Some people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then there’s the right place, right time. It happens in politics, it happens in journalism, it can also happen with filmmakers. Just ask Don Sikorski. For the greater part of the year Sikorski and his film crew have been shadowing Joe Ganim in part on a leap of faith that something dramatic would transpire in his comeback bid. Sikorski’s camera chronicled a number of dramatic events in the course of the campaign involving crime, neighborhood forums, debates, as well as primary and election nights in the first installment of his City Wars series that he hopes becomes a national collection capturing the underbelly of cities in America.
Attached is Sikorski’s ninth episode of the Ganim series titled “Redemption” that films the mayor-elect in real time while also raising a series of questions about the next chapter of Ganim’s life, governing Connecticut’s largest city. A number of factors had to break right for Ganim in his once unfathomable quest, arguably what no other American politician has pulled off. Ganim retailed relentlessly, backed by a passionate volunteer base of supporters and a remarkable fundraising operation that essentially raised $600,000 in six months. To compare, no Bridgeport mayoral candidate, incumbent or otherwise, has come close to accomplishing that.
And also consider in the process Bill Finch became the first incumbent mayor in Bridgeport history to lose in a primary. Finch contributed several strategic gaffes to Ganim’s cause such as going after his past too hard, too soon instead of being dismissive and running hard on his own record. Voters wondered, why is Bill Finch afraid of Joe Ganim? But perhaps Finch’s most damaging self-inflicted wound validated by distressed neighborhood voters gravitating to Ganim was how the outgoing mayor handled repeated responses to crime scenes. Instead of showing compassion and strength to crime victims and their families, Finch stubbornly clutched crime statistics to deflect outrage over increased violence.
And then even after his own supporters told him he needed to reel in the insensitive rhetoric about crime stats, Finch asserted some people don’t want to hear this, but crime is down in the city. Thud. Fact, violent crime is up substantially this year from last year, according to police department statistics.
African American Democratic primary voters in particular fired Finch.
So timing in politics can be a blessing or a curse.
The second to the end sentence spells it all out, “African American Democratic primary voters in particular fired Finch,” well for years Donald Day and myself kept saying that would happen because he had no understanding of that community, none at all, and when he was informed of this he just turned his back on that advice. Joe Ganim did the opposite, instead he sought their vote.
I don’t mean to sound hokey, but watching that segment made me feel the emotion I felt when I jumped at the chance to support Joe again. The challenges he faces are astronomical, the scrutiny will be constant, and for every person, organization and decision he makes some will be pleased and others not. So goes the nature of politics. I hope and believe he’s better equipped at this time in his political life to reach out to the diversity that makes Bridgeport special; he’s the first Mayoral candidate in our history to embrace areas and people who have been ignored and taken for granted too long. Business will come, jobs will be created, and he will be an example to local and state candidates to put the people first, the rest will take care of itself. Go Joe!
I don’t know Lisa, I felt emotion also. The depiction of a disgusting city that looks like it did when Ganim took office in 1991. I was not overwhelmed with joy. I was depressed and felt like I have been a cheerleader for a shitbox. Thank you for reminding me why my brother does not speak to me.
I’d change the shitbox to a shitshow Steve, since humans made it the shitbox.
But Steve, it is what it is now, and I’m hoping beyond hope our City will change for the better. Heck, I’ve lived here all my life, since I’m no spring chicken I can really remember the good days of people working, saving to become homeowners, schools that produced winners and so on. I feel we’ll reach some semblance of that quality of life, everything being relative, we have to, I don’t want my last memories of life to be what that segment showed. I’m taking the hope.
Personally I take issue with Director Sikorki’s title, “REDEMPTION.” Of course it is his movie, his series and his money supporting the story he tells. But the arc of a two-year campaign, supported ‘under the radar’ by Chair Mario Testa and District DTC chair Dan Roach and others tells a different story of how “the MACHINE” continues to control the City most effectively rather than Ganim’s personal redemption.
Were I to title this segment, I would call it Comeback: Sweet and Complete when considering the election returns, the coming turnover in City appointments, and the membership of the new City Council.
I know something about governance and campaign words like OPEN, TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE and HONEST. They have been part of many of my daily posts on Only In Bridgeport as well as addresses to the City Council for years. Governance of ‘good quality’ that is efficient is also a Ganim objective. Good. Should I be happy? I suppose so, because those words were not regularly spoken nor practiced in Bridgeport for the past eight years (and probably more), so what will be different? If we trust, how will we verify with documentation and dashboards so difficult to come by in the City?
