A week after unionized members of the police department endorsed former Mayor Joe Ganim for his old job, Mayor Bill Finch’s reelection campaign has announced he’s received the unanimous endorsement of city firefighters.
News release from the Finch campaign:
“As we protect kids and families across Bridgeport every single day, it’s critical that we have a leader in the mayor’s office that we can trust to do what’s best for everyone,” said Firefighters Union President Dave Dobbs. “Mayor Finch is a leader we know is always on our side.”
Dobbs, in giving the membership’s rationale for supporting Mayor Finch’s re-election, referenced their work together to install tens of thousands of smoke alarms across the city, as well as the mayor’s overall efforts to make the city a better place to live, work, and play.
“We see the progress across the city that’s taking place on Mayor Finchs watch–job creation, business growth, crime reduction, downtown improvement, waterfront development–and it’s created an environment where we’re proud to be serving in Bridgeport,” added Dobbs.
Since taking office in 2007, Mayor Finch has doubled investments in public safety, which has resulted in the city experiencing some of its lowest crime rates in decades.
“Mayor Finch has clearly demonstrated his commitment to public safety by providing us with the tools, apparatus, and training required to deliver a high quality emergency response to any and all emergencies that may occur,” said Dobbs. “It was an easy and obvious choice for us And we ask that each and every voter in the city join in us our efforts to Re-Elect Mayor Bill Finch.”
The Bridgeport Fire Department IAFF Local 834 has approximately 270 members
“I’m honored and humbled by the support of Bridgeport firefighters,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Together, through selfless leadership and hard work, we’re truly building a city that works for everyone. Thanks to Bridgeport Firefighters for helping Bridgeport get better every day.”
Dobbs also noted that former mayor-turned-felon, Joseph Ganim–who is running for his old job after being convicted on sixteen felony charges and spending seven years in jail for systematically steering contracts to friends in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and not paying taxes -is not a friend to public safety officials.
“Joe Ganim is a criminal who cannot be trusted. As mayor, Ganim received kickbacks from stockbrokers, who in exchange invested the city’s pension fund in high-risk investments that ultimately failed–this loss has ended up costing each Bridgeport resident an average of over $1500 in taxes,” said Dobbs.
“Now, as mayor-turned-felon Ganim decides to run for mayor again, perhaps he’ll consider re-opening the firehouses that he closed, including Engine 8, Ladder 3, and others,” said Dobbs.
A few observations: why is the fire fighters union discussing crime rates in their press release? They have nothing to do with crime in our city. Maybe the police union should issue a press release about the fire department.
The Bridgeport Fire Dept. has at least one convicted felon serving as a firefighter. He was a convicted felon before he became a fire fighter, therefore you are taking a shot at your very own.
By asking Joe Ganim to re-open closed fire houses it appears you are conceding he will be the next Mayor of Bridgeport. He couldn’t address your request if he weren’t.
I spoke with a current firefighter in my neighborhood last week. He dislikes Finch and Chief Rooney, therefore he will be voting for Joe.
Bad choice of words, Maria Pereira. Bridgeport has only one convicted candidate and that’s the one you’re working for. You picked a bad criterion.
Local Eyes, I am not “working” for Joe, I am “volunteering” for Joe. “Working” implies I am being compensated.
Losers in mustaches who always get their rear ends kicked in contract negotiations. Good luck Mr. Dobbs, when Finch is gone.
The PBA is a very impressive endorsement for Ganim. Finch is trying to recoup some lost momentum.
What do you call an unofficial police substation disguised as a campaign stop?
Answer: a lemonade stand for police officers. You don’t lose momentum by watching your opponent practice his mistakes. Beware of Einstein’s Law, Joe Ganim.
Excellent and appropriate endorsement. Just one of many, many more to follow. Although the Police endorsement for Ganim was nice most voters find it absurd and a joke. If Gaudett sees one police car on duty at Ganim’s headquarters to use the bathroom, I expect a reprimand.
I do not expect to see a fire engine parked in front of a city substation or Finch headquarters. They have a job to do.
Congrats to Mayor Finch. Did you imagine Ganim was on a roll?
Steve, so you have been in on the meeting where Chief Gaudett and his senior officers discussed a specific activity such as taking a leak at a certain location and has indicated a reprimand would follow, the sense of relief? Get a grip man, please? Look at the issues you provide surveillance and “intel” on and yet you cannot come around to money issues? And the Mayor is waiting on your CONGRATS? Time will tell.
John Marshall Lee, until you tell OIB who you are endorsing, save your anti-Finch rhetoric for the choir!
JML, until you address the absurdity of the Police endorsement of Ganim, I remain chagrined by your comments.
Did you see the proud Bridgeport Firefighters last night? They were standing strong with the carpenters and electricians who are so lucky to be working on Bridgeport’s future. They really do have a stake in this race.
Btw–Cal Ripkin is in the City of Bridgeport today for the opening of three new baseball fields. How terrific for the youth of our city!
They were not proud of being there, they were ordered to be there by the unions. The same holds true for all the construction workers. It boils down to who gives a shit how many of them were there, the vast majority can’t vote in Bridgeport.
Steve, it is so unfortunate baseball is no longer what it used to be for the youth in Bridgeport. Little leagues such as the East End, Original, and others have disbanded. Others such as Park City and Black Rock have struggled. The North End Little League has had a big decline in participation. Although Caribe has had success, soccer seems the more popular sport and perhaps lacrosse should be promoted. I like seeing the baseball fields but will they be used?
Bob, Park City closed down.
