Torres Opposes Transition Facility For Felons In Black Rock

Update: application has been withdrawn: The Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night was scheduled to take up a petition of The Transition House, Inc. seeking a special permit, site plan review, and coastal site plan review to permit the establishment of a 41-bed transition facility for convicted felons eligible for early release in the existing commercial buildings in an I-L zone and coastal area, 39 Hubbell Street, 254 Orland Street, 873 Ellsworth Street in Black Rock. The application has been withdrawn by the law firm representing The Transition House.

City Councilman Enrique Torres, a candidate for State House in the February 24 special election,  opposes the application. From Torres’ Facebook page:

The city of Bridgeport repeatedly pits folks against each other. A 41 bed facility for early release prisoners pits those of us concerned for felons against those who are ravaged by high taxes and high crime. This facility will not improve the quality of life for folks already there and it will result in increased taxes. Each reason is sufficient to deny.

Please stop into Harborview to sign a petition to oppose this facility.

The P&Z will meet 6:45 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Full agenda here.

A meeting of the Black Rock Community Council and the NRZ is scheduled for tonight (Thursday), 7 p.m. in  Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Ave, to discuss the matter.

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27 comments

  1. I do appreciate Enrique Torres’ opposition to this transitional facility and I am certain his constituents are thrilled with his opposition. I too would agree as it is the NIMBY–not in my back yard–mentality. So where else would they put it in Bridgeport that would be acceptable if you had a solution to the problem??? Second, Joe Ganim had stayed in a same such facility and I do not think this class act was a detriment to the community. I am not degrading Mr. Ganim with this post. Would Mr. Ganim, a former Black Rock resident, speak in support of such a facility? I’d be impressed. It is such a grey area. Where are these transitional people supposed to go? Beardsley Park? The former Nob Hill Academy site? The North End? By the Discovery Museum? Is there a place in our city for yet another stigma? Is there one area in Bridgeport that does not have memory we are a dumping ground? Maybe a site by The University of Bridgeport? Maybe by Sacred Heart? Why 41 beds? That seems like an awful high number of people. Don’t these people have to have a job during the day? Be on a bus line? Maybe Mr. Ganim can speak on the positive and negative affects of this type of housing. Maybe the East End? Maybe Steelepointe? I’d like to see the East End rationalize opposition while embracing a former occupant.
    Bottom line, there is no question there is a need for these facilities. They should be smaller, scattered and not identified so these individuals can make their way back into society. There needs to be a spokesperson who has experienced these facilities and succeeded. I know Joe Ganim and his supporters think I am being mean-spirited. Honest to G-d I am not. He has served his time, he has been in these transitional facilities and as eloquent as he is can give a first-hand account. I believe Joe Ganim would receive a lot of respect for stepping up and speaking.

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      1. Ron Mackey, did you miss the entire point of my post? There is definitely a need that is number 1. Number 2, I do not believe Mayor Finch spoke out in support of it and number 3, Joe Ganim is probably the most qualified person in this city to speak out for or against this.

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        1. Steven Auerbach, I understand what you said but it’s more important to everybody Mayor Finch tells us his position, it could make the public understand the reasons for putting them where they are being suggested, but I do agree with Bob Halstead.

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  2. The one neighborhood of substance in almost its entirety is in Black Rock. Why would you downgrade 06605 in favor of a halfway house when there is a plethora of other locations in neighborhoods that truly need upgrading?

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  3. Steve,
    Piecing together info from here and there that has surfaced in the past two weeks, I am not certain at this moment what specific population this “halfway house” was envisioned to serve, and that is probably important philosophically and financially to all concerned.

    But first, please note the action before the P&Z group next Monday has been withdrawn by Attorney Quatrella along with a statement it will not be submitted again. As of yesterday an online petition had over 200 signers in opposition to this land use request, and the meeting tonight was to raise neighborhood knowledge.

    If we go back 2-3 years a halfway house permit was requested in the vicinity of Wendt Field on Railroad Ave in property owned by Nancy DiNardo, if my memory serves me right. Neighborhood opposition in the South End and West End came in the form of a reminder that in all of Fairfield County Bridgeport housed 85% of those coming out of incarceration but contributed only 40% of the population. Only one other City had such a program. What are the facts of this today? Does such imbalance still exist? If so, why don’t Stamford, Danbury, Norwalk and other towns pick up the slack?

