Governor-elect Dan Malloy has named Ben Barnes, operating officer for facilities and transportation for Bridgeport Public Schools, the state budget director. Barnes joined the city school system early this year. Barnes worked for Malloy when he was mayor of Stamford. Malloy, in an interview with OIB several months ago, heaped lots of praise on Barnes. Hey, maybe this could be good for Bridgeport having a former employee building the state budget.
From Dan Malloy:
GOVERNOR-ELECT MALLOY NAMES BEN BARNES AS OPM SECRETARY
Barnes, 42, has worked in Stamford, Bridgeport City Government, and at CCM
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor-Elect Dan Malloy made a key appointment in his administration today, naming Ben Barnes to be his Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary. Barnes, a former Director of Administration, Director of Operations and Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare for the City of Stamford, is currently the Operating Officer for Bridgeport Public Schools, overseeing the school system’s facilities, transportation, technology and budget.
“I’ve known Ben for years and I know he’s exactly the kind of person I need in my administration, to help get Connecticut’s fiscal house in order,” said Governor-Elect Malloy. “I personally entrusted him with three of the most important positions in Stamford over a period of time. His experience as a numbers-cruncher at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, as well as his time in-the-trenches working for two of Connecticut’s largest cities, has prepared him well for the vast and varied challenges he’ll face as OPM secretary. Ben knows my priority as Governor is creating new jobs and keeping the ones we have. But he also knows that I’m committed to a rigorous, transparent and straightforward budget. We’re turning a page with Ben’s appointment. We worked together to produce GAAP budgets in Stamford. We’ll do the same for Connecticut in Hartford. Transitioning our state’s budget to GAAP–a standard in the industry that will ensure there are no gimmicks contained within our state’s books–will be a sobering process, but it’s one that needs to be done now. I’m excited to have Ben on board and look forward to work with him once again.”
Of his appointment, Barnes said, “I’m honored that Governor-Elect Malloy has found my experience and skill-set to be a match for what he’s looking for as his OPM secretary. I know that he’s serious about getting the state’s fiscal house in order, and I’m ready for that arduous work. Working with then-Mayor Malloy for eight years has allowed me to see what kind of a leader he is, and what kind of expectations he sets, and I’m eager to get down to business on behalf of the people of Connecticut. Obviously there will be a great number of challenges in this new position, but I take them on knowing how critical it is that the people of this state are told the truth about our fiscal reality so we can finally do what needs to be done to get things back on track. I look forward to working with the Governor-Elect and his entire team.”
Benjamin Barnes is currently the Operating Officer for the Bridgeport Public Schools, overseeing the school system’s facilities, transportation, technology and $215 million budget. Previously, he was the Director of Operations for the City of Stamford, a department with 250 employees, an annual operating budget of $43 million and a capital budget of $40 million. Barnes was responsible for public works, solid waste and recycling, land use and zoning, sewage, parks and recreation, and engineering services in Stamford, CT. He had previously served as Director of Administration and as Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare in Stamford. All told, he served over 8 years as a cabinet member during Dan Malloy’s mayoralty. He has also worked as the Government Finance Director for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and as a planner for the Cities of Hartford and St. Petersburg, Florida. Barnes holds a Masters degree in Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Swarthmore College. He has served on the Boards of Directors of the Housing Development Fund and the Childcare Learning Centers. He has lived in Connecticut for 20 years and currently resides in Stratford with his wife Tania and his three sons.
I hope Barnes does a better job in Hartford than he did in Bridgeport, where he has been a ghost throughout his tenure. No one saw him and people who worked in his department didn’t even know what he looked like. He was very hands-off and used poor judgment in giving free rein to an unqualified Jorge Garcia. This will come back to bite him in the ass after he’s gone when Garcia, true to his M.O., blames Barnes for anything that goes wrong. I doubt Barnes has any loyalty to Bridgeport–this was just a stopover to fill the gap between jobs in Stamford and Hartford.
Hey BPT 1 (interesting name), just how big is your ego?
