Shark Attack! Plus: The Best Of The Finest

Do you wanna know a secret?

That’s what State Rep. Brendan Sharkey, also a seasoned Hamden-based land use attorney, would like know on behalf of the Committee to Ungag the People. The peeps have retained Sharkey to probe the private discussions, if any, involving zoning officials and special interests in the decision-making process regarding zoning regs. What could he uncover? Ya never know. At the very least this will shake things up a bit.

Sharkey has directed his FOI request to City Attorney Mark Anastasi who relishes the give-and-take of such requests. Mark is sorta like the dragon protecting the castle. He doesn’t mind breathing fire in return in the form of delay, stall, legal interpretation, etc. See the initial page of Sharkey’s request followed by specific info he seeks in the link. Fun, fun, fun.

I have been retained by the Committee to Ungag the People to represent them in this and related matters.

Pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FIOA), I am writing to inquire about possible ex partecommunications between City of Bridgeport staff and commissioners on the one hand and developers, special interests and land use attorneys on the other with respect to the recently proposed changes to the City’s Master Plan, zoning map and regulations. While this inquiry is general in nature, my client has specific concerns about proposed changes to the Plan, the zoning map and zoning regulations for following areas: (a) area on Main St comprising in whole or in part the Eastern side of Main St. one property depth in from Trumbull town line southerly along Main St. to Commerce Park Funeral Home and the Western side of Main St. one property depth in from Trumbull town line southerly along Main St. to south of Minturn Street; (b) area on Main St comprising in whole or in part the Eastern side of Main St. one property depth in from N.A.G.E. Union Hall property southerly along Main St. to apartment complex just north of intersection of Beechmont Ave and Main St and the Eastern side of Main St. one property depth in from former Calvary Episcopal Church southerly along Main St. to northern parcel on Fairview Ave and the Western side of Main St. one property depth in from Stoehrs Place southerly along Main St. to and including Lupe’s Drug Store; (c) 420 Anton Drive (abutting Commerce Park); (d) 9.9 acres of open space off of Greenwood St.; and (e) Testo’s Restaurant, 1775 Madison Ave. (the “Proposed Zoning Changes”).

Accordingly, I am requesting the opportunity to inspect and copy the documents and materials outlined below that may be in the possession of the City of Bridgeport and/or its Planning and Zoning Commission (the “Commission”), including the Commission’s members:

B’port FOI Request – 11-13-090001

Top Cops

Lots of good cops will be promoted tonight in City Hall, including Lynn Kerwin as assistant chief making her the highest ranking female police office in the city’s history.

I know a bunch of the police officers including Kerwin, William “Ron” Bailey and Armando Perez. Ten years ago when I managed a city image-building campaign I chose Lynn for a television spot promoting law enforcement success. It was one of the best spots of the campaign.

Bailey was a fantastico resource for my book Chased about the undercover work of city police officer Billy Chase who took down numerous drug dealers in the region including the head of the Number One Family which terrorized the West End. I was scheduled to do a book signing at Walden Books in Trumbull shortly after the book came out. The store received telephone threats of violence taking place at the signing. The store manager wanted to cancel. I told Bailey about this and he offered his time (on his own time) free of charge to be there. “They’re just curious, Lennie, these guys won’t do anything but throw out their chests.” The signing moved forward.

When I arrived for the signing dozens of surrogates of the Number One Family had filled the mall entry to the store. They saw me and then they saw Bailey whom they all knew. (I think I sold more books to Number One Family members in the joint than any other group.) Ron Bailey can flat fight. He’s a quadruple black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Once I saw him go through five boards with a single punch. Anyhoo, it was a nice book signing, a stress-free signing, because of Bailey.

A.J. Perez is a prince of a guy.

All these cops make for the Best of Bridgeport. If I’m Mayor Bill Finch I’m hoping Acting Chief Joe Gaudett and Kerwin finish in the top three for the Civil Service test to select a permanent chief. What makes me think there’s no rush to administer the test?

News release from Mayor Finch

Capt. Lynn Kerwin Appointed Assistant Chief; Promotion Ceremonies for 17 Officers Set for Monday, Nov. 16

On Monday evening, Nov. 16, Mayor Bill Finch and Acting Police Chief Joseph Gaudett Jr. will preside over the promotion ceremonies for 17 police officers.

At the ceremony, Capt. Lynn Kerwin will be sworn in as the Assistant Chief, only the third officer to be appointed to the position in the history of the department.

The following three officers will be promoted to Captain: Lt. Robert Evans, Lt. Armando Perez and Lt. Joseph Savino Jr.

The following three officers will be promoted to Lieutenant: Sgt. William Bailey, Sgt. John Cueto and Sgt. Brett Hyman.

The following 10 officers will be promoted to detective: Joseph Badolato, Mark Belinkie, James Borrico, John Burke, Jorge Cintron, David Garcia, Mark T. Graham, Martin M. Heanue, Todd Hoben and William Reilly.

The ceremonies will be held in City Council Chambers at 6:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16.

News release from Dem U.S. Senate candidate Merrick Alpert

MERRICK ALPERT COMPLETES HIS MARCH TO END THE AFGHAN WAR

New London, Connecticut – Since announcing his candidacy in May, Merrick Alpert has spoken candidly about his belief that the United States should be drawing down its forces in Afghanistan. Concerned about our continued military activities in Afghanistan, and convinced that our current course is mistaken, Merrick began a March across Connecticut this week to demonstrate his opposition to the war. The motivations behind Merrick’s March were to raise awareness and to promote discussion about the conflict, and to encourage our government to bring our troops home.

“Having served in the U.S. military, I respect and admire our fellow citizens who wear our nation’s uniform. It is my belief that we have a duty to these men and women, who have dedicated themselves to the protection of our country, not to send them into harm’s way unless (1) doing so is vital to our national security, (2) the military deployment has a clear, publicly-supported objective, and (3) the conflict can be won in a reasonable time. I oppose the American war in Afghanistan because it fails all three criteria. I am walking across Connecticut to publicize my opposition to this war. I hope others will join me.”

Merrick began his 117-mile March to End the Afghan War on the Connecticut-Rhode Island border on the morning of Tuesday November 10th. He walked approximately 25 miles each day along US-Route 1, reaching the New York state line in Greenwich earlier this afternoon.

“Having just completed a five-day, 117-mile walk across Connecticut to express my opposition to the Afghan War, I want to thank the thousands of people who showed their support, cheered me on, and joined me on the March.”