Ouch! Snarl! Frickin’ frackin’ rotten tax bill arrived. How about your tax bill? The new budget year starts Monday, July 1 and your friendly local City Hall tax office on Lyon Terrace in Bridgeport should be humming with long lines (and a few short tempers) of folks questioning the amount of their bill and then forking over a check in exchange for city services. Hey, city bean counters need to make payroll.
When the budget process started in April it looked like homeowners were headed for a large hit. The Bridgeport City Council, hearing pleas of long-suffering taxpayers, trimmed back Mayor Bill Finch’s proposed tax hike to under one mil representing roughly a $130 tax increase on the average homeowner. Some neighborhoods such as Black Rock will pay more while others will pay less.
This is an election year for the City Council, not so for the mayor who enjoys a four-year term, so the extra scratch taxpayers must cough up could very well determine how many challengers step up for council seats. Party regulars are about three weeks away from endorsing candidates for public office including district council seats and citywide positions for Board of Education.
Challengers to party endorsements can petition their way onto the ballot. City Clerk Alma Maya reports little action so far of candidate committee filings in her office, but it could simply be incumbents and challengers don’t want to show their cards until the last minute. Bridgeport has 10 City Council districts. Several Democratic primaries are expected for council seats.
Let us know what you hear.
I hear Speedy is not running. City Employees should respect the City Charter and stay out of city government. As for the tax bill, shut up and pay up. It breaks my heart to see this administration is once again ready to throw your hard-earned money away. This time, the clowns at city hall are poised to lease and then buy land from a developer/campaign contributor. The parcel at 53 and 85 Seaview Avenue sounds like a great deal to Bill Finch–that’s because it’s not his money. The Julians have owned this land for like 20 years or so. Why haven’t they done something with this land near the harbor? Folks, this is CONTAMINATED land. The land ain’t worth it. In fact, Bill Finch’s old Chevy Celebrity station wagon (remember that one Lennie?) is worth more.
So to all you taxpayers: Keep in mind your taxes–$657,000 of it–is going to pay for 2.2 acres of CONTAMINATED land.
www .ctpost.com/local/article/New-plan-for-Pleasure-Beach-4621848.php
And I am still waiting for the last tax bill on my car and the money I pay will no doubt be wasted on salary for the unqualified Paul Vallas or maybe go to one of Rev. Moales’ enterprises. When you pay taxes you expect it to do some good.
BRG,
You show no inclination to listen carefully to what I often write, so I have no great expectation for today. However:
1) Regarding “tax bills I never got,” you should be as proactive as possible about that. Waiting will net you a large interest charge and lots of paperwork and frustration, no doubt. It’s the type of thing that sticks with you like a stalker!
2) Perhaps you misspoke when you said “unqualified Paul Vallas” and meant to say uncertified, although he has completed the process outlined for him at UCONN. Vallas has been a “big city” superintendent for over 16 years before coming to Bridgeport. I knew nothing about him before his arrival in January 2012 but have listened to him and watched what he has done and continues to do. The Superintendents previous to him were “certified.” Were they “qualified?” By what standard? How did they let the system move from what locals will tell you it was to where it ranks currently? What does the current CT Superintendent Certification process do to assure or create expectations 18 months after arriving such progress as has been made will be made?
3) “When you pay taxes you expect it to do some good.” I am in agreement with you, but when this is not what you sense, see or hear in the public square, you have a responsibility to get active. Our local conditions did not occur overnight and they will not be repaired overnight. I have not put any time into coming to know the Reverend Moales story. You are on your own there. Time will tell.
First of all thank you for you concern about my taxes, John. I did give them my address because I don’t want to pay taxes on a car that is no longer registered in CT. As for Vallas if you read any of the many articles that have been published about the so-called certification process, a matchbook degree takes more work than he put into it. And as for your comment about being a big-city super, he has left a mess everywhere he has been. Why do you think he is in Bridgeport? He is toxic. We require people in positions of responsibility to certain standards. I am sure in your business you have to be licensed and have to demonstrate knowledge of the insurance and other financial products you deal with. And you wouldn’t expect any less of a physician, lawyer, electrician etc. Vallas took the shortcut and so far most of what he has done is divert money to highly paid consultants. He refuses to rehire the only drug counselor in the city. I don’t know how many Bd of Ed meeting you go to, John … but go talk to Dave Gordon. He is a stand-up guy and actually cares about the kids. He offered to work for free until they got the funding. And you are well aware I have been involved with the Bd of Ed elections. And if you haven’t read Pelto’s article about Moales you should, he makes Finch look like Mahatma Ghandi and he was Finch’s campaign treasurer. I believe I left a link to one of the articles. If you can’t find it I will be more than happy to send it to you. Or you can go to Pelto’s blog.
