As of 4 p.m. today (Saturday) Mayor Bill Finch has ordered a local travel ban into effect for all City streets.
“While the Governor has lifted his travel ban, we are still working hard to clear main arteries and snow emergency streets leading to our hospitals and fire stations. We need drivers to stay off the roads and allow our snow plowing crews to do their work,” said Mayor Finch.
According to Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr., those who do choose to venture out will be subject to fines and towing for attempting to travel on city streets that have not been cleared.
The Snow Emergency Parking Ban remains in effect until further notice. Plow crews are concentrating on clearing major roads and snow emergency streets leading to city hospitals, fire stations and other critical infrastructure areas. As those areas are cleared, crews will move on to secondary roads.
“We are asking everyone to have patience and to stay inside until snow plows can make their way down City streets. Private contractors are supplementing city crews in clearing roads, and towing stranded first responder vehicles and abandoned cars.
Mayor Finch put out a call to private contractors and to leaders in other towns, which were not hit as hard to assist the City with its snow removal efforts by sending heavy equipment and operators. He also asked anyone who would like to volunteer the use of a snowmobile or ATV to assist first responders too call the City’s Emergency Operations Center at 203.579.3829.
The historic blizzard dumped an estimated 30 inches of snow in Bridgeport.
Mayor Finch urged people to stay inside and to help their neighbors. “I’ve already heard stories of city residents bringing stranded people into their homes for shelter at the height of the storm,” he said. “This morning, emergency workers found a man collapsed in the snow and brought him into a nearby house as public works cleared a path for an AMR vehicle to get him to the hospital.”
“People only need to look out their windows to see the magnitude of this storm,” Finch said. “We have a plan in motion with realistic expectations, but digging out will take time. Be patient. Be kind to your neighbors.”
10 a.m. update: As the Blizzard of 2013 recedes, City Public Works crews are working to clear emergency routes throughout the City, particularly around hospital and firehouses. A Snow Emergency Parking Ban will remain in effect until further notice.
“The blizzard hit the City hard, causing near-whiteout conditions for several hours, which prevented our street clearing crews from hitting the streets, which, in turn, prohibited first responders from moving about,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “We are asking everyone to have patience and to stay inside until snow plows can make their way down City streets.” During this time, Mayor Finch urges residents to not light candles in their homes or use stoves for heat. “Use flashlights in case of a power outage.”
Mayor Finch put out a call to private contractors and to leaders in other towns, which were not hit as hard to assist the City with its snow removal efforts by sending heavy equipment and operators. He also asked anyone who would like to volunteer the use of a snowmobile or ATV to assist first responders.
Broad Street steps Downtown looking south from the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Photo courtesy of Phil Hill.
Governor Malloy issued a travel ban for all highways, roads and streets throughout the state as towns and cities struggle to clear anywhere from 20 to 38 inches of snow from roads.
The historic blizzard dumped an estimated 30 inches of snow in Bridgeport. The governor ordered a statewide travel ban for everything but emergency vehicles. Highways around the state remain nearly impassable, as are most roads across the City.
Mayor Finch urged people to stay inside and to help their neighbors. “I’ve already heard stories of city residents bringing stranded people into their homes for shelter at the height of the storm,” he said. “This morning, emergency workers found a man collapsed in the snow and brought him into a nearby house as public works cleared a path for an AMR vehicle to get him to the hospital.”
City public works front-loaders are clearing emergency routes and emergency workers are creating lists of roads that can be cleared with regular plows. The city anticipates having between 15 to 20 front loaders in operation as the day progresses.
“People only need to look out their windows to see the magnitude of this storm,” Finch said. “We have a plan in motion with realistic expectations, but digging out will take time. Be patient. Be kind to your neighbors.”
Finch requested assistance of the Conn. National Guard to provide equipment and personnel to help remove snow around critical infrastructure like hospitals as well as large personnel vehicles to retrieve stranded emergency service personnel and respond to priority emergency calls.
Below are further updates from the City of Bridgeport as of 9:30 a.m., Saturday:
· The governor has a statewide driving ban for all non-emergency vehicles.
· The city has requested assistance from the National Guard to provide a payloader to remove snow around the emergency operation center and its hospitals. It also requested two large 6×6 personnel transport vehicles to pick up stranded emergency workers and respond to priority emergency calls.
· United Illuminating reports minimal outages in the city
· Snow drifts of between 3 and 5 feet are being reported throughout the city
· Dozens of vehicles have been disabled and abandoned on city streets
· Mass care shelters are on standby
· GBT and MTA services are suspended
· From the Bridgeport Fire Department:
o In the case of a power outage, use flashlights, not candles.
o Generators should be operated in well ventilated locations outdoors away from all doors, windows and vent openings. Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
· BConnected and Stay Informed:
o Residents may call 203.576.1311 with snow plowing concerns.
o Residents can also use the City’s BConnected request system online at www.bridgeportct.gov/bconnected or on the BConnected mobile application available on iPhone or Android smartphones to report any snow-related concerns.
o For the latest updates, resources and information about the snowstorm, residents are asked to check www.bridgeportct.gov/bptsnow, local television and radio news outlets and follow the City of Bridgeport on Twitter and Facebook and Mayor Bill Finch on Twitter and Facebook
0
55 comments
I heard a brilliant remark from our Emergency director Scott Applebee. He stated the plows will not be doing most city road as there is a driving ban in Bridgeport. DUH!
