Scott Hughes Battling Calendar To Qualify For Public Dough Against Andres Ayala

Scott Hughes
Scott Hughes

City Librarian Scott Hughes is racing against the July 18 Citizens Election Program calendar to qualify for an $83,000 public grant in his August 12 Democratic State Senate primary against incumbent Andres Ayala. Hughes must raise $15,000 in small donations, including 300 contributions combined within Bridgeport and Stratford, for grant approval. Time is running short, but if he qualifies he could pose a credible challenge to Ayala.

Hughes is about $1,500 away from reaching the $15K threshold, according to his donation page. Ayala has been approved for a public grant. Connecticut’s 23rd Senate District covers about two thirds of the city and a piece of western Stratford. Ayala defeated Ernie Newton and incumbent Ed Gomes in a 2012 primary on his way to winning the seat.

Board of Education member Andre Baker is also trying to qualify for public cash in his race against Democratic party-endorsed Ernie Newton for the State House seat Newton once occupied. Baker must raise $5,000 in small donations to get there.

Hughes won a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in March when anti-establishment forces gained control of the Upper East Side 138th District.

If Hughes qualifies for the public moolah he’ll have nearly $100,000 to spend in the final weeks leading to the August 12 primary, a mighty sum in a compressed process. The key for Hughes’ campaign advisers is to anticipate how and where the money will be spent if he qualifies.

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74 comments

  1. He had a very well-attended fundraiser two weeks ago. I am certain he will meet the requirement. Scott Hughes seems like a very honest and sincere individual. He has a great platform and I believe it is going to be tight. The public will have a choice between two very credible candidates. I live in the Moore/Musto district.

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    1. “Scott Hughes seems like a very honest and sincere individual. He has a great platform …”

      So how much did you contribute to his campaign?

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      1. I’ve donated to Andre Baker’s campaign and note both Lisa Parziale and Evette Brantley are working on Andre’s campaign. Any sensible person should help Andre as Newton, while in office, violated his oath of office, and remains an unrepentant felon. That alone should deny him re-entry to politics.

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        1. I am not a fan or supporter of Ernie Newton and have never contributed or volunteered on any of his campaigns. Last June, while Andre Baker was in the midst of his campaign for the Board of Education, he took $2,000 of taxpayer funds (stipend) and made contributions to local charities. Any individual who wants to run for elected office should be allowed to do so. If he is elected it is because the voters in his district chose him to be their elected representative. If he legally qualifies as a candidate and his candidacy does not violate the charter or CT state statutes, why shouldn’t he be allowed to run? I cannot think of a single individual who really worked on Andre Baker’s BBOE campaign who is actively working on his campaign for state representative, not one.

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          1. In addition, please google Deborah Thomas-Sims. She is a city employee, a Finch loyalist and Andre Baker’s campaign manager. You will find a 2010 CT Post article I was unable to create a link to. It highlights while Ms. Sims was the Director of the Charles Smith Foundation she committed fraud which included using the foundations credit cards to purchase cruise tickets for both her and her family. For those who are familiar with Ms. Sims, you would know she would never be supporting Andre Baker unless she was specifically asked to by Mayor Finch. Andre Baker is well aware of the fraud she committed but he selects her as his campaign manager. Ernie Newton betrayed the public trust and so did Ms. Sims. Isn’t Andre Baker’s selection of Ms. Sims as his campaign manager a reflection on his judgment? Just asking.
            www .bridgeporthousing.org/about/board/Deborah%20Thomas%20Simms.PDF

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          2. Looks like Maria is here to stay. Notice that unlike others, Maria Pereira is using her real name instead of a handle. She has proven she can “handle” her own.

            Talking about contributions to nonprofits or charities, in 2012 the Ayala 2012 Committee made two payments (with CEP funds) for wages totaling $2,800 to Pivot Ministries on Jane Street in Bridgeport. The first payment ($1,200 I believe) was made during the primary and $1,600 during the November election. Never mind the fact the IRS forbids 501c3 from actively participating in elections. To have the gall to report the payments in documents that shall be made public shows their disregard for what the public thinks. I guess that’s why the IRS came up with form 13909. Note that Bank of America is and was Ayala’s Candidate Committee banking institution and his Campaign Treasurer (then and now) works for Bank of America. Ten months later:
            www .mayorsandcities.com/in-the-news/mayor-finch-bank-america-help-pivot-ministries-breathe-new-life-abandoned-home

            www .pivotministries.org/gallery/pivot-cdc-pembroke-project/

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          3. Please Maria. Let us know when Ms. Sims was either found or was guilty of these charges. You seem to have found her guilty.

