Former Mayor Joe Ganim, responding to critics who wonder what will be different if he’s elected mayor again, says he will “create an independent Office of Public Integrity–and select someone from outside of city government to create the toughest ethical laws of any municipality in Connecticut.” Although relentlessly knocking on doors, making phone calls, kissing babies, helping old ladies, Ganim has provided little in the area of policy proposals since he announced his comeback to regain the job he lost due to his conviction on federal corruption charges in 2003.
In a commentary in which Ganim limited the distribution to the Editorial Page of the Connecticut Post, he actually made news, addressing a number of issues such as taxes, public safety, schools and economic development. More than halfway into the narrative he pledges to embrace an “Open City Government: I made some serious mistakes over ten years ago, and I have learned from them. I am hopefully a better person and intend to be a truly better mayor.”
Mistakes? Bad decisions? Outright venal greed? The political operation of Mayor Bill Finch no doubt will keep hammering the mantra the only thing Ganim’s interested in doing is “lining his pockets with taxpayers’ money.” Addressing second chances Thursday night in her announcement speech for mayor, Mary-Jane Foster said “we shouldn’t give Bridgeport’s pocketbook to people with long track records of betraying our trust.”
Bridgeport’s Ethics Commission was created under Mayor Tom Bucci in 1986. In response to the federal investigation of former Mayor John Mandanci as well as what Bucci termed as ethical lapses in the administration of Republican incumbent Lenny Paoletta, Bucci campaigned to create an Ethics Commission to monitor the conduct of public and elected officials. Paoletta derisively called Bucci “Mr. Ethical” on the campaign trail.
In the past two decades the Ethics Commission has largely been a toothless tiger operating quietly with little public action. Commission members are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council.
Ganim received a public relations boost several weeks ago when Ed Adams, the FBI agent who was part of the federal team that took down Ganim’s mayoralty for using his public position to enrich himself, announced support of Ganim’s comeback. Declaring everyone deserves a second chance, Adams has attended Ganim events and donated money to his campaign. Could Adams become part of the Office of Public Integrity?
In the CT Post commentary, Ganim gives Foster, an executive at the University of Bridgeport, a de facto shout-out writing “I will champion Housatonic Community College and, unlike Mayor Finch, I will wholeheartedly support my alma mater, the University of Bridgeport. As mayor, I will promote their programs and successes.”
Ganim spends much of the editorial explaining why he will be different than Finch as mayor, asserting “My campaign for mayor is about building a Bridgeport that works for every citizen and neighborhood.”
So what say you about Ganim? Trustworthy second time around? Or Pinocchio Joe?
What I am afraid of is he will bring back many of his former staff who should have been arrested and were not. They know who they are. Fore!!!
Those are the same people who are supporting him once again. Who else would?
Dear Ganim campaign,
Lots of time to discuss this subject and necessary for those who believe in universal second chances. What type of OPEN government, what type of ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY will be sufficient in our City culture to protect the people from another round of lack of integrity? Isn’t that the question? You see the Charter gives immense power to the Mayor (at least when he/she faces a pack of Council lap dogs, for the most part) and the creation of another body, subject to the Mayor is a non-starter. That is where we are today.
What might be different? What consequences for lapses? What reporting or enforcement power? Why would this work? Would the City Attorney whose interpretation of the State Statute keeps City employees on our Council (as well as union decision that their power trumps that of taxpaying voters in Bridgeport) be replaced by Joe with counsel who sees things differently? Would another Mayor be more careful to strengthen the Council so they are better equipped to keep the City secure and taxpayers represented? Let the suggestions begin, please. Time will tell.
Suppose my house is robbed and vandalized. The guilty party is arrested, found guilty and serves their time. When released from jail they sincerely apologize and ask my forgiveness. Am I going to hire them to house sit for me when I go on vacation? Not the same thing? Close enough.
Jennifer,
If in order to help this convicted felon you decide to let him make some money mowing your lawn, that’s OK, right?
And after a few years of doing that, you give him the keys to the garage so he can get out tools to do more lawn work, that’s OK, right?
And after a few more years of problem-free behavior you let him work inside the house, that’s OK, right?
And then finally after he has proven himself worthy, you let him house sit. That’s OK, right?
Well that is all the Ganim people are asking for. Sooner or later you will probably give him the keys to the castle so why waste all that time in between? And if they are wrong well then shame on you for being so gullible. At least Joe doesn’t need to waste a lot of time proving himself. How much worse can it get?