    Is it because Bridgeport property values have dropped to such a level that affordability is a ‘no brainer’ for investors? Will any of these programs pay full taxes or the full equivalent of full taxes as current residents and businesses have done while they watch their property wealth erode in the face of weak economic development efforts locally? How long will current homeowners ignore what the City has done to weaken already poor fiscal strength and treat the City Council as a rubber stamp?

    What type of resolution by the City Council might warn any entity seeking to acquire property and change zoning to first meet before the public at a hearing to answer all questions about the contemplated activity, including financial and economic data that is not to be considered in land use meetings and that shows how Federal, State or other funding supports their operation. After such info is aired and public questions receive suitable and full response, then the normal land use and other channels can be consulted.

    Did the City know about this land use? Why did the applicant spend tens of thousands of dollars in what seem like full plans unless they were ready to act once approved? Time will tell.

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    1. Like Bob Halstead, I agree, put it in Fairfield. But we know that will not happen. Bridgeport has more than its fair share of these facilities as well as storefront churches. Put a Rev. in front of your name and apply for tax-free status. Enough already. I do agree with Torres, these applications pit neighborhoods against each other. Why not Black Rock? Better Stratford Avenue? Why? NIMBY–NOT IN MY BACK YARD. It is a selfish disease in many cases. Bridgeport needs to “JUST SAY NO!!!”

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      1. That’s the point, Steve. HOW do we SAY NO?
        Not with anger or selfish intent predominant, nor will absurd humor by itself work, but rather by listening to community input and formulating it into new process, regulations and laws for all to follow. Taxpayers need to protect themselves this way. And this is a great year for taxpayer voters to gain close attention to their serious concerns and get committed action from incumbents or, alternatively, those seeking the same office. Time will tell.

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    1. Steve,
      Please read my posts from today. I am not kidding above although I may have written one or more absurd questions on multiple posts today.

      This week we have learned:
      *** the OPED director is telling builders and developers to look at Bridgeport for low rents and property values as bargains and reasons to buy and Adam Wood has a PowerPoint to back that up, but those are my lower home values because the economic development the Mayor crows about is not the type that pays taxes to relieve current property owners. Too many are financed with special abatements so 100% taxpayers subsidize new development. Fair?
      *** a City Council person in his first term, unrecognized for any specific accomplishment for voters and taxpayers at this time is seeking office as a State Senator while owing the City of Bridgeport back taxes amounting to nearly $140,000 and is not paying them back! How is that fair or sensible? And where does he really reside, or is that once again unimportant and optional in Bridgeport?
      *** And the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report seems overdue in delivery to the public again this year, though it is possible the Mayor and his leadership team have seen it. It is supposed to be “published” within six months of the June 30, 2014 close. If it has been published, why is it unavailable to the taxpaying public? Has it been placed on THE INDEX like our revaluation information, only to be read by a chosen few? Would that be fair?

      And these are the tip of the iceberg, my friend Steve. Do you think I am kidding? Time will tell.

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  4. My question is why Bridgeport? Haven’t we enough facilities like this in the city as it is? There are no longer the jobs that were rampant 20 to 25 years ago. As far as access to social service agencies, there is a bus route that runs from New Haven to Norwalk and reverse. Wouldn’t it be prudent to have the facility close to places of employment that would serve the people living in said facility? Trumbull’s mall is set for expansion and there would be jobs there as Shelton (in my opinion, best location) where there is an abundance of hotels and retail) with its open space. Our property values in Black Rock are already taking a hit with the whole Solar Panel thing. In the State, I believe, the biggest concentration of these types of facilities is in the Norwich area. Why not New London where there are hospitals and such? If New London can still accommodate those who come in for services without actually having them reside in its neighborhoods, why can’t Bridgeport be afforded the same?

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  5. I wouldn’t be as opposed if the facility were to serve only those who originally resided in Bridgeport when arrested, but that is far from the norm. What you usually get are people from other parts of the state who are assigned to the facility and once released stay.

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  6. Moratorium time!
    I would like to see a five-year moratorium on any zone change for any transition facility or halfway house.
    Bridgeport has been dumped on for the last 40 years, with the air pollution from the UI Co. and the garbage to energy plant CRRA.
    We have more nonprofits to last us another 40 years, we need to change our zoning laws and stop being the catch-all for Fairfield County.
    Try to locate this facility in Fairfield or Trumbull, Stratford, Westport, they would never make it past the application window.
    I sat on zoning in Fairfield and people in Fairfield would cut their vacations short just to stop a zone change in their neighborhood. When you have a weak government like this one, you can expect more of the same for the next few years. It’s time for a moratorium!