We have two hospitals and eight firehouses in the city. The FD has their own plows. When the roads around the hospitals are cleared and the roads close to the firehouses are cleared how are the ambulances and police and fire going to get to the unplowed roads?
During minor storms I have plows up and down my street. For hours now in a big storm I have not seen a plow since early yesterday evening. It’s not the plow drivers, it’s the idiots running this city who are at fault.
I too am troubled by remarks from our Emergency director Scott Applebee the plows will not be doing most city road as there is a driving ban in Bridgeport. What were these plows and workers doing all of these hours? We are also waiting for a plow to come down our street.
What’s a snowplow? There haven’t been any snowplows in my neighborhood AT ALL. Testerday afternoon there was a gas explosion at a house on Amsterdam Ave. Luckily the fire department was able to get there. God forbid there is a major fire/disaster somewhere in the city.
Public Works sent everyone but a skeleton crew home yesterday afternoon. They tried to call them in this a.m. but most were stuck in their own driveways and could not get back in. This left only a few men on snowplows and they have been working for 24 hours. An extremely dangerous situation. Combine a few exhausted men with a crew of incompetent supervisors and you have a disaster. Other towns are well organized with real plans, cots and food for their workers. They can respond immediately and continuously. I spoke to family members in neighboring towns and their main roads are clear. My family members say they are happy they no longer live in Bpt because the corruption and incompetence is so blatant.
Bridgeport is led by politically connected unqualified supervisors. No one notices until there is a crisis, like now. Now they are exposed for what they are. As Andy would say, Dumb Asses.
If this is true, we are in for the long haul. How about this–help us get the state statute CHANGED so Bridgeport can start to REALLY clean house? One email from you will make a difference.
The mayor is a god-damned schmuck. Sending public works staff home during what is widely publicized to be a terrible impending storm? Whoever voted for him is probably shaking their heads. He’s done nothing but make really dangerous bad decisions. Over and over. Can we impeach?
What plows? The state is taking care of their business, but I don’t know anyone whose street has been plowed. My next door neighbor called me tonight, and as far as his network goes in town, the story is the same. He was pissed, and it takes a whole lot of bonehead moves to ruffle his feathers. We are, once again, at the mercy of shortsighted decision making, poor planning and incompetence. I wonder if Crown Street has been plowed?
8:49 and no snow plows on Glendale Ave. I will say I have received updates and information all day from Michelle Lyons and did receive a robot call from the City looking for independent snowplowers to help out. I AM ASSUMING THE CITY WOULD PAY. This is a huge snowstorm. I have 5-foot drifts in my driveway. I WILL assume the public works department are working their assets off. BRIDGEPORT WAS HIT HARD. We need a little patience. Why wouldn’t Crown St. be plowed? He is the Mayor. Doesn’t he get some perks that do not need commentary?
Okay, let’s let math do the work. Bridgeport is the biggest city in CT by virtue of residents, not square mileage. What that means is we have probably twice as many plows and DPW workers than say, Fairfield, because the City has more residents to serve. So, why, I ask, are the Fairfield side streets, which I can spit on from my house, plowed, and most of ours are not? I don’t think Bridgeport shrunk in the storm.
It’s a matter of foresight not playing a part in the decision to send DPW workers home. Many ended up snowbound at home. Why? Because their streets were not plowed. Paradox? No. Only in Bridgeport. I have my information from a source who is above reproach as well.
Don’t get me started on the fact Hizzoner publicly blamed taxpayers.
No disrespect Steve, you know I think you are the bomb.
Zena Lu–I agree with nearly everything you said!!! it is 11:11 am Sunday morning. Glendale Avenue is not plowed. The drifts are five feet high and I am wondering if they are going to wait until 5 am to cancel the public schools. I have no idea what Main Street looks like and I am only 10 houses up from there. You do not hear a sound of any type of traffic. Just got off the phone with friends from Fairfield. They are out!
Would the nuts who are trying to drive their cars and 4×4’s on the streets of Bridgeport go home and chill PLEASE!!! I have seen several front loaders and tandem plow trucks trying to clear the roads only to run into nuts who have their cars stuck with folks trying to push them to the side. So what happens, everybody stops and waits. If this doesn’t stop so the plows can get their jobs done, we are going to be snowstruck for days to come. Get off the freaking streets!
