The polls are open. What are you doing today? Shoehorning your friends out of their homes to fill in an oval for your favorite pol? Providing rides? Banging phones? Palm-carding precincts? Sticking needles in candidate opponents’ voodoo dolls?
Ouch. Did I just hear State Rep. Bob Keeley feel for his butt? Hoochie mommy, was that his opponent Auden Grogins reaching for … well, let’s not go there.
Lots of Democratic primaries today in Bridgeport and environs. I’ll be poking around voting precincts today just in case any funny business is going on. If you hear anything feel free to post. Still time to post some last minute charges and counter charges. Don’t know where you vote? Call 576-7281.
Around midday I checked out several voting precincts and turnout is super light. I chatted with State Rep. Bob Keeley at Black Rock School and his opponent Auden Grogins at Central and both said they were feeling positive about their friends coming out. Stay tuned to OIB for results and updates tonight. I’ll post numbers as soon as I get them after 8 p.m.
EVOOing Ray
My friend Elizabeth Hilts, author of Getting In Touch With Your Inner Bitch, is getting in touch with food industry tele star “Rachell Ray” in her latest parody. Want to laugh? Check it out with this link: www.everyfreakingday.com. Buy lots of copies. Tell your friends. Hilts is a hoot.
Press release from Mayor Bill Finch and Congressman Chris Shays:
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and Congressman Christopher Shays Announce Capacity Building Program for Local Non-profit Organizations
BRIDGEPORT, CT August 12, 2008 – Mayor Bill Finch and Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) announced participants for Round 1 of the Bridgeport Advancing Capacity Together (ACT) program. ACT is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant-funded program to build capacity in local faith-based organizations that serve those who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
“The City of Bridgeport is proud to partner with the Compassion Capital Fund and HHS, United Way , The Council of Churches, duBay-Horton Associates and The Workplace, Inc to provide this useful training and organizational assistance to organizations dedicated to helping the homeless,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “This program, along with the City’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, is part of a concerted effort on the part of the City of Bridgeport to bring an end to poverty in our city. I am pleased to announce the very first round of organizations that have been chosen to participate in this unique opportunity to build their capacity to more effectively serve Bridgeport residents.”
Over the next three years, ACT will offer 60 faith-based and community-based organizations admission into the program through an RFP process. The purpose of the program is to provide technical assistance to strengthen the administrative, financial and operational capacities of these organizations. The program consists of an intensive organizational assessment, an individualized technical assistance work plan and a comprehensive classroom-based workshop series designed to address capacity needs. In addition, organizations will be eligible to access specialized capacity building assistance through a sub-award process.
“I am grateful for the efforts of Bridgeport’s Advancing Capacity Together Program to provide technical assistance and training to organizations serving those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless,” said Congressman Christopher Shays, “By strengthening the capacity of the vast array of faith-Based organizations in our region, this program will enable these groups to more effectively provide aid to the most vulnerable residents in our area.”
Round one participants are as follows:
A Different Perspective, Inc.
Alpha Community Services
Bread of Heaven Ministry, Inc.
Bridgeport YMCA
Center for Women and Families
Fairfield ‘08
Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises
Hall Neighborhood House
Jesus Saves Ministry
Miracle House
Operation Hope
Pivot Ministries
ReFocus Outreach Ministry
St. John’s Family Center
Taste and See Outreach Ministries, Inc.Applications for Round 2 will be available in January 2009. Please contact the Council of Churches at 203-334-1121 for further information or visit the ACT website at www.bridgeportact.org
Good Morning, Lennie and OIB fans!
Let’s Rock and Roll at the polls! Scott N., I’m starting to count to 200 right now…let’s see if we make it…see you around 9pm-ish at Two Boots or Murphy’s Law with Chico.
Auden broke her foot this morning; looks like their poll operations are done for, Keeley’s a shoe-in.
I urge everyone who reads this blog today to read the last 2 entries from yesterday.
