State Senator Ed Gomes shares this poignant commentary urging “that applicants with criminal records are evaluated on the merits of their qualifications, not on their criminal records.” He knows from experience.
A young man that I know of got into a little argument with his family at 17 years old. As a result, he ended up making himself homeless. Out there on the streets, he was hungry and chose to break into a restaurant. The restaurant had no money and little food. The young man ended up with a couple of tuna fish sandwiches, enough to curb his appetite. But the young man wasn’t a master thief and was quickly caught and charged with a felony.
He went to court without a lawyer and the judge sent him to Cheshire Correctional Institution for one to two years despite having no prior record.
The judge stated that he was doing this because the accused was too young to be on his own.
After serving his sentence, the young man wanted to make his life whole.
He wanted to do something good.
He tried to go into the Marines. They rejected him because of his felony.
He tried to go into the Army. They rejected him because of his felony.
He tried to find a steady job. They rejected him because of his felony.
He floundered around for about five years working menial jobs where he could get them.
Then he got a draft notice to the Army, which no longer cared about his felony.
Given the opportunity to make right, the young man served honorably and, after being discharged, found employment and never made the same mistake again.
I’m proud to say that young man is me.
Ironically, it took the draft for society to give me, a felon, a chance.
But not every young man out there today is as lucky as me.
That is why I have been fighting to “ban the box” and pass Senate Bill 467: An Act Concerning Municipal Implementation of Criminal Justice Reforms.
The bill is a set of hiring policies for private employers, designed to ensure that applicants with criminal records are evaluated on the merits of their qualifications, not on their criminal records.
We have too many hard-working people trying to find jobs that are being disqualified.
We need to give everyone that is looking for a job a fair shot.
And this year, I am going beyond looking at changing our laws and focusing on bringing employment opportunities straight to our community.
This Wednesday, March 30, I will be hosting an apprenticeship fair with the Fairfield County and State Building Trades.
The free event will give people a chance to meet potential employers, learn about apprenticeship opportunities, and find ways to build important skills. I hope you will join me.
I will continue to fight for an employment system that is fair to all our communities so young people who made a mistake like me are not punished for the rest of their lives.
Ed Gomes, telling it like it is.
As always, proud of you Ed.
As always Ed, no one can make a point or send a message as you do. I’m with you for whatever you need.
Ed Gomes, thank you for sharing and now doing the work to help others, there are too many Ed Gomes stories out there we don’t know but who need just a chance. Once again, thanks Ed.
What an enlightening story, Senator Gomes. Your story illustrates the point you can’t change where you’ve been in life, but you can certainly change where you’re going in life. You continue to make me proud I can call you my friend.
And in light of the topic of crime/criminalization etc.,did anyone catch this story this past week?
Nixon Policy Advisor Admits He Invented War On Drugs to Suppress ‘Anti-War Left and Black People’
www .huffingtonpost.com/entry/nixon-drug-war-racist_us_56f16a0ae4b03a640a6bbda1
While we’re on the topic of a good man, I’m going off topic to share what a wonderful surprise I experienced yesterday (Saturday). While I no longer believe in the Easter Bunny, he brought me a gift. Very unexpectedly I ran into a one of my favorite people whom I haven’t seen in too long, we go back to the beginning in our politics and I always admired and respected him as I still do. He’s my friend, and fellow blogger, and always has my back. I was so excited to see him I didn’t want to stop talking. You know who you are, I love you.
Andrew, I don’t see the connection between Ed’s personal experience and the message of compassion with the paranoid politics of the Nixon henchmen.
Institutional racism–per the Nixon piece–Senator Gomes working to pass legislation that addresses just a small part of bad government policy. Good job, Senator.
Gomes is advocating for people with criminal records and it made me think of the article and how blacks are disproportionately incarcerated.
“A Young Man’s Quest For Redemption Serves A Positive Example,” a great title, a great story about a good man. Many of us know of Ed’s journey. I wasn’t going to bring this up but after talking with a real good friend I must bring it up now.
Joe Ganim, you have been elected mayor, you have the position, title and everything that goes with the position. Joe, now is the time to do what Ed Gomes has done and come out and truly tell your story. Below is what was in the Post.
youtu.be/-mKgnlMNXmo
Ganim finally apologizes
Brian Lockhart
Updated 12:15 am, Saturday, January 10, 2015
BRIDGEPORT — Former Mayor Joseph P. Ganim began his new year uttering three words that the city he betrayed has waited more than a decade to hear.