I am not that magnanimous.
So now Ganim will create an office of public integrity? Maybe hire Ed Adams who has a serious crush on Joe. And the salary will be … drum roll please … that comment is absurd. An office of public integrity??? Really? As Mario Testa said, Finch is a hard worker and squeaky clean. Did that law pass in Connecticut? That a convicted felon cannot run for office? Goes into affect Jan. 1 after the election so Joe can only serve four years? Bridgeport will go to sleep. Blame everything on Finch for the next four years and why would we do that again? Oh yeah because we want to be extras in the Lifetime movie “A Dream for Joseph.”
I guess we will know Joe is serious when he comes out with a detailed plan that includes everything he did illegally (both convicted of and that which until now has not been known) and how his anti-corruption team will be able to uncover that in the future.
Unless Joe will be the first criminal who got caught with everything he did wrong and nothing else the very first time. Yeah. OK. How stupid does Joe Ganim actually believe the voters of Bridgeport are???
Very, obviously! And he is correct, they are!
Bob Walsh went from a front-page Councilman to a sideline blogger. JG put himself in the arena because Joe Ganim thinks Bridgeport voters are smart enough to elect him.
But I believe in second chances and Bob Walsh can start by mowing my lawn.
LE, I hope you’re a big tipper for lawn service.
You’re just protecting a member of “Lennie’s Clubhouse.”
Bob Walsh–that’s the problem; Ganim underestimates people. He believes he’s intellectually superior to them. He made that very same mistake when he addressed the jury that convicted him, condescending and unrepentant.
Blog makes my head spin.
Some of the same people who are crying over a Ganim second chance supported Newton’s second and third chances.
Some of the same people who say “Ganim has provided little in the area of policy proposals” are backing Foster who has provided little in the area of policy proposals.
Oh, the irony of agendas.
You are absolutely right, BPT REBEL. And oddly enough, the people who supported Newton were the very people he robbed of funds intended for the poor and for special programs to supposedly lift them up. I don’t know what they are thinking. He betrayed them and they want him back?
Did I miss it again?
Did Joe Ganim admit he committed the felony crimes he was convicted of? That would be a starting point for asking for a second chance.
Tom, you know I respect you, so please answer this honestly. If Joe Ganim read every word of the decision that convicted him, and then asked for a second chance, as well as the opportunity from the citizens of Bridgeport to be allowed to run for Mayor, would that change the way you feel about him? In fact, would it change anything?
Lisa,
Answer this honestly. Why didn’t Joe fight to get his law license back? It would be a lot tougher testifying under oath as to what he did wrong and why than confessing at the East End Baptist church, wouldn’t it?
His choice was obviously blasphemy over perjury.
Bob Walsh, I was not addressing you. I was responding to Tom White’s post. You have a right to make your point as to why Joe did or did not fight to get his law license back, however don’t begin your question by asking me!
Lisa, if Joe Ganim acknowledged to the Connecticut Bar he committed the felony crimes he was convicted of, his law license would likely have been restored and he would not be running for mayor. The CT Bar denied his request for reinstatement because they deemed him to be an “unrepentant felon.” Would he rent an apartment and run for mayor if he could practice law? I don’t know but likely not.
Tom White, Joe Ganim is running for Mayor because a small group of involved residents met with him last fall and asked him to run. Gradually, he met with a variety of political leaders, community activists, business owners and key union leaders. The vast majority of those he met with agreed he should run and would commit their support. The members of this community asked him to run, therefore he has decided to do so. Joe Ganim can only win if Bridgeport voters want him to run.
Maria,
Are you suggesting Joe Ganim would not be running for mayor if this small group of people had not approached him and asked him to run??? If that is what you believe then put the Kool-Aid down and stop drinking it.
Not true, Maria. Since there is no functional Republican Party or Third Party in this city, whoever wins the Democratic Primary if they have one, or whoever is endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee, is automatically the next Mayor!!!
PavlickInTheNorthend, that’s not necessarily the case this time. Getting the endorsement basically eliminates the task of getting signatures to challenge the endorsed candidate. The outcome of the primary will determine the Democratic line. I’ve been through this process more times than I care to admit, but this one is close and the endorsement won’t give anyone an advantage.
Tom, I don’t know either.
Tom White–the mere fact the Bar denied his reinstatement because he is an “unrepentant felon” should speak volumes, don’t you think? Yet he aspires to be Mayor again and seemingly intelligent people are supporting him. I simply cannot comprehend why.