First, how can you say Barnes has been a ghost? He’s been to every BOE meeting and never shied away from an issue. He’s got great credentials (what are yours?) and will do a fine job in Hartford. If you supported Malloy you should have confidence in his appointments, and if you do then you have to admit Barnes is a good man. You seem to have a gripe with Garcia … but just how bad are things in the schools? He fixes the buildings and isn’t responsible for a high dropout rate. Your post is confusing.
How do you know whom I support? I voted for Malloy because I am a Democrat but I never said I was a supporter. And if you read my post correctly (I assume you can read), I said Barnes is a ghost in that the people in his own department don’t even know what he looks like. I know he is at the Board meetings because I also attend Board meetings. Which is how I know how you, I mean Garcia, is in a job he has no business being in. And judging from your response, you–I mean, he–doesn’t have a skin thick enough for the limelight.
Now please get back to work and stop wasting my taxpayer dollars blogging.
As for Barnes’ credentials, what I do know is that he advised the board that the BOE is $2m in the hole so I hope he’s better with numbers in Hartford than he was here in Bridgeport.
I remember a “Bad News Barnes” that played for Providence College. Good luck Ben! Mike Freimuth won’t be far behind.
Ripped from the headlines of the CT Post Shopping Mall
“We Blew It!”
www .ctpost.com/opinion/article/City-blows-chance-to-validate-vote-817566.php
Oh the HOT STOVE is percolating ~~~ Barnes, Caruso, Not Santa Ayala traded to Malloyville ~~~ BOE honchos leaving like a hurricane exodus ~~~ fresh off the presses, Big Bad Bobby Simmons will be the next BOE prez when Ms. Bellinger follows Crossin out the door. Best of health to the two of them as they both need our prayers and our best wishes. Now barring another big trade, Mets??? Yanks??? or a free agent signing I says ~~~ bye bye for now.
The city of Bridgeport has a shot at a do-over.
Carmen Lopez for Board of Education.
White supremacist using Ganim at trial
November 17, 2010 at 11:32 am by Tom Baden
BRIDGEPORT — Joseph. P. Ganim, the city’s ex-mayor, is helping the legal team representing white supremacist Alexander DeFelice, who is being tried on federal weapon conspiracy charges. Ganim was in the courtroom for much of Tuesday’s proceedings.
The mayor, now off of work-release after doing prison time for a corruption conviction, is serving as a paralegal for DeFelice’s defense team. Ganim has yet to get his law license back. He has started a business selling his expertise to those looking for help in navigating the prison system.
DeFelice is one of three members of the group formerly known as the Connecticut White Wolves on trial for allegedly planning to sell guns and grenades to the Imperial Klans of America.
ONLY IN BRIDGEPORT
Heck, if Auden Grogins could represent one of the Cheshire MURDERERS and the Bridgeport City Council can appoint a Council President who feels the poor are a burden and in the same category as a Sewage Treatment Plant, then Joe Ganim can represent Bin Laden and still get my vote.
Gotta give credit where credit is due! Good one!
I hope Joe gives this guy better courtroom advice than he gave himself.
Don’t fret none Joel and Lennie, Fabrizi will vouch for Bin Laden and Finch will invite him to dinner.
This one is a real Howl!!!
Grin … how did Ginsberg get into this?
Inigo … I’m Mad About You!
www .youtube.com/watch?v=UqCPfr5OiOE
Bedtime for Bonzo! Nighty-Night!!! Don’t let the bedbugs bite.
Speaking of a do-over? Santa Ayala for BOE!!!
She would probably win. I hear she’s pretty good at counting her votes.
BPT 1 ~~~ seems you had FILLET of Independent Soul for lunch.
Lennie are you smoking some of that crazy stuff from the ’60s? You expect Barnes to remember he worked in Bpt and thus will funnel money this way? Wasn’t Barnes one of the main supporters along with others on the BOE for leasing the Bodine bldg?
