Kicking up the campaign rhetoric one day after Governor Dan Malloy endorsed Bill Finch for another term, former Mayor Joe Ganim has asked the governor to authorize state troopers to supplement city police officers following an increase in gun violence. State Police stepped up when Ganim was mayor in the 1990s after a spike in violence. Troop G Barracks is located Downtown.
The Ganim campaign kicked out a letter from Ganim to Malloy dated Wednesday. Ganim used his Cartright Street apartment and an email address joe@ganimconsulting.com as the letterhead. Statistics Ganim cites in his letter to Malloy regarding the number of murders at the Trumbull Gardens area do not reflect Police Department reports. Ganim’s letter declares 9 of 10 murders so far this year have taken place in the “area of Trumbull Gardens.” According to police reports half have taken place in that area.
Ganim letter:
After attending a local YANA (You Are Not Alone) organizational meeting in Bridgeport, I felt compelled to write you regarding the issues of crime and gun violence in this city. YANA is a coalition of mothers who have lost their child in the city of Bridgeport.
Last year, Bridgeport saw a total number of 12 murders. This year, as of July 28th, Bridgeport has recorded 10 murders. The area of Trumbull Gardens has seen 9 murders alone. This drastic increase in violent crime is absolutely deplorable, and I am calling on your leadership to aid in stemming this onslaught of senseless violence.
At the aforementioned meeting, YANA leaders called for you to send state troopers to Bridgeport in order to work in tandem with our local police officers, as you did in the city of Hartford. I am echoing YANA’s call for your direct action.
It is hard to argue that crime is down when Bridgeport is poised to surpass the total number of murders from last year. With our active duty officers retiring in droves, it is imperative that Bridgeport receives additional support. The Bridgeport force has dwindled this year, with 8 officers retiring in July, and 8 more slated to retire by the end of August.
As a concerned citizen of this city, I hope the people of Bridgeport can count on you to take action on this serious issue.
That’s right, Joe. Put Malloy on the spot while asking Malloy to do what Finch has failed to ask him to do.
Good move, Joe. How is the city going to handle our annual drug festival this weekend?
Not sure what to think. This could make Malloy look bad if the media puts it out there he is spending tax dollars on that stupid car garage. He could look bad by getting involved in local politics too. OF course Joe’s move is a political one, he is a good chessplayer. But he also has to be careful with Hartford because they own the chessboard or maybe not. Ganim is saying go ahead Hartford make a move on this chessboard and you going to be in the spotlight once you do. Now this will make Malloy look unpopular with Bridgeport and this is not something he wants. If people view MAlloy as anti-safety and as not on board with Ganim who is popular among the constituency, then this can hurt Malloy in the next election. Tread lightly Malloy, tread lightly.
BptPorter, what you say makes sense, but I’m feeling a general dislike of Malloy in Bridgeport. The next election for him is a little more than three years away, and so much will change politically in that time. Just my opinion, he should be spending that time fixing his mistakes and building some love among the voters or he wont have to worry about his next election. There won’t be one!
Malloy is political toast one way or the other. The least he can do is to step up for Bridgeport at a critical time before he makes his way to the egress and takes his snake oil to the private sector–or Florida.
If he goes to Florida, he may learn State Troopers patrolling the county roads does not or has not reduced crime.
Mary-Jane Foster and Joe Ganim both asked for a contingent of State Troopers to help quell the rising violence. Why hasn’t Finch asked? Could it be he’s just so damned busy talking about how the city is the safest it has been in 40 years? No, maybe Finch is too busy telling Steven Auerbach how much better the city looks with all the park beautification. The school system is circling the bowl; unemployment is at an all-time high; violent crime is up 152% over the same period last year and there have been four murders in the past two weeks. But it’s okay, Steven. The parks look great and that’s what matters because that’s what everyone sees. They don’t want to see the poverty and the homelessness that are a part of everyday life in Connecticut’s largest city.
You think Lennie should have included ‘Mary-Janewomanship’ as part of the title to this commentary?