It is really difficult to know if anyone is in charge of this circus called Bridgeport. Barnum’s ghost probably is behind this “believe it or not” disaster city. I just don’t get it.
Citizens driving crazy and fast on the streets to get here, WHY? City officials and employees driving fast to get out of here at the end (of lunch) or the day? Give me a ride out! But I CAN’T GET OUT–NO PLOW.
It’s true the shift changed at midnight. One of the foreman said he took a city truck home and got stuck. Guys going home got stuck and guys coming in got stuck. Why they didn’t all hunker down at the EOC is a mystery. One wonders why millions were spent building the EOC. So the big shots could have a comfortable place to crash during storms? This brings the incompetence to new heights. What we need is an INVESTIGATION. But that too would be fixed. After all, we live in Corrupt-port.
A WTNH reporter who lives in Bridgeport said she saw no difference in the streets from 9 a.m. to the 6 p.m. news broadcast. She reported she spoke to residents all over the city and not one had his street plowed. How do you spell I-N-V-E-S-T-I-G-A-T-I-O-N?
I wonder how many of you actually stepped outside to shovel any snow. If you did, you should know it was a lot of snow.
We got about 34 inches of Nemo snow. I had to work and yes I got stuck at work. I look at it as Speedy wind with snow, not a blizzard! There is no cheap way to get rid of or remove 30+ inches of snow. There is no way this much snow can be handled in 5 days, especially if the temperature stays below the freezing mark. The type of heavy-duty snow removal equipment required to do this type of job is too expensive. What we really need is five warm (at least 60 degrees) days. In the meantime, get your shovel (consult your doctor) and get out there and do your part. When you take a break try this recipe:
Yellow Snow washed down with Godiva Chocolate. www .youtube.com/watch?v=TLIppgE45wM
Really Joel? Is Bridgeport’s reported 30″, which is 5″ short of our direct neighbor Fairfield’s snow any different? So sick of you assholes who are part of the problem. It’s you who do the people of Bridgeport a disservice by defending and re-electing incompetence.
Not everyone understands the daunting task facing every public works department in Connecticut. Many people here have drawn incorrect conclusions. Extreme weather causes extreme distortions of perception.
We are not getting results with Applebee, he does not understand dealing with snow and we pay him: WHY. Fire him, let him go to some place where there is only sand and let him pound it.
*** Too much snow and not enough city workers or equipment to tackle the problem in reasonable time. No doubt patience is needed by all city residents to help each other and stay off the roads ’til at least 60% of the cleanup is done! However, the city had advance notice of this large storm and should have made advance preparations for all their snow removal crews and equipment for the entire weekend starting from Friday through Monday. That includes food, shelter and bath&shower facilities so no one goes home! Sixteen hours on and eight hours off around the clock shifts with a safety briefing for all the snow removal crews; including helping each other after the city is up and running, say 80%? My street is an artery, onand off I-95 and has not seen a plow yet; just imagine small secondary streets in Bpt! *** THINK GREEN? ***
I live near Treeland off of Huntington Turnpike, and I have not had a snowplow yet. We cannot leave our home for any reason, pleasure or emergency.
Where are they, the snow has stopped now for hours. It is now Sunday 8am and Not One Plow, the roads impassable.
Mayor *** Please do your job and get the workers to work, send a fire truck to pick them up. Do something, this is outrageous.
Are the Bridgeport Fire Department and Police Department able to respond to calls because of the snow because I have not heard a siren or seen a flashing light since early Friday.
Based on his latest post, I find it hard to believe Ron Mackey is a former fireman.
But here’s why I’m writing: when the facts are released, area politicians will be credited with making the right decisions under adverse conditions. Strategic pause is the correct term to use.
Local Eyes Rumor Mill: Black Rockin is throwing a parade in my honor on Tuesday afternoon. The 211-piece USC Marching Band–the best in the biz–will play my favorite tunes. A free buffet will follow for all who attend. Buckets of snow will substitute for confetti.
L.E. and you will sing Broadway show tunes for us.
0
Fairfield 75% cleared as of last night–they had more snow-really tired of hearing we cannot compare ourselves to other cities–with issues of public safety we must and should–the same old big city big problems only keeps us stuck in this mess–big city big opportunities–Corey Booker, Mayor of Newark NJ–photos all over the internet of him shoveling snow–and live tweets of what their city was doing–our mayor has a twitter account–only updates was to blame cars parked–really? How about enforcing the parking laws so this does not happen? Out to shovel now, using this frustration as fuel–should have my street clear by noon …
Mayor Finch is either a liar or grossly misinformed or both. It is the absolute truth plow drivers were sent home during the height of the storm and could not get back to work. Most roads in Bridgeport have not been touched so how do these poor souls get in to work? Common sense, mayor.
