This is too funny. Alvin’s chipmunks still around. From Ken Dixon, CT Post:
In a new twist on an old cliche, a long-dead Bridgeport politician recently reached out from the grave to contribute more than $4,500 to a committee that’s supporting Democratic Mayor Bill Finch.
A political action committee for State Sen. Alvin W. Penn, who died in February 2003, contributed this year to the East End Political Action Committee (EEPAC), whose chairman is Ralph Ford, a powerful local Democrat.
Under state election law, Penn’s 2002 re-election PAC, which was terminated shortly before his death, could not write more checks. And since it was a candidate committee, it is banned from supporting the EEPAC. It also should have reported distributing the surplus.
James Dancy, treasurer for Penn’s PAC, said he had been seriously ill and failed to notice bank statements over several years showing the PAC’s savings were not liquidated.
In an interview, Dancy, a 76-year-old real estate manager, said he finally opened the statements two years ago and found that people who received checks from the PAC for services apparently never cashed them. So, wanting to keep the money in the city, Dancy got some legal advice and decided to give the EEPAC $4,549.99 on Feb. 21 rather than donate it to the state’s voluntary public-financing program.
“As treasurer, after Alvin died I closed out the committee as normal by paying out the bills and made a final report,” Dancy said. “Shortly thereafter I had a heart attack and cancer.” He didn’t return to work in downtown Bridgeport, where the PAC was registered, for about two years. It was six years before he finally opened a bank statement, he said.
“I came by our former office a few times, saw that some Penn financial statements had been stacking up, but they didn’t mean anything because I thought they zeroed out,” Dancy said.
Among other things, the EEPAC has recently written Finch’s campaign a $50 check for Ford to attend a fund-raising event for the mayor.
“I find that a very dubious explanation,” said Michele Mount, Foster’s legal advisor, in reaction to Dancy. “He hadn’t seen a bank statement in six years?”
According to expenditure records on file with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, EEPAC has not paid for printing campaign literature this year.
Ford said Friday his PAC created an anti-Foster flier, which features a photo of Finch with President Barack Obama, but he hasn’t yet received the printing bill.
Nancy Nicolescu, communications and legislative program director for the State Elections Enforcement Committee, said that the case appears murky because campaign finance law was “much different” before the 2005 legislative reforms.
Thpt!
What does it matter, the federales left town.
kid BPT, The Federales live in BPT, they have established permanent residence status.
The fact of the matter is the offices of the FBI in Bridgeport is the only business in this town that has expanded. They have added more jobs in this town than Finch has during his entire so-called administration.
I just wonder what the hell they are doing while the calamarians are pulling all of this baloney regarding the primary.
I think the FBI should examine the actions of Las Diablas Ayala and Martinez.
The Cubans seem to have a better shot at a fair election than we do.
The last time the late Saddam Hussein ran for reelection, he won 100% of the vote. I wonder how many of those were Absentee Ballots.
They may be documenting the allegations, yahooy. Just because the feds haven’t said anything does not automatically mean they have no interest. Why don’t you give ’em a call, share your wisdom and insight …
The federal authorities are taking an interest in the activities leading up to the primary.
The FBI has offices in a building on Lafayette Boulevard, just down the street from the federal courthouse. I heard tell the G isn’t investigating because no one called. I expect someone will drop coin on a telephone call to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office. There’s more than enough alleged malfeasance to make a successful prosecution. They may be waiting until after the primary.
I see dead people’s money.
Better watch out Alvin doesn’t turn in an AB. God rest his soul.
When Alvin finds out his money was given to Finch, he’ll vote for Foster. Many, many times.
MCAT–If dead people can vote, why can’t they make campaign donations? It seems like a natural progression to me. 🙂
Excellent point, Zena.
HEY-HEY, HO-HO, ONE-TERM BILL HAS GOT TO GO!!!
Ralph Ford’s wife works for the Bridgeport Housing Authority. I hope that’s not how Lydia is getting into the senior housing buildings.
