From Brian Lockhart, CT Post:
Critics say it is an incestuous situation that breeds conflicts-of-interest, particularly on budget votes, and leads to questions about whether those council members can truly serve as checks-and-balances to the mayor–who is also their city employer and ultimate boss.
In a political situation, it poses the potential challenge–who is willing to vote against the boss’s wishes and risk his displeasure?
“It really just makes sense that Bridgeport city employees shouldn’t be on the council,” said Edward Adams, Jr., a retired FBI agent who led the investigation that sent Mayor Joseph Ganim to prison on federal corruption charges in the early 2000s.
Full story here.
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The issue of a conflict of interest that allows a city employee to serve on the Legislative Body is so egregious one would have to ask why Fabrizi and Finch did not have the common sense to right this wrong. I think they both liked the advantage it gave them when making stupid decisions; no checks and balance. But what disgusts me more is despite these city employees serving, there was still a majority who didn’t, and with the exception of Walsh, Gomes and Baker the others still went along. Did they enjoy the mayoral attention and appreciation or did they just not know what was expected of them? I hope by this time next year this travesty will be ended forever. And please, don’t even consider a grandfather clause.
With the grandfather clause and delayed implementation essential these candidates say, we support this Bill as long as it does not really apply to Bridgeport.
Jennifer Buchanan, I would like to suggest you have a sit-down with Lisa Parziale, she truly understands the system and I believe you want to make changes but being a Republican will not help with that goal. Liza is the type of person who will be honest in sharing information with you.
I have spoken to Lisa a few times; you however, remain elusive.
Jennifer, you kick ass. In four lines you have explained the situation.
Thanks for a direct explanation. JML, take your notebook and ask her how it’s done. You both have the same goals, me too!
For a true Irish lad I worry about your lack of appreciation for those with the gift of gab.
A bit off subject, but why can’t channel 79 get the audio right for council meetings??? For the past two months the audio of the meetings has been not working. I mean they have to realize this, but yet continue to air them.
The one thing I rely like about this blog is it can sometimes show me how really dumb I can be.
So riddle me this …
How is it the mayor, council prez and other council members say the voters are smart enough to determine whether or not an individual council member is conflicted by also being a city employee and they will do the right thing by not voting for them so we do not need a law banning city employees from the council, and yet …
Mayor Finch believes the voters are dumb enough to reelect a former mayor who was found guilty of corruption, so WE do need a new law banning them from even running for office?
Answer me that.
In matters of significance, Bob Walsh misunderstands the executive’s role in Bridgeport politics.
Or if Bridgeport is getting better every day, how bad was it and we really never realized it?
Mr. Walsh, all will be okay, Starbucks has decided to come to Bpt, all our problems will be solved.
Thank you, Harvey.
I need that touch of reassurance.
Okay, we got it! FBI guy who saw it all says this Anastasi-ed situation must be remedied. Check.
I’m waiting for the headline where a Bridgeport grammar school class comes to the same conclusion as former FBI agent Adams and asks the mayor to explain why he’s OK with this.
I didn’t say I was bright, did I?
In the last 35 years, nobody on the City Council has had the common sense to
overrideUPHOLD Jasper McLevy’s law. Only last year did somebody try!Local Eyes, this practice began in the late ’80s, and the members of the Council had no authority to prevent it. The only access we had was the City Attorney and, need I say more on that. However, the State Representatives and State Senators serving during that period could have challenged it; Jack Hennessy had the courage to do. I hope the entire delegation supports that bill, and without a grandfather clause.
My grandfather would be proud of this delegation. That’s about all I have to say concerning a grandfather’s clause.
Council members get to pick a number and wait when it comes to their stipend account. Apparently they no longer have to submit receipts and an explanation of the expenditure.
Council members get to pick their favorite charity and give thousands of dollars to it.
Some council members get to take months of paid vacation contrary to policy (see Richie P).
Some council members get unlimited paid time off to do council business while on the city payroll.
Forget a grandfather clause, they already have a Santa Claus in Mayor Bill Finch.
Lisa Parziale, it was kind of you to respond to my post. Political humiliation awaits those who fail to uphold McLevy’s legacy.
But here’s why I’m writing: I owe you an apology. I ambushed you. I was wrong and I am sorry.
Local Eyes, I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness. I hope I follow your niceness when I should.
Lisa, I remember Serving as the first black to head the City Council. We always followed the city Charter. We never had council members working for the City. We always had a separation Of POWERS. Lisa, we Would have taken the CITY to COURT. HOME RULE!
I served From 1981-85 as Council President!
I served my first term when Ernie Newton was the Council President. His brother Andre (may he RIP) literally carried the City Charter at all times. On November 6, 1984, Ernie Newton actually filed a complaint in Superior Court against the Dept. of Public Purchases, under the watch of Mayor Paoletto. He was seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief relating to a contract awarded to the Dinan Center by the Adminstration without Council approval. Without going through all the details, Ernie won that relief and a Superior Court Judge made a very clear decision for future contracts. In your wildest dreams can you imagine that happening today? That’s the City Council I served on for 20 years. I hope I live to see some semblance of those years return for the good of our City. Thanks, Ernie!!!
After heavy thought I realize it is absolutely absurd to have a common council member working for the city. It took me a very long time to realize this Bill, “The Hennessy Bill,” I hope Marilyn Moore and Gomes get up to Hartford and make this historic Bill happen. Grandfather clause negates the purpose. Give one year to either quit job or council. This Bill should have been the law of the land years ago. GOOD LUCK TO HENNESSY–THIS WILL MAKE BRIDGEPORT BETTER AND BETTER!
Alleluia, Steven Auerbach!
Steve, 🙂
Steve, glad you took the time to really consider this issue. Here is a link to the petition for your signature to show your support! Thanks and please spread the word.
www .change.org/p/bridgeport-mayor-city-council-and-its-state-delegation-we-the-undersigned-want-the-enforcement-of-the-bridgeport-city-charter-banning-city-employees-from-serving-on-the-common-council-we-also-demand-the-elimination-of-all-other-conflicts-of-interests
Jennifer, I signed the petition. If I start receiving conservative propaganda, I will hunt you down. I know where you hang out! 🙂
Yaaay for Steve A. I really, really mean it.
Thanks, Steve. Finch and company feel the charter means nothing. Thanks, Lisa.
A warm hug, Mr. Steve. And thank you for seeing the light.
I think McCarthy would chain himself to the council’s desk if told he couldn’t be president and be Finch’s Gilligan, he would break down and throw a tantrum.
I would pay money to see that! I call t-shirt concessions.