Mike Marella made his return to the City Council Monday night replacing long-time councilman Bob Curwen who resigned from the city’s legislative body several weeks ago citing family health issues. Marella was a key figure on the council in the 1990s during the Joe Ganim mayoral years. He was a council spearhead for the establishment of the Bridgeport Bluefish professional baseball team.
Mayor Bill Finch praised the return of Marella with whom he served on the council for 10 years, including his work helping a public-private partnership for the creation of the Bluefish, building of the ballpark at Harbor Yard, as well his long service as the executive director of the Police Activities League.
Finch delivered the oath of office to Marella who was cheered by roughly 30 supporters. “The city has tough times right now but we’ll get through it,” Marella said from his council seat. “But right now I’m the new kid on the block and I have to catch up with what’s going on.”
Council members overwhelmingly approved Marella’s return. East End Councilman Andre Baker was the lone vote in opposition. City Council President Tom McCarthy appointed Marella co-chair of the Contracts Committee.
A number of OIB readers have questioned Marella’s residency on the city’s Upper East Side, the district he represents, after moving out of the city several years ago. Marella last month registered to vote in the city. McCarthy, with Marella present, told OIB Marella produced several documents validating his residency on Huntington Turnpike including utility and cable bills.
Before the council meeting about 50 people filled the steps of City Hall at a rally organized by the Republican Town Committee protesting the mayor’s $520 million budget proposal currently before the City Council. GOP Town Chair Slater and two-time Republican mayoral candidate Rick Torres were joined by political and neighborhood activists, including Democrats and independents, opposing the mayor’s spending plan and proposed 2.5 mil tax increase that represents a roughly $400 tax hike for the average city homeowner.
In response to the Republican rally the mayor’s Communications Director Elaine Ficarra issued a statement:
“It’s a shame that when such progress has been made in the City of Bridgeport during the past five years–restoring credibility and financial stability to City government, and expanding economic development–that the local Republican party leaders would continue to work to latch on to misleading and inaccurate national “trend” stories to divide our residents. The Governor’s current budget proposal would mean an $11 million loss in revenue to the City of Bridgeport. Mayor Finch’s prudent but sustainable submitted budget has held the line on spending in every possible way, while recognizing the formidable challenges posed by a potential loss of $11 million in revenue. The Mayor has urged city residents, and so should the Republican leaders, to unite in contacting their state legislators to demand they find a better way to cut the state’s budget rather than trying to balance it on the backs of city residents.”
Communications Director Elaine Ficarra, is she for real? I understand spin but she needs a drug test when she said, “It’s a shame that when such progress has been made in the City of Bridgeport during the past five years–restoring credibility and financial stability to City government, and expanding economic development–that the local Republican party leaders would continue to work to latch on to misleading and inaccurate national “trend” stories to divide our residents.”
Ficarra is the first person who should be cut!
No progress, no credibility and jeepers creepers, no economic development. And … by the way Elaine, tonight’s protestors were Republicans, Democrats, Working Family and Independents. Your mayor has divided this city, not the residents. BTW, how many residents on the mayor’s bloated staff? Not you.
*** Most of the city resident employees work either for the unions or are part-time workers, all making about $30,000 a year or less. Wonder where Ms. Ficarra lives and pays her taxes since she makes her money in Bpt. And how many events, performances or dinners does she attend in Bpt that are not job related or free with all this economic development going on in the Park City? ***
Picture caption should be:
Look at the rich white people holding signs.
Gee Chosen 1. Be careful. You might give the impression you are a racist. Certainly you are not rejoicing in a tax increase. Mary-Jane Foster as well as others were the voices of the people who sat home on their asses doing taxes or watching Dancing with the Stars. I appreciate their efforts and DISGUSTED with your unnecessary racially charged comment. You either can afford more tax increases or you do not pay taxes and therefore are clueless or perhaps you just work for the City and live outside Bridgeport. You should be embarrassed by your comment.
No Stevie, not racist, just wondering why no other ethnicity is represented in that picture, they do also pay taxes.
Stop starting fights Stevie, get a job. You have too much time on your hands.
I am on my break at work, so guess what??? I do pay taxes, and to the city where I live, Bridgeport.
Not starting a fight, Chosen 1. I did not make the comment. By identifying the lack of minorities you are insinuating they do not pay taxes. That is how I interpreted the comment. I found it disturbing.