Whose idea was it to make one path down Main Street? There were drivers traveling northbound and southbound in the same lane. It was only a matter of time until there was an accident that blocked the main egress completely. This is plain stupidity. Neighboring towns may not have gotten to their side streets but their main roads were cleared curb to curb. This is a travesty of huge proportions, incompetence at every level. An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.
Didn’t Mayor Lindsey lose his job at the next NY election about an exact problem like this in Queens some years back? New Yorkers remembered.
Bridgeport, please try to remember the crap we are hearing and going through right now, at election time.
I have a few questions for the mayor and his brain trust. Did you call in extra firefighters to help get fire hoses to the fire scene? Have you called in extra police to beef up patrols?
This storm was not a surprise, it was predicted days before the event. There are many areas of the city where abandoned cars are not the problem, why no plows?
I hate to get nasty (no I don’t) but the mayor and his advisers would screw up a circle jerk by facing the wrong way.
Bruce Lee, thank you for comments and I am totally with you when you said, “An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.”
Early report is Governor Malloy has done a good job in getting the state highways clear for people to travel. Now what has the mayor of the largest city in the state, Mayor Bill Finch done? Did the mayor ask the governor to make sure the state roads that go through Bridgeport are plowed and if he did ask then when did the mayor make his request? At what point in time did Mayor Finch ask for additional resources to help with snow removal and what was the reply from the governor?
“An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.”
I wasn’t trying to defend anyone. It’s obvious now the City of Bridgeport dropped the snow ball once again. What did you expect? How many smaller snow storms have we faced with less than stellar performance when it came time to deal with it?
The City of Bridgeport needs to bring in some heavy-duty trucks with the proper snowplows to take care of this mess. Old Garbage Trucks with 200,000 miles on them and a flat snowplow isn’t going to do it.
It took me 30 hours to get back home at 8:00 pm. Saturday after leaving at 2:00 pm Friday. I left my van on Lyon Terrace and now have no way of getting back to work if or when I’m needed. One Bridgeport Police Officer was stuck in his car for 14 hours by the time he was rescued. A few officers took turns to clear the parking lots (both of them) to free the entombed police cars and their personal cars. Based on my experience and my observations of the last 24 hours, I suggest people don’t make any plans to go anywhere other than OIB. Lennie and Ray did a wonderful job clearing all the snow in OIB. Frozen clam juice anyone?
Black Rock has a plow and payloader on Brewster headed towards Fairfield Avenue–with reports Elsworth has been cleared. I was out and there is a city truck with a snowplow blade on the front parked in front of a house on Harborview Avenue–snowed in–the city worker tried to dig it out yesterday but could not. I have photos–sure others do also.
POOR Mayor Finch. If he were reading this blog which I am certain he is not, he may become suicidal. Does anybody honestly believe anyone could have done a better job? Be honest. I just did my driveway. ONLY 65 percent done. Glendale Ave still not plowed and I am as frustrated as my neighbors. I DO BELIEVE this was a monster and I do now believe people have not listened to the Governor and the Mayor.
ABANDONED CARS ARE SLOWING THE PROCESS. This is a reminder to slow down and realize we are at the mercy of MOTHER nature. If there were a better way to respond to this storm, please respond on this blog and copy the Mayor’s office. I am sure the Mayor knows people are grading him on his ability to deal with this disaster. Maybe we should all just breathe and be patient. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES. TONIGHT DOWNTON ABBY OR REVENGE OR THE GRAMMY AWARDS.
Steven Auerbach, excuse me, maybe you should breathe and be patient. We are talking about a mayor who has been in office for five years, the mayor of the largest city in the state and had advance notice of this snow storm. Did the mayor have the manpower and resources in position BEFORE the storm? I asked the question earlier, when did the mayor seek help from the governor and what did the state do help clear state roads in Bridgeport? Steven Auerbach, you can give the mayor a pass but I don’t think the residents of Bridgeport will, but Steve, breathe and be patient.
Ron, chill out! He is the Mayor. Not a messiah. I do not think he thinks he is the messiah. I do not think five years in office would make him better prepared for this historic storm. I do not give him a free pass but think it is ridiculous to think he is being incompetent. I will go after the jugular when it is warranted. I do not think he could be doing any better. If you think so please by all means let us know and let the Mayor know. Being Mayor doesn’t make you a disaster guru. I would be interested in hearing what George Estrada has to say on this. I am only interested in hearing what a person who has handled the tough job of Public works, his take on the Mayor’s staff. Everyone else is just sour grapes.
The mayor is the person in Bridgeport who has ultimate responsibility for organizing and communicating plans to the city. Mayor Bloomberg is a leader. He is in control, he gets things done. He’s smart. He doesn’t do stupid things. Bill Finch is consistently–in fact the only guaranteed consistency–is his utter failure at everything. Everything he’s touched he ruins. He’s an invisible, false leader. He has no skills. He’s just awful. And he’s led the city into this mess–without so much as a word to his constituents or passion to fix it. What he is good at is bucking any sort of association with wrongdoing. He’s the kind of man who leads by “who, ME?” leadership. The city has never been in worse shape. People pity us. And they should.
