On the one-year anniversary of his comeback win Thursday night about 250 pols, friends and supporters filled Testo’s Restaurant ballroom for a Democratic Town Committee fundraiser honoring Joe Ganim’s return to office. State elected dignitaries included Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and Attorney General George Jepsen. The suggested contribution was $250 minimum. Prior to the event, Ganim had some trepidation about the turnout considering a scratchy first year led by budget woes and skirmishes from pols whose peeps did not end up on the public payroll.
“I’m afraid we’re not going to fill the room,” Ganim confided to Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa who proved once again his fundraising resiliency that included a political support team.
Some pols in the room did not support Ganim’s comeback such as State Senator Ed Gomes who backed Mary-Jane Foster for mayor. But for Gomes pragmatism prevails.
“I’ve never really had a personal beef with Joe,” Gomes said. “I represent the people. He does something right for the people, I support him. He doesn’t, I’ll deal with that, too.”
More on this from CT Post reporter Brian Lockhart here.
CT Mirror reporter Mark Pazniokas shares his take:
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Testa, the host as the city’s Democratic chairman and owner of Testo’s Restaurant, the restaurant and catering hall where waiters were about to serve a family-style meal of pasta and salad. “There was no arm-twisting.
Full story here.
There is some great wisdom for those who want to be involve with politics in the article concerning Ed Gomes they could learn from which is below:
There were several Finch and Foster allies in the audience Thursday. State Sen. Ed Gomes had backed Foster.
“I’ve never really had a personal beef with Joe,” Gomes said. “I represent the people. He does something right for the people, I support him. He doesn’t, I’ll deal with that, too.”
youtu.be/Bo7zkd0kRS4
That was an excellent quote! Very diplomatic. I would have loved to have been there for the gathering. I am sure it was nice. I thought it was a celebration of all elected officials. I am glad it was a healthy turnout. Was Jim Himes there?
Sounds like you’re wearing chinos and sipping a glass of cheap chardonnay.
For anyone who may have questioned my disappointment with the way Senator Gomes was disrespected at last Saturday’s forum sponsored by the CC group, I rest my case. My argument was in a political arena, you must know the etiquette, Senator Gomes is a perfect example. He was invited, he attended, and I’m sure he was properly acknowledged. The planners and attendees of this anniversary party all knew what they had to do. Now that’s politics! If you don’t like it, just move on.
Dear Ms. Manners and Etiquette,
“Properly acknowledged?”
As Senator Gomes was acknowledged at the Oct 29th citizens forum?
Let’s go to the videotape:
1 minute and 10 seconds in
www .youtube.com/watch?v=BQAfT4x_2e
BTW: You commented on the OIB post, “A State Senator was merely acknowledged as being present.”
www .youtube.com/watch?v=BQAfT4x_2eI
Lisa, residents who attend a forum on city finances should not be expected to genuflect before elected people or conform to ‘political etiquette.’ Maybe Democrats make the sign of the cross when they pass Testo’s restaurant but CW4BB or other groups should not recognize candidates for office in an upcoming election and allow them to speak.
Is there a way of creating a “peace treaty” over etiquette issues about a certain Saturday morning meeting held at the Bridgeport Public Library?
Tom White,
Good advice. And when you (not you personally) then turn to that elected official and submit a laundry list of actions you expect them to take in Hartford, you would get all upset if they didn’t hop to it like your slave.
Cooperation is a two-way street. And if you tell me CW4BB would not seek assistance from state legislators because they will force them to do what they want, well that is where a little political sense goes a long way.
It happened right in front of me. It was last Saturday when Lisa Parziale rushed across the floor and started whispering to her friend so as to not interrupt the speaker. Etiquette took a holiday.
Explain, please. If you were right there, why didn’t you introduce yourself since we were both at the same event? Etiquette and manners took a holiday with you!
I didn’t introduce myself because there was a speaker onstage. You were whispering because there was a speaker onstage. But you didn’t mind. You were late and trying to catch up.
FYI, I arrived 15 minutes early in the event help was needed to get things ready. You couldn’t have been too aware of me if you realize I was present most likely long before (who ever you are) arrived. I now understand why some find it offensive bloggers use silly names when they post. It’s kind of a creepy feeling to realize someone who blogs with a handle can spy on you, and then post about you without having the advantage of knowing who’s saying what about you. Lennie my honey, you really should do something about this anonymous situation. If a person wants to participate on OIB, we should all be on a level playing field. This creeps me out. It’s like voyeurism.
