City Council Chaos – Yell, Scream, Screech – All Led By Maria Pereira

The City Council meeting, also known as the Monday Night Fights, erupted into chaos that led to further mayhem in multiple email exchanges afterwards  between Maria Pereira, Ernie Newton, Jorge Cruz, with name-calling, felonious allegations and Pereira challenging Newton to a spelling bee when she has her own issues with elucidation.

The jump point for this is Pereira’s often inflammatory rhetoric, speaking out of turn at council meetings and Newton, as co-chair of the budget committee and chairing Monday’s meeting because Mayor Joe Ganim and Council President Jeanette Herron were unavailable, not acknowledging her screeching persistence.

She once again, something that has gotten her in hot water in the past and silenced by council members, referred to Newton as a felon from charges more than 20 years while Pereira, intriguingly, currently battling a number of felony charges associated with state election law allegations.

So grab a cup of joe or your favorite libation on this gorgeous Spring day and enjoy the give-and-take among members of the legislative body.

On May 6, 2026, at 10:10 PM, Herron, Jeanette <Jeanette.Herron@bridgeportct.gov> wrote:

Rest assured I am doing what is needed to address all issues.

Thank you,

Jeanette Herron

City Council President

133rd District

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From: Maria Pereira <mpereira0667@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 6:46:39 PM
To: Herron, Jeanette <Jeanette.Herron@Bridgeportct.gov>
Cc: Toms, Tyisha <Tyisha.Toms@Bridgeportct.gov>; Newton, Ernest <Ernest.Newton@Bridgeportct.gov>; Lyons, Michelle <Michelle.Lyons@Bridgeportct.gov>; Ortiz, Richard <Richard.Ortiz@Bridgeportct.gov>; Cruz, Jorge <Jorge.Cruz@Bridgeportct.gov>; Keyla Medina <kmedina76@gmail.com>; Nelson, Nicole <Nicole.Nelson@Bridgeportct.gov>; Murray, Galen <Galen.Murray@Bridgeportct.gov>; Smith, Rolanda <Rolanda.Smith@Bridgeportct.gov>; Spell, Dasha <dasha.spell@bridgeportct.gov>; Boyd, Aikeem <Aikeem.Boyd@Bridgeportct.gov>; Dubac, Loret <Loret.Dubac@Bridgeportct.gov>; McBride-Lee, Mary <Mary.McBride-Lee@Bridgeportct.gov>; Castillo, Alfredo <Alfredo.Castillo@Bridgeportct.gov>; Hodges, Frederick <Frederick.Hodges@Bridgeportct.gov>; Nieves, Aidee <Aidee.Nieves@Bridgeportct.gov>; Valle, Maria <Maria.Valle@Bridgeportct.gov>; Martinez, Eneida <Eneida.Martinez@Bridgeportct.gov>; Aguilera, Ashley <Ashley.Aguilera@Bridgeportct.gov>
Subject: Re: Unconstitutional Conduct by Ernest Newton and the Cowardly City Council Whose Silence Condones It

[WARNING: EXTERNAL EMAIL] This email originated from outside the City of Bridgeport. Do not click links or download attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Good evening,

You are literally on the meetings remotely witnessing this illegal and unacceptable conduct and should be addressing it IMMEDIATELY, not when you “return.”

Your expectation is that my rights are to be violated repeatedly when you are on the meetings virtually witnessing this unlawful conduct while saying absolutely nothing. You did the exact same thing during Contracts when I tried to speak about the camera installation on school busses to issue traffic tickets. You refused to allow me to speak. I have those minutes as well. I am just storing it all in a tote.

Councilwoman Maria Pereira

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 09:33:32 PM EDT, Herron, Jeanette <jeanette.herron@bridgeportct.gov> wrote:

Good evening,

 I am fully aware of what has happened at each meeting. I responded  to your   text that this all will be addresses on my return. Make no mistake I am not concerned with the next election I am concerned the our residences get what is need in our city.  This is for the record.