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          4. Better yet Maria, I went to the state of Connecticut Judicial website and I searched for both pending cases and convictions for anyone with the last name Sims and a first name beginning with D. No Deborah, no Debbie, nothing close.
            But Maria you just posted as fact Deborah Thomas Sims committed fraud by misappropriation of funds. According to the state of Connecticut not the Connecticut Post that is a lie. Plain and simple bald-faced lie.
            You owe both Andre Baker and Ms. Sims a sincere apology for spreading lies in an effort to disrupt a political campaign.
            Shame on you, Maria.

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          5. Bob, you are sounding more and more like a spokesperson for the Andre Baker camp.

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          6. Joel,
            Saying Maria is just asking is like saying Jaws was just wading in the water.

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          7. Maria, I have been away from OIB for a couple days so I have had an opportunity to read the multiple posts you have made as well as others who question your comments.

            Knowing what a stickler for accuracy you are, I just wanted to place one of your comments in context and correct it so a false statement does not get repeated.

            In June, 2013, fifteen of the twenty City Council members participated in a movement to request the City appropriate $30,000 of funds that year after year sat in an account called Other Services, Line Item 56180. You have referred to City Council Stipends Line Item 51402. The numerous checks to charities did not come from stipend funds. Indeed the City Council’s own Stipend Debit Card forms indicate that charities are not to be funded with Stipend money.

            Had there been no FINAL JUNE 2013 MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT provided to the public for the first time in over 20 years, the public would never have learned this story. The CT Post has not reported on this story either, and I keep wondering why not. Did those Council members, all of whom were facing a November election, if not a primary, stop to reflect using taxpayer funds without any sub-committee review, minutes, referral to the entire Council for a vote might be unusual anyway, and perhaps illegal? The City Council President was a participant. Did he lead the activity? The City Finance Department knows the rules against Stipend payments to charities since they participated in forming the new rules, although the City Council has not bothered to update the old ordinance on Stipends. Why did the Finance Department go along with this request? If there were an Internal Auditor position filled in the City, would this have happened?

            I am pleased you have bothered to notice this Council abuse of taxpayer funds and Council process. And why did you single out only one member, since there were 14 other charitable donors? (They never took City funds as you suggested, but rather requested a City check be forwarded to appropriate charities.) More people need to hold it up to the light of day and ask whether it passes the smell test. But who would investigate it for us? Time will tell.

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      2. JOEL GONZALEZ–I actually did contribute to Scott Hughes as will show on the list as though it were your business. Furthermore, when you don’t have a pot to piss in and donate, it is a big fucking deal. Thank you for inquiring. I would venture to say all things considered, I bet I contributed a larger percentage, much larger based on my substitute teacher’s salary than you did. What do you think? He needs $3500.00 more, can you help him out? I already did, 🙂 and was very happy to do so.

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        1. Now Bob, referring to me as “Jaws” is really disappointing. I would prefer you refer to me as “Maria Piranha.” It is much more appropriate.

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        2. Good for you Steven, being of the opinion we need to have challengers to the majority of incumbents and endorsed candidates, I did contribute to many candidates: Tim Herbst $100, Walker $100. Hughes $20 and $50 (online), Christina Ayala $20, Moore $35, Newton $50, Bradley $20 (solicited three $5 contributions, gave $5). It’s not about who has the biggest pot to piss in. I have a wife and kids to support and no tenants to pass the buck onto. I don’t drive fancy cars; don’t go to the newest restaurants; fix my car myself, etc. I think you and I know our biggest worth is when we volunteer on campaigns–something I’m doing less of as those you support hide when you need their support. One hand washes the other, sometimes you need someone to hold the water hose.

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  2. Congrats, Jim-Bob!!!
    You were right on the money!
    These fines and citations are totally subjective and arbitrary. There is no warning period but immediately $100 a day fines are levied. And although the city may reverse many of these, it places the burden on the property owner and not the inspector.
    The concept may be good but the execution is horrible.

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  3. And another glaring conflict of interest my city employee/city council member. Paoletto seems to be saying it makes my job easier so to hell with the residents of we make a mistake.

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  4. Bob, as a result of the documents turned over to the CT Post by the interim Director of the Charles Smith Foundation, Ms. Sims tendered her resignation as vice president of the Housing Authority Board. Why would you resign if the accusations were false and had no merit? Would you resign? I wouldn’t have.

