Shays Places Deposit On City Condo; What’s Next? Plus Sunday Suds, And Support For Evans

Former Congressman Christopher Shays, in an interview with OIB, confirmed he has placed a binder deposit on a condominium in Black Rock as he weighs his decision to seek the Republican nomination for governor.

He cautioned, however, he has not made a final decision to enter the gubernatorial race and it was always his intention to find a weekend place in Connecticut after moving to Maryland. He sold his home in Black Rock to David Walker, the nation’s former chief auditor, several months ago. Shays is still listed as a registered voter in Bridgeport where he lived for 10 years. Shays added he did not want to specify the condo address until the transaction was completed.

Shays said he’s not made a final decision about reentering public politics because he’ll be reversing a major lifestyle change made in recent months that he and his wife Betsy are weighing. He said he expects to make a final decision before the end of February.

A public opinion poll released on Wednesday by Shays’ former staffer Rob Russo, who’s running for Shays’ former congressional seat, provided good news for both Shays and Russo. It shows Russo, a former state senator from Bridgeport with low name recognition in Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District, running just 13 points behind Democratic incumbent Jim Himes who defeated Shays in 2008, in part on the strength of Barack Obama’s presidential tsunami in Bridgeport. The poll also showed, to measure Himes’ standing, Shays running 19 points ahead of Himes, a reflection of voter anger with Washington, were he to seek his old seat. Shays told OIB, however, if he gets back in the game it would be for governor.

If Shays jumps into the gubernatorial he enters a race that includes a bunch of Republicans including Tom Foley, former ambassador to Ireland and Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele. The leading Democratic candidates for governor are Ned Lamont who defeated Joe Lieberman in a U.S. Senate primary in 2006, only to lose to Joe in the general election, and former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy. Stay tuned.

What’s wrong with Sunday suds?

Could the puritanical minds in the legislature open up Sunday liquor sales? That’s what mayors from Connecticut’s three largest cities are urging to generate more revenue. Governor Jodi Rell is against it. What’s the big deal here? Why can’t the state give package store owners the option to sell on Sundays? If they don’t want to open, don’t open.

Connecticut’s ‘Big Three’ Mayors Finch, DeStefano and Perez Call for Sunday Alcohol Sales

Allowing Sunday Sales Would Yield $8 Million Annually in Incremental Dollars To Dedicate To Critical Government Programs

BRIDGEPORT, CT (February 10, 2010) – The mayors of Connecticut’s “Big Three” cities – Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford – today called upon the state legislature and Governor M. Jodi Rell to lift the state’s ban of Sunday alcohol sales.

With Connecticut in the midst of one of the worst economic recessions in its history, the mayors are imploring the state’s legislators to use their legislative authority to lift the Sunday sales ban in order to save critical government programs. According to a recent report by the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee[1], the state could see an increase of up to $8 million in revenue in the year following the repeal.

“The Connecticut legislature has the power to bring an additional $8 million annually at a time when we desperately need the money. If our legislators simply lifted this antiquated ban on Sunday alcohol sales, our financially struggling state could stop bleeding business – and sending tax revenue – to stores in neighboring states,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

According to the report, sales in Connecticut towns along a state border were 35 percent to 43 percent lower than sales in Connecticut towns not along a border.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. stated, “The additional sales and excise tax revenues Connecticut would earn have the power to save vital programs that are currently on the chopping block.”

Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez continued, “Repealing the Sunday sales ban is a common sense move in this competitive business climate.”

Letter to Mayor Finch from Evans supporters

February 9, 2010

The Honorable Bill Finch
Mayor, City of Bridgeport
999 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604

Dear Mayor Finch,

We the undersigned demand the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Marian Evans as the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Bridgeport. We are acutely aware of the fact that the Health Director serves at the will of the mayor; and are even more aware that as the highest elected official, the mayor serves at the will of the people. A very large segment of the people of this city view the firing of a competent, Black woman during the start of Black History month, as a poor management decision and an insult to every Black citizen of Bridgeport.

In this instance as in others where minority personnel are involved, you went beyond expressing the will of the mayor in not having the person continue in his or her appointment, but made a point to drum up frivolous charges and to defame the person’s character. Let’s set the records straight, the WIC program and the personnel managing it have been under the supervision of your administration Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Andy Nunn; so then, who should be blamed for the DPH’s decision to terminate the city’s WIC contract? And now, let’s address the Holiday Seminar – a creative way of incenting people to participate in a H1N1 (Swine Flu) awareness seminar. The City Attorney was cited as confirming that there is an ongoing investigation about whether “separate and appropriate funds” were used for the event. That being the case, why is the defamatory term “misappropriation of funds” being bantered around among your staff?

