News 12 footage here. Asserting “we as a group have agreed that we will no longer regularly attend Board of Education meetings until such time as Ms. Pereira resigns her position,” several Board of Education members including Chairman Dennis Bradley announced on Monday they will boycott regular school board meetings until Maria Pereira leaves, charging dysfunction on the board and “harassment” by Pereira who on Monday filed a lawsuit in Superior Court challenging Mayor Joe Ganim’s appointment of Annette Segarra-Negron to fill the vacancy of Dave Hennessey. Pereira says she’s not resigning.
Bradley kicked out this news release Monday afternoon announcing the cancellation of a school board meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Geraldine Johnson School.
Bridgeport Board of Education Chairman Dennis Bradley today announced that tonight’s scheduled Board of Education Meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of quorum of board members present for the meeting. A number of Board of Education members including Chairman Bradley and members Joe Larcheveque, Annette Segarra-Negron and Kevin McSpirit are refusing to convene any further board meetings until BOE member Maria Pereira resigns, citing recent dysfunction on the board and harassment by Pereira against other board members, Board of Education staff, and the interim Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools.
Chairman Bradley issued the following statement explaining his decision to cancel the meeting: “On the Bridgeport Board of Education we recognize the myriad challenges faced by the Bridgeport School District. We believe that our Interim Superintendent, Fran Rabinowitz is the one best placed to continue to meet those challenges until such time that she is replaced by a new permanent Superintendent–a process which has commenced. As board members we do not and will not always agree with the positions and policies proposed by Ms. Rabinowitz; however, we strongly believe she should always be treated with fairness and due respect. This same standard should apply to anyone that sits on the Bridgeport Board of Education or any other staff member who works for the betterment of the 21,000 students in our school system.
Board of Education meetings and Board correspondence should also be conducted with civility and personal respect. At present, this is not the case. Additionally, our Interim Superintendent should not be under harassment nor threatened with Board reprimands. These actions, as well as various forms of insults and bullying during board meetings, are initiated primarily by one Board member, Ms. Maria Pereira. Ms. Pereira’s actions are distracting to the Interim Superintendent and the Board as a whole as we try to accomplish the very difficult and demanding task of running one of the poorest and most challenged districts in the state of Connecticut. The lack of decorum on the Bridgeport Board of Education furthermore creates an impression of dysfunction in our school district, an impression that can potentially jeopardize much-needed funding and the attraction of permanent Superintendent candidates.
This mode of conducting business can no longer continue. As such, we as a group have agreed that we will no longer regularly attend Board of Education meetings until such time as Ms. Pereira resigns her position. We understand that the lack of a quorum at meetings will delay many important actions such as the search for a permanent Superintendent; however, we believe in order to make those decisions the Board at very least should be functional. The day-to-day business of the School District, such as children attending class, teachers and staff being hired and placed, and new construction projects will continue unabated. We all stand ready to resume regular meeting attendance immediately upon confirmation of Ms. Pereira’s resignation.”
WOW. WOW. WOW. It should be the other way around. Dennis Bradley needs to resign. 4:30pm. BOE meeting in two hours. WILL IT HAPPEN?
OMG. I did not a chance to read the full comments. The meeting is CANCELLED.
So let me recap what occurred over the last several days.
The FOIA requires the Board approve and submit its Regular Meeting schedule by January each year. The BOE voted on the calendar dates unanimously including Bradley, Larcheveque and McSpirit. Negron was not on the Board.
Last week, I hand-delivered my agenda items for today’s meeting, which included Discussion & Possible Disciplinary Action Regarding Fran Rabinowitz. I was the only BOE member who submitted substantive matters for the Board’s consideration including an update on three top level positions, Columbus Turnaround, Report on Commissioner Network Schools Successes/Opportunities, etc.
Twenty-two minutes after I submitted my agenda items, an email was sent out that Bradley, Larcheveque, McSpirit and Negron could not attend today’s Regular BOE Meeting, therefore the meeting was being canceled due to a lack of quorum. Neither Sauda, Howard, Ben nor I were consulted. Several of us protested.
Then the next day the meeting was rescheduled because Bradley, Larcheveque, McSpirit, and Negron could suddenly attend.
Late Sunday night we issued a press release that the lawsuit to remove Negron from the BOE would be filed today against Mayor Ganim.
The lawsuit was electronically filed about 2:00 PM today.
At approximately 4:00pm a member of the press contacted me informing me tonight’s meetings were canceled, Bradley, Larcheveque, Negron, and McSpirit were refusing to attend any more BBOE meetings until I resign. They asked if I had a comment.
The press knew our 5:30pm Special Meeting and our 6:30pm Regular BBOE Meeting were canceled before Howard, Sauda, Ben, and I did and we are duly elected BOE members.
Howard contacted me and we agreed we were going to show up for our meetings, which we did. Upon my arrival I discovered Sauda had driven 14 straight hours to make the meeting while these four BOE members who were in Bridgeport refused to attend and fulfill their responsibilities as BOE Members.
Sauda, Ben, Howard, and I showed up and were interviewed by Channel 12 News. The vast majority of parents and community parents who showed up for the meeting stood with us.
