Retired Police Lieutenant David Daniels, considering a run for mayor, was honored by Mayor Bill Finch Monday night at the start of the City Council meeting for his long service to the city. The mayor’s proclamation noted that Daniels resides in Hamden. But no, Daniels corrected the mayor, I’m a Bridgeport resident again. Well almost, just about there. Daniels tells OIB. “I should be all moved in on Sunday.” The South End beckons.
The city’s wily Communications Director Brett Broesder fired off a statement to the media welcoming Daniels back to the city, proof that the “city is getting better every day,” the mantra of the taxpayer-paid marketing campaign.
“It’s great that so many people are moving for the first time, or moving back, to Bridgeport. It’s further proof that our city is getting better every day. And, it shows that there’s confidence returning to the city because of Mayor Finch’s leadership. His vision for the city is already taking shape–the re-opening of Pleasure Beach after years of neglect, breaking ground on Steelpointe Harbor after decades of broken promises, improving downtown, and building a second train station. These are just some of the many projects, led by Mayor Finch, that are bringing confidence back to the city while creating thousands of jobs. And, his leadership is bringing businesses to–and back to–Bridgeport as well. These job creating companies include Fletcher Thompson, Boat Locker, DeYulio Sausage, Row America, Sports Authority, Starbucks, Chipotle, Bass Pro Shops, and others.”
Daniels says he’s still determining if his best option for mayor is running in a Democratic primary or petitioning candidate in the general election. Drum roll … language from the mayoral proclamation.
Whereas, Lieutenant David Daniels, III was born in the City of Bridgeport on January 22, 1956 and currently resides in Hamden, Connecticut; and,
Whereas, Lieutenant Daniels majored in communications at the Norfolk State University; and,
Whereas, Lieutenant Daniels served 25 years with the City of Bridgeport Police Department. He retired as a Lieutenant and worked in the Patrol, Communications, Internal Affairs and Community Services Divisions; and,
Whereas, Lieutenant Daniels taught the D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. programs in the Bridgeport public and Catholic schools. He also instructed workshops regarding basic crime prevention; “what to do when stopped by the Police;” preparing for leadership and promotional exams for police officers in the State of Connecticut and around the country.
Whereas, Lieutenant Daniels created The Officer Friendly’s Basketball Camp Program, organized food and toy giveaways for Bridgeport’s needy at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas time; and,
Whereas, Lieutenant Daniels is an IAABO Board 10 Basketball Official, member of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the former President of The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, former 5 term President of The Bridgeport Guardians, and on the Board of Directors for The Hall Neighborhood House.
Now Therefore, I, Bill Finch, Mayor of the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, hereby proclaim Monday the 5th day of January 2015 as
Lieutenant David Daniels, III Day
Ummm … no thank you.
No thanks, I can’t vote for an out-of-towner who now moves back because he wants to be mayor.
Andrew Fardy, I’m not an out-of-towner, I was born and raised in Bridgeport CT, and I served this city for 25-plus years as a law enforcement official. I know nothing I will do will make some of you vote for me, but thank God everyone does not feel that way. I love this city, I have moved back and so it goes.
If you truly loved this city you would not have moved out of town two decades ago. Every night after work you went to the suburbs. Now your kids are grown you have retired and now need something to do. BTW is the family moving with you?
Andy, you would have made a great KGB agent. I had no idea he moved 20 years ago and really had no idea Hamden had a better school system. The only thing Hamden had for me was the Pacific Buffet, thought the one in Wallingford is better. Andy, it isn’t like Daniels moved to Beverly Hills and is now coming back to slum around Bridgeport. Different from living in Easton and moving back to Bridgeport.
I love Atlanta too, never lived there, does that mean I love it less? The rationale makes no sense. Are you saying if I loved my job I love it less because I retired or I love my mom less because I grew up and moved out of her house? That makes no sense, just another excuse to say why you wouldn’t vote for me. Trust me I don’t expect you to and wouldn’t waste my time trying to covert you, I think you’re happier having something to complain about, vote for more of the same then you can stay here and complain some more.
Is that right? You did a good job of dancing around the maypole. No, I wont vote for you without hearing what your platform is. Will there be a platform?
I responded to your earlier post, but I don’t care how you feel about me, I’m just as much Bridgeport as you are or claim to be, I have never lived in any suburbs and don’t care to. My reasons are my own for moving out and I’m back now. You can either run for something yourself, you seem to have many complaints and various opinions about how to fix them, vote for me or more of the same, the choice is yours. I won’t engage you again. When new information doesn’t change old attitudes about the way things really are there is no need to refute or engage a person any further. I’ll keep reading your texts, however. They are truly entertaining.
I am glad you don’t care that makes me happy. I have news for you. Hamden is considered a suburb of New Haven. You can BS it ANY WAY YOU WANT BUT IT’S STILL THE ‘BURBS. I have lived here for 71 years was on the fire department’s rescue squad for 14 years and a fire investigator for 9. I did not leave Bridgeport. I served on the town committee for 12 years. Park Commission for 5 years and the list goes on. My favorite thing was working in youth baseball for almost 30 years and starting Senior Little League in Bridgeport. They don’t give awards for that in civilian life. You still did not answer my question. Did your whole family move here or just you? I bet I am right. If you can’t stand a little heat what are you going to do on the campaign trail?
I can stand heat, not ignorance.
You are good at both.
I want the same things for Bridgeport as you do, an open and honest, transparent and efficient government that is all inclusive. I want safe streets and a quality eduction for our children. I want creative and recreational activities as well as I want a robust aggressive plan to bring commerce here that actually pays taxes and there is more. The platform I’m drafting will include those things and more with details and a roadmap to get there as well. I don’t want to fight anyone. I’d like to take the people with the same love for this city and return it to its former glory. I believe it’s possible to achieve and that is why I moved back here to try and do just that.
Thanks. That is a beginning.
Dave Daniels, please drop this, if you are planning to run for mayor don’t get stuck on stuff like this.
Ron you are absolutely right. I was waiting for someone to tell him. Thanks.