Just over one week away from the September 27 Democratic primary between Mayor Bill Finch and challenger Mary-Jane Foster. What are you hearing? Have you stopped answering the phone from all the campaign calls? Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala’s latest enrollment figures shows 42,799 registered Dems eligible to vote in the primary.
A quick look at the race, with much more to come during the week including reports from Jim Callahan, long-time Bridgeport political reporter and observer who will be in the city to assist OIB’s election coverage:
Mayor Finch continues to leverage the power of incumbency to his advantage, kicking out nearly daily news announcements focused on a series of capital improvements across the city. Nice to pave streets and repair sidewalks in the weeks leading up to an election. Finch political operatives sound certain of a big primary win with convincing victories across the city. They’re conceding not one voting precinct.
Finch operatives maintain all the hullabaloo over Foster being placed on the ballot by the court is just a bunch of background noise that’s given her no real bump on the voter radar screen. In the larger picture they see this as just another sleepy election and as a result anticipate a low primary turnout, possibly as low as 8,000 voters, which would place the percentage under 20 percent and less than the voter count from the last mayoral primary in 2007. A low turnout plays well to the base party apparatus that can identify the traditional endorsed candidate vote and drag them to polling places. The Finch camp maintains the mayor has done plenty to keep Dem voters on his side in the areas of taxes and development during the most calamitous economic conditions since the Great Depression. The mayor has plenty of dough to execute the campaign’s get out the vote plan.
In addition, a major absentee ballot operation is underway that is expected to produce upwards of 1000 returned ballots. If the Foster operation doesn’t have an AB operation of its own she could enter primary day several hundred votes behind with the hugely difficult task of making up those votes at the polls. Finch has history on his side. No mayor in the city’s history has ever been knocked off in a primary. Chris Caruso came close to defeating incumbent Mayor John Fabrizi in 2003.
Foster operatives say the idea of this race, in part, is about making history by defeating the incumbent and the party establishment. They say there’s much more intensity to this race–with passion on their side–than projected by the Finch camp. Foster’s headquarters is humming with a cross-section of anti-Finch campaign veterans and new neighborhood recruits banging phones, knocking on doors and conducting campaign lit drops. They’ll need to bank on support in the traditionally higher turnout areas such as Black Rock, the North End and West Side while identifying voters unhappy about the direction of the city and parents uneasy about the state takeover of city schools. An effort is underway to try to reach voters who do not traditionally participate in low-turnout primaries. That takes money and Foster is expected to spend more than $200K by primary day since announcing her candidacy in April. Not the moolah Finch can spend, but certainly enough to cover most of the bases required for this kind of effort.
Foster supporters say they’re confident of the 42,799 registered Dems they can find enough of them to put their candidate over the top and on to the general election. They also doubt Finch can match the 4500 votes he received four years ago in his tight primary win over Chris Caruso.
But where Finch may have lost some support could be made up in other areas and the state legislative district that Caruso served for about 20 years should be an area where the mayor performs much better. Caruso croaked Finch in his legislative district four years ago compiling big wins in the Wilbur Cross, Park City Magnet and Read precincts. The Finch operation manged to overcome the losses in precincts such as Marin on the East Side, Longfellow in the West End and Roosevelt in the South End. Caruso, who was appointed by Governor Malloy to a state job, thus far has remained publicly silent in this primary. Some of his supporters are working for Foster but the Big Wave has not issued a public endorsement. Caruso’s former legislative district is fodder for Finch. State Senator Ed Gomes and Ernie Newton who represented neighborhoods where Caruso ran strong when he served in the State Senate before Gomes, could be key Foster supporters in those areas.
If Foster is going to close the deal with voters in the final week the campaign must unload a message focused on jobs, the biggest issue in the city in this economic climate, highlight her personal appeal and add a potent voter outreach that September 27 is primary day. The Foster campaign will also need a whole bunch of bodies on the ground for an election turnout, something the Finch operation is poised to implement.
