Afternoon Update: The final citywide Democratic voter registration heading into primary day, according to Democratic Registrar Santa Ayala, 43,485. That means nearly 700 new Democrats registered since September 1. Of those new Democrats roughly 200 are UB students, registered by Mary-Jane Foster’s campaign, who vote in the Roosevelt School precinct. Foster is an executive at UB. Foster will need the extra registration because roughly 900 electors have cast a vote via absentee ballot which should give Mayor Bill Finch’s campaign a comfortable lead. Foster will need a potent machine count to offset the ABs.
Okay, here we go, Democratic primary eve between Mayor Bill Finch and Mary-Jane Foster, a slate of citywide candidates and some City Council districts. My Finch friends say we’re in a great spot, we’ll croak Foster with at least 60 percent of the vote and maybe 65 percent in a pathetically low turnout. If they’re right, as an example, that would mean 5000 for Finch and 3000 for Foster based on a turnout under 20 percent. My Foster friends say Lennie you’re on crack if you believe Finch’s numbers, this is a tight race and we’re peaking at the right time.
The Finch camp should enter primary day with a hefty absentee ballot lead. Most of the AB operatives are supporting him, including the queen (or is it cheat?) of ABs City Councilwoman Lydia Martinez and Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa who has amped up his AB operation for the first time in 10 years. As of late Monday afternoon, roughly 900 voters had cast a ballot via AB, according to Town Clerk Alma Maya.
Foster operatives say they will surprise with their AB competitiveness, ground operation and have passion on their side to make history. No incumbent mayor has ever been knocked off in a primary.
In 2007, the turnout for the Finch/Chris Caruso primary was 25 percent, when 8800 electors cast a ballot. The registration is higher this cycle. If the number of ballots cast on Tuesday is the same as 2007, it would represent a 20 percent turnout; 10,000 votes cast would be a 23 percent turnout. So what say you? It’s time for predictions. What will be the pure vote spread between Finch and Foster? The winner gets dinner on me at the Bridgeport restaurant of your choice.
Speedy Recovery To Ed Gomes
State Senator Ed Gomes is one of the good guys in city politics. He fell ill a few days ago and is spending time in the hospital. We hope to see him out of the hospital real soon to see that crocodile smile. Good thoughts with you, Eddie.
Spoke to somebody who said we will be lucky if we even see 6 thousand turn out they said if anything it will be like the Lamont vs Malloy race where about 6 thousand people showed up. My predictions is we have a bigger turnout than expected, a turnout of 10,500 to 11,000 … 5,400 Foster 5,100 Finch. General elections are so much easier to predict than a primary. And there is no way Finch wins 60% of the vote, hell no!!! Yes they will be shocked how close Foster is in the ab count. I was one of those who voted for Foster by ab.
60%? That’s wishful thinking.
The turnout is going to be much higher than it was for the ’07 primary, by the way. Too many people are fed up with business as usual, the same circus with the same clowns.
The road to victory will go through 7 precincts. 1. Black Rock. Foster has to do well there, extremely well. 2. Longfellow. Foster must run well here, she cannot afford Finch running the numbers there he did like in 2007. 3. Marin school. To me this will be the deciding factor of who wins the mayor’s office. If Foster can run somewhat decently here she will win the mayor’s race. 4. Wilbur Cross. Foster needs a huge win here and she can get it, she has people like Gomes working for her there and we saw how Lamont had his best victory at Cross last year. 5th is Thomas Hooker, home to Andrew Fardy aka tc. I expect that precinct to come out in flying colors for row b. The 6th precinct to watch is Dunbar, Dunbar is the most Democratic precinct in Bridgeport and Ernie Newton has many followers who vote here. idk how this precinct will vote Tuesday but it is one to look out for. 7th, the last precinct to watch is Park City Magnet, Can Foster pile up the numbers here? Key, very key precincts to watch out of these 7 are Longfellow and Marin.
I predict Foster. Not by a landslide; it will be a close (and closely watched) race. Too many pairs of eyes. Lydia Martinez was nearly arrested the other day. Ezequiel Santiago had a formal complaint against him filed with the SEEC. The Secretary of State’s office is taking a keen interest in the primary. The Foster campaign also notified the Chief State’s Attorney imploring them to keep an eye on things. That ought to keep things a little more honest than they have been in the past.
I predict Foster by a few hundred votes. Also, several members of the City Council will be retired from service to write their memoirs.
