Weekend update
: Ah yes, Labor Day weekend. In the spirit of hard work, goodwill and the laborious efforts of the Democratic Town Committee, OIB presents for your reading pleasure a listing of the 90-member DTC.
Who are these people? They’re the party regulars who do the grunt work, turn out the vote, endorse candidates for public office, beg (some demand) jobs for their sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews. Some are on the city payroll, some want to be, some just like politics, many of them good people, some of them jerks, some of them your neighbors. So why have I included their addresses? Hey, they may even live next door from you. How about a favor for a neighbor? So if you ever want to get involved in politics, you can knock on their door. Cup of sugar for some advice?
During the past couple of weeks, some OIB readers have asked questions about the makeup of the DTC. Do they represent a cross-section of the community? Looking at the list I’d say yes, but some of our readers may differ. The list below is fairly current but may not be precise as a result of some recent changes. It’s not as though Town Chair Mario Testa sends out a news release every time a district leader makes a change.
DISTRICT 130
DANIEL ROACH, 19 QUINLAN AVE
HECTOR A. DIAZ, 34 ARTHUR ST
JOANN MANZO, 163 SCOFIELD AVE
JOHN F. McCARTHY, 152 MOREHOUSE ST
JOHN BOHANNON, 115 BALMFORTH ST
MICHAEL MEEHAN, 113 SEASIDE AVE
THOMAS MULLIGAN, JR., 20 ARMITAGE DR
PATRICK CROSSIN, 331 LAKE AVE
FRANCINE GALLO, 50 BATTERY PARK DR
DISTRICT 131
MITCHELL ROBLES, 993 STATE ST
EZEQUIEL SANTIAGO, 991 STATE ST
LETICIA COLON, 140 YALE ST., #13
MARILYN JONES, 210 WASHINGTON AVE
ERICA LABRADOR, 437 COLUMBIA ST
JOSE NEGRON, SR., 30 COLE ST
JOSE RIVERA, JR., 340 PARK AVE
DENISE TAYLOR-MOYE, 134 IRANISTAN AVE
PAUL BOUCHER, 37 FOREST CT
DISTRICT 132
ROBERT BARNES, 2625 PARK AVE
CAROL COCCO, 564 BROOKLAWN AVE
MICHAEL FREDDINO, 31 RUSLING PLACE
JOHN OLSON, 574 MAPLEWOOD AVE
LISA PARZIALE, 97 BICK TERRACE
JOAN THORNTON, 85 POWELL TERRACE
ELAINE PIVIROTTO, 2625 PARK AVE. #9E
REGINALD WALKER 48 HAZELWOOD AVE
HOWARD GARDNER, 25 CARTWRIGHT ST
DISTRICT 133
THOMAS McCARTHY, 135 HARLEM AVE
VINCENT DiPALMA, 137 HOLROYD ST
EDMOND McCARTHY, 130 East Eaton St
HOWARD AUSTIN, SR., 358 MCKINLEY AVE
JOSEPH HATRICK, SR., 405 MCKINLEY AVE
JEANETTE HERRON, 2649 MAIN ST. #C2
MARIA HOFFMAN, 116 HARLEM AVE
VIRGINIA KEELEY, 210 STRATFIELD PLACE
JOSEPH MOURA, 473 GARFIELD AVE
DISTRICT 134
DENNIS SCINTO, 2641 MADISON AVE
MATTHEW CUMINOTTO, JR., 320 VINCELLETTE ST
JOHANNA DORGAN, 88 LANCE CIRCLE
JOHN FABRIZI, 120 DOREEN DRIVE
RUBEN FELIPE, 195 CRESTVIEW DR
GARY LECLERC, 556 RUTH ST
THOMAS LYONS, 91 JEWETT AVE
EUGENE O’NEILL, 25 SAXON DRIVE
MARILYN SANTACROCE, 650 JEWETT AVE
DISTRICT 135
WARREN BLUNT, 30 NAUTILUS RD
RICHARD BONNEY, 499 PLATT ST
JEROME BOST, 1748 RESERVOIR AVE
RICHARD CRUZ, 117 CHAMBERLAIN PLACE
EDWIN GOMES, 243 SOUNDVIEW AVE
CYNTHIA JENNINGS, 178 GRIFFIN AVE
CYNTHIA KING, 40 SOUNDVIEW AVE
ALMA MAYA, 220 FUNSTON AVE
MARY MCBRIDE-LEE, 125 HILLCREST RD
DISTRICT 136
MARILYN MIDDLEMASS, 119 HICKORY ST
DOROTHY GUMAN, 133 HICKORY ST
ADELAIDE ESTEVES, 115 HARREL AVE
JOYCE PURNELL, 32 OAKVIEW CIRCLE
CRUZ (MANNY) COTTO, 117 ALPINE ST
MARK TROJANOWSKI, 1149 NORTH AVE
LAWRENCE OSBORNE, 40 EDNA AVE
VIRGINIA TEXEIRA, 121 GEORGE ST
DANIEL PICCOLELLO, 193 HAWLEY AVE
DISTRICT 137
GILBERTO HERNANDEZ, 225 HOUGH AVE
VIDAL AGOSTO, 1354 PEMBROKE ST
