Standing outside the main entrance to his Madison Avenue restaurant, Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa reflected on his scratchy relationship with Mayor Bill Finch shortly after the mayor received the Democratic Town Committee endorsement following a promise by Testa that he would break a tie on behalf of Joe Ganim. Testa was in a mood the evening of July 21 as he was gearing up for a trip to Italy pondering how hard he’ll pound the pavement, in lieu of his tasty veal, for Ganim upon his return. He reminisced about the old days with Ganim. Why no love for the current mayor? “He shows no respect,” said the town chairman that evening. Finch political operatives counter that respect is a two-way street.
Mario Testa keeps score, that’s how things work in the land of city politics. Testa’s political scorecard of DTC members, however, was four votes short after promising he’d break a tie for Ganim, angered by a phone call that a lawyer on behalf of the state party would monitor the endorsement vote. Perhaps out of frustration for years of a so-so relationship with Finch, Testa stuck his neck out on the eve of the endorsement. Testa, generally cunning in his political revenge, was angry and then embarrassed by his prognostication.
“What business do they have sending a lawyer for a local endorsement?” Testa wondered aloud.
Ganim thought he had the endorsement too based on commitments. One thing is certain, according to operatives for Ganim and Finch, a few DTC members lied to both sides. That too will be a score to settle another day.
Weeks ago, Testa announced publicly he would support the endorsed candidate for mayor, irrespective of his friendship with Ganim and his strained relationship with Finch. After the endorsement, he wasn’t conceding anything. Bella Italia was on the horizon, he’d figure out the rest upon his return.
One former mayor who drew the enmity of Testa was John Fabrizi who gave his town committee vote to Finch. Fabs is backing Finch with a flourish out of disdain for Ganim after Fabs had toyed with running for mayor himself. He had succeeded Ganim as mayor in April 2003 following Ganim’s conviction on federal corruption charges. Fabs was City Council president.
Fabs played to the crowd pretty good on endorsement night–Testa loyalists saw it as Fabs showboating in Mario’s house–when he cast his vote for Finch. Testa feels like he did a lot for Fabs’ political career. Testa did not say it himself, but some restaurant workers have been told Fabrizi is no longer welcome at the restaurant. In time it probably blows over but another score for Mario to keep.
So what does Mario do now? Sometimes what a politician announces publicly and what he does privately are two very different things. He could say hey I still support the endorsed candidate and then quietly, or maybe not so quietly, support Ganim. Most Ganim political operatives (Mario too) assert Mary-Jane Foster, with her base of support in Black Rock and Brooklawn neighborhoods, takes votes from Finch. (That argument can cut both ways, however.) Ganim supporters are signing Foster’s petition sheets with glee.
Ganim and Foster, Finch’s 2011 primary opponent, are trying to petition their way onto the ballot for the September 16 primary, a labor-intensive process.
Some Foster operatives believe her best chance to win the primary is a three-way with Finch and Ganim to maximize a viable alternative message. They tear each other up and she emerges as an option.
Meanwhile, Mario’s wheels turn, in search of respect.
I’m sure Zio Mario Testa l’uomo Wize will “support” the endorsed candidate. It’s a given the traitors who lied about who they were going to vote for will be found out and fired from whatever city job they hold.
R.I.P. John Wrable!
I think anyone who believes Mario will support Finch is a fool. He loves Ganim. He embarrassed the Mayor. His only hope is to do everything possible to help Ganim. This also becomes an opportunity to change the democratic town committee. What Mario did to Finch was reprehensible. Making a speech for Finch the night of the reelection announcement proves just how low a politician can go. I am sure Mario will figure out a way to make it up to Finch. After all, this is politics.
What’s the matter, Steve? Did you forget what Finch did to Mario when John Stafstrom primaried Mario for town chairmen? Do you remember the ass whipping they both received? Of course you don’t remember.
You don’t know all the times Finch ignored Mario and went to Stafstrom for advise. It must be nice to have selective memory.
I admire Finch for going to Stafstrom. Andy, what is wrong with you? 1/2 the people who are Ganim’s staunch supporters had a plan of flushing out the DTC. Why would I have a problem with Finch going to Stafstrom? Mario is only popular with the old-time cronies. Andy, I must admit I love that you are coming to Testa’s defense. Maybe he’d buy you a beer if you ever dined in his restaurant or pizza place.
