Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas receives three-year contract, retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez tries to block it in court. These were among the top stories from March and April in 2013. Additional headlines follow:
Former city development chief Donald Eversley describes OIB posters as “miserable, bitter old people that post online.”
Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation runs out of money, folds.
Former State Senator Lee Scarpetti dies.
Jacqui Kelleher steps down as school board chair, replaced by controversial Ken Moales.
Sue Brannelly appointed co-chair of City Council budget committee.
Kilt-wearing City councilman’s son arrested for fighting on St. Patrick’s Day.
Jane’s All the World Aircraft recognizes Bridgeport resident Gustave Whitehead’s first powered flight in 1901.
Bridgeport’s crime rate is lower than Hartford and New Haven, according to report on national crime statistics issued by CQ Press, a publisher of reference material on government and political issues.
Despite heated opposition from North End residents, the Planning and Zoning Commission approves a change to the city’s master plan of development based on an application on behalf of the Madison Avenue restaurant owned by Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa.
A 30-year-old faces charges after he allegedly stripped naked, snatched his girlfriend’s baby and ran through traffic on Interstate 95. The baby didn’t suffer serious injuries.
A new political action committee Citizens Working For A Better Bridgeport rallies support of a proposed government reform bill barring city employees from serving on City Council.
State prosecutor drops domestic violence charges against newly installed State Rep. Christina Ayala.
Governor Dan Malloy announces Downtown Bridgeport housing grant.
School board approves three-year contract for school chief Paul Vallas. Members of Working Families Party oppose.
Artist extraordinaire Robin Gilmore crafts jewelry derived from Bridgeport’s own streets and resources. Her store Made In Bridgeport.
Blog columnist Jonathan Pelto examines the financial holdings of school board chief Ken Moales including operation of two daycare facilities receiving state assistance.
Mayor Bill Finch challenges H&R Block’s assertions that Bridgeport is the highest-taxed city in the country.
West Side City Councilwoman Evette Brantley proclaims she will not vote for a budget that includes a tax increase. Says she’s ready to put her house up for sale and roll out if the council passes a tax hike. (Footnote: she voted for tax increase and was defeated for reelection.)
Former Mayor John Fabrizi declares that Charlie Carroll, who served as Fabs’ chief of staff, is the fall guy for the city’s response to the historic February blizzard that trapped citizens in their homes for days.
Baseball great Cal Ripkin Jr. dedicates field for city kids.
Bridgeport, Stratford sign deal for airport safety zone.
David Walker, the former Comptroller General of the United States, steps up his critical analysis of the city’s taxing policies in appearances at public meetings.
Police Chief Joe Gaudett announces return of Deputy Chief Jimmy Honis, a member of the police department for more than 40 years, who was placed on administrative leave with pay for two years pending a criminal investigation of a cold case involving the death of a prostitute decades ago.
Mike Marella returns to the City Council replacing long-time councilman Bob Curwen who resigned from the city’s legislative body citing family health issues.
Stuart Rosenberg, the longtime chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, resigns in a dispute involving the city’s proposed changes to the retirement benefits of city firefighters.
Monsignor Kevin Wallin, for many years a key cleric in the Diocese of Bridgeport, admitted in federal court in Hartford he conspired to distribute almost four pounds of methamphetamine.
Claiming he lacks the certified credentials to serve as school chief, retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez files a complaint in state court seeking to invalidate a 5-4 vote by the Board of Education granting a three-year contract to Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas.
Dissension within the ranks of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP branch as well as non-compliance processing financial information reaches such a boiling point the National Board of Directors for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People orders “all elected officers and executive committee members be removed.”
