The State Elections Enforcement Commission announced on Wednesday that State Senate candidate Marilyn Moore was among a number of candidates for office who qualified for public financing. Moore will receive an $83,000 grant for her Aug. 12 primary against Democratic incumbent Anthony Musto. In a statement, Moore says she supports a state government reform bill to enforce the City Charter banning city employees from serving on the City Charter, asserting “in Bridgeport we have a situation where politicians play by a separate set of rules to serve political self-interest.”
Moore news release:
Democratic State Senate candidate Marilyn Moore announced today that one of her first actions in the Connecticut General Assembly will be supporting a version of the government reform bill to guarantee the separation of powers between the Mayor’s office and Common Council delineated in the Bridgeport City Charter, which prohibits city employees from serving on the City Council.
“This is an important issue to protect taxpayers in Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe. Time and again Anthony Musto has served political interests over the interests of the people. He’s allowed the Bridgeport political machine to dictate public policy in the district,” said Moore, founder and CEO of The Witness Project of Connecticut, which serves to reduce death rates of breast cancer among low income and African American women.
The Bridgeport City Charter approved by city voters prohibits city employees from serving on the City Council. State law precludes municipal employees from sitting on boards of finance to eliminate conflicts of interests such as voting on their own wages and benefits and to provide guarantee accountability between legislative and executive branches. Bridgeport’s legislative body, however, functions as a board of finance. Musto has opposed a reform bill in the state legislature that would extend the existing provision prohibiting municipal employees from serving on a board of finance to all municipal bodies that have budget authority.
“Instead of the City’s legislative branch serving as a check on the executive branch, some City Councilors are paid by the Mayor’s office,” says Moore. “A likewise scenario is illegal on both the state and federal level, but in Bridgeport we have a situation where politicians play by a separate set of rules to serve political self-interest.”
“We need more reform-minded watchdogs and fewer lapdogs in the state legislature,” says State Rep. Jack Hennessy, who co-authored the government reform bill with State Rep. Auden Grogins to enforce the Bridgeport City Charter. “I’m supporting Marilyn Moore because I will have a partner in protecting taxpayer money from the conflicts of interests protecting political sacred cows. The state of Connecticut will only benefit from having municipalities that have sound governance policies in place. And that includes supporting municipal home rule approved by voters.”
The bill has received widespread support in the State House, but Musto has blocked the bill’s passage in the State Senate siding with his political supporter special interests.
Connecticut’s 22nd State Senate District encompasses Trumbull and portions of Bridgeport and Monroe.
Congratulations to the candidates. Let the Games begin. Very exciting. Can’t wait for the debate scheduling.
Will Mark Anastasi be part of the debating team arguing against the wording of our own City Charter in favor of the CT Statute he is reported as supporting? Will someone release the detail of his argument for all the world to see how it contrasts with the clear language of the City Charter and the intent of preventing City employees having voting power over land use questions and municipal finances? Our City Council has the only people weighing finance issues in any manner other than the Mayor’s office. And come to think of it, the Council also enters into any number of land use questions not specific to one property but having application to many properties including approval of the Master Plan. How does Attorney Anastasi answer this conundrum? Time will tell.
Right on, Marilyn!
This is an instance where those of you who are avowedly anti-FInch and pro-Malloy need to step back and ask yourselves the following:
How can the current situation of Finch and his cronies’ shameless and repeated breaches of the charter exist in another universe from the powers-that-be in Hartford, including, you guessed it, Gov. Malloy? You don’t think Malloy could have arm-twisted Musto and Ayala and their handlers (e.g., Finch and DiNardo) to permit a vote in the senate on HB 5724? Well, then you don’t expect much from your leaders, and you definitely don’t think Dan Malloy is engaged on issues critical to Bridgeport’s governance and government practices.
In short: How can the Finch follies be reduced if Malloy remains in office? Perhaps a Malloy proponent can explain.
If you’re so afraid to clean our Democrat house in Connecticut (as I suspect the Working Families Party is, as they seem poised to rally for Malloy and claim if Malloy fails in his re-election bid, the future of Connecticut’s workers will be drastically worse than it is today), well sorry, the day will come when someone else will clean our Democrat house in CT; and sorry, it won’t be whom you want. Whoever it is, I hope it will be someone who doesn’t let Bill Finch and his cronies continue their unethical, dishonest, incompetent and wasteful governance in the interest of a few at the cost of the many in Bridgeport and throughout our state.