Once today’s results are final, all of us had better turn our sights and energy to the financial mess in this city. Yes the mayor needs to come clean but the leadership of the demogogic party (haha) is bleeding us with patronage jobs and tax cheats and sweetheart deals.
End the blue-collar mentality and lemming-like blind loyalty. Think independently and vote your conscience. Do what’s best for b’port and not yourself for a change; a real change.
I’m independent and approve this ad…
Whose brain child was it to have the North End of Bridgeport vote at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1475 Noble Avenue? My suggestion to Musto is to have a limo waiting at Winthrop School to taxi the faithful, voting seniors to this unusual polling place. How much is The City paying to rent this venue? Well, on the bright side, at least Mother Goose can take a leisurely stroll to vote.
I just cast my vote for Himes.
I just got off the phone with the Registrar’s Office. The Post had an incorrect listing about polling places. Winthrop, in the North End, is a voting location.
Also Blackham was not listed. Well I’m leaving to vote at Black Rock so I will be back.
Hey Lennie…come see us at City Hall.
Yahooy…ix-nay on the ogging-blay.
Cougie
Who the hell are you to tell me to stop blogging? You write like an ignorant sot and have nothing of import to say that could be remotely suggestive of contributative prose. May I suggest you read my last post to POLITICAL ADDICT and attempt the same.
Best wishes to Caruso, Salcedo, Shays and the people of Bridgeport in regard to the race between the last two rotten apples at the bottom of the barrel…Keeley v. Grogins.
PS Cougie…
Don’t think your assault on my recognized and insightful contribution to the perspicacity of the OIB altar will qualify you for Philistine designation. Such anointment is sacred and reserved only for those shitheads who dare to think differently than me. I would not want to defile such an egalitarian group with the likes of you. I will however arrange a discount coupon for you at the Liberty Rock.
ix-nay on the ictionary-day, ahooy-yay.
Quick report from from the field. As of 9:40 115 had voted at Black Rock School.
Helpful hint to the Grogins campaign –
When you steal your opponent’s lawn signs and replace them with your candidate’s you only piss people off and ensure that they will not only vote against you but that they will bring a friend who will also vote against you. It’s also pretty juvenile and a sign of last-minute desperation.
PS Yahooy…
You are a bullshitter.
It’s going to be a good day in Black Rock for Himes, Moore and Keeley.
Hey guys I just came back from voting I was like the youngest voter there. From what I can see when I went was Moore had great deal of support at Black Rock. There was nobody there campaigning for Musto. I voted for Himes, Moore and Keeley. John from Black Rock did you see me?
Cougie
I just figured it out.
Good luck with me on your case.
Also the entrance to go into the school was different.
donj – If you were the young guy talking to the Moore people, I believe I did see you. Sorry I didn’t stop and say hi. I was the guy in the green checked shirt. Now I’m off to work.
Cougie
Now that I know who you are, I recant my statement that you are not worthy of Philistine of the Week. You are, indeed, sufficiently a shithead fully qualified for such consideration.
Just voted at Longfellow. Let’s go Auden.
you are a sharp one yahooy…
Hello OIB! I thought this was as good a time as any to start posting on here. Just voted at Black Rock for Moore and Auden, and Himes of course. Didn’t see anyone from Musto’s campaign there, but saw a lot of support for Moore. Clearly looks like Musto is banking on Trumbull and Monroe to be enough to win it. We can’t let that happen! If this is a sign of his regard for Bridgeport, what’s he going to be like as our state senator. Tell everyone you know to get out there and vote. Vote Moore!
I voted early this morning. I can’t wait ’til 8 to see the results.
You got that right. Musto is banking on the suburbs of Trumbull and Monroe. At Longfellow there were no Musto people there but there were plenty of Moore people there. I talked to people around Longfellow who voted and they were supporting Moore big around here.
Any reports so far of heavy voting anywhere?
Word is that Moore has a big margin at Black Rock and Longfellow. But Trumbull and Monroe are voting for Musto big.
