Addressing the City Council Monday night, former State Senator Ernie Newton declared “White privilege means you can commit crimes but held at a different standard.” The pronouncement drew a combination of gasps and cheers from the crowd in the City Council chambers. Newton claimed he had been harmed by bidding process disclosures regarding his particular felonious past as a principal for a company that wanted to manage the city dump. Newton asserted he was advised by a lawyer he was not required to check off he was a felon because his crimes did not apply to the bidding category.
“If my lawyer would have said, ‘Ernie, mark the box ‘yes’ I would have done it. I’m not ashamed,” says Newton. The company Newton represents was disqualified.
The city has a ban-the-box policy to place job application focus on qualifications rather than criminal past but now the City Council is looking to extend the policy to bidding procedures as a result of the Newton incident. More than a decade ago Newton was convicted of federal corruption charges from his role as a state legislator. He is also appealing a state conviction of violating Connecticut campaign finance laws for which he received a six-month sentence stemming from his run for State Senate in 2012.
CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart has more on this issue:
The company, East End Developers Inc., offered the lowest price of three contenders bidding for the job, which also included current dump manager Enviro and City Carting, according to city officials.
What kept Newton and his partners from being awarded the work was how Newton, who signed the bid documents, handled seven questions aimed at shedding light on contractors’ criminal history…
“From what I understand, had he answered ‘yes’ there wouldn’t have been a problem,” said John Ricci, head of the public facilities department, which includes the dump. “The city attorney … made the determination it was something that gave a reason for disqualification. I don’t make that judgment.”
Ricci said the city is now considering rejecting all bids and running the dump internally, though he noted the contract could be rebid./blockquote>
Full story here.
This is not right. John Ricci is correct in saying this is not his call, but the Mayor could definitely step in, rebid, and allow Ernie another shot. No one can understand the hope of second chances better than G2. Ernie has served this City for most of his life, helped those less fortunate, and always advocated for what he believed in. He should be defined by the man he is today, his past brought him to this point in time, he survived the ups and downs, and in my opinion has prevailed. Give Ernie a second chance!!!
I read the front-page article and above, but there is a part of the story that has not been reported with specifics. No time for detail at the moment, but the current contract holder has bid initially for a $798,061 annual fee (subsequently lowered, maybe to $635k, then $735K and finally $835K for final year). More detail later.
But the entity Newton has entered with, seems willing to meet bid requirements and perform as required for $368,000 per year!!! Almost $800,000 from our current vendor, and under $400,000 from an entity that wants the business and meets terms and likely is the lowest cost bidder? Time will tell.
BAN THE BOX.
If the city did bid-rigging like this during G1, Ganim would have been in jail a lot sooner because this is so blatantly obvious. Or he never would have gone to jail because this kind of bid-rigging is so obvious the public would have been on to him in no time.
Time to call the FBI. Corruption is alive and well in Bridgeport.
Bubba, am I missing something? I’m serious, I’m so focused on the unfairness of the felon issue I’m not understanding the claim of bid-rigging. Don’t answer me on the blog, give me a call.
You are not alone. I am not following the bid rigging either. I don’t see how that relates to this story angle.
The discrepancy in the bid dollar amounts deserves a front-page story in the Connecticut Post. The City Council should be informed of this huge red flag. Whether the Post will print anything or if the CC will do anything is entirely a different story. Another question is why this company would hire Ernest Newton. Is he some type of expert in waste management? Beyond the “ban-the-box” angle, everything else stinks about this story. As I am finding out myself, corruption is very much alive and doing very well in Bridgeport.