Pete Spain, it’s sad but true what you wrote. As a loyal Democrat I find what you said must be done, we will need to clean our Democrat house in CT for points you made and others.
Ron, these are poster children for term limits. Additionally, for Hennessy to call for the removal of lapdogs from a Chris Caruso lapdog Hennessey was for years is hypocritical.
John, on a sad note I heard Mark Anastasi is leaving city service. I heard he has a new job as chief fairy tale writer for Rolling Stone magazine.
Mark really never had to be too creative when making up his version of the law. He was dealing with 19 dumbasses for years. This present council ranks at the top of the terminally dumb group. They never question any financial expenditure no matter how big or how small. In fact they themselves violate the law and no one says anything. Oh well.
Fardy’s on a roll today!
Andy, say it isn’t so!!!
Who will fill his gigantic shoes??? And who will have the capacity to deliver “oracular” pronouncements on the spot for the Mayor going forward? And what will he do in post-City Attorney work? Prepare for court appearances to explain the secret dealings of the Finch years?
Andy, actually this Council has a few people who are not yet content with the status quo and manage to extend Council meetings slightly by removing items from the Consent Calendar, questioning financial issues, and indeed asking the Finance Director, “Does the City employ an internal auditor?” Follow the questioning. It is all to the good.
Of course Mayor Finch was at the ballgame getting a lot of photos taken at the Pete Rose appearance. There is a picture of him throwing a first pitch. Naturally, for the ceremonial attempt there was NO BATTER UP. (Isn’t that the way he sees things anyway, without a taxpayer at bat to pay for his “dreams and visions?”) My informant tells me he threw the ball looking for the strike zone. His pitch fell a bit short. It bounced on home plate but the catcher advanced to cover the incomplete attempt.
It’s not easy if you are not well trained, in shape for the action and able to deal with the pressure of performing an unnatural act … whether throwing the ball into the strike zone, or pitching information to your public fully and truthfully. Time will tell.
yahooy!
Fast and furious, that’s the way to beat them, Marilyn baby!
Speaking of yahooy, where the hell has he been?
Way too sad to discuss.
For those who have been asking:
Andre Baker for State Representative
Thursday June 19th
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Dolphin’s Cove Marina
421 Seaview Ave
Bridgeport, CT
Donations $5.00 to $100.00
It is too bad all the challengers are not pooling their resources. Thursday at 5:30 – 7:30 Scott Hughes is also having a fundraiser at the Ramada in Stratford. I guess united they stand divided they will fall could be the mantra for all looking for change.
It’s not that easy, Steve. Each campaign committee must maintain separate committee activities. Under CEP rules, joint committees receive less funding. This never stopped the Bridgeport Democratic Machine from breaking the rules.
Moore would have a better chance if she can get the support of incumbent State Reps. (Hennessy, Stallworth, Grogins) within her senatorial district. Grogins isn’t going to stick her neck out for Moore and most likely is supporting Musto. The Trumbull Democrats (The new TDTCC and Nancy DiNardo) will push for Musto. Notice none of the State Reps. whose districts fall within the 22nd Senatorial district are facing a primary, unlike in the 23rd, where Newton and Christina Ayala’s State Rep. districts are within the 23rd Senatorial districts.
It seems like Scott Hughes needs to decide which of the challengers or endorsed candidates in the 128th and 124th districts he will work with if any. Andres Ayala is working and supporting Christopher Rosario; Andres Ayala is less likely to work with Ernie Newton (one never knows) and may be working with Andre Baker. I’m wondering why Andre Baker hasn’t raised any money. I haven’t been able to find any evidence of Baker having raised money and this kind of makes me suspicious. I’d be able to tell or take a good guess as to whom–if anyone–the State Reps. are aligned with by the people contributing to their committees. I’d like to see who the people are contributing to Baker’s committee as Newton doesn’t seem to be doing any better in fundraising.
Steve, if you were to unite them, how would you do it? Who will ally with whom? If Hughes allies with Baker, he risks forcing Ernie to ally with Andres Ayala and vice-versa. Out of the four candidates or three challengers in the 128th, who should Hughes ally with? You see, it’s not easy!
