special meeting of the City Council — with the mayor, Chief of Staff Adam Wood and City Council President Tom McCarthy all at the convention in Denver — to talk about the boot-finder program to aid collection of motor vehicle taxes? The council wasn’t even asked to do anything. So Councilman Bob Walsh decided to give city bean counters the boot on Steel Point. With the $4.5 million the city plugged into the budget from Steel Point revenues now in jeopardy, Walsh wants to throw out the current developer and restart a selection process. That’s not going to happen; not any time soon, at least. But the short-term question remains: how does the city close the budget gap if the Steel Point moolah doesn’t come in?
Answer: light a few candles, say a few prayers and boot a whole lot of vehicles!
In 1971, Mayor Hugh Curran responded to a budget deficit by instituting a separate mini-tax in an election year. He was defeated by Nick Panuzio, the first Republican elected in more than 40 years. In 1988, with the city’s fund balance freefalling beyond control, Democrat Tom Bucci appealed to the state for help. The state allowed the city to use its good credit to go into the bond market to raise a cool $50 million to erase the red ink and leave a little in reserve. For the privilege of the state assistance, the city was shackled with a state oversight board whose state mandated charge was to make sure city budgets were in balance.
The next year, Bucci was defeated by Republican Mary Moran, first woman mayor in history. In 1991, the city’s budget blew again and this time the response from the mayor was a federal bankruptcy petition. Wall Street, throwing a fit, revoked the city’s credit worthiness, leaving the city unable to raise capital for road, bridge and school improvements. The state opposed Moran’s court filing. A federal judge threw out the bankruptcy petition.
In November of 1991 Democrat Joe Ganim defeated Moran and the city enjoyed a 10-year period of tax and financial stability. The Financial Review Board packed its bags in 1995. Key to Ganim’s success was negotiating millions of dollars in union concessions, including zero pay increases and unpaid furloughs, and a governor, Lowell Weicker, heavily involved in making sure the city survived. Under Weicker’s direction, the state bought Beardsley Zoo, bought Beardsley Park, took over maintenance of the train station, built a new Housatonic Community College, moved the Troop G State Police barracks from Westport to downtown, and more.
Ganim got a lot done for the city. His downfall was doing too much for himself.
John Fabrizi took over in 2003, fought his own personal demons, and decided not to seek reelection in 2007.
Bill Finch, promising to cut taxes $600, ended up raising them by roughly $600 in part because Fabs’ revenue projections ran short. Finch, nine months into his mayoralty, has a mess on his hands that threatens action of the Bucci bailout 20 years ago. Overtime is chaotic, revenues this budget cycle appear overly optimistic, the Steel Point development projected to generate $4.5 million this year is teetering from a bleeding economy.
The Bridgeport City Council met in special session Monday night, in what several observers said was a waste of time, to hear city bean counters update them on the city’s flagging boot finder program for motor vehicle tax collection. Finch and City Council President Tom McCarthy, enjoying themselves at the Democratic National Convention, did not attend.
How bad are finances? Really bad, from what I’m told. City Councilman Bob Walsh, after listening to the bureaucratic froth, got right to the point: what gives with Steel Point? Should the city remove the $4.5 million it budgeted this year for Steel Point revenues? Economic Development official Ed Lavernoich suggested that some of the money could come in, but not the entire amount. That raises an interesting question. If there’s a change to the the Land Disposition Agreement approved by the City Council in 2007, must it come back for legislative approval? It should.
If the city cannot make good on the Steel Point loot, the budget will blow.
Let’s hope for the best. Maybe we can borrow some of it from Barack.
Hey, maybe OIB’s legendary guitar slinger Bridgeport Kid is ready to release his new tune Bridgeport Finance Blues. He will appear with Nardy Boy on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Chef’s Table, 1561 Post Road, Fairfield and also with Nardy Boy on Thursday evening at 10 at the Green Room, 3442 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport. No cover for either performance. Support The Kid and spread the word about OIB. I’ll urge Joe Celli to show up and throw tomatoes.
