Council Accepts Troll’s Apology

What happened to the old days when we had the Monday Night Fights?

Everyone was adult-like, on good behavior. No threats, screaming, yelling. Good grief. What’s the world coming to? Civility on the City Council. The city’s legislative body accepted an apology from councilman Bob Walsh to his district partner Evette Brantley and the city as a whole Monday night after he had berated her in a racially charged phone message following her support of Mayor Bill Finch’s Steel Point development agreement.

The council took no formal action against Walsh beyond resolving to accept his apology and seeking a diversity training program for all council members. Roughly 100 people attended the City Council session, some supporters of Brantley, some supporters of The Troll who say despite his passionate call to Brantley he’s no racist. In the end, following a heartfelt apology, that too is essentially how Walsh’s council peers voted. In fact, a number of council members told OIB they wished this issue had been settled privately between Brantley and Walsh. Technically, the council session was a committee meeting of the whole that moves on to the next council session for final ratification.

The issue made its way to the council for action a few months ago after Brantley shared the phone message with City Council President Tom McCarthy who turned over the message to the City Attorney’s Office for guidance on what authority the council had in such a situation. The City Charter provides sanction authority to the council for members that get out of hand, including office termination. Walsh’s lawyer Max Medina claimed in a letter to John Mitola, the city staff attorney handling the case, that the council has no removal authority over one of its members because city ordinance is superseded by state law that provides no such provision.

The evening began with the playing of Walshs phone message in which he scolds Brantley for submission to her “masta” and then a subsequent phone call in which he apologized. Walsh is white, Brantley is black.

It was then Evette’s turn to speak and she told a council audience of roughly 100 “What happens to a human being after they have been confronted after racism has raised its ugly head? As for me, having experienced racism raising its head, I am hurt, I feel betrayed and belittled. I am shocked to know that my City Council colleague, Robert Walsh, would venture out to make a mockery out of my ancestors, my culture and the people we represent. Simply because he felt that he needed to have control over me and who I extended thanks to because they stepped up to the plate and agreed to enhance the economic development of the city of Bridgeport.”

Evette was referring to Robert Christoph, developer of the 52-acre urban renewal project. Walsh criticizes his district partner in his phone message for visiting a Christoph development in Miami, as did several of her council peers. Evette complimented the support she had received from Mayor Bill Finch who condemned Walsh’s comments, as well as thanking McCarthy for the handling of her complaint.

Walsh followed Brantley with a heartfelt apology saying it was not his intention to hurt. He also, at the urging of Brantley, apologized to the citizens of Bridgeport and entire city. “Apology accepted,” said Evette. The audience cheered.

Check out two audio files below from the Monday night meeting. The first is Walsh’s initial call to Brantley followed by an apology that she felt was half-hearted.
{running time: 2:16}

The second audio file starts with Brantley’s speech, followed by Walsh, and remarks from McCarthy and council member Warren Blunt. A number of council members spoke urging the acceptance of the apology and to move on to city business. The audio is not perfect because of the council chamber’s challenging acoustics.
{running time: 17:12}

News release from Ned Lamont

LAMONT 2010 RAISES $77,000 IN FIRST EIGHT WEEKS

Businessman Ned Lamont, potential candidate for Governor of Connecticut, announced today that his exploratory committee will report raising $77,224.15 in the fourth quarter fundraising report covering the period from the committee’s formation on November 4th to the end of 2009.

“I am humbled by the hundreds of grassroots supporters and small donors who continue to urge me to explore a run for Governor,” said Lamont. “It’s clear that Connecticut voters are eager for new leadership that won’t accept the status quo, that won’t be tied to entrenched special interests in Hartford, and that will be able to put our state back on track.”

Lamont, an entrepreneur and the 2006 Democratic nominee for United States Senate, established an exploratory committee for statewide office on November 4th, 2009. Despite a relatively late start compared to other potential candidates and the challenges of fundraising during the holiday season, Lamont was able to raise $77,224.15 from 658 donors between November 4th and December 31st. The average contribution was $117. Of the contributors, 495 were Connecticut residents and 343 are considered “qualifying contributions” under state finance laws.

The Lamont 2010 Exploratory Committee followed SEEC guidelines for participating candidates in the Citizens Election Program in the fourth quarter of 2009 by limiting contributions to $375 per individual and by refusing all contributions from lobbyists and state contractors. The committee also refused to accept all political action committee contributions.

From Michael Fedele

Lt. Governor Michael Fedele Raises Over $67k In Less Than One Month

Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Republican candidate for Governor in 2010, announced today that his committee raised $67,073 in qualifying funds since forming his campaign for Governor on December 3, 2009. In less than one month, Fedele received qualifying contributions from 729 individuals representing more than half of Connecticut’s cities and towns. The Fedele Campaign Committee is limited to accepting contributions of $100 or less, pursuant to the state’s new campaign finance law.

“The overwhelming response my campaign for Governor has received since I made my announcement is very encouraging. It is gratifying to enjoy statewide support not only from supporters who believe in my campaign, but also from the many elected and community officials who have endorsed me,” said Fedele who noted that he has already received 53 endorsements of government, community and business leaders throughout Connecticut and will release a third round of endorsements tomorrow.

“People are not only helping by donating to my campaign, but they are developing key grassroots support by discussing my candidacy with their neighbors and friends. I look forward to continuing my conversation with the citizens of Connecticut about the challenges facing our state and my vision for rebuilding our economy by creating new jobs and putting people back to work.”

Happy Birthday Ms. Mo

Hey everyone, it’s my wife Mo’s birthday today. Yeah I know, what is she doing with a mug like me? I’m still trying to figure that out!