Look, Malloy won he does not need Bpt and in 4 years Bpt will vote to reelect him because as one poster said earlier he is a Democrat.
Bpt 1, FYI, I blog on my own time and my own dime. Also, I’m not Mr. Garcia.
I guessed at who you supported in the election because I believe Malloy ran on the same ballot line that you have used.
I CAN read (even between the lines) mainly because I’m not a graduate of the Bridgeport Public School System.
I’m not looking for a grudge match with you, I simply thought you were being unfair to Barnes and brought Garcia into it when the chatter was about a Malloy appointment.
Independent Soul: I have no idea what you mean about Malloy running on the same ballot line I have used, and you have absolutely no idea who I am. But I know who you are despite your protests to the contrary. And if you bother to read all the posts instead of just the ones that pertain to you, others have similar comments about Barnes. He did nothing for the BOE but leave it $2M in the hole and let’s not even get into Bodine. And for the record, I have nothing against you personally, per se. I just have a general overall aversion to people in jobs they have neither earned nor are qualified to hold simply because they know somebody. That is why this city is the craphole it is.
“In addition, the site will not protect your identity if you make libelous assertions, outrageous allegations or accuse someone of criminal conduct without credible proof.”
Mr. Grimaldi, why is BPT 1 allowed to post an accusation of a City Worker posting to your website on the job without any proof whatsoever? Personal attacks have no place on this website and should not be tolerated. I like your blog and it is a never-ending source of amusement of bellyaching, sour grapes and people who would never be heard otherwise (like myself). And of course, since Facilities Director Jorge Garcia is doing such a terrible job and is single-handedly bringing the BOE to ruin, it makes sense no one else can possibly defend him but himself. Luckily people here have free reign to wage personal agendas and try to ruin other peoples lives. I posted a few comments in the past and of course had the imaginative Billy Hicks subverting my name and attacking me because of an opinion. This will be my last post on this site but I can only wonder that those who have such vendettas to people would actually have the nerve to accuse them to their face. In the case of the immortal Stan Lee … ’nuff said.
As I said previously, your skin is far too thin to be in any highly visible position. And the fact you see fit to make threats of legal action is proof enough in my mind of who you are because that’s what you do when anyone has the nerve to say anything to you. You, sir, are a bully. No one has made “libelous assertions.” Everything I have ever said is the God’s honest truth. Were you not a level-1 custodian? Were you not promoted without any qualifications whatsoever? And if you are, in fact, who I know you are, then you WERE blogging on city time, unless, of course, you were out sick or on vacation at 2:27 p.m. today.
Everyone knows everyone in this city and nothing is a secret. Goings-on spread like wildfire. You are obviously too self-absorbed to realize it. This is not about you but you think there is some personal vendetta against you. Again, I have a problem with anyone being paid my hard-earned taxpayer dollars who is only in the job because someone owed someone else a favor, and I am not the only one. That’s why I go to the BOE and City Council meetings. That’s why I make it my business to be informed. And if you’d read any of my other posts, you would see that my comments are not limited to you.
You keep mentioning your “accomplishments” and spin it all you want but clearly you can see I know otherwise. Would you like to list specifics so I can rebut them?
You can scream and cry all you want that I should be “exposed” for speaking the same truth about you that so many others have posted here about someone else, but the last time I checked a court order would be necessary for that.
“Those who have such vendettas to people would actually have the nerve to accuse them to their face.” By the way, I have witnessed with my own eyes members of the Board actually saying most of those things to your face!
Inigo, what personal attack/accusation do you question?
Inigo-Gotta-Go-Vida! Always loved that song. Happy Birthday MCAT and a belated one to envoy5!!!
Grin, have you taken your meds today?
Yes! I doubled-up or maybe it was doubled-down.
Feeling kind of meds-a-meds!