Frank,
Ask yourself, why did the CT Post story not mention the large variance in bids. The company Newton is affiliated with had the lowest bid, or so I was told Monday evening. I think Brian Lockhart was at the meeting and stayed well after I left Council chambers, I suspect. That is where I first learned of this issue. Ernie Newton was the first listed speaker on Monday, and while his “multiple chance” employment opportunity was likely uppermost in his mind, I learned shortly after my own talk to the Council of the details and the extra taxpayer dollars necessary to pay one business for hauling refuse relative to the low bidder was “awakening” to me. When the dollar differential is so huge, it provides opportunity for corruption, to hold onto existing business, for instance. I have never heard anything negative about the two companies and indeed for several years used one of the competing firms to empty trash containers at a commercial property I administered. What is the full story in this non-transparent situation? Expect that we will learn more. And the form with Question 7 that caused the attention to Newton’s submission clearly is a subject itself for added scrutiny. Does any bid get a review by the Police Department to see if subsections a) to g) have been answered honestly? Isn’t that what we do for candidates for our ‘toothless’ boards and commissions? Time will tell.
During some public meetings I have attended, I have seen Ernest Newton go over to Brian Lockhart and have conversations. I have no idea what the conversations entailed. It may have been Newton’s effort to get his own message across to Brian Lockhart and then it’s Lockhart’s (and his editors) job to maintain journalistic standards and write a report that is impartial. Mind you, Kevin Dixon wrote an article in the CT POST just a few days ago after the budget and mil rate was approved and this article was headlined, “GANIM KEEPS CAMPAIGN PROMISES.”
Looks like East End Developers is using some strategy from the playbook of Mark IV Construction and Manny Moutinho. Submit a low-ball bid, win the bid, and then come back and say “We need more money.”
There’s not a person in Bridgeport who should think, feel or believe Mr. Newton did this to deceive, delude or beguile the public with this omission. It appears to any sane person he received bad or misinformed advice and that should not be used against him. Frank, does one have to be experienced in waste management to work, if that’s case, in a management capacity, for Ernest does have experience in that capacity. He was a principal for a company that wants to run the waste management facility.
Now they would suggest they re-bid the contract and allow Ernie to re-bid, this time to mark the box. If that’s the case why would a re-bid of the contract be necessary if the entity Ernie represents had the considerably lower bid? There’s only one reason to re-bid, to allow the current management company another bite of the apple to the continued detriment of Bridgeport and its residents.
Donald Day, I really am questioning Ernest Newton’s role in this company. I may be cynical but is it possible Newton’s involvement and proximity to the Ganim administration may have been his most important qualification for his position in East End Developers? Equally troubling is the lowball bidding, which has to raise serious questions by anyone who looks at ALL the bids.
Re-bid or not to re-bid? It does not make a difference to me. Let them make a decisions on the bids as they stand. It may be a legal requirement to re-bid if one of the bids was incorrectly submitted. Newton’s past criminal history does not make a difference to me either even though his crimes showed an ability to “work the system.” I think the entire scenario is troubling.
Sounds to me like Mr. Newton should start by taking his own attorney to task, and move forward from there.
Re-Bid It! Fill in all the blanks.
The Ganim mafia is back and Ricci is doing what he is told to do. Newton is nothing more than a front for this company.
That was Ricci’s excuse over all his actions as airport manager during the Manny Moutinho driveway brouhaha. Ricci said repeatedly, “I was just doing what I was told.”
Ban individual responsibility!
East End Developers Inc. is a small, fairly new landscaping company in Milford, Connecticut. It opened its doors in 2011 and now has an estimated $260,000 in yearly revenue and five employees.
listings.findthecompany.com/l/32574046/East-End-Developers-Inc-in-Milford-CT
Bob Walsh…Thank you for this information. It is now obvious that East End Developers is a teeny-tiny company and would be ill-prepared and have insufficient resources to handle the large volume of waste management on a daily basis with a city of the size of Bridgeport. Combine this with the obvious low ball bidding,it is clear that the bid from East End Developers MUST BE REJECTED as insufficient both in terms of it’s ability to do the job and clearly misunderstanding the costs involved resulting in a bid that shows a clear misunderstanding of cost analysis.
