The fate of placing mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster on the ballot in September is now in the hands of a Superior Court judge who will hear arguments next week to include Foster before voters after Democratic Registrar Santa Ayala made the dubious decision to reject her candidacy. Foster and her slate of candidates filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Ayala who has come under fire on a number of fronts when she failed to print sufficient ballots during the general election last year and now depriving thousands of voters who would head to the polls to choose from Foster or Mayor Bill Finch.
You know what I say, let the gladiators duke it out: woman to man, eye to eye, bone to bone, tooth to tooth, head to head. Don’t let a registrar who’s worried about her job security next year prevent voters from exercising their preference. The Finch fans say hey, we’ll kick butt. If that’s the case let the Finch fans vote, let the Foster fans vote. Let the people decide this race, not a skittish pol looking over her shoulder at Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa, supporting Finch, who could dictate her party endorsement next year and another two years on the job. Let’s get it on!
What an exciting day!!! The channel 12 new really covered the “reinstate The Foster Slate” rally at the City Hall Annex. The Foster supporters are growing daily. So energized!!! The debate was great and Finch was totally humiliated. He is so arrogant and just figures he will dance back into City Hall. I think after tonight’s poor debate, Finch is shakin’ in his boots. Foster crushed him and she was totally respectful of him. Nothing negative. Finch just couldn’t justify why he deserved another 4 years!!! Cannot wait to see the papers tomorrow. Jeff Kohut also did a very nice job! I like Jeff a lot. Great ideas! I think Mary-Jane Foster kicked ass tonight .As for Finch–well as Ann-Margret sang so long ago–Bye Bye Birdie –That would be Finch and Wood woody woodpecker!!! Tonight Bill Finch actually left the debate because he had “Other Plans,” oh really?????????
Was there any media coverage of the debate? Anyone have any specific details of the Q & A?
Thanks Steven, for the new Finch signature tune.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=1t3cBTb3xPc
It Was Awesome! Can’t wait to go to the videotape. Foster hit it out of the park. It was an ecumenical kabbalah of pentecostal evangelism that brought back memories of the political activism and social action of the ’60s.
Reinstate The Foster Slate!
‘Cause the Times They Are A-Changin’!
It’s time for a Bridgeport version of the Tea Party and throw the do-nothing, taxing flies and leeches into the harbor. What an ideal opportunity for political reform in a thoroughly corrupt political environment!!!
Vote Foster. Vote Foster. Finch is doomed.
Jeez, I see Charlie Coviello in a brand new tee shirt. That’s an improvement on his wardrobe.
He’s so debonair–a real fashion statement.
Good to be in the City tonight at 999 as Mary-Jane supporters gathered. Impressive energy! More impressive was the solid outrage spoken at the response of the ROV office in frustrating people who wish to exercise their vote.
Being away for a few days allows the time to reflect and reformulate facts, feelings, and impressions. For what it’s worth I came to realize my foundational problem with Bill Finch is I can no longer trust him. I have looked at what he has said. I observe what he does. Too many times there is a world of difference between the two. If he dealt more openly and provided more transparency, perhaps I would cut him more slack, but thought I would post my reflections for your feedback.
* $600 Tax Credit–offered knowing no way to pay for it
* Annual balanced budget claims–yet $30 Million of debt added to future tax burdens of current expenses do not support claim and therefore fall afoul of City Charter requirement
* 200 job cuts … but hires and rehires outside of budget through “special accounts” puts a lie to real jobs numbers for City
* “Ghost” positions in budget, currently vacant, and expected to be until Tom Sherwood senses we are in good times (do not hold your breath) provides several million dollars of “slush fund” spending for Mayor … unaccounted for until Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for a spending year comes out eight months after the fiscal year closes!!! And how many in the CIty or City Council read that document?
* Finch’s second goal in December 2007 was education of youth … yet his prepared budgets kept their spending flatlined!
* Mayor Finch has run to Hartford with reports the financial sky is falling in Bridgeport to get Pension Plan A funding diminished, etc. but turns around and tells Fitch a different story?
* Mayor’s salary keeps increasing in the budgets but he claims he is sharing pain with givebacks, furloughs, etc. How about some reporting with W-2 and 1099 documents?
* The City has increased debt by more than $20 Million per year during Finch term for retiree healthcare. And tax anticipation notes and other internal financing methodology hides the reality from City Council B & A who don’t get to see or discuss the “hide and seek” game.
