For the first time in decades Connecticut has a Democratic governor and Democratic legislature. And leadership positions with potentially more juice because of an appetite to change laws in the majority. For instance repealing the death penalty and decriminalizing marijuana. That collective cheer you just heard came from concert-goers of the city’s annual Gathering of the Vibes hippie fest at Seaside Park. (Dude, I cannot wait!)
Governor-elect Dan Malloy supports both those measures and Dem leaders say repealing the death penalty and decriminalizing pot will save millions of dollars in an assortment of state agencies involving enforcement, courts and incarceration.
State Rep. Auden Grogins, a member of the Judiciary Committee where bills addressing the death penalty and marijuana would originate in the next legislative session starting in January, says she’s happy to have a governor supportive of bills opposed by outgoing Republican Governor Jodi Rell.
Grogins was among several members of the city’s legislative delegation that received committee and leadership assignments on Wednesday. Grogins was named vice chair of the Planning and Development Committee, State Rep. Andres Ayala, chair of Transportation Bonding, State Rep. Ezekiel Santiago, vice chair of Labor & Public Employees Committee, State Rep. Jack Hennessy, chair of Veteran’s Affairs Committee. State Rep. Chris Caruso was named Majority Caucus Chair receiving specific tasks from Speaker of the House Chris Donovan who controls the legislative flow in Hartford. What does this all mean? Connecticut’s General Assembly has lots of fancy titles, but for sure some will get better parking spaces at the State Capitol. What’s the point of a title without a better parking spot?
Congratulations to “our” people from Bpt.
Not quite sure yet what this all means for Bridgeport. Looks like everyone’s a leader in Hartford. All 36 state senators and 107 of the 151 state representatives earn additional pay beyond their $28,000 salary for “leadership” posts, costing taxpayers $702,411. And if the Bridgeport delegation is able to bring home the bacon, how much will actually benefit the taxpayer after the Don, his capos and their crew get their cut?
I agree the election debacle was not pretty and those who were responsible must accept the penalty. However, the city was exposed to a nationally watched recount by the CT Post. A recount that determined the election was fair and there was not any fraud. I now challenge the CT Post to choose another big city such as New Haven or Hartford for a similar recount and let’s see how those cities hold up to such a personal review. Bridgeport officials had to count under horrible duress and came out just fine under scrutiny. Now, let’s see how another city did under no duress!
Hail to the Gomes deli dude *** Caruso cleared the snow path.
Ayala ~ J Gomes ~ buddies ~ new choo-choo station ~ 2011
Right. As stated above, “For the first time in decades Connecticut has a Democratic governor and Democratic legislature” and all Democrats on the Bridgeport city council. Is it good to have just one party?
Bridgeport Now // Dec 30, 2010 at 12:05 pm
to your posting
Good question. Consider that the split has left a lousy record for CT citizens so far …
It’s all in the leader … it’s all in the coach and it’s all the way you set the rules.
Given the set of financial circumstances he faces, my bet’s on Malloy to take us through this mess … and we wind up a better Connecticut.
As you know we cannot say the same about the leadership in Bridgeport. It’s a disaster because no one wants to do the right thing in the first place. And it gets down to trough mentality … not public service or any sense of accountability.
Yes to one Party at the State level for the next four years and No to one party in Bridgeport with the party-machine people at the helm. Change the people and you change Bridgeport.
To your posting:
I disagree. According to the election process, we change or keep people on a regular basis. That hasn’t helped according to you. Changing people will not necessarily change Bridgeport.
Change politics and you stand a better chance. However, pols are unlikely to change a system for which there is no oversight. Who regulates the regulators?
Local Eyes // Dec 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm
In return I want to point out I have the exquisite opportunity to be working with a candidate who is in no way anywhere near what we know politicians to be in Bridgeport. We have an opportunity to introduce the kind of reform government that represents an historic opportunity that will not come our way again in Bridgeport very soon.
Stop by HQ and let us show you how the CitiStat program as originally proposed calls up the resources as well as the courage to change what must change. Good people like you Local Eyes should know this.
I was unaware the CitiStat program dispensed courage.
Serpico in his/her own way brings up a few interesting questions in my mind:
A new transportation/train station would be a big boom to Bridgeport. If as stated Mr. Ayala and Mr Gomes are “buddies,” is this a reality in 2011?
If in fact Chris Caruso is out of the derby, is he going to throw his weight behind John Gomes as has been pondered in this space before?
If Ayala and Caruso back Gomes in 2011 that would be a insurmountable advantage to Mr. Gomes.
I’ve been to JohnMGomes.com as I’m sure everyone else here has. I for one like what I see so far.
Ha ` ` ` that’s a lot a weight he is throwin’ behind Gomes – – – haha
Good ol’ Junkyard reminds us of what is so much fun about Bridgeport politics.
Thus:
When there is no doubt, try to create doubt. When you can’t create doubt, invent doubt, and invent more doubt, and keep on going until there’s no bout adout it—or at least until everyone is so confused that no one cares anymore.
In today’s variation on the scheme, the ballot bungle that happened in Bridgeport also happened in New Haven and Hartford, and nothing really happened in Bridgeport because the Connecticut Post proved it.
But there was a ballot bungle in Bridgeport. There were no allegations in Hartford and New Haven. The Connecticut Post recount show the end result (Malloy won) was the same as the result reported, but the city lost about a thousand ballots in the process. By understanding the whos and whats, the state may be able to craft a solution. Additionally, the recount showed the balloting was essentially honest. Allegations of fraud were not substantiated.
