Are you coughing up $375 for former Mayor Joe Ganim’s first fundraiser? That’s the max that can be contributed to his exploratory committee in what is expected to segue into a full blown candidate committee in search of the job he occupied from November 1991 to April 2003.
A suggested contribution of $375 is listed on a fundraising solicitation for an event April 23 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons Restaurant in Stratford. Other events are planned in and out of the city.
Under state campaign finance rules for exploratory committee for mayor, folks can write a personal check of up to $375. It allows maxed-out contributors to donate another $1,000 to a full candidate committee. So theoretically you can contribute up to $1,375 of your personal funds to the cause.
This is a key event for Ganim. In fundraising strength builds strength, and he has a lot of ground to make up with Mayor Bill Finch sitting on more than $400K in his campaign account as he seeks a third four-year term.
Ganim has been working the political system for support, schmoozing media outlets and visiting neighborhoods in his cause for a second chance at the city’s top elected position.
School board member Howard Gardner and multi-mayoral candidate Charlie Coviello are in the race. Can they raise money? Finch’s 2011 Democratic primary opponent Mary-Jane Foster proved she can raise money. She’s considering another run, but it’s almost mid April. Getting late.
Gee, think I’m going to have to pass. Not really in the whole pay to play thing.
Just because someone’s having a fundraiser in Stratford doesn’t mean they’re going to run for mayor in Bridgeport. Here’s my Ganim strategy: If he ever runs for mayor–and I don’t think he will–attacking his record will be my pleasure. The ghost of Machiavelli is a political purist and doesn’t let ethnicity interfere.
Bonus: www .newser.com
Nothing says I love Bridgeport like a former Mayor having his first fundraiser in Stratford. I am certain his supporters on this blog think it’s brilliant. After all, Bridgeport does not have any avenues worthy of a fundraiser. I would have been creative if I were Ganim. I would have continued to show my oh so strong support for the minority community by hosting a fundraiser in local minority owned restaurants. Metric Bar and Grill or Miss Thelma’s downtown. How about all the Brazilian restaurants all over the city? Maybe tap into the Portuguese Restaurants Omanels or Dolphins Cove. Oh I know, how about the long-vacant and renovated facility at Seaside Park? How about the Bijou? I am sure any opposition may be showing hours and hours of televised footage of the conviction of Joe Ganim. I just cannot wait to see the list of his donors and how closely they will be scrutinized. Stratford? Really? There must be some great explanation for that Joe, because we want to know. You know the Star of Istanbul could have used the business and the food is superb. There is a downtown beginning to come alive with new restaurants that could have been chosen. You could have rented the City lights Gallery.
The date of this fundraiser is?
April 23rd, sorry.
“Other events are planned in and out of the city.”
How about all of those fun and fancy restaurants on Steal Point?
What, they haven’t built any yet?
That was Phase I. But then again RCIAroma has violated every deadline in the LDA. Oh, well. I’m sure they have given Plenty to Bill Finch’s reelection campaign.
Corruption by any other name is still corruption.
Bob Walsh, Steelepointe is beginning to take shape and Bass Pro is looking awesome. I do not think even if Chipotle were built it would be a fundraising venue. You can continue to knock Steelepointe all you want but one thing is for sure. I am certain many of the candidates will remind us how the Ganim administration cost the city millions in lawsuits, no? I wouldn’t keep knocking Steelepointe in an attempt to raise the credibility of a convicted candidate. It just will not fly with the average voter. There are thousands of new voters, some not yet even registered who haven’t heard of this Ganim Lifetime movie event. I have faith, Howard Gardner and Bill Finch and some others will mention it. If not I am sure I will over and over and over again.
Steve,
Once again you prove you are clueless about Steal Point. Did you ever read the LDA? Do you know what am LDA is?
Within a year of signing the agreement RCI was supposed to construct a boardwalk with restaurants and shops. They obviously did not. However, that was at one point in time the purpose in kicking Pequonnoch Yacht Club out. They were going to take the building, call it a restaurant and catering facility, and fulfill their contractual obligations.
But then they figured an easier way out. Don’t do anything. And get the city to take it off the hook (pun intended as on Bass Pro or Brass Balls).