Suddenly, Bradley shows up to hand out a cancellation flier and to shake hands with attendees and apologize for the cancellation. Parents and community members swarmed him, attacked him, called for his resignation, and started chanting “resign Dennis.”.=
Not one person called for my resignation. Not one. LOL!
There are many who would like you to get the fuck out.
READ THE MANY COMMENTS IF YOU MUST, BUT PLEASE DON’T ADD ANY MORE. THE LONGER YOU COMMENT THE MORE CREDENCE YOU GIVE TO THIS TRAVESTY. WHEN THEY’RE IGNORED, THEY MAY COME TO THEIR SENSES AND THE STUDENTS WILL BE THE FOCUS, NOT POLITICS.
It’s time to do some Bassick High School math. There are currently eight BOE members. The recent appointment of one of them is highly questionable. The recent resignation of member #9 has caused a 4 to 4 split. If Maria Pereira were to resign, the balance of power and control of the BOE would shift in Bradley’s favor. Dennis is a menace to Bridgeport’s students, teachers, and all residents with a desire to honorably serve on the BOE, be that by appointment or the electoral process.
Maria Pereira. IF you need some help, we are ready to fight!!!
YES MARIA, I will do whatever I can to help you and the kids of Bridgeport. Don’t hesitate.
WHO were the co-conspirators with BRADLEY???
Kevin McSpirit is taking orders from Joe Larcheveque who is taking orders from his wife Anne Larcheveque (DTC member from 130th Black Rock) who is taking orders from Mario Testa (DTC chairman).
I’m not an attorney, but I believe this is illegal. What if other Boards, Commissions and City Departments refused to attend to their respective responsibilities because they didn’t agree with the opinions, actions and decisions of one? This is irresponsible, they should all be legally removed for dereliction of duty, and it must be publicly exposed that this is retribution for a Court filing against the Mayor of Bridgeport for alleged wrongdoing.
Hi, Lisa Parziale. Dennis Bradley and his co-conspirators NEED TO GO. No more BOE meetings with Dennis Bradley.
You forgot Danny Roach in there. 🙂
Dennis Bradley and Joe Larcheveque held a press conference at Bradley’s Law Office where Joe Larcheveque was wearing a suit and tie, which tells me this was planned and was not sudden. They had folders prepared with documents, which further supports this was not sudden. CT Post reporter Linda Lambeck stated Dave Hennessey was at the press conference in the wings.
Please take a look at her Twitter account.
A reporter also shared one of their four votes was not going to attend. My well-reasoned guess was Annette Negron had informed them she was not going to attend and was out. Especially once it was clear the lawsuit to remove her was definitely moving forward.
Now they were left with how do we cancel the meeting again without drawing attention to ourselves and our purely political motivations. I got it, let’s make it all about that bad Maria Pereira and how we are the good guys and she is the bad person.
The spin is Bradley, Larcheveque, McSpirit and Negron are righteous and Maria Pereira is the bad, bad wolf.
Here we have a recent and illegal appointee who already has a horrific attendance record who wasn’t elected at the polls; she wasn’t even elected by her colleagues, and she thinks she should call for my resignation.
Then we have Dennis Bradley who has the worst attendance record of all BOE members including not attending a single Finance, Personnel or Facilities/Safety Committee meeting, and he thinks he should demand my resignation.
He is followed by Joe Larcheveque who has only attended one Finance Committee meeting, no Teaching & Learning nor Facilities/Safety Committee meetings, and has not had one meaningful action moved by his Personnel Committee.
I didn’t believe Kevin McSpirit had agreed to this outrageous conduct, therefore I texted him “Have you agreed to be part of this?” He responded with “I have.” So much for my taking him at his word as I posted last week. McSpirit is the only one I feel deeply disappointed about.
We’ll picket Larcheveque and McSpirit’s houses. I know where they live.
McSpirit is taking orders from Joe Larcheveque who is taking orders from his wife Anne Larcheveque who happens to be on the 130th DTC who happens to take orders from Dan Roach who happens to take orders from Joe Ganim who happens to take orders from Mario Testa. It’s a continuing circle of patronage and poison.
Hennessey is another Black Rock BSer.
Okay. It looks like the political fight has begun NOW and the proxy battlefield is the Bridgeport Board of Education.
This is pure BS. The legal minds who put together the framework for allowing the mayor to appoint members to the board are now faced with real legal action. So as to avoid dealing with that they are going to encourage a boycott of BOE meetings. Do they realize how juvenile they look? This is just another embarrassment created by Dennis Bradley and orchestrated by Mario Testa and Joe Ganim with the necessary assistance of the newest appointed member.
How pathetic! Forget Dennis Bradley. Forget Annette Segarra.
Repeat after me: JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO!
NO TO JOE. We can create a Facebook page for that.
Or, JOE MUST GO, but we have to include Mario Testa.
And Phil Smith, will you please once again articulate why Annette Segarra will make a wonderful member of the BOE?
Bob,
With a few exceptions, I think the behavior of this Board of Education has been reprehensible and, in some cases, downright juvenile. Too often we’ve seen the needs of Bridgeport students take a backseat to power games and personal vendettas.