No posts in an hour? C’mon people!
Moore is running up the numbers at Black Rock. Auden and Keeley race is very tight; as of now what I’m hearing is Auden is not doing that great at Black Rock.
Central is going for Himes big!!! If you have not voted yet, go.
They must have heard you were back and didn’t want to stoop to your level.
donj, I just drove by Longfellow too, dominated by Moore’s people. That school may be a little bit out of the Musto crowd’s comfort zone, ha. Looks like it’s a Trumbull candidate vs. Bridgeport candidate straight down the line. But Musto may not have as much support in Trumbull as he thinks. Either way, get people out there to vote for BPT’s candidate. Also, seems to me Keeley will be able to hold on this time.
Stooping to my level is not the issue.
CORRUPTION IS THE ONLY ISSUE!!!!!!
…no?
I voted for Musto at Central but there were no people from his campaign there. There were plenty of Moore people over there. I’m shocked you guys are saying Moore is winning Black Rock big. Well we will see when the results are in.
Cougie, who did you vote for?
Wow, they didn’t show up at Central either?
Lee Whitnum and Yahooy.
Chris Russo. Musto deserves to lose tonight because he is for the people up in the suburbs. Chris, where is your polling place, is it at Longfellow?
Yahooy
I personally loved your comments to political addict, and I am sure many others did as well. Amazing how when they put their foot in their mouth threatening to have Mayor Finch lay people off because of opinions made on this blog they now run for cover! If this username is who I think it is, no wonder so many members of the “L” union are up in arms with the current leadership! Claiming 16 years of experience, one would think he/she would have more brains than that. However, when you are on a power trip and play political WHORE it is bound to catch up and bite you. A loaded gun that backfired and shot him/her in the foot! “GIVE THEM ENOUGH ROPE AND THEY HANG THEMSELVES.”
I also hear there is a cigar smoking dip-shit out there that has put himself in a bit of a situation. This Asshole is as dumb as a box of rocks who couldn’t spell his name if not for the help of that educated idiot of a wife he has. The dynamic Duo is crumbling FAST!
No, I vote at Central, but I’m independent, so no voting today unfortunately. I would have liked to have been able to vote for Moore. Clearly not a good sign from Musto.
Who of the Bpt. Barnum & Ringling Bros. Political Circus will get the golden ring, while riding the Dem. horses that only go around in circles? “Answer”, who cares! Don’t forget “not” to vote today also.
Put a lid on it.
I never, EVER, said Corruption was the only issue. You and that skank Anna made it all up while you were using my words to discredit Caruso. Are you glad you bent over for Finch and wouldn’t let Caruso take your independent spot? Are you happy with the way Finch is running the city? Or do you prefer not to comment so as to preserve that measly $25/hr chump change “consulting” job he gave you for keeping Chris at bay. BTW, does Harvard know you only make $25/hr?
Heard a scary rumor. Reported that patrons at Matty’s Corner bar on Fairfield Ave are being offered free drinks (and possibly cash?) in exchange for votes.
The Black Rock school where I vote is one block away, and some volunteers told me about this practice.
Polls close in a hour and change, let’s go Auden.
Let’s go Moore.
Let’s go Jimmy Himes. Bridgeport should have the most voters who voted today.
Let’s face facts folks, no one really knows for sure what voters actually do when they go to the polls. You can only assume, but you never know for sure until the count comes in. None of us are psychic, or at least if I was, I’d be buying lottery tickets daily. Moral of the story to everyone who assumes who’s winning and who’s losing – don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched!
Another thing to be wary of – it doesn’t matter how many people are standing out in front of the polling places, the voters know exactly what they’re doing before they even get there. Someone smiling and handing them a palm card isn’t going to make or break their decision as to who they are casting their vote for. Personally, I find them annoying when they pounce on me the minute I get out of my car! But that’s just my opinion.
Hey guys how is the voting going on in the rest of Bridgeport? When I voted at Harding around 7 am I was the 30th person. So I’m expecting at least 250 voters at Harding by the end.