Looks more like the Black Rock Day Parade than a protest.
And Walker only recently moved here yet he complains louder than anyone and lives in a house that is almost a mansion. Walker if you can’t afford to pay the taxes on that, MOVE … I feel bad for the people of the East End and the East Side who are having trouble paying their taxes and their rent.
That, Mr. BlackRockGuy, is called getting it.
PS Stevie, I said BlackRockGuy, do not try to spin this into a racial word.
Lololol
Why isn’t the whole city there protesting not just the Black Rockers, does anyone else pay taxes besides them?
Where were you, Chosen 1? And you do ask a great question: Where were the minorities? There were in fact some fine upstanding folks of color in attendance, complaining because they could not get their peeps to come down to City Hall last night.
So if the tax does not increase and these folks are successful, guess what? You have these so-called rich white folks to thank for it. You are welcome.
It’s time to stop the racist BS. You are boring us.
There are two blacks in that photo. If you did not read OIB you probably would not know about this rally. You keep mentioning rich white people, this is not the first time you have done that and probably will not be the last.
The lack of a large minority turnout is not surprising, if the minority community were active we would have a minority mayor and we don’t. The question is where are the black and Hispanic ministers? If you don’t know I will tell you, they are in Finch’s back pocket.
Not doubting that for a second, Mr. Fardy, and I could not possibly agree with you more.
Were you there?
I think Mojo coined the proper phrase, “Zombieland.”
Thank you Mr. Baker for voting no. To Mr. McCarthy; let me tell you something. I can produce tax bills, utility bills and other documents with my name on it for a residence in Massachusetts. But that doesn’t mean I live there. It doesn’t give me the right to vote there or to represent the people there. I believe the requirement to sit on the city council is you must live in the district. Hate to tell you this, but there is a HUGE difference between subletting an apartment and putting a few utilities in your name and actually living there. Wake up and get a clue!
Putting Marella and Steve Stafstrom on the council is an insult to the people of those districts. We had no voice in putting Stafstrom on the Council yet there he is … And once again Sue Brannelly is doing the work of Finch yet the amen choir many of whom were at this demonstration were applauding her work to close down massage parlors when there are far more serious problems facing our city.
Thank you Andre Baker for being the only stand-up person on the council. The other 18 members of the council can Kiss My Ass, you are all a disgrace.
Yesterday we had a terrible terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon and not a word on this blog. Are we that hardened?
Also suffered the loss of Fred Lovegrove without mention on OIB. It would have been nice to get together to celebrate his life at the Bridgeport Casinos.
I had the pleasure of serving with Sen. Lovegrove; while we found ourselves on the opposite ends on most political issues, we were able to get along great personally. The ability to separate our differences from our friendship always meant a lot to me. He will truly be missed, my deepest condolences to his family.
Walker is more worried about his taxes … ditto for Rick Torres who thinks people who are struggling to support their families on minimum wage don’t deserve any kind of increase to make their lives just a little bit better.
I told you many times, Steven Auerbach is odd.
Lololololololololololololol. yahooy are you serious or just a pathetic example of humankind? It is nice to call me odd. I have heard worse. Even if it were not warranted. Like Chosen 1 you are very brave behind an incognito handle. I can only hope I do not know any of you personally. Maybe it could make for a lively conversation.
ahahahahahahahahahole.
To the people in the picture, instead of talking to yourselves on here or standing in front of our City Hall holding signs talking to each other with the people of the city not hearing you, why not put your efforts into finding qualified individuals who can run for COUNCIL and make the changes you WHINE about with no one listening all these years?
Chosen 1, what are you doing to find qualified candidates to run for City Council? What about John Gomes as a council candidate?
And why may I ask, Chosen, do you think the people in the photo are not on the hunt for potential qualified Council people?
Have you taken a one-minute intermission from the racially charged, enraged and entitlement-oriented movie that is going on in your head to step forward and possibly attend a meeting, event, or even try to use your powers for good?
What have YOU done?
You Bond Girl are a sick person, there’s nothing racial, enraged, or a movie in my head. You would make a good fiction writer.
The most deluded never seem to know they are living in a fantasy world. Yes Chosen, you are a racist.
And I am not surprised you don’t understand the “movie in your head” comment. You wouldn’t. I am sure everything that is beyond your intellectual reach seems “sick.”
