Democratic mayoral candidate John Gomes “has released this letter to the minority communities regarding his concern,” according to the Gomes campaign.
An Open Letter from a Mayoral Candidate to the Diverse Communities of Bridgeport
Friday, April 22, 2011
As I sit and read the “Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King,” I think of the sacrifices which were made in order to exercise a right–a right to vote. I can’t help but think of the tears, blood and ultimate sacrifice of life made by those special people. A right that today our society has taken for granted.
American history is filled with stories of barbaric acts and unrelenting inhumanity to prevent those with different skin color from being able to vote. We frequently fail to remind ourselves of this right, of its value, its power. A right for which so much was given up, and today we give it so little of value.
I implore the diverse minority communities of Bridgeport to wake up and to understand the power of your presence. The resources, technology and freedom to accomplish, has left many of us unaware of previous sacrifices and more importantly of how many of us are still left wanting!
We continue to sell ourselves short.
Many of our political, civic and religious leaders have “masters” themselves. They have created a “plantation” where your input as a citizen is of no interest to them, where the clarity of your vision, faith and spirit is invisible. They only see your lack of hope.
As a group we have failed to express our presence as a majority. Bridgeporters, wake up! Take hold of your future and that of your children. This is yours by voting.
Stop being led by others. Look at your surroundings. Look at the crumbs you’re given and ask whether this is enough. Don’t you deserve more?
Stop to understand and appreciate your rich history. Understand the struggle your ancestors made, whether they traveled to come here to earn that “inalienable right” or whether they were born here and denied it.
It is through the action of voting you can begin to change the future for your children and your community.
Participatory action is where it begins. Register to vote. Demonstrate your ability in this community.
Empower yourself.
Bridgeport can no longer continue to accept single-digit voter turnout within the minority neighborhoods on Election Day.
Understand that if you show up and vote, you become the majority. Frustration with lack of jobs, economic development and high taxes will not go away until your participation and demand for accountability is required by the whole community.
Dirty streets, poor education, abandoned properties will continue to be in your neighborhood because those in power believe that you do not matter.
I hope that you realize today that enough is enough I implore you to take charge of the future with your vote. Create a new destiny for Bridgeport with your vote.
Deliver your vote on September 13, 2011.
Look!
www .youtube.com/watch?v=6Pi7JFn1Cyg
I can appreciate what he’s saying and the demographic he’s aiming for. If it works more power to him.
Mr. Gomes:
I believe what you are advocating is voting for a minority candidate, you, because they are a minority. This is reminiscent of voting for a candidate because they are white. Until people vote for the most qualified person, regardless of their stature in a community, be it race, religion etc., there will be special interests addressed. This country has seen what has happened often enough by voting for a party, a race, a religion etc.
Charlie,
“Most qualified” is an oxymoron in Bridgeport politics. The voters here are unable to vote for the “most qualified” person because none of the persons who usually run for public office are qualified to do anything.
charlie // Apr 23, 2011 at 3:45 am
To your posting
Charlie,
This is not the advocation you believe it is.
Count the Democratic voters who vote in our municipal primaries. The gap in numbers between registered voters and actually voting voters is huge.
The advocation appears strongly to vote. But there needs to be a reason that motivates this action. There has been no motivating factor in any mayoral primary for too many years.
All due respect Charlie, my take is Gomes is saying get out and VOTE period. No matter who you are and that INCLUDES minorities. He is saying everyone’s voice should be heard.
This press release by Mr. Gomes is disgusting and divisive. This is a sure way to keep the city divided. Mr. Gomes, do you think minorities are the only ones struggling in this city? Does he think there are no poor white families living in Bridgeport? Does this mean if Mr. Gomes is elected all white people should move as they don’t count?
There is no doubt minorites in this country have suffered but you know what, so have many other nationalities that have come here en masse. The Irish, the Italians and the list goes on and on have suffered and endured.