Mr. Grimaldi, BPT 1 twice made an “accusation” that a BOE employee is blogging during City hours, plus his other attacks on Mr. Garcia’s tenure without any concrete points. What part of the meaning “accusations or personal attacks” is in doubt here? I am done … any action on Mr. Garcia’s part is up to him. Serpico and Mr. Hammer … one is a undercover snitch and the other is a violent misogynistic detective. Nice supporters to have on one’s side.
Please feel free to have your attorney call mine. As for accusations: “Serpico and Mr. Hammer … one is an undercover snitch and the other is a violent misogynistic detective.” Now who’s making accusations? You are a seriously disturbed individual and I pity you.
I am so sorry Inigo if I offended you, I certainly must have left an impression on you but you left none on me as I don’t remember you. At all.
It would be cool if you could tell me what you like about Bill Hicks without googling … but it is too late … you have offended Inigo … “sorry” you killed my comic idol … for that you must die …
You really are a strange bird. Either that or you’re drunk.
In my opinion … Dennis Leary is way funnier than Bill Hicks … No need to google Leary.
My name is Inigo Montoya!
www .youtube.com/watch?v=i3W5GDkgf2w
Prepare to Die!!!
Wow! That’s scary! Should I take that as a threat from Inigo Montoya??? Should I demand that Lennie expose him??? Should I call the police???
You never saw The Princess Bride? Rob Reiner has a twisted sense of humor.
Yes, and I just watched the clip–I am making a joke because he says “… you must die!”
Indy Soul
I can read due to the Bridgeport public schools, I take offense to what you said.
Lennie
Little League has a 10-run mercy rule, BPT 1 has knocked Indy out of the park and Indy must claim mercy.
Sounds more like a mercy- …!
Is someone jealous that someone beat someone else’s wife out of a job??? The book covers may change but the same old story is still read day after day.
If this comment is directed to me, again, I have no idea what you are talking about. I don’t have a wife but feel free to continue grasping at straws. So far you’ve assumed I am an elected official who ran on the same ballot as Malloy, now you think I am someone who’s wife was beaten out of a job by someone else’s wife. By the way, how many names on here do you have?
Aren’t we testy. Last time I made a comment like this it was to a different name I thought. But assumption is the mother of all screw-ups. Kinda like rumors, Hmmm … If the shoe fits …
You still fail to make any sense. Sleep it off. Goodnight.
Let me put it simply. You change your name but you still say the same crap over and over. Grow some nuggets and tell Mr. Garcia what a lousy job he’s doing to his face … or quit. What did he do to you that is so bad you talk about the man all the time? Enlighten us. He is fair to the workforce and he’s doing what he can to better the department to make it a safer and more comfortable place to work. Let it go already.
That’s right, Joel. I’m a Democrat. And between Malloy and Lamont, I preferred Malloy because along with people who have jobs they don’t deserve, I don’t care much for rich people who try to buy elected offices. But had Lamont won, I would have voted for him over Foley BECAUSE I AM A DEMOCRAT.
Here’s a book suggestion:
specials.msn.com/A-List/Lifestyle/Bush-book-a-blockbuster.aspx?cp-documentid=26389327
I think what we have here … is one major case of mistaken identity … bad career move.
Yes … facts are now clear and no doubt a Severe case of mistaken identity … eye eye doctor.
You may be right, I admit I assume a lot too for we are only human, but you still didn’t answer my question.
Where’s Sybil when I need her???
Speaking of incompetent people, Dawn Norton, asst director of finance just got promoted to replace Mike Feeney. Sadly, Dawn knows less than Feeney about running the Finance Office. The tax collector, Anne Kelly-Lenz is serving double duty as the tax collector/asst director of finance. While Anne may be a decent tax collector, she too knows nothing about running the finance office.
Finch keeps combining positions an giving them to incompetent or marginally competent people. I would like to see just once a competent person hired. Finch could have promoted from within. The employees in finance are qualified, educated and hard-working people. They have taken a few years of abuse under Feeney. Would have been nice to see one of them promoted.
