Is the state takeover of schools a bold historic reform initiative to set students on a new course or the desperate act of local incompetents who threw in the towel by stripping the city of home rule?
When the dust settles how will voters view the actions of Mayor Bill Finch just two months from the Democratic primary? Finch will try to recast this move as the right thing to do, a courageous decision that selflessly throws out the politics and places kids first. Opponents, of course, will focus on the shroud of secrecy, the incompetence that allowed Finch et al. to wait nearly four years before it all collapsed and surreptitiously blowtorched the city Board of Education and overturned an election. How does Superintendent of Schools John Ramos, who threw in the towel, say I want to stay on during this process? The Connecticut Post is like a chihuahua nipping at Finch’s heels about the shroud of secrecy.
This announcement has gotten off to a rocky start that’s being viewed as a blindsider by the electorate. But in the end, parents really just care about the education of kids, right? After the initial shock fades is it possible they may say okay we don’t like the way it occurred but we think our kids are better off with state control? At least they have the resources and have done this with other communities. But will the state put more resources into the system? Wouldn’t that be like ringing the dinner bell for every other community? Finch’s challenge is to reassure it’s better this way.
If Finch is going to own this issue, it cannot be halfway. He must own it completely. Look for him to use the power of incumbency and lots of campaign funds to try to reframe this issue to his advantage. That means community meetings, that means radio, cable, direct-mail pieces and phone calls hammering home a message of reform rather than failure. It also means explaining how the state will make things better. Can they make it better?
From Mayor Finch:
State Education Commissioner to Meet with Public; Mayor Finch Encourages All to Attend
WHAT: Acting Commissioner of Education for the State Connecticut, George Coleman will be meeting with the public tonight to discuss his plans for Bridgeport schools, Tuesday, July 12, at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 8:30 p.m. and tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 13 at Mount Aery Baptist Church.
“These two meetings are great opportunities to hear from Commissioner Coleman and listen to what he envisions for the future of our City’s schools,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “I encourage everyone to attend one of these meetings. Your participation as we move forward in the process of bringing the students of Bridgeport a school system that they deserve is invaluable.”
WHERE: City Hall, Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT
WHEN: 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 12
WHERE: Mount Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank St., Bridgeport, CT
WHEN: 7– 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 13
Name one thing of major impact or importance the State has improved–for the better–in the last four years.
Or name one thing of major impact or importance the City of Bridgeport and its flies and leeches have improved–for the better–in the last 30 years …
I can think of two. Filling their pockets; and keeping Mario in power.
Good reply … I forgot about the fact Finch and Ramos are part of the Fly and Leech Corps of Bridgeport CT.
Flucking Lennie.
Maritime Ctr. and the Children’s Museum in Norwalk.
The Windham School District.
Joel et al.,
Don’t you just feel the merry-go-round music has changed? ‘Cause it has to? What is missing is the message that gets people to understand the old game of promises (of money and resources) and delays (in paying for the money and resources) is at an end!
So Mayor Bill has been a consummate player of the game, with the cooperation of the City Council courtesy of the ‘Stand-in for the Mayor’ Tom McCarthy. (By the way does Tom punch a time card that separates his City employment duties from his City Council presidency? Wonder what it looks like? He is always ready to volunteer to get something done, and lots of that needs doing in the daytime when he has a job already.)
The State sets standards and mandates, Joel. They also provide ECS funds that appear to be inadequate to accomplish the job expected in many municipal schools. However, there are some schools locally and in other communities where school leadership, professional staff, parents and community have combined to provide positive and surprising results.
HOW DID THEY DO IT? Shouldn’t that be our question? Get on to whom is producing the results year in and year out that is allowing the expectation of college ready to be a result? Which of the City schools is getting those results? What are they doing with the same funding as the others? The HOW can be shared rapidly and often. Is this rocket science? Perhaps in City Hall it is … For the moment we are focused on the State … but the solutions may have something to do with what a few are doing already …
Re: Closing the Books.
The City has NOT “closed the books” on 2011. FY2011 has ended, but bills are still coming in for FY11, and hundreds of accounts have to be reconciled (checked and adjusted, if necessary). There is a 60-day window within which certain funds received can be included in FY11 receivables. Then reports can be run for the auditors to audit. Whatever changes city staff finds in response to auditors’ questions then have to be determined and entered.