Bridgeport Kid,
This will be the last time I say this. The city of Bridgeport looks better than ever, the city is more respected than ever, there is more development in the city than the past five decades. The city has the best relationship with Hartford and Washington in decades. People are feeling good. Now, I can respect you are not a Finch supporter. I have no problem being the poster child for the Finch administration. However, you need to know I do not speak for anyone in the Finch administration and apparently, I must be the only supporter who has never received a favor. I know, shocking, right? Sad but true. Mayor Finch doesn’t have to tell me what is happening in the city, by the grace of G-d, I am not deaf, dumb or blind.
Bridgeport Kid, my perception comes from a very different place than most. I know the top three candidates. I worked for Moran and was released by Ganim. I voted for Ganim twice. No sour grapes here. I supported Finch his first go, I supported Foster, only because I thought she could stimulate development and I respected her character and business acumen. When she lost the primary I immediately stood behind Finch believing he would finally cross the finish line.
Well Bridgeport Kid, here we are seven years into the Finch administration. Shovels in the ground and cranes in the air, new schools all over the city, new parks and yes less crime and higher morale. Steelpointe hasn’t even begun to make noise and downtown is getting new housing and life every day.
Ganim’s life has changed dramatically from the young aspiring politician who could have been Governor. The baggage weighs heavily around his neck. People have come to terms and may not have forgiven him, especially when constituents remember the audacity and greed living the life while his supporters were poor and hopeless. Joe is a nice guy, but a leopard really never changes their spots. Ask John Rowland! Mary-Jane Foster, a super lady. I worked tirelessly for her. Most of her supporters if not all went to support Joe Ganim. Go figure! Me, a true cheerleader for the city who always represents every corner of the city in a positive light is supporting Bill Finch. In the past three months I have had more conversations with Ganim and Foster than I have had with Bill Finch.
I am supporting Mayor Finch for the future of this city. I am not interested in his past jobs. He has never lied to me and I do not consider political rhetoric a lie. It is pure politics. I believe Mayor Finch will continue to transform this city and the next generation will be extremely proud. I will continue to support Mayor Finch from within City Hall or Outside city hall simply because he is the Mayor and we should all want him to succeed. Our future depends on it!
No baggage weighs heavily around the neck of Bill Finch???
I can think of 400,000!
I’m still not seeing anything Finch has done to improve the quality of life for the majority of Bridgeport’s citizens. You know the ones on welfare, the ones who are invisible to you. Shovels in the ground means Finch has created jobs for out-of-town construction laborers. The developers were hired without any requirement that a percentage of jobs be set aside for Bridgeport residents. If you think the people living in the stressful environments of the city’s public housing projects, if you think they choose to live there? Dude, you need to see a psychiatrist to obtain a prescription for corrective medication. No one would willingly live in an apartment complex overrun by drug-dealing gangs.
Shovels in the ground don’t mean anything if the city’s chronic problems of unemployment, crime, poverty and a failing school district have not been addressed. You are supporting an incumbent who has not done much of anything to address these important issues.
• Finch’s response to a failing school system was to attempt to politicize the Board of Education.
• Finch’s response to a 41% increase in unemployment was to create “thousands” of jobs–for out-of-town construction workers.
• Finch’s response to chronic poverty falls somewhere between Jack and Shit. Jack has left the building, by the way.
• Finch’s response to a public safety forum held at Burroughs Community Center was to show up at the last minute and take ten minutes of the attendees’ time to whip out his stump speech. I’m sure he’s practiced it in the bathroom mirror and has it all nice and slick as beets.
• Finch’s response to high taxes has been to raise them four times. Make no mistake boys and girls: he will raise them again if given the chance.
• Finch’s response to a spate of shootings? Not a fucking word. He doesn’t care about the people who were shot. They didn’t vote for him.
“Yes, less crime and higher morale”? You must be stoned. Violent crime is way way WAY up, four murders in two weeks. Morale is up due to the enormous cloud of marijuana smoke wafting from Seaside Park across the South End.
