OIB asked readers to submit questions for presentation to State Senate candidates Ed Gomes, Andres Ayala and Ernie Newton. OIB has published their respective responses to five questions. We now share the responses to like questions so readers can compare answers starting with the proposal for a mayoral-appointed Board of Education. See below:
Q. The Charter Revision Commission has formulated a question that will appear on the November ballot asking city voters to approve a mayoral-appointed Board of education. As an educator, do you support an elected BOE or one appointed by the mayor?
Gomes Answer:
I am to the core of my being opposed to a Board of Education appointed by the Mayor (this mayor or for that matter any other mayor). My whole life has been dedicated to the empowerment of people, on the job, in the neighborhoods and in government, anything that takes power away from the parents, citizens and taxpayers to decide the fate of our public schools and puts it in the politicians at city hall removes public accountability. The so-called “Education Reformers” who want to take over our schools and turn them into profit centers are just dying to get their hands on the Bridgeport Board of Ed. They don’t believe in parent participation, vilify our dedicated teachers and claim all the reforms come from so-called leaders like Michelle Rhee who have never spent a year in a classroom. I opposed their reforms in Hartford and I oppose their power grab here in Bridgeport!
Unlike my opponents who don’t want to ruffle feathers and regardless of the outcome of the primary I will be working hard to defeat the Charter Revision.
Ayala Answer:
As an educator I know students in Bridgeport deserve a better education system. Thus, I would support a process which ensures we select the most qualified BOE members who can implement important policy reforms to deal with the fundamental problems our school system faces. Historically the Board of Education members have been handpicked by major political parties in Bridgeport. In many instances the members who have been selected have no background experience on important education issues which the system faces. Thus, I applaud the work of the Charter Revision Committee for bringing this important question forward to the voters in Bridgeport. The Committees recommendation must be acted upon by the City Council and then the voters of Bridgeport. I look forward to the residents of Bridgeport making this most important decision.
Newton Answer:
My position is that any solution that gives our kids better tools in their education is positive. I think the issue of our city’s education has finally come to a boiling point and it’s up to the people to decide which direction it should go. I am a big proponent of supporting the will of the people. I do believe strongly that local, community people know best about the qualities they are looking for in leaders. Whether they are appointed or elected, the people of Bridgeport should have the loudest voice in any major decision facing our City and its education system and those people should be the ones serving.
I’m confused. I thought you were going to post everyone’s answer. All I see is Senator Gomes’.
Scott, responses from all three candidates to the same question are there, starting with Gomes, then Ayala and Newton.
Off topic:
I visited the Excel Bepo site as we were invited to do so. I clicked on one link for an article I was interested in reading and this is what I got. As a graduate of Bassick–the worst performing High School in Bridgeport–I think we all should have total access to reading material with no strings attached. Learn more? That’s what I was trying to do in the first place:
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Excel is a bad joke. Too bad they haven’t gotten the word. All about control because of course democracy doesn’t matter. Or permission or access.
“… Historically the Board of Education members have been handpicked by major political parties in Bridgeport …”
True! But a greater truth is members or candidates for/of the City Council (you), the State House of Representatives (you), and the State Senate (you) was and still are “handpicked.”
There is a big difference in the way the major political parties ‘handpick’ and the way one or two people select and appoint people of their choice. When the political parties pick candidates, it’s done by a larger group–Town Committee members–who are elected by members of the party and can be challenged in a party primary. Should Mario Testa be allowed to appoint Town Committee members? Should the mayor or party chairman be allowed to appoint State Representatives, Council members or State Senators? Andres Ayala and Ernie Newton think they should or at least allow the voters to consider these questions. Let’s be honest, Bridgeport Council members, Mayors, State Representatives and State Senators haven’t done any better than the Board of Education. In fact, one of the formerly elected Board of Education members was later selected to serve (return) to the City Council. This same person voted to flat fund the Board of Education when she was on the Council prior to being “handpicked” to serve on the Board of Education. An OIBitchslap?
“… I do believe strongly that local, community people know best about the qualities they are looking for in leaders. Whether they are appointed or elected, …”
Ernie Newton, read the above post. There is a major difference between appointing and electing. If the Board of Education is appointed, the opinion or desired choices of the local community people doesn’t mean shit. Are all the members of the current appointed Board of Education “local community people?” NO!
Paging Lennie Grimaldi. You have been writing on the Senate primary and not much on the State Rep. race in district 128. What is the other Ayala’s position on the question above? Is there a contrast there? Does she know Andres Ayala’s position can hurt her? What is Reyes’ position here? What are you hearing in regards to that race? I understand the Ayala group in the 128th race can only concentrate on the 128th race. What kind of deals or agreements exist between all camps involved and who isn’t honoring their part of the agreement?
Both Christina Ayala and her opponent Angel Reyes have qualified for public financing. We will have more on this race in the coming week.
The Reyes signs are already being taken down by the City’s Public Works. How about sending those guys to clean the Maplewoood Avenue lot across the street from Bryant School? Again Lennie, how about some follow-up? BTW, if you’re curious as to how the Bridgeport voters are going to vote on the primary, just ask the Excel Bridgeport folks, they seem to know how certain people will vote.
Need I say more?
www .ctpost.com/news/article/Former-members-of-school-board-must-not-return-3741567.php
No Lennie … those aren’t answers. You let Newton and Ayala dodge the question.
Okay Scott, now I understand what you’re saying. Newton and Ayala weren’t as direct as Gomes in their responses. You picked up on that. Candidates respond to questions and readers/voters can make their determination.
Wow Joel, I have yet to see one political sign in Black Rock. I doubt 400 people will head to the polls in the Democratic senate primary at Black Rock school. Don’t forget Republicans are voting as well, that could juice turnout. Is the US senate race going to be the only race in my part of Bpt?
Newton has demonstrated you simply cannot redeem stupid.
Ayala and Newton dance around the question and never really make their respective positions clear. Ed Gomes, on the other hand comes right out and tells you he is against a mayoral-appointed BOE period. You can agree or disagree with his position on this issue. But with Ed there is no equivocating. He lets you know where he stands. He has the courage of his convictions and this sets him apart from both Ayala and Newton in a big way.
John from Black Rock, they did answer the question directly, I mean one is endorsed by the Town Committee and the other is backed by the mayor so they can’t piss Mario and Finch off so what you get is the answers they gave.
Hey Ron,
I agree and I have no doubt what their positions really are. My point is they don’t have Ed’s courage and honesty. They hedge their answers and try to be on either both sides or no side of the issue. Ed simply answers the question honestly and forcefully.
John from Black Rock, you know I really like Andres and Ernie but Ed has always been what you wrote, “Ed simply answers the question honestly and forcefully,” that’s Ed Gomes.
Have any one of them attended a BOE meeting to voice their opinion? Either you are for or against a mayoral takeover; there really is no middle ground.
Off topic, a great article of 1951 Bridgeport in the NYTimes:
www .nytimes.com/2012/07/29/magazine/no-flash-its-a-trick.html
*** Pick one, any one, now look at their past and present political records. Now ask yourself honestly, will it really matter? *** GROUNDHOG DAY! ***
It will matter if Newton is elected. We simply do not need that type of embarrassment and waste of time.
I reached into the bottom of the barrel. There were three apples in various stages of rot. I picked the one marked Gomes. The one marked Newton stunk too bad. The one marked Ayala was talking to Testa and Timpanelli.
Never trust a man who thinks apples can talk.
Never trust a hump who thinks Finch is doing a good job and Mario Testa has redeeming qualities.