Why is it when a group starts to organize to make citizens aware of how their tax dollars are better allocated–and showing up and making public noise–trolls come out to attack and point out what they think is wrong? This group in the photo is made up of volunteers–citizens with real-world experience in dealing with government tax dollars, budgets of both corporations and charitable trusts, and have some solid solutions to contribute. Not every item on their ideal way to allocate funds will be implemented, which is the way it should be in a democracy. Why are a loud, angry few of you Hell bent on undermining those willing to stand in front of the cameras, speak on the record, it keeps those on the fence, on the fence–and not stepping forth to see what they can do to help make changes–to improve this city. You want to know what is sick? The way this city is run. Get yourself out of your mother’s basement, off the computer and out in the fresh air and get to know face to face in real time these people you attack. You just might be shocked to find they have your best interest in mind, and a solid plan to help everyone in this city.
Really Black Rock Barb, you think an obnoxious bag of hot air like Walker has the interests of ordinary citizens at heart? He has done nothing but bash rank and file union members not to mention people who are critical of him, people who paid his ridiculously high salary.
I would think that’s a question better suited for you to ask, Mr. Grimaldi. I bang my head and work an overnight shift to pay my taxes as my house value hits the skids. I know certainly I am not qualified to be on a council. I like Mr. Gomes a lot, but I’m in no position to ask him any questions, sir.
Thank you Ann and Andy for acknowledging Andre Baker’s vote against seating Mike Marella. Without even knowing Councilman Baker’s reason, i.e. if he had asked for a written legal opinion, asked for copies of documents, opposed it on principle due to residency questions, as a former member of the City Council who occasionally went out on a limb, I know it can get difficult and lonely out there. And as the other 19 or so members demonstrate it is a lot to go along than stand alone.
Here is Councilman Baker’s contact info from the city of Bridgeport’s website.
Give him a call, drop him an e-mail, thank him even if he is not your council representative. I can assure you these kind words will be greatly appreciated.
Andre F. Baker (D)
985 Stratford Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06607
(203) 334-3876 Res.
Andre.Baker@bridgeportct.gov
UpData:
Ripka’s Market is moving in. The Arcade’s lobby is clogged with buffet tables waiting to be placed inside. CREATE HERE NOW, the state’s pro-business initiative, is moving their clients into previously vacant storefronts in The Arcade, too.
Frenchtown Road is the scene of new construction for the Lake Forest clubhouse. Tradesmen are completing inside work. Hint: it’s green and bigger than before.
I know it’s polite to smile for the camera, but why are the people in today’s top photo seemingly thrilled at the prospect of a tax increase?
BlackRockGuy, thank you. I think you got David Walker 100% right the way he makes himself when he bashes rank and file union members not to mention people who are critical of him, people who paid his ridiculously high salary.
*** The 50 or so people who took the time to stand and/or carry signs of protest at city hall should be commended for doing more than just talking the talk. Wish there were many more citizens out there sending the message of displeasure with Bpt’s city government but this city’s not called Zombieland for nothing, no? Myself, I have no real valid reason for not being there other than just plain laziness I guess! Those who criticize their actions or lack of particular solid solutions towards change either don’t live in Bpt or seem happy with the present administration’s status quo! Keep up the pressure one voter at a time and maybe, just maybe, a small political spark might turn into an election wildfire! *** GOOD RALLY ***
Surely you jest. 90% of those people would be more at home at a New Canaan country club.
So BRG, you have been to a New Canaan Country Club. What happened? Lose your trust fund? Forget how to carry on a respectful conversation? Or were you working at the CC, caddying perhaps? (I caddied when I was young and caught the whiff of privilege some wealthy persons wear, and it turned me away from pursuing the game itself.)
Most of the people on the steps are working too hard to find time for any club. There is a strange twist in your communication. Most people I know work for their money, lots of hours, pay taxes, try to save for the future and find the taxation and representation in this City unAmerican.
Then there is you … a nameless namecaller … whose comments are mostly self-serving … crowning yourself with such happiness you are not like other men … or women (of whom there were a good number on the City Hall steps, African American, Asian and Latina) … a few people are union employees … City and other … we are all facing changes … the longer we fail to study the issues and concerns, the more painful will be the transition … the real test of your moral landscape and your grip on reality is the way you look at other human beings and support them or fail in doing so … take a look in the mirror before going to the Country Club again. Time will tell.