Why hasn’t Finch asked for help? Maybe he has. Perhaps his ministry of public enlightenment or re-election campaign (same thing) is working on an announcement of the program complete with a podium and the usual Police Dept hierarchy and city council members looking to keep their city jobs or get one for relatives. Bridgeport getting better every day!
I’m not a bright man. On one hand we demonize the police on how they reduce crime and on the other hand we demonize the officials for not having enough officers. This is a new era in policing; cops are going to be equipped with body cameras, the men and women have to be the highest quality and able to handle the stress of policing a community. We’ve seen what happened in Beardsley Park. Bridgeport residents were up in arms and rightfully so. If it takes a longer process to make sure Bridgeport has the highest quality of men and women on the force. I think Bridgeport, its residents and the police force will be better served and willing to have patience to secure that type of force. I’m not sure if anyone is aware of what recently took place in Cincinnati.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=GTQrwqncXug
You sound much brighter than some long-time OIB posters and many who have come and gone. Did anyone see and hear News 12 when they had their camera aimed at Bill Finch? He made very racist, discriminatory, and stupid (I’m not surprised) comment. He said something to the extent, “I can’t hire all white officers.” I and don’t think anyone who needs the assistance of a police officer gives a damn what the color, race or sex of a police officer is. Their professionalism and fairness is all that matters. Bill Finch opened the door for a federal lawsuit by white officers. If that happens, I support them. The Race Card–never leave home without it, even if you are the mayor.
Joel, you are right, he’s stupid, all he had to say after his stupid comment was to say, “I can’t hire all black, Hispanic officers but intend to hire the best diverse group of candidates,” but this guy is lost.
I don’t get this demonization of the police. When it comes to a robbery, a murder, a rape, an act of arson, who you gonna call? Ghost Busters?! The only time anyone has a problem with the police is when they are breaking the law.
The Finch administration has nothing but antipathy for the poor in this town. His appearance at the public safety forum at Burroughs Community Center was an opportunity to dust off his stump speech. The Black Rock Community Council organized the forum to address neighborhood concerns about increasing crime including bicycle theft, auto and home break-ins, muggings. Toward the end here comes Lonesome Cowboy Bill to tell everyone what a great job he’s doing cleaning up city parks, creating thousands of jobs for out-of-town workers, increasing the unemployment rate by 40%, doing nothing about a violent crime rate that has increased by 152% over last year.
Great job you’re doing, Mr. Mayor. It’s only a matter of time before someone calls the United States Marshal’s Service to round up all the violent criminals with outstanding warrants roaming the streets of Bridgeport. It won’t be anyone from your office; Bridgeport is safe for you.
Almost everyone in Bridgeport has come to realize Finch is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. His showing last night at the Burroughs Community Center moves him closer to the just plain dumb category. Black Rock’s safety concerns was the only topic on the agenda. Finch talked about the East Side train station and Steel Point! The groans and eyeball rolling from the crowd spoke volumes. Steve, you should ease up on the Finch/Wood kool-aid.
Joe should also ask the state to help our BOE and have the BOE come down and help out or take over.
I believe the criticism of the Finch administration is the failure to initiate the timely hiring of replacements for the many police officers retiring due to changes in their contract. It could be labeled a failure to manage (plan, organize, direct and control). The result is depleted ranks, more overtime assignments and less flexibility in assignments. In addition, you have distractions such as establishing a POST at Trumbull Gardens and a gun buyback program, which have no immediate effect.
Tom White, I’m in agreement with you, he was totally disconnected along with the police chief from management of the police department.
I’m still wondering what plan (by the City/PD) is in place to secure the city while most–or all–of BPD will be tied up handling the Vibes drug fest at Seaside Park this weekend.
Perhaps all Bridgeporters who aren’t planning on being at the Vibes should take a little out-of-town vacation this weekend.
