Shortly after 3 p.m. today (Friday) we’ll know if a Democratic primary for mayor will take place. If Judge Barbara Bellis rules for the defense mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster is expected to appeal the decision and another election hangover will linger in the city. If there is a primary the Foster campaign will receive a jolt of adrenaline in the Foster stormtroopers’ quest for democracy. But has the Finch administration’s response to Hurricane Irene added a new wrinkle to the race if there is a primary? Will voters focus more on the mayor showing leadership during an emergency or on the resurrection of Foster’s race?
Reports from several areas including the flood-prone Seaside Village in the South End reveal a quick city response to residents in need. Mayor Finch was visible throughout the city before, during and after the storm hit. Is it legit to praise the mayor’s response? Or is it cheesy to take credit? That’s when you can press surrogates into action such as Senator Dick Blumenthal who toured the city on Thursday. From Mayor Finch:
U.S. Sen. Blumenthal Praises Bridgeport’s Hurricane Efforts
Mayor Bill Finch joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal as he stopped in Bridgeport Thursday morning to obtain an up-close look at the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.
“After being hit with a storm unlike any we’ve seen in the City’s recent past, we’re happy to show Sen. Blumenthal the progress we’ve made thus far in our recovery efforts,” said Mayor Finch.
“Bottom-line for Bridgeport: leadership was performed and produced. Leadership that was matched by the community; the volunteers, the Red Cross, community organizations all came through, with the police, fire, emergency responders. It is a great story of people coming together in a common cause and I want to particularly thank Mayor Finch for his leadership at a time of adversity,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “I’ve been all around the state, Bridgeport performance was unexcelled in the way it protected its people and produced leadership for its citizens.”
During the City of Bridgeport’s door-to-door mandatory evacuation efforts, approximately 13,000 residents or 4,700 households were reached by the team of 135 fire, police, city officials and other volunteers. The City’s two shelters, Bassick and Harding High Schools housed nearly 700 evacuees including 18 dogs, two cats and a turtle. The City of Bridgeport assisted with the delivery of 3,108 meals, 1,500 snacks and 1,172 bottles of water to locations that large numbers of functional and access needs residents resided.
After a briefing at the City’s Emergency Operations Center, Sen. Blumenthal joined Mayor Finch, City officials and emergency personnel staff on a boat ride through Bridgeport Harbor to view damage caused by Hurricane Irene.
The storm, which hit at astronomical high tide on Sunday, left Seaside Park and much of the South End under several feet of water after dropping 6.5 inches of rain on the City and clocking top winds of 60 mph at Sikorsky Airport. More than 120 streets suffered some form of storm damage ranging from flooding, to downed trees and/or wires. At one point during the storm, 35,000 UI customers were without electrical service. As Thursday morning, approximately 3,200 households are still without electrical service. Pre-assessment damage costs are estimated to be nearly $10 million dollars.
In his remarks on Thursday, Sen. Blumenthal pledged to, “fight as long and hard as necessary for funds to compensate Bridgeport and every city and town in the state of Connecticut for losses we’ve sustained.”
Mayor Finch added, “I’m confident that Sen. Blumenthal, along U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, will do everything he can to secure the necessary federal aid for those who have felt the impact of Irene in their homes and neighborhoods.”
There’s no denying Mayor Finch was proactive and took a hands-on approach towards the well-being of the citizens who were at risk during the hurricane. His efforts were admirable and he worked tirelessly to ensure their safety. His tireless dedication is to be commended, albeit the opposition will find a way to turn a positive into a negative. Thank you Mayor Finch … FOUR MORE YEARS!!!
He took a hands-on approach alright. He used the taxpayers’ money to serve a 5-course meal including chicken marsala from Vazzy’s to seniors at the housing sites and to people in the shelters. Pizza and sandwiches weren’t good enough for our mayor. He had to secure the vote by calling in Vazzy’s. My neighbor works there and said the bill will be thousands of dollars. Should we take care of our citizens in a time of emergency? Absolutely. But they should have eaten pizza and Subway like the rest of us.
How do you know he used taxpayers’ money? Are you sure of that? It’s my understanding he paid for it himself, but I’m sure some of you will disagree just for the sake of it, but I’ve come to accept no one will give him credit no matter what.
If he paid for it you can be sure Bill Beccaro will “reimburse” him for it.
GET REAL! ARE YOU SOME KIND OF AN IDIOT?
Sonya wouldn’t let Bill pay his child support. You think she’d let him buy food for strangers? Get real!
Four more years means four more years of corruption, nepotism, cronyism, lack of economic improvement, no reduction in real estate taxes, and a very non-inclusive management that has been milking the city dry.
No one here believes that. Bill Finch would’ve stayed home and let his subordinates handle the crisis if he wasn’t in serious danger of losing his job.
