Several interesting items on the agenda of tonight’s City Council Ordinance Committee meeting, 6 p.m. in the Wheeler Room at City Hall, including Mayor Bill Finch’s proposal to increase salaries of roughly 80 “Officers’ and Unaffiliated Employee Salaries,” a proposed resolution to review procedures “for Council Member’s Expense Reimbursement (Stipends)” and the first step for the full council to authorize creation of a Charter Revision Commission. The next full council meeting is January 3.
The pay hike proposal has drawn the ire of the Connecticut Post Editorial Board.
The Charter Revision Commission, according to the mayor, will focus on education. Could that mean doing away with an elected Board of Education for an appointed body? Ultimately voters must support charter changes and the mayor wants the electorate to vote on the proposed measures in November.
Ordinance Committee agenda below:
Approval of Committee Minutes: October 25, 2011
Approval of Public Hearing Minutes: November 7, 2011
13-11 Proposed amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, amend Section 15.12.250 Rental Conditions-Certificate of Apartment Occupancy.
18-11 Proposed amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances Chapter 2.36, amend Section 2.36.010, Officers’ and Unaffiliated Employee Salaries.
19-11 Proposed amendments to the Municipal Code of Ordinances, amend Chapter 2.38, Code of Ethics.
22-11 Proposed Resolution to review procedures for Council Member’s Expense Reimbursement (Stipends).
29-11 City Council Provision of suitable polling places in Council Districts and definition of boundaries pursuant to Bridgeport Charter, Ch. 5 Sec. 2 (d).
30-11 Proposed Resolution concerning the Creation of a Charter Revision Commission for the City of Bridgeport.
31-11 Proposed Resolution concerning the Appointment of Members of the Charter Revision Commission for the City of Bridgeport.
Council Committee members below. First two named serve as co-chairs.
Committee on Budget and Appropriations
Councilmembers: Curwen, DePara, Brannelly, Martinez, Vizzo-Paniccia, Silva, Austin,
Committee on Ordinances
Councilmembers: Paoletto, Blunt, Martinez, Curwen, Austin, Martin McCarthy, Bonney.
Committee on Public Safety and Transportation
Councilmembers: Lyons, Colon, Taylor-Moye, DePara, Baker, Olson, Paoletto.
Committee on Economic and Community Development and Environment
Councilmembers: Martinez, Brantley, Blunt, Curwen, Lyons, Colon, Martin McCarthy.
Committee on Miscellaneous Matters
Councilmembers: Vizzo-Paniccia, Baker, Taylor-Moye, Brannelly, Ayala, Brantley, Colon.
Committee on Contracts
Councilmembers: Silva, Brannelly, Brantley, Holloway, Vizzo-Paniccia, DePara, Paoletto.
Committee on Education and Social Services
Councilmembers: Taylor-Moye, Martin McCarthy, Olson, Ayala, Baker, Silva, Bonney.
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Thomas C. McCarthy
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: Richard Bonney
MAJORITY LEADER: Angel M. DePara, Jr.
*A) DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER/SGT OF ARMS: Richard M. Paoletto
*B) DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER: Denese Taylor-Moye
*C) DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER: Lydia N. Martinez
*New Position: Appointed on December 6, 2011
Lennie and the OIB gang, what would be the best way to protest the proposed pay raises? I know it is almost impossible with the “powers that be” but I do think people should make their anger known! Attend the ordinance committee meeting? Attend the Jan. 3 council meeting? Write to council members? Write to the news media? I really want to know your thoughts. Also how can one get a copy of the ordinance?
Land use bodies have hearings and some of the City Council committees seem to have hearings, also. A committee or board meeting is when you, the taxpayer, get to attend (assuming caucus or executive session is not called, or even a quiet few words, winks or nudges during a ten-minute recess) and LISTEN. A hearing is a meeting where the audience has an opportunity to SPEAK as well as listen.
A City Council meeting has a 30-minute Public Speaking opportunity where up to 6 members of the public have a chance to register with the City Clerk in advance of the meeting to sign up for one of those five-minute slots. This precedes the City Council meeting where precious little discussion is usually heard other than smiling, back-slapping enthusiasm for what a great job President Tom McCarthy is performing moving or accepting motions per Roberts Rules of Order. You have to go to the Committee Meeting next following, in this case, the Ordinance Committee to hear dialogue, discussion, or even possibly, real debate. Again, no public comment.