ALBERTO TITO AYALA, 773 KOSSUTH ST
MANUEL AYALA, 60 GILMORE ST
JAMES M. BROWN, 376 EAST WASHINGTON AVE
BRIGIDA DIAZ, 148 BURROUGHS ST
LYDIA MARTINEZ, 85 WILLIAM ST
CARMEN PADRON, 1161 KOSSUTH ST
PATRICK RICKETTS, 21 AUTUMN ST
DISTRICT 138
MARTHA SANTIAGO, 410 KENT AVE
PAULA ANASTASI, 25 SULLIVAN PLACE
ANN BARNEY, 129 NUTMEG RD
ROBERT CURWEN, SR., 119 GREYSTONE RD
ANDREW FARDY, 200 NUTMEG RD
KEVIN MONKS, 200 HOLLAND RD
MARY OLEYNICK, 525 PALISADE AVE #413
RICHARD PAOLETTO, JR., 321 LYNN PLACE
BARBARA POWELL, 291 PEARL HARBOR ST
DISTRICT 139
RALPH FORD., JR., 410 MILL HILL AVE
CHARLES COVIELLO, JR., 73 WILLOW ST
BERONICA GILL, 249 EAST AVE
JAMES HOLLOWAY, 427 WILMOT AVE
DAREN JACKSON, 518 NO. SUMMERFIELD AVE
LAWRENCE MOORE, JR., 62 DEFOREST AVE
GWENDOLYN SHAW, 49 SMITH ST
REGINALD STEWART, 914 CONNECTICUT AVE
KEITH WILLIAMS, 92 WATERMAN ST
Deep Sixx This Sucker
Speaking of the DTC, OIB friend Andy Fardy aka Town Committee, a candidate for City Council in the 138th District, received a nice plug in a Connecticut Post piece for his efforts to shut down the Sixx Restaurant for its wild nightlife and dirty neighborhood laundry on East Main Street. The owner of the building Angela Costa (my neighbor) filed a complaint in Superior Court to evict the lessee. See story www.connpost.com/ci_13270349.
Really?
This Pleasure Beach story is getting better every day. Here’s what Mayor Bill Finch told Connecticut Post reporter Mike Mayko about the phantom demolitioner (now we’re told its Burns Construction) of the carousel house. Also, for some cool images of Pleasure Beach past and present check out www.savepleasurebeach.com.
“These buildings were a public danger … a safety hazard,” Finch said Thursday. “Kids being kids … we’re just thankful nothing happened.” In the meantime, the mayor urged the public to stay off the beach.
“There are multiple hazards there … broken pavement, flotsam, jetsam … It’s a dangerous, dangerous place and we don’t want to see anyone hurt,” he said. “The size and accessibility of it make it impossible to police.”
Okay Bill, if it’s such a hazard on Pleasure Beach what the hell have you done about it for the past 21 months? The mayor issued an updated comment Friday afternoon:
Statement from Mayor Bill Finch re: Pleasure Beach Buildings
“Our Fire Department personnel were concerned that the decades-old buildings on Pleasure Beach posed a significant public safety hazard, especially after one of our deputy chiefs witnessed several kids running from one of the buildings during a routine visit to the island. At the behest of our Fire Department, Burns Construction Co., which was doing some work on the island for the Town of Stratford, used their equipment to push the two buildings over. All involved recognize that the work should have been done with a demolition permit in place. We will take appropriate action to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future. In the meantime, the Public Facilities department is determining how best to dispose of the rubble left from the buildings on the island.”
Hennessy On The Rocks
Statement from State Rep. Jack Hennessy whose image playing solitaire during a state legislative session was beamed across media outlets. So much was made of this embarrassing moment, but peer dissing goes on all the time at City Council meetings, what former council member Tom Mulligan appropriately called the Monday Night Fights.