All of these allegations of criminal activity on the part of Bill Finch and his political cronies have been documented for the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Upon receipt of an investigator’s report the commission has the authority to refer the matters to the Chief States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Bill Finch’s re-election has been increasingly doubtful. In the remote chance he does win the Democratic primary and the November election it is more than likely he will be forced to resign from office because of ongoing legal battles.
This is much more than the fate of MJF and Finch. This will show if the people in this city want a clean and honest government and do they deserve it. If this race is decided by absentee ballots, then the State of Connecticut will be put on trial. If there is a low turnout, with Finch and Testa retaining power, then any misfortune that befalls the people is deserved. Then the minority of honest citizens must move to a city free of corruption and with some respect for democracy.
Sad to say.
The people of Bpt are uninformed and don’t take their voting rights seriously.
Even Alaska voted in a write-in candidate.
Finch depends on people’s greed, hence the 600 dollar lie.
Spread cash, buy the stupid vote.
Pathetic.
Foster by a landslide at the polls. I work with a lot of different types of people, none of whom are supporting the Mayor except the ten or so who owe him. None of the rank and file of his union endorsements will be voting for him. He is despised by city employees, past and present. The old-timers in BPT thought he was an idiot last time but better than Caruso. The black vote is gone thanks to Santa and her bag of tricks … sorry registrar, but taking away rights from blacks and women is still too fresh and you’ll get paid back for that. I saw a picture of Finch HQ, all mayor staff or city council, MJ has the people on her side. A bunch of the DTC are working for her too. UB will come out ENTIRELY for her. She will get the MJF and the anti-Finch. I say 70% to Foster. Bye bye birdie.
Say what you will about the primary 4 years ago … the weather was against Caruso and the turnout wasn’t as large as hoped. He lost by 270 with shenanigans perpetrated by the new voting machines.
This time the weather will be favorable and it looks like Foster will have her day and Finch will go into that good night.
Jim Fox should do well in Black Rock 130th.
Brannelly & McCarthy missed a lot of City Council meetings.
Ronin, do your homework and check the council attendance for meetings. Brannelly and McCarthy are a couple of the best attendees. Fox will do okay but will not win, he is probably one of the people the CT Post was thinking of when they said the people Foster is putting on her slate are questionable. And btw, who is the coward stealing all the Brannelly/McCarthy signs in Black Rock? That person needs medical attention, grow up!
Hey bporteye, are you on crack? Brannelly and McCarthy are a couple of the best attendees–to the Vibes concerts! They missed so many meetings, look it up on the Bridgeport web site. Not to mention committee meetings. Please get your facts straight–brownporteye lol.
Vote Jim Fox & Jill Hughes for City Council! 130th.
Whoever is stealing the McCarthy/Brannelly signs is doing a public service. The less we know about Tardy and Clueless, the better.
I’m voting for Jim Fox and Jill Hughes in Black Rock. I know they will show up for city council meetings, both are hard workers.
It would be nice for Black Rock if the 130th district’s City Council members actually gave a damn and attended Council meetings on a regular basis. Fox and Hughes actually care about public service.
Finch 58%
Foster 42%
You got the figures reversed, pal. It will be Foster 58%, Finch 42%. The people of the city of Bridgeport are going to send a message to the machine:
GET OUT!
What was that again??? Yes, the people of the city sent a message loud and clear today–NOW YOU GET OUT, LOSER!
ReallyFrustratedBptDemocrat is starting to read like a Really Sexually Frustrated Democrat!
Caruso lost last time because he is stupid and didn’t listen to people when they begged for substance from his ‘platform.’ He offered none and he lost by a whisker.
Well, Mary-Jane Foster is not stupid. She raised some real issues throughout the campaign and pointed out the defects in the calamarian-controlled administration.
Caruso did nothing to get out the vote. He thought more of his name recognition than there actually was.
Still, he lost by a slim margin.
Last time we were all fed up with Fabrizi. The people wanted a change. Caruso was unable to deliver the votes.
We are still fed up with Mario Testa. On my way to work I listened to a Finch piece. He claimed ownership of all of the improvements that have occurred in the past four years. He cited education (no lie), safety, taxes, jobs and he actually boasted about bringing in new businesses at a rate never before seen in modern Bridgeport history.
This is what we are up against. He can stand there and lie bald-faced and get away with it. Would he be challenged by the CT Post, of course not. Would Buchanan attempt clarification of Finch’s lies … never.
It was things like this MJF faced as challenges. Challenges I think she met and conquered. She did a good job in this campaign and I think we will see the results tomorrow.