However, if and/or when the Ordinance Committee completes their talk, thinking and approval of the City Attorney’s office for the print new Ordinance, is there a public hearing then? At this moment, if you are in town when one of these meetings occurs and have important comments in favor of or in opposition to the new Ordinance, I suggest your presence and comment. I believe the City Council has no notion there is a public out there paying attention to what the Mayor’s Office is tossing to them since the election. And the Council needs to understand people are listening, looking and forming firm opinions they are willing to share in the few opportunities allowed. That means any or all of us. Mark January 3 on your calendars. Make a few notes. Ask your representatives whether they will be in their seats to hear what you have to say. How about bringing along 4-5 more neighbors who vote? Couldn’t hurt. Time will tell.
First of all, the best way to motivate the City Council members is a phone call from a constituent. Even if the member does not take or return that call (which many refuse to do), they know phone calls are being made.
That should be followed up with something in writing; either an e-mail or letter to your own council members or to all.
Then a copy of that should go to the CT Post editor. This way your representative can’t say he never received it. Another favorite way of ignoring the public.
Speaking before the council meeting is another good way to get their attention.
Finally, introduce yourself to your “representative” at the meeting. If you have called and written, this will sometimes make them VERY uncomfortable.
But remember, this really needs to be a constant thing. Finch is trying to get all of the BS out of the way now hoping the public will forget or their anger diminished by the time the next election comes around.
And if that doesn’t work the next municipal election will be City Council members only so he really doesn’t care if you take your anger out on them.
And everyone on this blog should be outraged at what Council President McCarthy did to Councilman Baker.
Andre Baker WAS co-chair of the Ordinance Committee. I guess McCarthy and Finch knew there were going to be some difficult ordinances coming up so they stripped Baker of his previous Co-chairmanship of this important committee and gave the post to city employee Warren Blunt. Now the two co-chairs are city employees along with two others on the committee and the spouse of one to boot.
The best way to protest all this latest bullshit is to vote the bastards out of office.
This is the second time the ball-less wonder Tom McCarthy has stripped a co-chairmenship of an important committee from Andre Baker. The problem is Baker is the only one on the council who asks tough questions.
Having Paoletto and Blunt as co-chairs of the ordinance committee is like having two bobblehead dolls with the heads that permanently move their heads in the yes position. Neither one has an original thought and always do what their masters at city hall tell them to do.
Thank you for the heads-up about Andre Baker. He is an excellent councilperson and should not have been stripped of his Co-chair position on the ordinance committee. I really suggest people call or email their councilpersons; show up at the Wednesday meeting even if they can’t speak on the record–you can buttonhole a councilperson at the break; and definitely show up on January 3rd at the council meeting. Do all of these things or some of these things but do something! Now the ordinance committee has two co-chairs who are members of the Democratic Town Committee and employees of the city. This is just wrong. Bridgeport Property owners: WAKE UP!
Thank you Grin for alerting readers to how titles are awarded, chairs are appointed and assignments are distributed.
* If you have any financial acumen, you will not likely be or stay appointed to the Budget & Appropriations Committee. And probing questions are not appreciated either. Perhaps someone might like to ask how a co-chair of that committee has proudly explained his membership on that group for the past 12 years? Is he a good soldier? Is he valued by the administration for his “experience?” Does he allow himself to be guided very well? Is he representing the taxpayer?
* Committee work is important work on behalf of the common good of the City. However, if I must attend City Council meetings, plus 2 or 3 committee meetings monthly and then keep track of my district happenings, and read material PREVIOUS TO A MEETING, and do research on issues upcoming BEFORE THE MEETING, as well as hold a real job in private industry, just possibly I may be overcommitted. It certainly is true at B & A, in my opinion. How can this group seriously believe they are a valid “check and balance” against a City administration that has conducted financial planning in secret essentially for the past four years with a brief ‘show and tell’ at budget time, and then no real ‘check’ in months following and no ‘balance’ sheets at all? For instance, was B & A consulted on decisions relating to putting off full and actuarially recommended Pension contributions contributions for Plan A the past three years??? Did they even know the budget presented to them was not ‘balanced’ because it deferred current necessary expenses? Why do only one or two Council persons ask fiscal questions? Why do none of the City employed seem to raise financial issues??? Are they conflicted, or is only an appearance of conflict that their tongues are compromised???