I will lose all faith in Democracy if Foster loses this. Finch belongs in a white-collar crimes cell.
I understand Finch supporters are being told “no problem” with the primary; they will win easily. But I also feel the mood in some neighborhoods and in City Hall where the support goes to Mary-Jane. So what’s up? Were there any recent polls done?
They were told “no problem,” Lamont will win the primary too. Tells you what they know. They ran around telling everyone Lamont was going to have a double-digit win. I hope they continue to underestimate Mary-Jane’s support. Many people who the Finch camp calls supporters are voting for Mary-Jane.
17 of 20 City Council members endorsed Finch for another go ’round. A few of these esteemed elected officials owed taxes on automobiles. A couple of them paid up only after their cars were booted.
The difference between Finch and Foster is Finch is running to win, Foster is running to govern. Finch wouldn’t know about that. Nor would any of the 17 aldermen who support his reelection bid.
Historically incumbents haven’t been knocked off. Oh, really? Time for history to change.
Well I know I am not walking the city in vain. It is nice Mayor Finch is paying 10 dollars an hour to the kids in the city from the lighthouse program which I am certain is a conflict of interest. I am sure someone is already looking into that. I do know the North End which pays nearly the highest taxes in the city has been neglected for nearly all four years of the Finch administration. I am not certain if any of the North End residents buy any of his mailings–five schools is one of the biggest jokes. The Beardsley Park area and North End are tired of the green obnoxious signs that are a testament to the Mayor’s arrogance weeks before an election. The corridor leading to the Trumbull mall is sad. The roads are in bad shape and the infrastructure is poor. The apartment complex in the Winthrop school area housing Sacred Heart students was supposed to be a doctors’ complex. The North End association was lied to. Months ago the Testa family attempted a zone change at their lower Madison Ave. facility, that would have allowed a 20-story highrise that would be another Sacred Heart dormitory in the Blackham school area and changing the flavor and serenity of that area forever. Does anyone really believe another four years of Finch will not allow a dormitory to materialize? The vote was split in half. Imagine if they supported it? Well let’s get Finch elected again so we have four years to get it done and the people will forget–Wrong!!! The North End neighborhoods are quiet but they are all thinking individuals. The North End has been neglected and that is why Mary-Jane Foster has gotten so much support. The Connecticut Post mad a huge mistake and the people of this city will make their choice. Mary-Jane Foster is a fighter. It takes a winner to come from behind. Do you think the North End doesn’t remember the court battle? We the taxpayers foot the bill for the Finch Administration’s poor judgement. Foster had to pay her bill and won the case. Now the people of this city will be able to exercise the democratic process. Do you think the entire city will forget that on election day? It has been 22 years since Bridgeport had a woman Mayor. She had one term after two years. Now Finch has had four. Progress? Not really when you look at Milford, Stamford, New Haven and Norwalk. Development in this city has been at a snail’s pace long before the economy went south. The only cheerleading you have heard from Finch is four weeks before the election taking credit for past administrations’ accomplishments. People do have a choice. I believe they will choose Mary-Jane Foster. She has good business sense. The Bridgeport Bluefish at Harbor yard has been the stimulus for any downtown development that has happened since. Foster had invested in this city and today it is a realized dream that has been a real plus for Bridgeport. I think people have had enough. City Hall has coined the phrase One term Bill. The only saving grace to the Mayor is most of those individuals do not live in the city. The good news for Mary-Jane Foster is they have a lot of friends who do!
I wonder how many people who said they’re voting for Finch to the people going around knocking on behalf of Finch are gonna vote for Finch. My aunt told me she told Finch people she is voting for them but she will not.
