Mayor-elect Joe Ganim says it’s no longer us versus them, a point he made Monday in a series of meetings with Congressman Jim Himes, members of the city’s state legislative delegation and some members of the City Council focused on working together. In the coming days, according to a news release issued by Ganim, he will announce staff appointments to the mayor’s office and a transition team. Ganim will be sworn in as the next chief executive December 1.
Ganim met with Himes on Monday after attending a press conference on the East Side where federal representatives announced a $10 million grant for the proposed Barnum train station.
“Mayor-elect Ganim and I had a helpful and productive meeting,” said Himes in a statement. “We discussed the many projects like Steel Point and the new $10 million federal grant for a second rail station at Barnum that are revitalizing the city, as well as ways to improve public safety. Continued work and cooperation between federal, state and local officials will be essential to moving Bridgeport forward.”
Ganim also met with the city’s entire eight-member state legislative delegation and some members of the City Council separately at his campaign headquarters in the North End.
State Rep. Jack Hennessy, who supported Mary-Jane Foster for mayor, told OIB he’s had more contact with Ganim in the past week than he had with Bill Finch during Finch’s eight years as mayor.
“We had a very productive meeting with Mayor-elect Ganim and I think it is very clear that we are all united,” said Hennessy, the most senior member of the delegation in service. “We are all Bridgeporters first, and we all want what is best for our city. Any differences we may have had in the past are behind us. Our main goal now as legislators is to come together at the state level with one voice to make sure Bridgeport makes progress in making schools better, reducing crime and violence in our neighborhoods, investing in job training and transportation and ultimately creating more economic prosperity for all city residents.”
Other members of the city’s legislative delegation who met with Ganim as a unit were State Senators Ed Gomes and Marilyn Moore, and State Representatives Andre Baker, Charles Stallworth, Christopher Rosario, Steven Stafstrom and Ezequiel Santiago.
“I will take office as mayor of Bridgeport in three weeks and we have much work to do to get a handle on the city’s budget so we can start addressing property tax relief, improving our schools, making our streets safer, and creating more jobs in our city,” said Ganim in a statement. “I extend a hand of friendship and partnership to anyone who can help improve the quality of life in Bridgeport. I pledge that my administration will work hard with Congressman Himes and our delegation in Hartford to make sure Bridgeport gets the critical funding it needs and deserves. Ultimately we all must together make sure state and federal government invest in the people of Bridgeport so we can start to move the city forward.”
This is the Leadership we sorely lacked for many years.
Right on, Hector!
Well, communication is key. I will be supportive of Mayor-elect Ganim as we are all in this together. It would be sad to be critical for another four years. I expect great things!
Impressive.
— Impressive for Mayor-Elect Ganim to keep up the pace of the campaign into the transition period. Impressive of him to reach out so early after the election beyond his immediate circle.
— Impressive for Rep. Hennessy to say so about his meeting with the mayor-elect, given how hard Jack worked for MJF. Impressive to see the Park City legislators giving peace a chance.
Very impressive, all around.
Doug, it was a pleasure to meet you on election day. Stay involved, Bridgeport needs believers.
This is a step in the right direction but Joe needs to remember he is not the boss of the delegation. With Finch and Fabrizi they both acted like the delegation reported to the mayor.
If the mayor and delegation can agree on legislative priorities that are important to all then a lot more can be done in Hartford.
Bob, I may have to differ with you. What makes delegations like New Haven, Hartford and (in my opinion the best delegation) WATERBURY effective is when they lobby for dollars or services, they do it as a unit. Never debating one another and instead standing steadfast (Waterbury being the most diverse in representation R’s and D’s MAKES IT EVEN MORE COMMENDABLE). I would have to admit the LEADERSHIP of any of the DELEGATIONS FALLS UPON the person elected to lead them and the entire city, i.e., the MAYOR. While they should be encouraged to have items or causes that are important to them and their constituents, what benefits the City should be their first and foremost obligation.