Dear Bridgeporters:
By now, readers of the Connecticut Post are very familiar with the Associated Press photos that show me playing computer solitaire during the most recent session of the General Assembly.
It was certainly bad judgment for me to play a computer game during the final House session on the budget. As a result, I am embarrassed and I apologize to each and every person in my legislative district.
Although my actions were inexcusable, I want to assure Bridgporters that my poor judgment in this instance in no way indicates that I ignored your interests on this very serious matter.
Over the past seven months, as a member of the General Assembly’s Finance Committee, I participated fully in the budget process and played an active role in crafting and passing a State budget that provides the necessary services to our communities and minimizes any negative impact on the City of Bridgeport and its people.
Again, I sincerely apologize to each of you and look forward to having the continued privilege of representing you and your interests in Hartford. I thank you in advance for your understanding and have been humbled by those of you who have already expressed your understanding and forgiveness.
Very truly yours,
Rep. Jack Hennessy (D-Bridgeport)
Mayor’s Labor Day Message
Labor Day is a celebration of our workers, a time for us to acknowledge the invaluable contributions they make every day, and affirm our commitment to ensuring their rights, both to a safe work environment and to gainful employment.
Bridgeport has a long history of hard-working people. In the days of World War II, we were known as the “Arsenal of Democracy,” for our immense manufacturing contributions to the war effort. While many of those factories have long been silent, today’s economic environment makes it all the more important that we support our workers. We also must continue to help our unions to ensure their workers safety and well-being on the job, and we must work with the federal government to guarantee that Bridgeport will continue to be a place where hard-working people can find decent, well-paying job opportunities.
My administration is working to ensure that the federal stimulus package creates gainful employment in Bridgeport , that our post offices remain open, that our industries are protected, and that our community thrives with safe and responsible work environments.
I wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day holiday, and ask that everyone take a moment to thank the hard-working men and women of our labor force who are the real reason why we celebrate this day.
News release from SuBy
Bysiewicz: Voter Registration Deadline for Municipal Primaries One Week Away
Primary Elections September 15, 2009; Secretary of the State Reminding Voters of Mail-in Registration Deadline Thursday September 10th
Hartford: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today is reminding Connecticut voters to register to vote for municipal primaries scheduled for September 15, 2009. Eligible voters in communities holding September elections can register to vote by mail as long as their registration cards are postmarked no later than Thursday September 10th. Voters can still register to vote for the September elections in person at their Registrar of Voters office after the mail-in deadline until 12:00 noon on Monday September 14th.
“Crucial budget and educational issues are facing many towns in Connecticut as voters go to the polls to choose municipal leaders this year, so it is imperative to register to vote!” said Secretary Bysiewicz. “Anyone who wants a say in the future direction of their community in these tough times should make sure they mail registration materials to their Registrar of Voters office by Thursday September 10th or else go to town hall and fill out the registration card in person by 12:00 noon on September 14th.”
News release from State Senator Anthony Musto
SEN. MUSTO ENCOURAGES AREA RESIDENTS TO DONATE BLOOD IN BRIDGEPORT ON SEPTEMBER 16
Red Cross will hold blood drive at Jewish Center for Community Services
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, which is why state Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) is encouraging eligible area residents to join him in volunteering to give blood at the Jewish Center for Community Services, located at 4200 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, on September 16.
“Every day, the American Red Cross has to collect 650 units of blood to meet the needs of patients in Connecticut hospitals,” said Senator Musto. “I am a regular donor, and I can tell you that it doesn’t take a lot of time, it costs nothing and it saves lives. I’ll be donating blood in Bridgeport on September 16, and I hope that any area resident that is able to donate will consider joining me to help meet the need in our state.”
To donate blood and platelets through the American Red Cross, individuals must be at least 17 years of age to be eligible in Connecticut, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. All blood types are needed.
Blood can be used for many surgical procedures, bone marrow transplants and trauma patients. Hospital patients often need blood when they undergo chemotherapy or during difficult childbirth. Blood products have a limited shelf life, and there are no synthetic alternatives for blood.
For more information to about blood donation or to sign up to give blood with the American Red Cross on September 16 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. visit the Connecticut Blood Services Region online at www.bloodct.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-9400). You can also make an appointment online at www.givelife.org.
Lennie:
Many thanks for posting this list of the DTC members as they are a great group to ask about their position on the library referendum question in the next 59 days ahead.