Will Hurricane Irene do for Bill Finch what the Blizzard of 1978 did for Ella Grasso? Let’s hope not.
NEWS FLASH …
Do you agree a Mayor is something more than an “emergency services director?” According to everything I know Mayor Finch is seeking another four-year term as Bridgeport’s Chief Executive. His performance during snow emergencies, tornado repairs, and hurricane warnings and debris cleanups is noted and applauded. But there are other critical times where his leadership, knowledge, accountable and open governance, and full and accurate reporting have been less impressive. Of course, that’s my opinion.
Some facts:
* The City budget is not balanced.
* City financial reporting is not meeting City Charter standards of monthly, 12x annually.
* The most recent year (2010-11) closing probably shows a deficit of more than $2.3 Million despite unexpected millions to the City from the Feds. When will that report surface for the Council and for the public at large?
* During the Finch term of office an ordinance creating the use of an “internal service fund” has been used in risk management by the City. What impact has that had on our finances?
* Tax Anticipation Notes tens of millions greater than before the Finch term are floated with high interest rates relative to financially stronger neighboring communities? Why?
* City “retiree healthcare” obligations are partially paid for currently but the balance unpaid increases City liabilities by $61 Million as of 2010 CAFR and probably more than $80 Million after 2011 close.
Those are big numbers. City Council does not talk about this. Budget and Appropriations did not address these issues in any meaningful way at their budget sessions. The Mayor’s own budgets have not set up an annual funding for the City unreserved, undesignated fund balance as called for in the City Charter! Why not? In fact in last year’s audit the BOE budget was ignored in calculating the “fund balance” percentage of 5.95%. It is called to be a minimum of 8% of City Budget or about $40 Million. It will probably be less than $10 Million after June 30, 2011 closes finally and is reported.
So am I looking for the Mayor to be a weather reporter and emergency service chief for the City? Not really. That can be delegated and still get photo-ops. What I am looking for is the Mayor to belly up to the bar and tell us the real financial story that has occurred during his 45 months in office. Anybody else want to hear the “whole truth and nothing but that truth” about where the City stands today, and what we are going to do about it?
Right on, Beacon! Let’s not forget Forbes magazine called Bridgeport a city on the brink of financial disaster earlier this year:
www .forbes.com/forbes/2011/0214/real-estate-bankruptcy-taxes-pensions-cities-on-brink.html
And the Institute for Truth in Accounting released a report that our fair city is $1.4 BILLION in debt … yes that’s billion with a “b” …
connecticut.statebudgetwatch.org/2011/05/26/true-bridgeport-ct-financial-burden-is-1-4-billion
And the mayor wants to pound his chest for the great job he’s done? I don’t think so. He hasn’t earned my vote and no one should consider giving him another four years to further screw things up.
Game over, Mr. Finch.
Sad to say, at this moment, thanks to Bartlett, the only two who can give us game over is Kohut and Torres.
Beacon,
And the rating agencies didn’t downgrade the city? Is Sherwood and Company telling them something different?
Of course they are. Don’t be retarded. Finch instructed Sherwood to use the léger-de-main accounting method so the mayor would have something to crow about. Bill Finch is all about image. He promised a $600 tax rebate simply because it would appeal to some voters. Who cares if he could deliver? He only wanted to say it out loud. He put on a big show back in July, acting all anguished, doing a very bad Hamlet imitation, when he announced the BOE takeover. It didn’t take long for a few reporters to discover Mr. Finch had been having discussions with a number of people at least six months before making the announcement. So that was all just so much fakery, an act, a dog-and-pony show for the cheap seats.
And then he went out in his shirtsleeves before an impending tropical storm, going door-to-door to “warn” of the danger. It was a photo op for him, nothing more.
And that, folks, is why TBK will catch a beating from someone. Countdown asks a question, and genius TBK calls him retarded.
Get over yourself, pal.
But of course he’s so intellectually superior to everyone else, haven’t you noticed? He insults everyone in some way, shape or form. That’s his sole mission on here, to be an irritant and to impress everyone with his pompous attitude. He reigns supreme on this blog, so get in line or else! LMAO!
*** How lucky you must be Godiva to be able to have such a hero to blog about! *** HEAR, SEE OR SPEAK NO EVIL ***
Which completely misses the body of my post. You, sir, are an ignorant fool.
Is that a threat, did I see a threat there? Being a little thin-skinned? This is a public forum. So we disagree. Big deal. You’ve addressed me in a disparaging manner. Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it. This isn’t high school.
The judge is only going to consider the evidence and testimony given in court. What other information is available is not in front of her. It is Judge Bellis’ opinion that counts here. Based on the evidence submitted she is going to rule in Mary-Jane Foster’s favor. It’s almost a sure thing, so much so it’s worth a wager.