Hector,
What I am saying is the mayor and the delegation need to agree in advance of the session as to what the priorities should be.
When Jack Hennessy is looking for flood control projects in his district, it helps the city. When Ed Gomes is looking for funding for development projects in the East End, it helps the whole city.
It’s teamwork. When the mayor and delegation establish common goals and work together it is called TEAMWORK. That is the way we can be most successful.
Bob, we are in agreement on this post. I believe the head elected person for instance the Governor presides OVER our Congressional delegation as the Mayor should preside over our State delegation, helping each other to make the others’ jobs easier. Hopefully we can now agree, again.
Excellent. From brief contact with Ganim on election day, this is the impression I got, he will work with people for the betterment of Bridgeport. Given all circumstances (which of course cannot be fully known), I think Bridgeport did elect the right guy for the job. He did need to be tested, prodded and criticized during the campaign, or there would be no election, just an appointment. However, now elected, all people of good will can rise to the occasion and straighten out the mess in Bridgeport. From crime, failing schools, unbearable taxes, and unused potential of people and property, there is a lot to do and unlimited opportunities to do it. Good for you Joe, bravo.
Joe Ganim will advocate for Bridgeport and will make Bridgeport “first among equals” among state municipalities. Joe Ganim will demand–and receive–RESPECT for Bridgeport from our federal representation, and state and regional leadership. In this context he will re-establish self-respect by the people of Bridgeport for their city and themselves.
Mayor-elect Ganim knows how to harness and utilize Bridgeport’s electoral power. He will use this political skill and knowledge to leverage the deference, respect (and resources) Bridgeport deserves from the state and federal government, as well as the region. Under Joe Ganim’s leadership there will be a Bridgeport agenda established by Bridgeport for the betterment of Bridgeport.
If the Ganim Administration determines, in its cooperative efforts with the people of Bridgeport, that we need a second train station, then we will get that second train station. If he determines we need massive state and federal assistance in reclaiming our brownfields in the revival of our urban core, he will use our political leverage to secure that for us.
The key to fruitful dealings between the region/state, the federal government, and Bridgeport under Joe Ganim, will be RESPECT. Bridgeport, under Joe Ganim, will no longer be treated as the “bastard stepchild” of Fairfield County. Under Joe Ganim we will become the political center of the state–as we should be, as the state’s largest municipality and the municipality with the greatest resources and potential in the state.
I look forward to resonating with the Ganim Administration in the creation and execution of a Bridgeport-centric political and jobs-focused economic development agenda.
Excellent, Jeff.
Ganim will be fine. He is supporting the new train station and I am certain he will be at Bass Pro on November 18 at 6pm. Bridgeport will move forward under Ganim.
Park City too, I am pleased that like yourself being a tenacious Enrique Torres supporter, you realize seeing the best in Joe Ganim is the only option. I believe he will make us proud and I can assure you it is in our best interest to offer to help in any way.
I must say I am a bit surprised by this ovation of hopefulness.
Am I the only one who keeps repeating to myself “trust but verify” and that was my mantra with Bill Finch … not Joe Ganim. Mayor Elect Ganim knows he is in a special category and found ways to humanize his history during the campaign but now he must govern. And governing is action, not storytelling. And the “ship of state” in 2015 is not as sound as it was in his first spin of the ship’s wheel.
At the moment all the smiles on the faces of all of the elected souls in the photo-ops are a reminder at the moment there is no news, front and center, that would play the role of an iceberg IN THIS NEWS CYCLE. So everyone can relax a bit, smile big time, and lull the public into continued lethargy as to asking hard questions.
But who will answer them at this moment if the new ‘shirts’ take over for the outgoing ‘skins?’ And will the operating budget show conservative care, or will it start to leak revenues or spurt expenses that were never approved or budgeted for? And what will changes in BOE activities do to make that ship’s budget list as predicted? And what will be found in the notes of the CAFR when it is complete in late December?