Early for the event but late for the speech. You paint an inaccurate picture. I was stationary the whole time. Local Eyes knows when something enters his field of vision. I wasn’t spying. Someone who claims a lengthy political career shouldn’t be whispering during another’s speech. Etiquette, remember?
All I know is this incident with the guy who calls himself Local Eyes is like watching a peeping Tom. It’s one thing to read his comments with a silly name, another when he watches you at an event, and then discusses you on the blog. Someone like this could say anything he wants about someone, and there’s no recourse because he hides behind a made-up moniker. I’m not being dramatic, but it’s a creepy feeling, for all I know he could be some crazy stalker or worse and I’m defenseless. Who knows how many other bloggers have had this happen to them? Mr. voyeur, if you ever see me in public, and you mention me on OIB, good, bad or indifferent, I will ask the boss to intervene. You may think your actions are harmless, but I find it scary, especially for women.
Bob Walsh.
Good point. There is a difference between keeping elected officials in the loop and communicating with them to support a legislative matter versus stroking them in public. Most of our elected officials, such as Ed Gomes, are above that. Others welcome the exposure and celebrity status, especially city council members.
Thursday night was a ‘fund raiser for the current DTC’ and all Democrats were not welcome, unless they had the $250 fee in hand. A lot of ‘players’ were present I will guess. They paid so they could continue to play in their City job, in a City spotlight, or with some other type of recognition. They were there to party, not to learn about challenges the City faces.
That was last Saturday morning. A different meeting purpose. All parties who consider themselves citizens of the largest City in the State. No fee to pay. No refreshments. Serious subjects. Serious speakers. And respectful Q&A.
But old habits die hard. And etiquette changes as conditions and times change. The current question seems to be: Which of such gatherings of Bridgeport citizens do you feel most comfortable in? Time will tell.
JML, like I said before, money is “the mother’s milk of politics.” You have to be in it to win, like it or not.
Oversized JoS. A. Bank Suits and skunk Yellowtail, anyone?
That’s pretty good and Mario needs to get rid of that clip-on tie and buy one that has the right length and a suit jacket that fits.
Ganim says transparency is important, for the city and him.
So are appearances.
“I got a parking ticket today, and it pissed me off. I shouldn’t have got it,” Ganim said. “Should I challenge it or should I pay it? I’m struggling with things like that.”
I am happy TRANSPARENCY is important obviously and that is why I have complimented this effort. Happy to observe that appearances are, too. But how important when the question of where the Mayor resides (rests his weary brow at night, night after night) remains unanswered when the question is raised.
I too have paid two $40 tickets at Police Department HQ in the past five weeks. At least one, and possibly both were because I had put enough money in the meter for an expected meeting in City Hall. In each case there was a delay or an extension that allowed me to choose to run the risk of a meter out of funds. I am not a wealthy individual but I made the decision to attend to the meter as a secondary matter and stay with the civic engagement. I lost. Now, if I felt I was being targeted while other autos in downtown zones benefited from all day parking without fee, I might be more upset. But that can’t be happening, can it? Are you paranoid? Time will tell.
John, you’re not being paranoid, parking in the downtown area is difficult. If you’re lucky enough to find a meter-space, put more than needed in the meter and get held up through no fault of yours, they emerge like vultures to ticket you. I swear they have a squad of meter maids hiding in the weeds waiting for an expire. It could be less than a minute, I’ve seen it, that’s one of the reasons I don’t frequent downtown for any reason.
I should have said except when I absolutely have to.
I DO NOT go downtown for the same reason. The meter stormtroopers are on top of your car within minutes of expiration.
That’s an odd reason to not go downtown. That’s like saying you don’t drive a car because when you run out of gas it won’t start.
The analogy is not apt. It has been anecdotally reported over the years that cars get ticketing as soon as times expire and the Downtown ticket agents literally are constantly scoping out cars as they are park and wait in ambush. This is shameless activity. There is also the issue that Downtown businesses suffer from the ticketing ambushes. In fact, there should be FREE parking Downtown to encourage and support Downtown businesses.