You are so correct with your analysis of Sleazy Zeezy. He kisses the asses of who is on top at the moment. He OWES Finch BIGTIME! Finch gave him that cushy position in his office and also gave the same posiition to his cousin Jessinia I believe her name is. All while the HIRING FREEZE was supposed to be in force. He has to now go along with anything that Finch wants passed by the council. He is a phony little sob and I hope he doesn’t win!
Lieberman’s 2006 paid people are in front of Winthrop school. Oh Angel, what company are you keeping?
I’m hoping for a Keeley win but we have to see when the results start coming in. Moore looks strong but Musto is strong in the ‘burbs so that race will be interesting to see what happens.
So I assume the person you are referring to above is a candidate for something? If he has a great job with the city, why would he want to sacrifice it for an elected office that probably pays peanuts? I know for sure that state reps don’t get paid very much.
marlys who has the edge over there at Winthrop, Musto or Moore??? Because that was a precinct that Musto was going to do the best at in Bpt.
Again donj, you don’t have anything realistic until the polls close. You never know until it’s over.
velvet underground I know that but we all know where some candidates are strong. velvet who did you vote for?
I’m really interested to see if Keeley was able to prevail over the woman who challenged him. The people in that district are in dire need of a change, I remember him from 20 years ago or more, and I’ll bet he’s no better now than he was back then. I’m tempted to jump in my car and take a ride to visit my old friends over in the Brooklawn section. Oh and the victory parties back in the old days were really a great time!
donj – I didn’t – I live in New Haven for the past 8 years. I’m a former Bridgeporter who still has some old friends with political ties, so that keeps my interest piqued.
By the way, before I head out, I wish all of you well. Most of you seem very dedicated.
Tsunami Tuesday results will be in soon and I am pumped. Auden will win Musto will win Jim Himes will win.
Upon leaving my job, I found a page strewn on the sidewalk with the intent of putting it in the garbage can. When I glanced at it, I notice Zleaze’s picture (I’ll explain my Zleaze remark) on it with his daughter. At the bottom of the same page is a picture of José “Chico” Rivera that was copied from his campaign lit.
This is what is printed at the bottom:
Judge for Yourself!
JOSÉ RIVERA-Age: 65
* Never held political office and no legislative experience
* He is supported by the old political machine of MARIO TESTA and Tax Evader Sal DiNardo
* He will not be able to attend the meetings and sessions required to represent our interest in Hartford due to his poor health
It is true that José Rivera never held political office. However, it isn’t for lack of trying or lack of interest. It is because your step daddy and daddy have blocked all efforts and attempts by Chico to serve. Keep in mind that you yourself never held political office and you inherited or were handed the opportunity by your two daddies. Chico has worked longer and harder for the Democratic Party than you ever have.
Zleaze then goes on to pin Mario Testa and Sal DiNardo to Chico. Let me remind you that all that you and your daddy (#2) have, you both owe it to Mario Testa. Testa worked very closely with the late Domingo Robles (Mitch’s dad) whose City Sheriff position was inherited by Mitch with the blessing of Mario Testa. Thanks to Mario helping your step daddy Mitch, he was able to get you the job as Constituent Service Representative. Keep in mind Zleaze that you ran on Bill Finch’s coattails and that his and your campaign were funded in part by folks like Sal DiNardo. Sal DiNardo inherited what he has like you have inherited what you have to show for.
Now the last part in your lit is what set the fire in me. Should we call you Dr. Zleaze or Lord Zleaze? Who made you Chico’s doctor to suggest that Chico will not be able to attend the meetings and sessions required to represent our interest in Hartford due to his poor health? Your Daddy Americo wasn’t in great physical or mental health when he served as state representative. In his mind he believed that the State Income tax would help Bridgeport and he supported it. You didn’t question Chico’s health when he was busting his ass walking the district for you and your step daddy. I’d bet that Dr. Zleaze didn’t think that Seniors 65 and over were too old or sick to vote by AB for him. I’m sorry! I called you Dr. Zleaze when you could be Lord Zleaze. Who died and made you Lord to predict Chico’s future health condition or his future physical abilities? I will keep this piece, show it to all the seniors and show them how you feel about folks like them. People like Chico are the kind of men that inspire me.