The job was supposed to go to John Norko, another political retread but at least qualified. I think Tom Sherwood fought tooth and nail against Norko and suggested that the leadership of finance go to Dawn/Anne to save money. Truth is he knew he couldn’t control Norko. With Dawn/Anne at the helm, he will continue to rule the city.
I had not heard about this. Last I knew, the job was going to Norko. Too bad. I agree that although he is part of the machine, he is at least qualified. Maybe they’ll put him in Barnes’ job.
The Fixer // Nov 17, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Response to your posting … I came across your posting and …
I thought you’d like to know that from my own observation, I find I often mention that half the problems with the City Budget and its deficit rests with SHERWOOD. Yes I would agree that SHERWOOD thinks he could control these two women over Norko, but don’t sell Anne Kelly-Lenz short, if anyone could put a burr under SHERWOOD’s saddle, it could be Lenz. The take on Norton is that she is petty and mean and follows every order given by Feeney, who in turn follows every order given by SHERWOOD. So Norton shouldn’t have any trouble following orders, suggestions, guidelines and directives given by SHERWOOD.
When SHERWOOD advises the Mayor to let heads roll and go ahead with layoffs, and at the same time he advises the Mayor to let dozens and dozens of take-home City cars remain on the books until the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2011, we know there is serious cooking of the books going on …
Some SHERWOOD, some Mayor!
And the best way I can sum things up for you …
Sounds like something out of Sherwood’s Forest!
*** It will be on Malloy’s head if Barnes fails, no? ***
eyedoctor // Nov 18, 2010 at 12:52 am
Since you appear to be losing sleep over my posts, I will engage you this one last time:
“Let me put it simply. You change your name but you still say the same crap over and over.” I have but the one name here, BPT 1. I have read the blog for a while but only recently started posting under my one and only name.
“Grow some nuggets and tell Mr. Garcia what a lousy job he’s doing to his face … or quit.”
I have witnessed on more than one occasion members of the Board tell you/Mr. Garcia to your/his face and on the record the EXACT same things I have said on here. And since I do not work for you/Mr. Garcia, neither one of you cannot bully me into quitting.
“What did he do to you that is so bad you talk about the man all the time?” Wow, such an ego! I comment about many things on here, not just you!
“Enlighten us. He is fair to the workforce …” As evidenced here, you are a bully. I assume this is also plainly visible to the workforce by now.
“… he’s doing what he can to better the department to make it a safer and more comfortable place to work.” By trying to force a move into a toxic waste dump at Bodine?
“Let it go already.” You apparently are the one who cannot let anything go. I have never witnessed anything like this anywhere before. Imagine if Finch and Ramos lashed out like this trying to silence legitimate taxpayer complaints!
First of all, believe what you want I am not he, that’s my word. But you still haven’t answered the question. You constantly degrade the guy. WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU THAT WAS SO BAD?!?!? Enlighten us. Oh and by the way, if you’re a city employee what are you doing blogging during city time? Your post go from 4 am to 10 pm. Wasssuppp?!?!?
I have told you repeatedly what my problem with him is–he is in a position made specifically for him that he is unqualified to hold because someone owed his aunt a favor. Period. End of story. I’ve said this repeatedly and yet you still cannot grasp it. And you will note my first post this morning was at 8 a.m. I think I made it clear that despite your assumptions, you have no idea who I am but rest assured I do NOT work for the city in any way, shape or form. I AM A TAXPAYER AND I RESENT YOUR ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE ME!!! And if you think you are going to bully me into silence, think again. I’m not that easy. SO BRING IT ON!
OK now I’m confused. I know that’s easy to do, but you seem to show an awful lot of interest in the BOE Maintenance dept. and know an awful lot about what’s going on in the dept. for someone who doesn’t work there. Does everyone agree? So how did he hurt you? By jealousy??? That’s what it sounds like to me. Because he was in the right place at the right time. That’s how 95% of the city employees get their jobs anyway. I know I’ll never shut you up that’s not my intention. It’s just that you accuse him over and over of being incompetent because he was a “janitor.”