Instead of building a coalition of all groups Mr. Gomes is pandering to a select group. Shame on You! I guess when all else fails play the race card.
“Dirty streets, poor education, abandoned properties will continue to be in your neighborhood because those in power believe that you do not matter.” so states Mr. Gomes. You really think these conditions only exist in minority neighborhoods? Drive by my neighborhood.
What would be the reaction if the following statement were made by a white candidate “I implore the diverse minority communities (substitute white community) of Bridgeport to wake up and to understand the power of your presence. Many of our political, civic and religious leaders have “masters” themselves. They have created a “plantation where your input as a citizen is of no interest.” Really???
Mr. Gomes shame on you BTW does control transfer and Trumbull high school mean anything to you? You talk out of both sides of your mouth.
tc, you sound like a retired cop or someone who’s been living off the city payroll all his life.
Some old righteous bastard from the past, a what’s in it for me guy.
Odds are, you live in the same neighborhood as Mr. Gomes.
Remember your friend (Mario Testa) made Bridgeport what it is today.
Now who’s taking out of both sides of his mouth?
Good job Mr. Gomes!
Great to hear from a recent transplant from Fairfield. I did 14 years on rescue squad 5 and 9 years in Arson and I got there by competitive examination. i also spent 20 years in the private sector and have paid taxes here for the past 45 years. I worked with disadvantaged kids for nearly 30 years. What have you done except lace this blog with swear words and half-baked ideas? Testa did not make this city what it is today, the people of Bridgeport made it what it is today. I walked the walk, what have you done? Nothing.
LOL
Gomes for Mayor!
Now if only you can talk the talk?
Bullshit.
town committee // Apr 23, 2011 at 6:30 am
To your posting
tc,
Are you deliberately misunderstanding a call to vote?
You and I know what the voter turnout has been for mayoral primaries and we both know why.
The 80% of the registered Democratic voters who do not vote choose not for a reason. It isn’t color, race, gender or cultural handicaps that has kept the vote count suppressed; it’s to the best interest of a party machine to keep a low turnout.
That’s not news to anyone.
So what do you think would happen Andy if 40% voter turnout happened on September 13th 2011?
There is something unusual about the campaign for mayor this year. There are qualified candidates offering their message.
And perhaps you can appreciate that voting doesn’t divide people.
Carolanne, what’s not to understand? “American history is filled with stories of barbaric acts and unrelenting inhumanity to prevent those with different skin color from being able to vote. We frequently fail to remind ourselves of this right, of its value, its power.” His words, not mine.
“Dirty streets, poor education, abandoned properties will continue to be in your neighborhood because those in power believe that you do not matter.” His words, not mine.
So we have 22 minorities holding 22 seats out of a possible 34 total seats or 61% of the seats are held by minorities.
Your MJF bias is disgusting, tc. You advocate change, right? Clean house change, right?
So does Mr. Gomes.
Time for me to step in on tc … don’t get in the mud here … Gomes’ daughter received a scholarship from the BOE to support inter districting for Bpt. students to study science.
She earned that scholarship on her own for her excellence in science … You are a Foster fan and that’s great tc … but don’t sling mud as I am sure she wouldn’t approve of that if she were to read this.
town committee // Apr 23, 2011 at 6:30 am
to your posting
tc,
Your legitimate anger is accepted. Your postings carry some burdens but they are really informative to me in this campaign.
However, you have failed us all with your last sentence.
Neither campaign is taking a direction that burns bridges, Andy. Your last sentence was out to burn bridges. Not necessary. You could have heard this campaign talk about your “concern” if you cared seriously enough.