This takes time. Interim reports can be run easily but they will **not be final**.
OIB has the potential to provide information and instruction to those with no information or only general info about a subject.
LowLevel informs us of the ‘accounting window’ of 60 days duration when funds might be received by the City and accounted for in 2010-11 reports, just as City expenses may be placed in last year or placed in this year, depending … So judgement and human handling are at work. But what goal is pursued? Some City Council members have been concerned their desire to know where City finances are at any moment have been frustrated by information that is either less than wished, later than valuable, and questionable as to methodology or assumptions.
So preliminary reporting, subject to later-day reconciliations, adjustments, etc. would be possible. LowLevel, do you have an idea whether the City was balanced or in deficit, in a preliminary fashion, of course? It would seem the Mayor will want to indicate there was a surplus, as that would validate the floating of a working/unbalanced budget in the first place.
Since that is the case, a look at late-arriving revenues may be instructive. Even more may be 2011 expenses received too late to post in the proper year that get carried over to fiscal 2011-12. That might show in the first quarterly report of the new year. But does it appear before the election in November? Again, this is an area of which your City Council representative is aware, financial reporting to them, that is. Even though more than a few will have serious difficulty telling their constituents what the numbers mean without help from Adam Wood and others. Should taxpayers be concerned?
The mayor owns this issue–whether he likes it or not.
Mayor Finch has got to make the takeover seem like the greatest thing since the invention of the Frisbee pie plate.
If Finch & Bellinger have been talking about turning the schools over to the state since November, it just shows what a secretive, manipulating bastard he is. There never was an attempt to add money to the BOE budget especially in an election year. The members of the B &A committee were made out to be either be fools or the most unethical characters on the planet.
There has been verbiage the school system is made up of unruly kids with unruly families and who cares. That’s bogus and a slap in the face to the majority of parents who have kids in the school system.
PLEASE TELL ME ONE THING FINCH AND COMPANY HAVE NOT SCREWED UP SINCE HE BECAME MAYOR.
tc,
None of the B&A committee members nor the larger group of City Council that passed the 2011-12 year budget ever spoke up to indicate a three-year “freeze” on the BOE budget would be damaging for the kids. Incredible, isn’t it?
They asked about snow plowing, new parks, sidewalk projects, new libraries, etc. but “let the record show” they did not ask about more money for education. Why was that? Were they told not to worry by someone? Well it seems the failure of our educational system can be presented and placed on their doorstep as any other current elected incumbent.
By the way, the City closed the books on its 2010-11 budget two weeks ago. Did the City end up with a balanced budget? Does anyone know? Does anyone care? Who goes after such details? Remember, in Bridgeport there is no Finance Board, so matters like this are left to the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the City Council. They held a hearing last night, approximately seventy minutes in length, to discuss one issue, a resolution from the January 18, 2011 meeting of the City Council. Three Board members had concerns they were not getting enough information about how the City administration was handling the ‘balanced budget’ that was passed, that required additional revenues to be found or expenses to be lost during the year, to get to balance.
It has taken six months for that subject to be raised in a hearing. The problems observed by three Council members six months ago cited in the resolution received 5% of the attention. The problems in solving received 95%. Tabled for another month with some research expected. Warp speed, I guess …
Half a billion dollar budget, deficits showing on reports from Finance Director/OPM, and concern breaks out among three of the relentlessly curious … and six months later … Does anyone know how the City ended the 2010-11 fiscal year? Is this a reasonable question in an election year?
Their paychecks.
For several months I’ve been hearing Leticia Colon wanted off the BOE and wanted her old council seat back. I bet that’s when talk of a state takeover started.
Could the entire public meeting be televised tonight so those of us who are out of town could view it streamed over the internet? Up on Bridgeport, perhaps you could send your Bridgeport Now cameras over to the meeting at City Hall and save the discussion with John Gomes for another night. It is critical we listen and view the testimony given to Acting Commissioner Coleman as well as his comments.
*** More money for education for what? To continue the mismanagement of funds for other activities other than directly for the kids! This hopefully in the end should be about the kids and not politics trying to save this current admin. or any one party. Change is not always welcomed, but sometimes needed & frankly I’m hoping for and expecting “GREAT THINGS,” no? *** HERE WE GO! ***
Any word on what happened at the contracts committee meeting tonight? Were Chief Rooney and Chief Gaudett’s contracts approved?
