Tom Foley has conceded the race for governor, Dan Malloy will receive the oath of office in January, the gubernatorial cycle is officially over. Does this mean a fall hangover for local political junkies? No way baby, we’re segueing into the municipal cycle in the state’s largest city, land of unique elections and ballot blunders, because that’s what we do around here.
What, ya think I’d chill out for the holidays? Politics is my holiday!
Ya never know what will happen–surprise, it’s Bridgeport!–just 10 months from a Democratic mayoral primary as Bridgeport celebrates its 175th birthday in 2011. A lot of unanswered questions will come into focus over the next few months. Mayor Bill Finch is gearing up for 2011, raising money, hoping the economy turns around, hoping an all-Democratic legislature and a Democratic governor share a few more goodies like how about funding tax-exempt property? Ah, that’s one gigantic wish that would add millions to the city as the state tries to close a $3 billion hole.
Most mayors live and die by their budgets and Finch is trying to close a multi-million dollar hole now five months into the current budget year with an eye on the next one. The magilla revenue item he’s counting on for next year is a $40 million one-shot revenue if–and it’s a gigantic if–Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe agree to create a wastewater treatment authority. The super agency would purchase the assets of the city’s wastewater treatment infrastructure and presto instant sludge moolah piped from Monroe, into Trumbull and then into the city’s mothership (or is it shit?) treatment plants.
Bean counters and lawyers from all three towns have been meeting to hash out the details. It would require approval from the respective legislative bodies. I cannot wait to attend the public hearings on this deal.
State Rep. Chris Caruso would like to take another crack at the mayoralty but could a state job opportunity open up for him with Dan Malloy’s election? That cheer you just heard came from Finch supporters, “Yes, take the job Chris, take the job!” Dunno if the Big Wave will take that route. Sounds like he still has the fire to run for mayor. We’ll see. If Caruso runs he’s formidable. But what if he doesn’t run? It would certainly, at least initially, open up a clearer path for Finch, depending on the other candidates.
The only announced candidate is John Gomes, former Finch administration official. Smart guy, no money. Money isn’t everything (as the recent gubernatorial cycle proved), but you need some to hammer home a message. Tough to compete without dough. Former State Senator Ernie Newton has been making the rounds telling folks he might jump in. Ernie has lots of name recognition, but can he raise money to make his case citywide? Maybe he runs for his old State Senate seat in 2012 currently held by Ed Gomes?
Mary-Jane Foster, co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish and an executive at the University of Bridgeport, has lots of folks tugging at her to get in the action. She’d be a top candidate. She’s smart, a strong public speaker and she can raise money. But she loves her job at UB. Why give it up?
Johnny Fabs? Ah, former Mayor John Fabrizi would love his old job back, but Fabs has always been a slave to the party apparatus and he would need some party regulars to set it up for him. I don’t see that happening, unless something kooky occurs over the next several months.
East End town committee member Charlie Coviello, a multiple mayoral candidate, is contemplating another run. Charlie’s another nice guy with no money.
Former Mayor Joe Ganim? Now, he can raise money, and he’s been visiting Town Chairman Mario Testa at his restaurant. Or could Joe just say screw it, I’ll run as an independent? I don’t think Joe gets in the game, but ya never know. How about his brother, Bridgeport Probate Judge Paul Ganim? He can raise money too. But why give up a safe seat?
So lots of questions, lots to sort out, perhaps the biggest question will be answered by Caruso who’s expected to make a final decision within the next few weeks.
This is a wading pool!
Mary-Jane gave some “Foster Care” to Malloy. Could she be in waiting for some job like DCF!
Surf’s Up for Caruso if he can hang ten and lose his corruption wax board. VulneraBill Finch who could be stamped NSF for Non-Sufficient-Finch for his $600.00 scam.
Burroughs Center should have “Jump In Polar Plunge” for February to see who will sink or swim in this race
*** One-shot $40 million & then what, up to our ears in waste! It’s going to take more than $40 million to prepare the sites over the years and the mess when something goes wrong, all in the name of a quick buck. *** Hope Caruso, Fabrizi, Foster & Gomes all run for Mayor. *** Wake up Bpt. ***
History has taught us money can’t buy you love … see McMahon, Foley and Lamont.