Let’s look at the crumbs given to the minority population by the so-called plantation owners:
THERE ARE 34 ELECTED POSITIONS IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT:
Let’s look at the breakdown:
There are 20 common council seats held by the following:
6 Hispanic
8 Blacks
6 Whites
Town Clerk
1 Hispanic
City Clerk
1 Black
2 Registrar of Voters
1 Hispanic
1 White
1 Probate Judge
1 White
1 Mayor
1White
6 State Representatives
2 White
2 Black
2 Hispanic
2 State Senators
1 White
1 Black
So Mr. Gomes here is the breakdown. Out of 34 elected position that are held by the following:
12 Blacks
10 Hispanics
12 whites
So we have 22 minorities holding 22 seats out of a possible 34 total seats or 61% of the seats are held by minorities.
What say you now Mr. Gomes? You made the charge please answer yourself and don’t have CC answer for you.
*** Everyone’s vote counts, no? Alienating Bpt voters along race, gender, religion or economic status is not a wise uphill route to take towards defeating the current political powers, especially when most residents are in the same sinking vessel! *** MAYDAY, MAYDAY ***
Gomes is a weak candidate for mayor. He carries no specific plan for the city, especially for someone who is as experienced with Bridgeport politics as he claims to be. He banks too much on emotion, and his releases reflect that.
Lake Forest Guy // Apr 23, 2011 at 9:09 am
To your posting
LFG,
I know you know the difference between “experience in politics” and “experience in city government operations.”
The particular problems in Bridgeport is the incestuous and dangerous mixing of politics in running a city government system.
The favoritism towards a few is the norm rather than access and availability for all Bridgeport residents, taxpayers, voters.
To correct your assumption is to say Mr. Gomes is experienced with city operations and the lack of cost-effective and fair distribution of public services.
tc,
Redo your math.
City Council
Whites
130 – 2
132 – 1
133 – 1
134 – 2
138 – 2
Total 8
African American
131 – 1
132 – 1
133 – 1
135 – 2
139 – 2
Total 7
Latino
131 – 1
136 – 2 (includes 1 Cuban)
137 – 2
Total 5
Check the 134th. Lyons I believe is Hispanic.
tc,
You said 8 blacks. I pointed out 7 African Americans. Which black has been passing himself off as white for all these years?
Also, I am pretty sure Lyons is NOT a member of the Minority–Black/Latino Caucus.
So did you just out Lyons or did you out yourself?
Lyons is not Latino.
Who wrote this for Gomes? Where is the sentient thinking here? That was the most racist diatribe I’ve read on this blog. It makes Ernie Newton almost literate. I guess you can’t teach stupid.
Pandering to the illegals, nonproducers who don’t pay any taxes, and any other group who listen to him. give it up.
Barry,
Do you write for Bill O’Reilly?
Barry Soitera has a second job (besides being a right-wing bigot):
www .youtube.com/watch?v=sKrPROU9I4U
The guy’s doing a great impersonation of Sal DiNardo–right, Lennie?
If I’m picking an actor to portray Sal, it’s Chazz Palminteri.
I’d go with Steve Buscemi …
barry soitera // Apr 23, 2011 at 10:16 am
to your posting
Soit,
I see you readily understood the whole piece …
Tell me Barry, when did “illegals” vote in Bridgeport?
Check it out before you give it up.
You gave yourself away …
We also had slaves who worked in the house and helped keep the field slaves in line … So what’s your point? Just because we have people of color elected to office, that doesn’t mean they operate in the best interest of those of color. John Gomes is correct, until the majority of this city aligns itself and fights for their self interest the little man will continue to get pushed around. Any elected official, John Gomes included will not be able to solely fight for a minority population unless they are part of the election process and engage civilly.
Do I need to pull out the census data and run a cross comparison of total minority population vs. whites compared to the minority population vs. the mayor and his cabinet? Or should we look at the actual residents vs. the mayor and his cabinet.
Capone gets it, now if only the rest of you read this carefully and put your obvious agendas aside, you will also.
Capone???
Is that an African American name?
Sounds more Italian to me.
So when you say “we” also had slaves that worked in the house, are you speaking as the plantation owners?