Bridge Fight
The fight between Congressman Christopher Shays of Bridgeport and his Democratic opponent Jim Himes has officially begun. What if you throw a press conference and your opponent crashes the gig? That’s what happened late this morning when Himes and officials from the mayor’s office and City Council used the dormant Congress Street Bridge as a symbol of Shays’ lack of local priorities.
As Himes and company finished speaking to the media for the scheduled press event on the East Side of the bridge, Shays showed up to say if it’s a priority for the mayor’s office and City Council, it should be placed on top of the list by local officials such as the Seaview Avenue corridor project and intermodel transportation center downtown, projects Shays has helped on a federal level.
It was the first time Shays has ever crashed an opponent’s press conference, prompting Himes to wonder, hey, does this mean I can attend your press conferences?
Shays said he showed up because Himes was using the bridge as a divisive issue and distorting the facts. They also had a mini-debate with the media present regarding timelines to leave Iraq. Himes has been critical of Shays’ support of the war. Shays supports a timeline pullout that begins late 2009.
The Congress Street Bridge was also an issue during the city’s mayoral campaign last year. The Fabrizi administration received a state commitment for a portion of the funding, but the city is millions short of the number for a new bridge. The closed bridge cuts off access from the East Side to downtown, forcing vehicle use of other bridges.
Himes supporters were thrilled that Shays showed up to his press event. Maybe we can call it their first official debate. Stay tuned. Himes news release below:
HIMES CALLS FOR RENEWAL IN CONNECTICUT
Democratic Candidate calls for a new focus on priorities here at home
BRIDGEPORT, CT: Jim Himes, Democratic Candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District, appeared with Bridgeport city council members in front of the Congress Street Bridge in Bridgeport today to highlight his campaign call for a refocusing of priorities away from Iraq and towards investing in Connecticut. The Congress Street Bridge has been stuck in the open position for years.
“For years, just like this bridge, Chris Shays has been stuck in the wrong position on the issues that matter to our families,” said Himes. “The choice in this election is crystal clear: we can either continue down the road of the last eight years of failed Bush-Shays economic policies, or we can start to refocus on the priorities that really matter to our families - finding energy solutions, giving families middle-class tax relief, and making sure all our children have access to a quality education. We need to change who we send to Congress if we want to see real change on Congress Street, and in all of our communities.”
“Chris Shays is paying more attention to Iraq than Connecticut.” said Michael Sachse, Himes’ Communications Director. “Every election season, we hear lots of excuses from Chris Shays, but we never see any results. Jim Himes is going to Washington to get things done.”
The blonde banshee from Black Rock is in the Pol Pod. Ten days after knocking off Robert Keeley, the longest-serving legislator in Bridgeport’s history, we caught up to Auden Grogins who spent the past 10 days recharging the banshee cells for the November general election when she’ll face Republican Phil Young.
Grogins pulled off what a lot of people said couldn’t be done. She out-hustled and out-messaged Keeley with a blistering door-to-door campaign and searing direct mail avalanche.
Taking out an incumbent in a primary is rare. Keeley was the only one in Connecticut vanquished on Tsunami Tuesday. OIB chatted with Grogins by phone Friday afternoon. She talked about the road to winning the primary and what to expect in the general election. {running time: 5:14}
Solid As Barack
Barack Obama’s camp didn’t waste any time responding to Christopher Shays’ cable ad linking the congressman to the hope of the Democrat and the straight talk of Republican John McCain, whom Shays has endorsed.
“Barack Obama has strong, positive vision for America and a long record of bipartisan accomplishment, and we are pleased that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the House,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. “However, in this race, the good people of Connecticut should know that Barack Obama supports Jim Himes and believes Himes is the candidate who will bring the change American families need to Washington.”
I’m excited. OIB will give you a front-row seat for the Shays-Himes steel cage match.
Count On Mount
OIB friend Michele Mount, candidate for State Representative for the 112th District, which includes Monroe and a part of Newtown, will host a Sunday kickoff campaign event at Democratic headquarters, 415 Main Street in Monroe, from 3 to 6pm.
Monroe Democrats will welcome Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Comptroller Nancy Wyman, 4th district Congressional candidate Jim Himes, 22nd Senatorial district candidate Anthony Musto, First Selectman Tom Buzi, along with former Selectmen Karen Burnaska, Andrew Nunn and Newtown’s Herb Rosenthal.