However, tonight I have a slightly more pressing matter in mind at 2am … why does the Bridgeport Public Library not have any copies of RITA-award winning author Sophia Nash’s books? (www .sophianash.com) A Dangerous Beauty. The Kiss. Love with the Perfect Scoundrel. The one book that the reference librarian told me earlier today that the library has is missing from the section shelves??? Yahooy, do you have it? Maybe Joel has not returned it? Scott Hughes, where are you?
Regency Romance Novels???
Not my cup of tea.
GOSH. Do you read that stuff LT CMDR?
This must be why they need an additional $2 million a year. Is that right Sly?
Can someone tell me what the hell flotsam and jetsam is? Only this airhead could come up with these descriptions. Not built to code? Is he kidding? These buildings stood for over 80 years, were used by thousands all with no problem.
The only thing that is not up to code is this administration. Two buildings get knocked down and their debris pile is left in place and not one person in this administration knows who did it? Right.
And let me see if I’ve got this right. “At the behest of our Fire Department, Burns Construction Co” so someone from the fire department behested Burns Construction to knock down these building and Burns does it no questions. No charge, no contract, no questions.
Riddle me this, does anyone believe this crap?
Don’t you think that my UFO theory was more believable?
flotsam–Floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo.
jetsam–The part of a ship, its equipment, or cargo that is cast overboard to lighten its load in time of distress and that sinks or is washed ashore.
bullshit–Whatever comes out of Finch’s mouth when in the open position.
Wingnut: Thank you for the definitions, the 3rd one is very true.
This is what Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt said Thursday.
“There’s no question why the buildings were demolished. After decades of being battered by the weather without any maintenance, the wood deteriorated and the flimsy structures became unsafe, according to Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt.
“The buildings were a safety factor,” said Porzelt, who said he urged Charles Carroll, the city’s director of public facilities and parks, to demolish the structures, not just the carousel and the bumper car shells but also the former Polka Dot Playhouse and what appears to have been a warehouse or bandstand.
“My guess is it took no time to push these structures over,” Porzelt said. “A payloader could do it. It didn’t cost the city anything.”
Now here is what Mayor Finch said, “‘We don’t know who did it,’ Mayor William Finch said Thursday, a day after it was revealed that structures had been razed mysteriously. ‘Of course, we are concerned that it happened the way it did.'” Who is telling the lie?
I still stand by what I posted Thursday, “I know that this was over the head of the Deputy Chief, he is a nice guy. This had to come from City Hall to Chief Rooney who then had the Deputy Chief fall on his sword.” Someone needs to ask Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt what did he mean when he said, “There’s no question why the buildings were demolished”?
Ship wreckage–the Finch administration
Floating debris–yahooy
Bilge bitch!!!
An interesting thing happened last night. I was attending a reception for Liz Squillace, William Corprew, Jane Lubin and Jahmane at the Gallery at Black Rock; who should I spy but the one, the only, Joe “Snake Oil, Anyone?” Celli! What a pleasant surprise. I approached, glass of wine in hand, to say hello. ‘Fore I could say howdy-do the ol’ snake oil salesman asked me how my ‘recovery’ was going.
“Excuse me,” I said.
“Your recovery. How’s it going? Where are you, step one?”
“So tell me, Joe. How’s life up in New London for you?”
“My life in New London is none of your business.”
“And my life is none of yours.”
“Oh, but you’re a public phenomenon.” (This was a reference to a couple of letters to the editor I had written to the Connecticut Post. Neither of them painted a very flattering portrait of Mr. Celli. Using the neutral language of cold hard facts.
I walked away at that point; there were many other, more interesting people to talk to. I ran into occasional OIB contributor Black Rockin’; neither of us is inclined toward polite behavior when it comes to a charlatan like Joe Celli. I pointed out that the King of Volunteer Recruitment was in attendance. Black Rockin’ made a beeline toward ol’ Joe, shook his hand and asked, “how’s life in New London?” Ol’ Joe made his exit shortly afterward. God, my God, he’s so understanding. Y’know, getting the fuck out was the best thing he could’ve done for the gallery and the artists. And the city of Bridgeport.
I stand corrected. Black Rockin’ did not ask Joe Celli, King of Charlatans, “How’s life in New London?” What ol’ Joe “Snake Oil, Anyone?” Celli was asked, “Have they run your ass out of New London yet?”