I stand by what I said about Annette Segaara. Unfortunately, she’s never gotten a chance to show what kind of board member she would be. From the time she was appointed, Maria Pereira has consistently harassed and intimidated her and attempted to prevent her from participating in board activities.
I understand Maria believes the appointment was illegal. I have expressed a similar concern. But that doesn’t justify her actions.
If you think the mayor’s appointment was illegal you have a remedy. You go to court and get a judge to decide the issue (which Maria Pereira finally did earlier today).
Unless and until a judge decides otherwise the appointment is presumptively valid and no member has any right to interfere with the appointee’s full participation.
Maria Pereira is not alone. Dennis Bradley’s actions and comments are equally unacceptable. No public official has the right to refuse to deal with colleagues because they disagree about issues or personalities.
Board members of all factions need to take a timeout and think about where their actions are taking them, the school system and Bridgeport’s kids.
As Bridgeporters know from experience, the State has the authority to deal with a dysfunctional Board of Education or school system. We dodged that bullet once before because state officials failed to follow the proper procedure. They aren’t likely to make the same mistake again.
I totally disagree with Phil Smith’s analysis that Maria Pereira “harassed and intimidated” Segarra. Segarra deserved the condemnation since she made a Faustian deal, a deal with the devil.
Phil Smith, please specifically list all the ways in which “Maria Pereira has consistently harassed and intimidated her and attempted to prevent her from participating in board activities.”
This should be good. Besides the remarks on OIB where I called her a “Troll” and referenced her hair color, and when I publicly stated at our first Regular BOE meeting that I did not consider her a legal member of the BOE and would not recognize her as such until a judge ruled otherwise, how have I “prevent[ed] her from participating in board activities” and/or her “full participation?”
I have never emailed her, called her, and we have only attended one meeting where we were both present. She has a horrible attendance record, sir. And that is my fault, how?
Phil Smith, it’s been 12 hours since Maria Pereira has bullied you into a corner with a question. I and I’m sure many other OIB readers would like to hear/read your reply.
The tapes of the last Board meeting would be a good place to start.
Any illegal takeover will be challenged, again. We challenged the constitutionality of a state takeover, but because the CT Supreme Court ruled in our favor on question one, which was the flawed process, they were not required to rule on the second question.
It will go all the way back to the CT Supreme Court.
Phil, I like you, we go way back, affiliation a nonissue. Stay out of this one, it goes beyond right or wrong, it’s immoral and not something I believe you condone. You gave proper advice, and it wasn’t even considered. Let them eat each other up.
I smell a Roach!
Dan Roach must make a choice NOW. Police Board or whatever his title to Ganim, Testa and Co. No money at Police Board. Dan Roach needs to immediately resign from the Police Board. His job as mayoral aide will be taken care of later.
Jim,
I think you smoked a roach!
Hilarious.
Jennifer, LOL. Maybe you should move back to Bridgeport.
Do I hear “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
Okay, I will move to Indiana.
This City is utterly ridiculous. One embarrassing situation after the next. In every faction of elected office. Does every bonehead politician in the country eventually end up in Bridgeport? No wonder so many exploit the City to make a buck. It seems a frigging cash cow.
Paging Hector Diaz!!!
Paging Hector Diaz!!!
Come on Hector, please post your opinion of this action.
Would you join in this boycott? Or would you man up and show up?
No cop-outs please.
None of this talk that you don’t know enough about the issues to take a stance.
Better yet, why don’t you publicly state right here and now you are against this action and you urge these four members to get on with the business of the board even if that means you lose your chance at getting the appointment.
Bob, when you asked me if I could support you when you needed it (maybe too long ago), did I wince or come up with an excuse? Or did I “PUBLICLY” state “in my opinion you would never do something racially motivated.” Oh how soon we forget. Last night my integrity was questioned by someone I respect. While I have my faults, not keeping my word is not one of them. Bob what I will tell you it is my honest belief I am what this board needs. If given the opportunity, I will do everything in my power to ensure our children, parents and staff are assured the Educational benefits they deserve. Above all, I will never compromise my core beliefs, the ones on which I was raised, integrity being one of the most important.
Hector, didn’t you question the work ethic of legally elected and sitting BOE members?
Maria, when anyone stops questioning, our Country goes down, let alone our City. A question is just that, it’s the answer that’s important. I will state again and again, I’m very fortunate for the few friends I have after dedicating more than half my life to public service with no expectation of monetary or other rewards. Hector Diaz and his family are a few of the most important people in my life and I will defend and protect him until the day my voice goes forever.
Maria, I wondered aloud “Why none of the current members hadn’t found an alternative funding source for that 1/2 mile of busing when many are available?” If I am not mistaken this was a MAJOR issue not long ago and will be again when the weather changes. If you took offense I apologize, it wasn’t my intent to insult you. Though I did feel insulted to have my integrity questioned without direct reason.
Lisa, thank you. You will always be considered family.
Hector, you are closely aligned with Joe Ganim and John Gomes. I respect you as a person, Hector; but I will not vote for anyone with closes ties to Joe Ganim.
Danny Roach was the one who lined up Joe Larcheveque’s vote for you. There is really nothing else I need to know.