Ford created a campaign ad featuring Finch with President Obama. Did the caption read “Guess You’s Coming to Dinner?” Shame on you, Ralph Ford. We have had enough of your flunkies: Tom Coble, Willie Murphy and Deborah Sims. You are going down and so are they.
Hey Mario,
Is this what you are talking about when you say Bridgeport candidates shouldn’t have out-of-towners running their campaigns? [Present company excluded of course.]
“The Finch campaign sent a mailing out last week to a couple hundred newly registered voters in an attempt to boost voter participation and educate these voters about the upcoming primary election and the mayor’s record of progress,” Breslin said, in an email. “The campaign was also trying to educate voters about where to vote on Election Day, as many of these voters are first-time voters in Bridgeport. Unfortunately, this limited list of new voters included some inaccurate polling locations.”
Katie Breslin ain’t from Bridgeport.
Hey Mario,
We know what you think of NEW voters. I guess this is a new way to play old tricks, eh?
“The Finch campaign sent a mailing out last week to a couple hundred newly registered voters in an attempt to boost voter participation and educate these voters about the upcoming primary election and the mayor’s record of progress,” Breslin [Finch campaign manager] said.
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks; you dog you, Mario.
How much more pathetic can this crap get? Seriously folks. This is a Foster lovefest. If this information is not making it out to the streets than we are a sad lot. The entire machine is cancer. The question is can we make the people angry as hell that they are not going to take it? What’s the weather report for the weekend? There is a lot of work to do and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep. Love that poem!
Well, not the entire machine, so to speak. After all, many have quietly made it clear they are supporting Foster. I am surprised Finch hasn’t tried to get an endorsement from Ned Lamont. Oh yeah, he lost. Didn’t Adam wood run his campaign? Didn’t the Democratic machine support Lamont? He lost, didn’t he? Could be a sign of things to come!
And you’re just finding all this out about the corruption? Where have you been? All the shenanigans you’ve been reading about on this webzine has been taking place for 40+ years. The Democratic Party in Bridgeport has been manipulating the vote in their favor with tricks you haven’t heard and wouldn’t believe if you found out. They are so ensconced in the fabric of this city, nothing moves without their approval or receipt of payment that is to their benefit.
Zena Lu, I understand there was a fundraiser at St. Michael’s for Finch. Saint Michael’s Cemetery, that is. Dead people do contribute and they also follow the rules about maximum donations. BTW great article about Adam Wood. Maybe he should be Mayor? Finch is really a puppet it is either Wood or Testa pulling his strings. Mario is not too popular these days in the North End and Finch is all but forgotten. Good thing we have green signs all over to remind us he is still in office.
Hey 134~ (SA) Speaking of green signs, did you know there are Rottweilers for sale on Thorme? 🙂
This is part of the problem in Bridgeport with all these PAC’s. They are the little piggy banks for all these little political whores. What is equally disturbing is for all the social justice and anti-poverty programs that are in need of money, Mr. Dancy on the advice of legal counsel gave this money to a PAC similar to what Finch did with his surplus of $46k to People for Excellence in Government. Bill Beccaro must have been providing the legal opinion to the Dancys.
The really sad thing is Alvin Penn’s money was used by Ford’s PAC to attack Jack McGregor and Mary-Jane Foster.
Mr. McGregor, who is a “Semper Fi” guy, was a dear friend of Alvin Penn’s. They used to go turkey hunting together and hunker down in a bush blind and chat about just plain old guy stuff. Alvin would whisper to Jack and tell him he was a famous big-game hunter. Many times Alvin’s cackle would create a crackle in the brush and it would shake out the turkeys.
When Alvin took sick it was Jack McGregor who often visited him at hospice. As Alvin’s end of life was coming near his mother wanted to get him a pair of pajamas. McGregor was there on a visit and Alvin said to his mother he wanted Jack to get him a pair of pj’s because Jack had style. Jack went out and bought Alvin a beautiful set of blue pajamas. I’m sure you are all getting the visual of Alvin in Royal Blue coupled with his captain’s hat.
Ford and his little East End minions have tried to attack Foster and McGregor as giving all this money to Republican candidates. Foster is a life-long Democrat and McGregor was a nationally known Republican. Foster in her women and children’s advocacy work far outshines any of the shadows that are cast from the murky East End political waters.