Lennie,
Do you know the demographic of registered voters by race in Bridgeport and what is the racial demographic of the entire population in Bridgeport?
Race by population, Bridgeport CT from the US Census:
factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&mt_name=DEC_2000_PL_U_GCTPL_ST7&format=ST-7&_box_head_nbr=GCT-PL&ds_name=DEC_2000_PL_U&geo_id=04000US09
I do not know how to do links, so you’ll have to copy & paste.
“HereWeGo,” Thanks. Lennie, I hope that you could provide demographic of registered voters by race in Bridgeport and an update racial demographic of the entire population in Bridgeport the factfinder.census link quotes the census from 2000, I’m sure the Town Clerk has an updated census report?
Ron, I’ll check this out.
Isn’t anyone going to mention solitaire-gate? No jokes? No outrage? No Cafero comments? Nothing? Really?
Yahooy:
I’m glad to see that you’re not the culprit who has absconded with Sophia Nash’s A Dangerous Beauty from the Bridgeport Public Library … not your cup of tea … Joel Gonzalez has been awful quiet on the topic … Anyway, yes, I agree 100% with you that a tough, he-man US Naval Intel Officer (LCDR, USNR, Ret.) and hard-bitten military veteran of America’s War on Drugs (30 months on the front lines: NYC, Miami, San Juan) like me is an unlikely reader of the romance novel genre … who can really take those Fabio “I can’t believe it’s not butter/I have big nipples” book covers? But this RITA award-winning author is different and special because just yesterday I found out that she is the same statuesque, leggy 16-year-old beauty (5’10”) I danced the night away with on New Year’s Eve 1974 at the famed and tony El Morocco club in NYC to my 5’6″ 17-year-old scrawny high school senior physique and sex-starved imagination … ah, that midnight kiss!!! It was one magical and unforgettable night of dancing to Ringo Starr’s version of “You’re sixteen, you’re beautiful …” I’m mentally blacking it out, but I think I was wearing 3″ Elton John-like platform shoes while she was barefoot on the dance floor, so I was really 5’9″ on that blissful night … the sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald … even those old folks back in the 1970s knew how to party … Anyway, we should all be life-long learners and READERS … in short, I’m excited to start my adventure into the romance novel genre. When you have a chance, could you share some favorite titles from your 3 novels per week reading list? It will be enlightening. READ and support your local library. Wishing all a safe, enjoyable and restful holiday weekend.
All right Salcedo. I checked out Sophia Nash’s web site. I must say if I ever met her (I, too, have a military commission; infantry type), I probably would have read her books too. She is, indeed, a foxy lady.
This week, I read the latest Patterson I purchased entitled “Alex Cross’s Trial,” a retro selection of Dashiell Hammett’s “Maltese Falcon,” and an old Dean Koontz (Both from the Milford Library).
I advocate replacing a television with a bookshelf. I did. I don’t miss having TV in the house. There are only so many hours in a day. Too little time to exercise your mind by reading AND mindlessly watching TV. Try it for a week. You’ll sell your TV and then you could donate the money to the Bridgeport Library.
While reading is an important part of my life, I still don’t support a mandate funding program for the library. When funds are available, the library will get what is needed. Until then, we all have to cut back on everything we do. To do otherwise is truly irresponsible municipal management.
This Grin one just finished “Losing Mum and Pup” by Christopher Buckley. Also recommend Philip Roth’s “Everyman”.
The Kid is reading “The Crossing” by Cormac McCarthy, volume two of the Border Trilogy.
I recommend “Absalom! Absalom!” by William Faulkner, the epitome of Southern Gothicism.
Finch: Fire officials had role in Pleasure Beach demolition
By Keila Torres
STAFF WRITER
Updated: 09/04/2009 11:05:39 PM EDT
BRIDGEPORT — Two days after it was discovered that two structures once housing amusements at Pleasure Beach were demolished without the apparent knowledge — or permission — of top city officials, Mayor Bill Finch said Friday the structures were “pushed over” free of charge by a construction company hired by Stratford to tear down abandoned cottages on adjoining Long Beach West.
Finch, who a day earlier said flatly, “We don’t know who did it,” said that a deputy fire chief determined about a month ago the abandoned and deteriorating wooden structures that once housed the carousel and the bumper-car ride were in danger of collapsing.
In a prepared statement issued Friday, the mayor said that he had learned the city’s Fire Department gave Burns Construction Co. the green light to tear down the buildings on the 35-acre beach.