I like you as a person and I know you are a loving dad, but I cannot vote for you.
Repeat after me: JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO!
Joe Ganim, Dennis Bradley, Joe Larcheveque, Annette Segarra-Negron and Kevin McSpirit, you all are pieces of S#!T. You all think this is a f&cking game. You are all freaking puppets on strings. When your puppet masters pull their hands out of your spineless backs, save yourselves some dignity and just go away. You all should just FREAKING RESIGN and stop using the kids as excuses for your inability to think for yourselves, talk for yourselves or anything else for yourselves. You all just quit on the kids of Bridgeport. As much as you all think it’s something different it’s not, YOU QUIT ON THE KIDS OF BRIDGEPORT AND NOW ARE HOLDING THEM HOSTAGE. FREAKING COWARDS.
THANK YOU MARIA, THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH FOR BEING A TRUE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE AND DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS OF BRIDGEPORT AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. YOUR ETHICAL AND MORAL FOUNDATIONS WILL PREVAIL EVERY TIME.
Larcheveque and McSpirit live in Black Rock. I could go over and picket where they live. They need some personal repercussions.
I would like to address all the morons who have been elected to the BOE. There is a classroom in Bridgeport with 28 students, it is a 7th grade class. These students were tested for reading ability. Seven read at a kindergarten level, there are six under a special program and the rest read below grade level. So we have 28 students who cannot read at grade level and seven read at kindergarten level.
This is just one class. What are the other classes like? You f’n idiots on the BOE are cancelling meetings and saying there will be no more meetings until Maria { resigns.
Hey Bradley you jerk, who made you God? Maria P was elected to the BOE by the people of Bridgeport. Not by you, Joe Ganim or Chris Meyer. What you are doing is illegal and childish.
I very rarely agree with Maria P but I do on her going to court and I support her right to be on the BOE.
Go Maria! I am so proud of you!!! Go! Go! Go!
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate that!
I am wondering if the Judge/Court issued a restraining order to NOT ALLOW Segarra-Negron to officiate with the BBOE and then this forced the hand of Ganim, Testa and their puppet Bradley (Larcheveque, McSpirit) to show their hand and cancel the meeting. As of right now, I am just guessing.
Unlikely without a hearing.
Phil Smith, did you look at the court records?
No, I just made an observation it would be unlikely for an injunction to be issued in the case of this type without a hearing.
I AM NOT A LAWYER BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE JUDGE BELLIS REFUSED TO ORDER A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION.
DOCKET NO: FBTCV166059229S
PEREIRA, MARIA
V.
GANIM, JOSEPH P., MAYOR Et Al
SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD
AT BRIDGEPORT
9/12/2016
ORDER
The following order is entered in the above matter:
ORDER:
The ex parte relief is denied. There is no Practice Book Section 4-5 notice.
Judicial Notice (JDNO) was sent regarding this order.
421277
Judge: BARBARA N BELLIS
AKA: John Soltis, Two-term Bridgeport Board of Education member (1983-1991)
The most basic duty of a BOE member is to attend BOE meetings. If any Board member cannot or will not carry out this duty that person or persons needs to resign. Period, end of story!
John from BR, you are 100% right.
Talk about a hostile work environment. Isn’t there a process in place with the state to request training for the BOE board when serious issues arise? Hasn’t this dance been done before?
This couldn’t be described as a hostile work environment. First, all members of BBOE are volunteers. Second, in order for a work environment to be considered hostile the target of such action must be a part of a protected class; such as race, religion, gender identity, etc.
Technically you are correct. I believe most people can relate to the analogy.
While I don’t agree with arguing during BOE meetings, this is ridiculous. Dennis Bradley has no business on this Board, period. He is a machine-driven, self-absorbed waste of time. I am more ashamed of the Republicans who are following him like lost puppies. Where did their spines go? Why are they following him through Mario’s world? Why even get involved? What’s in it for everyone? Jim Fox, can you pass me that roach, I need it right now!!!
Mary Filo, what’s the name of the chairman of the Republican TC? Michael Whatever. Supposedly there are two Republicans in the BOE, but yet they take orders from Mario Testa.
Frank, they’re not true Republicans. Since the law requires minority representation, people like these two make themselves available to the Democrats to be used as tokens. Mike Garrett would never condone this.
Mary, happy to, but don’t Bogart that Joint My Friend!
www .youtube.com/watch?v=-N0IjBgyFoE
Jim Fox, you’re my favorite kind of neighbor!
Dennis Bradley is a incompetent child. He wasn’t confident he would have all his ‘votes’ so he decided to stamp his feet and cancel the meeting. In other words, he took his toys out of the sandbox and ran home whining.
Dennis, the parents, the only people who MATTER when it comes to Board of Education votes think YOU should resign. Not Maria. The sooner the better, and take Fran with you!
Anyone who refuses to attend meetings should resign. It’s illegal for most public employees to strike in the US. This is no different.
They are no public employees. The BOE is not a paid position. That would make them volunteers.
Pay no attention to Dave Walker. He thinks he can make up rules as he goes along.
Bob Walsh, WTF are you talking about. Just forget about David Walker. He is ONE of many voices starting to shout about Bridgeport.