*** Just because a company puts in a low bid or you might say, “talks the talk” (and this bid by E.E.D was extremely low) does not mean they can, “walk the walk.” Or actually deliver on their claims without adding other extra expenses not discussed until the contract is actually signed, etc. And is it just about the bid price alone? How about the company’s work experience, number of employees, work history in and outside the State or other city and town recommendations in general? All these checks and more, that I may not be familiar with for all the companies applying, no? I don’t know all the city inner info and facts pertaining to this OIB blog story but let’s hope all the real info. that continues to come out is true and well thought out and in the end, neither race, ex-con past history, nor any other prejudices that may cast any doubt concerning the city’s final decision come into play in the final pick. Let’s wait until all the true facts are in and what the final decision will be, no? ***
I am asking for some general information from people here who are much more informed how this process works. Ultimately, WHO DECIDES TO ACCEPT THE BID AND WHO ARE THE SIGNERS TO THE CONTRACT??? DOES THIS GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL REQUIRING CC APPROVAL OR DOES THIS REMAIN COMPLETELY WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE/MAYOR DOMAIN? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ELUCIDATION.
I will only put my 2 cents in because …
First and most importantly, I believe Ernie Newton deserves a second chance at anything he desires. Joe Ganim had his second chance and so far I think he is doing fine.
However, I do question Ernie on the cost factor. How did he come up with this ridiculously low bid? Has he had experience dealing with waste management that he could make an educated bid? Would he be able to make a business plan to a bank if he were trying to get money for this business? If he has all the answers to the above, then I say review his plan again. Personally, when an individual makes a bid 50 percent less than the competitors it seems maybe their lack of adroitness would be a reason to award it to an experienced company with experience in waste management.
I do not think race has anything to do with it. Ernie Newton is not an outside man. Ernie Newton has support from people of all colors in this city who hope he will succeed in any endeavor he goes after. This may not be the one!!!
Personally, I think Ernie Newton would be an amazing success opening a Men’s Clothing Shop. He has impeccable taste and doesn’t exactly look like a Waste Management guy! 🙂
*** HOWEVER, I WILL LEAVE OIB BLOGGERS WITH A POSSIBLE PREJUDGED OPINION SAYING; “IF IT SOUNDS, WALKS AND LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, IT’S PROBABLY A DUCK, NO?” *** QUACK QUACK ***
I have signed up for a June 20th appearance before the City Council. My main subject will be the Bridgeport/Tax Collector/VioAlert/Mid Town Towing scheme of stealing property from the people of Bridgeport. I will also talk about the WPCA stealing property from the people of Bridgeport. I might add a sentence or two about the bidding process concerning waste management and the city transfer station.
I just checked the business registration filing with the Connecticut Secretary of State. East End Developers, Inc initially registered in 2011 by Moises Prieto. Ernest Newton and Deborah Thomas-Sims became principals some time later (as best I can determine in 2015) and the business address became 62-64 Read Street which is a vacant lot according to Vision Appraisal. East End Developers of 214 Pope’s Island Road in Milford (Moises Prieto’s home address) purchased the empty lot in October 2015, after Ganim, with Ernie Newton’s support, won the Democrat primary and was on his way to become mayor again.
The City’s purchasing ordinance gives preference to businesses owned by minorities that have a Bridgeport address.
Does everyone see where this is going?
Is this about ‘banning the box?’ I think not.
Without any research, people are posting comments like “There’s not a person in Bridgeport who should think, feel or believe Mr. Newton did this to deceive, delude or beguile the public with this omission.”
Rebid the contract or arrange to operate the transfer station internally? It appears to me a closer look at East End Developer’s bid is in order.
Oh stop it Tom, how many minority businesses were put into white women’s names so they could qualify for minority contracts? They know nothing about the business or participate in the business other than having it in their name. This process is the poster child for white privilege, don’t do as I do, disregard the person behind the curtain and for whites only. You seem to be the master of “dog whistle politics.” C’mon man.
Don, how dare you say that about Tom White? He’s Bridgeport Mister Rogers and in his neighborhood there is no racism and no dog whistle politics and Don, don’t hurt Tom’s feelings because he doesn’t know anything about racism.
ANOTHER BLACK SCREWED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT. YEAH RIGHT, ANOTHER FRAUD.
