From independent mayoral candidate Jeff Kohut:
KOHUT FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES MAJOR, CITYWIDE, EMPOWERMENT-PROJECT/JOBS-CREATION INITIATIVE!!
The Kohut Campaign, in partnership with supporting institutions and individuals, is proud to announce a far-reaching, empowerment and jobs-creation initiative, in the form of a citywide petition-drive designed to bring major manufacturing, and thousands of jobs, back to Bridgeport in the near-term, while providing the foundation for the creation of a major manufacturing sector and tens-of-thousands of manufacturing jobs over the longer term. The petition/signatures (3000 have been collected–with a goal of 10,000+ by November 1) will be forwarded to those being petitioned (President Barack Obama, Governor Dannel Malloy, Senators Joseph Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes, and GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt) on, or shortly after November 1, requesting that GE locate its proposed, $600 million/2000-employee, advanced, US solar-panel manufacturing facility (or other, jobs/investment, green-alternative-energy-manufacturing equivalent) on its Boston Avenue, Bridgeport, property . *(Please note the Kohut Campaign has been in encouraging discussions with GE for several months in regard to their resumption of manufacturing in Bridgeport …)
Central to the Kohut Campaign, economic-development platform plank is the creation of a major, advanced-manufacturing sector focused on green-alternative-energy equipment (with Bridgeport becoming the world leader in this sector–including the R&D aspect), with the companion goal of making Bridgeport the first, grid-free, energy-independent city in the world–through the use of products made in Bridgeport … [Inasmuch as the Kohut Campaign platform represents an integrated set of “planks” designed as a holistic, unified plan to accomplish a comprehensive, Bridgeport “renaissance,” the creation of the aforementioned “advanced-manufacturing” sector will be accomplished in resonance with the creation of a standard-setting, public-education system (pre-school through junior-college level) that will prepare Bridgeport students to fill all of the tens of thousands of positions availed by this sector–including all of the technician-level positions, as well as the preparation/requirements to pursue advanced, university degrees in areas represented by the sector. (See platform details at kohutformayorofbridgeport.com)]
*(Those individuals, businesses, or institutions wishing to sign and/or help in the circulation of the petition are directed to contact Kohut for Mayor Campaign Director Ben Arsenault, at 203-530-6841/benforkohut@gmail.com, or through the contact options of the campaign website, kohutformayorofbridgeport.com.)
I’m interested in Jeff Kohut’s ideas. I still think Rick Torres will be the man to take on Bill Finch. Torres has the greater name-recognition factor. Kohut is an unknown. If Torres can overcome the negative impression of his somewhat erratic behavior he could be the man to knock off Bill Finch. At least a few of MJF’s followers have expressed interest in backing him. That counts for something.
Imelt heads the President’s job commission and GE opens a facility in China with 2,000 jobs. The dollar owes allegiance to no flag.
Why would anyone build a factory here? This state has the highest gasoline tax, a high corporate tax, the highest utility costs in the country and the list goes on. We also have high employee benefits and salary. If you put that together with high housing costs and high property tax you have got a problem. Why pay $15.00 to make a widget when you can pay $3 or $4.00 elsewhere in the USA and probably $.50 overseas? Wishful thinking on Kohut’s plan.
*** ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY! ***