I’m voting for MJF because she is our best shot at defeating Mario Testa and providing me with a way of life I deserve to have.
Caruso lost by only 270 votes, mostly because the machine was able to squeeze out a few more. Even given the fact he was a one-trick pony, always railing about “THE CORRUPT POLITICAL MACHINE!” and how he was going to remove them from city governance, he still got a good-sized chunk of the vote. Perhaps it was good. More people know about the machine today. It will be repudiated tomorrow after 8:00 PM.
Thinking Foster has the momentum. Thinking if she is tough and smart she might make a good mayor and improve things. I like Finch and don’t think he’s corrupt or a crook, his heart’s in the right place but he’s a lot like our current president–clueless about actually running something and being accountable. So I am going to vote for Foster because she seems to be a better businessperson.
Was thinking about Fox/Hughes until I saw what a mean-spirited guy Fox is by blaming Brannelly personally like she’s supposed to prevent rape and act as a one-woman police force. He seems like a whack job who should have stayed in Fairfield.
Excellent choice! I hear a public works guy was caught at the dump this morning with 50 Foster for Mayor signs he picked up on city time. Said he was just doing as he was told. Doesn’t sound like someone with his heart in the right place to me. Sounds like someone using taxpayer resources for personal gain, not to mention continuing to make a mockery of the democratic process.
The Nuremberg defense: “I was only doing my job.”
Hey Denis OMalley, Brannelly’s quote to the CT Post: “I was out of the loop” when it came to the three rapes in Black Rock. She can call everyone in Black Rock about the flood, but not about the rapes? What bullshit!
Jim Fox is not a whack job, and he been living in Black Rock for over 18 years.
Sue Brannelly and Marty (I’m Tardy McCarthy) rang my doorbell to tell me get out of my house, a flood was coming. How is it she can warn me about the flood but not about the three rapes in Black Rock???
It’s time for new blood in the Rock.
Sue Brannelly should’ve been current on crime issues in the district. She was not, offering “I’m out of the loop” as an excuse. No excuse is acceptable. She needs to be retired from public service.
Finch 51%
Foster 49%
Finch–59%
Foster–41%
Go back to remedial math class. Your figures are all tangled up.
I am thinking Finch has this race in the bag!
1. Finch has the machine and a better AB operation.
2. Mary-Jane Foster has no field team and the one guy helping her field–just lost his own primary in New Haven.
3. The campaign manager is in over his head, never won a campaign and turned off most of MJF’s supporters.
4. Why did MJF pick this Jason guy to run the operation?
5. MJF campaign is a circus, example asking the mayor to pay her legal bills. Maybe Finch should pay her campaign staff too.
If MJF campaign is broke–maybe people should get their election-day money upfront–because the word on the street is they are out of cash flow.
You are so wrong, donj. You must be thinking of Wood. The only election he ever won was Finch’s by a slim 270. He lost four congressional races, Hillary’s race and Lamont’s race. He is the biggest loser. How do you call a guy who’s record is about 1 win and 6 major losses a wunderkind? He is a blunderkind! MJF is just fine cash-wise and has the biggest most dedicated field team I have seen. She has dozens of people bringing in food and drinks for workers. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts! This field team is family, heart and dedication and baby money can’t buy you love, although Finch tries.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT DUDE, DO YOU MEAN DEMO??? I’M 100% Foster fan and voter, I ALREADY VOTED FOR HER AND THE REST OF ROW B.
Well, demo, glad to hear a third Finch supporter come on-blog to knock MJF and her supporters in the manner you do. You never defend the financial chaos Finch and his team have created, the nearly $200 Million of additional responsibilities Bill has passed on without public notice.
Why are you so knowing about the campaign organization and finances yet never have a comment on Finch’s fiscal fiasco? With the CT Post exposing the debt, obligations, and public responsibilities yesterday, what does Fitch have to say? What is Adam Wood texting today? What do you have to say? Nothing. Zero. Nada. Avoid the topic. Hold tightly to the A rating? What a successful strategy, isn’t it?
Lawyers are instructed when the law is against you, you argue the facts, and if the facts are against you, you are to argue the law, but if both the facts and the law are against you, you are to attack the other party personally, ad hominem attacks. And that is what demo, NORTH45 and Godiva are left with. They cannot deal with the facts, so they have had no answer for 12 months on fiscal postings. If they are actual Finch top-level advisers, they do not wish to engage in dialogue on these issues. And Finch has no respect for Bridgeport law, as represented by the City Charter, so he ignores it, acts in contravention of it, and figures there are no policemen who can charge him. So the straggler nation from the gang that can’t shoot straight, tell the truth straight, or account for money truthfully, attack everybody else. That is all they can do on behalf of their candidate. This is but a sample of Bill Finch’s “open, accountable and transparent” governance … Time will tell.
demo: Typical Finch BS, you could not be more wrong. You don’t know a thing about the MJF organization. I hope Finch is ready for a private-sector job.