All of those people lying through their teeth saying “Yes, I’m voting for Bill Finch, he’s a great fucking mayor!” Finch has lied to everyone, now it’s our turn to lie to him. Bridgeport has been stagnating while other cities–Norwalk, Stamford, New Haven–have seen progress and development. Finch’s idea of a balanced budget is to wring concessions from the unions representing municipal employees, defer pension fund payments and cut other corners so there is enough money to continue placing morons, imbeciles and miscreants in political patronage jobs.
The Finch camp is acting fairly cocky. What did anyone expect? They’re not going to admit defeat, not this late in the game. They have to know, however, voters are not happy with the Finch administration. They have to know more people are annoyed by those ugly green signs, more than aren’t annoyed. Sure, sure, there’s some apathy out there. Some folks live in small worlds and don’t have any interest in the political process. Some other folks are disinterested because of pessimism. And still others will vote for Finch out of ignorance. I expect a higher turnout than ’07. Too many people are watching, too many are unhappy with the status quo. Too many people know about Santa Ayala and other malefactors working at the behest of Mario Testa to thwart the electoral process. His name has been in the news too often, not once in a favorable story. Santa Ayala and Alma Maya and Lydia Martinez as well. None of them has been portrayed in a favorable light, especially Ms. Ayala. She has brought great embarrassment to the city of Bridgeport. Judge Bellis was clearly in the right to scold her from the bench.
But I have faith in my fellow residents, faith more of them will show up to vote for Mary-Jane Foster on 9/27/11, cast a ballot for the future of the city. It will be a tight race to be sure. don’t be surprised if the Foster campaign demands a recount. Any irregularities in the collection and tabulation of absentee ballots will be duly noted, formal complaints will be filed with the appropriate agencies and commissions. This election is not going to be snatched away from the people of the city of Bridgeport. The people are not going to stand for it. Already we’ve seen the Democratic Registrar of Voters make a lame attempt to prevent a strong opposing candidate from getting onto the ballot. Already we’ve seen an elected official attempting to collect absentee ballots, an illegal act. Already we have seen willful acts of voter disenfranchisement. We have also heard from anonymous sources in City Hall that morale is at an all-time low, that Finch’s representatives are exerting increasing pressure on city employees to reelect hizzoner to another term. If word is to be believed the city employees are nodding in assent to maintain an even strain in the workplace. What anyone does in the voting booth is another matter.
Cross school is closed and people are confused where to vote.
Mr. Finch is lying. I am telling all my college friends to vote for Foster and telling them to make sure they get absentee ballots from their parents if they go to school out of town. I know I am a little slow on the news but I just found out Finch hates the University of Bridgeport?! How can he insult, rant and rave about such a great school? Is it because Mary-Jane Foster works there? I hear he won’t even come there for a meeting. It is the only four-year University in the City, it creates jobs, educates students and draws international attention. This makes me think there is really something wrong with him. I know that is mean, but I am sure he makes all the students, teachers, and parents very upset with the mean things he says about the school. I hope all the UB students are helping Mary-Jane get rid of this guy. The City should be a friend and partner with the University, like Yale and New Haven, instead Finch treats them like dirt! I am shocked, just so upset.
Abby: Finch does not like UB because they fired him when new leadership took over the University. They did not see a valid use for him or the microscopic skill set he brought with him. It’s really that simple and that sophomoric.
There ought to be no question Mary-Jane Foster’s campaign is employing social networking technology to her electoral advantage. All the Finch campaign is capable of doing is stuffing the ballot box and intimidating municipal employees. The union endorsements don’t mean shit. The editorial board of the Connecticut Post ought to be ashamed of themselves. Just when the paper appeared to be moving in a better direction …
Even if Finch wins the primary (a possibility that grows more remote with each passing day), he still has a small mountain of legal difficulties to contend with. If the SEEC concludes People for Excellence in Government is a wash-and-fold operation for unspent campaign funds they could refer the case to the State Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. At the very least he and Adam “Pecker” Wood would be forced to resign.
MJF should have one of her people sit at the bottom of the Main Street exit off 25/8 in the morning. Have them count the number of city-owned vehicles coming into work from the valley every day. Most are from the PD. Finch will tell you he stopped that practice but we know better. GO MJF!