Ain’t the money anymore, it’s the message. Wake up. Whatcha gonna do for us?
Lennie, how about a picture of John Gomes? He’s the ONLY announced candidate and you left him out.
Fixer, Gomes photo now loaded.
Chris is in a good position. He can run for mayor and if he loses the primary, he can still get that state job. Malloy owes Chris and Stafstrom; I expect some nice job offers there. Personally, I want to see a Caruso-Gomes team. Together these two guys are formidable. They’ll clean house, rid us of the Testacrats and get things back on the right track.
My only concern when it comes to the mayor’s position is ABF or Anybody But Finch.
That’s the city hall battlecry: ABF!
I see a Big Wave of support for Gomes once his story and credentials go national.
Reality check: Any and all candidates will need MOM. Money, Operation, and Message. If any of the candidate fall short in delivering a local message, don’t expect the message to go statewide let alone national.
As wealthy candidates all over the country recently learned, money cannot buy elections! And if you have a strong message that resonates with voters, it’s possible to raise enough money to be competitive in a local election like this.
The cast of characters who are posturing for the mayor’s office next year is abysmal. I may be an outsider but I spend a lot of time in the federal courthouse with some of the finest legal minds from Bridgeport. I have learned a lot from their perspectives.
Not one of the prospective candidates, with the exception of Mary Jane-Foster, has the talent and experience to meet the challenges that are before the people of this town. You need a seasoned business manager who can identify truly qualified subordinate managers who, with little direction, can resolve the long-standing issues of the departments for which they will be responsible. As far as I can tell, Bridgeport has not seen that type of leadership in at least 45 years. New Haven has economically sensitive leadership. Stamford, in spite of Malloy, has seen exponential growth that is unrivaled in this state. Hartford is constantly involved in urban renewal. Bridgeport has shown no economic development. Every time I suggest that Bridgeport is a barren wasteland, I’m told I don’t know what I’m talking about and I should check out the restaurants. Seriously??? That’s it??? Great restaurants??? I’d rather take a tour of a new corporate HQ or check out the progress at Steel Point or visit the high school that demonstrated significant strides in graduation rates, test scores and post graduate attendance in higher education. Instead, you have a slum that by all accounts (including my personal observation) is getting worse. I kid you not. On too many occasions, I have had to step around human feces in the RR Station stairwell leading to the street. I have yet to see that in Stamford, Hartford or New Haven. I frequently stay at the Holiday Inn which is a true gem. But after dark, I am a prisoner because I will not step foot outside. I had the same experience at the Renaissance Plaza in Detroit.
Why does this town suffer these egregious anomalies? It’s simple. You have a powerful Democratic Town Committee led by an egoist who cares little about this town and is closely tied to a puzzling regional business council that seems to be nothing more than a repository for hapless politicians to draw a good pay while waiting for the political tide to turn. Finch’s prior employment before becoming mayor while serving in the State Senate was there as was Bob Keeley.
At this point, Bridgeport needs a Lamont, a Foley, a Mary-Jane Foster. You don’t need Testa-tapped sycophants.
Stone, the human feces you encountered was from Monroe traveled through Trumbull and came to rest at the train station while en route to parts unknown. What I’d really like to know is how you could tell it was “human feces.”
Hector, I don’t know what Stone’s experience was … meaning how he could tell if what he saw at the train station was “human feces,” but I have no doubt that it was, in fact, “human feces.” Just last week, I witnessed a human female actually squatting to deposit her feces right outside of the entry/exit doors of the train station–in broad daylight!
“… with some of the finest legal minds from Bridgeport …”
I hope you weren’t listening to the City Attorney or anyone he hired at the court.
“… You need a seasoned business manager …”
Fact: The Bridgeport Bluefish has been a failing venture, despite millions of taxpayer dollars used to keep the fish from going extinct. Who raised the most money for Finch in a single fundraising event?