My advice to Bill Finch: the world needs plenty of bartenders.
Foster people think Jason has done an excellent job! Finch should pay the taxpayers back for the city money he spent to deprive Foster to be on the ballot. The voters will have a choice. Let me get my checkbook. The real word on the street is Mayor Mary-Jane Foster!
Don’t believe everything you hear.
Hey dumo, go Fluck yourself.
Tyrone is a New Haven guy they originally brought in for “color.” Wood is a yuppie egomaniac, loser Rocky Hill guy. Finch’s forces are full of outsiders.
If there is a G-d, if there is any justice in this world, if people have any brains at all, Mary-Jane Foster will win tomorrow. No offense to Finch personally but he is just a pretty boy filling a vacancy for Mario.
I tend to agree with Flicka on one main thing. I don’t personally believe Mr. Finch is a bad person, but yet a marionette with strings attached for those who have corrupted and destroyed our city through the years. Unfortunately, I believe there are too many favors owed and him not being the horrible person some portray him to be, does not have the mental security to stand up to those who have dictated to him what he is to do, and does as he is told, this then putting him on a forefront to be destroyed and considered just as bad as those who have been steering him and up to a point understandable to be considered as such! I have no grounds for saying if he even is qualified to have such position or not but yet others evidently feel he does not, I would not personally agree or disagree on that matter! I do believe it’s a race that may not end tomorrow … I think it will be too close to call and contested, and contested and contested until they cannot contest anymore. It is a game of favors, a game of you did for me, I do for you, and so on and so forth. Will this vicious cycle end regardless of who is in there? doubt it!
The fact remains this city needs someone who will not bow down to those dictating to them what to do because they helped him or her get elected or worked for them in some previous job or whose kid plays baseball with mine. It has to be qualified people doing jobs they are qualified to do! Yet this so-called elected mayor needs to get guidance, educate themselves and make decisions that will truly be believed by the mayor (whoever it may be at the time) what will be best for our city? Time will tell! It is amazing how I see positions which are to serve the citizens of our city become politically appointed positions. It’s disgusting and should never happen.
Let’s be clear, if we think MJF (if she wins) will turn this city around in four years, we should be a little more realistic, because the same thing is happening with the whole Obama thing, people who supported him now hate him … WE must be realistic and understand this DISASTER that is what we call a city did not become a DISASTER in months, it took years for these persons to make it what it is. So in four years let us keep that in mind, so we don’t crucify whoever wins this time …The situation is dim regardless!
I’m reminded of Jean Claude Duvalier’s overthrow in 1986. Jean Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti. A week after the election people were walking around saying “We’ve had democracy for seven days. When’s it going to get better?”
It will get better in Bridgeport with a mayor unbeholden to a party committee that is managed less like a political machine and more like a criminal enterprise. Americans as a whole watch way too much TV. This habit foments a desire for instant gratification, getting results while running to the kitchen during commercial breaks. That ain’t the which-of-why of local politics. Bridgeport is mired in a financial morass that was decades in the making. Joe Ganim made a half-assed attempt at fixing part of the problem with a patch that didn’t last long and ended up creating further debt. It’s going to take years to sort it all out. But we have a strong, intelligent candidate who understands what the city’s problems are and has some very practical plans to remedy them.
Successive mayors have paid lip service to the municipal budget but accounting was never their thing. Ganim was having too much fun collecting hundred-dollar bills and eating lunch at Morton’s Steak House to really give a damn. Fabrizi was too busy getting liquored up and snorting cocaine. Finch? His fuck-ups are public knowledge, no need to reiterate them here.
Foster by 735 not including the 600 unaffiliated voters who will be turned away because they are not able to vote in the primary.
*** HOPING FOR THE BEST BUT PREPARING FOR THE WORST. ***
Oh Mojo–I hope not 🙁
Does anyone remember when Finch wanted Stafstrom instead of Testa to run the Democratic town committee?
That allegation of the public works employee caught at the city dump with 50 Foster stick signs has got to be verified. Will the author of the accusatory posting clearly state from whom this information was received? I’d like to know who the employee is and who told him to remove Foster signs from public property. Charlie Carroll is in charge of public works.