Mount is challenging Republican incumbent DebraLee Hovey. Mount served as Bridgeport’s legislative director in the General Assembly before resigning to devote her full efforts to the race.
Mount, who has qualified for Connecticut’s public financing, will use the opening of the Democratic Headquarters as a fund- and food-raiser for Project Warmth and the Food Pantry. All residents without regard to party affiliation are asked to stop by headquarters and make a donation to Project Warmth, or the Food Pantry. The Pantry needs: coffee, vegetable oil, canned fruit, Parmalot or shelf-stable milk, crackers, canned chicken, juice, spaghetti sauce, shampoo and conditioner.
Congressman Christopher Shays’ air campaign has begun with an introductory cable spot that shares the “hope” of Democrat Barack Obama and the “straight talk” of Republican John McCain. Translation: whomever you support for president, I’m safe. I can work with either.
It’s an interesting strategy. Rather than running from the liabilities of either candidate, or embracing entirely the candidate (McCain) Shays supports for president, the Shays campaign is attaching the congressman to the values that make Obama and McCain attractive to their supporters respectively. The Shays spot appeals primarily to independent voters that will decide his fate.
Shays’ Democratic opponent Jim Himes introduced his first cable spot more than a month ago. So far, in this Congressional race that is being watched nationally because Shays is the last standing New England Republican in the House of Representatives, both camps are taking a high road approach. Two years ago at this time, Shays’ opponent Diane Farrell was airdropping bombs on Shays for his support of the war on Iraq. Her effort came up short. I suspect the rhetoric between the camps will heat up following the respective party conventions.
The major difference between this race and 2006 is that it appears the economy will be taking center stage.
See the Shays commercial here.
Johnson Takes On Gomes
Milton Johnson, a city police officer that waged an independent run for mayor last year, officially kicked off his Republican campaign for state senate against Democratic incumbent Ed Gomes. The district takes in the lower and eastern portions of the city and a piece of Stratford. Johnson, a good guy, is taking on one of elder statesman of the Democratic Party with strong union credentials and a major registration advantage. Key for Johnson waging a competitive battle is qualifying for Connecticut’s public funding that would allow him to spend 100K. See Johnson’s press release below:
Milton Johnson says “Enough is Enough” Bridgeport & Stratford Citizens deserve better
Come November Bridgeporters will be at a crossroads but the signs will clearly direct them away from danger. They’ll warn Bridgeporters against going down the familiar path of destruction and off the side of a cliff. For years the policies of the Bridgeport state delegation have failed to produce policies which benefit Bridgeporters as well as the residents of Stratford. Yet the incumbent Democrats have gotten re-elected time and again. Legislators such as Ed Gomes have led to high taxes, electric bills, and gas prices, also loss of jobs, and stagnant population and economic and business growth.
Citizens of the 23rd District today are prepared to go down an unfamiliar route where hope and common sense prevail. Milton Johnson, who is running for State Senator against the self-serving ruling party in Bridgeport says enough is enough. The Law Enforcement officer says he’s prepared to do the right thing for Bridgeport and Stratford residents if they are willing to go down the road less traveled.
Johnson supports lower spending and taxes, a clear departure from the actions of Ed Gomes. Johnson says, “I will support more electric power generation, consider nuclear power generation, lowering of the gas tax, and the writing of policies that put more emphasis on the development of Connecticut’s urban centers. I believe if residents of the 23rd district just look at the rocky road they’ve been down they will be willing to give a qualified alternative candidate a chance.”
“My opponent hopes that Bridgeporters don’t realize who has put them in the situation the city now finds itself, I believe my fellow citizens are smart enough to vote for change. Change that means considering alternatives to high gas taxes and government spending.” Johnson believes the Bridgeport taxpayer is looking for a Samaritan to pull over to the side of the road and provide real assistance. Enough is enough vote for change, vote Milton Johnson.
Has anyone met the city’s new Economic Development Director Don Eversley? What’s going on with Steel Point? What happened to the Canyon-Johnson project, ballyhooed by Earvin Magic Johnson, in the South End? Does anyone know how to play this game?