Finch, contacted later by phone, said the demolition took place several days ago when the contractor’s crews were on Bridgeport’s side of the barrier beach to reactivate a fire hydrant that would provide the water needed to hose down demolition operations for the Stratford cottages.
He said fire officials determined it “may be an opportunity to take care of some of the structures on our side.”
The mayor added he was told that Burns did not charge the city for the demolition. “That’s my understanding. They basically pushed the buildings over. It didn’t take much effort,” he said.
Stratford Mayor James R. Miron could not be reached for comment Friday. Efforts to reach a representative for Burns Construction were not successful.
Although Finch said he was in the dark about the last-minute demolition, he said he isn’t concerned that the Fire Department had failed to inform him. “I wasn’t completely shocked. I was uninformed,” he said.
The mayor said he is more concerned about the department’s decision not to seek a demolition permit for the work. “All involved recognize that the work should have been done with a demolition permit in place. We will take appropriate action to ensure that this situation does not occur again in the future,” he said.
If yahooy were editing the Post the headline would’ve read, “Phinch Phucks Up Phor The Umteenth time.”
“I wasn’t completely shocked. I was uninformed,” he [Finch] said.
Riddle me this, is this the number #1 understatement of the year???
Maybe it was Burns Construction that ordered the puppies flushed out of the dog pound or at least maybe a deputy chief in the Fire Department.
Could Burns have borrowed those missing tax checks too?
OIB Rumor Mill:
Along with numerous versions of the same show, the producers of CSI have decided to add a new show called–get this–CSI: Bridgeport. In this series–episodes are still being filmed within city limits–the insurance companies control the fire departments. After all, they’re the ones exposed to risk. The letters on the trucks stay the same but their control comes from an amalgamation of insurance companies not The City of Bridgeport. Fire and Crime prevention are mission critical.
Town Committee plays the fire chief hellbent on protecting the city he loves. He uses his “fire skills” to solve problems saving lives and money. The Bridgeport Kid plays “Dess”, the streetwise fire patrolman (yes, they do that now) who finds time to avenge the city’s children who forever seem to be under attack from older people. He’s not afraid to put a little pain on the bad guys and he’s always able to make the cops smile upon their arrival. Why? He’s armed with handcuffs and nothing else. When spotted by little children, they smile, point and say: The Dess is more
Bonus: www .twine.com < -- follow your interests.
YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR MEDICATION ADJUSTED.
OIB Reality Check:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=bridgeport%2C+ct < -- BridgeportCtUSA
Give me a Hennessy on the rocks. Never mind, make it straight up!
He’s no longer a Solitary Man.
Local Eyes // Sep 5, 2009 at 8:21 am
OIB Reality Check:
www .wolframalpha.com/input/?i=bridgeport%2C+ct < -- BridgeportCtUSA Thanks,
The mayor’s comments on Pleasure Beach do not compute.
The mayor’s comments on Pleasure Beach do not compute? THE MAYOR DOES NOT COMPUTE.
DANGER, WILL ROBINSON; DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!!
Yahooy:
Glad to hear from a fellow former commissioned officer from the US military forces, and I’m doubly glad we both agree that RITA award-winning author Sophia Nash is as lovely today as she was at 16. You have an interesting set of choices in books … let me share, in turn, that I’m currently reading one (actually it’s a two volume set) book from the Bridgeport Public Library … the bio of Leonard Wood by Hermann Hagedorn … as a former Infantry guy, I think you’ll remember General Lenny Wood was the first and only Army doctor who became the Chief of Staff of the Army … I’m interested in his role as the former Governor General of Cuba, then Puerto Rico, then the Philippines … to better understand how Rick Torres, a long list of Puerto Rican elected officials and community leaders and I ended up in Bridgeport about 100 years since his service.
Speaking of scandals or other potential scandals, let me take a quick moment to put an end to Fatty-gate today.
There appears to be some quiet murmurs and hurt/offended feelings out in the community this past week, that in the intensity of rushed exchanges of emails around the city about the need for the referendum question to be translated in to Spanish, that I may have called or referred to someone as “fat” or “fatty” in the Town Clerk’s office or the City Attorney’s office or to Lydia Martinez or to Maria Valle, or to the Superintendent Office, etc. The fact is that this past week I did contact or speak to someone, or referred to the above named individuals or offices, but I did not call anyone “fat” or “fatty”. In addition to communicating or contacting the above individuals and offices in an effort to get a translation, I also emailed my former wife, Dr. Sonia Diaz, who I have always addressed as “Fatty” or in Spanish “Gordita”, or in Puerto Rican, “Goldita” … below is my email note to her and her reply:
From: Sylvester L. Salcedo
To: sdiaz
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 5:04:50 PM
Subject: Fwd: Translation
Dear Fatty,
I need your help quickly … can you please provide a translation for the phrase below? … we need it asap for our library referendum question in Spanish:
“Shall a one (1.00) mill tax be levied to establish and maintain a free public library and reading room?”