Guys, let’s not play semantics, you both know the intent of the comment. All boards and commissions are comprised of volunteers who take an oath of office to uphold their responsibilities. Four of them violated that oath, leaving the most important board unable to conduct business; their business is to oversee the protection of our children. Because they were given unconscionable advice, in addition to not getting their own agenda passed, they took their marbles and went home leaving angry and confused parents and citizens of Bridgeport. Dennis Bradley is a product of Mario Testa and a puppet. He was the only fool to challenge a respected Senator and lost in the process. He was more than happy to leave the BOE had he been elected. Now his mission is to prevent any BOE meetings from taking place in the future. That’s akin to holding our children and their educations hostage. As far as the three Republicans who assisted him, I’m beginning to think this is the reason our second party can’t seem to rebuild. If these three are an example, it will never happen. We’ll take care of Dennis Bradley, please Mike G., hold yours up as an example. They were more than ready to jump into bed with Mario Testa, show that fool you’re a better Town Chair.
PAY NO ATTENTION TO BOE SPY; BSer with no name. The lowest of the LOW.
Frank, if this is true, and I have no reason to doubt Bob Walsh, personally I wish I never knew it has been Mark all this time. I’ve spent years calling him a friend while realizing he’s been off his game for at least a couple of decades.
[Editor’s note: Mark Anastasi is not BOE SPY.]
Thank you God, I don’t care what anyone says about Mark, when he was on his game he was always helpful to me when I was CP.
BOE SPY is still ANOTHER handle who comes here, offers no useful information and on more than one occasion, just cut and pastes rules, regulations, statutes etc. BOE SPY posts like a lawyer.
Whether or not BOE SPY is Mark Anastasi makes no difference. Anastasi (and others like Liskov in the City Attorney’s office) should still be outright fired. His disgusting work with Judah Epstein and the WPCA foreclosure/theft of Bridgeporter’s properties is disgusting and disgraceful. Another in the shadows thief is Charlie Mason of Mid-Line Towing on Pulaski Street. All of them lining their pockets with the misfortune of the people of Bridgeport. And let me add Kathryn Bukovsky, City Council Person from the 130th (Black Rock/West End) and chairperson of the Ordinance subcommittee (AND sister of DAN ROACH) did NOTHING when they had a meeting in March 2016 and Flatto, Anastasi and Liskov bullied and intimidated the inexperienced members of the Ordinance subcommitte. SHAMEFUL!!!
youtu.be/K8E_zMLCRNg
Dennis Bradley lost the primary against Senator Ed Gomes, and he is going to lose this battle too.
WOW!!! This is GREAT news, what a gift. We all know Bradley didn’t think of this, it comes from Mayor Ganim and his legal eagles of Meyer and Hamilton Burger. Ganim and Bradley has done something people have been trying to do with no success and that’s to give voters a reason to truly get involved in making true change.
Ganim, Bradley, Larcheveque, McSpirit and Negron are all showing they don’t give a damn about the children in Bridgeport. This move is just a distraction from the high tax increase homeowners and renters must pay. This is not about Maria Pereira, this about Mayor Ganim’s lack of leadership to deal with his tax increase and to educate all our children in school. This issues shows the black voters who put Joe back in office he doesn’t give a damn about their children’s education and the fact their rent is going to really increase with his tax increase. Again, thanks guys.
I was at the school this evening and saw Dennis Bradley handing out the letter to cancel the Board meeting. The parents went after him and were chanting “Dennis Bradley resign.” Another group went after Ganim calling him a crook who is still practicing his trade, and blamed him and Testa for orchestrating the cancellation of the meeting. Bradley then tried to talk to the parents telling them it’s within his power as Chair to cancel any meeting he wishes to and he will continue to do so. They then surrounded him telling him if he can’t handle the job, resign. They praised the four BOE members for showing up and asked for the resignation of the others. Bradley had them lock the door of Geraldine Johnson School so no one could enter. The residents of Bridgeport have endured more under this administration than the last eight under Finch.
Lisa Parziale, THANK YOU for that information.
Ganim wants the money and the power. God help the kids of Bridgeport and the education system if that ever happens.
It’s pretty common knowledge for years no one gets a job in the schools unless Mario gives the okay. The money and power is already controlled.
You are probably right. I think Bridgeport residents are just about fed up with Joe G and Mario’s ways. Nov. elections will be a telltale sign of politics and politicians for the future.
Not this November (2016). City Council Election in November 2017. Actually primaries in summer 2017. That is the next goal for change.
Jen, Don Mario only cares about the new school construction, it’s the only thing the DTC can get their hands on.
New school construction is Bridgeport’s Billion $ industry.
While the FBI sits on their hands and a city employee chairs the school building committee.
Don Mario needs to protect those no-bid school contracts by O&G.
Jim, construction certainly is where the big $$ is for sure, but loading up, oh say food services with community activists who deliver votes certainly keeps his favored candidates elected. Mario absolutely keeps his net of influence cast wide and deep. Small potatoes are often overlooked and quickly become a delectable feast.
Well said. They are all doing great work for the campaigns of whomever opposes them in any future elections. Let’s hope this situation gets a lot of coverage in the media; I don’t think it’s going to end in their favor.