* Budgets are passed annually that defer necessary Pension funding. No questions are asked about Internal Service Funds and how they will become repaid. Platitudes about funding very diminished “City fund balances.” (Unreserved, undesignated, uncommitted funds that should be there today, tens of millions in excess of present values per the City Charter, but Finch has flinched on adequate funding.)
* Does each Council person who has approved the budgets in recent years understand there are positions budgeted every year, as well as accounts that are not spent as planned/expected in a twelve-month period? Do they read their budget reports monthly? Do they understand them? Do they realize the money gets spent on “other things” (and you may well ask what “other things”) they ask no questions about? Why not? Some say they are terminally dumb. I don’t believe that. But the fact they have not had ethics training in four years and the fact they do not have a meaningful monthly budget review with a meaningful and comparative format, nearly six months into the 2011-12 fiscal year, means they are not serious in their fiscal dedication for the benefit of taxpayers. And what has been on their minds in approving essentially flat education budgets??? What have parents been asking them???
So many questions and so few answers. But there is an external audit coming shortly!!! And not too long after that, there is a new budget to be presented (as well as a Capital Budget presentation by the administration) to the Council for their vote!!! These are meaningful sessions. Attend, listen to the discussions and think what you might ask if you were in their places. Are there any dumb questions? (Only the ones that an average taxpayer might voice, without sufficient opportunity to be heard, unfortunately.) Go ahead, ask them. Will your Council rep listen to you? Tell it to the blog. Grin is correct. When you ask questions of your representatives and they fail to even attempt to answer them, why not??? Time will tell.
The only way these changes will not take place is if there is a major uproar of voters and community leaders who rally against it, show up to the committee meeting and the council meeting. Fill up City Hall like they used to during budget meetings and the Mayor and his staff will go crazy trying to figure out what to do …
Where is Mary-Jane Foster, Judge Carmen Lopez, John Gomes, Jeff Kohut, Rick Torres and their supporters now???
Btw, Andre Baker losing a strong Chairmanship and Carlos Silva being stripped of President Pro Temp, are as a result of supporting Mary-Jane Foster …
Watch and see, many others will soon be punished for either supporting Foster and/or being neutral … Finch/Wood have a simple motto, either you’re with us 100% or against us …
*** ??? More BS with these asterisks for joke positions. Maybe they should appoint someone who understands Robert’s Rules of Order!
I read with interest an article in the Post about the emergency reporting center. I read where there are no firefighter supervisors or police supervisors on duty or assigned to the call center. That is one of the dumbest things I ever heard of. The reason given by the administration is costs. How much were the lives of those two firefighters worth? These people in the call center missed the mayday calls and the center is manned by uncertified operators.
Both the police and fire departments have their unique language and terms that if you have not been on the jobs you would not understand.
The administration states it is too costly yet they have gone out of their way to allow Rooney and Gaudett to double dip and receive their pensions plus salary plus we are going to pay 10% into another pension fund for these two. I know there is a rule against double dipping.
Tonight the budget committee meets to discuss raise that average in the area of $10K per person and it involves a lot of people. These people who are getting these raises are already overpaid. I mean does McCarthy who now makes $90+K really deserve a five-figure pay increase? Is that the going rate for selling out the city and its residents? Is that the going rate for being a Finch ass kisser?
The only people who stand between us and chaos are the police officers and firefighters and yet the city is willing to put their lives in jeopardy to save a few dollars.
The proposed pay increases are outrageous. Andre Baker is the ONLY council person who truly represents the citizens of Bridgeport. You ask where are MJFoster, Torres, Gomes–what the hell is the point?
Ditto to Celia Cruz words. Where are they? Gomes, Foster, Torres and also all those who screamed bloody murder during Foster’s campaign. They should all be attending the Ordinance and Council meeting. town committee … you complain about your council people doing nothing … you had a chance to remove them … so don’t complain now. Why is McCarthy placing Lydia Martinez on all these committees, knowing she was fined for something she did wrong in the 2009 election?
