Mary-Jane Foster, 2011 Democratic mayoral candidate, is urging city electors to cast a no vote in Tuesday’s ballot question that if approved by voters empowers Mayor Bill Finch to appoint school board members. Foster commentary:
Bridgeport residents should vote no on the Charter Revision question. Leaving aside the non-education issues, the proposed changes to give the mayor the power to appoint a Board of Education should be defeated for many reasons. Here are two. First, the right to vote is fundamental to our freedom and indeed to the American DNA. It is hardly sufficient to be able to vote for most elective offices as the Connecticut Post’s Editorial Board suggested in its endorsement of the Charter Revision proposal. I rather doubt that logic would fly in the towns and cities that surround Bridgeport. Let’s call it what it is–voter disenfranchisement.
Second, the proposed Charter Revision is the end product of a now two-year process that has been tainted with conspiracy, secrecy and utter lack of truthfulness. Take the original secretly planned takeover conspiracy to the bizarre wording of the referendum question itself and add the claims put forth by proponents of the major progress made in the last year and, clearly, transparency and integrity are hardly the order of the day. All of the new schools have been in the works since the Fabrizi administration. Mayor Finch has always had the ability to close the budget gap which would have avoided the charade last year over dire cuts and layoffs and would have provided for the much exalted new text books. This is not a criticism of the appointed board’s work. We don’t know yet what the outcomes of their work will be. However, let’s not pretend because they are collegial that they have moved the earth when we don’t have that information.
Why would Bridgeport residents give up their right to vote for a Board of Education when all we know of this initiative is that it has not been transparent or honest and was never inclusive of Bridgeport residents? Why would the behavior change towards residents with an appointed board? As for accountability, apart from a mayoral election every 4 years, there is no process proposed in this revision. That’s not enough value for my right to vote. Not nearly.
I urge Bridgeport residents to vote no on Question 1. Do not give up your right to vote. Mayor Finch may believe that democracy doesn’t work in Bridgeport but I do. Let’s send just that message.
Thank you MJ for speaking out. Two comments: First, Finch’s ENTIRE administration for the past five years has been tainted with conspiracy, secrecy and the utter lack of truthfulness. Second, true that the plan for the new schools was started under Mayor Fabrizi. Word in the BOE is Fabrizi was totally pissed Finch was taking credit for the new schools. That’s why Fabs was given a new job with big raise under Vallas. Everyone has a price. Vote NO!
Yes, the first five new schools were built under the Fabrizi administration with an elected Board of Ed. The funding for the two inter district magnet middle and high schools also happened under Fabrizi with an elected Board of Ed. I agree with MJ. I am voting NO on the charter question. I would have supported a blended board. A totally appointed Board of Ed in a one-party town is not in the best interests of Bridgeport’s children.
I would have supported a blended board as well. A wholly appointed board in a one-party town where any dissent within the party is precluded by conflicts of interest (City Council members who work for City Hall or let’s say the Chair of the Finance Committee of the BOE who has a $225,000 contract with the BOE (now himself) and holds about 60 pre-K slots (not the 120 reported by the proponents–another lie) or is stifled by threats from an insecure and incompetent administration is clearly untenable. A blended board would have given the Finch administration a path towards reconciliation, a vehicle to inclusiveness that would at least have begun to heal the previous behavior. The mayor doesn’t have that level of intelligence or grace and his staff sure as hell doesn’t. Another lost opportunity by the gang that cannot and will not shoot straight …
*** Well by listening and; believing the vote “yes” ads you would think every new school built and up to code improvements made, was done by the Finch Admin. along with the short time in power State appointed board. What a bunch of malarkey, no? ***
Letter: Protect your right to vote
One of our most basic and fundamental rights is our right to vote
By: Duane John Baker, Glenwood, West Central Tribune
One of our most basic and fundamental rights is our right to vote.
The modern day so-called Progressive Movement is trying to convince us to give up that right and hand it to them so they can make choices for us as to who they feel could best represent the people “i.e.: appoint or hire” our county officials.
Your right to vote is your only voice you have in government.
When it comes to America, freedom is everything, and it is the only thing. Freedom to vote and have your voice heard in government is what American government is all about. It should not be altered or changed due to the personal likes or dislikes of you or your neighbors. Under our constitution, freedom and your right to vote is not debatable and is never up for a vote.
Freedom is not served cafeteria style. We do not have the prerogative to move through the line and pick and choose which freedom entrees we want and which ones we don’t. Freedom and rights cannot be reduced to a pick and choose process.
Approaching freedom with such an ignorant and arrogant attitude will advance one result and one result only: the cafeteria will eventually close altogether, and all we will be left with is the soup line.
We will be forced to live with choices others will make for us.
Sound familiar?
History has shown us that the catastrophic results when we trust politicians with our personal choices and rights.
“Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss” quote Patrick Henry in a speech to the Virginia Convention in Richmond, Va., March 23, 1775.
Never, never give up that basic and fundamental right, your right to vote, and by doing so you will be passing on this right to future generations as our ancestors before us did for us.
Duane John Baker Glenwood
JUST VOTE NO!
Finch is very bad for Bridgeport. The last thing we need to do is give him and his gang more control. MJ wrote a very salient statement. Very well written. Very true.
Funny how Foster ran on a MAYORAL APPOINTED BOE education platform when she was pandering for votes back in the summer of 2011! BUT NOW … oh no, now it’s different. How dare Finch propose the same thing to voters one year later! AND if I recall correctly too, her platform also included the expansion of CHARTER SCHOOLS in Bridgeport–the anathema of her beloved supporters. MJF, you’re full of it. Your grudge against Finch is HURTING this city!
Foster proposed a blended board of appointed and elected BOE members and expansion of magnet, charter and vo-tech schools.
Booster, your booster wires are crossed–it’s Red on positive and Black on negative. It’s too late for you, so go shop for a new battery.
Not sure why MJF is relevant or worthy of post on this site. Why should I care what someone who lost by 20 points in LAST YEAR’S election has to say about anything? If she wants to say something, there’s a comments section for her.
Correction: The school rebuilding initiative started under Joe Ganim. Among the first schools that were remodeled was Bryant School around 1997. I was on the Council then and the first step was to eminent domain the properties on the rear (Poplar Street side); demolish them, and turn them over to the BOE. By the time I left in 2001, we had already acquired all the land necessary to build what is today Cesar Batalla School. By 2001 the demolition of all the structures there had already started. I never received an invitation to the Cesar Batalla ground-breaking ceremony nor the grand opening ceremony. Lots of folks who had nothing to do with it were invited; posed for the cameras; and claimed some credit. Go do your research, folks.
Let’s hope University of Bridgeport President George Estrada doesn’t fire Mary-Jane Foster for this.
Is George Estrada aware he’s president of UB, or is this something else you made up?