Ron, I am still not plowed out and it is Sunday 9:15 pm. I am not saying you have no right being upset but I am sure the Mayor gave his head of public works his dictate. I do not believe the department is intentionally dragging their butts. I have no reason to be supporting the Mayor. It’s not like I believe he has any respect or interest for me. I just believe Ron Mackey, there are things you can be justified in being critical. I DO NOT BELIEVE AN ACT OF G-d is one of them. Does anyone on this blog even know who the director of public works is? Maybe he is as competent as the director of economic development, both of them.
Steven Auerbach, Mayor Finch should be given praise when he does something that helps the residents of Bridgeport but he is a big boy and criticism of his decisions go with the position. The buck stops at his desk, good and bad, leaders lead but on this snowstorm he is a follower. We are talking about life and death, the health and safety of residents of this great city deserve better than what this mayor has done during this storm. He should be able to come forward and have a press conference to answer the questions the residents have about why their streets have not been plowed. Steve I’m sure you have some questions that need to be answered.
YES RON, I DO. THE QUESTIONS I HAVE I AM AFRAID THE MAYOR COULD NOT POSSIBLY ANSWER. BUT THE LAST COMMENT YOU MADE WAS MOST ELOQUENT. I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR EYES AND YOU WIN.
I heard a brilliant remark from our Emergency director Scott Applebee. He stated the plows will not be doing most city road as there is a driving ban in Bridgeport. DUH!
We have two hospitals and eight firehouses in the city. The FD has their own plows. When the roads around the hospitals are cleared and the roads close to the firehouses are cleared how are the ambulances and police and fire going to get to the unplowed roads?
During minor storms I have plows up and down my street. For hours now in a big storm I have not seen a plow since early yesterday evening. It’s not the plow drivers, it’s the idiots running this city who are at fault.
What exactly does Applebee do anyway? The City’s storm response suggests a total lack of planning.
I too am troubled by remarks from our Emergency director Scott Applebee the plows will not be doing most city road as there is a driving ban in Bridgeport. What were these plows and workers doing all of these hours? We are also waiting for a plow to come down our street.
What’s a snowplow? There haven’t been any snowplows in my neighborhood AT ALL. Testerday afternoon there was a gas explosion at a house on Amsterdam Ave. Luckily the fire department was able to get there. God forbid there is a major fire/disaster somewhere in the city.
Public Works sent everyone but a skeleton crew home yesterday afternoon. They tried to call them in this a.m. but most were stuck in their own driveways and could not get back in. This left only a few men on snowplows and they have been working for 24 hours. An extremely dangerous situation. Combine a few exhausted men with a crew of incompetent supervisors and you have a disaster. Other towns are well organized with real plans, cots and food for their workers. They can respond immediately and continuously. I spoke to family members in neighboring towns and their main roads are clear. My family members say they are happy they no longer live in Bpt because the corruption and incompetence is so blatant.
Bridgeport is led by politically connected unqualified supervisors. No one notices until there is a crisis, like now. Now they are exposed for what they are. As Andy would say, Dumb Asses.
If this is true, we are in for the long haul. How about this–help us get the state statute CHANGED so Bridgeport can start to REALLY clean house? One email from you will make a difference.
Jack.Hennessy@cga.ct.gov
Peter.murszewski@cga.ct.gov
Subject line of the email: Written testimony for Bill HB-5724 – Public Hearing 2/13/13
Body of letter:
To: Steve Cassano, Jason Rojas and the Planning and Development Committee:
Please consider and enter this as my written testimony for HB-5724
I support the passage of this bill so Bridgeport can adhere to its city charter!
These are two segments from the last TV program relating to this bill:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=9cBr3TjP8yI
www .youtube.com/watch?v=ypkP3HGZuaA
The mayor is a god-damned schmuck. Sending public works staff home during what is widely publicized to be a terrible impending storm? Whoever voted for him is probably shaking their heads. He’s done nothing but make really dangerous bad decisions. Over and over. Can we impeach?
Lennie, can you find out if this is true?
Bruce Lee // Feb 9, 2013 at 5:18 pm
Public Works sent everyone but a skeleton crew home yesterday afternoon.
What plows? The state is taking care of their business, but I don’t know anyone whose street has been plowed. My next door neighbor called me tonight, and as far as his network goes in town, the story is the same. He was pissed, and it takes a whole lot of bonehead moves to ruffle his feathers. We are, once again, at the mercy of shortsighted decision making, poor planning and incompetence. I wonder if Crown Street has been plowed?