How will Joe Ganim proceed? Change of people in positions, advice from teams for transition, but will “blood continue to be thicker than water” or will all City jobs be vetted through the pasta strainer? (I intend no specific slight to any individuals whom those phrases may bring to readers’ minds. People are free to believe as they will.) What I mean to question is how persons, not elected by all the people, who have no statutory responsibility to all the people, including taxpayers, can find themselves in a position to defy Charter and Ordinance rules and regulations, and best institutional practices?
I keep looking for situations that raise questions in fair-minded Bridgeport residents, that beg for good answers by all the people, especially from the leadership. Mayor Finch, Adam Wood, Andy Nunn, Thomas Sherwood, Anne Kelly-Lenz were the primary folks who avoided direct answers to questions I have raised for years, although too many Council persons joined them in the “deaf ostrich” posture. Many others thankfully were far more open, accountable and transparent for the benefit of all the people.
If Sikorski wants a chapter to show “redemption,” then he will need to return to the “scene of the crimes” at some future date where the real story will be written, after the “Comeback” episode. Will the hopes of so many willing to provide Ganim with a “white privilege” second chance be rewarded through the reforming actions of City leadership through this four-year term? Are readers tired of the questions I have raised that remain unanswered? Time will tell.
I’m not tired of the questions you raise. As a matter of fact you were the first person I thought of when I read I was selected to be a member of the Accountability & Transparency team. As soon as this committee meets, I would love to give you a call or get together for a cup of coffee.
When you are ready, give me a call 203-259-9642 with voicemail backup.
When you discover the Mission Statement or ‘statement of purpose’ set out by organizers of the transition, please take a few moments to recollect City operations back in the day and reflect on where City offices, from the top down, as well as departments, boards, commissions, and groups, subject to Mayoral appointment can be more OPEN (in meetings, on City internet, etc.), ACCOUNTABLE (in regular, accurate reporting and coverage), TRANSPARENT (what is supposed to be done and what is actually done) and HONEST. You go for it. When we meet we’ll compare the possible to-do lists we bring to the table for conversation and serious consideration. Do we need to get more people informed and ready to answer questions as well as to ask them? Time will tell.
Lisa,
Why don’t you start by asking for copies of all budget transfers approved by the city council for the past four years. I believe Sherwood kept on changing his definition of what needed a budget transfer until it got to the point he no longer sent them to the council. You remember the good old days when all budget transfers greater than certain dollar amounts came to the council for approval, don’t you?
Good call, Bob. Were you to go through CC agendas for the past two years, you will find fewer than a handful, if that, of such transfers. And blame needs to be placed on Sherwood, as well as B & A because I never did see where they approached that subject, discussed it and voted an OK for such change of definitions. Anybody ever saw or heard anything? Perhaps there are more than a couple past Council members reading this who would point to when such changes were made, after discussion, covered by a vote and included in minutes. After all, the subject is covered in the Charter, right?
Lisa, one thing you can raise is including all dollar amounts that are part of any referral to the Council or on any subject raised for a Council vote. Whether it is budget authorization, bond approval, request for a grant, necessary Council vote for City responsibility, we need to be alert to the $$$ consequences at a minimum. How can Council members vote with full awareness if the price tag is not prominently displayed? How can the public begin to understand the financial consequences of CC votes by their representatives? Time will tell.
John, the executive producer of these films is Leonard DiNardo of the Bridgeport real estate development company DiNardo Enterprises that owes the city millions in back taxes. These films were financed campaign ads for Ganim–pure and simple.
Why aren’t you sharing this with your newly elected Council representatives? They are the folks who will be there to defend your property values, seek out ways to collect overdue City taxes and approve future City budgets. Unless I am wrong, you missed the two sessions held in District 130 at Black Rock Library and Burroughs to allow the public to listen to CC candidates. Perhaps you might like to review the various YouTube postings of the latter event for your own pleasure. Time will tell.
John, Bepo in the Know should be changed to Bipolar in the unknown!
Thank you Bepo. Now we know. And shame on Lennie for not offering this full disclosure.
Now it looks like the good old days. Uncle Sal and Little Joe cutting their backroom deals to the detriment of Bridgeport taxpayers.
Troll, it’s right there in the credits that Leonard DiNardo is one of the producers. Leonard and Don Sikorsky are friends. They both attended NYU. I don’t know what Leonard’s financial stake is in this City Wars project, but I hope it’s financially lucrative. Maybe Leonard will buy you a dinner under your favorite bridge.
Lennie,
You are foolishly assuming I would watch that PR garbage.
I have watched a nanosecond of it.
But isn’t this where you normally acknowledge you have previously performed image consulting work for DiNardo Enterprises?
Troll, I wear it with a badge of honor!
Lisa,
You are sounding hokey.
As a matter of fact I heard the other day at one point in time you were addicted to the Hokey Pokey. But then you turned yourself around and that’s what it’s all about.
Bubba, shut up! LOL.