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  7. Here’s the difference between Rick Torres and Steve Stafstrom. Rick makes a statement that he’s opposed to the facility and has a copy of the petition in his deli people can sign. The petition had already been online and received 367 signatures and Rick had nothing to do with that. Stafstrom also stated he was opposed to the project but as a pro-active member of the BR NRZ board Stafstrom was instrumental in helping the NRZ work with the developer to get this project canceled.–Madeline

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  8. JML.
    Please, you know everything (I guess) except to hire an editor, or go back on your meds, or get some meds.
    Or I want to thank you that when I finish reading your shit it will be spring. 57 days.

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    1. rockin in black rock, you know I love ya, but please stop pickin’ on the Styling of our Bow Tie guy, learn to skim read and support the content–which I know you do, he has some very important “s&it” in there.

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    2. Perhaps a speed reading course is in order. Or are you taking too many meds? I do not know everything, but I do spend my personal time daily to learn more, from the base of the past five years. And if my learning on some subjects exceeds yours, would you hold me back? Or are you just angry about the way I spend my time? Or upset because Lennie uses what I write?
      Stop reading “shit” immediately. It has perhaps already done irremediable damage to your common sense, or maybe that is because of “meds” you may have used in the past that do similar harm. I cannot say, can you? Time will tell.

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  9. Madeline Dennis, the NRZ has not met on this issue, nor was its Executive Committee called to weigh in on information gathering, community feelings, etc.
    Perhaps BEPO knows more about Steve’s position, but did he make it as an NRZ rep or was it an individual statement not circulated with the NRZ leadership?
    I am happy he is in opposition to the project thus protecting the City from becoming the chosen site (by those who do not live here and pay taxes here) for positioning additional human service programs of all kinds (that generally pay little or nothing towards the services provided by the mostly residential taxpayers of Bridgeport).

    Also, I found nothing in the communication I have seen so far that indicates any member of the Black Rock NRZ worked with “the developer” to get this canceled. Contact, according to letters and emails, was with legal representatives for the property owner/developer.

    Under the circumstances, what ‘hat’ are you wearing putting Rick Torres “under the bus” and holding Steve up regarding his “NRZ work?” Is it a campaign hat? There is plenty of work to be done to protect all the taxpayers of Bridgeport going forward. Perhaps Steve (as a lawyer who composes forms and documents that stand up to tests of clarity and purpose) and Rick, each of them with City Council experience can put something before the Council that will protect taxpayers and voters proactively. Would that be a worthwhile step? Imagine Democrats and Republicans crossing the aisle to accomplish something. Time will tell.

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  10. John, there is a lot more to the Internet than Lennie’s blog here, and there has been lots of discussion by Black Rockers on social media about the Transition House project. Gerry Manning has been very vocal and active on this issue and thanked all those concerned citizens, many affiliated with the NRZ & BRCC who helped bring about the solution to this problem. Apparently you think the developer just decided on their own to go away? I believe what these folks accomplished in the last few days is amazing. Gerry Manning has said publicly on my BR FB page that Steve was instrumental in helping to bring about an end to this project, and Gerry named other Black Rockers who worked on this. I am not wearing a “hat.” I am obviously supporting Steve Stafstrom as the best, and most concerned and effective candidate for state rep. Steve has done more for Black Rock in the few months he was councilman than Rick has done in a year. Hey John, I hear a snowstorm is coming. Got your snow shovel handy, or have you bought a snowblower yet?

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    1. Madeline Dennis,
      One of the things Steve Stafstrom did was to respond to an invitation by Council President McCarthy to use funds in the Legislative Department -Other Services line item account to provide a check to a local charity. Steve likely knew that charitable and political use of City funded stipends was explicitly prohibited as provided in documents to be signed by each Council person using a debit card.
      And had he looked at the City budgets for several years, he would have seen this “philanthropic” use of taxpayer funds was a new activity and without recent precedent, without any official meeting, no public notice, agenda or minutes. Steve is a smart guy. Why did Sue Brannelly and he participate at $1,000 each in relation to the 13 Council persons who went for the full $2,000? Why did he not follow the course of the five Council persons who did not participate? Please explain. Time will tell.

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  11. Are you just “bitching” again, bepo? The effort was made by many many people, some believe it or not are not on Facebook! Can you wrap your head around that? Some people think FB a bit juvenile, since it was designed to introduce college undergrads to one another. For any ONE person to take a bow or to name a few others is a bit arrogant. IMHO.

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