The CT Post endorses the incumbent. Its reasons and arguments were poor. MJF exhibits strong leadership, business savvy and management skills. This is the reason to vote for MJF and point the City in a different and better direction.
I had already decided to vote for Bill Finch prior to the CT Post endorsement but for much the same reasoning. But the best thing that could happen and hopefully continues is the Primary process.
Because there is no Republican Party in Bridgeport that can mount a competitive campaign, it does come down to the Democratic primary. To that end, it is outstanding what Mary-Jane Foster has accomplished in a very short period of time. She is certainly the most credible Mayoral Primary opponent in the 25 years I’ve lived in Bridgeport.
About a year or so ago, I made a comment Bridgeport needed to get better people involved in running for office and boards than the usual suspects. To that end, I wish many of the people posting here would run for City Council and press to get appointed to boards and commissions.
Since there is no Republican Party, then the only way to have checks & balances is through the Democratic Primary process.
I hope Mary-Jane Foster and many of her supporters stay very actively involved. Competitive primaries are the only hope for progress in Bridgeport.
FBD,
Why should I, or anyone, put myself into public office for the theoretical benefit of you, specifically you. You have been on OIB hinting or stating your support for the Finch camp. But your reasons for this always seem a little vague. Today it is because of the CT Post endorsement.
Well they had two specific reasons: contact with CHAFA for the benefit of the Bijou project and working things out with Trumbull regarding the land deal.
But each of those were because of his former State office relationships. They did not touch on the lack of balanced budgets with $45 Million annual debt increase from several areas. They did not touch upon the bending of City Charter “passed conventions” out of convenience. And more. Very interesting a “for profit” business venture has done such slight drilling down into Mayor William Finch: The Fiscal Failures. Alas, that is why local canaries get more printer’s ink on their feet than former readers do on their fingers!
BULLSHIT PURE & SIMPLE.
Hope we don’t hear any more about your “frustration” since you admit you will cast your vote for more of the same governance that has brought Bridgeport to its knees. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
As for the Connecticut Post, they have long been complicit in Bridgeport’s demise. If we had a real newspaper that exposed the depth of Bridgeport’s waste and corruption instead of looking the other way, we would not be where we are today.
ABSOLUTELY, THE CONNECTICUT POST IS THE MOST HORRENDOUS PRINT THAT IS CONSIDERED AN INFORMATION SOURCE. ARTICLES NEVER FULLY INVESTIGATED BEFORE PRINTING DETAILS, AND SO MUCH MORE. AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THEM IS ACTUALLY KINDA A DOWNFALL BECAUSE AS TIME PASSES, FEWER AND FEWER PEOPLE BUY THE FOOLISH INFORMATION THEY SELL.
I PERSONALLY DO NOT AND WILL NOT PURCHASE THE INCREDIBLE TRASH THEY SELL. SO SERIOUSLY, LET’S NOT GET TOO EXCITED OVER AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THEM. 🙂
Most of the Post’s readers check the sports section, the classified advertisements (looking for nonexistent employment opportunities) and page 2 for the police reports, to learn which of the city’s parents with questionable immigration status and/or a criminal record has been arrested.
You are a frustrated Democrat and voting for Finch??? smh.
BEWARE THE MODERATOR FOR THIS ELECTION!!!
He is a Finch appointment …
He has been the moderator at one of the schools that should have gone Caruso, but went Finch.
I’ve spoken to some teachers and retired teachers. They blame the parents, not Ramos, for the lousy school test results … and they want Finch for four more years.
MJF supporters need to get out their voters … this is going to be another down-to-the-wire primary!!!
The Foster campaign will prevail in the legal challenge to the distribution of moderators. The judge simply didn’t have jurisdiction. A new civil suit must be filed. I’m sure it’s already sitting in Judge Bellis’ inbox.