Why did Holloway allow Lydia Martinez to move over the voting lines to his district … Oh … I forgot, Lydia owns a house on Grant Street … this way she will be legal … Dr. Ford should’ve stopped this!
I truly hope an investigation is launched looking into where do some of the council, state reps … reside. I could name a few … but I will wait.
invincible, just to let you know I have made attempts to unseat both of my council people. Ann Barney and I primaried them 4 years ago and lost. We paid all of our campaign expenses ourselves. We could have won if the party did not put up a third set of candidates who hurt us. In that primary there were more votes received by the two opposition slates than what our two council people received.
During the last primary and then the election I worked many, many hours for MJF and worked to get two new council people. I tried but could not win. How many other people can say that?
I agree with Celia Cruz. Mr. Baker and Mr. Silva have been the target of the Finch Administration simply because they have morals and know all this is wrong. I wonder if the mayor personally picks out the shades of lipstick the other council members wear when they kiss his ass? The men in particular! I too have wondered where Ms. Foster, Mr. Kohut and Mr. Torres have gone? They were so passionate when they were running and now we don’t hear their voices anymore. Now let’s talk unions. I wonder how they feel now when they read about all these raises? I happen to call them perks/rewards for saying “anything you say, Mr. Finch.”
Grin, you’re right, that’s the way the DTC had their vice- chair, one white, one black and one Latino and none of them had any power or say-so about anything. Feel-good positions.
Have we got any legal minds in Bridgeport willing to examine the power of a taxpayer class action suit against the council to stop the
action that would increase salaries for the privileged appointees like Tom McCarthy at the expense of city taxpayers?
Litigation like a class action shoreline certainly shines the light on the immorality of this ordinance.
I would certainly hope the former candidates for Mayor show up. I know I won’t be allowed to speak, but I will certainly be willing to help anyone who is willing to protest and may need help with their words …
Gomes has a editorial in the opinion page of the Post today. Blasted the raises.
Foster was out for taking down Finch and has run into hiding with the rich crowd.
Bpt Island // Dec 28, 2011 at 4:30 pm
To your posting
BI,
You having a bad day?
Foster is generating hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Bridgeport economy. Old enemies realize how great UB is doing these days and are back to help.
It’s great to write and we know the value of the CT Post these days among the literate and those still reading its pages, but these are days that call for doing more than saying …
You’ve got to get off the island where I think you’re hiding and learn what is really happening!
Very impressed with the editorial by John Gomes. I am curious how the council will vote. No need to attack MJF. I am certain she is waiting for the proper battle.
Ms. Curry,
Your postings are dribbling on worse than usual.
What does UB have to do with the fact that Ms. Foster has not been heard from since she got BOMBED in the primary?
Gomes’ editorial shows he still gives a damn about the people and what’s happening.
Foster told people she was running due to her hatred of Finch, and proves it by not being involved since her beating.
You, Ms. Curry, sabotaged Gomes’ chances and ran back to Westport to blog on OIB.
Bpt Island // Dec 28, 2011 at 6:12 pm
To your posting
BI,
I will clarify what you seem to be missing.
Foster is doing for Bridgeport. Count the actual dollars generated for Bridgeport.
Carolanne,
Don’t bother engaging with this guy. In the immortal words of Ron White, “You Can’t Fix Stupid!” This is the same idiot from before when you were active with the Gomes campaign who was making stupid and destructive comments then. Ignore him. He’ll eventually change his handle and try again.
Booty // Dec 28, 2011 at 9:52 pm
To your posting
Booty,
You are right …
Thanks
I know the topic is Pay Raises, Charter Revision On Ordinance Committee Agenda but I notice the conversation about Mary-Jane Foster. Even though MJF lost the primary against Bill Finch for mayor MJF has continue to visit Mount Aery Baptist church which is something you never see Mayor Finch and other candidates over the years do, they will come to Mount Aery BEFORE the primary and the election but you NEVER see them again.
As a concerned taxpayer I am posting from the counsel meeting, and I am impressed to see Westport’s own Ms. Curry here along with Bpt’s own John Gomes.
Is the room big enough for both? lol.
*** 2011–It’s still the year of the “rubber stamp,” no? So how do you think the new ordinance committee will vote tonight & in the coming year of the “groundhog?” *** Done Deal ***
I attended last night’s ordinance committee meeting which had a lot of noncommittee council people in attendance. Brannelly, Silva, Baker, Bonney and DePara all asked good questions.
