Comments on: Are You VIP Vibe Groovy? Just Ask City Council Members

By: Ron Mackey

Ron Mackey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:41:29 +0000

Jim Callahan, you asked, “The power politics point remains: where are the Puerto Rican Democratic leaders and their committee members lining up in this primary? There are two districts controlled (a relative term, I know) by this ethnic group. There are members elsewhere. Does the political leadership group have a bloc opinion, or are they split?” Well, while you are on the subject what about the two black district leaders, Warren Blunt and Ralph Ford?

By: Joel Gonzalez

Joel Gonzalez — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:39:15 +0000

Callahan it’s almost impossible to get out the Hispanic vote in primaries. The ability to speak English, one or several foreign languages is a plus. Mary Bruce learned that when I defeated her. I even had an advantage as there were enough Hispanics in the Town Committee to get the endorsement. Chris Dodd speaks Spanish fluently and so does Himes. Having lived in another country also helps, especially if there are lots of voters from that country in the state.

It’s going to be hard to get voters out regardless of their race: If it rains; If it’s hot; If the voter has financial worries; If the voter is the kinds of person who goes straight to work and back home; If the voter is not a “PRIME VOTER,” most likely they won’t come out.

Even the angry unemployed can be expected to sit out on this primary. Volunteers? Good luck finding them. The candidates with the most money can afford to hire hundreds of workers the last week of the election and prepare them for a massive GOTV operation.

By: town committee

town committee — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:48:59 +0000

According to Tom McCarthy the council is taking the free tickets so they can check the Vibes out and make sure it’s a proper venue for the city. Well let me ask this question. Let’s assume the city is hiring an outside paving contractor to pave several city streets. Would it be all right for several council people to have their driveways paved for free so they can see the quality of work performed by this contractor? I think not!!!

By: BEACON2

BEACON2 — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:51:58 +0000

Sorry to respond to this so late in the discussion!
Do the math … 20 Council members and 20 guests x $420 VIP passes = $16,800. Now do the legal … A City Attorney reviewed contract calls for Council persons (who are supposed to act like public servants) to receive a financial benefit of this size on something they have to vote upon.
Ethics review in order! Although our standard for ethical or conflict of interest free behavior is very low in this City relative to other communities, it has got to be higher than this.
By the way if the Council needs to review the Vibe scene, why isn’t it done the way everything else is, by Committee. What Committee would get the nod do you think? What keeps Tom McCarthy grinning about stuff like this?

By: FRANK CUCCARO

FRANK CUCCARO — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:25:40 +0000

Do all the council members even live in BPT? Someone should look into that … You know WHO YOU ARE!!! Stop taking freebies!!! Kudos to Bob Walsh!!!

By: Mojo

Mojo — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:18:35 +0000

*** Maybe just certain areas but I’ve noticed many Lamont signs on city property; yet the Malloy signs continue to be pulled from same? What’s up with that, Doc? *** It’s going to get ugly, quick! ***

By: FORMER CITY OFFICIAL

FORMER CITY OFFICIAL — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:00:52 +0000

Hell no, Council members shouldn’t be getting free tickets. If they were state officials gifts like that would be illegal. They should also be illegal in Bridgeport.