8:49 and no snow plows on Glendale Ave. I will say I have received updates and information all day from Michelle Lyons and did receive a robot call from the City looking for independent snowplowers to help out. I AM ASSUMING THE CITY WOULD PAY. This is a huge snowstorm. I have 5-foot drifts in my driveway. I WILL assume the public works department are working their assets off. BRIDGEPORT WAS HIT HARD. We need a little patience. Why wouldn’t Crown St. be plowed? He is the Mayor. Doesn’t he get some perks that do not need commentary?
Okay, let’s let math do the work. Bridgeport is the biggest city in CT by virtue of residents, not square mileage. What that means is we have probably twice as many plows and DPW workers than say, Fairfield, because the City has more residents to serve. So, why, I ask, are the Fairfield side streets, which I can spit on from my house, plowed, and most of ours are not? I don’t think Bridgeport shrunk in the storm.
It’s a matter of foresight not playing a part in the decision to send DPW workers home. Many ended up snowbound at home. Why? Because their streets were not plowed. Paradox? No. Only in Bridgeport. I have my information from a source who is above reproach as well.
Don’t get me started on the fact Hizzoner publicly blamed taxpayers.
No disrespect Steve, you know I think you are the bomb.
Zena Lu–I agree with nearly everything you said!!! it is 11:11 am Sunday morning. Glendale Avenue is not plowed. The drifts are five feet high and I am wondering if they are going to wait until 5 am to cancel the public schools. I have no idea what Main Street looks like and I am only 10 houses up from there. You do not hear a sound of any type of traffic. Just got off the phone with friends from Fairfield. They are out!
Would the nuts who are trying to drive their cars and 4×4’s on the streets of Bridgeport go home and chill PLEASE!!! I have seen several front loaders and tandem plow trucks trying to clear the roads only to run into nuts who have their cars stuck with folks trying to push them to the side. So what happens, everybody stops and waits. If this doesn’t stop so the plows can get their jobs done, we are going to be snowstruck for days to come. Get off the freaking streets!
It is really difficult to know if anyone is in charge of this circus called Bridgeport. Barnum’s ghost probably is behind this “believe it or not” disaster city. I just don’t get it.
Citizens driving crazy and fast on the streets to get here, WHY? City officials and employees driving fast to get out of here at the end (of lunch) or the day? Give me a ride out! But I CAN’T GET OUT–NO PLOW.
It’s true the shift changed at midnight. One of the foreman said he took a city truck home and got stuck. Guys going home got stuck and guys coming in got stuck. Why they didn’t all hunker down at the EOC is a mystery. One wonders why millions were spent building the EOC. So the big shots could have a comfortable place to crash during storms? This brings the incompetence to new heights. What we need is an INVESTIGATION. But that too would be fixed. After all, we live in Corrupt-port.
A WTNH reporter who lives in Bridgeport said she saw no difference in the streets from 9 a.m. to the 6 p.m. news broadcast. She reported she spoke to residents all over the city and not one had his street plowed. How do you spell I-N-V-E-S-T-I-G-A-T-I-O-N?
On Twitter the Mayor tweets–Bill Finch@MayorBillFinch
Snow removal slower because of people driving and getting stuck “@mpalzie:can you please publish a snow removal schedule for the city?”
and tonight WFSB: He blamed Bpt citizens for not listening and clogging the streets while he had “100% of his crews” working.
I wonder how many of you actually stepped outside to shovel any snow. If you did, you should know it was a lot of snow.
We got about 34 inches of Nemo snow. I had to work and yes I got stuck at work. I look at it as Speedy wind with snow, not a blizzard! There is no cheap way to get rid of or remove 30+ inches of snow. There is no way this much snow can be handled in 5 days, especially if the temperature stays below the freezing mark. The type of heavy-duty snow removal equipment required to do this type of job is too expensive. What we really need is five warm (at least 60 degrees) days. In the meantime, get your shovel (consult your doctor) and get out there and do your part. When you take a break try this recipe:
Yellow Snow washed down with Godiva Chocolate.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=TLIppgE45wM
Really Joel? Is Bridgeport’s reported 30″, which is 5″ short of our direct neighbor Fairfield’s snow any different? So sick of you assholes who are part of the problem. It’s you who do the people of Bridgeport a disservice by defending and re-electing incompetence.
Really? Towns around us report 75% of streets cleared–does anyone have a plowed street? Are we even at 10% plowed?
The Mayor owes Bridgeport taxpayers, some of whom may be beyond the reach of emergency services, more than a request for patience.
Not everyone understands the daunting task facing every public works department in Connecticut. Many people here have drawn incorrect conclusions. Extreme weather causes extreme distortions of perception.
We are not getting results with Applebee, he does not understand dealing with snow and we pay him: WHY. Fire him, let him go to some place where there is only sand and let him pound it.
Well Local Eyes, if you have some facts to correct our incorrect conclusions, please share.