Dr. Evans, an accomplished Ob-Gyn from Griffin Hospital, left the comforts of that health care environment to work tirelessly for the residents of Bridgeport for six years. She did many wonderful and important things for those that didn’t have a voice. The effort to heighten the issues facing those with diabetes, pre-natal care concerns, the crisis in community health, and the search for a new Health Department building come to mind; however, the list goes on and on.

In her six years of service, Dr. Evans has conducted herself with the highest level of professionalism, has demonstrated a great deal of passion for her work and the people she served and serves as a great role model for young minorities. The people of Bridgeport deserve to be served by a Health Director who has the credentials, is highly qualified and can not only sympathize with their plight, but naturally empathizes because the person has walked in their shoes – this City needs Dr. Evans; reinstate her. 

Signatories: * connotes individual and the organization is listed for identification purposes only. Organizations listed connote an endorsement from the organization.

Andre Baker

Anthony L. Bennett, D. Min., *Pastor Mount Aery Baptist Church

Bob Walsh

Bridgeport Black Pride

Carolyn Nah

East End Community Council

East End NRZ

Environmental Justice

Bridgeport Firebirds

Gloria Garcia

Edward Gomes, State Senator

John Gomes

Bridgeport Guardians

Minority Business Association

NAACP Greater Bridgeport Branch

National Council of Negro Women

Carmen Hatton, *Negro Business and Professional Women, Bridgeport Chapter

Reverent E. L. Smallwood, *Protestant Minister, University of Bridgeport

Save Our Babies

Voices of Freedom

Witness Project of Connecticut

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33 comments

  1. “Connecticut’s ‘Big Three’ Mayors Finch, DeStefano and Perez Call for Sunday Alcohol Sales …”

    If these three mayors pay attention to what takes place every Sunday in just about every store, they’d know that Sunday liquor sales is only illegal when they get caught.

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  2. *** As a registered CT Dem. the mere mention of “Shays” thinking about running for Governor is promising considering the present picks in the mix now; I hope he runs! ***

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  3. *** Russo was only a State Senator for maybe a half term beating Mulligan who was abandoned by the Dem. party to pay more attention to who was going to be city D.T.C. chairperson? If Himes continues his humble ways of keeping Southern Conn. citizens aware of what’s happening in DC & how it will affect us overall, Russo will lose. Russo does not give me the impression of someone who’s there in the long run for the average working person! Once in DC the overall power & money influence just might be too much to avoid being just one of the good old GOP boys that have “forgotten” what they’re actually there for. So right now from what I’ve seen & heard about Russo, he may be suited better here in Conn. for state or city politics ’til he’s proven himself to the voters. *** The Dr. Evans debacle is unraveling slowly but surely among city minority voters in general, & it may be just what’s needed to work towards collecting more political coffin nails for the Finch Admin. I have not heard a detailed account from either the quiet Dr. Evans or the Finch Admin. exactly why or reason for her sudden surprising dismissal as the Health Director? Also, let’s hope Bpt. citizens don’t blame Iris & Co. for this debacle or the admin. doesn’t try to share blame either. It’s been obvious to many citizens of the on-going behind closed doors, budget cut-throat tactics and actions the Finch Admin. has taken against many city employees past & present using the excuse of needing to balance the city’s budget! Just to turn around & spend sometimes twice as much for unneeded depts. or consultant workers, etc. When cutting budgets in general & it affects peoples lives, whether government or private sector, surprise undercover cut-throat measures only bring more trouble & hardship in the end for all. ***

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    1. Here’s the point: Russo won an election.

      But that was yesterday. Today, he’s trying to win a primary en route to an election. That’s called politics.

      He’s in the arena, we’re blogging …

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  4. I am very surprised Himes is running so poorly next to Shays and Russo.

    I have always liked Shays and wouldn’t be upset if he won, but for now I am with Ned. I wish Shays would take his old seat back, now that would be cool. No mention of Black Rock’s own, Torry when the 4th district is mentioned, wonder why!, whack job.

    Dr. Evans getting fired and that lame letter to Finch saying the start of Black History Month was a bad time to fire a woman of color, geez between the Jews and the blacks will there ever be equality? The women’s movement has been a bit quiet, thank GOD or Mohammad.

    Our elected officials sure do come up with lame resources to improve the economy; sell more booze on Sundays and play some Keno.

    Thanks Len and fellow posters, great arguments.

    LOL, booze and gambling to solve the problems, WOW!

    Who says we don’t need a fresh set of eyes on the problem? Bet it sits just right with Finch.