I truly hope there isn’t any flare-up of violence in the city this weekend while our police force is unavailable outside of the Seaside Park area. If there isn’t any plan in place to secure the city and we have any significant public-safety needs complications, the Mayor and Police Chief should just hand in their resignations first thing Monday morning.
Ditto for the Governor, who should certainly be aware of Bridgeport’s public safety deficiencies and possible extraordinary needs this weekend.
I think Joe Ganim is amazing in getting himself publicity. Where there is tragedy you will find Joe. Just like those attorneys running after ambulances. It is brilliant, make no mistake about it. I am surprised channel 12 news shows up for a candidate, but the truth is they do. They like Joe and so does Brian Lockhart. That is a real plus for Ganim. It doesn’t change his narrative. I suppose wherever we see a tragedy in Bridgeport, we will see Joe. He may be an opportunist but let’s be honest. His supporters do not see it.
Hold on, Steve! Brian Lockhart likes me more than he likes Joe. Any comment on the racist comment made by mayor Bill Finch on News 12? Did you know the only Gay male police officer I know of was fired by the BPD? He later hit the lottery and is a Millionaire I hear.
Joel, I know of at least 18 gay police, men and woman and I never heard they were fired and won the lottery. I do know one was a huge bodybuilder selling steroids and was advertising as a male hustler in Manhattan. I believe Ganim was Mayor and it was front-page news.
Done with my ‘Joelmanship.’ Stay tuned!
On a local level, Joe Ganim has placed himself above the law with his unauthorized BPD sign on Reservoir Avenue.
In Connecticut, I hope Governor Malloy rejects his second plea for help because selling your soul for personal gain is no way to re-enter Bridgeport politics.
Ganim lied (again) just the other day when asked if he called in state troopers to Bridgeport during his administration and he said no. Truth is 80 state troopers came to Bridgeport during his administration in 1996 when we had 44 murders that year, ten in ONE week. See link with details and link to 1996 news article.
Hey, dumb dumb. Let’s get this straight. I was there as Councilmen of the 131st. Just about everyone thinks as a mayor, that person is the one who takes the initiative to get things started and completed. People think the mayor does everything on their own. Example, it was John Fabrizi as Council President and Bill Finch as Chairman of Contracts and Appointments Committee with the assistance of a majority (about 14 council members) who allowed Logrolling to evolve into Corruption. Bill Finch was and continues to be the key manufacturer of Bridgeport Corruption. The difference today is he is not the Chairman of contracts and appointments committee, he is now the mayor and the driver of the Logrolling/Corruption Machine. He left Joe Ganim holding the bag as he was sworn in as State Senator just six months before news of the federal probe was reported by the press. I and others knew about the probe for at least two years before the press reported it. You won’t find what I’ve known for years in old newspaper articles.
The most dangerous districts back then were the 130th (PT Barnum), 131st (my district and the most dangerous, would take a month to explain why), 137th East Side, 135th Terrace area, 139th Stratford Avenue area. They all shared the causes and conditions that allowed crime to grow and continue despite law enforcement (local, state, federal) efforts.
I was and continue to be the most knowledgeable person in Bridgeport with a keen grip on crime. I was born into this environment and after High School became a player in crime. I wasn’t just a player, I studied the intricacies of crime and the environment it took place in.
After Joe Ganim and I had some serious headbutting and had a private discussion, he began to listen to me and lots of things started to change as far a crime was concerned. That’s one of the key reasons I’ve loved, respected, and admired Joe Ganim even after he was convicted.
First it wasn’t so much the State Police that made headway to lower crime. It was Joe Ganim, Police Chief Sweeney and the Feds. The Jersey Barriers placed in the East Side (a Sweeney and Ganim effort with the Assistance of Mike Freimuth Director of OPED). For two years I was the chair of the Public Safety Committee (never held a committee meeting and never presented any resolutions). I didn’t need the advice or participation of other committee member who knew shit about crime. All I needed was for Joe Ganim to trust, listen to me, and order certain city officials to try what I suggested with anything other ideas they may have. Joe Ganim didn’t lie. You are just another Finchie reading old newspaper articles and interpreting them your way. If I had a dollar for how many times the reporters misinterpreted or completely missed what I said or meant, I’d be able to buy all of Black Rock, the OIB webzine and rename it OnlyinBlackRock.