It is absolutely true, yahooy. I don’t know who gave the order but I know the signs were removed. It is not an accusation, it is FACT.
It was posted over the weekend Tony DePrimo was picking up campaign signs that were on public property. The problem is he ignored the Finch signs and got a bit too overzealous with the Foster signs (taking them off of private property). Glad to hear he was caught. Anyone know who caught him?
yahooy, one of MJF’s people picked up 50 signs from city yard. These 50 signs were removed by city workers who in fact took some off of private property. The signs are at MJF headquarters.
Is this a violation the FBI should be investigating, or at least the local police?
I think the signs are important, they keep the candidates’ names out there in the public’s eye. Removing and replacing them is sort of childish, no? A petty game. I’m not so sure this is a criminal act.
BEACON2, here is some eggs to go with your beacon.
Is it the mayor’s fault MJF’s campaign has racked up thousands in legal bills? Why ask the mayor to pay for your beacon and eggs–when he was not invited to breakfast?
MJF’s field director just lost his own councilman seat in New Haven. New Haven Dems reporting he lost his seat after he was defeated by Unions.
MJF is going to lose by a large margin–1,500 or so votes because she has no ground game.
Next time buy local–don’t hire dudes from Bethel and New Haven to run Bridgeport.
Money cannot buy love–but can buy a real GOTV operation.
Mary-Jane Foster assembled a strong ticket. Fox and Hughes actually give a damn about the people of the city of Bridgeport. Neither Marty “Tardy” McCarthy nor Sue “I’m out of the loop” Brannelly can be bothered to attend City Council meetings. Time for a serious change in the way the City Council and the mayor’s office do business.
demo (or dumbo if you continue to write about the campaign rather than discuss the issues that are the meat of the campaign),
At this point I could care less about “money buying a GOTV operation.” What you are saying is for Wednesday quarterbacks, for those who care. What I care about and so many others do is on the ground are a lot of people who have learned about Finch’s “gotcha” operation. He says one thing, smiles, does not put it in writing, and that’s it. Smoke. Sometimes mirrors. Nada.
What say you, if you are a Bridgeport taxpayer about your added share of Bill’s fiscal fiasco??? The campaign for the primary is over in less than 36 hours. The financial mess will take years to unwrap. And if Bill is Mayor still after November, we will have more of the same from him. Scary. You bet … time will tell, tough guy.
You make Finch look sooo bad with posts like this. Keep them coming.
I really hope MJF wins tomorrow despite every dirty trick Mario Testa can imagine to rob the good people of Bridgeport of a government that will act in accordance with what is best for the people … all of the people.
You know, Mario, if I were you, I’d sit back and let it happen. Why? Your life gets better too when the good guys take over from you and the bad guys.
According to you, you have never received a red cent from any act of political corruption nor have you benefited in any way, shape or form. That’s good. So when MJF is mayor, you can sit back and reap all of the rewards of good, efficient and honest government just like the rest of us.
Sorry about all of the business you will lose when all of your calamarian buddies are kicked out of their jobs and won’t be able to afford dinner at your restaurant. Maybe it won’t be so hard for the rest of us to get a reservation.
It’ll work out. I understand you like to fish.
I’d rather eat at the Brazilian place on George Street, in the Hollow.
Solmar–the Columbus School sped teacher’s brother owns the place–the last I heard.
One of Foster’s supporters on Vanguard or Lourmel told me Solmar has the best Portuguese food–I love Omanels and Dolphins Cove but his mama told me the pork and clams were to die for. Not Kosher here but I will try them after Rosh Hashana.
Latest on the street, Finch is going to get homeless people out to vote by getting them to go with registered voters and slip them past Finch’s name checkers. This is too much shit even for a fly.
Finch is taking it for granted the DTC district leaders will be able to deliver as many drunkards and drug addicts to the polls as needed to win.
Will he compensate them with bottles of malt liquor and vials of crack?
Stop, just stop.
You really have no boundaries, do you? One of your most repulsive posts thus far.
They and their checkers will be watched, bet on it.
The malt liquor will be paid for out of street money.
Finch finally decided to visit the North End. People here are still annoyed with 600 dollar rebates, big green signs,l ies, dorms, etc. etc. The fact there has been little to zero improvements to an area burdened with some of the highest taxes in the city is pathetic. Lyons and Panicica can not save you, you are too late. 134 for Foster. People couldn’t be that naive.