*** BOX OR NO BOX, IT SEEMS IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS WAS PICKED OTHER THAN NEWTON’S THERE WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF ISSUES IN QUESTION, NO? ***
Racism is what you and Day post every day. What a shame Newton and associates submitted a fraudulent address on their bid paperwork and it’s okay. Lisa, how many second chances does Ernie get? This was a fraudulent bid process and look who is involved, Mr. Driveway from the airport.
Andy, I’m still experiencing PTSD from the end of my 20-year run. Bob and I spent hours with the then-Purchasing Director trying to get information we were entitled to as elected officials, and the gag was on. I don’t know anything about this bid, but there are so many basic questions to be asked and maybe answered. Who put it out to bid, what were the qualifications, and how was it selected. It’s obvious Ernie’s bid was considered until the box thing, so who chose it or reviewed it? Highest and best were not the only criteria in selecting a contract. So what’s up with this one?
Lisa, ask John Ricci which person from the Ganim crew told him to do it. It’s quite obvious this was a setup. We are going back in time.
Andy, unfortunately I can’t disagree with you. Ernie probably put some pressure on G2 to put it out to bid. It may have been ready to be renewed anyway, I don’t know, but to appear to appease Ernie, and give him an opportunity to compete, it was crafted. I think Ernie was set up to lose this. Box or not, that box had nothing to do with meeting the qualifications of this bid. The Purchasing Dept, in the past, prepared the bid, selected the ones that qualified, then passed the results to the appropriate department. I don’t recall any results ever approved unless the Mayor at the time gave it a thumbs-up.
Ernie couldn’t empty the trash at the City Hall Annex! Never mind run a Municipal Transfer Station! Let “Mr. Driveway” and his boys take it over! BADDABING!
In a past life I had corporate purchasing responsibilities that included efforts to support minority-owned businesses. I was even on the board of the Connecticut Minority Purchasing Council. It was a common practice for businesses actually owned by white people to designate a black or Hispanic person as a ‘vice president’ or some other role so the company qualified as a ‘minority vendor.’ Companies such as Sikorsky and Lycoming were required to use ‘minority vendors’ given their government contracts. They even had a staff person seeking out these ‘minority vendors.’ Those requirements have since changed. My company did it voluntarily (with my urging) as a good corporate citizen.
Bridgeport has the ‘Minority Business Enterprise’ ordinance that gives preferences to minority vendors. Based on my five years on the Board of Public Purchases (reinstituted by Mayor Fabrizi after it became dormant in G1) and attending oversight meetings as the ‘legislative liaison’ specified in the ordinance, I concluded the process is inefficient and ineffective and heavily influenced by politics. It is now administered by Charlie Stallworth who was a Ganim campaign supporter.
The refuse industry is heavily regulated as a result of the influence of organized crime (some would say the mafia) in the past.
So is all this about concern about the influence of politics and influential politicians manipulating a questionable city ordinance, or, as some less-informed people claim, is about punishing a politically connected felon because he chose to withhold that status in filing for a contract?
I have known Ernie Newton many years. I knew his predecessor in the state senate. I don’t believe Ernie did anything his predecessor did not do. I believe the only person Ernie ever hurt was himself (and his family).
The City must follow the laws that apply. I don’t believe that it is an attempt to punish Ernie or make a statement about ‘ban the box.’
In my opinion, people who know Ernie Newton feel he needs and deserves a chance to be relevant and play a productive role in Bridgeport. I hope Ganim’s ‘second chance’ initiative will try to make a statement. I’m not sure the involvement of an administration that still has much to prove is the best way.
Now, let’s visit the land of make believe. There’s Ron Mackey and Donald Day. Hey neighbors! Oh no! What’s this in my sweater pocket? A dog whistle! I’d better be careful what I say, they may be offended. When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Tom, try to also to speak out when racism is right there in your face, city, state, country and in politics in both parties. Tom, you’re smart enough to know when you write something that has a double meaning, and trust me if Don or I see it we will call you on it.
Tom White, when racism colors your opinions everything looks like right-wing politics. Woof, woof.
*** Newton & company was not chosen because race came into play. If another more established company with lots of experience and no boxes left unchecked is picked, it also must be because of race or politics, no? *** WHOOP ***