Bob, am I clueless or would one call you an idiot? Really, building the boardwalk and a restaurant without any infrastructure or a draw like Bass Pro. You do not like the order in which Steelepointe is taking off? Bob, I have yet to see you supporting any event in the city and that is most unfortunate. In fact, I cannot say I see any of your political allies supporting any Bridgeport venues, but you seem to vocalize discontent every step of the way.
Steve, that was the plan they signed. Nobody made them. They promised all of this. If you like incompetent economic development professionals, inept developers and LDA’s not worth the paper they are printed on, you are welcome in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Connecticut where mediocrity is our middle name!!!
Stipends never expire. How can one upgrade from mediocrity and approach mediocracy? Ask Bob Walsh before he buys his next vowel.
(wink)
Steve, didn’t Mayor Finch have a fundraiser in Easton two weeks ago? I don’t believe Metric, City Lights, Thelma’s, etc. would be large enough for the amount of attendees expected. I plan on attending and have already made my donation. I am interested to see who attends and what Ganim’s first official stump speech will be.
Gee Maria, do not contribute too much as I want to make sure you remember we have a bet. Now I see you proudly stated you already made your contribution which of course will be public knowledge. Just curious, how much did you contribute? Does Ganim support Charter schools? I’d imagine he does. This will also be a testament to your ability to gather votes in Finch’s neighborhood. Honestly, Joe isn’t running. But nice you are one of those who have money to throw away and contribute. I think you are a very kind and forgiving person. Will you be sitting with Lisa, Ron and Don? Will your total contributions add up to $100? I just cannot imagine taking his message to the streets other than bashing Finch and of course there will be so much happening in the city, his message will be not be heard. I do admire your tenacity and belief in the man, though I also find it very sad. Your passion is mean-spirited, it certainly isn’t a passion of love for Ganim and that is why he will lose. I am curious what his stump speech will be. Does it even matter? You either love Ganim or do not. There is no middle of the road with this candidate.
Steve, I contributed the maximum amount allowed. Thomas Hooker School is not Mayor Finch’s neighborhood. Why do you describe my “passion” as “mean-spirited?” I don’t believe I have demonstrated any “passion” regarding Joe Ganim. In fact, I have not even committed to support him. I am attending because I want hear his first stump speech, and I am definitely interested in seeing who attends.
Many people can say the same thing about Finch. You either love him or you hate him. All I know is I have decided which one best describes how I feel about Finch. 🙂
Just in … Bill Finch wants a new law, no one with the name Joesph should be allowed to have a fundraiser within a 100-mile radius of Bpt.
Maria, Finch was required to have his fundraiser in Easton. He has already sucked every penny he could have out of Bridgeport. Either by fundraising or by taxes.
Steve,
Way back when, I spoke with someone who had been shown the PYC as a possible location for a wedding reception. Fortunately they did not see the facility being ready in time.
I guess they have a better vision than the city or the Economic Development Dept.
The pervasive word on the street is Finch is losing supporters and his team knows it. This exodus is partially due to supporters who don’t want to scuttle the ship. They want to back a winner. Well, I am of the opinion the electorate does not back winners, they make winners.
Former Finch folks–you have choices. Two who can win. Pick your new horse, and stay with him/her until you cross the finish line together. The Electorate MAKES winners.
Finch, however, is headed to the glue factory. Save yourselves. Dump him. Bridgeport deserves better. Bridgeport has been better. The best is yet to come.
Wicca, well stated!
Thank you.
Wicca has the sound of a desperate operative who’s been planted here.
Nah.
Writing my check to Mayor Joe. Beware the wrath of Bill Finch!
One thing that is noticeable LE, is you never respond to any particular post unless it’s threatening to your way of thinking for some reason.
Let’s all calm down. “The world is taking notice of Bridgeport now, because Starbucks has decided to come here.”–Tom McCarthy, at the Steelpoint presser last year. Ahah, you can’t make this stuff up, folks.
Wicca, you are not threatening to my thinking. And that’s Mister Local Eyes to you, junior!
Junior? THANK YOU!!! 😉
So I send my check c/o Fort Dix.
🙂
Steve, the past city administrations and Finch’s believe if you promise nothing and deliver nothing but accidentally stumble on something, a simple electorate (that’s you, Steve) will get excited. An intelligent electorate (that’s me, Steve) will know they’ve been punked.
