Baby, it’s frozen tundra out there.
How frozen is it? State Rep. Chris Caruso bonfired his failed legal briefs to keep Mayor Bill Finch warm.
Democratic Town Chairman Mario Testa set his restaurant on fire to give predecessor John Stafstrom an arson case.
City Councilman Bob Troll Walsh brewed a cup of hot chocolate (with a dash of Drano) for Council President Tom McCarthy.
State Rep. Auden Grogins offered her dog Harold as kindling to dethroned Bob Keeley. Keeley offered the Downtown Special Services District directors in return.
Yahooy gave Anna a reason to warm up at the Liberty Rock.
Okay, enough of that. What’s this I’m hearing? Bridgeport-born John Mayer has a variety show lined up on CBS. Judging by my friend Mike Daly’s last column about Mayer in the Connecticut Post Johnny better have his old Whiskey Hill pal Cougar Rodgerson around for comfort and advice. That or a shrink for sensitive John.
For all you early risers I’ll be hawking my book Bow Tie Banker on the FOX Hartford affiliate this morning after 8. For you Cablevision subscribers I think that’s channel 25.
Don’t forget, to all OIB followers in the Hartford area (and anyone else brave enough to take the drive), David Carson and I will be signing books at The Bookworm in West Hartford this Saturday at 11 a.m.
Five more days until the worst president of my lifetime is toast. Pass the cream cheese.
Stay warm.
Sorry to veer off the course set by Lennie’s opening remark but I need to comment on something I heard re the last round of layoffs, and I know that union and civil service rules are the rules, but,
when a retirement-eligible city worker who lives in another town, thereby being a taker from B’port and not a giver, can knock out of a job a person who lives and work and pays taxes to Bridgeport, things stink.
This person should have been pushed to retire and even given an incentive to do so.
Once again, the greedy and powerful hold on while the little guys suffer. This was the basis of the French revolution and if it continues can become the basis of a backlash against this uncaring city administration. Or at least we can dream.
Independent, bumping rights go by the union contract. They have nothing to do with where you live. It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of where they reside.
I’d think you’d be more concened about NAGE losing 50 jobs while the Mayor’s Office and OPM are adding positions; or that John Gomes of CitiStat is getting disciplined because he dared to ask his assistant to put paper in the copier machine; or that the entire mayor’s office is going to the inauguration on the taxpayers’ dollar. These are things to get angry about, not fellow workers who are just trying to keep their jobs.
What happened last night at Mario’s?
RE December 9th:
Political cronyism and/or nepotism is relevant if it affects the quality of services provided to the citizenry. It has affected the people of the city of Bridgeport for a long time. Decades, as a matter of fact. It continues to cast a pall over the city. The politicians elected to citywide offices in this town are regarded as clowns by the ranking members of the legislature. Bridgeport is the only city in Fairfield County that drives investers AWAY. Look at Norwalk and Stamford: both of those burgs were able to reinvent themselves, especially the latter. Anyone heading through Fairfield County on I-95 can see that. All those skyscrapers, all that fancy steel and glass, etc. Stamford doesn’t strike me as a pay-to-play town; too much is happening there. Bridgeport is still pay-to-play, apparently. Why else would Earvin Johnson and his associates change their minds about investing in this town? The payments can’t be demanded by city hall; the feds are still looking and listening. So it has to be the power brokers of the well-connected “in” crowd, the DTC faithful, the self-appointed movers and shakers. I don’t need to name names; you all know who I’m referring to.
Brother, can you spare $250.00?
I still admire and support Mayor Finch in his efforts to eliminate the deficit and balance the budget. He is also trying to make city government function on a more professional level. The cronyism/nepotism noted above makes it a difficult task. There are a few individuals holding municipal jobs that were able to escape the layoff net. That’s to be expected–there’s only so much one man can do against an entrenched power elite. His heart (and priorities) is in the right place: he’s working on the financial picture. Their personnel issues will have to wait.
The Oracle of Omaha Steaks
I guess that would really make Harold a “Hot Dog”.
Keeley has his students preparing to make some Chopped Liver to serve up to Audie after him being “Passed Over”.
Political Potpuree
Anthony Musto must think that every day is Prince Spaghetti Day. He has some noses out of joint and feathers ruffled by not inviting key DTC members to his senatorial coronation. Mario likes and serves his macaroni al dente. Musto could be mosciato in two years with Mario plating up some Eggplant Parmigiana.
Green Himes Better Catch Up Or Not Cutting The Mustard.
Himes, who is another greenhorn and a little wet behind the ears, better start consulting with Mario and Chief Consiglieri Dottie Guman, about political protocol. Rumor has it that Chris Rosario, Finch Deputy Chief of Constituent Affairs, may be in line for position with Himes’ Bridgeport office.
Let the Good Himes Roll better not forget who helped bring him to the dance. He may like Salsa and Rosario is a good guy, but Finch was a real nowhere man for Himes in this election.
City Hall Smoker has been having some real nicotine fits since trying to give up smoking this New Year. Try the Patch and have some great dreams.
Bpt Kid You really don’t have a clue, do you? First off Magic Johnson and his crowd were speculating. Haven’t you noticed that the banks stopped lending money? Why do you think a good guy like Phil Kuchma had to stop work on his project? The Banks stopped lending money? Why the hell would anyone pay the DTC when all the land-use boards are now controlled by Finch appointees?
Are you going to blame the DTC for the scam that is taking place with the sale of Mechanics and Farmers Bank?
You want to know what the scam is? The Finch Administration is now putting this building up for sale I believe for about $350K. In the meantime the Administration is holding up the zoning rewrite. The correlation you ask? Under the zoning rewrite downtown becomes a Village District and thus eligible for Federal Grants and Loans. Do you see it yet Bpt Kid? Buy it now pass the rewrite and markedly increase the value of the property. Done by the administration not the DTC.
Feds, they are looking at squat; if they were looking they would be looking at the LLC’s buying up properties controlled by the city. So before you go throwing out initials make sure you have your facts straight.