Hennessy and Stallworth are supporting Moore. There was an article on OIB regarding that fact already. Grogins is NOT supporting Musto. She is staying neutral thus far, and will not break from neutrality in favor of Musto.
“Grogins is NOT supporting Musto. She is staying neutral thus far, and …”
This can mean Grogins is NOT supporting Moore. She is staying neutral [thus far] and may break from neutrality in favor of Musto. While Grogins may stay neutral, what about Danny Roach and his crew? The level or intensity of support from Hennessy and Stallworth isn’t going to be the same as it would be if they were facing a primary. They’re not going to be spending $27,500 plus the $5,000 needed to be raised for the CEP grant as is the case in the 124th and 128th.
I’m looking at dynamics that will or can make a difference in the senatorial race. Another area of ally support is in Trumbull and Monroe. Musto clearly has the advantage there. If Moore can’t get Grogins (a woman from Bridgeport in a district with a good number of African American voters) to support her, how can she convince the State Reps. representing Trumbull and Monroe sections of the 23rd senatorial districts?
Ernie Newton received the support from Hughes and members of his Town Committee and got the party endorsement. Hughes has the backing of the entire Democratic Town Committee in the 139th. This benefits both Hughes and Newton. Ayala on the other hand is supporting Chris Rosario; has support from the 137th and half of the 138th Machine as well as other State Reps. and City Council people. It’s not easy.
Ernie Newton has a fundraiser today as well as Hughes. Supporting Ernie Newton is like supporting Hughes. So do your part and support Ernie as others are helping Andres and his Machine.
I see, said the blind man.
Joel, she WILL NOT break in favor of Musto. This I know as FACT.
Bond Girl, Grogins alone is not a threat or of much help to Musto or Moore. It’s what Danny Roach decides to do. Auden Grogins knows some key players (activists) in Black Rock aren’t happy with Musto and she doesn’t want to piss ’em off. Tell me how many members of the 130th Democratic Town Committee supported Moore during the endorsement round and I’ll tell you how much support she has in Black Rock.
Joel, you know many of the people supporting Moore didn’t support our Town Committee slate because of promises made to Danny’s slate. Marilyn never returned my calls. For this and other reasons I lean towards Musto, he’s ALWAYS returned a call.
Hector, I didn’t know that. Does Moore think she’s too good for us?
I didn’t see any of her people standing in front of any of the voting places helping us out, Jim; but that was their choice. This is ours.
Come on, Hector. This is the silliness of the political season. You didn’t see any of her people helping your people.
I don’t know anything about returned phone calls or not but are you suggesting Musto was out there pushing your line? Don’t play that game, Hector.
Bob, no game. This is serious. I reached out and there was no return call. She can check her phone, more than 15 calls in a four-day period, maybe she thought I was looking for help getting the signatures, I wouldn’t know (she never answered).
Okay.
*** In other words, it’s time to “DUMP MUSTO” aka “RUBBER STAMP!” ***
Gee Mojo, if I’m not mistaken, it seems Hector is supporting Musto. Speaking about Scott Hughes’ fundraiser, it had a very big turnout. His platform was very impressive. I think this is going to be a very interesting race. I am pleased I just happened to be in the neighborhood. People deserve a choice. Hughes has a very interesting story. A comprehensive pro-Bridgeport pro-Steelepointe platform. A lot of young and educated professionals supporting him. I was very impressed. However, I am in a different district, so I get to vote either Moore or Musto. I still have Musto signs in my garage. I must have thought they would be worth money someday. 🙂 I still have 100ss of Mary Moran buttons. Lolololololol.
Those lawns signs saying Musto must be getting pretty musty.
Steven, I’m glad you had the chance to hear Scott’s platform, he has a genuine desire to make this a better city for our current and future residents. I am extremely proud to call him my friend, just as is Ernie Newton (I love him like a brother) and you are correct, I AM SUPPORTING MUSTO. On a side note I was downtown for the downtown Thursdays concert (the greatest thing to happen to downtown in 20 years). It reminded me of the days of the Harambee festivals. I also enjoyed some of Ricky Mestre’s art in the exhibition at the gallery and even my eight-year-old daughter enjoyed the parade. Yesterday it actually felt good to be in Bridgeport!