    Maybe some financial incentive to bring business back to CT would be better than booze and gambling.

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    1. Friends of Bridgeport don’t need or want incentives to bring businesses back to Bridgeport–they want to develop them right here.

      My idea of Regionalism is to develop this region to the point where other people want to move here because we’ve made their contributions easy to recognize and worthwhile to produce.

      Hot new trend: producing more than you consume.

      Place it might gain traction: BridgeportCtUSA

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  5. Two observations from an outsider:

    1. If Mayor Finch had problems with Dr. Evans, he should have met with her to discuss and try to work them out. This is what a professional would have done. Unless of course his goal was to hire another white Irish male. In that case, mission accomplished.

    2. When WIC was put on notice, Andy Nunn and Iris Molina should have called in CitiStat or total quality management or whatever they are calling it these days to address the problem. Isn’t that why CitiStat was instituted? Unless of course the goal was to lay off more staff and outsource it to Optimus. In that case, mission accomplished.

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  6. Maybe it’s time to fire Andy Nunn. What ever happened with the WIC program happened on his watch. Andy just think if they fire you, you can sue and make about $200K in severance and whatnot.
    I saw in today’s paper that Jacobs will be getting $200K to go away. I am opposed to the firing and I am opposed to the settlement. I think Jacobs should be put back on the job and the entire Civil Service Commission should be replaced. These morons don’t have a clue. They were put there as caretakers of the civil service system and what they have done is led the charge to get rid of civil service as we know it.
    Last night’s meeting of the Contracts committee just did me a favor as I can now take 2 names off of my mayoral candidates list, Carlos Silva & Bob Curwen (last on the list).
    BTW the Contract committee voted on this settlement without reviewing or seeing one document. They received highlights. Hey stupid it’s the taxpayers’ money you are so cavalierly spending.
    These guys on the committee sent a letter to the mayor to create a strategy for dealing with problematic employees. Guys they already have that strategy. THEY JUST FIRE THE EMPLOYEE THEN PAY HIM OFF.
    There are steps in place for dealing with disciplinary problems. They go something like this: Verbal warning, counseling by supervisor, written warning and the procedure goes on. Guys it’s already written out in contracts.
    Damn it when are these council members going to stand up? They know Jacobs was wrongly fired yet not a peep.

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  7. Shays could give Foley a much-needed Catheterization!

    I hear that Shays will be able to see Long Island from his new digs in Anchorage.

    Follow the Yellow Brick Road to see the Wizard of Oz Griebel. He has the Courage, Brains, and Heart to run the state.

    Nice of Finch to throw his Civil Cervix Commission under the bus.

    $200k reward for Jacobs for “Lack of Loyalty” accusation. Sign Me Up!!!

    Save $28 million for Black Rock School, and expand seventh and eighth grades by renting additional space, if available, from St. Ann’s.

    Quote of the day by a Bored of Education member regarding the lack of need for a business administrator, with coupling of new facilities guy to do double duty. “We Don’t Need Nobody Else!”

    Only In Bridgeport!

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  8. donj: That’s okay enough upset Dems will and he will win the election if he chooses to run. Himes is also in trouble and could get beat by the anti-Obama independent voters who have shown in the last 3 elections that they are swinging away from the Democratic incumbents.

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    1. I’d rather vote for a Pelosi Puppet than a puppet who loves careless wars that kill thousands upon thousand of innocent people. Bush used fear to make us go there and to me that is one of the most horrible things I have seen in the history of the world and killed innocent people when they had shit to do with September 11. The fundamentals of our economy is strong what a joke. Shays voters do not forget that quick for all I know he might not even win a primary.

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  9. Lmao at TC Shays will not win. CT will have a Democratic Gov and I can bet on that and Himes will win. Anti Obama are you joking right. Obama poll numbers are through the roof in CT and that is a fact. VA election was no surprise that is usually a red state and it voted Democrat for the first time since the 1960s. NJ Gov was a crappy one who only knew how to raise taxes. MA was not an anti-Obama vote. Coakley was a horrible candidate who said why should you shake hands with people. Trust me I would have skipped that election. I would say if Shays run for Gov he will lose, there are a lot of liberal small towns outside the 4th and I mean many. All you have to do is connect Bush with him and it is a wrap. 4th district I would not count out anybody running for crying out loud this district was drawn for Republican victories. Ask anybody about that. If the 4th was like it was in 1998 2000 Shays would have been gone a long time ago since 2004 and 2006. More Republican towns were added.

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  10. Anyhow it is way too early to be making any predictions on anything as of now. Nobody really cares about November people are living day by day. Hopefully the economy turns around.