The 130th is clearly Foster Territory.
In a perfect world the city would know Foster has been endorsed by the police union!!!
It is obvious Finch’s camp is attempting a little spin-cycle on the blog. Too bad. They haven’t offered anything in defense of their boy, only criticism of MJF’s campaign manager and field director. Neither of them is running for office. Mary-Jane Foster is. All of this talk about failed campaigns doesn’t address the real problems facing the city. We have high unemployment here. Finch has been gassing off about all of the new development downtown; only a handful of jobs have been created. Mary-Jane Foster knows money doesn’t cure all social ills but it goes a long way toward salving a lot of them. People feel better about themselves when they’re working for a living. The best way to wean the city from its dependence on social welfare benefits is to offer serious vocational and on-the-job training and employment opportunities.
Bill Finch is taking credit for the new magnet school. In actual fact he and Adam Wood were asked to not attend the negotiations after a while because they were both argumentative and obnoxious and disruptive.
Today I saw one of the notorious green signs in front of City Hall Annex. Allegedly there’s a new City Hall annex “park.” it looked like the same old weedy lawn to my eyes.
Send in the Feds–to the tune of “Send in the Clowns.”
Isn’t it sick
Aren’t they a pair?
Mary-Jane on the ground,
Finch caught in a snare.
Send in the Feds.
Isn’t it corrupt?
We don’t approve.
One who cheats taxpayers,
One who makes ABs move
Where are the Feds?
Send in the Feds.
Just when we thought there might be 600 apiece
We ended up knowing that we just got fleeced
MJF made an entrance again with her usual flair,
Finch was sure of his lines,
’cause Wood texted each time
Don’t you love farce?
Mario’s fault I fear.
We thought Finch wouldn’t be corrupt.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the Feds?
Quick, send in the Feds.
Don’t bother, they’re here.
Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer,
having no morals this late
In his career?
And where are the Feds?
There ought to be Feds.
Well, maybe next year.
It’s a safe bet the FBI and the US Attorney’s office is taking a keen interest in the doings of Mario Testa, Bill Finch, Lydia Martinez, Santa Ayala and the rest of the Hee Haw Gang.
Effing brilliant, Abby … nicely done!
EXCELLENT.
Mary-Jane Foster, next mayor of the CITY OF BRIDGEPORT “THE PHOENIX SHALL RISE FROM ITS ASHES.” Go MARY-JANE, KICK ASS AND TAKE NAMES.
Tomorrow Bridgeporters will get the government they deserve.
Good Luck!
“Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest FOR RIGHTS.”–Martin Luther King Jr.
Bill Finch tried to disenfranchise the people of the city of Bridgeport, tried to take away our voting rights. Bill Finch tried to deny Mary-Jane Foster the right to run for public office, tried to take away our right to vote for the candidate of our choice. Mary-Jane Foster stood up for us, stood up for herself, stood up for the Constitutional freedoms all should cherish more from now on. Constitutional freedoms and rights that people in the Middle East and North Africa are willing to die for so future generations may enjoy them.
Tomorrow is the day we will travel to a designated polling place to exercise the rights Mary-Jane Foster and the employees and volunteers of her campaign have worked so diligently for us to have. Tomorrow is the day when the shackles of corruption will be thrown off, when a new administration elected by the people of the city of Bridgeport will serve the people of the city of Bridgeport. Tomorrow is the day when a duly-elected government will begin doing the business of the people of the city of Bridgeport.
My turn for the Alka-Seltzer … how profound.
Sarcasm is an expression of anger. Did someone forget to leave the seat down for you?
Tomorrow I will wake up at my normal time, around 5:30 am, and leave the house around 6am, get some coffee at dunkin’ donuts and head over to Central High School to vote for Finch.
Bill Finch is going to be turned out to pasture tomorrow. If you’re not going to vote for Foster, the projected winner, just turn the car around and head home after Dunkin’ Donuts.
We shall prevail NORTH45, despite the negative spewings of a handful of people who’d rather post than work on her campaign.
Quack-quack-quack. You’re the one spewing. What has your man done to improve the lot of the people of the city of Bridgeport? He’s created a few jobs for the friends of Mario Testa, but so what? The rest of the city is still suffering from high unemployment. He tried to deny the people of the city of Bridgeport their right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Santa Ayala brought embarrassment to the city last November by running out of ballots. She brought more embarrassment when she rejected Mary-Jane Foster’s qualifying petition. Any other mayor would’ve demanded her resignation because Ms. Ayala is either incompetent or crooked. Did Mr. Finch demand her resignation? No, which led more than a few people to believe he approved of her actions. The absentee ballot issue is going to become a major problem for the chairman of the DTC. Lydia Martinez and Ezequiel Santiago ought to be facing criminal charges for their participation in that fraud. It’s not about winning anymore, but you don’t understand that. It’s just a game to you. You live in Fairfield anyway. Why are you sticking your nose into Bridgeport politics?