There is an expensive electronic gate being installed around 45 Lyon Terrace.The plan is to have ALL the employees park in the gated areas while all visitors will park in the employee parking lot across the street from the front of city hall. Does anyone think this significant expenditure is a priority for Bridgeport?
I received an anonymous call from someone last Sunday who would only say they were a city employee. They informed me their project did not go out to bid and the individual implicated John Ricci in the failure to bid while someone else implicated John Gomes.
The public lot across the street will be right next door to the corner lot in which you have to pay $10 per day to park utilized mostly by those going to the Golden Street Courthouse.
So if you had to choose between paying $10 per day or park in the public lot right next door for free or metered, which option would most take?
The $10 per day lot is packed by 8:30am. Now a taxpayer or parent needs to take care of business at city hall and comes down at 10:00am. I assure you the public parking lot is going to be packed by those going to Golden Hill.
The lot for visitors may be equipped with parking meters, which would be a further insult to Bridgeport residents/taxpayers.
I worked for a variety of iconic retailers over a span of 23 years and in every instance employees were NOT allowed to park in the best parking spaces. They had to park in a designated employee area AWAY from the retailer. It is well understood “customers” need to have the best parking, not employees.
I am 85 years old with a cane, and I have to park across the street, climb steep stairs or go all the way to the right of City Hall to access the handicap ramp.
It’s when decisions like this are made, you know the residents and taxpayers of Bridgeport are not respected.
PARK RESPONSIBLY.
To put it in the vernacular, it’s called “ass-kissing.” For the experts out there, since this was a fundraiser, is there a way of finding out who contributed and how much? Simple or is it going to be a Supreme Court FOIA case?!!!
Yes, Frank.
The finance reports of the DTC are filed with the SOTS office either quarterly or every six months. Look it up on their website.
Bob Walsh, Thank You.
Frank, if there actually were 250 people in attendance, you can eliminate those who were there as guests for some reason or another, and those who contributed what they could afford. The purpose was to draw a crowd, in this instance raising the money was secondary. Kudos to Gina, she’s the one who made this happen, not Testa. He just makes sure his bill for the gig was paid first. I’m Italian, pasta and salad is cheap to serve. He made his money on the booze.
Lisa, I saw quite a few Facebook posts and I can assure you many of those in attendance did not pay $50 never mind $250.
The proof is right here. YOU CANNOT SEPARATE JOE GANIM FROM MARIO TESTA. THEY ARE THE YIN AND YANG OF BRIDGEPORT GOVERNANCE, AS OF 11/4/2016 at least.
Frank, even if Ganim gets his mojo back and picks up where he left off when he was the “good mayor,” Testa will pull him down again. It’s all about power and money with Mario. Every time a political event is planned, it better be at his restaurant, he makes out like a bandit. He is an excellent restaurateur, but he rolls in the cash on spaghetti and salad, and especially the bar business he does after the munching is over. That’s why he fights to retain his position as DTC, it’s good for his business.
Mackey is right about money and mother’s milk.
This is as much about raising money for the DTC as for Joe.
And Mario will dole the money out to the good Democrats on the City Council next year.
So everyone talking about flipping the City Council had better start working on it now.
If you don’t have the financial resources then door-knocking is the only way to beat ’em.
EXACTLY. If anyone is interested in flipping the City Council, work begins on Wednesday, November 9th. The day after this Presidential Election FROM HELL is over.
We should be asking ourselves, “What has the local and regional, and national, Democratic Party Establishment done for Bridgeport?” The answer is they have put us on our knees and turned us to face Stamford/The Gold Coast.
If Trump wins on Tuesday, we’ll have only the Democratic Party and their Establishment stalwarts to blame. (And how much worse can it get for Bridgeport under Trump versus Hillary/Democratic Party Establishment anyway?)
Vote for Jill Stein! Show the Democratic Party Establishment the door. More than anything, CHANGE is needed. The Democratic Party Establishment must not receive a mandate on November 8, or things will only continue to get worse and worse for Bridgeport, and Flint, and Waterbury, and Hartford, and Detroit and all the other cities in the US that have been relegated to positions of exploitation and oppression by a corrupt Democratic Party Establishment that has been co-opted as part of a REPUBLICRAT plutocracy.
Considering what is being done to Bridgeport, this fundraiser was just a shameful exercise in exploitative power-brokering on the backs of Bridgeport’s citizens.
Time for radical change in the Connecticut Fourth District and beyond. (But especially in Bridgeport.)