Grin Reaper, my race does not play a role here. (But if I were from Southern Italy it may … i.e. Phoenicians and Genoa.) But I use Capone as fondness to old Mafia movies. Something to be said about how an immigrant group can circumvent the system, gain power and control and then work within the system to maintain some power and control.
Just adding my opinion on the issue here. I use “we” as I am an American. To me, slavery was/is an American issue. We as Americans continue to pay the price for that system many derived profits from.
Grin Reaper,
I’m not a plantation owner and would probably have been stuck tilling or milling, as I do not have the stomach to abuse people for power, control or money.
But my observation tells me our mayor, his cabinet and some of our city council has no problem abusing the people of Bridgeport.
Grin Reaper,
Lighten up. By attacking another person’s credibility you’re only impugning your own. Chastising someone for what are misperceptions on your part is plain stupid. “Political correctness” is just that: POLITICAL correctness, which appears to benefit POLITICANS.
To constantly challenge a person’s opinions on matters of race is just as damaging as ignoring racism by acting as though it doesn’t exist. Jim Crow caused a lot of resentment and embarrassment that is going to be a part of the American psyche until Doomsday.
Mr. Gomes’ ethnocentric angle obscures some of the nobler sentiments: “Frustration with lack of jobs, economic development and high taxes will not go away until your participation and demand for accountability is required by the whole community.”
Amen to that, brother.
Why is it Lennie can write about the plantation owners and the black district leaders selling their own people out for jobs, etc. but when John Gomes posts something similar you are all over him? Gomes is right. For as long as I’ve lived in Bridgeport, the black voters have been led around by their noses by their district leaders and–yes–by Mario Testa. For a few crumbs, a pasta dinner and a few jobs, they do what they are told. Every election, Mario puts tons of money on the streets to get out the black vote. I have seen it with my own eyes during many elections. It is sinful.
John Gomes is right. The black voters don’t realize the power they hold. Neither do the Latinos. They can make or break a candidate. They can vote Finch right out of office. They can take control of the DTC. Instead they settle for a few crumbs.
I don’t see Gomes’ statement as divisive. I think it’s right on the money. Maybe people are just uncomfortable with it.
chs, you hit it right on the head.
committee // Apr 23, 2011 at 8:32 am
To your posting
tc,
Give me your history of mayoral primaries and mayoral elections in Bridgeport. I think that is worth lunch.
I have no idea what you mean by my history in primaries and mayoral elections. I can’t remember
all the elections and all the primaries.
Don’t underestimate the Latino vote. The Spanish-speaking community is far more organized than you think. Mr. Gomes has been working the barrio for quite some time. Tapping into the disenfranchised is a time-honored tactic. city hall smoker is right on the money about “mariocracy.” Testa puts money on the street, has his minions promise the sun, the moon and the stars. After election day all those promises are forgotten.
city hall smoker // Apr 23, 2011 at 2:35 pm
to your posting
CHS,
Kinda like the discomfort the 600-pound elephant in the room causes?
Most of us on this blog have a common goal and that is to rid Bridgeport of Finch and his team of incompetent political flunkies. Don’t lose sight of that. Gomes is not the enemy. We’re on the same team. And I am confident we will all come together by this summer, whether it’s behind Gomes or MJF. United We Stand, Divided We Fall (Brotherhood of Man).
You are the only one I know who believes either Gomes or Foster will back out. And that includes Gomes and Foster.
If they truly care about our city (and I believe they both do), whoever is behind in the polls come summer should drop out and throw his/her support to the other candidate. Yes Grin, I believe that will happen. It MUST happen.
We’ll see where the chips fall come late August. Foster and Gomes will have a tête-à-tête, do some horse trading. From this vantage point in time it looks as though Gomes will put his support behind Mary-Jane Foster. She is leading an informal poll on Facebook, way ahead of Bill Finch. (Gomes’ votes aren’t event registering.)