Wow. Starbucks. Where a medium-sized coffee becomes Grande and another fast-food restaurant. If you set your sights low enough, failure looks good.
Bob, let’s not forget Nino’s Italian Ice, take out only window!
But then again, what do you expect from someone from the Moran administration?
A day in the life of Mayor Finch
Mrs. F: Honey, are you going to the Joe Ganim fundraiser?
MF: Are you flucking nuts?
Mrs. F: I mean it sounds like a lot of people are going there, and it will be fun!
MF: Yeah! A lot of fun!
Mrs. F: I’m sure you can take the money from your new Pac account, it’s only $375.
MF: Now listen, don’t ever mention that Pac account again! Woody and I almost went to jail for that move last time! Joe Ganim is running against us! You, me and the kids! Against Tippy, Tommy Mc, Johnny S. and his wife Brian, not to mention P&C.Llc.Sal, Mannie, Gov. Malloy, Rev Quick Hands McCluster, Shelton Mike, and Tippy’s tri-city poop plant in Trumbull, just to name a few people you might know, honey!!!
Mrs. F: Oh! Will that nice man from OIB, the one who really likes you, Stevie Auerbach be there?
MF: I’m sure he will, that flucking weathervane! He’ll be kissing Ganim’s left nutmeg by the 23th! Let’s keep my figures crossed! One day he’s on my side, the next day he’s against me! The guy’s a chameleon!
He supported Mary Moran, she went down the shitter, then he supported Mary–Jane Foster she went down the tubes, then it was Musto, and he evaporated!
He’s like Joe Btfsplk! The world’s worst jinx!!!
Mrs. F: Who’s a Joe Btfsplk?
MF: That’’s your new friend’s nickname! I’m hoping he’s Ganim next campaign manager. Maybe I’ll send Stevie Btfsplk the $375.
Mrs. F: See, you do have a good heart! Good night, honey.
MF: Honey. are you voting for me?? Honey!
Mrs. F: ZZZZzzzz ZZZZZzzzzz ZZZZZzzzzz
Jimfox, another good one in the day and life of MF.
Jimfox, you are absolutely hysterical! I LOVE reading your posts. 🙂
Jim Fox, thank you for making me feel like a celebrity. As far as being a weathervane, I have never in my political career ever changed my support for a candidate midstream. I am a loyalist. so there is no confusion, I am supporting Mayor Bill Finch. It is safe to assume unless I am the opposition candidate, my support will be for Finch. Can I make that any clearer? So unless I or the Messiah decides to run, it is Bill Finch. In fact it is Finch and Clinton and should be a very exciting two years. So now Mr. Fox in your very humorous posts you may always state the nice guy on Only in Bridgeport will support Bill Finch for Mayor 2015 as will most everyone I know. In fact Mayor Finch, feel free to put a sign on my lawn. How’s that, Mr. Fox 🙂 ?
Being loyal, so then you have no problem with voters feeling the same way about MJF and Joe Ganim.
Ron Mackey, yes I do. It is one thing being loyal to an upstanding individual and another being loyal to a convicted felon. I totally understand if you cannot see the difference, Ron. As for Mary-Jane Foster, although I believe she would make a great Mayor, I still maintain if it is not me, it is Finch. The window for Mary-Jane has closed. Next time she will not disappear for four years. Let’s see how the next four go. I think Mayor Fabrizi, whose love for the city is almost as much as mine, was the wisest of all. He stepped back and he is very much loved and respected here in the North End. Timing is everything.
Steve, how has the window closed for MJF? Voters are really turned off by Bill Finch, plus Finch has a reason to be scared of Ganim because he will lose in a primary but MJF could run in the general election and then the games begin. Steve, Finch knows it’s over.
Ron, seriously? Hey Ron, I am listed in the book. We can chat if you really want my take. We can agree to disagree. Let me know.
I operate at the intersection of opinion and fact. It’s a fast world we live in. If you need me, I’m busy starting a hedge fund for ex-Bridgeport mayors and pols. Count on me to make a lot of noise. If you want to know what to do next, screw the money, follow the rumor and ignore Bob Walsh.
(kerplunk)
Why was Longfellow School knocked down?
Asbestos.
It’s all politics to me. What this country needs is a digital substitute for America’s $18 Trillion analog debt.