After nearly six years as a key inner-office staffer for Mayor Bill Finch directing the city’s legislative affairs, Tyrone McClain will soon start a new position as district director for Congressman Jim Himes overseeing constituent services and supervising congressional staffers who cover the 17 communities of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District.
This is a nice opportunity for McClain, just 32 years old, to interface with constituents and municipal chief executives of an eclectic congressional district that covers that state’s largest city, the Fairfield County gold coast as well inland bedroom communities such as Easton, Redding and Ridgefield. Himes has district offices in Bridgeport and Stamford. McClain says he will start the new job September 23 splitting his time between offices.
The timing of Tuesday’s primary bludgeoning of so many establishment Democrats was not a factor in McClain’s decision. The interview process for the position, he says, started weeks ago, and he accepted the position prior to the primary. Governmental burnout, especially with the demands required of a mayoral staffer, can come quickly, so six years as an administrative aide to Finch is a pretty good run.
In McClain, Himes is hiring someone familiar with the nuances of city politics as he seeks a fourth two-year term. Republican Dan Debicella announced recently he will seek a rematch of their 2010 race.
Good riddance Tyrone. Big mistake Mr. Himes. I will vote against you for this reason alone. The bullies from the Finch administration should go far far away, not be recycled.
Oh Lord Jesus, it’s the Pizza Man from primary Day. I guess he is moving on to delivering pizzas at the federal level now.
What was Jim Himes thinking???
Huge mistake. Himes had a fair amount of turnover early on and then seemed to stabilize with really talented people. Not only did Tyrone arrive with virtually no skills in the Finch administration–and certainly not the skills required for his actual job–he came to drink the Kool-Aid. The result was an arrogance and disregard for those the city employees are supposed to serve and the requisite glib and flip attitude that is so reflective of the Finch administration. Too bad. Tyrone is a nice kid. Himes has hired a lightweight with an attitude. Not good for him, Bridgeport or Fairfield county.
Why doesn’t every rat jump ship and Charles Carroll do all their jobs?
Himes should have hired the best of the best like Chris Shays’ Diana Washington. His constituent services person should know everything and everyone and have impeccable interpersonal skills. Tyrone meets none of those criteria. He spent more time in the COB getting jobs for his friends than he did helping constituents. His attitude towards fellow employees was ignorant and arrogant. He was the new guy and instead of learning from employees, he dismissed them as being beneath him. In my opinion, Tyrone offered nothing to COB and offers less to the region. Why do all the Democrats continue to disappoint?
The way Tyrone is moving up, Himes will ask him for a job in a few years. Bye, Himes.
Shocked and disappointed is how I describe my reaction to this.
Immediately coming to mind is the “Peter Principle:” a proposition that states the members of an organization where promotion is based on achievement, success and merit will eventually be promoted beyond his or her level of ability.” Looking at it closer, this does not apply because this individual had already reached his level of incompetency.
What kicks into place is a concept of “Managing Upward:” Subordinates find ways to manipulate superiors to prevent them from interfering with their subordinates’ productive activity or to generally limit the damage done by the superior’s incompetence.”
That unfortunately holds true here.
I’ve liked Himes with the exception of how he threw ACORN under the bus but now this makes me wonder about Himes’ competence.
I have not read a good word about this person. As a proud minority who has fought for all I have and for my country, is this an earned position or a Himes has no Obama coattails to ride so he needs a black man in his employ?
Tyrone McClain, six years as a key inner-office staffer for Mayor Bill Finch directing the city’s legislative affairs, please, let’s be honest about Tyrone McClain, he was the black person Mayor Finch needed in his office. He brought no skills or ability to the position, he had NO contact with the community. His job was to make sure when people of color had a problem and they wanted to talk to the mayor it was Tyrone McClain’s job to make sure he screened them from talking to the mayor. Now Himes brings him onto his staff, that goes to show you how out of touch Himes is with the black community when he hired McClain.
Ron, when constituents come to the Mayor’s Office, Tyrone hides and tells them to call their city councilmen. True story.
So you answered my question Mr. Mackey, as I have never heard of McClain and if I hadn’t seen his Steve Urkel-like picture I wouldn’t have known him from a Yale student in New Haven.
Himes must know he will be destroyed by whomever runs against him and needs Bridgeport to put him in contention.
Sad that people get their jobs on anything other than qualifications, I am guessing this position was not advertised and Lord knows better not be funded by my city tax dollars, bad enough if it’s funded by my state tax dollars.
How about your fed dollars, as Congress is Federal. The fact he’s from New Haven and not Bridgeport shouldn’t help get any Bridgeport votes.
Tyrone’s claim to fame was he was able to turn the lights on and off at the campaign headquarters. His first assignment when hired as a mayor’s aide was to make sure boards and commissions were filled. How did that work out? He hasn’t done much in the last few years that meant anything.
Is this the beginning of the mayoral aides all leaving over the next two years? I hope so.
There is a complete disconnect between Tyrone and the black community. North or South of Murphy’s Law, black folks have no idea who this kid is. After dealing with him on numerous occasions my humble opinion is Tyrone McClain is replete with pomposity. This goes to show you Himes also has a disconnect with the black community and if that what’s he was attempting to convey, Home Run!
*** Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, black, yellow, brown, red, white and a rainbow of other colors in running a political office these days and being in the NOW! *** Politically Correct ***
*** Guess who’ll be taking his place; do you really want to know? Then you’d better “Call Tyrone!” ***
He did nothing anyway. Eliminate his position and save the taxpayers some money.