Lennie–still curious if there was any consideration given to public safety in your recent polling?
I got a text it was “tabled.”
Happy OIBirthday to Lennie G.
The word from the left nutmeg is this latest poll Ganim fans is as false as GWs teeth, just sayin’
You mean Coviello’s teeth too, don’t you?
www .ctn.state.ct.us/webstream.asp?odID=6734&odTitle=State%20Board%20of%20Education%20July%20Meeting
That is the link to all four stomach-churning hours of the BOE. I’ll summarize:
People say why, why Mr. Mayor are you taking away our vote?
Mayor says because you bad people you don’t vote and most of the parents are illegal aliens or criminals who can’t vote.
But Mayor Finch why don’t you wait until Nov?
Mayor said, because silly we need change now plus none of buddies will run and we don’t want any other party taking control of the board. Plus I can get private money to pay the state for taking us over; I can’t get with the board like this. Isn’t that great I can raise money to pay the state instead of raising money to put in our schools. Tell us you feel Mr. Mulligan? Well, that’s right, this board is dysfunctional, they say mean, nasty things, we can’t go into executive session, they make lots of motions and amendments just to slow us down. We have a 6 person majority but no one really wants to accept this crappy budget, so we will get the state to do it. We can’t have this loud bunch of annoying people giving us their opinion. Jeez you’d think they thought they were entitled to speak out just because we elected them. Mayor, says yeah Tom. Mayor says, Please Father State, things have gotten out of hand and we can’t control it, please step in and tell the bad kids on the board that they can’t play anymore.– Sorry I need to take a break from writing this and go barf.
At around 1:55 on the tape the Mayor has a long speech, but the whole thing must be watched to be believed. The fact is they had the 6 votes to pass the budget, but they were too scared of the political fallout to do it themselves. Bunch of chickens.
MJ Foster isn’t afraid of the challenges; she is a take-charge woman. She believes in Bridgeport’s people and doesn’t need the state to come clean up after her.
Happy Birthday, Lennie.
The state will mandate all high school students in Bridgeport must read Robert Fulgum’s “Everything I Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten.”
Park city fan, as BARF said the item was tabled. Rooney is on vacation and out of the state. Only one local 834 firefighter was there but there were three Firebird Society members who gave the committee a package of information on the merits of why Rooney should NOT be rehired as the fire chief. As I said before the fire union local 834 are scared and there NO leadership to speak out against a fire chief who the firefighters want out of his position as fire chief. Two firefighters dead, 20 residents dead from fire, a fire chief who ONLY has a high school education, a fire chief who has NO relationship with communities he serves or with his own brave men and women of the Bridgeport Fire Department who serve the City, who risk their lives every day.
There is a lot of character assassination going around regarding Chief Rooney. No real proof mind you, just a bunch of vitriolic rhetoric outright blaming him for the deaths of two firefighters.
Those of you who are expressing these baseless allegations are doing so to further personal agendas that have nothing to do with the tragic deaths. Every one of you should hang your heads in shame.
Chief Rooney is, by some accounts, not worthy of his position. That may very well be. His faults should be articulated, evaluated and acted upon. If his removal is in order, then so be it. That’s the proper way.
To build your case around the deaths of these firefighters is absolutely atrocious and reflects on the limited capacities of those who make such accusations.
Get rid of Rooney, if you must, the honorable way. With facts and petition. Unsubstantiated claims are not appropriate.
yahooy: Well stated.
yahooy, I fully understand what you are saying and I agree with some of the things you have stated. Please take the time to read the comments Chief Rooney makes in the article:
Factors in triple-fatal fire debated
AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 12/14/2007 04:19:28 PM EST
BRIDGEPORT — The embers of the Fairfield Avenue fire that killed a father, mother and infant son last week have cooled, but questions still smolder over whether coincidence or mismanagement hampered firefighters’ response to the tragedy.
One factor fueling the debate is the closure of Ocean Terrace Fire Station — about three-tenths of a mile from the fire scene at 2345 Fairfield Ave. — for repairs earlier in the month. The first firefighters dispatched to the scene were based at the Wood Avenue station, more than a mile to the east.