You asked about Finch and Mario and I told you why. Even when you hear the truth you still admire Finch for trying to primary Mario almost seven years ago. Please Steve, stand up at least once. You know all about Mario and old people how? Now you may think you are young and that could be true if age were based on antics but it’s not and you are old also. Steve, let me have one of your food coupons so I can eat at Mario’s for the first time.
Andy, what point are you missing? This is not Iraq. This is not a dictatorship. A fresh leader in the Democratic party would be fresh and exciting. Personally, I have no vendetta against Mario, but truth be told, he is accused of doing all the city hiring under Ganim. How many years should a Democratic chair serve? A lifetime? We support his restaurants, isn’t that enough? He should step aside and not be forced out. Every past Mayor endorsed Finch. Where does Mario get off the day before the DTC meeting leaking his support for Ganim? And you have no problem with that. Who was the chair when you resigned? Mario?
What food coupons are you talking about, Andy? You have mentioned this more than once. Are you referring to the Groupon I mentioned on the blog almost a year ago when I suggested people try the Barnum Pub for Sunday Brunch? Is it the Restaurant.com. coupons that I can get 35 dollars off at specific restaurants in Black Rock and even at my Favorite San Remo restaurant down the street? Granted you have to spend x amount but they are a good deal. Most of the other restaurants I patronize in the city I do not get a deal. I am cheap? I do not think anyone could call me that. But Andy, my generosity supporting Bridgeport restaurants is offensive to you? Because you are limited or just a nasty old man who just cannot stand an optimistic person or is there something else? Do tell, Andy. What exactly is it that makes you go for the buttons like my salary? Support of all things positive? What exactly is your problem Andy so I may address it?
Steve, when Stafstrom had the mayor’s ear early on, all the hiring was left to Stafstrom. Mario could not get a street cleaner hired. To answer your question, Mario was TC when I resigned. I resigned because of the unholy three, Paoletta, Curwen and Santiago. The chair serves as long as the party wants him to serve. How long do you want Finch to serve?
Until he finishes the job!
The Bridgeport Kid,
🙂 You are such a buzz kill. You are addressing me as a spokesperson for the Mayor. I am not a member of his communications team. You have valid points. The problem with you and John Marshall Lee is you are asking me these questions but you offer nothing of what your candidate will do. It was like listening to Joe Ganim’s interview today. As though he weren’t the Mayor for 10 years. You do not like the plan for Steelpointe? What plan does Foster or Ganim have? Nothing. You do not like all the apartments being built downtown and new restaurants? What did Ganim do in 10 years during a robust economy under Clinton? Nothing to brag about, that is for sure–10 years! What, the East End got their grocery store under Ganim? What, Foster is going to fight for a grocery store? Developers are looking at Bridgeport. The idea of Ganim being Mayor is a turn off. It has taken nearly 12 years for the reputation of the city to improve and has taken Joe Ganim’s photo ops two weeks to drag it through the sewers. Ganim’s focus on the projects is just insulting to the community. But hey, on election day a barbeque at every public housing project and a few buses taking tenants to the polls is insulting at best and doesn’t resonate with the entire city. To imagine he has the minority community in his back pocket is just a throwback to the good old days. People underestimate the minority community. They are very forgiving and that is a fact. But they are not stupid and Ganim is not Barack Obama. They and their children see a working Mayor who has made huge improvements. There is a reason Joe Ganim cannot get money from a major developer within a hundred-mile radius. They do not want to build in a Ganim Administration.
Mayor Finch is connected to Hartford and Washington. What voter would want a Mayor who is shunned?
What is the real deal with the FBI agent who got Joe Ganim convicted and imprisoned. The truth, that is very creepy. There is not one rational voter asking the same question. Why did this FBI agent support Ganim? Why support him over Finch or Foster? These are the questions Bridgeport Kid you should be asking and I am not the guy to be answering.
I am so looking forward to the debates. Joe Ganim may fill the room with supporters but he cannot control his reality. People will believe he is a changed man like John Rowland. Maybe he is. But people will not give Ganim Steelpointe and the future of this city.
Just my opinion, of course. 🙂
This is where Maria chimes in with a vignette about all of Ganim’s support in Hooker School, sorry Maria! It ain’t gonna happen for Joe, Paoletto and that other lovely lady you are walking. Finch, Jackson and Morton will prevail.
Note to Gage: your neighborhood belongs to Finch and Jackson!
Steve, you are offensive to me and I was right about the coupons.