I like Mary-Jane Foster, but any mayoral candidate can tie her to Finch. I wish MJF would had chosen the path of bringing in more partners (spread the risk) into the Bluefish venture and avoided taking taxpayer money. Had that been the case, no one would have been able to throw “stones” at her glass house.
Hector you are kidding right? Whether it was human or not, what is that stuff doing in the stairwell? What was said in Barrington’s post for the most part is true.
BTW where is our economic developer? Is he caught on a train running between NYC and Bpt? Let’s send out a search party.
While I am on a roll here did anyone read where the Chancellor of New York City school system resigned and a business executive was hired as the new Chancellor with a salary of $285,000? We pay our super $240,000. NYC has 125,000 teachers and millions of school kids does anyone think we may be overpaying Ramos?
Mayor Bloomberg took over the NYC Board of Education and their chancellor reports directly to him. Their headquarters since the 1940s was a building in Brooklyn but Bloomberg closed it shortly after he took office because the building was known for its entrenched bureaucracy and dysfunction. So of course, it would make sense that Bridgeport’s BOE would want to replicate something that clearly did not work for NYC and move everyone under one roof at Bodine! It will be easier for them to fly under the radar. At least NYC owned their building and were able to sell it!
So why, then, would you be surprised that Bridgeport pays to a failed educator nearly the same amount NYC pays to someone with a proven record for getting results to run a system 2-3 times larger than ours?
TC, yes I was. Sometimes I can’t resist. On a serious note I too wonder how we can be paying our Ed head so much. You would figure that per capita {of students} he may be the highest paid ed head in the country.
BOE will go through huge changes in the next year. Barnes is gone to Hartford, and Ramos is gone once a new mayor is elected and pressures the board to do the right thing. If only Finch gave a damn about the kids and schools, Ramos would be history already.
Stoned Barrington, whatcha been smokin’?
“I may be an outsider but I spend a lot of time in the federal courthouse with some of the finest legal minds from Bridgeport.” Pray tell, who are the finest legal minds in B-port that you speak of?
99% do not live in Bridgeport I am sure and do not pay taxes here. Their insight is as narrow as your own.
“Not one of the prospective candidates, with the exception of Mary-Jane Foster, has the talent and experience to meet the challenges that are before the people of this town.” This is what the finest legal minds are telling you? I am not a fan of John Gomes but he is billed as having the goods that you are seeking and much more so than MJ Foster.
If you want to cite Foster’s business sense every time her baseball team was losing the only way she was able to improve the P & L and Balance Sheet was to run to the city seeking concessions in the lease. We do not need a business mind that believes the city government’s role is to provide corporate welfare.
“I frequently stay at the Holiday Inn which is a true gem. On too many occasions, I have had to step around human feces in the RR Station stairwell leading to the street.” So you want people to believe that you often take the train into Bridgeport and stay at the Holiday Inn to do legal work at the Federal Courthouse? I believe you are delusional.
Thanks for your insight. Post again when you have something truthful to say.
Grin, why is it hard to believe that Stone Barrington stays at the Holiday Inn? I believe Stone! What you need to understand is that Stone bills his clients for the hotel cost.
Grin: I agree with your comments on Stone Barrington’s post but he does make one point that’s hard to argue with–“Why does this town suffer these egregious anomalies? It’s simple. You have a powerful Democratic Town Committee led by an egoist who cares little about this town and is closely tied to a puzzling regional business council that seems to be nothing more than a repository for hapless politicians to draw a good pay while waiting for the political tide to turn.” That kind of sums up all that is wrong with Bridgeport in a nutshell.
Can someone tell me if the BRBC is in the Bridgeport budget and if so is it a line item or hidden within a number of other costs. Maybe we can do a timeline check to see if when the BRBC began Bridgeport’s downtown was in better or worse shape than the last 10 years (at least) of BRBC existence … paging Bob Walsh.
“Why does this town suffer these egregious anomalies?”
Simple? Is that your best “simple” answer? It’s simply a poor answer. The fact that a great majority of voters are simply gullible is the closest anyone can get to a correct answer. How did we get there?
