From Republican State Senate candidate Rick Costantini:
State Senate Candidate Rick Costantini confirmed today that if elected, one of his first actions would be to re-introduce a bill in the General Assembly that would prohibit elected officials from being employed by the city or town they represent. “It’s about time that the loophole in state law that allows this blatant conflict of interest to persist be closed,” stated Costantini.
Costantini went further and pledged to support the bill in its original form which did not contain the “grandfather” provision which would allow current elected officials who are municipal employees to be exempted from the change and permitted to continue running for their current elected positions in perpetuity.
Rick stated, “The people of Bridgeport spoke loud and clear when they voted on the City Charter and prohibited city employees from serving as elected officials. Carving out an exception is merely acquiescing to the opposition. If you believe that elected officials should not be municipal employees than the exception makes no sense as it only condones the conduct and allows it to continue.”
State Representative Jack Hennessy had initially introduced a bill to address this issue but was forced to amend the bill and include the “grandfather” provision to garner additional support. “I understand that Rep. Jack Hennessy had some difficulty getting support for his bill from Bridgeport’s senate delegation, so I look forward to working with him to get this important piece of legislation passed in Hartford. You can’t expect residents to have confidence in their state and local government if the will of the people is ignored.”
A meet and greet for Costantini will take place Friday 6 p.m. at Harborview Market, 218 Harborview Avenue. Appetizers and refreshments served.
Very interesting … hmmmmmmmmm.
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This could make the race very interesting three weeks before the election. I think being a Bridgeporter should give Moore the edge. I’d imagine her campaign is spending time outside of Bridgeport to expand her base. Three weeks go by very fast.
Rick Costantini is a Bridgeporter, too.
Costantini last-minute trick, what’s next, a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage just like President Herbert Hoover promised?
Hahaha! Hardly last minute–the issue of not supporting 5724 probably cost Musto his seat, so both candidates have announced they support the conflict of interest bill–and I believe they both will when elected.
Not for nothing Ron, but isn’t the “Chicken” in the pot comment more apropos for all the boondoggles Dannel Malloy has been promising? Train Station, anyone?
Gabriel, yes.
Many fine things can be said about Marilyn Moore. However, when it comes to politics in Bridgeport, what’s the fastest-growing civic organization in the 22nd district? Answer: Democrats for Costantini.
I would say Mr. Costantini’s position represents a COMMONSENSE solution. This is not rocket science. Do the people’s business with the most amount of transparency and the least amount of acrimony.
Gabriel, what was Costantini’s position before all of a sudden he sees the light, please.
Kind of late to the party, no? Moore has been behind the anti-conflict bill since the beginning, and I do mean the very beginning. I suppose support of the bill would be something for a Republican candidate to try to latch onto bless his soul, but running a late, one-issue game in Bridgeport is kind of lame when we need tax help, we need roads fixed, and don’t get me started on Education.
I doubt Costantini is expecting to take Bridgeport. He will very likely take Trumbull and Monroe. The question is turnout. Will Bridgeport come out in higher than typical numbers to vote for Moore? I sense fewer Trumbull and Monroe voters who supported Musto will vote for Moore. Why? Primarily because she is from Bridgeport and secondarily because she is black. I think Costantini has a reasonable chance.
Tom White, thanks for your honesty.