In the whiplash world of city politics, ya just never know about the shifting machinations. Coming off an election in which 11 majority votes were required to pick a City Council president, a new name has emerged as an alternative candidate to incumbent Aidee Nieves and opponent Jeanette Herron.
He happens to be Herron’s council partner in the North End 133rd District, Aikeem Boyd.
On Monday Herron received 10 votes to Nieves’ 8, with two council members voting no to either.
From the City Charter:
Section 10.
(a)
All elections or appointments to any office or position by the city council or of any board established by this charter or by ordinance, shall be by roll call vote; and the person receiving a majority of the whole, with the limitations herein provided, shall be elected.
On a legislative body of 20, that means 11 votes to carry the day.
First elected in 2021, Boyd is a low-key operative who turns down the temperature on a body that can be extremely noisy. He’s well-liked by his peers and within the community such as leaders of the outsider advocacy group Bridgeport Generation Now.
In the days since the Monday night vote, council members have maneuvered to rally behind someone who can build a winning coalition without bruising egos. Boyd could be the one, in anticipation of another council vote for president Dec. 15.
Boyd would also serve as the first Black council president since Ernie Newton, 1981-85, who was the first.
In addition, Boyd brings an independent-minded voice to the council, with limited baggage.
I’ve known Nieves and Herron for many years. Both good people. But, there’s stuff…
If it ends up being Herron as council president she’s on the Board of Education payroll with family on the city-side payroll. We’ve seen this movie before: City Council presidents, or for that matter councilors in general on the payroll, don’t make for independent governing. You’re serving two masters.
Here’s how this works: If they’re on the public payroll you cannot punish someone for running for public office. But, on the other side, as mayor you’re not obligated to place someone on the public payroll who occupies an elected position.
To Ganim’s credit, since his return to the mayoralty, he has not given a council member a city job, as was past practice by a number of mayors. The lone two council members on the public payroll Herron and Maria Valle were already in place when he returned to the mayoralty in 2015.
Ganim wants Nieves to remain as council president. They work together relatively well. But she’s three votes shy when there’s a new vote. To his discredit Ganim had plenty of time to schmooze council members on her behalf. So, now, how can he maneuver three votes her way without selling the store? Not worth it. That causes too much trouble.
Why is Nieves in this position? The knock on her, after seven years as council president, is her temperament.
Think actress Rosie Perez at full throttle. Aidee is passionate and expresses so. Some council members grew tired of the yelling.
So none of this is about policy, it’s all about personality.
Boyd’s bio:
Boyd, 36, grew up on the East Side and North End of Bridgeport, attending John Winthrop Elementary and Central High School. After graduation, he joined the Navy and served on the USS Enterprise. After five years of military service, he earned a degree in political science from Fordham University, graduating in 2017. He moved back to the 133rd district in 2013 and recently purchased his first home there in January. He works as a public safety officer at St. Vincent’s Medical Center and at the West Haven VA. His grandparents moved to Bridgeport in the 1940s, so he has substantial roots in the community.
Boyd serves as co-chair of Miscellaneous Matters and Ordinance committees. If he becomes council president he decides who sits on various committees and serves as co-chairs.
They say the dogs come out at night but damn, didn’t even give it a day of rest. I like to say Port Politics is “disingenuous”, comical at times, Fred Fred Astaire?
However perhaps there’s more sinister forces at work under that bed.
Peace out Port, OIB, ESL. I will reengage on May 10, being its civic responsibilities, perhaps.
Who’s John Galt?
The Prophet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKMtZm2YuBE
My bad-ish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHkozMIXZ8w
For the next CC meeting,rumor is Joe will chair the meeting from his running car in the parking lot…it will save the 10 mins it takes for him to walk in and walk out of the building…
Councilman Boyd has been impressive as Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee in recent months where attention to the review of a revised Charter document was being examined by the City Council. He was patient and encouraged by his demeanor for those wishing to be recorded to make their remarks in full.
With a background in local schools, a military service commitment completed, and running for political office with a Jesuit education in governance and politics is there a more attractive candidate available at this moment? Time will tell.
Attractiveness?John, what do you find attractive as a qualification for CC President?