Caurso and any of the Ganims seem great. Lennie you forgot John Slater a Republican he has already said he will run. He brings a fresh young face and I will take a look into him.
There you go donj, keep an open mind always. Don’t be gullible.
A Gomes/Caruso ticket would energize this city for the first time in many years. The best of all worlds.
I concede Mary-Jane Foster is too connected to the Testa/Timpanelli gaggle to be worthy of consideration for mayor. While I can’t vote in a Bridgeport election, I can offer my opinions. You are also right that MORE than 95% of the lawyers from Bridgeport with whom I work live elsewhere. Many grew up here. ALL know, like me, when you straighten out the political mess that has stopped you cold from any form a economic development we all prosper; the citizenry, the merchants, the professionals … all of us.
But I am curious. You suggest a Gomes/Caruso run at the office would energize the city. How so? I know little about Gomes except for that unfortunate incident last year leading to his dismissal from his job. Caruso, on the other hand, seems like an unlikely candidate for the mayoralty especially at this time when so much could happen if the right leader takes charge. Caruso is no leader. He is popular within his constituency no doubt. I am told he stopped an Asphalt Plant from relocating to a residential area and was instrumental in stopping the ladies prison from being built again in a residential area. That’s not enough. He has no business experience. He has never managed anyone nor has he been responsible for a budget. I find it incredible, but I am told the man has never held a job. He is 51 years old. Why would you elect someone like that? He has no respect in Hartford. In fact his intellect is questioned. He cooperates with no one and blocks progress without paying the necessary due diligence. Additionally his demeanor is cantankerous. He is abusive and belligerent. Other than the Asphalt thing and the heroics associated with the prison and his fine work with lighting a Christmas Tree, what else have you got? The man does not have the hands-on experience to turn the financial disaster of this town into a prosperity that investors will find attractive. You homeowners cannot continue to carry the freight. You need business here. Caruso doesn’t know how to do it nor do those whom he chooses to advise him. He’ll win this time. Then what?
Stone; This is where Gomes comes in with his college degrees and CitiStat and small business experience. The incident you speak of from all accounts I have been told was a farce and then a misunderstanding but not being firsthand I shouldn’t comment on it. I’ve always been a Caruso backer and before that a Fabrizi fan, maybe once the season heats up we will all be Gomes fans as I hear he is a great speaker and is motivated to do what is right and needed for the people. We will see.
Mr BPT // Nov 10, 2010 at 4:17 pm
responding to your posting
You seem to be keeping an open mind about the possibilities here for a Mayor. Thank you.
I will tell you since my being in Bridgeport working with and for City employees since 1981, there are few Mayors that come with John’s credentials. Ready to be on the job the FIRST DAY.
Starting with being a Bridgeport business owner, then add 10 year’s of corporate experience, then add his four daughters in the Bridgeport public school system, then a property owner, then add his fluency in several languages and most importantly, top this all off with his extensive day-to-day knowledge of City government operations in Bridgeport. A man who knew his job so well, the Party Machine told Finch to dump him … and by the way, try to smear him at the same time. That’s what you get for telling the truth to your boss.
There is no one who is prepared as well as John Gomes is prepared to be Mayor.
If you want to see something positive happen in Bridgeport, get this guy elected.
And if you want to help turn this City around, call us … we could use your help.
My mind is open Ms. Curry, as I am as tired of the same ol’ as everyone else is. I have kids in the same school as Mr. Gomes and I watched his pol pod and have been to his web site. My vote will count next year and it will go to the right person.
Where is the Economic Development Director? What has he done for Bridgeport?
Where is Feeney’s replacement? With no one there do we really need that job?
Where is the port authority director? What has Andy Nunn done with the waterfront? Can we eliminate that salary?
Do we really need a Park Director? Carroll’s been overseeing the parks from the annex. Can we eliminate that salary?
Do we really need an office of labor relations as we hire outside to do the negotiations? Can we eliminate those 4 jobs?
Just what has CitiStat produced to date except be a home for the politically connected? Can we eliminate those jobs?