Dave,
You brought up the auto tax issue. You either owe or you don’t. If you don’t care, it’s your headache.
You ignored my question about the previous “certified” Supers and how they (and others) allowed the system to deteriorate. Is it possible certification for “novice administrators” might look different from one with more than 15 years? Seems reasonable to me. And why don’t you throw something troubling about what Vallas has done about financial, about protecting teacher jobs, about wanting measurable results, etc? I posted yesterday on the previous drug program. Its results? And what did its form of operation do to impact teaching time? No big answers for me, just things I have come to think about. (I am not aware of your activity with BOE elections. Bad memory perhaps, or did you never make yourself known to the BOW TIED BOZO?) Time will tell.
Really John, because there was a picture of me in the Post right in front of BR school! And as far as Vallas is concerned he has NO qualifications. Read about the mess he has left everywhere he has been. Doesn’t take long to Google it. This is about privatization, not about education. Charter schools are private schools under a different name. Read any of the recent articles about his so-called certification and it would look to any reasonable person this is as fraudulent as most of the other shenanigans coming out of the Finch administration.
For all you OIB newbies: If you don’t remember the Bill Finch Chevy Celebrity …
www .youtube.com/watch?v=jcgvMoZ_Oyg
Joel, that was a truly sickening video … but then again look at who his father is.
Joel, thanks for sharing. I thought the video was great! I knew the young Finch was in the arts but didn’t know he was an aspiring rapper. I used to promote urban contemporary and rap music in the late ’70s early ’80s. Peter Finch seems to know how to market himself. Good for him!
That’s Pete Finch to you. Anybody who can turn a junk car into a three-minute video you think bears repeating is all right with me. He swishes jump shots while wearing a suit, he dances with pretty girls and he busts the kind of moves you’re still practicing in the mirror. In 2013, being your own brand is a winner trait!
BRG,
Back on point, here in the City of Bridgeport, speaking about Vallas you said, “so far most of what he has done is divert money to highly paid consultants.” What are you talking about? Please go to the budget and identify your target specifically. Under former Superintendents there were occasions where well-known “educators” were paid one or two million for their services and the public is still asking “how much” and “for what.” To the best of my research and review that has not occurred in the past 18 months under Vallas direction.
Your other contention: “We require people in positions of responsibility to certain standards.” And we begin to look at the office of Tax Assessor, Finance Director and others where “Acting” precedes the title. Does Bridgeport really require standards? I interact with a number of City employees. My experience tells me certification levels are no guarantee of quality or even competency in the face of tough times. But the highest requirement is loyalty to YES, MAYOR! Vallas is not performing miracles, but he is accomplishing balanced budgets (even when the City is not putting its money where the Mayor’s mouth has been); he is opening schools and not closing them; he is about improving quality and quantity of instruction time by teachers, to improve student performance (and help teachers improve their skills); and he is about moving technology represented by whiteboards and laptops from high school down to eighth and soon seventh grades currently; and with the inter-district schools there is more opportunity for student and parent choice that seems to be welcomed by parents and many students. This is credible progress under the circumstances. It certainly does not make him toxic in my opinion. Did you look for and find any reports that were contemporaneous with his actual service to those cities that were positive? They are out there. Time will tell.
It was in the Connecticut Post, John. He was hiring consultants at $600 or more a day. And if you read my posts I did get in touch with the tax collector. Thank you for reminding me.
Whoa … wait a minute JML, Vallas was hired as a TurnAround expert–as he was in Philadelphia and New Orleans … and yes he left both places in shambles … not all his fault. Economy has tanked … lots of issues in urban school districts.
Being qualified to be a contracted Superintendent is way different than being a turnaround guy who has an agreement to stay a few months. If his contract in Indiana had not fallen through, he would be gone by now, and the BOE would have done what their first order of business was–to start the process to hire a new permanent superintendent–which Mr. Vallas agreed to help them with.
It truly is an affront to anyone who has spent years and lots of money getting their degrees in place to become a superintendent. I suspect all of them would have liked the process Mr. Vallas was allowed to take.
One place it might not be his fault … but several, that is a pattern, and he has a pattern in bringing in highly paid consultants in districts that need more teachers.