    I worked in retail management for many years and I cannot tell you how many times employees were caught stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, creating false returns etc. I cannot recall a single time the retailer pursued a criminal conviction. They terminate the employee and take the loss because of public perception. Look at what happened with Target and their security breach. It made national news and it negatively impacted their 4th quarter profits.

    Most non-profits are no different. They don’t want the public/donors to perceive their organization as corrupt, incompetent, mismanaged. Would you want to donate money to a non-profit that pursued criminal prosecution of its own director for misappropriation of funds?

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    1. Please read my post under your previous post. The state of Connecticut Judicial website says there are no pending cases and NO CONVICTIONS for someone named Deborah Sims. To answer your question, maybe Ms. Sims simply did not want these accusations to bring any bad publicity to the Bpt Housing Authority, discretion being the better part of judgement.
      And yet Maria will not apologize and not give up.

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      1. Bob, when Ms. Sims was hired to work for the City in 2010, the CT Post ran another story about her history with the Charles Smith Foundation. If she resigned from the Bridgeport Housing Authority because she “did not want these accusations to bring any bad publicity to the Bpt Housing Authority,” wouldn’t that same selflessness come into play when she was hired to work for the Bridgeport Police Department for $45,000 per year? She didn’t tender her resignation when the CT Post wrote another article regarding her questionable history with the CSF.

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  5. And as to your statement you cannot think of anyone who really worked on his BBOE campaign who is actively working on his State Rep campaign, would that included donating funds and urging others to donate on his behalf???

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    1. Bob, are you aware Andre Baker raised less than $1,000 for his citywide BBOE campaign? I hope for his sake someone is “urging others to donate” because he was quite poor at doing it himself.

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      1. Andre did a very nice job of raising funds for Marilyn Moore. Why are you so polarized against Andre now? The alternative is Ernie Newton. What makes Ernie a better choice than a man with no criminal record, who was often times the lone voice of dissent on the City Council and has always had his heart in the right place in this City?

        Is it because he aligned with Finch? I am no huge fan of Bill’s but I agree Ernie is not the right choice for this seat. Sometimes we have to drop our personal vendettas and sleep with the enemy for the common good. It’s called Politics.

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        1. I am not supporting Ernie Newton and I am not supporting Andre Baker either. I never stated Ernie Newton was a better choice than Andre Baker. If you choose to “sleep with the enemy,” that is your decision to make. I don’t buy into the argument you choose the lesser of two evils. A candidate is either aligned with my values and principles or they are not.

          I have already told Andre Baker directly, not through a blog, that as hard as I worked to help him get elected to the BBOE, I will be working even harder to make sure he is never re-elected to the BBOE.

          He has disappointed many of the parents, community members and political operatives who worked so very hard to get him elected.

          I don’t know if you were at the meeting where he pushed through the approval of Harding High School but I was. Adam Wood was like the Wizard of Oz. He repeatedly stood behind a curtain and repeatedly called Andre out of the meeting to huddle with Mark Anastasi, Allen Wallach, Ruben Felipe and Brett Boesner. It was a complete embarrassment to Andre whether he realized it or not.

          Kenneth Moales Jr. has repeatedly called Sauda Baraka names during public meetings. He has called her a liar, Tonto and even stated his deceased father told him she was a liar. He also threatened her in front of a CT Post reporter. Sauda had to file a police report against him. At a recent meeting, he sat in her chair and refused to move. Do you think this is acceptable behavior? When a vote was taken to censure Moales, he voted against it.

          The very person who recruited Andre Baker to run for the BBOE wants nothing to do with him and will not speak to him.

          He’s made his bed and now he needs to lay in it.

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          1. Thank you for your thoughtful response. We all have the right to our own views, and I certainly don’t begrudge anyone that.

            I do, however, think Andre Baker should be the one who decides what is embarrassing to him.

            I am no fan of the current administration, make no mistake, but I do like Baker.

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          2. Maria,
            That sounds extremely childish. Someone sat in her chair!!! OMG!
            Moales called her a liar!!!
            Moales called her Tonto?
            And Andre refused to censure him!!!
            Off with his head!
            And yet you feel it is totally appropriate to accuse an innocent person of criminal activity just because Andre refused to censure Moales.
            This whole things sounds totally childish, especially your involvement. In case you forgot, you are no longer on the Board of Ed and you are no longer chair of the WFP.

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          3. Bob,
            Why all the exclamation points??? You are coming across as irate.