For the short period of time I have been reading OIB and dropping my comments here on OIB, a few things are clear.
1) Lennie Grimaldi enjoys getting people wound up as if this is some kind of backwoods dogfighting ring.
2) And as Grimaldi is the Webmaster and Ringmaster, the Phantom contributors are allowed and/or endorsed, and may or may not actually exist other than as hidden personas of the OIB Webmaster himself.
3) I had legit concerns about using my actual name, but with no intentions to hide or shout absurd and slanderous things from “behind the bushes.”
There is a truly creepy stalker aspect allowed to keep going on here and for what reason? Mr. Grimaldi no doubt finds it utterly amusing. I’m getting out of here!
False, Robert Hubany. You wanted a handle with the specific intent to excoriate.
Lennie, you really need to reconsider your policy on handles. Those who post here should be able to stand behind their posts. If they are unable to do so they should not be allowed to post here.
Thank you Robert and Maria for understanding how I feel regarding this anonymous poster who openly admitted he watched me at an event, and then proceeded to say whatever he wished to, and I have no recourse or ability to defend myself. Robert, I know Lennie is on the up-and-up where this blog is concerned. I have heard he’s beginning to address matters of this nature. He acted immediately when another blogger used vulgar language when addressing me. No one should be subjected to abuse, what happened to me is a form of stalking. By his own account he admitted it. I’m sure Lennie’s aware of what is written on his site, and I’m also sure he will watch it closely.
Thank you Maria, Robert and Lisa. I used to enjoy the blog and have had individuals who were beyond creepy getting away with some very disparaging remarks. I have had principals and teachers in the school system asking why I accept that. I do not. Like all these aliases, I have to watch what I am saying and accept the assaults coming my way. I had asked for a handle and was denied. Therefore, I respond infrequently and sometimes not even interested in checking in. I remember when I couldn’t get through the day without putting in my two cents. These days I am way to busy to contribute while others hurl insults behind a cowardly veil.
This blog needs a productivity index so I can show Steven what being too busy really means.
This blog needs a longevity index so I can show Bob W. my tenure here.
This blog needs a civility index so I can show Lisa P. my top score–stalking involves following and I never did that–and regain my rep she’s trying to tarnish.
I state again, I do not know who Local Eyes is, therefore, I can’t tarnish him, he’s done a good job of doing that himself. I spoke with a legal professional, and I was advised this could be a red flag and it shouldn’t be brushed off as a harmless situation. How do I know this person didn’t follow me out of that event, how do I know if he knows were I live, how do I know if this isn’t the first time he “watched me at a public event,” I don’t. So I intend to follow the proper procedure to have this incident committed to an official report to insure I have given notice. This person’s name will be obtained and included in my statement. For the record, before this disturbing incident I felt safe sharing my views, opinions and freely discussed who I am and my role in past and present Bridgeport politics. This is a game changer, this anonymous blogger crossed the line, he freely admitted on more than one occasion, in one day, that he watched me, and then unashamed shared it on a public blog. This is a violation of my right to safety, and I intend to insure it never happens again, especially to the women who participate.
Include this with your statement, too. It’s a game changer. I didn’t cross the line, I own the line.
www .BridgeportCTUSA.com
Lisa, thank you for standing tall and being strong but this fight is not yours alone. Lennie and others on OIB know who Local Eyes is and they need to tell him the fear he is giving to Lisa must stop now, how they do it I don’t care but it must stop now.
Thank you Ron for your concern and support.
Lisa, Local Eyes is Paul Griffith who has often revealed his identity.
Lennie, I’m leaving now to spend the day visiting a family member who’s in the hospital, gravely ill. I don’t have the time right now to email you, but I will as soon as possible. You said the assumed stalker’s name is Paul Griffith. I don’t know him, and when he addressed me on your blog he used an anonymous name. But I thank you for providing his name, It’s my intention to file a police report regarding his posts to me. This is not to take action at this time, but merely to have an official record of how his actions and words have left affected me. Revealing his name, after the fact, does not negate his actions. He may be known by you and others, but not by me. If he revealed his identity in the past, I never read it. As of now, I feel I’m being stalked by perhaps an unstable individual, and that will be determined by those in charge of our safety and well being.
My OIB handle doesn’t make me anonymous. It makes me notorious!