* City homeowner’s refinance their mortgages at the historically low long-term debt rates but the City still pays 7.46% for the Pension Obligation Bonds. Why? If our credit is so good, what is stopping us from dropping our rates and saving tens of millions in the next 18 years?
* Bill has $43,000 of extra campaign money. Goes to the Excellence in Government PAC, but it comes back to him, to his wife, to Adam Wood, steered by a friend of Bill, an attorney from out of town, whose Mom runs the PAC in her mid-eighties and herself gets $300 per month for cell phone reimbursement but has no cell phone??? Again, OIB, you cannot make this up!
* And Bill talks occasionally about open, accountable or transparent governance. But when you cannot get a monthly financial report, the Charter says must be prepared and posted in City Clerk by the fourth Friday following the end of a month, we have a LARGE problem. Where are March, April, May and June 2011 70-page summaries and notes?
If you lose trust in the words of your leader, you’re not going to provide support, or a vote.
This is not about the ‘c’ word that put so many off four years ago, but it is about honesty, Bill!
B2:
Your observations are spot on, but outside of the CT Post and Channel 12 who knows or cares? This Sec of State tried to find reasons for not getting involved. The court system will hear the arguments but their ruling will not come until the election is over. I am sorry I seem pessimistic but when you deal with people like these career politicians you can never underestimate the levels they won’t sink to. If you’re going to get involved against these people day number one to the finish there must be offense day after day.
Nose to the grindstone. Let’s get to work!
Christopher Caruso. Would be nice to be working with you in the North End!!! Snap out of it!!! There is no way you are able to compose yourself with all of this crap going on. We Need You! We of course will respect your decision to be invisible but why the hell would Chris Caruso want to be invisible? Back in December I asked you to run for Mayor. You chose a new path. Now we need you to help crush The Democratic town committee. Come on Chris. Join the winning team!!! We are totally excited. Mary-Jane Foster can and will win!!!
I agree with you, Steve. The DTC machine is finally coming DOWN. I know Chris would want to be part of this. Why is he so quiet?
He could be focusing on his job. But to miss an opportunity like this is strange. Maybe he has lost his fire and passion for Bridgeport. He certainly deserves the position he has in the Malloy administration. I am certain it initially was a sigh of relief for Finch that Caruso would not be running. He had not yet met his match in Mary-Jane Foster. Caruso could be a hero. Many of his supporters who have worked for him are working for Foster. Come on Chris. Time for a press conference. We can all cross the finish line together!!! Tell the Ned Lamont Supporting DTC they are done!!! At least Foster supported Malloy.
He has his own little machine now.
I was there at the rally. My father was wounded during service in WWII, defending our rights to free speech, to assemble, to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Got a little choked up when everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Now I know the greater meaning of the words. There was a tremendous amount of positive energy.
I also caught a little of the debate at Burroughs Community Center. It was definitely a pro-MJF crowd. They listened politely as Mr. Finch gave his responses to questions from the audience. He claimed “I did this!” several times, taking credit for things without having anything to show for it. He took credit for securing a land disposition agreement for Steel Point, but so what? It’s still nothing more than a disused piece of real estate the city owns. And why is the mayor’s office only now issuing RFPs for downtown north properties like the Majestic and Poli theatres? Shouldn’t have that been done back in ’07 or ’08, soon after he took office? It would appear he cynically held those in reserve, issuing the RFPs when it would look good for re-election purposes. And let’s not forget Mr. Finch has been misusing campaign funds since at least 2001. It looks as if the mayor and Attorney William Beccaro have been laundering money since 2007 via Beccaro’s “People for Excellence in Government” PAC.
Santa Ayala has proven herself to be the most incompetent registrar of voters east of the Mississippi or is simply a shill for Mr. Finch and his padron Mario Testa. She should’ve lost her job after the ballot shortage last year. That clusterfuck tarnished the city’s reputation on a national scale. Now she has the nerve to issue flawed electoral petitions and then reject them for the same flaws. No need for the Foster camp to worry there. Attorneys Mount and Neigher will prevail in court.
What Bridgeport needs, beyond a good five-cent nickel, are to be rid of the corrupt political machine that has run the city into the ground.
Hey, has anyone seen or heard from Mary_Choen95?
Mary_Choen95 crawled back under her rock.
Who is paying Fredo to be Ayala’s “Personal Attorney?”
yahooy, Moe Greene paying Fredo to be Ayala’s “Personal Attorney.”
The Ganims really can’t afford another scandal. This bullshit with Fredo representing Ayala could make Santino’s transgressions pale.
Have Luca Brasi make Fredo an offer he can’t refuse.