And what will the Ganim group do as the Finch nest empties and flies away and we find while trumpeting his employee cuts for years the public actually finds the 16 non-union Mayoral appointees present as Mayor Fabrizi stepped down had morphed into 63 ‘positions,’ or should I be saying ‘workers?’ Need I repeat the CT Supreme Court decision on the Wheelabrator case is likely to have significant impact on our Taxable Grand List? And while we explore that subject we may want to research the amount of land and buildings the City owns (and may not even realize it) that puts extra burden on 100% taxpayers as the property sits without generating revenue and actually consuming funds for upkeep, for maintaining value, and ultimately as it deteriorates, to being torn down at taxpayer expense? Take a look at the latest actuarial runs for Pension Plan A and guess how long we will have suitable funds to pay retirement income to retirees. Ask yourself, why didn’t we know that before? And the answer is the Finch administration did not want us to know many things and did not want the City Council to know either. And the support of ignorance by those in power is evil.
During the campaign you heard my values “battle cry” spoken by different candidates, one or two words at a time. Open and Transparent or Honesty and Accountability. But will someone put all four together and challenge the public to learn, to become informed, and to play a part other than acting the victim? Remember once again what Bridgeporter Walt Kelly shared with us: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Can we overcome that prophecy? Won’t we need curiosity instead of unearned praise? Would a little skepticism be in order now? Time will tell.
JML, so what holds the linchpin, or is it the Finchpin?
Like our neighbor Paul Newman once said sorta, Ganim has vision while the rest of the candidates had bifocals. Of course he also said Bpt was the armpit of CT, but I digress.
J.M.L.
That was Ron Reagan’s mantra.
Hopefully he will also keep his promises to the people of Bridgeport. He should employ key department heads who are Bridgeport residents, and remove city employees from the common council. He should (honor) follow the City Charter. This will prove to the voters of Bridgeport he is trustworthy, otherwise he’s just another lying politician!
Foster preached the city council ousters for four years and in the end sold her principles down the river.
One thing is certain, Ganim has reached out to more people in one month than Finch did in eight years, so every discussion about everything will be on the table.
Ganim needs to use Bridgeport residents in his CABINET, not friends of Himes, Malloy, or whomever.
We need to say that person is from Bridgeport and uber qualified, unlike the Nunn & Wood regime.
Can’t wait for Mayor Ganim to clean house! Especially in the Public Facilities Dept, where the elite reign and regulations and policies pertain to everyone else but them. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!
PF has been a disaster since the Finch administration put a totally unqualified custodian political plant in charge. Wingnut, how can there be good morale when you can’t respect the people up top?
There is no morale. As is the case in most city departments. One can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. The era of intimidation and retaliation should be coming to an end. With good Quality Leadership throughout the whole structure of the dept things may be turned around soon. I have faith in Joe Ganim and his team!
I’m a fan of anyone who wants to improve the quality of life in Bridgeport. Adding value to Bridgeport is what being Mayor is all about. I joined this blog as a fan of Bridgeport’s mayor. Count me in.
Allow me to change course for a minute. Look around that table, only one woman! What happened? I support and respect our delegation, I am confident they will show unity and strength when the session resumes, but what happened to the women of Bridgeport? I was fortunate to break the political glass-ceiling by serving as President of the CC with Tom Bucci and then Joe Ganim, Auden Grogins paved her way, Lydia Martinez and Edna Garcia served as State Reps, the icon Margaret Morton started it for us with her long, respected tenure in Hartford, but what happened? It may be time for politically minded women to come together, putting all differences aside, and integrate this male-dominated city. I’m not being antagonistic, if we don’t insure women are relevant, and in my opinion more effective, then I dare to say we will become an extinct entity. Hmmm, this may be my next challenge.
**** Let’s face it, at least 50% of these Bpt legislators are useless to the districts they represent, the city and their constituents. Those who stay in touch with local politics in Bpt and CT in general have been aware of this long-time ongoing problem for years! And are there any changes in sight in the near future, “NOT!” *** HELP ***