*** Too much snow and not enough city workers or equipment to tackle the problem in reasonable time. No doubt patience is needed by all city residents to help each other and stay off the roads ’til at least 60% of the cleanup is done! However, the city had advance notice of this large storm and should have made advance preparations for all their snow removal crews and equipment for the entire weekend starting from Friday through Monday. That includes food, shelter and bath&shower facilities so no one goes home! Sixteen hours on and eight hours off around the clock shifts with a safety briefing for all the snow removal crews; including helping each other after the city is up and running, say 80%? My street is an artery, onand off I-95 and has not seen a plow yet; just imagine small secondary streets in Bpt! *** THINK GREEN? ***
I live near Treeland off of Huntington Turnpike, and I have not had a snowplow yet. We cannot leave our home for any reason, pleasure or emergency.
Where are they, the snow has stopped now for hours. It is now Sunday 8am and Not One Plow, the roads impassable.
Mayor *** Please do your job and get the workers to work, send a fire truck to pick them up. Do something, this is outrageous.
The visibility of this snowstorm was no match for its severity.
Mayor Finch needs to stop telling people to be patient and start demanding results.
Are the Bridgeport Fire Department and Police Department able to respond to calls because of the snow because I have not heard a siren or seen a flashing light since early Friday.
Based on his latest post, I find it hard to believe Ron Mackey is a former fireman.
But here’s why I’m writing: when the facts are released, area politicians will be credited with making the right decisions under adverse conditions. Strategic pause is the correct term to use.
Strategic pause … my ass.
Local Eyes Rumor Mill:
Black Rockin is throwing a parade in my honor on Tuesday afternoon. The 211-piece USC Marching Band–the best in the biz–will play my favorite tunes. A free buffet will follow for all who attend. Buckets of snow will substitute for confetti.
L.E. and you will sing Broadway show tunes for us.
Fairfield 75% cleared as of last night–they had more snow-really tired of hearing we cannot compare ourselves to other cities–with issues of public safety we must and should–the same old big city big problems only keeps us stuck in this mess–big city big opportunities–Corey Booker, Mayor of Newark NJ–photos all over the internet of him shoveling snow–and live tweets of what their city was doing–our mayor has a twitter account–only updates was to blame cars parked–really? How about enforcing the parking laws so this does not happen? Out to shovel now, using this frustration as fuel–should have my street clear by noon …
There has been plenty of warning of this storm. For most main arteries to be shut down completely is a disgrace.
Mayor Finch is either a liar or grossly misinformed or both. It is the absolute truth plow drivers were sent home during the height of the storm and could not get back to work. Most roads in Bridgeport have not been touched so how do these poor souls get in to work? Common sense, mayor.
Whose idea was it to make one path down Main Street? There were drivers traveling northbound and southbound in the same lane. It was only a matter of time until there was an accident that blocked the main egress completely. This is plain stupidity. Neighboring towns may not have gotten to their side streets but their main roads were cleared curb to curb. This is a travesty of huge proportions, incompetence at every level. An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.
Didn’t Mayor Lindsey lose his job at the next NY election about an exact problem like this in Queens some years back? New Yorkers remembered.
Bridgeport, please try to remember the crap we are hearing and going through right now, at election time.
I have a few questions for the mayor and his brain trust. Did you call in extra firefighters to help get fire hoses to the fire scene? Have you called in extra police to beef up patrols?
This storm was not a surprise, it was predicted days before the event. There are many areas of the city where abandoned cars are not the problem, why no plows?
I hate to get nasty (no I don’t) but the mayor and his advisers would screw up a circle jerk by facing the wrong way.
Why is circle jerk ACF’s favorite game?
Answer: he can’t use the wrong hand.
LE you really are a freaking MORON. If you had a brain you would have two things to play with.
Bruce Lee, thank you for comments and I am totally with you when you said, “An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.”
Early report is Governor Malloy has done a good job in getting the state highways clear for people to travel. Now what has the mayor of the largest city in the state, Mayor Bill Finch done? Did the mayor ask the governor to make sure the state roads that go through Bridgeport are plowed and if he did ask then when did the mayor make his request? At what point in time did Mayor Finch ask for additional resources to help with snow removal and what was the reply from the governor?
“An independent INVESTIGATION is needed immediately.”
I wasn’t trying to defend anyone. It’s obvious now the City of Bridgeport dropped the snow ball once again. What did you expect? How many smaller snow storms have we faced with less than stellar performance when it came time to deal with it?
The City of Bridgeport needs to bring in some heavy-duty trucks with the proper snowplows to take care of this mess. Old Garbage Trucks with 200,000 miles on them and a flat snowplow isn’t going to do it.
It took me 30 hours to get back home at 8:00 pm. Saturday after leaving at 2:00 pm Friday. I left my van on Lyon Terrace and now have no way of getting back to work if or when I’m needed. One Bridgeport Police Officer was stuck in his car for 14 hours by the time he was rescued. A few officers took turns to clear the parking lots (both of them) to free the entombed police cars and their personal cars. Based on my experience and my observations of the last 24 hours, I suggest people don’t make any plans to go anywhere other than OIB. Lennie and Ray did a wonderful job clearing all the snow in OIB. Frozen clam juice anyone?
