Educator Faith Sweeney was selected to lead the 13-member Charter Revision Commission during its organizational meeting Friday night. A public hearing for community input has been scheduled for March 10, 6 p.m. in City Council chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace.
Committee member and regular OIB commentator John Marshall Lee shares this report.
These were brief observations I offered in print for the fellow Committee members last evening. Eleven of the thirteen were present at the two hour meeting where a committee chair, Faith Sweeney, vice-chair, John Hosier, and Secretary, Rev Terry Williams were elected. Many members of the City Council were present from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM for the initial meeting. A draft report is due from the group by June 16, 2025.
Comments on City of Bridgeport – Charter Review Process
As we gather for our first meeting, I am pleased to meet each of you, as a fellow Bridgeport resident and citizen who believes that as Americans, we have duties as well as rights. A City Charter is a way of structuring the ‘public power’ of each citizen to ensure safety of person, the security of property and a promise of opportunity to future generations .The combined power of each informed and capable adult citizen resides in leadership from a Mayor; legislation and representation from 20 City Council members, an assortment of other officials for whom we currently vote (without perhaps understanding why); and broader public opinions that we may not inform nor educate as an important part of the “power pyramid”. Open, accountable, transparent, and honest values must show.
I am a thinker on subjects that are likely called ‘politics’ but which I reference as ‘governance.’ After reflecting on the rules of law, observations on what may be missing in the operation of our community, I have regularly addressed the City Council in Public Speaking sessions, with comments published in City archives.
In my opinion, our Executive branch has adequate “power” to do the things expected of it, but perhaps too little organization and structure to fully accomplish them well.
The City Council has far less budget, voter support, and framework relative to its current structure than the Executive branch and oversight without enforcement power, creates ongoing power vacuums.
Public opinion force has diminished through the years. Polarization of people from Internet popularity rather than professional journalism and media leaves too many ill-informed as to facts, data trends, or professional opinion. How do we heal the interests of public opinion such that registered voters trust officials, become better informed, and vote at each opportunity so that all of us know in aggregate what each of us has come to know and trust?
Do we have enough time for an independent review and report by June 16? I do not know but I believe that TIME WILL TELL as it always does. John Marshall Lee 2/28/2025
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/bridgeport-ballot-election-fraud-pam-bondi-ct-20196026.php
Top priority: Two-year mayoral terms! Four-year terms allow for “short memories” and a related terrible lack of accountability (too much time to “play games”)… Two-year terms were the rule when Bridgeport was prosperous…
Jeff Kohut, JML didn’t have one word to say when the subject of “time” was raised. The Commission’s members aren’t willing to spend more than X amount of “time” during the very short life expectancy of the Bridgeport Charter Revision Commission. I didn’t take long for, “time” to tell.
“…I am pleased to meet each of you, as a fellow Bridgeport resident…”
BULLSHIT! This is what really happened: The meeting adjourned and as I reached the front desk, John Marshall Lee was about 10 feet ahead of me when I said and asked, ” Look it’s JML, can I take a picture?” I took him about four (4) seconds to get into his car and take off. I guess he had no “time” to record/recall an important moment (his first commissionship) with a photo. No, Robert Teixera, JML doesn’t know how to take a selfie.
Joel G “time will tell” is a phrase that you fail to understand. As a matter of fact JML was the only commission member to share a viewpoint with assembled members on Friday night. Within the last paragraph I raise the issue of the Charter process limited time to function. I do not know how much can be accomplished and neither do OIB readers at this moment.
But Lennie Grimaldi saw the message that I had provided to Charter reviewers and thought it might be “newsworthy” for his readers, as well and reposted it in the body of this entry. Joel was conversing with one other person, camera ready in the lobby of City Hall and challenge me with “Look it’s JML..” and time my exit. At my age I cannot get down the steps at City Hall in 4 seconds, much less stop for a picture that holds up a Friday supper after 8PM.
Perhaps “selfies” are more important to Joel than considering how whatever he posts is beneficial to the common good or purpose in the City? All of us still enjoy First Amendment ‘rights’ that include speaking and listening and moving on or gathering. Time will tell.