Mary-Jane Foster, 24 votes; John Gomes and Charlie Coviello, nada; Bill Finch, 1.
Counterpoint Kid, many people can’t afford the luxury of FB, sad to say. But you are on the right track.
Scares me so many so-called educated people on here took what Mr. Gomes said the wrong way.
If you are an advocate for change, real change, then embrace what Gomes is saying. So many agendas.
tc this is not an attack on MJF, so put your fangs away.
I did not take it as having anything to do with MJF. I took it as an insult to the people of Bridgeport. The talk about plantation owners and being ignored by their elected officials and the inference was that they were white was what was wrong.
The majority of elected positions in Bridgeport are held (61%) by minorities.
If a person were talking about voter apathy then say so directly. There is voter apathy in all communities, all cities and in the country as a whole.
tc, you are again missing the point. So what if 61% of elected positions are held by minorities? How does that benefit the citizens of Bridgeport–the majority of whom are black and latino? You know as well as I do Mario puts money on the streets every election. The district leaders pocket some and the rest is doled out in $10’s and $20’s to get people to the polls. Most are uneducated as to the issues so they vote the party line as instructed. After the election is won, the district leaders get a few low-level jobs as a reward for their loyalty. And the cycle goes on. Except this year there is a chance to stop that cycle. This year there is a chance to elect a mayor who represents all of us and who won’t stoop to payoffs and phony promises to win an election. tc, MJF may be that candidate and she may win with the help of John Gomes. So cut the shit.
Mr. Gomes is doing what Bill Finch and the rest of the DTC Hee Haw gang only play at: He’s trying to get city residents to empower themselves. There was nothing racist in his open letter. He was and is speaking directly to several communities. He will succeed in doing so and it will give him more bargaining leverage as the primary approaches.
CHS: who the hell are you to tell me anything? First off my comments were about Gomes’ position paper that started Lennie’s comments. Where did Mario Testa come into this. You’ve got Mario on the brain.
Street money has been handed out for years and years probably longer than you or I have been able to vote. Its wrong, its done and that was not part of what Gomes wrote.
Who voted for the 61% of the minorities holding office? Was it the plantation owners? I don’t think so. Are you saying minorities who have been elected in Bridgeport were elected by street money and a bought-off electorate? If you went to a great majority of the electorate they probably would not know all of the issues, they would only know the issues that affect them directly. Do you think anyone we are talking about is going to vote for any candidate based on the lack of progress made at steel point? The answer is no. I suggest you reread Gomes’ statement.
I have Mario on the Brain? I HAVE MARIO ON THE BRAIN? PLEAZE!!!!!!!!!
CHS: That’s right, Mario on the brain. So many of your posts mention Testa it’s got to be Mario on the brain. You have done what to get rid of him? The silence is deafening. Have you run for a town committee seat? NO! Have you run for elective office? NO! How many candidates who have been in primaries have you worked for? Are you going to do anything in this election except bitch about Testa?
tc, I have been active in Bridgeport politics since the 1980’s. And I will continue to be active for as long as I live. I don’t have “Mario on the brain.” However, Mario is the single most destructive player on the Bridgeport Democratic scene. You admit he puts money on the streets to get out the black and Latino votes. He pays off a few of the black and Latino leaders and they in turn keep their people in line. He controls them like a plantation owner. Mario outed himself in last Sunday’s Ct Post. He confirmed what we have all been saying.
Listen, I like Mary-Jane Foster too. I think she is well qualified, competent, a breath of fresh air. However, Mario has to go. tc, you cannot serve two masters. Either you are with MJF or you are with the party plantation owners. Pick a side.
I’m signing off for the day. Happy Easter and Happy Passover everyone.