Rumor Mill: The ghost of Machiavelli keeps score, too. He disapproves that the DTC chair tipped his hand before the tally (a political no-no) and even today seems uncertain about his next move. For 1,500 years, August has been Machiavelli’s vacation month but this year he’s making an exception. He’s putting ethnicity aside and supporting Mayor Bill Finch for re-election. He’s not always in favor of the status quo, but in Mayor Finch Machiavelli sees a leader with a clear vision for his kingdom and the ability to handle daily chores. Most importantly, Finch has upheld his oath at the expense of some popularity and the ghost of Machiavelli likes that.
(wink)
“For 1,500 years, August has been Machiavelli’s vacation month”–Local Eyes
Again, Paulie (aka Local Eyes), your references to the Renaissance writer Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (1469-1527) are off … this time by roughly 1,000 years.
Ever consider giving up the ghost and reading the dictionary?
What will your “ghost” being doing if/when Finch loses?
Pete Spain–
Gee, um, uh, er … what’s a thousand years when talking about a classic? I’ve made bigger mistakes than that. The gist is still true.
Pete, you are impressive! In the day, I was always attracted to smart, funny, witty men. I missed the boat, I just never met one. Now, who cares!
Rumor Mill: The ghost of Charles Darwin has rendered his evolutionary verdict. Compared to Local Eyes, Darwin thinks Pete Spain is part of the same species but belongs to a lower primate.
Paul (aka Local Eyes).
Thanks for your ad hominem attack based on my pointing out your basic miscalculation (e.g., 2015-circa 1500 does not equal 1500 years) of the years of a “ghost.” 🙂
I apologize, after living under the innumerate Finch administration, I’ve become more concerned about innumeracy in government. Would you like me to summon the ghost of Einstein, Euclid, Fibonacci, Gauss, Newton, Turing, etc. to explain?
BTW, if you cared to check your dictionary or middle school biology textbook, you’d know “Primate” is an order to which the human species belongs. Hence, I cannot be, as you wrote, “part of the same species” and also be a “lower primate.” Currently, all lower species of H. Sapiens s. are extinct. Maybe get a grip on the basic facts? Is the Trumbull Public Library not open or has your card been revoked?
Of course, I do realize, Paul, you’re never one to let facts get in the way. 🙂
Happy Friday, to my favorite Trumbull resident who claims to own “property” in Bridgeport but whose “property” is only a web site:
bridgeportctusa.com
Pete–I am not sure you would find that level of information in a dictionary. You might have to refer to an encyclopedia. Perhaps they did not cover the difference between those two resources at Yale.
Pretty impressive, Pete. 🙂
Hey Loco Eyes,
You need to lay off the cheap liquor. It’s making you stupid.
Does that mean you believe Mario will support Finch?
No, it means you’re political dinosaur and a blogging neophyte.
No.
No way will Mario support Finch. Mario believes in being loyal and Finch has never been loyal, Mario has his ways and he might not agree with you but he wants respect and he wants you to talk to him first.
Finch drew the ire of “L’uomo che lo ha fatto principe della città.” It’s not nice to fool a force of nature. This looks better for Ganim and Foster, every day.
It does nothing for Foster and will be an albatross around Ganim’s neck.
My mom was a force of nature.
Yeah, but does she know who your father is?
OUCH!
Finch is vapid. He can only aspire to be an a–hole.
Btw, Joe Ganim gave a very impressive interview on NPR. They offered Mayor Finch and Mary-Jane Foster the same opportunity. I’d suggest they take it.
Here’s a link to the Colin McEnroe Show radio interview yesterday of Joe Ganim:
wnpr.org/programs/colin-mcenroe-show#stream/0
Don’t forget what Bill did to Mario’s Capa, Mother Goose!
“He shows no respect,” said the town chairman that evening. And that sums it up, doesn’t it? If Mario is looking for respect from our Mayor, who fashions himself a public servant, and does not get it then imagine average voters attempting to make sense of ongoing nonsense in the City.
A Mayor who flits around to every event to provide his cheery message about Steel Point “springing out of the ground” finally, the number of schools being built (but no real comments or continuing increasing fiscal support for education operations) and real confusion in the public on whether the Grand List is growing, sitting there or has suffered a major decrease with revaluation that will spike the mil rate come next year. Finch tells half a story, asks to be taken at his word, and leaves no way to easily verify. Neat and clever work by the advisers behind the scenes (Wood, Nunn and McCarthy–who has surgically removed all structures for the City Council being a check and balance on executive activities) and also to protect the fiscal data put out by OPM, some of the best storytelling each year by a City exec to his “class,” the City Council. They do not raise real questions at budget times or in between and do not review as a body, proactively, the many financial matters financial boards and commissions in other towns do regularly and dependably on behalf of taxpayers.
