Retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez sounds like she’s laying the groundwork for the Working Families Party battle cry with five Board of Education seats up for grabs this November. She writes in a commentary that appears in the CT Post:
Sadly, we live in a city controlled by a Democratic Party machine, which has always, and can always, count on the silent complicity of the Republican Party to act as its wholly owned subsidiary.
The Working Families Party has three of its members on the elected school board because their candidates have run ahead of Republican candidates for the state-mandated minority-party representation slots. Some would argue, when it’s convenient, the WFP has acted as a “wholly owned subsidiary” of the Democratic Party. This sleepy election cycle may just yet turn out to be a wild one. Lopez is a skilled wordsmith (So too her husband, Judge Dale Radcliffe) who sharpens attacks on the “disgraced” political machine at it prepares to endorse its candidates for BOE seats in July. Lopez once served on the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee. As Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa declares, “How does she think she became a judge?” something Carmen vehemently denies.
Lopez commentary:
Across the city of Bridgeport, citizens are talking about the fact that our local ship of state has run aground. As has occurred in the past, the mayor and his allies are working tirelessly to centralize power in the hands of a few. Democracy is messy, and the mayor is determined to tidy up anyone or anything that falls outside of his view of the world.
When legitimate concerns and complaints are raised, the entrenched political and economic powers in our city are quick to demonize opponents. The machinery to produce a whisper campaign of deceit, innuendos and half-truths is immediately put into action.
Nowhere is this unfortunate and dangerous trend more visible than with the approach that Bill Finch, Kenneth Moales, Paul Vallas and their supporters are taking when it comes to Bridgeport’s democratically elected Board of Education members.
Dissent is met with what can only be described as vicious and inappropriate personal attacks.
For those of us who respect and believe in the most fundamental values of our nation are reminded of the famous newsman Edward R. Murrow, who said, “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”
In fact, human history tells us that when dissent is eliminated, the most regressive forms of government are allowed to arise.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a member of the Working Families Party. However, as a resident and taxpayer of Bridgeport, I find the actions of the Board of Education members who have been elected on the Working Families Party line to be refreshing and desperately needed in Bridgeport.
They are independent, they ask questions and they are not beholden to the network of private and governmental interests that hold our city captive and in fear of speaking truth.
The Finch administration and its supporters have implemented their whisper campaign machinery to suggest that the Working Families Party “controls” four members of the Board of Education.
The claim is absurd.
The Board of Education has nine democratically elected members. Six members were elected as Democrats and three were elected on the Working Families Party line.
Having watched the board during these turbulent times, I can attest to the fact that unlike five Democratic members of the board who vote as a bloc and are rubber stamps for the Finch administration, Paul Vallas and the Democratic machine, the three Working Family Party members and one of the Democrats tackle their roles with exactly the type of independence and intelligence that we so desperately need.
Any attempt to expose bloc voting on the Board of Education must only look to the five Democrats on the board, several of whom are highly educated in academic affairs. Indeed one is a professor at a university, one is an attorney and another is a graduate of a divinity school.
However, this high level of education does not stop them from voting blindly to support whatever Finch and Vallas propose.
Sadly, we live in a city controlled by a Democratic Party machine, which has always, and can always, count on the silent complicity of the Republican Party to act as its wholly owned subsidiary.
A healthy two-party system means that questions are asked at public meetings, and answered. A vibrant two-party system creates the conditions to hold public officials accountable for the decisions made on behalf of residents and taxpayers.
Tragically, the two-party system in place in Bridgeport is in a state of desperate decay, which has brought about the destruction of any semblance of democracy for the residents of this once vibrant city.
What exists in its place is the Finch machine.
A machinery supported by sycophants, private law firms, and business interests who manage and manipulate the members of the City Council, and the delegation to the House of Representatives and the state Senate.
Given that a significant percentage of Bridgeport’s elected city and state officials, and/or members of their families are employed by the city and/or the Board of Education, it is no wonder that the residents of the city are fed up and disgusted to watch the parade of kept men and women of a disgraced political machine strut their stuff on the taxpayer dime.
One need only look at the venomous opposition hurled at Rep. Jack Hennessy in his quest to slay the dragons of conflict of interest on the City Council for evidence of the dire state of affairs in the city of Bridgeport.
In these challenging and oppressive times, we do not need more people asking fewer questions, but rather fewer people asking no questions.
We need to take to heart Albert Einstein’s admonition that “if I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.”
And we must never plead guilty to complicity by silence.
Carmen is a voice for reason and justice in a city that has known far too little of it in recent decades. The city would be a far better place if her recommendations were followed.
Let me make sure I understand this. She is talking about the same Working Families Party that cross-endorsed scores of Democratic candidates including Dan Malloy, Chris Murphy, all five Democratic Congressmen, both of Bridgeport’s State Senators and, in the past, many of our Democratic State Representatives. Right?
That is called fusion voting. That is the same WF party that has also endorsed some GOP candidates and in places such as Bridgeport run its own candidates. Are you not aware the WF ran against the Democratic Party for the Board of Ed? And BTW Judge Lopez is not a member of the WF.
Dave, the “Democratic Machine” elected Maria Pereira and Sauda Baraka in 2009. They supported them over the Republican candidates. Be careful what you wish for!
Where is Carmen Lopez on rallying support for HB 5724 Conflict of Interest? Does she have her WF peeps calling out their reps to insist on support of this? If the constituents of this city demand representation from their State Reps and Senators, why are Ayala, Musto, C. Ayala and Santiago not behind this? I don’t get it.
Judge Lopez has been in favor of the bill right from the start and was at the public hearing of HB 5724, and along with Maria Pereira both testified.
Carmen Lopez stated this lawsuit is a “win for the city,” and that’s the problem. This is not about the “City,” it’s really about the loss to the students in Bridgeport. This lawsuit has set them back another ten years. What happens to the programs he put in place that work? I am not saying he should not be certified to hold his position; I am saying, however, allow him the opportunity to do it. He is already here; let’s give him a second to do what he said he will do. I could think of better waya she can spend her money if she is so concerned about the city of Bridgeport. How about hiring some tutors to help our kids; how about buying some computers or extra uniform clothes for kids who only have one shirt and one pair of pants. It’s an Outrage, she should be ashamed of herself. There are better ways this whole thing could have been addressed, where the children of Bridgeport were not the target. Everyone complains but never comes to the table with a solution. I sure hope she has someone who can do an even better job stashed somewhere!!!