I do appreciate the effort put forth by the City Council in helping keep this new jail out of Bridgeport. Trying to place this facility on Virginia Avenue was short-sighted and just plain dumb.

But at the risk of sounding too catty/cynical/etc. where was the City Council when the Juvenile Jail on Housatonic Avenue was built?

I’ll answer my own question: sitting on their hands.

Along with other members of the “Stop The Waterfront Jail Coalition” (and the CT Juvenile Justice Alliance), we spoke in front of City Council, asking for the body to pass a non-binding resolution against the building of the jail (much like was done this time around). To a man/woman, the reply I received was “Dave, this is a done deal already.” I was also told that since Joe Ganim had “sold” the property to the State (thank you Paul Pinto), that it was “… out of our hands.”

Nobody on the City Council had the intestinal fortitude to say “Hey, maybe building another non-taxable building ON WATERFRONT PROPERTY isn’t a good idea.” Frankly, I imagine that since Bob Keeley was part of our coalition, many people turned it into a personality issue.

So what’s my point? I guess I’m just trying to say don’t pat yourself on the back too hard. It might leave a mark.

TC’s Caruso comments are ballpark, I think.
Johnb rummages around in a cogent way as well. I think he misreads Wood, however. Saying the chief of staff is a horrible political strategist casts aspersions on strategy and politics, and may understate horrible.