Thank you,

Jeanette Herron

City Council President

133rd District

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From: Maria Pereira <mpereira0667@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 5:19:12 PM
To: Herron, Jeanette <Jeanette.Herron@Bridgeportct.gov>
Cc: Toms, Tyisha <Tyisha.Toms@Bridgeportct.gov>; Newton, Ernest <Ernest.Newton@Bridgeportct.gov>; Lyons, Michelle <Michelle.Lyons@Bridgeportct.gov>; Ortiz, Richard <Richard.Ortiz@Bridgeportct.gov>; Cruz, Jorge <Jorge.Cruz@Bridgeportct.gov>; Keyla Medina <kmedina76@gmail.com>; Nelson, Nicole <Nicole.Nelson@Bridgeportct.gov>; Murray, Galen <Galen.Murray@Bridgeportct.gov>; Smith, Rolanda <Rolanda.Smith@Bridgeportct.gov>; Spell, Dasha <dasha.spell@bridgeportct.gov>; Boyd, Aikeem <Aikeem.Boyd@Bridgeportct.gov>; Dubac, Loret <Loret.Dubac@Bridgeportct.gov>; McBride-Lee, Mary <Mary.McBride-Lee@Bridgeportct.gov>; Castillo, Alfredo <Alfredo.Castillo@Bridgeportct.gov>; Hodges, Frederick <Frederick.Hodges@Bridgeportct.gov>; Nieves, Aidee <Aidee.Nieves@Bridgeportct.gov>; Valle, Maria <Maria.Valle@Bridgeportct.gov>; Martinez, Eneida <Eneida.Martinez@Bridgeportct.gov>; Aguilera, Ashley <Ashley.Aguilera@Bridgeportct.gov>
Subject: Unconstitutional Conduct by Ernest Newton and the Cowardly City Council Whose Silence Condones It

[WARNING: EXTERNAL EMAIL] This email originated from outside the City of Bridgeport. Do not click links or download attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Good evening, Council President Herron,

City Attorney Toms has had a legal opinion from an outside firm for over year that she shared with Mayor Ganim that makes it clear there is NO authority to EVER prohibit a duly elected member of any municipal body from speaking or voting at any duly called meeting of said body.

There is no such power granted in the CT Constitution or the powers the CT Legislature granted municipalities, where any elected official can be prohibited from performing their statutory responsibilities which includes the responsibility of serving as a fiduciary of taxpayer funds during the budgetary process.

At last night’s Budget Meeting where you were on remotely, Budget Co-chair Richard Ortiz & Budget Committee Member Alfredo Castillo became engaged in a verbal altercation where they referred to each other as “bums.”  While Budget Co-Chair Newton just sat there, I called for a recess so I could utilize the restroom to try to provide space where they could cool down. I realized I was not a member of the Budget Committee, and urged committee member Nicole Nelson to make a motion for a recess, which she did, and it prevailed. Neither Alfedo Castillo or Richard Ortiz were publicly reprimanded nor were they prohibited from speaking.

I was recognized to ask questions regarding the presentation on Lighthouse. I notice the revenue had decreased by approximately 90% and that there were eight elementary schools that were not receiving Lighthouse Grant Funds. Six of the Eight Schools were on the East Side. I asked why six schools in some of the poorest neighborhoods were not receiving Lighthouse Grants. The Supervisor answered that “we were informed Edison, Hall, Dunbar & Hall were closing, therefore, they did not submit Lighthouse Grant applications. I stated, “it takes 4 to 5 years for schools to close, and Edison & Beardsley School would not be closing.”

What City Council Rule or Robert’s Rules or Order provision did I violate that would result in YOUR Budget Co-Chair Ernest Newton to reprimand me in a room in front of people and state that I would “not be allowed to speak the rest of the night? ” Even the Lighthouse Supervisor was attempting to state she raised the issue of closing schools not me, but to be clear, I have EVERY right to do so.

