News release from Brett Broesder, Mayor Finch’s communications director:
Today, Governor Malloy and Mayor Bill Finch joined local community leaders, to announce the allocation of $671,250 in Youth Violence Prevention Grants from the state to the Park City.
“We need youth job programs, after school activities, and real opportunities for these kids to be successful. On the other hand, we need a Police Department ready to fight crime and a tough Governor. And that’s exactly what we have,” said Mayor Bill Finch.Mayor Finch was joined by Deputy Police Chief James Nardozzi, who added: “Bridgeport’s homicides are down around 30 percent, but that isn’t enough. We have to keep fighting until there aren’t anymore homicides in our city.”
In Bridgeport, homicides are down 33.33 percent, shooting incidents are down 12.12 percent, and shooting victims are down 17.95 percent from this time last year.
Governor Malloy discussed the Youth Violence Prevention grants that the state has awarded to communities across Connecticut, including Bridgeport.
“This is money that goes directly to keeping young people on the right track, getting good grades, and getting help when they need it,” added Governor Malloy. “It’s about making growing up just a little bit safer. It’s about keeping people out of trouble and out of jail. It’s about keeping people safe and alive.”
And who is featured in one of the photos with Malloy, Finch, Clemons, Francis (all machine Democrats) etc., none other than Andre Baker. Just saying.
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Malloy-Finch-tout-anti-crime-progress-5623982.php#photo-6599363
Sorry, Clemons is not in the CT Post photo, however both he and Andres Ayala were featured on Channel 12 News.
If you look at the decades of ‘job programs’ including those targeting youth, much of the resulting employment are politically connected adults. These campaign tactics are clearly targeting the urban voters, especially Bridgeport, who put Malloy in office.
Tom, as you probably know, Rob Francis is the director of RYASAP and is a member of Excel Bridgeport’s Board of Directors. Vallas awarded him a $250,000 contract to run a program in Central, Harding and Bassick High School. He then hired charter school proponents and unqualified employees to help engage students with needed services. RYASAP employees were at polling locations working for the Row A BOE slate last September. Less than ten days after their candidates lost the primary, Vallas signed a new $250,000 contract with RYASAP for 2013/2014 without bringing it to the BBOE for review and approval. Who did Finch count on to help perpetuate the propaganda of this press conference? None other than RYASAP. Fran Rabinowitz has eliminated this RYASAP program for 2014/2015. I write this in complete support of your observations.