At the end of the day Port politics is a political shit-show, freak show. 🤣
Though, I am sure many CC members feel they are qualified in one way or another. JS
Butt, as for its CC players, Burns comes to mind, and he didn’t even run for reelection. What’s behind that? Not to mention his replacement, a freshman member practically created this shit show.
He seems to have set political balls with his no vote for CC president. It’s official Blackrock has now crossed over into Port’s political shit/freak show. Good Job Port. 🤣
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp9JR6uVy9E
I say that because Maria was for Nieves. She was reading the tea leaves and just jumped on the band-wagon. She wasn’t going to let anyone out shine her.🤣
John is always a pleasure, hope to see you at one of your Civic discussions, after May 10. Time Will Tell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB9dso-h_Es
RT
There is a Casual Civics Conversation at 9AM on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at URSA Gallery. Why do we have to wait until May 10 to see each other?
“Attractiveness” has to do with the positive values, education, and experience Boyd brings to the City Council without a scintilla (ESL) of scandal or ethical issues as part of his story.
When he presided at recent meetings of Ordinance to handle Q&A about the Charter, he was fair, moved the meetings with purpose, and encouraged participation. “Freak or shit show”-NO!!!
Though many Council Members may have their own thoughts about qualifying for a leadership post but folks who serve with competence as Scott Burns has done, after eight years of public service, may seek less limelight, and find another path productive for him personally.
Where is a video with the orientation provided to newly elected Council persons? Wouldn’t that be a tool for teaching reality CIVICS to citizens of Bridgeport? Who would be lecturing: Mario Testa- or does he not speak about citizen rights and responsibilities, but demonstrates rather about how power over the people may continue the status quo? Joseph Ganim-after acheiving a continuation of his role as Council Meeting Chairperson might look at the Revised Charter (not yet on the City website, though approved by CC and then by voters on November 4, 2025) but having ignored the role of HOUSING Commissions in Bridgeport for decades? An Acting Superintendent of Schools with a responsibility for CIVICS education of youth in the City but stretched so that a curriculum supervisor is not on the staff for some time?
Whom would you nominate to orient aspiring newly elected Council persons and what standards of behavior do you hold them to? Remember that the history of Bridgeport has long favored circuses and that we are about ‘entertainment’ as economic development? Hope to see you before Spring, 2026. Time will tell.
Freak/shit show, No. Please.
“Attractiveness” has to do with the positive values, education, and experience Boyd brings to the City Council without a scintilla (ESL) of scandal or ethical issues as part of his story”
Is there a coded side associated with Boyd’s story? Did his positive values,education and experience play a role when he voted for Aidee for president?
Perhaps, Burns may seek less limelight and find another path of production, but did he not run for higher office?
Videos can be a tool. Considering you made negative comments about my provision of them. I am glad to see you are coming around. 🙂
As for videos, they’re all over the F-ing place with easy internet access, might I add. I am sure the newly elected orientation videos comes with a set of balls for there silence, being Port’s political sandbox is a freak show. 🤣
Shit they even come with music themes and dancing. Right, Fred Astaire? 🙂
I will not entertain the political weeds regarding Mario, G2 where Port residents/voters can or can’t find information. Though, I believe OIB posted the charter.
As well as the Port’s political inside game that you play so well with and express eloquently with a positive and value expression with your Yale education, circuses included.
Who would I nominate for CC president) to lead this chambers freak show circuses? Streets of course. You know, I stand for tradition. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1810199312863141
P.S you won’t, Perhaps like you eloquently stated like Burns I need a break forth the “disingenuousness” of this circus/ freak/shit show. My free will- ish, good luck.
Besides I am going reflect on and hold a time of mourning for Laika
https://www.facebook.com/reel/849006514425173
John, in the spirit of the orientation Videos.
The Prophet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV2ssT8lzj8
Time will tell is something I generally state when closing content.
Time, at least in the two weeks separating the inaugural certifying meeting of the 2026-27 Council (with all of its pomp, praryers to the almighty, and ceremony) is ongoing at the moment and instead of going to court, seeking a higher authority, we may be seeing that there are alternatives to a protracted conflict between two of the longer term Council members.