            Please do not put words in my month. I never stated because Andre voted against censuring Moales, that in any was correlates to the comments I made regarding Ms. Sims. In case you have forgotten, you have never been a member of the BBOE or the chair of a Bridgeport political party, yet you have absolutely no issue with commenting on multiple issues on this blog. Are you implying I have less right to comment on this blog than you?

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        2. Bob, you are no longer a member of the City Council, however you recently posted repeated and lengthy comments regarding the Miscellaneous Matters Committee and the BPD’s ability to conduct thorough background checks. This could easily be defined as pure hypocrisy.

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  6. Bob, I researched the Judicial website BEFORE I posted my comment. That is why I stated she “committed fraud” and did not say she was “convicted of fraud.” I never stated she had a misdemeanor or felony conviction for fraud.

    Here is a definition of the word fraud with some examples utilizing the word itself.

    fraud noun \ˈfrȯd\

    : the crime of using dishonest methods to take something valuable from another person

    : a person who pretends to be what he or she is not in order to trick people

    : a copy of something that is meant to look like the real thing in order to trick people

    Full Definition of FRAUD

    : deceit, trickery; specifically: intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right

    b : an act of deceiving or misrepresenting: trick

    2

    a : a person who is not what he or she pretends to be: impostor; also: one who defrauds: cheat

    b : one that is not what it seems or is represented to be

    Examples of FRAUD

    He was found guilty of bank fraud.
    He was the victim of an elaborate fraud.
    He claimed he was a licensed psychologist, but he turned out to be a fraud.
    The UFO picture was proved to be a fraud.

    Mr. Sharpe claimed to have a doctorate in education for over ten years. That was completely false and he is considered to be a “fraud.” He will never be convicted of a crime because he falsely claimed he had a doctorate in education. It doesn’t make him any less of a “fraud.”

    I will not be offering an apology to Andre Baker or Deborah Sims because I honestly feel my statements were accurate. It would be different if I stated Ms. Sims had a conviction, but I never made that statement.

    In regards to the specific question regarding Andre Baker, I was referring to those participating in his campaign meetings, unpaid petition circulators, unpaid canvassers etc. As I stated previously, I do not know of a single individual who actively worked on his BBOE campaign who is now doing the same for his state rep. campaign. It is possible you know someone who is; however I do not.

    I have probably exchanged fewer than 50 words with you over the last 5 years. You come across as a bit angry and overly aggressive.

    If you choose to support Andre Baker, you certainly have the right to do so. In turn, I have the right not to support him.

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    1. Ms. Pereira–you may not have stated she was convicted in court, but you very clearly convicted her yourself by stating in writing she committed fraud. Making statements such as that can land you in hot water, it’s called libelous. I urge you to be cautious with what you say about a person when you have no proof to substantiate your statement.

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      1. Godiva2011, I will tell you what I told Bob several months ago. If I wanted your advice, I would request it. I seek advice from my family and those who are in my inner circle, not individuals I do not know, or do not trust. People generally form opinions from documents, articles and publications they read. It is not unusual.

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        1. Whatever you say, Ms. Piranha. I hope someone else advises you on the power of the written word, as you stated people generally form opinions from documents, etc. The propensity exists for your comment to bite you in the a**–not that it would matter to me.

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          1. Godiva2011, I think that is a valid point. As a matter of fact Megan DeSombre read some documents regarding me several months ago and stated I was a convicted felon. My attorney sent her a letter that advised her the claims were false and she had seven business days to publicly retract the statement, issue an apology and send both to all the media contacts she sent the original story to. She complied within four days. I didn’t appreciate it when it was done to me so I certainly wouldn’t do it to someone else without indisputable evidence to support that claim.

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    1. Ron Mackey, Scott Hughes is the real deal. He needs some serious marketing. I had attended his fundraiser. Notice all the responses on this particular blog are about everything except the potential of Scott Hughes’ candidacy. I wonder if any of the individuals who attended his fundraiser read this blog and if so, why no responses?

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  7. Maria, you did not say she had a conviction because you knew the charges were dropped but you still cited an egregiously misleading old article to insinuate she had committed a crime. Those types of mean, nasty actions make me angry. But I guess they also make YOU a fraud which is what you are.

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    1. Bob, in all honesty I never even knew charges were brought against Ms. Sims. Do you honestly think you are in a place to speak of someone else’s “nasty actions?” In my opinion, utilizing credit cards from a non-profit organization to purchase cruise tickets for you and your family is a crime. There are thousands of crimes that occur in the United States each and every year that are never prosecuted. It doesn’t mean the crime never occurred. I take it you do know this foundation, which provided valuable programs to East End children, collapsed due to the significant financial malfeasance that occurred during Ms. Sims’ reign. You don’t take money that is supposed to help impoverished children. That is my opinion and I am entitled to my opinion.