Let’s see, we have saved $90,000 firing economic director.
We can save $100,000 by not filling Feeney’s job.
We can save $90,000 by eliminating Port Authority Director.
We can save $90,000 by not filling Park Directors job.
We can save $350,000 plus by eliminating Labor Relations.
We can eliminate $350,000 doing away with CitiStat. They have not done squat.
This is the tip of the iceberg I am sure the OIB readers know of more wasted money on BS jobs.
These numbers are approximate numbers and do not include benefits. Savings are in excess of $1,100,000; throw in benefits and you are at approx $1.6 million. This could save a lot of pain and angst for the real workers who keep Bridgeport moving.
town committee // Nov 10, 2010 at 3:13 pm
In response to your posting
You are onto something here. Imagine the favored few not getting their city jobs and not getting their city cars?
It all begins with the Mayor who talks a good talk, but doesn’t walk the walk, does he?
For instance, he is not making anyone give up their take-home city cars. No, the favored few wouldn’t like that. He is using the excuse that he is going to eliminate the take-home cars at the end of this fiscal year. That’s June 30th, 2011!
Don’t you think that’s the height of waste and hypocrisy?
And keep your eyes out for the Christmas Poinsettias again this year. Enough in each office at 999 Broad St. to choke a horse, but not a penny saved …
TC
After your list of cost cuts without affecting City work product or services, I am surprised that no one remembers a suggestion made three years ago, after a non-Presidential election. The Town of Fairfield holds a statewide trophy for the largest percentage of voters registered actually voting. That goes back to 2004. They still have it.
It shows real strength among the electorate and in the Registrar office.
I was curious and visited that office. I discovered that the two Registrars, one from each major party (though the word major is a real stretch in Bridgeport) are covered in CT Statute. But Deputy or assistant registrars are a local decision. These are patronage jobs, clear and simple, and qualifications are not necessarily in evidence other than party popularity or loyalty it would seem.
However in Fairfield, the deputy registrars serve for 3 months around elections full time and part time for the other 9 months annually. Part-time pay and no benefits.
What happens in Bridgeport? Full-time work? Full-time pay and benefits? And see what the public earns from that? Chaos, fiasco, disaster, reverse emergency calls, etc.
Finally, I heard Bob Walsh talk about a $50,000 Common Council vote for Washington, DC lobbying representation that is intended to go to a firm with which Nick Panuzio is connected. Is that accurate???
How does the Mayor expect the Chairman of his investigation and research on balloting triumvirate to avoid a conflict of interest or appearance of same? Oh, you mean he doesn’t expect to avoid an appearance of conflict of interest!!! Because it really doesn’t matter … because it’s Bridgeport … and ethics … OK.
Beacon It’s business as usual. This committee is a dog and pony show put together to show the mayor is doing something even if it’s all BS. You are 100% right on the patronage angle. The two Democratic women are from 2 of the more powerful district leaders. One on the East Side and one in the South End. Eliminate these jobs and save another $80K. The problem here is the voters don’t give a damn. The Dems in this city don’t give a damn & could run Rudy Kazooty for the council and he would win.
tc
You forgot those damn horses!
If you add the damn horses in with cop salaries we are looking at about $400K.
Hey Lennie when are you going to start your new polling for mayor. I was with Newton on Election day because I wanted to be there when he voted. So many people were hugging him and telling him to run again, but he wouldn’t say one way or the other what he was going to do.
It is outrageous to think that Ernie Newton would even consider disgracing public office again by attempting to run. He is a thief and forfeited any right to public trust. WAKE UP … FOR GOD’S SAKE.
Could Big Daddy be none other than Big Ernie?
This is what’s wrong with the morons in this city. Ganim and Newton are jailed for what they did while in office, wake the ^&** up people!
We’ve had enough of the crooks and the drugs and the bad freakin’ press in Bpt the mayors have brought us. It’s damn time to elect someone who will pull this s***hole of a city out of the sewer.