RT, I know that you love to repeat the conspiracy theories frequently peddled on OIB. But instead you may be witnessing a situation where preparation for an office in terms of experience, demeanor, and education is revealed in the light of the ongoing search for a leader, which is an opportunity. In governance and politics being prepared for an opportunity and then taking advantage of your qualifications in the eyes of others who may offer support resolves the confrontation and allows the ‘business of the people’ to remain the central pursuit of the 20 elected Council persons. Time will tell.
John, have you learned nothing from our friendship? 😊
Conspiracy, perhaps, Theories, perhaps, frequently and repetitively without a doubt. But but to insinuate I am not witness to situation where preparation for an office in terms of experience, demeanor, and education is revealed in the light of the ongoing search for a leader, which is an opportunity, maybe “disingenuous”
I posed a question. As you do many times. I asked:
Is there a coded side associated with Boyd’s story? Did his positive values,education and experience play a role when he voted for Aidee for president?
Who you seemed to peddle on OIB as an “attractive” alternative to lead the CC in the shit show, freak show called Port’s political governance. To be fair the shit show, freak perhaps maybe a conspiracy theiory🤣
Not sure about your need to emphasize on the pomp ,prayers to the almighty regarding the inaugural certifying meeting where the city council failed to garnered 11 votes needed. When you could have emphasized Fred Astaire boogieing down the chamber hall to Moses, who stole his thunder. 🙂
However you are correct there is always a chance of the need to go to court and seek a higher authority in this shit show. I am sure that higher court authority is always honest, righious, justice, and genuine, too.
Perhaps, we may be seeing that there are alternatives to a protracted conflict between two of the longer term Council members but that alternative may be held in the eyes of the beholder, No?
I do love my orientation videos John,🙃 Time well tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU8OJAOMbPg
Edited verions,
John, have you learned anything from our friendship? 😊
Conspiracy, perhaps, Theories, perhaps, frequently and repetitively without a doubt. But but to insinuate I am not a witness to situations where preparation for an office in terms of experience, demeanor, and education is revealed in the light of the ongoing search for a leader, which is an opportunity, maybe “disingenuous”
I posed a question. As you do many times. I asked:
Is there a coded side associated with Boyd’s story? Did his positive values,education and experience play a role when he voted for Aidee for president?
Who you seemed to peddle on OIB as an “attractive” to lead the CC in the shit show, freak show called Port’s political governance. To be fair the shit show, freak perhaps maybe a conspiracy theiory🤣
Not sure about your need to emphasize on the pomp ,prayers to the almighty regarding the inaugural certifying meeting where the city council failed to garnered the 11 votes needed. When you could have emphasized Fred Astaire boogieing down the chamber hall to Moses, who stole his thunder,for entertainment purposes. 🙂
However you are correct there is always a chance of the need to go to court and seek a higher authority in this shit show. I am sure that higher court authority is always honest, righious, justice, and genuine, too.
Perhaps, we may be seeing that there are alternatives to a protracted conflict between two of the longer term Council members but that alternative may be held in the eyes of the beholder, No?
I do love my orientation videos John, 🙃 Time well tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU8OJAOMbPg
For shits and give, John, speaking of almighty and the pomp of prayers, and seeing that you feel there may be an alternative to a protracted conflict. Perhaps you might feel, well, you are an educated man. But perhaps Latinos may feel different to your alternatives choice. JS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe-luzrqWSk
On the bright side John, at least there’s that coded, side thing, considering that need to seek higher court authority., No?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQOCpQeTB18
John, speaking of Burns and that protracted conflict. Being you’re an informed educated white man. Is the word “All” a coded word for white people,similar to how “poor” is used in the fight for equality the Blacks and Browns use without actually using the word “white” because of the racist/racebating/emotion support theme it uses in American politics? Fred Astaire?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbc0AuperpM
I sense it. It comes off like that. I witness people going at it on social media regarding Black Lives Matter vs All Lives Matter. Similar to how people go at it about God being Good vs Great.
I get a whiff of it in my science orientational videos too. Hook a brother up, speak some educated Yale Truth🤣
Let’s not forget the ball in Port’s political shit show. 🙃
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSWlwM4s1Ds
Speaking of theories and the dissemination of information. Let’s not forget gravity, people?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qMEOObZVVIE
This coded game feels like the Matrix. John, sometimes.
Other times it feels like a Circus, a Matrix Circus, Right Fred Astaire? SMH People.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ix7TUGVYIo