By the way, I have every right to criticize elected officials. Public dissatisfaction is a part of the job. It’s called public service for a reason.
You are confusing me with someone else–assuming again I see. You can criticize anyone you like, but your statements are libelous and contemptuous. I should know, you threw mud on me the very first time I posted. Freedom of speech isn’t always free when you defame those whom you know nothing about. The law is very clear on that in as much as you don’t know me and I don’t know you; there is a fine line between what you can say about an elected official vs. a private citizen. For the record, I don’t disagree Santa made an error in her calculation of the number of ballots needed in the past election, but she is an elected official. She cannot be told to resign, and even if she were told, she doesn’t have to do so.
If you have something constructive to say here, just say it. The sarcastic attitude doesn’t fly. You’ve made more than a few contemptuous remarks before we started returning the favor. Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.
And I could care less about your arguments about libel and contempt. You’ve shown more than a little libel and contempt for me and other posters.
I’m well aware Ms. Ayala is an elected official. She was elected to serve the people of the city of Bridgeport, not the wishes of Bill Finch and/or Mario Testa. It is hard to believe she “accidentally” ordered too few ballots last November. It is impossible to believe she couldn’t remember telling a reporter from the Connecticut Post she knew the Foster campaign’s petitions were flawed before she issued them. Whatever. She will not be re-elected.
I’m not confusing you with anyone else. As you’re a Finch supporter it isn’t surprising you would attempt to lie your way out of a situation. “It amazes me someone of your caliber is always so quick to insult people who actually have made their mark in life.” You posted that last night.
TOMORROW YOU SHOULD TAKE A RIDE TO THE Mayor’s home. I understand he is now supporting Mary-Jane Foster. At least that is what it seems with three signs on his front lawn.
Hahaha, that’s great.
A friend who used to live in Black Rock came down this morning, took a ride around Saint Mary’s by the Sea. She was impressed by all of the signs demanding “FOSTER FOR MAYOR!”
Central is a Finch stronghold and he is very popular with the Jewish community. Remember he supported Lieberman over Lamont. Who would cast a ballot for people like Lamont, Obama and Foster? Not me!
Yes, he is indeed very popular with the Jewish community. Tomorrow at this time we shall emerge victorious.
Wishful thinking on your part.
Big Negative to the Chocolate Chica!
Can you believe this pseudo female? I “defamed” her, yeah right. Godiva thinks “she’s” a movie star. If you were, your photo would be more likely to be seen in the back pages of the National Enquirer, not Us Weekly or People Magazine …
Uh, HELL TO THE NO!
Mood in city hall today was cautiously optimistic. Employees hoping to end the tyranny of the Finch administration. Looking forward to working with Mary-Jane to rebuild our city. Don’t know how Finch can win. I talked to a lot of people today and not one voting for him.
I expect the Finch camp to maintain an even strain. He must know he is facing an uphill battle. All of his most recent appearances and press releases have been comical in a pathetic sort of way.
How was the rally at UB? Those students must be psyched. They’ve had 3-1/2 years of a mayor who shunned them. Soon they’ll have a mayor who will acknowledge UB for the great asset it is and welcome everyone into the fold.
Didn’t get to it. I’m going down the Foster HQ tomorrow to volunteer for a few hours, then over to the Bijou for the returns and the victory party.
I went. These kids are proud of their institution. The Mayor has been absent at best. Mary-Jane is loved by the group who are there. They have a real sense of being an important part of a change for the better for Bridgeport, for the University and for their own lives. Good to be there and see idealism for a change. Time will tell, today.
That’s great, B2. Good to learn college students in Bridgeport are taking a proactive interest in politics as an avenue for change. Maybe they’ve heard JFK’s inaugural speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
There are a few people in Black Rock who may be voting for him. There are a few people in the Rock who won’t be voting at all. The majority will be turning out for Mary-Jane Foster. I really believe she has it in the bag.
Wasn’t it Wood, Finch and company who predicted a huge victory over Malloy? I believe they were very optimistic and expecting a 60-65% win over Malloy.