Polls are closed.
Black Rock School machine totals –
Musto – 223, Moore – 243
Keeley – 231, Grogins – 282
Himes by over 300
Very interesting.
Bugsy,
I loved your comments tonight. I am hearing the same thing about the cigar-smoking idiot. I am sure we will be hearing more about this in the weeks to come. There’s another expression I can think of that can be used in this situation…”Payback is a Bitch”!
I read in the CT Post that Members of the Police Union (1159) intend to picket at Fairchild Wheeler on Friday when the Mayor holds his First Annual Golf Outing (for charity, or so it was stated). I wonder how many other unions will be joining them at 10:00? Does anyone have information on this?
I can bet that the L Union won’t be participating as nothing has been said to the membership. I hear there was an executive board meeting today that lasted for 2 hours (during city time again). You can bet this is one union that will be a “No-Show” as the union official in charge is too far up the mayor’s ass to think about the membership at large.
I also heard that the steward who was tossed was replaced with the former VP who lost during the election. That’s one way for her to keep her posse intact!
I also hear that this union official is instructing members to not speak with Labor Relations without union representation. Isn’t that a kick in the ass, since the reason why they went to Labor in the first place was because they couldn’t get representation and were being threatened by the union officals in charge!
“yahooy // Aug 12, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Put a lid on it.
I never, EVER, said Corruption was the only issue.”
THAT’S AN ABJECT LIE. WHEN I HAVE THE TIME I’LL DIG THROUGH THE OLD BLOG POSTS AND FIND 50 TIMES YOU DID. THEN YOU CAN QUIT THE BLOG LIKE YOU’VE DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE WHEN YOU WERE CAUGHT LYING TO PEOPLE.
“You and that skank Anna made it all up while you were using my words to discredit Caruso.”
ME AND ANNA DIDN’T NEED TO WORK TO DISCREDIT CARUSO. HE DID IT JUST FINE BY HIMSELF.
“Are you glad you bent over for Finch and wouldn’t let Caruso take your independent spot?”
WHILE CARUSO WAS PROMISING EVERYONE HE WOULDN’T RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT HE WAS COURTING ME TRYING TO GET THE SPOT.
“Are you happy with the way Finch is running the city? Or do you prefer not to comment so as to preserve that measly $25/hr chump change “consulting” job he gave you for keeping Chris at bay. BTW, does Harvard know you only make $25/hr?”
THE ONLY THINGS CHRIS CARUSO WOULD BE GOOD DOING IS WORKING AT THE EISENHOWER CENTER. “KEEPING CHRIS AT BAY.” YOU ARE STILL ASS HURT THAT YOU WERE A LOUSY PART OF A LOUSY CAMPAIGN. TAKE SOME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
SPEAKING OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY-> TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF YAHOOY. HOW MUCH DOES YOUR EMPLOYER PAY YOU TO BLOG ALL DAY? WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU THAT AFRAID OF WHO YOU ARE TO TELL US ANYTHING?
DO YOU EVEN LIVE IN BRIDGEPORT, YOU TWIT?
UNLIKE YOU, SOME OF US HAVE WORK TO DO. GIVE CARUSO MY REGARDS…
HEART,
COUGIE
PS
YOU MADE MUCH MORE SENSE WHEN YOU WERE BLOGGING AS ENVOY5.
IT’S HARD FOR ANYONE TO CONTEND OR KEEP UP WITH YOUR MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES…
Cougie – Outing other posters (even if you are wrong in your assumptions) is not good form.
COUGIE
You’re full of shit.