“I’m truly sorry,” Ganim told the East End Baptist Church crowd in video from a Jan. 1 address posted online Friday.
That simple phrase has been seemingly wedged deep in Ganim’s throat since his federal corruption conviction in 2003 for steering city contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in wine, custom clothes, cash and home improvements.
Ganim, who never pleaded guilty, was sentenced to nine years in prison and released in 2010.
Just one year ago an attorney representing Ganim in his failed bid for the return of his law license said his client “maintains his innocence.”
Until, apparently, he walked into an African-American church on New Year’s Day.
“I made some errors in judgment,” Ganim continued in the footage. “I got involved in the wrong things and I broke the law. I breached the trust so many had placed in me. And for that, and all that we’ve lost, I’m truly story.”
He received a standing ovation.
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Joe, let it go, you must be honest with yourself first. You have lost so much but Joe, you’re blessed, there is no need to maintain being innocent. Yes, I know what you said in the story above but Joe you know you need to do more. Joe, you came to our churches and sought our vote but now is the time for you come back and seek redemption and tell us your story unfiltered and ask for forgiveness. Joe, that will free you from the pressure and stress of your past you are still dealing with inside your heart and mind. Joe, let it go and in doing so you will help yourself and others. Joe if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t tell you what I’ve said.
Ed Gomes shared a heroic story with the community. He has lived it and is free to tell it in his own way. I am honored to know him and be recognized by him. He is still working in the vineyard towards justice.
Ron, what you are talking about is a genuine reconciliation for a leader with the community he represents. The City was victimized as it was truly municipally vulnerable to the abuse of power that provided an opportunity for individuals to practice “pay to play” or unjust enrichment or whatever the several indictments were.
The real point today is the governance structure and community culture as well as the financial times may be even weaker today than each were 20 years ago.
How do you reconcile with all the people? How do you speak truth directly to the community without need of a ‘communications director?’ How best do you honor the values of OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT and HONEST with or without an office of public integrity? Time will tell.
JML, this is something Joe Ganim can do without any help. He owes all of us more than what’s in the Post article. Joe has embarrassed himself, his family and the residents of Bridgeport. Atonement is so important for Joe to get through the pain he’s dealing with, he won’t say it because he’s still dealing with denial because he is embarrassed by his actions. We don’t need to know all the details of what he did, we don’t need to know what kind of wine or what type of suits he got because that’s not important, he knows what he needs to do. His case is over, he has been in office just four months and he has another three and a half years to run for reelection so now is the time for Joe Ganim to seek redemption, forgiveness and atonement, it will help Joe’s ability to move on in life. Ed Gomes has moved on with his life and others have benefited from his story, well Joe Ganim now it’s your time, it’s a win-win situation for you, Joe. Time will tell (JML).
Apology from Mayor Ganim speaking at the 2015 Emancipation event, East End Baptist Tabernacle Church.
So if that wasn’t a good enough apology, then no apology could ever be good enough!
So Mayor Ganim, if you feel you have to apologize again and again, wait until you’re pushing 80 like Senator Gomes did. I’m sure the Stepin Fetchit boys on OIB will cut you some slack.
Jimfox, ask your mother about Stepin Fetchit.
Jim Fox,
Joe Ganim abused the citizens of Bridgeport by taking advantage of the power of the position and bending the system to his personal wants. He crossed a number of legal lines, was called on it, tried and found guilty enough to have seven years of his life put on hold. He knows the story and we have seen the published story. But if the “event” at the East End Baptist Tabernacle Church was a statement meant to explain, share remorse, and tell the truth that is a necessary part of a reconciliation process, in many eyes it failed. Happy to understand you are so easily satisfied when taken advantage of publicly.
And the Ganim and Gomes story may share some aspects, but Ed Gomes has lived long enough to show some folks set things right and get on with their lives in an adult and public manner. Joe Ganim is still living those years necessary to show a change. He is not talking much these days. And we are waiting to see what actions he sees are necessary and why as he institutes a new budget that must focus on priorities. Time will tell.
Jimfox, lol, lol, lmao, hahaha hehehehe, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lmao, hahahaha. Whew boy, you’re crazy. You missed your calling, instead of being an asshole you should have been a comedian.
Ed Gomes’ story has been told by Ed for over 60 years. Ed’s life has always been an open book he has no problem in sharing to help others.