Jim, Jennifer and Greg, you’re all right in your comments, right now the only goodies Mario can facilitate are the entry level jobs, at least some of them. He’d love to get his hands on the big-money contracts, but he knows damned well that’s why his protege went to prison and he was left impotent. Whoops I meant to say politically impotent, but who cares about the other kind? One good thing Finch did was to keep Mario Testa in his place. Mario did a happy dance when Joe was elected, rubbing his greedy little hands thinking the glory days were back. The only thing that may be back is jail time, and this time Mario may not be so lucky. I have heard from a few people close to him his Madison Avenue restaurant isn’t doing as well as it needs to. My bet is if it gets to the point where it’s not worth keeping, he’ll sell the property to SHU. He’s perfectly happy in the little pizzeria on the Fairfield side. Whoa, he won’t even be a taxpayer.
Ron, I’m ashamed I didn’t think of the point you made regarding Joe Ganim’s lack of concern for the children of the forgiving, hardworking blacks who gave him a second chance.
So at 6:30ish, BOE members Maria Pereira, Howard Gardner, Sauda Baraka and Ben Walker were present at Johnson School to conduct business at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Shortly thereafter, Dennis Bradley showed up passing out statements that a quorum couldn’t be met. 4+1? That’s a quorum! What’s the effin’ problem? Call the meeting to order and let’s go! SMH.
Unbelievable!!!
My intuition says Ms. Negron was not going to attend tonight’s meeting. She most likely realized she had been used, and wanted no more of it. The remaining three and the ones they take orders from knew they would be outvoted at this scheduled meeting and any matters important to them would not be approved. I have no idea what was on the agenda, but this amateurish play indicates they panicked, and it backfired. Dennis Bradley doesn’t surprise me, he’s narcissistic, a loser and one of those nuts who will take any publicity, good or bad. However, the other two, the R’s, how can they face the public and parents after showing how irresponsible they are? I hope I’m right about Ms. Negron, I have a feeling she thought she was chosen for her merits, instead those two lawless men, Testa and Ganim, used her.
The quorum was there, and the meeting should have been called, Ben.
The sad truth of the matter is Dennis Bradley is an embarrassment as chairman of the Board of Education. He never seems to be prepared for board meetings, and he clearly has no grasp of Robert’s Rules of Order. He has disrespected BPS parents and the has the audacity to tell some of them today “I apologize.”
Dennis and Joe Larcheveque pulled these shenanigans since they knew they didn’t have the votes for their guy. I’m truly disappointed in Joe’s actions. Clearly he’s a RINO, Republican in Name Only.
Once the dust settles and Dennis’ reign of error is over, I hope he resigns and takes Fran with him.
Fran Rabinowitz is 100% involved in this entire debacle. Don’t doubt it for a single minute.
If we are all correct and Negron had backed out of attending tonight’s meeting, it was highly likely Fran Rabinowitz was going to receive one/two formal reprimands in her file on a vote of 4 to 3.
WHY ARE WE STILL DEALING WITH AN INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT??? WE NEED A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT WITH EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS FOR URBAN SCHOOLS. RABINOWITZ SHOULD RETIRE.
Fran Rabinowitz is retired. She is receiving 100% of her pension at approximately $90,000 per year. She is currently making $180,000 per year, receives a BOE vehicle for which we pay for the insurance, maintenance and gas, we pay her cellphone bills, provide her with a free laptop, and pay into the annuity of her choice.
She is the first cousin of former Bridgeport Superintendent Connelly who has brunch with Mario Testa at his restaurant every Saturday.
What else do you need to know?
Maria
OMG, I need to take a break. Good night to all.
Strike all new school construction projects Now!!!
With the state picking up most of the tab for the possibly carcinogenic HS that will replace Harding, that probably won’t happen.
Because this is such an OBVIOUSLY absurd, untenable situation, it would appear we are being set up for another state BOE takeover. This is a bankrupt city, and the state and federal government don’t want a bankruptcy attempt, especially in the midst of an election, so they are playing into situations of state/federal funding for critical areas of city need on a department/sector basis. They need to create rationales for the control of these areas so they can funnel funding to them, giving the city a little financial and oversight relief of these areas. First the BHA, a new board + $$$; and now the BOE, which will get a state-appointed board + $$$. What domino will fall next? This is how to fund a bankruptcy without too much political mud spatter. It is actually fairly wily and efficient, politically. But it allows Bridgeport to languish in distress with no real, long-term solution. Just more band-aids and humiliation for Bridgeport. The funding will fall far short of what’s needed, the people/taxpayers will have to swallow more humiliation/abuse, and economic development and real estate values will remain in limbo for another generation. Same as 1991, except with even fewer assets and greater needs. Nothing will be solved for the people of Bridgeport, this is just more political expediency so politicians can retain control/stay in power. This cycle will be repeated again in another generation, and Bridgeport will make no progress and be retained as the servants quarters/dumping ground for the region for yet another generation.
When will the people of Bridgeport wake up and shock our handlers by denying them the Bridgeport vote?! Will we vote for the Three Amigos and Hillary this election, or will we send them all a message by sending some $#!% back their way on Election Day?