Lisa,
There are many clever people in the world, and some get into political activity and find they enjoy it. Joe Ganim enjoys this field of activity, has some skills and experience, and has some other reasons to seek office again. We are currently ruled in Bridgeport by a leadership cadre that is far too impressed with its cleverness and ability to successfully spread half-truths. Isn’t that an important part of the anti-Finch mood in the City?
I do believe there are voters out there who are seeking a full admission by Joe Ganim of what he did, why he did it, and why perhaps it took him so long to tell the story. Will he show remorse in admitting all the facts and then ask for the second chance, as it is being termed? (Do you remember when John and Mary Fabrizi spent an hour on Channel 12 to share his story of substance abuse? That might be a model though the faulty behaviors are different.)
How does he: propose to insulate the public from the risk of a repetition of felonious conduct; intend to restore credibility to the Office of Bridgeport Mayor; and reverse the incredible devolution of all City Council checks and balance processes and structures? Look in OIB archives for the many changes since White, Gonzalez, Walsh and others including yourself were in office that have lowered the understanding, the performance and the accountability of the City Council in the face of Finch as imperial executive. I do not want to tax readers once again about OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE and TRANSPARENT governance.
What can the Ganim brain trust conceive of and commit to execute with consequences for failure? Do they dare or think the attempt is even worth it, for the number of those people who might move? That’s the risk, isn’t it? Time will tell.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone!
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.
Go forth and sin no more.
You are known by the company you keep.
Render unto Caeser that which is Caesar’s, render unto God, that which is God’s.
What does the Fox say?
WWJD? Smiley face to all the bible quotes.
Jimfox, that says it all. It doesn’t matter what Joe Ganim says or how he says it, those who don’t like him, for whatever their reasons, will still dislike him; there’s not a thing Joe can do to change that. So to all of you who fit into that category, exercise the only option you have, vote against him.
I do not believe there will be one person casting a vote in the primary who will be voting against Joseph Ganim.
People will be voting for Bill Finch, Mary-Jane Foster and Joseph Ganim. There will be a smorgasbord. The only noise in this elecion will be the disturbing commercials and the memory of Bridgeport’s darkest hours. There are just so many new voters who will be shocked.
Jim Fox. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone … really? You wanna go there. So we know human nature and Jesus was a local celebrity. Not known on the world stage or even in Jerusalem. I’d venture to say if Jesus really said that, people would still be throwing the stones. Mary would have never made it to the last supper, Judas would have never betrayed Jesus and … but I digress. We are talking about Joe Ganim, not a repentant prostitute, which is a story I don’t believe. I think the church made up the story because they hate women, but I digress again, we are talking about Joe Gamin. He will be forgiven by a few and forgotten by many.
Old school for you Steve. Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
This race will be between Bill Finch and Joe Ganim. The election will be close, and there will be no blow-out victory.
Even the Final Race or the actual election will more than likely be between Finch and Ganim, since he will probably run as an Independent if he doesn’t win the Democratic Primary.
It is not that complicated. Joe was convicted of multiple counts for public corruption in this City. Most states ban such persons from ever holding public office again and we should too. This is not about Joe, whom I do not know. It is about Bridgeport’s image and future ability to attract major development that can increase our tax base and is not bought through unreasonable tax abatements.
Dave, it has been 12 years since Joe Ganim was Mayor; two Mayors held office during that time. Why are interested folks not asking why, in 12 years and two administrations, Bridgeport’s image has not changed, and the past two Mayors have not attracted major development? Let’s hope when this Mayor resubmits the unreasonable tax abatement that failed, the council members hold their own and defeat it again.
Mr. Auerbach, if Jesus Christ were running for Mayor, would you vote for Him?
Well if Yeshua ben Joseph (that was his name, Christ was a Greek term used 100 years after his death) were to run, I would have to hear his platform. It would be nice to have a Jewish Mayor, but most Jews left Bridgeport for Fairfield and Trumbull during the late ’60s and ’70s. Jesus (Yeshua) may have been too liberal for me and I think he would have proposed more social services and attempted to attract less business. He most likely would have been a strong Democrat and I probably would have voted Republican. I do not think Jesus walks on water as Joe Ganim does. I think JESUS would have forgiven Ganim, been impressed by Foster and voted for Bill Finch. I could be wrong, who am I to judge.
“When the wicked rule, the people groan.” Residents of the City of Bridgeport have been doing that for the last eight years.
Oh, at least 25 years in some parts of this city.