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      1. There is another possibility. Ms. Sims may have needed a credit card to book the trip. Not having one of her own, she was allowed to use the agency’s card. In order to do this, she deposited cash with the agency equal to the cost of the trip then used the agency’s card to book the trip. Since there was no investigation and the agency never tried to recover any money, I would think no money was missing. Ms. Sims may have received the trip in lieu of compensation (as her pay). Nonprofits have to file where every dollar goes and are audited by state and federal agencies. They are not allowed to just be ‘missing money.’

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        1. If she were “allowed” to use the Charles Smith Foundation credit cards to purchase tickets for a cruise for her and her family and she made restitution to the CSF for the expenditure, why did the interim director of the CSF turn over documentation to the CT Post to support his allegations of financial improprieties? The only body that could give her this authorization would be the CSF Board of Directors. If the BOD granted her permission, why would the interim director be allowed to turn over documents to the CT Post to demonstrate otherwise? Why would a non-profit that receives zero funding from the state or federal government be audited by the state or federal government? ConnCAN, Excel Bridgeport, Northeast Charter Schools are all nonprofits and they haven’t been audited by the state or federal government.

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          1. Because they are nonprofits. They file forms to retain their nonprofit status; spending reports, balance sheets and all. If these forms are suspect, one of many agencies can demand an audit.
            I do not know why the director did what he did. He may have had his own agenda. Why does anyone at work stab another employee in the back? Maybe the director decided to turn on Sims for the same reason you turned on Pat Fardy. As he filed this with the Post and not the DOJ, I would guess no crime was committed. He obviously was not afraid of the bad press a scandal would produce. He sent the info to the Post. Maybe someone gave her permission to use the card who, unbeknownst to her, was not authorized to do that. She took the hit to save her friend. This is all speculation but just as valid as your speculation.
            In most OIB articles someone committed some outrageous crime and does not go to jail. I have come to believe either these accusations are false or our justice system is completely ineffective. I can only sleep at night if I put my faith in only one of those possibilities.

            Actually, the BOE and the state are auditing FUSE. The state audited Moales’ daycare. For more info read here:
            www .grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Nonprofit-Management/Accountability/nonprofit-audits

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          1. Moales daycares and FUSE are recipients of taxpayer funds, the organizations I listed are not.

            In order to receive nonprofit status you must submit a Form 10-23 to the IRS. Nonprofit is not decided at the state level.

            The only documents that are required to be submitted on an annual basis is a 990 Tax Return which does include a Balance Sheet and a Profit & Loss Statement. The IRS can request audited financials, which requires the nonprofit to retain a CPA/Auditor to review the nonprofit’s finances.

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    2. Bob, you seem to be upset I stated Ms. Sims committed fraud because she was never formally convicted in a court of law. Then you wrote “but I guess they also make YOU a fraud which is what you are.” The only problem is I have never been convicted of “fraud.” Doesn’t this contradict your entire argument in defending Ms. Sims?

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  8. If the CT Post article is an “egregiously misleading old article,” I suggest you take that issue up with the CT Post. I had nothing to do with the article or its contents.

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    1. Bob, I never quoted the CT Post article. If I had, there would be quotation marks in my comments. I referenced the CT Post article, which I did not write or participate in. In addition, it is not your place to decide what I “know.”

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  9. Maria is just angry because one of the WFP puppets broke his strings and turned into a real man. I admire Andre Baker for voting his conscience instead of his party line. Baker and/or Hughes are obvious choices.

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    1. SPY, I have attended every single Regular Board of Education meeting since March 2009 except for four. Can you say the same thing? I am no longer associated with the WFP so why would I be “angry” over Andre Baker breaking his “strings” with the WFP?

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        1. SPY, I do not understand your reference to Pelto. Pelto is a gubernatorial candidate, not a state rep. candidate. First of all, I do not live in their district so I have no ability to cast a vote for either. If I do not support any of the candidates I just don’t vote for either. I don’t agree with voting for the lesser of two/three evils.

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          1. So you would be an outsider giving advice to the people of BPT who are too stupid to figure it out for themselves??? Much like millionaires and hedge fund managers from Greenwich.

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    2. SPY, you wrote “Baker and/or Hughes are obvious choices.” I take it you reside in both their districts. After all, you wouldn’t want to be “an outsider giving advice to the people of BPT who are too stupid to figure it out for themselves??? Much like millionaires and hedge fund managers from Greenwich.” In other words, I would hope you are not the kettle calling the pot black.