What domino will fall next?
Jeff, Hartford Mayor and city council president just sent a financial distress letter to the state, they are first in line, Waterbury is close behind. Don’t see much state $$$ left over for Bridgeport next year.
I have already said Bridgeport is bankrupt. No one believes me.
Jeff, I am not voting for Trump nor am I voting for Gary Johnson nor whoever is the gal for the Green Party. I am going to vote for the person who is “closest” to my own views and who WILL BE the POTUS. I am definitely not going to waste my vote, especially as things look right now. I cannot believe we are looking at Trump as a conceivable POTUS. I am going to move to Montreal.
Frank, heads up. There is a three-year vetting process for all Americans trying to become Canadian Citizens. Then they decide if they want you or not. With the big possibility of a Trump win, you may want to start the process, all those in Hollywood will pay to get into Canada first, just sayin’. 🙂
I have a passport. I don’t need to be a Canadian citizen, and time flies anyway. LOL, these hot summers (climate change???) are starting to bother me.
Jeff,
I agree with you on this one. The last time the BOE voted to say it was dysfunctional. Now by boycotting meetings they are hoping to prove they are.
Someone should contact the Freedom of Information Commission in the AM. The board had previously approved and posted a schedule of meetings for the year in accordance with state law. Now a twisted majority has publicly stated they have no intention of adhering to that schedule. This must be a violation of state law.
Maybe the FOI Commission will not find this blatant disregard for the commission unacceptable and get involved immediately.
This action is in full accordance with the BOE bylaws:
Suspension of Policies, Bylaws and Regulations
Policies, bylaws and board approved regulations (BOE meetings) shall be subject to suspension for a specified purpose (the resignation of a member) and limited time (until that member resigns) by majority vote (the members required for quorum) of all members of the board of education at a meeting in the call for which the proposed suspension has been described in writing (the press release), or upon a two-thirds vote of all members of the board when no such written notice has been given.
What are you talking about? There was no meeting. There was no vote.
Based on this illogical post I have no other choice but to reveal BOE SPY’s true identity. It is none other than Mark Anastasi. (Editor’s note: Mark Anastasi is not BOE SPY.)
Mr. Bob Walsh, who is Mark Anastasi?
Gary, Mark Anastasi lives in our neighborhood and was the City Attorney for decades. He is now an assistant deputy attorney and is a political hack who will craft any legal opinion that supports the Mayor’s position whether it is rooted in precedent or the law or NOT.
Hamilton Burger!!!
LoLLLLLLLLL!
Mark Anastasi needs to be FIRED. He is on the list.
Anastasi Needs to be FIRED once and for all. That would be a major accomplishment. He is part of the poison in the City Government.
AND BOE SPY. WE all know how you love to regurgitate by-laws etc. Once we find out who you really are, you are OUT OF HERE. Bridgeport can pay thousands of dollars BUT we need to get you out of here.
Bob, you got this one 100% right, this is none other than Hamilton Burger himself, Mark Anastasi.
Mark Anastasi is not BOE SPY.
Thanks Lennie, I’m gonna kill Bubba.
Honey, don’t kill him. Just cut off his cashews.
There was no meeting, and Dennis and his minions did not have a 2/3 vote.
Coward/BOE SPY, you must be related to Dennis Bradley because you are both equally dumb.
youtu.be/K8E_zMLCRNg
So Mr. Bradley got his feelings hurt so he took his ball and went home with his buddies in tow. This is so childlike it is laughable. What is interesting to note however is the timing of his pathetic temper tantrum. Just when there is finally movement on replacing “interim” (gonna hit three years soon) superintendent Fran Rabinowitz. He even states as part of his rationale being the big scary bully (pun) is picking on the poor superintendent by threatening disciplinary action. Is it not within the board’s charge to discipline the Superintendent when need be?
I cannot for the life of me understand how we have yet to replace this failure of a superintendent. Much fewer than half our students can read at grade level. This is horrible.
We need strong leadership on the board and in the superintendent’s office. Maria Pereira, I urge you to stay on and not give in to the bullying of the board chair and his gang. I also urge Bradley and his two puppets to get back to work and do the job you were elected to. Finally I urge Ms. Negron to do the job she practically begged for. What did she think was going happen when she got on the board? If you don’t want the job resign or at least speak up and let us know what you sound like.
Joe, something tells me that was an agenda item, to officially start the search for a permanent superintendent.
Which is now delayed yet again. This meeting was to FINALIZE the choice of search firm to find a superintendent. The process is now yet again on hold. Who benefits? Who loses?
Jennifer: It was just a few days ago we were speculating things were being set up to allow Hartford to beat Bridgeport to any bailout funds. I guess when we think about it, there really is “transparency” in city and state government in these parts. Perhaps we should call it “blatancy.” In any event, the ploys are becoming more and more transparent.
This is juvenile and inane! Dennis Bradley should go move somewhere where no one has heard of him and get a new start. He is further embarrassing Bridgeport with his “I do not like how the game is being played so I am taking my ball and going home.” He has problems with Maria? Fine, debate them out and work to have her defeated in the next election. Otherwise, shut your piehole and do the people’s work!