Thank you.
A big hug,
Amor
HODGES & SALCEDO, LLC
Attorneys at Law
602 North Avenue (2nd Floor)
Bridgeport, CT 06606
PH: (203) 650-0118
Fax: (203) 338-0755
¿Se debe imponer un impuesto de 1 mill para establecer y mantener una biblioteca pública y un salón de lectura para el público?
++++
I regret any confusion if anyone felt insulted or offended, but I cannot control how emails get circulated around and get misinterpreted by accident in the process …
¿Cuántos ángeles pueden bailar en la cabeza de un alfiler?
Don’t worry Sly, Mojo forgives you!
*** He was referring to your website love, affectionately of course. ***
The Kid must announce an editorial correction RE my recollection of an encounter with Joe “Who would like the honor of buying me a cocktail?” Celli. Black Rockin’ did not ask Joe Charlatan, er, Celli. “How’s life in New London?” What Black Rockin’ did ask was “Have they run you ass out of New London?”
Thank goodness. Miss Manners would have been shocked.
It was per Mr. Grimaldi’s request that I refrain from using a specific noun. Too bad, as it is one of those words that describes Mr. Celli perfectly. There are quite a few other, equally descriptive terms that can and ought to be applied to Joe “Snake Oil, Anyone?” Celli: impostor, mountebank, fraud, fake, charlatan, phony, quack …
Quack? I like how that rolls out. I like one of the definitions provided by dictionary.com:
“[A] person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan.” A charlatan, you say? Well, yes. That is a quack. And Joe “I’ll get the volunteers to do it for free” Celli would be accurately described as a quack AND a charlatan.
Charlatan??? I really like the way that rolls out. The word has a lovely definition and etymology:
“A charlatan (also called swindler or mountebank) is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception.”
“Joe Celli a charlatan?” you ask? To which I would respond with another quote:
“The word [charlatan] calls forth the image of an old-time medicine show operator, who has long left town by the time the people who bought his snake oil tonic realize that it does not perform as advertised.
Fraud??? I like the way that rolls out! Fraud … What a marvelous word, a knife-edge specificity to the definition: “An intentional perversion of truth for the purpose of obtaining some valuable thing or promise from another.”
“Joseph Celli a fraud?” you ask? To which I respond, “If it looks like a duck and QUACKS like a duck …”
Gee Kid, among your many talents I did not realize that you were a duck hunter as well. Ever get together with the former vice president of the United States?
I know for a fact that Charlie Carroll gave the order to knock down those structures on Pleasure Beach. He did it and now he is lying about it because he fucked up. He knows nothing about permits or laws governing historical buildings. He doesn’t know and he doesn’t care. It’s his way or the highway. If people complain, he’ll just lie his way out of it. His foremen Valeri, Albuquerque and DePrimo will back him up 100% to protect their overtime. That’s just the way it is in public facilities and everyone knows it.
How many gates does Carroll get before he is fenced out?
Lisa-gate: down and dirty
Gomes-gate: down and out
puppy-gate: down and drowned
beach-gate: down and down
Is Finch fiddling while his administration burns Bridgeport?
The last, last word on Fatty-gate:
Joel: I have never called or even implied that Mojo is “fat” or “fatty” either, although I do recall asking you and Mojo for your Spanish translation of the referendum question as our OIB Latino world specialists before I asked anyone else for help. But I’m glad to hear how forgiving Mojo is about Fatty-gate. The End.
Please … allow me.
***MoPho*** is an extreme fat ass. Big Bad ***MoPho***; BIG feet … BAD breath.
You got close enough to smell his breath? Tell us more.
Did I miss something? The only person I remember who previously called Mojo half of that popular talk-show team on Univision was “The Bridgeport Kid” in this post.
I don’t know about you, but I would think it would be difficult to confuse Sly and the Kid.
If anyone in the Finch administration ever bothered to read the procurement ordinance they would know that even in this extreme case the Mayor should have signed a bid waiver prior to this work being done.