Funny, they never refused a donation from McGregor who has given thousands to Bridgeport Democrats including BILL FINCH!
We should all be so lucky to have friends like McGregor and Foster.
Bridgeport voters need to Follow the Money and vote for Mary-Jane Foster so we won’t have any more Fords in our future!
Follow the Money, thanks for putting a human face on State Sen. Alvin Penn. As you spoke of Alvin with his captain’s hat, I recall at a cookout at Joe Ganim’s home where Alvin was thrown into Gamin’s pool with his clothes and his captain’s hat. Alvin just got out of the pool and laughed.
“Fords or Finches in our Future!”
No Ford in my future unless I take a taxi–all the cabs are Crown Victorias.
Back in Bridgeport and see A BIG BLUE SIGN THAT SAYS DEMOCRAT MARY-JANE FOSTER!!!
Ralph Ford is the poster boy for what is wrong with Bridgeport politics. He claims to work for the black community but he really works for himself and a few loyal minions. Ford could give a shit less for the average black family in his district.
If he cared half as much for the people in his district as he does for a few of his loyal minions, his district would be a lot better off.
It’s time to retire Ford and the rest of the Democratic trolls now in power.
tc–How about I fly over to Ford’s house on my broom and zap him with an uber-hex?
Ford’s East End dealership received 30 large from Stafstrom for street money in 2007 mayoral primary. Problem is it never hit the street. Ford and Coble chopped it up and stuck it in their pockets.
You mean to tell me Alvin didn’t take it with him and Ernie didn’t know about this? What a shame. I wonder what kind of interest rate there is on an eight-year-old bank account and what the taxes on the interest should be.
Here again the Election Enforcement Commission has demonstrated it’s bi-partisanship … and has failed to act in a timely manner except when there are political pressures.
Hey, Tony DePrimo must have changed parties because he was either dropping off MJF signs or picking them up in his personal pickup.
Tony was told to pick up campaign signs which were on public property. He got carried away with MJ signs (TAKING SOME OFF OF PRIVATE PROPERTY) and took a blind eye to Finch signs (which are all over on public property). Signs don’t matter. You can feel the momentum building … MJ all the way! Tony will soon be paper picking.
All right. That’s it. I was going to post one or two more little essays on where to look for voting patterns in Tuesday’s primary. The last few days have been too much. As a writer, I feel Bridgeported.
In an otherwise fine article by Ken Dixon there is a missing element. I’m shocked at the absence. Mr. Dixon is known and respected as a thorough and fair reporter. Kenny: Journalism 101. Where’s the comment from Alvin?
I’m sort of new to B’port. I understand Bridgeporters who have traveled to the other side still vote after death, who knew they could still comment? I guess, only in Bridgeport?
They are allowed two ABs: one before and one after death. It’s in the City Charter, according to Lydia Martinez …
There are Mary-Jane supporters everywhere and the support is increasing day by day. Lydia’s fradulent AB operation is nothing compared to the masses who will come out to legitimately vote for MJ.
chs,
You speak the truth. It is clear to me as I visit different City Departments, Finch’s 200 employee cuts is a story waiting to be fully exposed. Employee reductions in department after department have been made for the past three years. Technological solutions have not kept pace to make up for cuts, limiting departmental efficiency and reporting in some cases. In others the City has cut small amounts that would allow continuing education and certification of some personnel at least. At the same time the City has maintained line items for personnel and benefits (in some of the same departments) that are not going to be filled. That is free money to the administration to use without accountability or transparency, but because there is a vacancy listed in the budget it seems the Department is not implementing that for which they are eligible.
My count of such line items for personnel and “other expenses” last week exceeded 66 employee positions unfilled for over $4.5 Million. Could this amount have produced the famous $600 tax credit? Gone to fund Pension or retiree healthcare? Reduced the $60 Million increase in debt of the internal services fund? Increased, momentarily, the unreserved, unrestricted, undesignated City fund balance? You bet it could, but what are these funds used for? Does that make you upset or even angry? Share the info from this column with your neighbors. Get them to the polls on Tuesday for their primary vote/opinion. That is the appropriate channel for the outrage this group has perpetrated on Bridgeport.