According to Fire Department officials, it took the first crews about seven minutes to arrive on the scene, which they say is three minutes longer than their stated goal of an average four-minute response time to a fire anywhere in the city.
Critics are not questioning firefighters’ determined efforts to rescue residents from the three multi-family houses that caught fire on the frigid morning, but two retired city firefighters are faulting the department’s leadership for factors they contend may have played a role in the fire deaths.
The Connecticut Post has asked to listen to the 911 tape of the calls reporting the Dec. 7 fire and communications between the dispatch center and firefighters en route to the scene. However, officials said it cannot be released yet because of their continuing investigation.
Fire Chief Brian Rooney said that firefighters’ response time to the blaze would obviously have been quicker had the Ocean Terrace station been open. However, he is not sure whether that would have changed how events played out.
The fast-moving blaze caused the floor to collapse beneath Arturo Iselo, 29; his wife, Anayelo Hernandez, 31, and the couple’s 1-year-old infant, Omar, who were huddled in a second-floor room. The father returned to help them escape after first helping two other sons flee the fire. They all died from smoke inhalation.
Smoke alarms apparently were broken or absent from the house, although fire investigators have not be able to say that for certain since the intense fire left little evidence in its wake.
The two critics, Ronald Mackey and Donald Day, each lead organizations of black firefighters in Bridgeport and are longtime detractors of Fire Department leadership. They charge that lack of a backup plan — other than moving the Ocean Terrace firefighters to Wood Avenue — left the West End with inadequate fire protection.
Also, repairs to the firehouse should have been made earlier, they contend, which could have avoided the complete shutdown that forced its firefighters to be moved to Wood Avenue.
In a Dec. 10 letter to Mayor Bill Finch, Mackey, the president of the Firebird Society of Bridgeport, wrote: “The repairs that were needed at Engine 7 and Ladder 11 [fire house] on Ocean Terrace have been reported to Chief Rooney for years on daily, weekly and monthly reports, and instead of fixing things immediately, the status quo has been to let them go unrepaired.”
He said some on-site alternative facility should have been set up temporarily near the Ocean Terrace station to house the firefighters.
But Rooney said Thursday that wasn’t feasible.
“We’re doing the best with what we have,” he said.
Seated at his desk in Fire Department headquarters, Rooney pointed to a pile of documents on the repairs to the firehouse for problems such as clogged toilets and drains, and various leaks.
Workers from the city’s Public Facilities Department “have been up there many times,” he said.
The history of leaks and clogs are the result of the firehouse gradually settling on the filled site where it was built.
“It’s something you don’t notice right away,” he said of the structure’s settling. But it has caused a broken sewer main outside the station and clogs in the roof drains.
Repairs could take until late December, he noted, adding that it initially appeared to be a four- or five-day job.
Stabilizing the station requires using a jackhammer to break up the floor and then digging up the pieces by hand, before pouring a new, more stable floor, the chief said. That should permanently fix the problem, he added.
Rooney asked why Mackey didn’t offer an alternative housing solution in his letter to Finch.
The chief said erecting a temporary setup for firefighters would have been challenging, involving separate men’s and women’s quarters, keeping firefighters warm and providing adequate bathroom and shower facilities.
The critics further charged that the chief’s 25-mph speed limit for firetrucks traveling through city streets added to response times.
The speed limit is for everyone’s safety, Rooney said. A fire vehicle, which weighs tons, cannot stop quickly, he said.
But whether speed, distance or both, were factors in the fire tragedy, the overall picture is not clear because the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
Rooney said the house where the fatalities has never been cited for any city housing code violations.
Finch said last week he hadn’t received Mackey’s letter, but stands by Rooney and his leadership of the department.
Happy Birthday Honey!
yahooy and tc must be drinking from the same Kool-Aid. Whatever you may believe, the facts are the same and his lack of credentials speak for themselves. Rooneys’ irresponsible leadership and lack of accountability, $800K to Attorney Bohannon for legal fees is reason enough to dump him. Like they say you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a PIG. You know, sh_t in sh_t out, why would you ever expect a different result? Have either of you ever read/seen the joke of his civil service application? Have you ever read anything he has written? He would have a hard time meeting the basic standards to take a firefighters examination. In fact, he couldn’t even meet Bridgeport’s. Rooney is what can be classified as a mental dwarf, but what is scary is he’s in a position of leadership where firefighters can lose their lives, and have.