Joel, the city has bought a bunch of super-big dump trucks with new plows, where are they? I have not seen a garbage truck with a plow in years.
Hey Lennie, can you check the City of Bridgeport’s GPS tracking system and tell me how far away the plow is from Maplewood Avenue?
Anyone see any plows, anywhere? ANYWHERE? Not Fairfield, in Bridgeport?
Black Rock has a plow and payloader on Brewster headed towards Fairfield Avenue–with reports Elsworth has been cleared. I was out and there is a city truck with a snowplow blade on the front parked in front of a house on Harborview Avenue–snowed in–the city worker tried to dig it out yesterday but could not. I have photos–sure others do also.
POOR Mayor Finch. If he were reading this blog which I am certain he is not, he may become suicidal. Does anybody honestly believe anyone could have done a better job? Be honest. I just did my driveway. ONLY 65 percent done. Glendale Ave still not plowed and I am as frustrated as my neighbors. I DO BELIEVE this was a monster and I do now believe people have not listened to the Governor and the Mayor.
ABANDONED CARS ARE SLOWING THE PROCESS. This is a reminder to slow down and realize we are at the mercy of MOTHER nature. If there were a better way to respond to this storm, please respond on this blog and copy the Mayor’s office. I am sure the Mayor knows people are grading him on his ability to deal with this disaster. Maybe we should all just breathe and be patient. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES. TONIGHT DOWNTON ABBY OR REVENGE OR THE GRAMMY AWARDS.
Steven Auerbach, excuse me, maybe you should breathe and be patient. We are talking about a mayor who has been in office for five years, the mayor of the largest city in the state and had advance notice of this snow storm. Did the mayor have the manpower and resources in position BEFORE the storm? I asked the question earlier, when did the mayor seek help from the governor and what did the state do help clear state roads in Bridgeport? Steven Auerbach, you can give the mayor a pass but I don’t think the residents of Bridgeport will, but Steve, breathe and be patient.
Ron, chill out! He is the Mayor. Not a messiah. I do not think he thinks he is the messiah. I do not think five years in office would make him better prepared for this historic storm. I do not give him a free pass but think it is ridiculous to think he is being incompetent. I will go after the jugular when it is warranted. I do not think he could be doing any better. If you think so please by all means let us know and let the Mayor know. Being Mayor doesn’t make you a disaster guru. I would be interested in hearing what George Estrada has to say on this. I am only interested in hearing what a person who has handled the tough job of Public works, his take on the Mayor’s staff. Everyone else is just sour grapes.
The mayor is the person in Bridgeport who has ultimate responsibility for organizing and communicating plans to the city. Mayor Bloomberg is a leader. He is in control, he gets things done. He’s smart. He doesn’t do stupid things. Bill Finch is consistently–in fact the only guaranteed consistency–is his utter failure at everything. Everything he’s touched he ruins. He’s an invisible, false leader. He has no skills. He’s just awful. And he’s led the city into this mess–without so much as a word to his constituents or passion to fix it. What he is good at is bucking any sort of association with wrongdoing. He’s the kind of man who leads by “who, ME?” leadership. The city has never been in worse shape. People pity us. And they should.
Steven Auerbach, what concern I listed do you think is out of line and do you think will that need to be addressed?
How many people here depend on getting to work to make their living? I guess Bridgeport doesn’t give a shit. A WEEK to get plowed out!!!
m.connpost.com/connpost/pm_120891/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Mdvfjb49
Ron, I am still not plowed out and it is Sunday 9:15 pm. I am not saying you have no right being upset but I am sure the Mayor gave his head of public works his dictate. I do not believe the department is intentionally dragging their butts. I have no reason to be supporting the Mayor. It’s not like I believe he has any respect or interest for me. I just believe Ron Mackey, there are things you can be justified in being critical. I DO NOT BELIEVE AN ACT OF G-d is one of them. Does anyone on this blog even know who the director of public works is? Maybe he is as competent as the director of economic development, both of them.
Steven Auerbach, Mayor Finch should be given praise when he does something that helps the residents of Bridgeport but he is a big boy and criticism of his decisions go with the position. The buck stops at his desk, good and bad, leaders lead but on this snowstorm he is a follower. We are talking about life and death, the health and safety of residents of this great city deserve better than what this mayor has done during this storm. He should be able to come forward and have a press conference to answer the questions the residents have about why their streets have not been plowed. Steve I’m sure you have some questions that need to be answered.
YES RON, I DO. THE QUESTIONS I HAVE I AM AFRAID THE MAYOR COULD NOT POSSIBLY ANSWER. BUT THE LAST COMMENT YOU MADE WAS MOST ELOQUENT. I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR EYES AND YOU WIN.