I’ve stayed off of here for the most part … too many agendas and not enough seeing the forest through the trees. My hope is for a clean election with the people of Bridgeport as the common goal … tc I’m pissed, you went for a low blow and have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to Gomes’ daughter and her scholarship she earned … you are a lemming looking to hold down a young lady from bettering herself? It’s not right to earn a scholarship to Trumbull high school given by the Bpt BOE? You are what’s wrong in Bpt looking to sling mud to advance your agenda … I totally agree with posters above who read this correctly that Gomes is saying everyone should be heard from on election day … the best thing Ms. Foster can do is ask you to not be a part of her campaign as the MJF I know would applaud what Mr Gomes said … not throw mud on it.
Bravo.
Candidates’ kids should never come into play. NEVER. tc should be more sensitive to that.
Mr. Gomes’s piece centered around the minority community and was not at all inclusive. Read it again. He wrote it, I didn’t. BTW who are the plantation owners?
Read George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (written before 1950). It is an allegory that mirrors the politics of Bridgeport (current day). It’s time for the entitlement issue to be put to rest and for those who have benefited to step up and be accountable. And that includes Mr. Race Baiter himself, Ernie Newton.
Cheers, Bpts Finest!
“El Bronco” for Mayor 2012.
www .ctpost.com/news/article/Mexican-mayor-survives-bullets-gets-his-own-song-1349765.php
Bullshit move, tc. A Finch/Testa move. Gomes’ kid is smart and EARNED what she got through the Bridgeport public school system.
Gomes went to the public school system and to UCONN and Grad school also. You want to attack him for not going to U of Bridgeport you idiot?
You people make me laugh. The informal FB poll is on the MJF for Mayor page! Of course she is leading in the poll! Interesting, though, is that just 69 people “like” her page while 651 people “like” the John Gomes for Mayor page. Just saying. I guess it’s all about spin and how you can take a half-truth and try to turn it into a fact. This is why low-information voters and a dumbed-down electorate keep voting against their own best interests.
69 likes, does MJ have Gomes’ digits? He’s on the streets every day and even Black Rock’s going for him.
Spin is right.
Of course M-J will team up with JG, he has the following.
Bottom line is one-term Willie.
Bottom line is Gomes for mayor.
Bottom line is change.
I think it’s very interesting many of you know nothing about the history of this city or the Black community.
Charlie Tisdale ran against John Mandanci for Mayor.
Charlie beat Mandy in a primary.
The Black and Hispanic communities voted in record numbers.
When Barack Obama ran for President Blacks voted in record numbers, even in Bridgeport.
Mr. Gomes has a right to say how he sees things in Bridgeport.
My issue is if he were still working for the mayor, would he feel the same way?
Hey Ernie,
Man up and stop feeling sorry for yourself!
Ernie you’re killing me. Give it up and realize Gomes is the first African mayor in Bpt ever.
BK, the only one I feel sorry for is you! Remember this, I’ll show you how to get them to the POLLS!
(2011 or 2012)
Go away Ernie, and don’t call Gomes with your hand out.
Gomes is the next Bpt mayor. Yes.
My whole neighborhood is pumped up for September. We are young but we all will vote Gomes. Yes.
Remember this BK, you know nothing about POLITICS! in Bridgeport. And none of them can win without us. Remember I don’t have to be the KING, I can be the KINGMAKER. Too bad you can’t say that!
Gomes will gather many votes, Ernie. He’s going to do it without your “help.” Politicians don’t associate with felons.
BK, I am sure all the ex-felons who are registered to vote would like to know GOMES DOES NOT NEED EX-FELONS’ VOTES. I’LL START GETTING THAT MESSAGE out to the thousands of EX-FELONS!
Most felons can’t vote, you stupid asshole.
WE PASSED A STATE LAW THAT FELONS CAN VOTE! BK take your head out of your ASS!
I vote with my conscience, not for whoever I can pay off.
Testa thinks he is a kingmaker. How did that work out for us?
That’s good to know BK, that Black Rock is for Gomes!