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  10. SPY, I was born and raised in Bridgeport and have resided in the South End, East Side, North End and the Upper East Side. In addition, I just re-read all my comments from today and I am unable to find a single instance where I offered “advice.” I have the utmost respect for the intelligence of Bridgeport residents and voters and have in no way implied “the people of BPT … are too stupid to figure it out for themselves.” You made the statement so one may assume that is how you feel about the residents of Bridgeport, not I.

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    1. By pointing out why a candidate is unworthy of a vote, that is de facto advice. If I tell you why I would not smoke I am advising you to do the same. It is a roundabout way of modifying your behavior. It makes you believe you came to the decision on your own because you are smart. It is the kind of trick someone would use with children.

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      1. SPY, I never made a recommendation as to whether someone should or should not vote for Andre Baker. So if I visited Florida and I shared with you I had a wonderful time there; that means I am subliminally advising you to visit Florida??? If I am eating lasagna at a great Italian restaurant and I simply say my lasagna is delicious; I am subliminally advising you to order the lasagna. Are you a licensed psychologist?

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  11. SPY, the only entity that could have authorized Ms. Sims to utilize the CSF credit cards for tickets for a cruise for her and her family would be the CSF Board of Directors. Directors for non-profits report directly to their Board, not an individual.

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    1. I know that and you know that. Would Sims know that? She needs a credit card and I tell her to give me $6800 and she can charge the $6800 on my city, foundation, company credit card. Maybe I will give the $6800 to the owner of the card or maybe I will keep it. She believes I am authorized to do this and an honest person. She is also desperate to get this done. So with trust in her heart and naivety in her mind, she takes me up on my offer. From the embarrassment and the director does not like her she resigns.

      In your view of events, she steals the card and makes the transaction. Then, the Charles Center does not press charges to avoid the embarrassment, forces Sims to resign and calls the money a loss. If they had a legal agreement to repay the money a confidentiality clause is attached. Then they release the story to the press and still do not press charges. What happened to the ‘not wanting to be embarrassed’ theory? Once the news of the embezzlement is out, why not press charges? That makes no sense.

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      1. SPY, Ms. Sims was the director, what do you mean “the director does not like her she resigns?” I never said she stole the credit card. There is a difference between one news story reporting on an issue vs. a long, protracted, drawn-out court case. A perfect example is the entire FUSE debacle. The Hartford Courant has written 13-15 stories/editorials on FUSE in the last 15-16 days. Is there a difference between one news story reporting the financial improprieties or five news stories regarding the issue?

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        1. SPY, as the director of the Charles Smith Foundation, one would certainly hope she knows what entity or individual supervises her. If she didn’t know, she shouldn’t have been the director. Have you ever been employed by any organization in which you did not know who your supervisor was? I never have.

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        2. I am unaware of how many editorials appeared regarding Sims. Anyone can write an editorial. I am sure most of the FUSE editorials were written by charter school haters and all say the same thing. If one story prompts 14 editorials, that is still one story.
          If you say she illegally used the credit card, which would be credit fraud or stealing the credit card.
          When I referred to ‘the director did not like me,’ I meant the director who released the story. That would be a good reason to embarrass her for this issue. She quit and you become the new director.
          A long, protracted, drawn-out court case? You call the cops. Then you are done. You may have to show up to testify Sims was not allowed to use the card for this purpose or you may be able to submit an affidavit. I would be more concerned the Smith Center did nothing to get the money back. If I were a donor to the center and they let my money I donated for the kids get stolen and did nothing to get it back, I would stop giving them money. I did not donate so Sims could go on a cruise. If the center is that slack in the way they watch over the money I donate and do not want it back they, obviously, do not need it.

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      2. Ignorance of rules, laws and regulations is not ground for an excuse. The SEEC was doing just this for a few years after approval of CEP. Most nonprofits are frauds and tend to operate in gray areas of rules, laws, and regulations. The nonprofits managed or associated with elected officials (politicians) get better opportunities at funding. Don’t believe me? Just ask Carmen Colon.

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  12. Ron, If I made an informed decision not to vote for any candidate running for a particular office, I would not consider that throwing my vote away. If all the candidates oppose policies, issues or positions that are deeply important to me, why should I cast a vote for any of them? It would be different if I didn’t vote because I wanted to go to the mall, movies or sunbathing. I would consider that throwing my vote away.

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