On Monday night, all the business on the agenda had been completed, therefore, Aidee Nieves properly made a motion to adjourn which I seconded. A motion to adjourn is not debatable, yet YOUR PRO-TEMPORE who could not run the meeting to save his life, had the unmitigated gall to say he was “refusing” to accept the motion, and would not take a vote because there was “unfinished business.” He lost his mind. It was Aidee’s motion which I seconded, and we both raised proper points of order that the motion was on the floor properly and he must take the roll call vote I requested. Meanwhile Councilman Jorge Cruz yelled across the City Council Chambers telling me to “Shut Up!” I will not allow anyone to tell me to “shut up,” especially someone unethically utilizing his City Council Parking Permit for employment purposes and who has repeatedly demonstrated his absolute ignorance. Then Michelle Lyons started yelling “Order, Order” as if she was Chairing the City Council Meeting while Aidee Nieves & I were raising valid points of order on her motion to adjourn which I seconded and my request for a roll call vote which is required to be conducted upon request. Then I had Councilwoman Mary McBride-Lee trying to reprimand me for speaking against Ernest Councilman’s outrageous assertion that he could ignore a valid motion to adjourn because he wanted to add the Capital Plan and was refusing to take a roll call vote.  Both Aidee Nieves and I were addressing YOUR Pro-Tempore who thought he could squash democracy like Dictator Donald Trump.

 In the video, CAO Thomas Gaudett, whom should NEVER be on the floor of the Legislative Body, can be heard whispering to Newton to take the vote and ask city council members to vote no. That advice is followed up by 1099 Consultant Mark Anastasi, again, urging Newton to ask council members to vote no. Earlier in the meeting, I was trying to make a brief statement that the Success Village Legislation had passed but we had to table my resolution because we had to wait for Governor Lamont to sign the bill. YOUR PRO -TEMPORE started reprimanding me by telling me a motion to table was not debatable. The last thing I need is Ernest Newton to provide me with direction on Robert’s Rules of Order or the City Council rules as I know both inside & out. I had not yet made a motion to table; therefore, he was incorrect in his misguided attempt to correct me.

Tonight, while you were on watching remotely, I was sitting at the Budget Meeting with a number of prepared questions repeatedly raising my hand to be placed on the list to be called upon to ask questions. Finally, I got YOUR Budget Co-Chair Ernest Newton’s attention to be placed on the list, and he announces in front of the entire room “I’m not “allowing” you to speak because you said you don’t want to ??? because I am a former felon.” I stated, “you are a felon as there is no such thing as a “former felon” as you are a felon for life unless you are pardoned.”  Then Jorge Cruz started growling like an animal. I simply don’t have any respect for those that lack basic intelligence.  My response to his remark about his status as a felon is simply a fact.  In CT, you are a felon for the rest of your life UNLESS you have received a pardon. I learned that from Judge Lopez.  I believe the statutory definition below applies to PRO-TEMPORE Newton.  There was an entire bill about his second set of felony convictions for creating straw campaign donations AFTER serving his prison sentence.  It was referred to as the “Ernie Newton Bill” and prohibits ANYONE convicted of elections related crimes in this state from participating in the Citizen’s Election Program to receive taxpayer funds for a state campaign.

Connecticut Statute Definition of a Felony

Under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a‑25, a felony is defined as:

An offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment in excess of one year is a felonawServer+1.

Throughout all of these meetings, we have YOUR Parliamentarian Keyla Medina that has no idea what the role of a parliamentarian is, and so far, has demonstrated her favorite role on the legislative body is one of silence.

What I thoroughly enjoy is that what Ernest Newton doesn’t like is I will not bend a knee to him or a single member of this administration, and that if you start it, I will be happy to finish it. I am leaps and bounds over his fedora in intelligence and what makes it even more painful, and agonizing for him is that I am a white female. OUCH!

In fact, I am challenging Ernest Newton to a public Spelling Bee!

No response needed or wanted. I am just documenting this for litigation purposes once I defeat my criminal case where I WILL win on EVERY count. Then Mayor Ganim, Jillian Baldwin/ PCCC and the City Council is up next.

As for you, Council President Herron, start looking for your 11 votes now, because what I absolutely promise you is that you will NOT receive a single vote for council president in the 138th district in 2027. Period.

Councilwoman Maria Pereira