Citizen fiscal watchdog John Marshall Lee wants to digest the rules of the Democratic Town Committee, led by restaurateur Mario Testa whose Madison Avenue restaurant is the mother ship of city politics. When it comes to politics Lee is no friend of martial law. He’s a proponent of putting everything on the table including the rules of engagement for the 90-member DTC that conducts party business and elects officers. He shares his hungry search for the party rules in this commentary.
As a youth I was introduced to games, likely as many of you were in a neighborhood even before school athletic instruction made ‘rules of the game’ a more formal subject. All games have rules. Not all games have officials, it turns out. And when rules are poorly understood or unavailable for communication, the games, themselves, are less trusted.
Seeking public office is not a game in my view. It is a journey to uphold and bear a public trust, depending on the office and its responsibilities, for a period of time. That journey more often than not begins with seeking the endorsement of one of the formal parties, Democrat or Republican and offering yourself for an open candidacy at election time. Lots of work follows.
However, one might be encouraged while seeking endorsement to find out what the rules are, especially when one is told by a Town Committee District Chair that “blood is thicker than water,” likely not a rule in the book, but just as likely in Bridgeport to be accurate. One of my takeaways after unsuccessfully seeking a City Council office last year was to see a copy of the rules of the Democratic Town Committee.
I went to the Registrar of Voters office initially thinking that election process is active there. No rulebook on file. Go to the Town Clerk Office. When I went there I was offered an expanding file with a number of folders within going back to the early 1970s. However, the most recent folder was marked 1983, 33 years ago and the set of rules indicated there were four members per District, not the nine members honored in practice today. What’s up? A request for further search turned up nothing more than a referral to the City Clerk office where Frances Wilson pleasantly indicated that such material is not part of her office’s records.
So, I sent a note requesting info to the City Attorney and others including Only in Bridgeport. Lennie found the subject ‘hilarious.’ R. Chris Meyer informally mentioned over coffee this morning that he may have a copy of the DTC rules in his office as well as such being available from the State party. The Bridgeport DTC is responsible for vetting and securing individuals who become elected and/or appointed to 97% of the State and municipal positions including Boards and Commissions governing the City of Bridgeport. When do they meet? How to join? Rights? Responsibilities? Dues? Do they discuss platforms? What do they stand for? Against? Basic stuff, isn’t it? Should be open, accountable, transparent and honest, perhaps? Or not? Maybe, just available? Perhaps the fastest way is to go to one of Mario Testa’s dining establishments and see if DTC rulebooks are a special on the menu, today? Time will tell.
JML, have you asked your two council members, your state rep and your district leader? As for meetings they are required to meet as a whole body three times a year. District leaders can meet with their own members as many times as they want. They stand for electing Democrats and as far as what they’re for or against you will hear that from those who run for office and the district members get to hear that when candidates want the members to get their support. That’s just my quick look of what I remember reading.
Right after I was elected to the 138th District I too went down to the Town Clerk’s office in search of the DTC Party Rules. I was handed the same folder as JML and also noted the rules were from 1983 with only four DTC members in each District.
I also searched the State Central website and made several calls. I never so much as received a return phone call. I also left a message with the CT Secretary of the State’s office and never received a return call.
The last thing Mario Testa wants is to have DTC members actually know the rules around governance.
Maria, at the DTC meeting you use Robert’s Rules of Order of Running a Meeting. You can then challenge the rules and procedures of how the DTC is running the meeting and make a motion a copy of the rules is made available.
You’re assuming your state rep, council members or district leader knows or cares about the rules.
JML.
Section 9-374 of the general statutes requires all state and local rules to be filed with the secretary of the state. It also provides that “[p]arty rules shall not be effective until sixty days after the filing of the same with the Secretary of the State.”
That would seem to be the place to look.
Thanks, Phil.
Thank you, Phil. I know there is a more current set of rules than four members per district. I have seen it.
JML, both the Republican and Democratic parties are private clubs and rules of those clubs are designed to protect the party, not to represent the people. There are a number of articles that talk about if they are public or private clubs. John, Maria Pereira is the 138th district leader, ask her for the party rules.
Excellent commentary. I too would like a copy of the rules if they become available. Maybe it’s time all members on the Town Committee get an education the way Council People and city appointments get to go to a week of training. Perhaps the city can look into other Urban Centers’ rules that may be more current and incorporate them into our procedures. Seems like way too much drama. I agree with the commentary and would like to see some positive response. I do not think this is an anti-Mario request. We voted for him, those of us on the committee. A simple handbook for those of us newcomers would be beneficial especially to those of us who are independent thinkers.
I know of no one, with one exception, who has a physical copy of the DTC rules. I recall trying to obtain them, and ran into the same roadblocks. It’s obvious Testa would not want enlightenment regarding this document since it would prevent him, vis challenges, from making up rules as circumstances he imposes occur. The rules exist, it’s just going to take perseverance and an FOI request to the State Democratic Party. Most of us just give up after an exhausted search, exactly what Testa wants. JML, if anyone can accomplish this egg hunt it’s you. I’m not imposing this responsibility on you, but you have the tenacity to see it through. I’ll help in anyway I can. BTW, in 1980 the number of members on a district TC started with five and was expanded to nine. I’m talking about the DTC, I believe the RTC had fewer members per district, and I don’t believe that’s changed.