DonTito, are you on the job or have you been on the job? What cases were handled by Bohannon for the FD? Do you know? Who brought these cases?
I know more than most! FOI and you’ll see the figures for yourself.
yahooy, Fire Chief Brian Rooney said firefighters’ RESPONSE TIME to the blaze would obviously have been QUICKER HAD THE OCEAN TERRACE STATION BEEN OPEN. However, HE IS NOT SURE WHETHER THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED HOW EVENTS PLAYED OUT.
yahooy, Chief Rooney acknowledges the response time would be longer than four minutes but he took NO action to protect the residents of Black Rock, PT Barnum Apartment and those residents living on the West Side of Bridgeport. Chief Rooney had NO backup plan, no trailer, no makeshift firehouse, nothing, Chief Rooney made that decision. Then he sees no difference in SEVEN MINUTES to arrive on the scene than FOUR-MINUTE response time to a fire or THREE-TENTHS of a MILE from the fire scene to more than a MILE from the fire scene.
I’m no Rooney fan. I thinks he’s an incompetent boob. But I will not concur with anyone who blames him for the fire-related deaths.
Mayor Finch, the City Council, the Board of Fire Commissioners should say to Chief Rooney thank you for your years of service to the City as the Acting Fire Chief then the Provisional Fire Chief and for the past five years as the Fire Chief. The City needs to move forward and do a nationwide search to get the best person in the country who would best interested leading this great fire department.
Happy Birthday Lennie! Where’s the birthday party?
countdown: Agreed. Per your suggestion: “save the discussion with John Gomes for another night. It is critical we listen and view the testimony given to Acting Commissioner Coleman as well as his comments.” Okay. The Gomes interview will be rebroadcast next Tuesday, July 19 at 8pm. And “Up on Bridgeport” is not involved with the program.
By the way, regarding today’s CT Post Op Ed letter to editor from BRBC and others asking for more money to continue their project (after reportedly receiving $1.3 million), by scanning through the their 50-page Gibson Consulting Group report on the BRBC web site, a fair amount of items seem to be completed. I wonder what has been done over the past four years. According to the latest implementation document, “Education Project Phase II” it was dated back in Dec 2008.
www .brbc.org/cwt/external/wcpages/education/
The BRBC did seem to put some work into this. Page 13 of the report shows in 2009, the TRADES area had the biggest increase in overtime, at $800k/yr with all areas totally $1,700,000 in overtime expenditures for FY 2009. But what was done about this?
What efforts were made to make a change? All the discussions about “dysfunctional” board of directors, some say is misguided time-wasting and an effort to remove Bridgeport residents in an election year, from being able to vote for their own BOE members. And should the GOP and DEMS who are in heated arguments and dysfunctional, appeal to a higher authority like the Supreme Court or international court at The Hague to resolve their budget differences? Where should democracy start and when should we struggle to maintain it? Will the state come in, seem to listen, and makes decisions without regard to local concerns? Has Coleman met with parents of the school children? What does he really know and care about Bridgeport and its unique needs?
This is why a local citizen’s budget review organization is key. And there is a PhD who has written a book and led organizations including in Trumbull, to successfully audit and save money at the boards of education in already 10% of the state’s schools.
yahooy–Believe me when I tell you there is plenty of evidence to show a direct correlation between Chief Rooney and the two firefighters killed last July. This was years of bad decision and poor leadership coming to a head. I do not believe this is the proper venue to openly discuss the supporting evidence, but trust me when I tell you there is plenty. I agree with much of what you had to say on this and I do hope the Finch administration will see the obvious need to replace Chief Rooney.
Thanks. Those who cast blame on Rooney need to file charges or stop alluding to him being the cause of such tragic deaths. Frankly, I have no skin in this game. Rooney needs to be removed because he is incompetent or Rooney needs to be removed because he contributed to negligent homicide. The man just needs to be removed. Those of you who agree with me on that really don’t have to pillory the guy with allegations he caused the death of two of his colleagues. I would hope some of us are smarter than that.
Report: Bridgeport Fire Department faulted in firefighter deaths
Daniel Tepfer, Staff Writer
Updated 11:48 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2011
BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport fire officials’ failure on nearly every level led to the deaths of two firefighters battling a West Side blaze last July, a federal report has concluded.
