Can ‘The Movement’ Build Momentum?

"The Movement" forum

A group calling itself “The Movement” will conduct a forum featuring potential mayoral candidates on Wednesday 6 p.m. at the Black Rock Library, 2705 Fairfield Avenue. Several possible candidates are jockeying to challenge two-term incumbent Democrat Bill Finch in 2015.

Forum participants appearing on a promotional flyer for the event include retired city police lieutenant David Daniels, Board of Education member Howard Gardner, 2011 mayoral candidate John Gomes, three-time mayoral candidate Charlie Coviello and former State Rep. Bob Keeley.

Former Mayor John Fabrizi, who’s been publicly quiet of late, has formed an exploratory committee for mayor. Two-time Republican mayoral candidate Enrique Torres, a city councilor, is also considering a run.

Candidates are expected to address taxes, schools, city finances and share their “vision for the city.”

Can any of them raise money? Can any inspire voters? Can they build organized opposition?

Finch will be well-financed for his reelection. If he wins a third term and completes four years he’ll be the second longest serving mayor behind Socialist Jasper McLevy, 1933-57. Former Mayor Joe Ganim is the second longest to serve.

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26 comments

  1. Are you part of any other minority community? Females, Hispanics/Latinos, young people feeling unrepresented? Come to a meeting. Feel the energy. Ask your question. Listen to the speakers. Contrast and compare with sessions the Mayor organizes.
    Ignite your own spark. Get ready to learn what the City keeps secret. There are Council seats that need challenging. And there will be Board and Commission positions that will require energetic citizens with integrity. Lots of experience and vision to be shared and lots more to come. Time will tell.

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  2. This is a worthwhile effort. However, they’re jumping the gun. We are in the middle of a very important election with weeks to go and they are talking about the election for next year. Some members of this coalition were part of the coalition gaining ground on the Bridgeport Machine. Put your priorities in place, “Peace and Progress’ is right in front of your face. I am on the ballot NOV 4, 2014 on “Peace and Progress” line 4F against Ezequiel Santiago who due to his POOR performance during the six years serving as State Representative of the 130th district, makes him deserving of not just one ‘F’, but 4F.

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      1. That’s the best question you or anyone ever asked? It’s not the voters, Ron Mackey. One reason is I’ve haven’t gone for the jugular just yet. I decided NOT to challenge Ezequiel in a Democratic primary this year because it’s a waste of time trying to get the party endorsement as his two dads control the Town Committee and the last time in 2008, I got just over 500 votes as a Republican while Ralph Mojica (Mojo) came in third place. I spent less than $100. You are counting the Town Committee race vs the Black Rock machine we did well on my side and got hammered by the White Rock. Mitchell Robles, Andres Ayala, and the whole crew jumped over to Black Rock to help Danny. What voters are missing is a strong campaign attack vs the Santiagos and I’m doing my best this time around. Santiago was the only one to qualify for the $27,000 grant days ago. It’s almost impossible for me to qualify for the grant.

        Think about this, OIB readers:
        I served on the City Council when Joe Ganim was mayor. Bill Finch, John Fabrizi, Andres Ayala and Lydia Martinez all served with me on the Council under Ganim. When and since Ganim was sent away in 2003:
        1) Fabrizi becomes mayor (as Council President, was next in line to serve remaining year of Ganim term)
        2) Andres Ayala is picked as Council President
        3) #1 & #2 are repeated when Fabrizi is re-elected
        4) Lydia Martinez is elected State Rep. in 128th
        5) Bill Finch is elected mayor
        6) Andres Ayala takes Lydia’s seat as State Representative in the 128th
        7) Lydia Martinez returns to the City Council
        8) Andres Ayala is elected State Senator

        Ezequiel serves less than six months on the council and quickly his daddies set the stage for Ezequiel to be State Representative 130th.

        I served six years (city council 131st), was the most proactive councilmen in the 131st, defeated a 16-year veteran councilwoman; accomplished more in six years than anyone can claim ’til today, no tax increase in six years.

        MOMS–Message, Operation, Money, Strategy is what it will take. I have three of the ingredients in place. If I can put the right team to come together with me on this campaign as a petitioning candidate and win, it will be the biggest upset ever seen and will inspire the so-called ‘opposition movement.’ The opposition must show the movement seen last year is still alive. There’s always next time, but I’m not sure I’ll do it again or even bother getting involved with anything other than writing and living my life. YOU GET WHAT YOU ELECT.

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  3. Ron,
    It is an interesting question at the outset, but if you step back a moment and look at what the “few” voters have put in office in the past and keep returning to office, you may see another answer. Indeed, does Joel care too much about the City? Making him a bad fit for an institution that wants you to go along to get along. Does he have too much obvious integrity and experience? So anybody will be better. As you burned for justice in your work on behalf of minority firefighters, Joel pursues the questions of the average man about the City. Can you see that? Time will tell.

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    1. John Marshall Lee, I understand Joel’s position. In the early 1990s when I was on the DTC from the 131st District but at that time the district line placed me in the 130th District with district leader Danny Roach. A group put up the name of William “Bill” Holden who at the time was a Public Defender and is now a State Judge, to run against Mario Testa for chairman of the DTC. Well I voted for Mr. Holden and Mayor Ganim ask me what was I doing. I was told I would have a price to pay for going against the leadership but it was Lisa Parziale and Mary Bruce who openly fought for me and I was not replaced on the DTC. Mr. Holden lost the election by 12 votes but I know how the Party will come after you if you don’t vote their way.