I think it is going to be very, very close tomorrow. Every vote will count–let’s just hope they all get counted. Go MJ!!!
“The Finch camp should enter primary day with a hefty absentee ballot lead,” according to Herr Grimaldi. The operative word is “should.” Doesn’t mean it will happen that way. I have a feeling Mario’s absentee ballot operation is going to come back and bite him on the ass. There are too many people watching every aspect of the primary with great interest. Some of the people watching on the sidelines are charged with enforcing the law. Bill Finch acts as if he can bullshit his way out of anything. This is what we get electing a man with a college degree in agricultural science and not law. He doesn’t have any respect for the law. One has to wonder if Mr. Finch has any respect for livestock and whole grains …
Come on men, you guys need to go back and enjoy watching the football game, NORTH45, Mary and Godiva2011.
What an ugly thought, picturing three drag queens sitting around watching a football game …
No predictions, but I’ll share what Bill Finch said to me today: “I’ll be surprised if she gets 20% of the vote.”
This morning, I set up my MJF signs on E. Main and Boston Avenue. Bill Finch drove by, blew the horn and waved hello. About 45 minutes later a Red City of Bridgeport Parks van pulls up and I watched one of the guys walking towards one of the signs. I asked him if he was going to take that sign and he said they were ordered to take them. I told him he isn’t respsonsible for enforcing any ordinance and to call the cops. He then called the BIG BLACK GUY who said he was going to take it and I said “I’m taking it” pointing his finger in my face. I pointed my finger in his face and told him to call the cops and he said he is taking Finch signs too. He opened the van’s rear doors and showed me one “Finch” sign and a whole bunch of MJF signs. I pointed to all the signs from businesses on Boston Avenue and on the poles, some that read: “Junk Cars Removed” and “We Buy Houses.”
I then asked him why the van had no shovels, rakes, weed whackers, etc. They had no intention of cutting the grass or picking up the garbage strewn all around us–let alone remove all the other illegal signs. I took my signs and moved to Chopsey Hill and Reservoir Avenue intersection. At this location the Blue City of Bridgeport pick-up truck showed up and took two decoy signs left for him. He spent 45 minutes just to take two signs 30 feet apart. I did well waving the two signs on on my hands. I had planned to do this until 1 p.m., but I decided to go all the way ’til 7 p.m. for the loss of two signs and their disruption. After I was targeted for layoff in 2008, I vowed I was going to do the same to Finch if I ever had the opportunity. The opportunity presented itself and I’m just keeping my promise. It never crossed my mind in the future his opponent was going to be Mary-Jane Foster. Regardless of what happens on September 27, 2011, I will always be proud of supporting a mayoral candidate of Mary-Jane Foster’s caliber. If MJF loses, I won’t work against Finch in the general. I and others will instead target Lydia Martinez and the 137th Town Committee when the time comes. You get what you elect!
We in to win, Joel. Mary-Jane will celebrate victory over a crooked machine tomorrow night at the Bijou theater. We shall be counted.
You constantly make a fool of yourself. They should have shoved a sign up your ass. From what I understand you have a city job? What an ingrate you are.
Joel Gonzalez, I want to congratulate you for the way you have worked Chopsey Hill and Reservoir Avenue intersection with your MJF sign.
Hello Bridgeport voters: This is your wake-up call. You have from 6AM–8PM tomorrow to vote for change. Every vote will matter tomorrow. Don’t wake up on Wednesday and say shoulda woulda coulda.
And to all of you wimps who sat on the sidelines too afraid to take a stand–shame on you. You all talk smack about Finch behind his back but you’re too afraid to support someone you know will be a great mayor and who you’d much prefer to work with.
I fully expect Foster to take the day tomorrow, but if–just if she doesn’t, I will blame all those who stayed silent, sat on their hands, didn’t do their part to put their words into action.
Two quotes come to mind:
“Democracy isn’t a spectator sport.”
and
“All that is needed for the forces of evil to succeed is for enough good men to do nothing.” (That goes for women, too.)
This is your chance, Bridgeport. You get what you deserve. You want four more years of the same lousy leadership? Great. Vote Finch. You want someone who’s smart, savvy, well connected to the investment world beyond Bridgeport, will clean sweep and restore respect to City Hall? Vote Foster.
I know who I’m voting for.
Well said. Very well said.
Mood on the street today is optimistic. Bill Finch and the Mario testa school of “What’s in it for me?” political science is about to be repudiated. Both of them were pretty cocky last night, with some reason. Historically no incumbent has been knocked off in a primary. Today that is going to change.