Among the findings of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report released Wednesday: The deputy fire chief and his assistant at the scene of the Elmwood Street fire had a discussion about whether they heard a mayday call from the two fallen firefighters instead of taking immediate action to rescue them.
There was no rapid intervention team readily available to come to the firefighters’ aid.
The report stated firefighters failed to immediately treat one of the firefighters who managed to make it to relative safety before collapsing.
Officials also did not properly manage firefighters’ air supplies–both firefighters’ air cylinders were empty when they were found, the report stated.
yahooy, once again I am in agreement with you. I am not blaming Chief Rooney for the deaths of two firefighters, I know those deaths hurt him.
It is just time to say thanks chief we are going in a different direction, it’s time for a new chief.
While there seems to be a breakdown here, I see no demand to have the communication system updated and modernized. If the deputy & his assistant were not sure if they heard a mayday it may be poor communications that is the culprit.
What does immediately treat the fallen firefighter mean? Does it mean he was not treated where he was discovered? Does it mean he received no treatment when he was removed from the building?
Lastly officials did not properly manage the firefighters’ air supply. Ron you know damn well that is up to the individual firefighter. When the warning bell goes off indicating a low air supply it’s time to exit the building. Of course their air tanks were empty they are positive pressure masks meaning a steady air flow. Once the warning bell goes off there is a limited air supply left.
This report was prepared by people completely unfamiliar with firefighting, that’s not to say the entire report is wrong but certainly portions of it are, e.g. manage air supply.
town committee, I know there are some things in the report you don’t agree with, and yes, I know damn well that is up to the individual firefighter to check their SCBA. When I was a rookie and assign to the rescue squad and you were my Lieutenant you made sure I checked my Scott Air Pac and when I became a Lieutenant I made sure the rookies checked their Scott Air Pacs. The problems are bigger than just that.
Andy, honestly (not that you would lie) do you think that the men and women of the Bridgeport Fire Department should have a new fire chief?
Ron: Here is what I think. I think the city should hire an outside professional firm that will go thru the FD with a fine-toothed comb. They should review response times, fire fighting procedure, equipment especially firefighter safety equipment. They should also check and rate the communication systems. When this is done and if there are major faults found then I think it’s fair to replace Rooney and his deputies.
Andy–Once again, your complete lack of understanding of today’s fire service is evident. You have been retired for quite some time and I assure you that much has changed. FYI … this report was not put together by people completely unfamiliar with firefighting. Shame on you for not knowing that. Again, please get your facts right before you climb up on your soapbox.
park city fan: Let me clear up something here. I have been retired for 20 years. I have been active for the last 20 years in the private sector of fire investigation. I was the head of the largest insurance industry fire investigative unit in the USA.
I am court qualified in both Federal and multiple states as an expert in fire investigation, cause and origin and firefighting practices. I am current in firefighting practices. I know what I am saying is correct. I prefer not to go into detail here in deference to the 2 heroes who died and their families.
PCF it was put together by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. If they understood firefighting they would not have put in managing firefighter air supply nor the fact the tanks were empty. Today’s firefighting is not much different than it was many years ago with the major exception of firefighter safety and health.
*** Blame starts at the top & rolls downhill when it comes to the BFD. *** LOOK CLOSELY BEFORE CASTING THE FIRST STONE ***
Okay … so maybe the chief shouldn’t be blamed for the deaths, but his lack of policy lead to a relaxing of preventative duties that had been in effect for many years.
What’s not being discussed is the chief’s dependence on his personal “consigliere” John Bohannon, or any attorney the city could assign. Chief Rooney rarely makes any decisions without his consult. Starting in 2006, Bohannon has been involved in every labor issue that has led to any discipline. The unjustified termination of Lt MacNichol, to all of the Fire Inspectors, most grievances that have led to the state labor board, contract negotiations … EVERYTHING! Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Can’t blame Bohannon, who is a member of the DTC, Rooney is just another lucrative client. Rooney is the guy who will not compromise even if in the end he loses. It doesn’t cost him any money, he is NOT a Bpt taxpayer. He was, when he was an absentee slumlord, but he has moved now, and has multiple properties in Fairfield, and lives on the lake in Monroe.