All of this shrapnel aimed at Jason Bartlett, come on. I’m not seeing that. At this point it is irrelevant because the matter is being addressed in a court of law. And that’s the best forum. The Democratic Registrar of Voters is being exposed for her willful ignorance of the statutes she was elected to uphold. This is the person who brought national scorn and embarrassment to the city of Bridgeport last November by running out of ballots for a general election. There was no evidence it was a deliberate act. If it was she broke the law. If it wasn’t she’s incompetent. Either way we cannot afford to have a person like that in charge of the electoral process, not anymore. Don’t be surprised if Judge Bellis admonishes Santa Ayala from the bench. And don’t forget the SEEC is investigating the petition rejection that initiated the lawsuit. At least a part of the corrupt political machine is being exposed to open air.
I agree in part with your criticism of Jason Bartlett. He was partly to blame for this particular clusterfuck. But it’s going to work out in the end, just be patient. Harping on the action or inaction of one person is to miss the overall.
The rating agency Mayor Finch referenced in the debate last night was Fitch. They are not rating the City on its overall finances but on a narrower issue, the ability to pay certain types of debt back. That is my understanding.
Their rating, such as it is, is also based on the June 30 2010 year, where the unrestricted, undesignated City reserve balance stood at $11 Million when it should have been closer to $38 Million according to the Charter which instructs the City to maintain that reserve at 8% of the budget. The 2010 report indicated it stood at nearly 6% but that was accomplished by dropping all Board of Education expenses out of the City budget! How’s that for shaping the facts to fit you viewpoint? Or for putting one over on the public? Who reads that stuff anyways? Not the members of the City Council who are our sole “check and balance” in this City.
I will likely support MJF if she is on the ballot, but I think it is wrong to dismiss Finch’s work before/during/after Irene.
He really did do a fine job. If Bridgeport was already a thriving city, I think Finch would make a very good mayor. The only reason I will support MJF is I think she is better equipped to turn the city around.
It seems to be the nature of politics that the candidate you do not support is made out to be the devil while the candidate you do support is perfect; I don’t see it that way.
If Bridgeport were a thriving city, Finch would have run it into the ground just the same.
Correctly or incorrectly a natural disaster could make or break a politician. However, don’t forget the voters have ADD and as soon as something else (i.e. a MJF court victory) happens, it will take over their thought process. If the court says City of Bridgeport you are wrong and acted to prevent democracy (yet again), all the momentum goes to MJF. Further, the fact the SEEC and State Attorneys are investigating Finch for fraud and illegal use of PAC and campaign funds won’t go away. It is like a big black cloud (bigger than Irene) hanging over his head. If the court finds for Foster, Finch is in major trouble. Plus, if he has the City Attorney’s office appeal he looks even worse.
Voters don’t have ADD in Bpt, they have threatened jobs and bought-off churches to kill MJ’s momentum.
So much pessimism. You must’ve wet the bed a lot when you were a kid.
Churches are the biggest set of crooks we have in the black community, or shall I say the pastor of these churches. I myself do not go to church, it is just a money hungry organization that will sell itself out for money. No wonder we have some of the lowest church attendance in years, church is nothing more than a business. Vote Mary-Jane Foster, do not let your votes be bought.
donj, you are going down the wrong road on this, how dare you make a blanket statement like that about the black church or their pastor?
You said, “No wonder we have some of the lowest church attendance in years, church is nothing more than a business,” what are you talking about, it’s obvious you don’t attend any black church in Bridgeport. I will say this to you donj, attend my church any Sunday and see for yourself, Mt. Aery Baptist Church.
I agree with Ron. It’s wrong to paint all churches with a broad brush. A church is a business. Its business is salvation.
*** Politics 101, turning a negative into a positive, but then how quickly do people forget? Spend some money on “FOSTER” name recognition all over the city (city buses); meet with the seniors, vets & small-business community. Time’s a-wasting on individual political promises, prepare the district teams with movers & shakers not story tellers! *** PUSH FOSTER FOR MAYOR! ***
Nicely put!!!!!!!!!
Looks like I have some “Foster Papering” to do, eh? No worries!!!
Ron Mackey, but we all know for a fact these churches, well some, have been bought out and I have to agree with WINNING. WINNING said “Voters don’t have ADD in Bpt, they have threatened jobs and bought-off churches to kill MJ’s momentum” I sure agree with his statement, So many of our black churches have sold out the people because the machine have bought them out. This is not just a problem in Bridgeport but in most major cities. I have been to that church already and I have nothing bad to say about it but to be honest most churches are run like a business, that’s just a fact. Trust me I use to go to church but the older you get you see right through it and so have many of my friends my age. Do your research about church attendance in the last decade. What the black community lacks is strong leaders and all these wannabe leaders care about is money money money and more money … Ron things and times have changed my brother I’m sure you read your bible and it sure mentioned false prophets in the end times.