PS Cougie…you dip shit
About this Envoy 5 comparison. As I recall, Envoy 5 thought you were decent. I certainly don’t.
“ME AND ANNA DIDN’T NEED TO WORK TO DISCREDIT CARUSO.” a la Cougie.
It’s ANNA and I you illiterate jerk. Come on for goodness sake … you went to Harvard … right?
John from Black Rock-
You can’t mention “good form” and “yahooy” in the same sentence.
Besides, he didn’t out Yahooy. Yahooy is too much of a coward to make himself known.
Here we go again! Scott N. has not seemed to have resolved his mother issues. Let the games begin.
Scott N. – Just my 2 cents worth.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Grogins made a keeling!
I’d like to see if the gender factor in the Keeley/Grogins race played a factor. I never knew that Grogins was Jewish untill reading it on the Post today. My lawyer is Jewish, my late son’s stepdad is Jewish making my son’s sister his Jewish sister. I get along better with my ex’s husband than I did with her and I appreciate the way he treated my son. I like Auden even more now.
Keeley forgot that 13 is a bad-luck number. For a person serving 25 years as a State Rep. and have little name recognition in the overall minority community, this shows how little attention he paid to them. Getting money for Elsworth Park and ignoring the park over by P.T. Barnum points to such bad moves. Hartford needs a woman’s (Not Lydia’s) perspective in the Bridgeport delegation.
What Hartford really needs with woman representation is a Republican voice in the State House of Representatives.
The past and present delegation have been made up of members of one Party-the Democratic Party. Upon arriving in Hartford the Bridgeport delegation always caves in and surrenders their voices to the Speaker of the House who spends more time attacking the Governer than attacking the issues and working in a bipartisan fashion.
The 130th State Representative district has the opportunity to do what the 129th district did. The 130th district has for too long been controlled and underrepresented by one person and his extended family. Americo Santiago left office in the early 90’s leaving us with the State Income Tax. In fairness he did leave one Street with new sidewalks (on both sides) but, it was his Street on Lee Avenue. He tried putting his replacement candidate of choice in his place, but Hector Diaz got the upper hand. Americo later put up Felipe Reinozo (I supported him too) who beat Diaz. Felipe’s last statement to the Post regarding the condition of the 130th district was something to the extent that “The people are hungry.” These are sad and shameful words from a 4-term Representative of a party that claims to adequately represent their constituents well. So don’t blame Rell! Felipe saw the writing on the wall and he knew the Mitch Robles and Americo Santiago had other plans for his seat. We all know what that plan is and so far it’s working as usual. After placing Reinozo on the Legislature, Americo Santiago then moved to Waterbury where he attempted (came close) to win a State Rep. seat there. After realizing that politics in Waterbury was harder than in Bridgeport, he returned and started the plot with Mitch Robles to stay influencing the political process here in the 130th and 131st districts.
I never left my city or my district and when I step down as City Councilman after 6 years, I gave Mitch Robles the benefit of the doubt as far as doing the right thing for the district (not only his family and friends) and placing proactive and truely dedicated candidates to carry on the progress that I started in the best 6 years the 131st district ever had — 1995-2001.
Since Eze Santiago relies so much on his “family thing” I’m ready to debate and I’ll even allow him to bring along Felipe Reinozo, Mitch Robles and Americo with him and have them by his side to assist him in the debate. Heck as extras he can bring NObama, Himes and Musto too.
Cougie? What happened to Cougar? It sounds like someone has tamed the Cougar. It’s nice to have you back. Lennie once implied that the mayor had prohibited you from blogging here. Yahooy works for the Yahoo Chocolate Factory as a packer and frequently sneaks off the packing line to the company computer to release some of his frustration.
Yahooy is disappointed that you make $25 dollars an hour. Maybe when he finds out that with overtime you make $37.50 an hour he will feel better. Maybe not! Bill Finch is against overtime. One way to circumvent the overtime policy would be to convince the mayor that it is not overtime and tell him it’s extra innings.