Calling members of the city’s legislative delegation “toothless terriers on Valium,” former State House member Bob Keeley says he’ll make a decision on Wednesday to regain the legislative seat he lost in 2008 to Auden Grogins who’s leaving to accept a state judgeship. Keeley says he anticipated running for mayor, but now may participate in the special election to fill Grogins’ seat.
Keeley spent 24 years in the State House including chair of the powerful Bonding Committee in his final years. He says if returned to the legislature he would not miss a beat rebuilding prestige on potent committee assignments to bring back bucks to Bridgeport.
“We have Pee Wee Herman at home plate,” says Keeley referring to the city’s eight-person legislative delegation, adding someone needs to be in Hartford to bring back new revenue sources to offset what he predicts will be a massive tax increase next year when the revaluation of taxable property kicks in. Mayor Bill Finch received a two-year reprieve from implementing reval last year that includes this current reelection year, hopeful some economic development projects on line will generate new revenue sources.
“Someone has to be in Hartford to find new revenue sources otherwise taxpayers will be going down the drain next year,” Keeley asserts. Keeley and Finch, once friends, had a political falling-out years ago. Keeley supported then State Rep. Chris Caruso over Finch in the 2007 mayoral primary.
The bad political blood has not abated. Keeley says if he does not seek the State House special election, he’ll challenge Finch. “I love taking on the machine,” he says.
So far former Democratic City Councilman Steve Stafstrom and Republican City Councilman Enrique Torres say they will run. Several others may jump in as well. A special election is expected to be called within the next few days presumably to take place late February.
“We have a bunch of toothless terriers on Valium in Hartford,” Keeley says.
Talk about a toothless tiger on Valium, please. Bob Keeley is all that and lookin’ for jobs in all the wrong places.
What about Tom Kelly? I heard he’s running. Run Tommy, run!!!
The only thing TK will be running for is his life.
And may you have a long life.
TK should live a long, long life!
Keeley’s gotten his ass kicked so many times, BOB means Butt Of Burns.
Toothless Terriers on Valium–how profound. It appears this Keeley person simply wants to be a fly in the ointment. Exactly what does he think he can accomplish for Bridgeport with his air of superiority?