So when the Mayor incorrectly calls his behavior open, accountable and transparent, forget about it. He has no real sense of what those words mean in terms of public governance, of serving the people. And he really does no better with questions from the crowd. His chosen route is to ignore publicly and disparage privately those who question him. Perhaps Steve Auerbach will erect a statue to Bill Finch at some time with a sign telling all. Bill Finch: he worshiped the glamour of John F. Kennedy, promoted “green” projects but avoided talking about what his fiscal vision was and whether he used any “systemic indicators” or “benchmarks” to tell whether financial advancement was happening.
People part with tax dollars grudgingly and the Mayor cannot talk about “other people’s money” with respect for how he handles it and respect the cost it causes them. That’s disrespect, isn’t it? Time will tell.
Great post, JML!
I know if John F. reads my post he’s going to be pissed at me, but he was wrong. First of all, I always had the feeling John felt resentful Joe bounced back, plus, and he didn’t. Then he bites the hand that fed him for decades, literally and figuratively. Mario always had his back, and kept him alive longer than he would have been on his own. In politics, whether you like it or not, there are certain unwritten rules you don’t break. He could have easily given his proxy to someone instead of showboating at the convention. This could be his swan song. And the sad part is he’s been around long enough to know better. He just can’t seem to help himself.
John and his wife enjoyed the liberty of hanging out in Testo’s kitchen and frequently eating and drinking for free. I think those days are over.
Lisa P. And city hall smoker,
This is the type of politics that give Mario Testa and the DTC a bad name. We all know Mario has the reputation of treating people like puppets. I give John Fabrizi credit for showboating. John Fabrizi is a very well-loved past Mayor. He proved he was not going to play the political game, why wouldn’t he support Finch? He is a taxpayer. He knows the only hope for the city is economic development. He knows first hand of what projects are coming down the pike. What benefit would he have supporting Ganim? Watching all development in the city cease. No respect in Hartford and Washington. Fabrizi joined Bucci and Paoletta to endorse Mayor Finch, were you expecting Fabrizi to become a total loser supporting Ganim? Fabrizi has a legacy also. He worked very hard to improve the city image after Ganim paralyzed the city. When Steelpointe is cranking away, John Fabrizi will know his contributions. Supporting Joe Ganim, he will be remembered as a crony who was council president who became Mayor. What a crappy legacy that would be for a man who truly loves the city almost as much as myself. 🙂 I think Fabrizi made out very well for himself and can certainly afford to buy his own meals and drinks. Maybe it is time to explore the many other restaurants in the city.
Steve, you are usually either right or partially so when revisiting political history in Bridgeport. I’m asking you to trust me a little on this one, there was no honor in what John F. did and he knows that. He has no more admiration or concern where the Mayor is concerned. His reasons were all wrong, please trust me a little on this one. However, I do agree with your last sentence.
JML, I originally responded to your post with many paragraphs. My system froze and I do not care to rewrite this.
Bob Walsh gave you good advice. You are a candidate, focus. I know for a fact Mayor Finch has a lot of support in Black Rock. I am not sure what message you are taking to the voters, but like myself, being a Finch supporter you have turned me off. I could not support or vote for a candidate who was running against my primary candidate for the future. I would suggest you change your rhetoric and not alienate the many Finch supporters you come across.
It’s all about Steelpointe, economic development and every improvement in the city that will attract development.
Stick to what you can do for your constituents. I would suggest PT Barnum as they vote and are your constituents. Keep the anti-Finch rhetoric to yourself or you will alienate them before they listen to your message.
I expect the sign on Mayor Finch’s statue will read “He restored the Park City name and returned Bridgeport to its glory days neighborhood by neighborhood, Park by Park, the first “Green Mayor” in the largest city in the state of Connecticut. Initiated the largest economic development projects in the 21st century and brought back life since Bridgeport was the arsenal of Democracy. Always looking to the future!”
According to a reporter’s story about the public safety forum held in Black Rock last night, “Information about the bike-riding bandit robberies–part of the public’s right to know under the state Freedom of Information law–never reached the media, and were not publicized by the allegedly transparent Finch administration. The police ‘yellow sheets’–reports that detail arrests and other crimes–are no longer kept updated on a daily, or even weekly basis for reporters and the public to review.