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  4. Mr. Walker:
    I took today off to go to a funeral. I will not be able to attend this event. I will be ready soon to work full time on my campaign and I’m planning one or two fundraisers I’m aiming for the first one to be on Halloween Night and the next day (Friday Oct 31 and Saturday Nov 1).

    I would appreciate if you do me the grand honor and take my two comments on the top and read it to them. I’ve been in “The Movement” for a long time. Please let me know if you can do this for me. I will be forever grateful.

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    1. Marilyn Moore has been helping you out with some prosperity from public funds. You couldn’t work for free on her campaign? Why did you step down as treasurer? Not enough pay for your prosperity?

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    1. Yeah. This is The “Inert” Movement. No disrespect, but let’s be real. These are all good men, men with a deep passion, so they say, for Bridgeport. However all of them disgruntled has-beens. The only one missing is Joe Ganim. Give it up, people. Bridgeport needs new blood, someone with fresh, new ideas with an achievable plan to move the City forward as a whole. Bridgeport’s chief executive has to be someone with 1) practical economic development experience–a measurable track record of getting things done, 2) someone who has a clear vision with an achievable plan, 3) a person who is pro-Bridgeport, not pro-self, an individual who is secure (financially, professional and emotionally). We need somebody who has already blazed the career trail successfully and is ready and prepared to make a difference, for the City and not themselves. A true public servant.

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    1. And The Movement at this moment are five men of above-average experience regarding how Bridgeport has come to its current unpretty situation. They are volunteers in service to the community in attempting to encourage hope for a change of direction, for accountability by elected officials, for personal integrity in representing the citizenry and other issues personal to each one. There is no way for each to become Mayor, but in examining their own personal potential, a genuine gloves-off listening by all parties will leave our community better off, than if they stayed home and watched TV.
      It’s a new type of political action that accommodates those without major funding and all it brings with it but allows for a real message to sink in to members of the community.
      Will these five men, or more who may join the group, help turn the City around in 2015? Time will tell.

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  5. Let’s see, tonight: The Middle, The Goldbergs, Black-ish, Modern Family, Nashville, American Horror: Freak Show. That’s my agenda for this evening. My escape from ISIS and ebola.

    P.S. on a political note. If Marilyn Moore would like a sign on my front lawn she is welcome to put one there. Glendale Ave.

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    1. The next time I attempt to regard anything you are saying about Bridgeport in a serious light, I shall consider your agenda and understand how far into fantasyland you have wandered. And maybe where you intersect with the Mayor’s notion of fairness and justice for ALL THE CITIZENS of Bridgeport.

      Not everyone would have provided their viewing tastes, Steve. You are open, accountable and transparent for sure. You are also off base in your overenthusiasm for an incumbent who will not model the behavior you practice, though many of his policies indicate he may be watching the same shows. Time will tell.

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  6. It was refreshing to see a crowd of people, mostly black, from Black Rock, attend this meeting tonight. For a group of, as some have said, washed-up has-beens, they had some very solid ideas how to put this city’s financial house in order and put jobs and money back into this city. And some solid ideas to help our schools too. If you stay away, in my opinion you are missing something not seen in this city in a very long time, citizens actually excited about a possible candidate for Mayor.

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  7. Jennifer, I am confused. When you stated there was a crowd of mostly blacks from Black Rock, was that supposed to excite Ron Mackey or alienate white people? A nice crowd would have sufficed. Were the potential candidates Finch, Fabrizi or Foster? Were these the wealthy black people from Black Rock we hear so much about? Where were the white people who were David Walker Republicans? Is it possible they are happy with Mayor Finch? Your comment creeped me out and I would imagine it creeped out any “black” person from Black Rock as well as all through the City. What, no Hispanics? A handful of Jews, maybe some gays who have gravitated to the ambiance of Black Rock?

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    1. Ron Mackey has been continually on their case about no black people being involved, and she reported this time black people were involved. So Steve, how could she have reported this to satisfy you? “A nice crowd” would not have sufficed.

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      1. Booty, give me a break! Sorry, a nice diverse crowd representing the face of Bridgeport would have been nice. But I must have been correct, this was to excite Ron Mackey. Personally, I found it condescending. I am curious, was Mary-Jane Foster there? John Fabrizi? Is this just another we-hate-Finch gathering? I think it’s great there are many avenues available for those interested in running for office. My gut tells me the run for Mayor will be extremely lackluster. Jennifer and David most likely will be long gone from this city by the time the Mayoral race gets into motion.

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        1. No Finch, no Fabrizi and no Mary-Jane Foster. I am really not good at talking in code–a nice diverse group. Nothing felt diverse at this event, it felt pretty United, so the united colors of Benelton were in attendance.

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  8. Yikes! Now we are even, Auerbach. Racial divisiveness is alive and thriving in Bridgeport politics. This city and those in power know how to divide and conquer. Sitting in an event where that was addressed and real issues and solutions to unite all for a better Bridgeport was very positive and encouraging. The makeup of the people in attendance was pretty much representative of the population of the city. It was good to be in the mix and really hear what is on the minds of everyone.

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  9. There should not be a surprise there were people of color at this debate because three of the candidates are people of color and Mr. Coviello is from the East End and big supporter of Ernie Newton and Bob Keeley has always had a relationship with people of color during his long time of serving the City.

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