Kicking up his visibility in Bridgeport in a tight reelection fight, Governor Dan Malloy on Tuesday was joined by Mayor Bill Finch and several other city and state officials for a tour of flood-prone areas in the North End impacted by the rain-swollen Ox Brook, a tributary of the Rooster River, which has caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage to homes and basements throughout the years. This was Malloy’s fourth visit to the city in a week as he seeks a second four-year term next month against Republican Tom Foley.
The governor visited North End streets at the request of State Rep. Jack Hennessy who has secured roughly $650,000 in state funds for engineering and permitting toward construction of a flood control structure that’s expected to cost $5 million including a new dam at Elton Rogers Park. Environmental consultant Tighe & Bond has been awarded the engineering work.
Hennessy says Malloy has pledged support for the $5 million construction phase request that he anticipates will go before the State Bond Commission in 2015, adding Malloy’s reelection is key to ending the flooding nightmares for many North End residents.
The tour made stops at Savoy Street, Westfield Avenue and Sidney Street that included conversations with flood-ravaged homeowners.
“We are finally in the process to bring relief to the people of the North End plagued by flooding problems,” says Hennessy. “People were excited about hearing concrete solutions.”
The Ox Brook is a small stream that flows throughout the North End of Bridgeport. Hennessy says overdevelopment in the area, unregulated construction and encroachment on the wetlands leads to extensive flooding during sustained torrential downpours.
State Senate candidate Marilyn Moore and city councilor Michelle Lyons also participated in the tour.
Nice try, Malloy. People are not being fooled by you this time around, you have to run on a record now and your record is raising taxes! I voted for Malloy in 2010 but will not come November. He won by about 6400 votes, every vote counts and now that I am voting for Foley this time, that is one vote fewer for Malloy and one more vote for Foley, which equals a negative 2two-vote plurality for Malloy.
donj, remember to bring everyone in your household and educate them before going to vote.
donj, I have not been following this race so could you educate me before going to vote and tell me what Foley has done and what he will do for Bridgeport?
Malloy raised my taxes, end of story.
Ron, only by voting for Tom Foley will you ever find out what he has done, when you check his record years after being in office.
I am a fan of Jack Hennessy, however I really hate to see him in a photo-op with Malloy. I do know this is an issue that Jack has been working on for some time and his constituents deserve to have this problem solved.
Relax Maria, let’s just agree to disagree. I do understand where you are coming from. I’m downloading some videos, one of which is the video of Malloy’s visit to Black Rock. There should be a law prohibiting the practice of technically using public funds in campaigns. This is not about flooding and funding to fix sidewalks or flooding issues. It’s for political purposes. Why couldn’t they do this months ago when there was no session and the elections further away? It’s the same thing when Bill finch uses those huge ‘Green’ signs.
Still downloading. While the most damaging type of flood in Bridgeport is the flooding of the Town Clerk’s office with Absentee Ballots, no elected officials have moved a finger to stop that. Early voting is their answer to the problem–a solution that will cause more fraud.
Maybe the idea of a dam is connected with this. The dam will collect water to make sure there will always be a supply of water to feed the trees. The trees are absolutely necessary to make sure sufficient paper can be produced for the printing of ballots.
Almost done downloading, but still have to write the commentary. I think I’ll just give it another day. But before I leave, let me take a swing at Jim Himes. I’ve been so busy on the local pols I haven’t taken much time to write on Himes. It’s not that I don’t have juicy material and serious questions on Himes. I had to give some a pass and Himes is one of them. Say ‘thank you!’ I’m even going to help you a little on your campaign, Jim Himes. I hope when you receive this, you thank me again. Notice how I spelled “receive.” Now look how it is spelled on your OIB ad in the upper right corner of the screen. I’ll be waiting!
Ooops! Good catch, Joel.
God will catch Joel!
A Freudian slip or a Maria parapraxis?
Joel–Give me nine on this great catch!
Who will the speedy Joel vote for, Foley or Malloy?
donj, if you go to the OIB Archives and look up what I wrote four years ago, it all pretty much applies today. This time around, the people have plenty of proof provided by the people they decided to elect instead. I’m leaning Foley on the Governor’s race.
As I look back, I see you were a big Foley supporter, Joel.
When did Jack go all “Lovin’ Spoonful” reunion band? The guy I met at Red Rooster the night of the 2013 primary ass-whoopin’ of Finch’s follies for BOE was more Top Gun/Fed Ex dude, and less The Vibes.
Substance, style, he’s running unopposed, but really, clean up your act, Jack; and get Malloy to not only support the flood-prevention project but also your bill, co-sponsored by Rep Grogins, to close the state loophole that allows, in clear violation of our voter-approved city charter, city employees to serve on the City Council. Sure-to-be-reelected Andres Ayala? Where do you stand on that?
Pete, Pete–Married men should all wear wedding rings and Jack should get a haircut and a shave. Do you have sudden conservative agenda principles disorder?