“Reporters now have to exclusively call Finch’s spokesmen to get any kind of police information. Rarely are they allowed to talk to police supervisors, which is at odds with the practice of most transparent and progressive mayoral administrations and police departments in cities across the U.S., where reporters often speak directly to supervising officers, rather than appointed civilian spokesmen.
“‘Finch is not going to talk about crime in Bridgeport, and certainly not in Black Rock,’ said Councilman Enrique Torres, R-130, the GOP’s mayoral candidate. Torres lives in Black Rock, but could not attend Wednesday’s meeting because of a family emergency.”
So Finch’s claims of ‘transparency are exactly that–claims. This administration is not transparent at all, controlling law enforcement information that is a matter of public record. If the data is not being recorded daily (as it is in other police departments) the only explanation is poor administration on the part of the chief, the assistant chiefs and other ranking staff members. The uniformed officers serving and protecting the community do a commendable job given the institutionalized dysfunction in the offices of the mayor and the police chief.
Overall crime stats may be down but armed robberies are up, gun violence is up, unemployment is up, taxes are up. What does the mayor and his flunkies have to say about all of this, Steve Auerbach? “Shovels in the ground” simply doesn’t cut it anymore.
Finch has long been known as not the sharpest knife in the drawer. After last night’s performance at Burroughs Community Center’s meeting on Black Rock safety concerns, Finch spoke for 5 minutes on the proposed East Side train station and Steel Point. I think he moved himself closer to the dumb category, with not one comment on Black Rock safety concerns. Steve, ease up on the Finch kool-aid.
Come Back Bridgeport has his/her own view, but in most sections of Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch is known as the sharpest knife in the history of knives.
Bridgeport Kid, just to add to your post, neither Finch nor Gaudett have said anything in the paper or on TV about the robbers working in the 138th. They park a car on the side streets early in the AM and walk the neighborhood looking for targets. They were bright-colored tee shirts, an orange vest and claim to be utility workers if questioned. I found one of these guys walking in front of my house at 6 AM. I watched him go to the side where he had his car parked on my lawn. I told him to get the F off of my lawn. I had no idea a crew was working in our neighborhood.
Steve, I sure hope that statue of Finch is placed where it has the most exposure to all kinds of birds. Their decorative touches will be so completely appropriate.
I think somewhere on Steelpointe, somewhere in the middle of a gorgeous park, between the hotel, convention center and luxury highrise overlooking the marina and boatslips. I think that would be appropriate!
Steve, if that is where the most birds have access to his statue, I am all for it.
Will the statue also be accessible to jailbirds?
The statue of Bill Finch will be erected on the fishing pier beneath the Metro North railroad tracks. That way pigeons and seagulls will be able to, appropriately, shit all over it.
Steve,
We are campaigning in the Black Rock neighborhood that includes PT Barnum, and Joel Gonzalez West End section of the 130th. We listen for the issues, not the “Bridgeport Better every day” track because it is not there among the people who are looking for jobs, want the classroom opportunities to improve for their children and be “talked with” and listened to rather than “talked down to” most of the time. What municipal leader can talk to the public for months and years at a time without talking about City finances? Taxpayer money is “other people’s money” and in this City it is handled by OPM, Office of Policy Management. How does OPM handle taxpayer money and share all that info with the public? How does any candidate respectfully handle and direct “other people’s money” so the necessary is delivered and the extra is communicated? Trust but verify? How to do that in Bridgeport? Time will tell.
I think the sign will read Mayor Bill Finch, a man who could walk normally with Steve A’s lips firmly planted on his ass.
Andy, thank goodness you have no filter. Keep them coming.
This is certainly turning out to be a very interesting election season for Bridgeport–certainly no sleeper.
It is also a critical election season for Bridgeport–and the State of Connecticut.
What happens in Bridgeport this year will affect the direction of the whole state for many years to come. If we maintain the status quo in City Hall, the decisive Democratic votes who have come from Bridgeport and decided the US Congressional winners for the US Senate and Fourth District House seat for the past 20 years will reliably go to the same Gold Coast politicians in the next round of Congressional elections. Ditto for the gubernatorial election.
The prospect of another decade of massive state/federal investment in Stamford/Greenwich at the expense of Bridgeport and the rest of the state (especially the cities), can only bode poorly for the Connecticut economy as whole.
The current Gold Coast driven state development policies supported by the Gold Coast dominated US Congressional delegation and Governor’s Office will further foster the concentration of poverty in Bridgeport and the other true urban centers of the state, while at the same time discouraging statewide business retention and development.