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      1. Local Eyes predicts America in general and Bridgeport in particular will turn into the world’s biggest yard sale as cash-strapped consumers realize they have too much “stuff” and seek to liquidate at firesale prices.

        Those who “scrutin-eyes” can see that pattern has already begun.

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  11. Lennie I guess your right lol. I will make a local prediction and that is my neighborhood of Black Rock will be sending Shays packing back to Maryland like we did in 2008. Black Rock School Himes 1,256 and Shays 933. The so-called beloved Black Rock resident will get the point again when he losses big right in his so-called backyard again. I will be casting my anti-Shays vote there and so will hundreds of other voters of Black Rock.

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  12. You guys might be shocked but I actually like Rob Russo. I will not vote for him because I do not like his general ideas and his Republican stance he wants to bring to DC. I would have loved to see him run for Gov. He might have gotten my vote. Well not might he would have gotten my vote for sure. A gov from Bpt now that would be cool. I don’t consider Shays a real Bpt candidate.

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  13. When John Rowland was governor, Waterbury was the ‘center of the universe.’ Millions restored the Palace Theatre. Millions built a new campus for Western. Millions went into economic development. Shays could live anywhere and vote anywhere. If he is really going to have a condo in Bridgeport and run for Governor … Bridgeport … ‘the center of the universe’ … I like the sound of that.

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    1. Nancy you are right on the money. Imagine having a governor who lives in Bridgeport. I don’t know if there ever was a governor from Bpt. As a Bridgeport resident how could you not vote for Shays especially with him living here? Screw party affiliations.

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  14. If he chooses to live in Norwalk, Stamford, Brookfield, Hartford or Kent … oh well. But if he chooses to live in Bridgeport, that would be a huge statement about where his priorities are within a conservative framework.

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  15. donj you stated the following: Bush used fear to make us go there and to me that is one of the most horrible things I have seen in the history of the world and killed innocent people when they had shit to do with September 11.
    The most horrible thing you have seen really? What about the 300,000 Kurds Saddam gassed a few years before the 1991 invasion? Just another thing in the world you may have forgotten, the genocide in Africa where hundreds of thousands have been killed.
    Look Bush got tricked with the weapons of mass destruction as did other world leaders. But Saddam had to go. How many civilians were killed by our troops? How many were killed by suicide bombers. There is a difference.
    Virginia has been a swing state in the past but in recent years has been leaning towards the Dems. Say what you want about New Jersey, it was and still is a heavily blue state. Obama campaigned in both states to no avail.
    donj Bush has been gone for a year. You sound like the Obama administration, every time they screw up they blame Bush. Sorry my friend this shit is happening on Obama’s watch. Read the polls, as of today the Dems stand to lose control of the senate and of the house in the November elections.

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  16. This could be huge for the future of this City. Bridgeport residents and those who care deeply about the success of this city need to be ready to GOTV if he decides to live here and run for Governor. It should mean much more than party affiliation. I worked for Rowland for a while and stayed in contact with my colleagues after I left. Every staff person in every department knew what it meant to review a Waterbury request. A denial meant a higher review. Therefore most things that Waterbury wanted, Waterbury received. I want Bridgeport to have that same type of serious consideration. I hope he chooses Bridgeport if he decides to run.

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  17. Mayor Finch said “There were serious performance issues with Dr. Evans. I told her a year ago to start kissing my ass and she refused. So I terminated her. I had no choice.”

    BRING IT ON PEOPLE, BRING IT ON.

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  18. Shays is a hack, he changes his position to suit his needs and would be a disaster in Hartford. He had lousy judgment picking his staff, an embezzler who will be associated with the Shays campaign. If Shays has a shot at anything it might be Mayor of Bridgeport. He is out-funded by half the field. And we all know Sohn took off with all the money. But we don’t seem to mind corruption in Bridgeport.

    Russo doesn’t have a chance against Himes. If Russo did the poll he skewed it as all partisan polls are. When Quinnipiac does a poll then I will give it some street cred.

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  19. johnb: Show me one politician that does not change his/her position to suit what the electorate wants or is mad about. They all change their minds from Obama on down to the lowest-ranked elected official.
    Are you saying that Shays picked his campaign finance person knowing he was going to steal all of that money?
    You may not mind corruption in Bridgeport but I can tell you I mind in fact when I have seen it I have reported it. BTW what corruption exists today that we should be aware of? Are you just mouthing the Caruso mantra from 2 years ago?
    I suggest you look at the national polls that show many, many incumbents are in trouble. In fact national polls show the Dems are in danger of losing the house and senate majority in November. The Himes race will be interesting as he will have to win this time on his own and not win on the coattails of Obama.

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