Dobbs, stay out of politics as you don’t know squat. Your article sure points to the fact someone wrote it for you. Did you read the same old shit about Ganim that is put out by Finch’s campaign witch? You guys are forever trying to badmouth Rooney but you back the guy that hired him. Not too bright. BTW your endorsement means nothing as most of you live out of town.
What did he pay for that endorsement? He let firefighters move to the state pension where they can retire with the three best years of their entire firefighting career. I just talked to a chief who retired with a pension of $94,000 a year because of that move. He even let firefighters that were in pension plan A retire under those circumstances.
Like the police department, the only firefighters wholive in the city are black and Puerto Rican and they account for less than 25% of the department. While you can’t buy a firefighter, you can still rent one.
Dobbs is way out of his lane. This endorsement means nothing because like the police most firefighters DO NOT live in Bridgeport. Finch’s staff had to write Dobbs’ comments and what are they going to do after Finch’s loss? You guys have Rooney laughing at you.
David Dobbs used to be a constituent of mine. Then he decided to move out of the city. But he and Whitbread will be here for Primary Day touting the benefits of living in Bridgeport.
I don’t know this Dobbs character, but from what I’m getting from his comments, he sounds as if he’s running for the job of Mayor. Oh well, let this wanna-be politician have his fifteen minutes. BTW, you go Donald Day, you said it best.
Oh my goodness, the Kool-Aid still follows within Local 834! To be nice, let’s just call Dobbs young and naive. First, why would you do such a dumb thing, you didn’t have to do anything.
A little bit of history, Finch voted against an arbitrated award the Local and the City had agreed upon years ago, sending the Local to a second arbitration panel costing the membership and retires 11% in wages and a reduction in benefits. Dobbs, you may have still been playing with Tonka fire trucks in the sandbox.
Let me be clear, Finch and Rooney are both pigs cut from the same toilet paper. Finch, couldn’t find a job on his own ever and Rooney has been a snake and a slumlord for years, who professes to love anyone of color.
Dobbs, you need to understand the police are not your enemy and you shouldn’t alienate them either. There’s a reason they did what they did and that’s on them. Not the Local!!! You need to talk about yourself and your membership, not someone else’s.
You may or may not be popular among your colleagues, but you have a big learning curve to overcome if this is what your first act as union leader is.
One can only hope your decision process improves. Sometimes keeping your mouth shut says more than you think. Especially if 75% of your membership lives outside the City.
Maybe Dobbs should ask Finch to reopen fire stations.
DonTito, thanks, I’m in total agreement with you. Your comment where you said, “A little bit of history,” is so important, members of local 834 have very little knowledge of their own past history and they don’t want to know. When I first join the BFD I had some issues with the late Deputy Chief Joseph DeCarlo but we would talk. Well after I was elected to the union executive board in 1995 Joe DeCarlo was asked to give us some information and history and Joe came in on Thanksgiving morning and stayed for over four hours talking and giving us a wealth of information and wisdom. David Dobbs and union president Robert Whitbread have never done anything like that. A little history first spoken by George Santayana and later by Winston Churchill, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Time will tell.
lol. This Dobbs kid has no idea what he’s doing, whoever is advising him is making him look like a fool.
Laughing my ass off! Does the disrespect have no boundaries?
“Dobbs and Finch are both pigs cut from the same toilet paper.” Don Tito, a little harsh, no? Who should the fire department have endorsed in your opinion?
Ironically, if Dobbs supported MJF, I am certain Andy, Bob, Ron and Donald would be singing his praises!
Here is the deal, Steve. I am not upset the FD endorsed Finch. The FD is a paper tiger and their support is minimal. As far as I know you can’t vote in Bridgeport if you live in the ‘burbs. What upset me was Dobbs writing to support Finch was not done by Dobbs but by a Finch campaign person. Dobbs was signing off on the bullshit about Ganim’s criminal history, haven’t we had enough of this bullshit from the Finch camp? No, I do NOT support Ganim.
Andy, what MJF has neglected to do about Ganim, Finch will take care. Yes we are tired of the little blurbs about Joe. We are waiting for the sledgehammer your team has been incapable of. Ganim will be devastated. You guys have missed the boat and now Barney is with Ganim. The final showdown will happen on Nutmeg Street. And now seven votes from Barney! Get busy!
Steve, we have all the bases covered and you will be shocked when the shit hits the fan. Ann Barney is giving Maria a thought. I spoke to all the kids and they will not vote for Finch or Ganim.
Andy, I knew you were busy!
Whomever they endorse, Dave Dobbs is a gem. A truly wonderful guy.
Jennifer Lynne, this wonderful guy was speaking on behalf of local 834 firefighter union, if he were speaking for himself, David Dobbs, there’s no problem but he was speaking for all Bridgeport firefighters. Endorse Finch and tell us what the union reason is but no, this guy took it too far. Bridgeport did have a Dobbs, Jim Dobbs, who played baseball for Central High School and he played Little League, Pony League and Colt League who made a name for himself as a really good player. I cannot say the same thing about Dave Dobbs.
Ron, Jim, was all of what you wrote about after suffering from polio as a kid.
Andy, the thing about Jim Dobbs having polio was something most of us knew about it but it was never talked about, I guess it was because we were kids having fun and playing ball with other kids and it was no big deal but Ray Day and Jim Dobbs were truly real good baseball players.
They were two of the best this city produced. As a kid I remember talking to Jim from outside his bedroom window. Jim lived on the corner of Priscilla and Huntington Tpke back then and was confined to his bed.
You are clueless.
Why?!