By the way, to anyone who may think my comments are inaccurate or unfair in any fashion, I have been writing about general and fiscal governance issues for over 12 months now. I have spent considerable time, energy and some personal funds (getting copies of City documents) to advance my informal education. I have tried to tell the story I see with some objectivity. No one on this blog has confronted me with any alleged inaccuracy. (Personally I have discovered my own mistakes on a couple occasions, but I have forgiven myself as I have no instructor, moved on with a new and better understanding in future statements.) Even on last Monday evening in my five-minute address to the City Council members present, not one bothered to speak to me that day to refute my points of criticism for Bridgeport governance of which they are such a vital part. Their committee system is overworked regarding fiscal matters, and inadequate to the tasks at hand, generally. They have failed to use funds in their own legislative budget each year to gain what they need. They are such busy people, many committee meetings are cancelled for want of a quorum. The City Council is our ultimate and last “check and balance” on runaway government. Two days later I encountered one member who admitted I am correct in that they are not getting what they need to do their jobs. That person is not a City employee, but it is only one, and that representative has no idea how to go about being a Council member in a more positive manner. Sad? Need a change? Put the word out! Vote and get your neighbors out too. This is not smoke. This is a tragic fire, eating up the City potential and resources. Time will tell.
BEACON2, I know you’re not looking for this, but here it is. Thanks for loving Bpt and its citizens, you wear your heart on your sleeve. You are not alone, there are many of us, we must show it on TUESDAY. But you are on top of the list.
The beacon serves as a Beacon of Light to financially guide us through our troubled waters.
We will be doing a lit drop starting at noon at Ellsworth Field. Please join us as we will be “Putting on The Blitz!”
Is anyone running against Evette “The Battler” Brantley? I’m a voter in her district and she is worthless.
BP,
For the 132-01 It’s Howard Gardner, the fine gentleman who helped along the Minority Business Association Endorsement for MJF.
For the 132-02 It’s Gejuan Williams. A new up-and-comer, and a fine upstanding gentleman.
These are the two I know of.
They are both on Line B with Foster. Line B is the Bottom Line for Bridgeport with MJF. Zena is a real Lu-Lu and a great poster girl for the Foster campaign.
For the 130th it is Jill Dugas Hughes and Jim Fox, two fine individuals dedicated to working for the people of the city of Bridgeport.
I believe Lisa Parziale is running against Evette Brantley … it would be a second time around for the former President of the City Council.
Bob. Lisa is not running.
Only in Bridgeport. SMH …
This is very funny. The irony of it is just too delicious. The late Alvin Penn writes a check in the amount of $4,500 to EEPAC, a political action committee chaired by Finch supporter Ralph Ford. Do they have Alvin’s signature on file or was it necessary to visit the cemetery? And what of the other residents of the cemetery? Will Alvin and Ralph Ford convince them to cast absentee ballots? It’s a simple matter; Lydia Martinez will collect them.
A vote for Bill Finch will be a wasted ballot. He is facing some serious legal problems. The “donation” and “reimbursements” from Bill Beccaro’s PAC is just the tip of a large iceberg. Now his supporters are receiving donated funds from a dead man. And the absentee ballot issue is not going to go away. Ezequiel Santiago and Lydia Martinez, among others, are going to get caught in a wringer. Mario Testa’s AB operation is going to cause an uptick in the employment rate for criminal defense attorneys.
The funny thing is Mario’s sister is a Bridgeport teacher, so Finch’s refusal to provide money for the city schools must be a testy issue with the Testas.
Testo’s/Testa’s–whatever. Both relevant.
Testo’s, Testa’s, it all means the the same thing: MUD.
Alvin must be rolling over in his grave. He would never have wanted money to go to Bill Finch. I remember when Finch was trying to get Alvin to support the bond request for Seaview Industrial Park. Others had to go to Alvin. He thought Finch was a bullshitter.
He was right.