The state cannot prosper if its resources are focused supporting the tax bases and lifestyles of the lower Fairfield County bottleneck region. The over-valuation of property and massing of huge wealth in this corner of the state skews the prices of everything for the rest of the state–from land to energy costs–creating a situation where the rest of the state is unaffordable for residential or business-location purposes.
The rest of the state needs high-value tax base development associated with living-wage jobs. These things are not possible with such a geographically skewed development focus/policy at the state and federal levels.
Something has to give. The concentration of wealth and power has to become more evenly distributed in our state. This can only happen if the political leadership of Bridgeport (with its pivotal electoral power)–currently owned and operated by the Gold Coast -changes. This can only happen if Joe Ganim is elected mayor. The other candidates either don’t have the political skills/wherewithal to properly redirect Bridgeport’s electoral power for our/the state’s benefit and/or have conflicts of interest that will prevent them leading the electorate in a direction that will serve Bridgeport’s interests.
Those with long-term interests in Bridgeport–including Mario Testa–know now is the time for Bridgeport’s political revolt and Joe Ganim is the only candidate in this electoral season who can accomplish what the city needs in that regard.
The stranglehold of the Gold Coast over the Bridgeport/state economy must come to an end. There is a lot more than a mayoral election at stake in Bridgeport this year.
This is a sleeper. I am already bored. I’d like to see at least one debate if not 10!
All the Mayoral candidates owe voters and others the opportunity to hear their views. No attacks, just issues important to the people. I said this months ago, maybe Joe, MJF and the other individuals running for this office will debate after certification is complete. I hope so!
WHAT, DID YOU READ YOUR OWN POSTS?
Last night, at a forum to talk about Black Rock issues, Finch, so out of touch with the public, decided to ignore and disrespect the taxpayers AGAIN, and instead talk about Steelpointe, this infuriated most there.
I heard about that, Finch showing up to give his stump speech. No one in Black Rock gives a flying rat’s ass about Steal Point, the new playgrounds, the clean parks–as soon as the election is over the DPW guys will go off to wherever they go. Bill Finch uses his authority to play passive-aggressive games. The trash cans at Saint Mary’s by the Sea are overflowing because the parks department couldn’t be bothered to send a man to empty them. New playgrounds and new schools don’t mean diddly squat when the BOE has become so politicized the students come last.
Working Families Party is sitting out this election because they see it as a lopsided race, a pissing contest between Bill Finch and Joe Ganim. There are three other candidates for the Democratic nomination. One, Mary-Jane Foster, is a serious challenge to the Finch/Ganim duel. Working Families could make a difference. Instead they are going to sit in the corner and sulk.
Today’s mailing from felon Ganim says this will be the most negative campaign in Bpt’s history. No wonder–this is the first mayoral campaign in Bpt history where a candidate has spent over seven years in prison.
Come Back Bridgeport, I have an honest question since you are a Foster supporter. Can you tell me why channel 12 news does not request a comment from Mary-Jane Foster the way they do with Joseph Ganim?
This evening was the first time I saw the vacant litter-strewn property they want to turn into housing on Hallet St. requesting a 35-year abatement. Though I see that as extreme I will say the project looks impressive. It is Hallet St. and housing is desperately needed and would have a positive impact on the neighborhood as well as stimulate other projects along with the new train station. I am curious what the neighborhood thinks about turning an illegal dumping ground into beautiful apts.
I wonder what the council people as well as DTC members think about the neighborhood improvement? I will say it would be great for young families as it is down the street from both Barnum and Waltersville schools. It would create a new neighborhood.
Now I understand Ganim is against the abatement which is obviously a populist sentiment. The news also alluded to the exact same property as part of Ganim’s corruption and kickback schemes. That is a joke. I would suggest everyone look at the bigger picture, the needs of the neighborhood, a complement to the Father Panic replacement housing and creating affordable housing that will serve to enhance the area. I think the local leadership and business community should give their input. These families will be patronizing local businesses, no? I think 20 years is a stretch but do feel the neighborhood would benefit greatly. It may remain a vacant dumping ground for 35 years and that should be taken into consideration.
I did want to emphasize this property was one of the Ganim pay-to-play schemes. The reason I mention it is not because he spent seven years in jail for corruption, but it was about 20 years ago. Time certainly does fly in a blink. Before you know it, it’s on the tax rolls. Think about it! Ganim fighting it is a joke, no? Seems a little out of character from a man who is expecting huge numbers from the very people who are desperate for housing. Seems a little hypocritical, no? I say yes!