In the end, the Post and its supporters did more to uphold the integrity of the city than its own inept officials. To that extent other officials—including the mayor—were enablers of inept officials by not demanding an outside recount. Everyone just wanted the embarrassment to go away. But to go away would have created a whole new generations of urban myths—if not outright bullshit—for the years ahead.
Going through all the bullshit to try to find truth in Bridgeport is frustrating to some. If the ultimate end was to keep someone from finding out the truth by forcing you to go through all the bullshit, many people have been very successful over the years in hiding truth.
If you want to have an honest election in 2011, it was important to find out what happened in 2010.
Notwithstanding the ineptitude of the local Registrar’s office, I do not think that legislation requiring a ballot be printed for every registered voter is an answer. That will be an unnecessary cost imposition on local governments, unless the state wants to absorb the cost. Perhaps a formula based on previous years voting turnout (3-4 years)? Even better, how about real election reform with early, no-reason absentee voting or something similar? Also a standardized training for registrars and then volunteer poll workers.
Hottest trend: GROWTH without debt.
Master it and you can be my partner.
Crave it and you can become my client.
Talk about the inmates running the asylum, what the hell is going on at City Hall??? And I would believe an angry taxpayer who could not pay his bill more than I would believe Finch’s chief apologist Adam Wood.
City Hall employees sent home early
December 30, 2010 at 3:44 pm by Keila Torres
BRIDGEPORT — A property owner in the city was furious today when he drove to City Hall to pay his taxes and found … no one.
The man, who declined to give his name because he said his company does business with the city, said when he approached the building there was no indication that he would find a “ghost town” inside.
The man said no notes were posted on the doors and he was able to enter City Hall without a problem. But, once inside, all departments were closed.
An employee that had lingered behind told the property owner that the mayor had given department heads permission earlier today to dismiss their employees at 2:30 p.m., instead of 5 p.m. as usual.
“If they are off tomorrow (New Year’s Eve), which is fine, why shut down early today?” the man said.
“This mayor is ridiculous,” he added.
UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Chief of Staff Adam Wood said city employees were NOT sent home early. He said he was at City Hall just now and employees were still there.
However, a city employee just told me employees were, in fact, told they could leave early if they chose. This employee said the Tax Collector’s Office was still open when (s)he left at 3 p.m. The disgruntled taxpayer called me just after 3:30 p.m.
Did you go to City Hall after 2:30 p.m.? If so, were there people there or not? Reach me at ktorres@ctpost.com or 203-330-6321. Follow at twitter.com/ktorresbpt.
Okay, I was in City Hall today at 3 p.m. and the line out the door of the Tax Office was 20 long. Tax Office was definitely open shortly after 3 p.m. Perhaps it closed 4-4:30?
Chief apologist Troll *** Tie goes to the runner *** Lennie Bias and Bad Wood.
Serpico, you want some cheese to go with that whine?
So Len Bias *** It be okay to pry open juicy stuff about everyone but *** wait for it *** you *** hmmmmmmmmm. You are making a good buck on YOUR OIB *** YOU gots to take da heat when it cometh your way sir.
That’s my line!
Hey Lennie, what kind of “whine” did Joe Ganim like?
Do they have tomorrow off???
Bob Walsh // Dec 30, 2010 at 7:15 pm
To your posting
Surprise … it’s Bridgeport
And of course the Halls were empty … half the offices are already working shortened hours for the public … and holidays don’t help …
Right or wrong …
Checked with my shitty hall sources. Andy Nunn did indeed give the okay for employees to leave at 2 p.m. It was only fair since all of the mayor’s office, Nunn, etc. left then. If Adam Wood is denying this is the case then he is a liar. Some employees elected to stay because they had work to do but mostly it was a grand exodus. No there was no notice given to the public.
*** Stop hanging out & smoking you’re being watched, besides the jig may be up! However give thanks to seniority, no? *** Cat’s out of the bag ***
Joel Gonzalez // Dec 24, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I have good news for you Lennie. Come Christmas morning, we will all have to call you Mr. Gonadal. I’m in D.C. and I caught Santa before he headed your way. He promised me that by Christmas morning your “Hypogonadal” issue will be gone. Feliz Navidad to the entire OIB family.
Hey Lennie–or is it Mr. Squid? It’s starting to look like Santa didn’t deliver, or someone else in your household got the “Hypogonadal” cure by mistake. Okay! You counted 20 taxpayers in line. How long were you there? How many city employees where working in the Tax Collector’s Office? Were they the regular staff? Did you check any of the other departments or offices?
“… Tax Office was definitely open shortly after 3 p.m. Perhaps it closed 4-4:30? …”
Was it 5, 10, or 45 minutes shortly after 3 p.m.? You obviously left the building before 4 p.m. as you aren’t sure what time it closed. I did hear that sometimes the “Hypogonadal” treatment takes a week to confirm its success. Damn, I hope I don’t have to spend 2011 on Hypogonadal watch.
Joel, I know you weren’t in line!
I was in line–five months ago.
UCONN COMMITS CARDINAL SIN!!! STANFORD TELLS LADY HUSKIES TO GO TO HELL!!! GENO CALLS MAYA “LESS”!!!
I can’t wait for Mayor Curry to take over running this zoo.
Town Committee for MAYOR 2011!!!!!!!!!
Serpico people would not like that. Too many political shitheads would be fired and the party would be pissed. Seeing that I would only seek 1 term I would not have to owe my soul to the district leaders and the people with their hands out. Serpico thanks for the thought even though you are breaking my stones. Happy new year.
*** Lack of a real pair, no? Secret agents in the shadows of despair will always lie while smiling & patting you on the back! *** Beware the votes of Nov. ***