*** Another political show PD substation opened in the East End to be closed by 2012 due to high PD overtime, no? Too many prima donnas & top-heavy brass to make a real difference in the fight against rising crime in Bpt. *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
I would agree with Ron that Pastor Bennett at Mount Aery is an exception to donj’s statement. Pastor Bennett’s article in last Sunday’s Post said it all. I hope he preaches that sermon for the next two weeks.
donj, do you know anything about the The Moral Majority or Jerry Falwell (Founder) Pat Robertson, James Robison and Paul Weyrich?
donj, you said, “Churches are the biggest set of crooks we have in the black community, or shall I say the pastor of these churches.” donj, I see you are supporting MJF, let me read where Ms. Foster agrees with your statement.
Pastor Bennett is one of the most respected clergymen in Fairfield County, donj.
When you are mayor you get to take the bows and the boos. In my opinion the boos far outweigh the bows. Something stinks in Bridgeport and it smells like Limburger cheese. Wasn’t one of Bill’s plethora of jobs the Civil Defense Director in Bridgeport? Bill never met a job he could keep. Our “Environmental Bill” is really a “Counterfeit Bill!”
Can’t wait to see for whom the Bellis tolls. Her honor has been not more than fair or less than fair, but just plain fair, as a judge should be.
Today is the day Judge Bellis will issue a ruling in favor of the Foster campaign and repudiate the broken machine that is the DTC.
Today’s the day the corrupt political machine in Bridgeport is finally repudiated in a court of law. A celebration for democracy will be held on the steps of the Fairfield County Courthouse at 3:15 PM. I’ll be there, celebrating democracy and the city’s liberation from a corrupt party machine that makes Tammany Hall look like a lady’s sewing circle. Thank God Almighty for the first amendment to the United States Constitution.
Too bad the first amendment doesn’t apply to City employees. They speak up and they are written up.
I’m nervous. This could go either way. Surely, it is righteous to impose democracy and let the people decide. If I were the judge, that’s exactly what I would do.
Today is the most important day in the entire history of our troubled city. We have endured agendized political influence for so many years and have wasted away to a point where recovery may not be as easy as we think.
The Democratic Town Committee should be shamed for what they have put us through and continue to do so. To allow this to continue is a concept so outrageous it sickens me to think it is possible. So much rests on the outcome of the court hearing for the DTC. Highly incompetent people are going to lose their jobs. Vendors who have received city contracts in an unfair manner are going to have to look elsewhere for business. The unbelievable machinations of the BOE are going to come to a screeching halt. Too bad. It’s a sweet deal. Retire with a generous pension then be rehired as a consultant for $800 per day.
Voter apathy allowed it to happen year after year. The voters don’t appear to be too apathetic this time. This time we think we have a real shot at ridding this town of Mario Testa.
I have to give the little guy a lot of credit though. He played this deal to the maximum. It was a brilliant move to have Ayala wait so long before dropping the bomb on MJF. He knows he cannot win a legitimate election this time. The only way is to incorporate deception and cheat. No big deal for this guy, he has been orchestrating this type of government for years. He’s good at it.
So. Our fate rests in the hands of the judge. Let’s just hope the judge has more respect for the citizens than she has for Mario’s Shrimp Francese.
From all reports it appeared Judge Bellis is trying to find a way to put Mary-Jane Foster’s name on the primary ballot. The judge asked nine relevant questions. The answers submitted by Michele Mount and Alan Neigher, attorneys for the plaintiff, went to great lengths to detail every single one of Santa Ayala’s transgressions. Deputy City Attorney Art Laske III seemed to have thrown in the towel before closing arguments. All he could do was babble on about how the first Tuesday in November falls after the first Monday in November. And the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain.
Santa Ayala violated several statutes at the direction of someone else. It is widely suspected the someone else in question is Mario Testa. He’ll be hard to get at; he knows how to insulate himself from the dirty work. Investigators will have to learn how.
Much griping on OIB about Foster campaign manager Jason Bartlett’s responsibility in the rejection of the petition. That’s all just so much bullshit, shortsighted people looking for someone to blame. I communicated with a highly placed member of the Foster campaign and was informed Jason Bartlett did nothing wrong. Nothing wrong, period. End of story.
This is going to work out for the betterment of the people of the city of Bridgeport. 2-1/2 more hours and we’ll know for sure the Honorable Judge Barbara Bellis repudiated a corrupt political machine that has served the interests of a few, never the common good.
TBK
If, and I’m not, but if I were a Finch supporter, I would want MJ to win to shut you up. You make this webzine impossible to read babbling on and on about the dame crap over and over. Let’s hope you get so happy today at 3 pm … that your fingers curl and you can never type again.
And the winner is–Mary-Jane Foster. CONGRATULATIONS! Any more comments about Jason Bartlett????????? Primary 27th of September. Hmmm 27 is my lucky number. And I’m feeling lucky!