What’s been going on since Joe Ganim was elected mayor is a disgrace. Ganim is acting like he has terminal dumb ass. After eight years of Bill finch and the reelection of Ganim we now have proof beyond any doubt we need to go back to a two-year term for mayor. If we do that we can get rid of the bad mayors faster. BTW Meyer, Ganim and Roach need a checkup from the neck up.
Andy, I fought that four-year term with all I had, but at the time Ganim put it on the Charter Revision with the Council omitted, he had already stacked the Council with friends and City employees, and they approved the question. I will never forget the passionate speech then-Council member John Brannelly made warning the Council that by approving this question to appear on the Charter Revision they would be putting the City in harm’s way if a “bad” mayor had four years to corrupt the City instead of two. The intent of his argument was less harm could be done in two years and we could get rid of a bad apple. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough honest, independent council members left to defeat this nightmare that has come true. Thank you John Brannelly for your insight, we tried!
“Ultimately, this action is about having a board and its members that conducts itself in a manner worthy of the citizens it represents,” Bradley said.
What a great quote from the man who is leading a boycott of meetings!
Dennis, why don’t you read again what someone wrote for you to say. Bradley has shut down the BOE for his petty purposes.
THANK YOU SENATOR GOMES FOR KEEPING THIS BUFFOON OUT OF HARTFORD. WOULD HE BOYCOTT MEETINGS THERE IF HE DIDN’T GET HIS WAY?
Another winner from Bradley:
The lack of decorum, Bradley said, can jeopardize much-needed funding and the attraction of permanent superintendent candidates.
So to counter that the Board Chair has called for a boycott not to end until one person resigns. Boy, that’s a real game-changer in the search for a new Super.
Fran R., the interim super, has been the mole behind this entire scenario. The longer it takes to replace her, the more trips she makes to the bank.
Paging Hector Diaz!!!
Paging Hector Diaz!!!
Come on Hector, please post your opinion of this action.
Would you join in this boycott? Or would you man up and show up?
No cop-outs please.
You want to be on this board, tell us right know what you think of this boycott. You don’t need to know anything else.
Do you support Dennis Bradley’s actions as far as cancelling BOE meetings?
Bob, again you need look as far as your past troubles to answer my position on things when they “just ain’t right.” Did I ask you for an explanation of your actions or just accept it was out of character for you to do with malice the thing they were accusing you of and support you?
Hector, your answer is bullshit and shows you would be a yes man for Ganim and Bradley. This was a time for you to step up and you failed. You tried to dazzle us with bullshit.
Andy, I have never been nor will I ever be a yes man.
Hector, what is your answer to Bob Walsh’s question?
Guys, why is Hector being indicted? Stick with the real problem, distractions only give them more time to play with the BOA.
Where is Mayor Ganim? Busy with Airbnb business? Managing his rental properties?
Come on Joe, man up and show up! Tell the taxpayers, the citizens, the students, the teachers and the residents of the state of Connecticut where you stand on this asinine boycott.
Either publicly say you support it or call on Bradley to end his embarrassing behavior.
Bob, excellent. As you said, “Either publicly say you support it or call on Bradley to end his embarrassing behavior.” We all know Dennis Bradley didn’t come up with this decision to cancel the BOE meeting, this is Mayor Joe Ganim’s decision to follow in the steps of former Bridgeport mayor Bill Finch, to take over the BOE.
Bob, as I wrote earlier, this is a way for Ganim to also distract the voters from his high tax increase on the Bridgeport taxpayers. Ganim knows the voters are moving in a direction to challenge him on his lack of leadership and not listening to those who want answers to his failed decisions that are hurting all the residents of Bridgeport. As you noticed, there is no one supporting Bradley and his three BOE members except for Mark Anastasi (BOE SPY).
As a long-time volunteer in the public schools I’d like to say it is well past the time when the entire Board of Ed (elected) starts placing THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN in the foreground. Enough with the personal agendas and petty bickering.
I agree. You have been an active parent in BPS since my oldest daughter, who is now in the 7th grade started Kindergarten. What I noticed almost right away was the majority of the board, the 5 Dems, always voted in the best interest of the mayor. It was a very rare instance that the children were put first. The minority coalition that consisted of WFP and two dissenting Dems always had an uphill battle. Back then the name-calling and such that came primarily from one member of the board was disappointing to see.
We now fast forward to this board. The chief problem child has changed, but the result is the same. Somehow the Dem Machine has been able to corrupt the Republicans on the board to toe the line with this foolishness. Last night there was a real chance to have a majority of the board truly be for the students of BPS and their families. Instead, we must deal with the charlatan known as Dennis Bradley and his minions, Joe Larcheveque and Kevin McSpirit. Two men who are clearly RINOs.
SO WHAT’S NEXT? Pack City Hall at the next City Council meeting with one chant and one sign. JOE MUST GO??? Anyone else have ideas? Probably this standoff will continue and will Ganim select the replacement for Andre Baker???
I think the court hearing is tomorrow. I’ll check with Maria and let anyone interested know.
Court is Monday, 9/19, 9:00, Superior Court, Main St.