Two members of the Charter Revision Commission Faith Sweeney and John Hosier issued this statement to members of the City Council asserting “what we’ve seen is dismissal, delay, or outright disregard” of the commission’s work.
What had been seen as potential to include larger charter items for voter approval, such a minor-party representation on the council, received pushback from some members of the all-Democratic legislative body.
To the Members of the Bridgeport City Council,
I, Faith Sweeney, and John Hosier write today in disappointment. Disappointment at the silence, the inaction, and the lack of principled leadership shown toward the Charter Revision Commission and the democratic process it represents.
The Charter Revision Commission was convened to serve the people of Bridgeport; to modernize and strengthen the foundation of our city government through thoughtful, community-rooted recommendations. This work demands not just procedural attention but serious ethical engagement from those who claim to represent our collective interests.
Instead, what we’ve seen is dismissal, delay, or outright disregard. When public service becomes performative, driven more by politics and personality than principle, the public loses faith.
We offer this reminder from historian Timothy Snyder in his book On Tyranny:
“Professional ethics must guide us. Then there is no such thing as ‘just following orders.’ If members of the professions confuse their specific ethics with the emotions of the moment, however, they can find themselves saying and doing things that they might previously have thought unimaginable.”
This moment demands professional ethics, not deferral to political convenience, not fear of backlash, not tactical silence. It demands elected officials who will uphold democratic norms and respect the labor of citizens tasked with the hard work of reform.
Supporting the charter revision process is not about agreeing with every recommendation. It is about honoring the responsibility to engage seriously, transparently, and with integrity. Anything less is a disservice to your office and to the people of Bridgeport.
The people are watching. And history, too, takes notes.
Thank you.
Faith and John H.