It is obvious to me the three most dangerous people in this city and the three most responsible for a lot of our financial problems are Anastasi, Nunn and that master of bullshit Sherwood.
Mr. Sherwood stated giving the mayor authority to raise certain salaries by as much as 15% without council approval would allow the city to compete with other municipalities in getting and retaining top talent. My question to Sherwood is, Have we had a lot of people leaving these select jobs because the salary is too low? I’ll answer that, NO.
What Mr. Sherwood did not do was provide a list of comparable jobs and their salaries from other Connecticut cities and towns. So I guess we have to take his word.
Mr. Sherwood used Andy Nunn as an example, he stated in addition to being part of the mayoral staff he took over the Harbor responsibilities and was not give a raise. Maybe combining these jobs produced enough work to keep him busy. It also tells me maybe each job by itself did not provide enough work for two people. The same could be said for CC, he is pubic facilities director and Supt of Parks. He is doing both jobs for one salary. Maybe these jobs by themselves do not provide enough work for two people.
Mr. Sherwood stated many jobs are not filled but are still carried on the books just in case we get a grant or the economy improves. What bullshit, putting in the salaries for these non-filled positions like he did with the last budget gave the administration approx $4.5 million dollars to play with and distribute as they see fit.
What all this means is Finch and company can give their select few 15% raises every year without council approval.
If the council passes this they should all be ashamed of themselves.
town committee // Dec 29, 2011 at 6:16
To your posting
tc,
I know BEACON2 may have an analysis of all that Sherwood said and didn’t say … but you hit the nail squarely on the head with your take on the evening’s “dancing with words.”
town committee, you wrote something very important and there were no comments. You said, “I read with interest an article in the Post about the emergency reporting center. I read where there are no firefighter supervisors or police supervisors on duty or assigned to the call center. That is one of the dumbest things I ever heard of. The reason given by the administration is costs. How much were the lives of those two firefighters worth? These people in the call center missed the mayday calls and the center is manned by uncertified operators.”
Andy, the money the City thinks it is saving will cost the City many times over from lawsuits like the one they will have to pay for the fire death of two firefighters and in the future with other deaths, injuries and loss of property.
Maybe Anastasi, Nunn and Sherwood could show us all the potential estimated cost in the City’s budget for that expenditure.
Donald Day and myself have publicly criticized Fire Chief Rooney on his job performance and decisions, now all of a sudden the fire union has decided to speak out. Our comments about Rooney are not personal or a dislike of the Rooney, they are solely on his job performance and decisions.
town committee, you know and I know NOT having firefighter supervisors or police supervisors on duty or assigned to the call center will lead to tragedy and the only people who can speak to that issue are firefighters and police officers. If active firefighters won’t speak out then those of us who are retired must speak out because we are family.
Ron, being retired for as many years as I have been I kind of did not pay much attention when this new call center went on line. Well, I am aware now.
In my opinion, as has been stated this call center bears a good part of the responsibility for the deaths of these two heroes. Missing a “mayday” call is unforgivable.
The police and fire unions must have agreed in negotiations to give up the supervisor positions; if they did, shame on them.
It seems to me the fire union is asleep at the switch. It’s been a while since the two firefighters died and they are just speaking out. Shame. From what I am told no one wants to run for president of the fire union, what a shame. How do the union members think they have gotten all of the benefits they have? Do they think it did not take a lot of hard work and sacrifice by guys who are now long gone? I for one plan on speaking out about this problem.
The administration has no problem hiding $4.5 million in salaries for unfilled jobs. They have no problem giving a small group of administration assholes anywhere from $9,000 to $13,000 in raises yet the lives of our firefighters and police officers can be put in jeopardy because of money. Bullshit. To the union, get off your collective asses and get this rectified.
I want the TRUTH!!!
Alana so-and-so has been rehired at $125,000+. Is she going to get a 15% raise before she even starts working?
yahooy // Dec 30, 2011 at 10:42 am
To your posting
yahooy,
I would ask … who is going to be truthful with you in the Finch-Wood administration?
Your best bet? YES, she will benefit from this bit of “housekeeping” …