There was an old barn/garage in my district that had partially collapsed. Rodents had infested the premises. It presented a clear public health and public safety hazard.
It took over three years for the anti-blight committee to order it demolished and then had to wait for an asbestos survey company to be selected by competitive bid and then the contract for demolition to be bid.
Who is kidding whom here?
Someone should stay on Burns Construction until they ‘fess up as to who ordered the work to be done and provide a written document.
Anything else is unacceptable.
Bob that should be members of the Council. After all what the hell are you people there for? This city is going to hell in a handbasket and no one on the council says or does squat. I will give you credit for raising issues but there is very little follow-up. The council has sat idly by while this city turns into a pigpen. Just ride around and look at the garbage and trash in the streets. Look at the transfer station that now closes early on Saturdays when for most people who work that is the only day they can get there. Now they can still go there but they have an hour or better wait. Please don’t tell me that we are saving money. There is only one employee on the city payroll that works there all the rest work for Resco.
We are handing out tickets to people who park on the wrong side of the street when the scheduled street sweeping is being done. Well they missed my street this month; in the meantime people in my district are playing musical cars for no reason (no street sweeper).
It’s time for the council to get off their collective asses and demand that the quality of life issues move to the forefront. Most don’t cost money or at the least not a lot of money. We always seem to find money for political jobs.
Just in case anyone forgot 68% dropout rate in our schools.
It’s all related to bad management at public facilities. Historic buildings torn down without permits, streets not getting cleaned on schedule, the transfer station is on reduced hours. These are all things that residents remember when they go to vote whether it’s for mayor or city council. They pay high taxes and have their services cut. All this while Charlie sits at the beach with his girlfriend watching the tide roll in.
Check the OT payroll for the holiday weekend and see who raked in the big bucks. Charlie takes care of his friends and lets the rest of the city go down the shitter. It’s all personal in public facilities. If you are a friend of Carroll or Fabrizi or McBride, you are set. No matter how hard you work or don’t work it doesn’t matter. It’s all personal.
Supposedly so many bigwigs and power people read this blog; why do none of them have the balls to do something about the PF problems? Isn’t there a honest politician left in this city? It’s as obvious as the noses on your faces that Finch, Nunn, Carroll are running the city into the ground; they took out Dick Nixon, they can take out these losers.
John Gomes and Carol Curry uncovered a lot of dirt in PF and look what happened to them. Some sharp reporter should FOI all that information. It’s probably too late, though. I heard there was a lot of shredding going on in CitiStat.
Sharp reporter? WICC?? CT Post??? No chance; I would think much of the stuff written on this blog is worth investigating by a sharp reporter, sad there are none in this area and media market. I line my condo cat box with the CT Post, when they give it for free on a sales push. Working in Stamford makes me appreciate Malloy and see BPT for what it is. A DAMN JOKE.
Corrupted, I’m trying, I’m trying …
“Sharp reporter” is an oxymoron.
Weeeeeeeee’re Baaaaaaaaackkk!
Just in time for “Shark Tank!” on ABC.
Look like, look like, what it look like:
maps.google.com/maps?t=h&ie=UTF8&ll=41.1886,-73.1959&z=12
Only in Bridgeport, kiddies!
It has been a long nice vacation in Jamaica, now I am back. TC just about a week left!!! How is the library question going? What’s up with Jack Hen? His district includes Winthrop and Blackham, that will not be going well for him!!!
Just a thought re solitaire-gate at the state capitol. Thanks for apologizing, Mr. Hennessy … after you got caught. Why not sponsor a bill requiring that all games and such be banned and purged from any pc owned by the state, federal or local government? It’s a simple solution and would be a more appropriate mea culpa.
Lennie can you inform me are there any primaries at Black Rock school? No type of primary for any seat there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First time in a while the clock is ticking and I am not looking forward to get out and vote uhhh I am mad.
COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC …
I spent yesterday with some wealthy Republicans at a picnic in Branford. I could not believe the disdain that was spread over President Obama’s speech today to school children all over the country encouraging them to do their very best and take full advantage of all of the wonderful opportunities that are available to all to learn new things and prepare for a prosperous and secure future. These Republican pricks are suggesting that President Obama has a political agenda which is to build a voter base which will ensure his future elections and that his message is geared to support abortion, of all things. Shame on these newly inducted Philistines.
I am proud that my President will take the time today to speak with the future of our nation offering words of encouragement, perseverance and promise.