Another reason why I never post on here anymore … what the heck is wrong with you Ernie??? Obviously kid bpt is a young voter interested in politics and excited to vote for Gomes … and you trash the kid … stop pulling out the race card and trashing people Ernie … it’s great to see a young kid interested in the mayoral race and you can’t handle that he likes John Gomes.
Bpts Finest,
Ernie thinks kid bpt is me. Guess what, Ernie. You’re such a fucking moron you couldn’t see the differences in the writing styles.
Has John Gomes been handing out voter registration cards at his Subway and deli since they’ve been open?
Has John Gomes done anything for customers who come in on election day with their I VOTED stickers on?
If he has been then my hat’s off to him. This would show a long-term commitment to registration and voting.
But if all he has done was to register Cape Verdeans for Finch and now that he is a candidate he is out registering voters then the post is simply self-serving.
Bpts Finest I’m not upset about BK’s support for Gomes. I was just pointing out the history of Bridgeport and the black community, that’s all. Which he knows nothing about.
If the voters of Bridgeport do not empower themselves it will be more of the same:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=7WYq3iON8KQ
We, as the people of the city of Bridgeport, have come to the point at which the politics of division along ethnic lines must be left behind. What matters now is the greater good, the resolutions that benefit everyone.
Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. By the same token, those who would use the history of injustice to their own advantage are ignorant of the future.
Why is it all other races can talk about the injustice they suffered, but when black people talk about the injustice they suffered people want to say we’re using the RACE CARD! If Gomes became Mayor tomorrow, racism would still exist. BK you know nothing about what black people had to go through! Let’s look at what’s happening to our president! All Donald Trump is doing is PLAYING on the FEARS OF WHITE AMERICA. I’m sure BK YOU DON’T THINK DONALD TRUMP IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD! SO BK keep your mouth shut if you don’t have a clue as to what you are talking about.
Donald Trump is playing a wild card, not the race card. He has no intention of seeking public office. If you were as smart as you think you are you’d know that.
BK, it’s alright for WHITE PEOPLE TO DIVIDE US, YOU ASSHOLE!
Ernie,
When “your” people figure out how lame you really are they’ll run your sorry ass out of town and tell you not to come back.
Ernest T,
All different nationalities had to overcome adversities living with discrimination. Blacks don’t own it.
“Irish need not apply” greeted immigrants looking for jobs who spoke the same language as the predominately English owners of businesses. Every nationality faced hardships acclimating to the American mainstream. Most of them did in 10 to 20 years without “playing the race card” yet after 100 years you still feel the need to.
Ernest “T,” you still remain a legend in your own mind. You still think you are a player in this city’s politics? You are delusional, any candidate with half a brain will run from you like the plague. So that only leaves Bill Finch. He may be desperate to scrape the bottom of the barrel for votes, but at least he seems smart enough to know his glory days are over. That is something you’re going to have to realize yourself.
Hey Ernie,
Race didn’t really play a part in the last presidential election. John McCain is as white as they come and the voters chose Barack Obama, an African American in the truest sense. So your racist bullshit is what it is: bullshit. If the voters in the 23rd return you to the seat you held before incarceration it will be because A, they’re ignorant, or B, they have lower standards than the rest of the city.
ONE MORE THING BK, I DARE MR. GOMES, MJF OR MR. FINCH to go public and SAY they don’t need my SUPPORT because I’m a FELON!
I have an idea, Ernie. Send a $100 campaign donation to each candidate and see how many turn down the donation.
It’s not a question of not needing your help, ET. They don’t WANT your help.
You once described yourself as “the Moses of my people.” In the sense you have some followers you are a leader, even if you are only leading them in circles.
Gomes, Finch and Foster are campaigning because they want to win. Associating with a known felon is bad for business. To associate with a disgraced, recalcitrant and unrepentant former public official who served prison time for taking bribes and stealing campaign funds … Well, let’s just say that is political suicide everywhere besides the 23rd Senate district.
They don’t need your support because you are an asshole.
yahooy, shhh. You’ll spoil the self delusion.