Yes, it is time for him to go, the members all want it. They need a modern leader who knows the administrative aspect of the job. There are many members of the BFD with advanced degrees, who have chosen the fire service as a career, and a life passion, they know too.
The Union has met with the mayor, tried to explain some of the serious issues he isn’t aware of … maybe they got through to him … they tabled the contract, but I tend to think it’s all politics until it all blows over. The city wins many battles by attrition, I don’t think these members will let that happen again.
Sorry to be so long winded. If you want to know specifics about what the people are referencing, just ask. In the meantime, check your smoke detectors, and throw the candles away!
… and stop hammering tc. He’s right, fighting fire hasn’t changed much, and he’s seen plenty, and he was a good investigator … still is. Let’s work together!
BARF, the Union is being played by Mayor Finch. The mayor just kicked them in the ass with the last contract and they think this mayor is going to take action on anything concerning Chief Rooney, please. As for John Bohannon he is doing what he is being paid to do. BARF, the firefighter’s union local 834 has no backbone to stand up to Chief Rooney and you know, I know and he knows the department needs to go in a new direction. I have no problem saying there should be change; the union does, BARF, why?
Well. the Union called for a meeting with the Mayor, and they met twice, both times calling for change, and pleading with the Mayor to get rid of the current cancer on the department, and why! I’m not sure why you’re saying they aren’t asking for change.
The Union was also joined by members of the Safety Committee at the meetings, along with the Mayor, Tom McCarthy and Andy Nunn.
BARF, it’s called “PACIFICATION,” the mayor sets up these meetings with many groups and they all have the same result, the mayor sits there and lets the group make their case and then tells them I will see what I can do. You will never see the mayor write anything down or take any notes (Chief Rooney does the same thing) and the end result is nothing happens. Why should Mayor Finch not rehire Chief Rooney, the chief has the union scared to speak out and that protects the mayor from bad criticism because the public has no idea how bad things are in the Bridgeport Fire Department, thereby helping the mayor’s chances to get re-elected. The fire union is being played.
I can see some of that. You are correct in your summation of how the current, and past, administration handles issues like this. Experience shows that when presented with evidence, the city’s next step, instead of investigating and trying to solve the issues, they choose to fight, and “circle the wagons” so to speak, and protect whatever it is they think they have. I know not what is next for the Union to do, meet with the media, press conference, but it has to be soon.
town committee, I am in full agreement with you except your part, Chief Rooney has been the Acting Fire Chief, the Provisional Fire Chief and now for the past 5 years he has been the Fire Chief, he has enough time to do the items you have listed. He has had the time to make positive changes and if he could not been able to accomplish them then he should have made it known. This department needs a fresh start, Chief Rooney should not be the fire chief for the next 5 years he will never change, the City should say thank you for your years of service to the City and the best to you in your future. Andy, you know I’m right on this one.
Mackey, the BFD has about 345 members and only one firefighter can show up to the Contracts Committee meeting. What a pathetic bunch. This is why they get no respect from City Hall or Rooney. Maybe if they had some beer and roast beef sandwiches they might show up.
tc are you kidding, pay for a BFD study to figure out what is wrong? Let me help you … ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY, ROONEY … GOT IT?
DT: You never answered the question. Are you on the job or have you been on the job? If the answer is NO then you have no clue and should just go away.
Do you really believe Rooney cares about Bridgeport? He doesn’t live here. He lives in Monroe in house with a net assessment of $270,760.00. Several take-home vehicles, a pension worth 75% of his pay and health benefits ’til he dies. Legal fees paid to John Bohannon on his behalf in excess of $850,000.00. Now really, Rooney care?
Now now tc, why would I want to go away and let you have all the fun? Who’s going to keep you in check? It’s known you and Rooney are old Bridgeport Firefighters for Merit Employment buddies. Of course you have to support him. I’d bet you went to Rooney’s swearing-in ceremony with the rest of the boys thinking he was the best thing since sliced bread. He’s one of ours!
DT, you still haven’t answered my questions but I know the answers. Now to your post. I was not at Rooney’s swearing in and just so you know I have spoken to Rooney twice in the last 20 years.
I was one of the founders of Bridgeport Firefighters for Merit Employment and proud of it. We were ultimately proven right with the latest Supreme Court decision involving New Haven FD. So what now?
