What happens when you’re the incumbent mayor off a fresh primary win that costs about $400K? You raise more money for the general election. Even if you’re the overwhelming favorite with a 10 to 1 registration advantage? Why not, if contributors are willing to cough up the loot. Isn’t this a bit excessive? No one’s forcing them to donate. But what if you’re a mayoral appointee, is there an obligation?
A campaign party for Mayor Bill Finch takes place tonight at Testo’s Restaurant and some mayoral appointees are meowing. Oh no, not again!
When the primary cycle segues into the general election the campaign contribution clock resets. That means if you maxed out the $1000 personal contribution you can do it again. Ah, something to look forward to, right? This is all relative, of course. If you’re making $100K working at the pleasure of the mayor you’d be obliged to max out. But what if you’re the basic party working stiff earning $35 or $40K a year? What’s reasonable? It’s not like you have a lot of discretionary income at the end of your check.
Why do folks donate? For most, it’s certainly not out of the goodness of their hearts. Supporters want to keep their job or get a job, or they want access to make a pitch to the peeps in power. Don’t they donate because they want good government? Good grief, you can’t be serious! Good government, for most contributors, especially high rollers goes only as far as what’s in it for them. That’s the way the system works on a municipal level.
The Finch operation has done an excellent job raising money in an awful economy. Some would argue they’ve raised the money because of the nasty economy. Where else to find work, even if it is relative crumbs, but government? Can you just imagine if the city actually sees cranes in the air?
So tonight there should be a nice crowd at Testo’s for folks kissing the ring, paying homage to the mayor, making nice among those who want to keep their job, secure a job or be in line for a school, paving, sewer, construction, building or legal services job. That’s the way it works.
It’s your chance to cough up.
Lennie,
It will be like season ticket holders at a meaningless game at the end of a baseball season where the team’s finish is a foregone conclusion. Many more tickets sold than people showing up. A lot of freebies and comps goin’ around so it isn’t an empty room.
So did you ask Mario for your freebie so you can get us all the skinny?
I’ll only go if Mario throws in a bottle of Amarone.
Lennie,
Is this about a “dinner bell” or “a fire alarm?” The subject of elections, primaries and debates is a little off my radar, but I wandered back to the office only to receive a call from a friend who tells me the debate at Housatonic Community College will not have Mayor Finch participating, after an earlier confirmation to the organizers. Furthermore, the Bridgeport Property Owners Association forum in the North End tomorrow evening is rumored to be off Mayor Finch’s radar. Will you investigate and confirm, please? Can anyone think of a good reason why a frontrunner with a huge lead in registered voters, coming off a primary win and with funds galore would pose as a debater and then slide away from a commitment? What am I missing here? What’s up, doc? Was I passed a gullibility pill or is there something material and of significance to the City and the campaign? For whom does this bell toll? Time will tell.
And Mario’s pasta and marinara sauce may be good but it ain’t worth $1,000 a plate.
If you don’t think Mario’s pasta is worth $1,000 a plate, maybe you don’t understand culinary expertise or politics in Bridgeport.
Is Mario planning on having his own meaningless DTC fundraiser too before the general so he can restock his pond for food money on election day?
The City Hall “greeter” has been very busy these last few weeks, soliciting campaign contributions on City time. Ah the power of incumbency. You can do whatever the hell you want and no one can stop you. What a pity the people of Bridgeport are so stupid.
Ninety-five (95) percent of the Bridgeport Democratic party is made up of people who only care about what’s in it for them. Do they care about Bridgeport and its residents? Hell NO. To most of the party loyalists we are lazy dumb asses who don’t give a damn who is in office, thus low voter turnout.
Unfortunately we have fed into this way of thinking by not voting these assholes out of office.
In my district (138th) we have no NRZ zone, no food market, one bank and one gas station, it’s almost like Mayberry RFD. We do have an occasional visit by a police patrol car. In my district we have NO board members, NO commissioners; we have nothing yet the two council members will be reelected by a landslide.
Will the people with the politically anointed jobs buy tickets to this event? You can bet your ass they will. Most of these dweebs could not find a comparable job in the real world. A person making $40K will be expected to pay out between $500 and $1,000 during the election cycle.
Bridgeport, get ready for four more years of bullshit.
Bondage Counselor John Stafstrom is co-hosting with Nancy DiNardo and Dannel Malloy among others a fundraiser for the Counterfeit Bill at Casa de Guapos on Brooklawn Avenue.
Looking forward to the article scheduled to run in Sunday’s Post regarding campaign finances priming the pump or is it the pimp in Bridgeport politics.
What an oxymoron … “Casa de Guapos” … house of beauty or beautiful people. I wonder how many illegals work there.
Bob, I believe Casa de Guapos on Brooklawn Ave is the home of John Stafstrom and his partner Dennis (whom I once, but no longer, admired). They, like all the others, will sell their souls for the almighty dollar. What a pity the people of Bridgeport are so stupid.
Lennie, perhaps you could post the list of department heads and their campaign contributions to the mayor’s primary and for his re-election and also what campaign contributions their families have made.
Also Lennie, if you could post the list of members of the Democratic Town Committee and those who have jobs or appointments for the City and their families.
Lennie, also all of their SS numbers, names of all their kids and pets, bank accounts, the last four tax returns. Can you get all this up by Friday?
I just realized you are a counterfeit Antitesto. You had me going there for a second. LOL.
LOL.
No! No! I’m the real Antitestoo!
Tonight the “feedbag” and drinks are on Mario Testa. He pays for these. And you contribute, on a non-deductible basis, $1,000, to gawk, gab, graze and guzzle with the political hierarchy here in the largest City in the State, with the most undeveloped potential??? Kind of like Disney World for a certain type of adult with a business or service who wants to get along so he goes along with the program. And the name of the program is access … or excess … both of these words apply in this instance in the City.
What is bothering me is Thanksgiving is coming up and FEMA has limited the funds to help food pantries and kitchens trying to provide supplemental food and meals for families just getting by. Fewer funds than last year. And Bridgeport Rescue Mission kitchen and food pantries, the largest City feeding program that gets no governmental funding, is struggling to serve those in need as are many other smaller pantries and kitchens. Yet more than one City department has $3,000 or $5,000 in their budget, and regularly used, to provide food and beverage for people who are working and earning. So what if the taxpayer-provided funds average out to $10-20 per person per bill, why are “fat cats” having food provided for them when they can “brown bag” their own, according to the Mayor’s formula? Wonder whether movers and shakers get invited to the Mayoral “brown bag” sessions. Are they still held? Or are they less necessary after the primary?
So I shed no tears for the $1,000 meal for this separate group of “fat cats.” They are putting up an entry fee for access … and while the expense of the meal may be excessive … it may be an investment in future business dreams. After all, the City spends lots of money each year, a lot of ‘other people’s money,’ not their own money!
They are spending “your former money,” without much oversight, talk back or public understanding. What a shame!!!
What can you do about it? Torres says if you’re FED UP, you should STAND UP!!! I hope the non-voting taxpayers would WAKE UP, frankly. It is only then learning can occur, and it may take property tax increases in the next two years plus another revaluation that acknowledges lower comparable property values to send the mil rate to double or more of its current level. Shocking!!! You bet. Time will tell.
Len–I wish you would follow up on the ??? For a better Bridgeport. You know, it’s Bill and the Mrs. very own personal slush fund. Do you think the unspent monies from this campaign will go to the same group or will Finch divide it equally to the homeowners?