Asserting former Mayor Joe Ganim “had his time” and Mayor Bill Finch is a “glaring disappointment” Mary-Jane Foster appeared on Mike Bellamy’s Coffee Break Chat Friday morning on radio station WICC following her formation of a candidate committee for mayor on Monday. Foster lost a Democratic primary to Finch in 2011. She made several things clear including that she’s not interested in a bobblehead day from the Bluefish baseball team she co-founded.
Bellamy asked her why she’s running.
“I love this city and because we deserve better than what we’ve gotten.” She spoke of the city’s potential. “I’m looking for the opportunity to making it happen … I’m not a career politician … I learned a lot” from the first run. “One of the things I learned is it’s much less about the hoopla than doing the work.”
Foster said under Finch “Taxes keep going up, our education system is chronically underfunded.”
Foster added that she will take a month to build a campaign infrastructure and raise money before issuing a formal announcement.
On the subject of Ganim she said: “He’s had his time, he’s had his chance and it didn’t end well for him and the city of Bridgeport. Sorry he’s decided to make this move. It’s not good for the image of Bridgeport and the state. He’s decided redemption involves getting his old job back.” Foster and Finch are on the same page about Ganim’s run.
On the subject of Finch: “He’s had a history of raising taxes every year instead of tightening his belt. Now it’s an election year” and he submitted a budget proposal with no tax increase.
On public safety Foster said there’s “Widespread concern over the low staffing of the police department. It should not have happened … The Finch administration has been a day late and dollar short” in recruiting new police officers. Foster projected police staffing levels will dip down to 350 this year, about 100 below the number law enforcement officials would like to see uniformed strength. The police force is losing officers to retirements and enticements from suburban communities.
“We should be making sure we have real conversations about race,” Foster said. “Every urban area is a potential Baltimore.”
Bellamy asked her, what will be different this time?
“The best lessons I learned is how many people in Bridgeport are engaged in the life of this city.” She said she’s been spending a lot of time listening and learning.
“One of the hallmarks of this administration is that they take a look at issues and work top down. They’re in an ivory tower almost … not looking organically of what the people want … I also learned that politics is a rough game and these guys play rough.”
Foster highlighted her campaign activism in support of electing Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes to the Connecticut Senate and Steve Stafstrom to the State House.
Bellamy asked her about her falling-out with Finch. Foster supported Finch for mayor in 2007.
“We have been friendly and worked on a number of issues together. He broke promises to me and broke promises to the community. I have found his administration a real disappointment. He has not moved the needle. It has not grown the tax base … A glaring disappointment in terms of what his administration stands for and has done.”
Foster is an executive at the University of Bridgeport. Finch’s acrimonious relationship toward the university did not come up.
May 6 will be Bill Finch bobblehead night at the ballpark at Harbor Yard.
A Mary-Jane Foster bobblehead day?
“If you don’t mind I’ll take a pass on bobblehead day.”
Great, straight and to the point.
I am sorry I missed that interview. I am certain MJF was very eloquent. I found it strange they didn’t discuss the University of Bridgeport. Unless of course she is waiting for the campaign trail. This will be the Mayor’s Achilles heel and a missed opportunity by Foster. The sooner Finch mends fences with UB the better he will fare. The South End is a significant voting bloc. I would have liked to hear visions for development. I am glad she addressed the Ganim issue. Most people see his running as bad for the image of the city. Good luck to Finch and Foster. Does WICC do repeats of Ralph Bellamy?
Loved him in “Trading Places”
www .imdb.com/name/nm0000897/
Lololol. Rosemary’s Baby and the W 🙂 inds of War … Mike Bellamy.
I am certain no business will bypass the park city because she is mayor. Finch? Ganim? Hell yes!!!
Charlie, I would love to chat with just one businessman who believes Bridgeport would benefit in any way shape or form with Mr. Ganim’s credentials. Business and development will come to a screeching halt. But some old-time buddies would benefit or feel important again.
We’ll See!
No Curveballs thrown here. Straight heat and down the middle. She won’t be afraid to go high and inside.
Steve, I think you meant Mike Bellamy.
Mike Bellamy on WICC … yes, you are correct.
Mary-Jane Foster can hold her own, she’s an iron fist in a satin glove. It appears several people who were her former supporters have now aligned themselves with Ganim. Now that she has made her candidacy official, will any of them revert back to supporting her?