I don’t know Eversley, a former development official in Providence post Mayor Buddy Cianci, but if his goal is performing the finest Claude Rains act on the planet he’s doing a mighty fine job. I prefer he reprise Rains’ Captain Renault role in Casablanca. Round up the usual suspects.
That means introducing yourself to the community - City Council members, business interests, political leaders. Maybe even whiners like me.
Hey, I know, we’ll invite him to the next OIB party I’m planning for late September. If we see an unaccompanied drink floating around we’ll know the invisible director’s there.
Yes, I’ve heard about some family health issues he’s been dealing with, I’m not insensitive to that. But Eversley should have been paraded at a meet and greet within days after his hiring announcement.
Eversley seems to have a credentialed background. The development office has been rudderless (to no fault of development staff) since Bill Finch’s inauguration last December 1. That’s because the mayor turned Nancy Hadley, Johnny Fabs’ director, into a lame duck, despite Hadley getting some things done. Told her she was being replaced. That’s not unusual, new mayors generally want to hire their own development person. Then it took the city eight months to find a replacement.
The city’s on the precipice of a major financial meltdown, the likes of which it hasn’t seen since the early 1990s. Part of the solution, short and long term, is a nimble development director that can guide the city’s higher profile projects to completion.
The Donald watch is on.
Speaking of Steel Point, OIB poster Eddie Palmieri took me to task for not highlighting State Rep. Andres Ayala’s mega win over Lydia Martinez on Tsunami Tuesday. No argument here. Ayala, former City Council president, was not crazy about some of the details passed in the Steel Point development deal regarding working wages, etc. The union effort to pull out the vote for Ayala was enormous.
Baldwin Plaza Party Tonight
The Downtown Community Council Presents:
The Downtown BeePo Hillbilly BBQ on Baldwin Plaza @ 6:30pm
Music by The Long Goodbyes (Rockabilly)
and DJ Cletus “Cougar” Rodgerson
Movie: Jesco White: Dancing Outlaw
Grub: Elvis’ Special Recipe Baloney BBQ
What the frig! I’m getting whiplash from all these deficit-surplus numbers. When the state legislative session started in January the state was looking at a modest surplus; then, we learn, we’re in a deficit, then a larger deficit and then - get out the razor blades - a massive deficit. Now we uncover this morning that we have a cool $70 million surplus again, and maybe higher.
Republicans in the legislature, swiping a Democratic issue, want to earmark the moolah for winter fuel assistance, a pitch they will make at a special session scheduled for Friday. (How can the Dems not go along with that?)
Me, let’s give the whole damn surplus to Bridgeport. Let’s replenish the libraries, fund the overtime deficit in the police department, juice the schools with a huge infusion. Let’s build a new bridge to Pleasure Beach. Considering the current one burnt 12 years ago, that’s not asking too much. A chicken in every pot, that’s what I say.
Let’s commission LeRoy Neiman to craft a revolutionary portrait of P.T. Barnum so Mayor Bill Finch doesn’t borrow the one hanging in the Bridgeport Public Library for his office. Let’s pay off Sal DiNardo’s back taxes. (Wouldn’t Sal love that?) Let’s buy back the Connecticut Post from the scoundrels at Hearst and make it a family newspaper again. Paging Betty Pfriem!
Let’s give the state’s largest city everything it was promised before the budget went in the crapper. Let’s use the $70 million to bribe (did I use that word?) the entire legislature into retirement, leaving only the Bridgeport delegation to carve up the spoils to an $18 billion annual budget (or whatever it is.)
Good gravy, whom among the city’s legislative delegation would you entrust with all that scratch? I say State Rep. Chris Caruso…cannoli for everyone! And let’s throw in a gelato festival for OIB friend Con Filardi.
Because, if something’s not done soon the city’s getting another state-mandated financial review board.
Okay, now that I’ve validated my financial incompetence, what would you do with the state surplus?
Shoeless Joe
What’s your take on a McCain-Lieberman ticket? I don’t think that’s going to happen. Right-wingers, pro-lifers and gun-control haters would blowtorch McCain at the GOP convention. Joe did the smart thing during all this speculation…he got the hell out of the country.