So you are one of the original BFD racists and proud of it. BFME was formed to keep Hispanics, blacks and women from joining the BFD. That’s really a great accomplishment to be proud of and now we all know what a mini-mind you do have. You are another provisional appointment beneficiary as well. You took one test, the lieutenant’s test, that’s it. The rest was golden handshakes of provisional appointments to benefit your retirement. Don’t forget they promoted some 120 people off that list.
DT: You really have no clue, do you. BFME was formed to protect civil service not to keep out blacks and hispanics. Our ultimate goal was upheld by the latest Supreme court decision. I suppose you are going to say they are racists also. The only racist I see here is you.
You are right I only took one exam, what you did not say is this was the only exam held in the first 19 years I was on the job. They did promote 120 people, I was number one on the oral and finished 40th overall. Golden handshake my ass. You make a lot of charges for a non-firefighter. I wish I could have taken you down a fire-filled hallway and see if you could handle it. Maybe you could and maybe you couldn’t. I know I could.
tc: You can fool some of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but the truth is the truth.
Come on tc, you guys had a little kingdom and wanted to keep it that way. The leader of the pack was the union leader (DeCarlo), along with the union board and the rest of you guys with the support of the mayor and civil service.
I suggest you read the Supreme Court decision again and if you don’t understand it have an attorney explain it to you.
Now for New Haven, recently the (white) former union leader and firefighter was appointed the second in command of the NHFD. He never took or passed an exam, so much for merit and education. He even passed over the court group guys. But no white guys said anything or the guys who sued the city said anything about the appointment. So much for their claims.
The “Golden Handshake,” how many ranks above lieutenant did you retire at? Four? Sorry, but that’s a “good olde boys” benefit.
Smoky hallway, how about some flames rolling over our heads, too.
DT you are totally full of shit. You have no idea based on what you said about the supreme court decision. I went two ranks above LT and did so because at the time the union opposed testing for that position plus I along with my partner were the only ones who applied for that position because there was a lot of OT on the line .If I am not mistaken the BPT promotional list was changed as a result of the court decision. Yeah, good old boy system, I spent 9 years there. I left and a few malcontents went into those positions and effectively killed the arson unit. BTW in the good old days maybe just maybe I would let you carry my helmet to a fire.
Guess I hit a nerve, the truth hurts, but once you can come to terms with it you’ll be better off, tc. Kind of realizing Rooney is a PIG responsible for the death of two firefighters.
The word is the malcontent you speak of was your protege and spoiled brat, Bruce Collins, who was allowed to retire as a provisional fire marshal. Three ranks above his of fire inspector. Truth again!
Overtime, all of you were getting overtime, in fact you and your buddy had built-in standby every week plus overtime each week. Chief Moran ring a bell? Come on tc, you’re not cutting the mustard. We know more than you think.
There was no testing because all you guys were fat and happy with your money and the opportunity to retire above your tested ranks.
So how do feel about the 2nd in command in the NHFD, merit and education? And you’re still wrong about the Supreme Court case.
You’d need a few from your era to carry my helmet.
DT if you had a helmet it’s made of tin foil. There was no testing because of the union and certain tests like the captain’s test were rigged to get the numbers. BTW Collins just started in the division when I left. You can’t pin that AH on me. Stand by did not match the OT on the line. But think what you will, you are wrong. I know a little bit about New Haven as I developed testing and administered the test for Supervisor of fire investigations. Keep trying kid, but you won’t get where you want to get.
tc: So now we have a union that isn’t for promotional exams for its members. Exams that are rigged … well it certainly had to be for Rooney. You’re running away from Collins. And you haven’t answered the NHFD firefighter to assistant chief promotion question.
tc: Let’s just say I have been involved with testing throughout the country and have written more than one exam.
Thanks for the kid compliment!
DT, I don’t run away from anyone or anything. Collins was in the unit about 6 months when I left. Six months does not make a fire investigator. I can’t answer the NH question, I don’t know about it.
You tell me how certain people who finished in the hundreds on the LT exam which was 50% oral & 50% written then qualified in the top 13 for a test that was 100% oral. It’s funny how that captain’s exam had the right numbers. I can claim the numbers of tests that you can, testing is not my area of expertise.
BTW when the arson unit was formed and we were looking to put in a career ladder, the union fought it. I think it may have been the union president at the time and I did not see eye to eye.