Joel, you never cease to amaze me. And to think I sat right next to you on the CC and never realized how sharp you are. Come back with me and show me!!!
I forgot to post the link about Ganim’s recent lie where he said the state police were brought in in the 1980s. It was under Ganim’s leadership when state police were called in to help stem the violence in 1996. Here is the link all about it:
www .thetruthaboutjoeganim.com/2015/07/29/joe-ganim-just-lied-again/
Well said, Bepo.
Ganim continues to lie and cynically appeal to voters’ emotions with false information.
John from BR and Bepo. Again you guys are lost as the reporters were. Let’s go back to the ’80s. What motor vehicle stop pretext existed in the ’80s which does no longer exist today?
I repeat: I was and continue to be the most knowledgeable person in Bridgeport with a keen grip on crime.
It would take both of you (Bepo) and John from BR. You are both being misled by the asshole writing what’s called truth. How about facts, you fools. You are not lying he’s a bit mistaken.
There are rules made by government and there are street rules. If you ‘rolled dirty’ there were street commonsense rules that still apply today. Here are some of the rules for rolling dirty: (driving with contraband, weapons or wanted by authorities), Have a drivers license (not really necessary if following other key rules), No tinted windows, wear seat belts, avoid speeding, no failing to signal, no loud music while driving etc. Did you read the part that mentions exit 28 and 29? The State police presence wasn’t about fighting crime so much, it was about raising revenue with tickets and towing. If a fool didn’t follow the rolling dirty rules, get caught or high speed chase time. Here’s the answer to the question none of you could answer: Emissions sticker. Remember them and what happened when you forgot to take your car for emissions or had an expired sticker? The Connecticut State Police used the stickers as a reason to stop drivers immediately as they entered or exited the highway. In order to save the printing cost of emissions stickers, the state has since done away with them and with that went the State Troopers standing on the entrance and exit ramps of I-95. Every day since 1994 I roll dirty with my 9mm. You both have been shot with it and there isn’t shit anyone can do about it to help you two suckers falling for the bullshit from thetruthaboutjoeganim.
Days ago I posted this link and raise this term. Like may of my comments, it goes over your head (many of the readers get it after I’ve explained things). Bepo In The Know is another example of readers and posters who misses facts and points due to them researching, thinking on their own, with a closed mind, etc. I’m tired of hearing terms like Crime and Corruption being spewed by people who won’t even recognize it even if the term they comment on was having sex with their partner as they are laying right next to their partner. Don’t read OIB in bed–it causes you to zone out and become oblivious to your surroundings.
Lennie and all OIB readers and posters, learn this important term:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logrolling
Gaudett went on the record stating he is giving the request from taxpayers and candidates a firm NO. No, he will not request State police intervention. Citizens rally for it, Mayoral challengers called for it, and the current mayor ignored it.
What the Mayor did not ignore was an opportunity to stump to a captive audience regarding his virtues as a candidate, and how great he has been for Bridgeport over the past seven years. The problem is he did it at a Black Rock community forum on the rash of crime in the neighborhood. Someone straightened him out on the inappropriate nature of that action at the meeting.
It seems kind of spiteful for Gaudett to blatantly state, on television, he is not going to honor the request. Is it because Mayor Finch did not come up with the idea? Who is Gaudett to decide the citizens’ requests are not important enough to honor? Doesn’t this qualify as a matter of life and death? One bonehead maneuver after another. How about giving the people who pay your bloated salaries sometimes at the expense of providing adequately for their families what they deserve? We live in a bad TV show.
Gaudett will not ask the State Police for assistance. Bill Finch doesn’t want to appear ineffective. Too late, gentlemen. You both have given that appearance.