Finch has set this city back and hasn’t closed the budget gap and will be leaving the next mayor a huge s***burger of a job. No unions are at the table and he’s trying to pull a one-time suck job out of Monroe and Trumbull so he can say look what I did. We know what he’s done, laid off good people and hired Mario’s cronies and gave his office a big raise. Time for change that will put the city back on the map.
yahooy // Nov 10, 2010 at 5:18 pm
responding to your posting
It would seem that most of the names in the Mayor’s race are recycled, been-there, done-that and done it wrong kind of candidates. Or they are chronic campaigners who run to run and not to win.
The operative word is “trust.” And most voters in Bridgeport don’t trust and therefore haven’t had a very good voting history (80%).
We have an opportunity in this election to elect an individual who has not violated the public’s trust and who has prepared himself well for this Office, but more important than any other fact is his intent to run his message directly to the voting public and not through a Party Machine that has kept Bridgeport in economic stagnation, and perpetuated a lousy public education system.
Carolanne While I appreciate your posts it’s getting near time for Mr. Gomes to speak up and let us know what he is going to do. You speaking for him is fine but I want to hear from him. I want to know what he found in his CitiStat job. I know it’s early in the campaign but I am getting tired of all the praise, let’s see what he is talking about.
People are tired of dirty campaigns and negative campaigns. That said, if next year’s race is run clean, I would hope we never find out what he found out through CitiStat. If it’s run negative, then the gloves should come off and the offenders walked out by a blue escort if that’s what transpired.
I’m glad Mr. Newton has the support of the people and he’ll win any office he runs for. One thing Charles Tisdale proved with a lot of people in the race. Mr. Newton’s chances of winning are great. One thing you all can’t stop is the people will vote for him no matter what you all say.
With such eloquent support, Newton the Thief can’t help but to win. THEN WHAT???
Yahooy One thing for sure, Mr. Newton has more support from those eloquent people who pick a democrat Gov. and congressman and will pick the next Mayor. yahooy get over it. Newton wins.
BD
Take a hundred dollar bill and throw it out your window. Would you do it? Of course not. But voting for Newton is the same thing. Throwing money away. Once a thief, always a thief. Ernie’s a master thief. A convicted master thief.
Serpico he’ll still win any election he runs for. And if he decides to run there’s nothing any of you can do about it. You can call him anything you like but you can’t take away his base of support.
Mr. Newton’s base is on the East End only. He cannot win an election outside of that district. Ernest Newton can run, but he cannot win.
Valkyrie, Mr. Newton’s base was the 23rd district and parts of Stratford. He represented half the city of Bridgeport and all his elections were landslides.
Ernie Newton and Joe Ganim both have a future in elected politics in Bridgeport. Like it or not, right or wrong, they both have a lot of support, it would be a big political mistake not to think so.
Ron: Their support just shows how dumb the voters in Bridgeport really are. Put these 2 on the Democratic line and they are in.
Ron I agree!!! Ganim would win easily!!! The best mayor Bpt has ever seen. Newton I know nothing about so I will not judge but he could not win citywide no way that will happen. Ganim on the other hand can easily win citywide no doubt about it.
Bill Finch’s employment history is not all that impressive either. What the heck who cares! This is Bpt!
Town committee: it’s interesting. Just maybe people don’t look at it the way you do. Ganim and Newton would win tomorrow if they choose to run, and thank God you can’t stop that.
Big you are absolutely right I can’t stop that but I can vote for their opponent. I have nothing against either Ernie or Joe but I just think their time has come and gone.
Their candidacy points to what I said earlier, that the Democratic party loves to recycle candidates and does not look for new blood.
Ernie would win his senate seat no question. As far as winning the mayoral race, not a chance. He would never get the money necessary to run a mayoral campaign. Ganim I am not so sure he would win a mayoral election. Time will tell for both.
Town committee, Whites aren’t the only ones who can raise money. We just saw two millionaires lose elections. His base is bigger than money, but only time will tell. I hope he runs so all who had negative things to say will say he’s back.
*** Isn’t “Who” on first base? *** And if Jack the Ripper runs & is endorsed by the Bpt DTC, he too would win, no? *** SOS ***