B2, Corrupticut,
As stated earlier, I think Foster is an excellent candidate and I respect the people who support her. But we are at a critical juncture in terms of development and for that reason I am voting for Finch.
Finch is not perfect unlike all the OIB posters. But I do believe the state connections are valuable and needed at this point in time.
I have thought quite a bit about the unfunded pension contributions. Initially I believed it would be best to put it all out on the table and factor it into the budget. On further reflection given the tenuous state of the economy and urban development, I believe it best to push it down the road for when the economy and Bridgeport are in better shape to address. I realize that is a gamble.
Unlike the pompous and pretentious who have all the answers on this site, this is a difficult decision for me. While I believe Foster would be a good mayor, there’s still too much in play where I believe staying with Finch is the way to go.
Hope I am right.
So what you are saying boils down to urban development, that is economic development in Bridgeport really needs Bill Finch’s State connections. I don’t have answers but I really believe in OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE and TRANSPARENT process in government. Finch talks the subject but he cannot walk it.
The history of development in Bridgeport is not my strongest suit. So I listen to others. But Steel Point sits there awaiting what? Where is the big-time developer and what is the timetable?
And when it comes to City judgement, let’s review what the City did by purchasing the old Black Rock Bank and Trust for what was it, $650,000? Now, nearly ten years down the road, we are going to sell it to a developer for about 1/3 of what we paid for it? Was the purchase bonded initially? Are we still paying on the loss? Did it take four years for Finch & Company to let a real estate broker do what could have been done four years ago at a higher price? Just asking. And when the property is taxable once again, how will its new value be determined with the necessary major renovations? Or is there a tax relief deal here too? This is just one deal in a City that projected about $1.1 Million of land sales last year and finished with less than $100,000.
Retiree healthcare and Pension Plan A are not the only contributors to increased City debt. Take a look at the Internal Service Fund balance that has increased by $60 Million in the three years audited so far. And the City will pay that back with what? When? How funding? That’s from Page 66 of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report- 2010. Talk about frustrated, you have no idea how hard it is to get questions answered. Or even find someone who is ready to answer them.
And what have the external and internal auditors to say about our accounting and municipal records? Look it up. At the City Clerk office. Blum Shapiro is the external auditor that has found and reported some material weakness and significant deficiency in City financial statements for at least two years. The internal auditor currently is ____________? And these internal reports for the past couple years are __________? Surprise, it’s Bridgeport!
I continue to ask questions, not provide answers, so I hope you do not classify me as “p&p.” If you are a taxpayer and expect better from the system but still are voting for Bill, I can understand where your frustration derives. Time will tell.
So you’d rather have a liar and a crook as mayor? Foster has a few state connections of her own. She’s also a good horse trader, knows how to build a consensus. Finch doesn’t. Morale in the City Hall Annex is at an all-time low. Bill Finch and Adam “Pecker” Wood have been exerting pressure on municipal employees to vote for Finch. At least some of this pressure comes in the form of threats and intimidation. That is not the way to inspire people. He has got to go, NOW.
Contrary to your opinion, we are not a bunch of know-it-alls. The majority is fed up with OUR city being controlled by a corrupt political machine that looks after the interests of a few at the expense of the many.
FBD. At long last we see a comment by a Finch supporter that actually adequately substantiates the reason you are voting for Finch. For that I applaud you. You are absolutely the FIRST Finch supporter who has posted on this site who has not tried to stir the pot, called people names, tried to redirect conversations to entrap MJF supporters into an “attack” posture so the likelihood of one of them posting something inappropriate was increased; thereby giving the Finchies something to make a blanket statement about concern MJF and her supporters.
Not all OIB posters think they are perfect. Some of us actually do think before we react.
Thank you. There is not a snowball’s chance in HELL I agree with you, but you did capture the spirit for which this blog is intended.
Absolutely Agree!!! FBD, kudos to you for standing out!