Ernest T the kingmaker.
I will translate for you all.
Ernest T needs a job, ET wants people to think he can make kings. ET has his grubby, disgusting hand out.
Winning, I have a great job. No one in my family works for the city. Never did. Hey Joel, I bet you one thing. I don’t have to send a check.
Change it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fall that’s all
But the world looks just the same
And history can’t be changed
‘Cause the banners were all flown in the last war …
You have a job? Given your arrest and conviction was front-page news I’m surprised anyone would hire you. Given it is well known you were convicted of taking bribes, stealing campaign funds and cheating on your taxes I’d be surprised if you could land a job as a maître d’ at a steakhouse.
You don’t have a hundred bucks to throw away, Ernie. Everyone knows crack goes for ten bucks a rock.
BK, who are you TALKING about, your MOTHER?
Bk! I’ll show you better than I can tell you. Since you are the spokesperson for Gomes for Mayor, if you are, Gomes is in DEEP TROUBLE! I’ll start tomorrow contacting the thousands of EX-FELONS and my base in the 23rd SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
GET READY, THE NEWTON TRAIN IS COMING TO A DISTRICT NEXT TO YOU! AND I’ll GO door to door!
Better be wearing a goalie’s mask. There are a lot of doors gonna be slammed in your face, which is ugly enough.
Earth to Ernie Newton, earth to Ernie Newton, come in, over …
Most felons have been stripped of their right to vote. So the brigade of ex-felons you’re boasting about are unable to effect change in a civilized manner.
God save us …
Ernest T,
If you could read, you would see BK is a advocate for CHANGE. Go away, Ernest. You are hurting “your peeps.”
Hey Lennie, over 100 hits for the Gomes press release, is this a record?
THE SAME WAY I BRING YOU OUT ON THIS BLOG IS THE SAME WAY I’ll BRING THE VOTERS TO THE POLLS!
2011 or 2012. See you soon!
Newton for Mayor Now!
Newton for Mayor of Shelton!
Ernie Newton for mayor of Munchkin Land!!!
Like Winning said, Ernie. You are doing more harm than good for “your people.” You are a liar and a thief. Shut the fuck up and go away.
That’s right, I am for change, a sea change in Bridgeport’s political landscape. Too many many self-interested individuals have campaigned and won elected office in Bridgeport only to remember it was Mario Testa and his district “leaders” who helped to achieve success. The “little people,” the folks who actually cast the winning ballots are of no consequence.
We’ve had enough, ENOUGH. After a mayor and more than a dozen public and civil servants went to prison for corruption and racketeering, after a state senator went to prison for taking a bribe, cheating on his taxes and stealing campaign funds, we’ve had ENOUGH. Joe Ganim is acting like he is interested in running. He may be the family law firm’s best pawn in the political game now that brother Paul is out of the running for smacking his wife around. Ernie Newton would be smart to stay in in the 23rd district. If he chose to campaign for city-wide office he’d be met with jeers, boos, eggs and rotten tomatoes everywhere else.
We have had ENOUGH.
More than 100 posts (and probably there will be more) is not so much about the word John Gomes has written I believe. Rather it is because of the fact those of us who live in the City, pay taxes, volunteer for the benefit of our neighbors, and vote regularly know:
* the City is diverse,
* the history of self-advantage and conflicted interests that occur so regularly by elected officials is to be expected,
* it is possible the competence and integrity of one or more candidates running for Mayor may excite the “apathetic electorate”
* change causes fear in different people for diverse reasons; when someone has little or nothing, fear may occur just because change produces the unknown and the unknown is scary
John, I hope all the non-machine candidates find a way to get more people to the polls by the power of their words and actions, repeated often that will provide reasons that will resonate in September, in November, and again in March 2012.
Fuck off, Ernie. You’re a clown. If the voters in the 23rd support you it’s only because there are no other alternatives.