It would be great for JML to looking into the DTC bylaws. Any changes to the bylaws must start at State Central. There are four from Bridgeport who sit at State Central: District 22 and 23 Senatorial. They are McCarthy, ?, Maria Valle and Ernie Newton. Two from Stratford?
A suggested add-on to the TC rules could be the removal of a TC member. There are no rules listed for removal of a no-show member. Just saying. As Lisa states, it is a nine-member party and it could be changed but it starts at State Central.
Lisa, may I suggest someone could ask Chris Caruso if he has a copy?
Let me repeat myself again, you don’t need a copy of the DTC to be on the DTC. Find like-minded people who will work and put in the time just the way Maria Pereira did and she won with no DTC rule and policy. Find like-minded people in all ten districts and run slates of candidates. Once again, you only need five members in your district to control the entire district, five (5). Forty-six (46) DTC members control the Democratic Town Committee.
DTC members who know and understand Robert’s Rules of Order of Parliamentary Procedure and of Running a Meeting can make the Chairman provide the rules at a DTC meeting. It would be nice to have the rules ahead of time but that is no reason not to run for those positions.
invincible, our State Central members will not help in obtaining the rules. I know the players, please trust me. They probably don’t have a clue how to get them.
Ron, good suggestion. I speak with Chris quite regularly and I will ask him. Your information as to how to tackle change is also right on. It’s not complicated or difficult. Be vigilant in identifying willing, appropriate people and stay on it. I’ve noticed there are so many young men and women who are hoping for the opportunity to become involved in local government. Take their phone numbers and follow up with them, they have the energy, sharp minds, and still have their ideals.
Lisa, back in the day I asked Chris and he told me to go to the the Bridgeport Registrar of Voters and request the DTC rules and for a list of the 90 members of the DTC.
You can obtain a copy of the 90 DTC members at the Town Clerk’s office. I just got a certified copy for $2 last week for my meeting with the attorney.
The bylaws and Rules for the DTC are on the inside flap of every pizza box Don Mario (Testo’s Pizzeria) sells.
Disclaimer: Don Mario and Testo’s Pizzeria will not be responsible for any smudge marks from tomato, cheese, sausage, meatball, pepperoni or his famous Hawaiian pie with anchovies that obscure the bylaws and/or Rules of said DTC.
Don Mario and Testo’s Pizzeria will not be responsible for people sitting on pizza boxes that will obscure the DTC Rules and bylaws, just to keep the pizza warm on the ride home.
No refunds on pizza with less than eight slices for medium or less than 12 slices for large.
10% discount for DTC members only, Monday through Thursday. 203-330-3333
You’re hysterical!
Nothing brings a bigger smile to the face of Don Mario than when he’s conducting a DTC meeting, and gazes out among the members, to see empty PIZZA BOXES STUCK TO THEIR ASSES!
I’ll take my meds now.
One quick side thought. Does the Bridgeport REPUBLICAN Town Committee have rules that exist and are easily accessible? I am interested just as a point of comparison.
Yes, they are on the RTC website.
Jim, that was funny. Lennie, can you stop by Testo’s Pizzeria, get a pizza, scan the inside flap of the box, save it as a pdf and share it on OIB?
Oh, all information such as by-laws and members of the Bridgeport Republican Town Committee are in the RTC website.
bridgeportgop.com
THANK YOU to Phil Smith and Tom White concerning accessibility of BPT RTC rules.
Why does anyone think getting a copy of the DTC is going to change anything? Dream on.
Andy, that’s right.
Andy, of course it won’t, but it would be interesting to see how many times Testa strays from the by-laws of the DTC.
And then what?
Then he could be challenged. I have to believe if a full DTC meeting were held, and Mario pulls his crap by ignoring a request from a member, or just making up stuff as he goes along, enough TC members would go along with a challenge especially if the rules/bylaws are in the hands of a member. Andy, I said a majority, not all.
Lisa, when Mario does that then that’s where he should be challenged by Robert’s Rules of Order by a DTC member and Mario is lost so he will then ask for the parliamentarian to explain the procedure. At this point Mario is lost.
Bottom line. Any organization usually has rules. The Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee has rules. One example, each district elects nine members. THAT IS A RULE. According to Phil Smith, Connecticut General Statutes have LAWS that govern such rules. We found out recently in the Gomes nominating convention that State Laws do play a role. The fact the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee does not have accessible rules is a sham and a shame. More specifically, it highlights the nefarious impact Mario Testa has had upon GOVERNANCE in the City of Bridgeport. More specifically, BAD GOVERNANCE. Political patronage and an ignorance and a purposeful desire to trample on the Charter of the City of Bridgeport is the legacy of Mario Testa. Small-minded pols like Joseph Ganim(II) enabled that ill-begotten crown. Testa’s name will always be linked to bad governance Bridgeport. What a legacy to be remembered by.
The rules of a political Town Committee don’t make a difference. It’s the activities above and beyond those rules that are the reality.
I don’t know where everyone who blogged on this subject comes from, it must be Mars or the land of Nod. The Democratic Party in Bridgeport for the last 40 years I am aware of has operated the same way no matter who the chairmen was. When Mario leaves, someone with the same ideas will take his place. When Stafstrom was the chairmen, does anybody think it was different and above board?
The problem in Bridgeport is the voters suffer from terminal Dumb Ass and complete laziness.
The number one rule of the BRIDGEPORT Democratic Party is Don’t let anyone see the rules. Damn it!!!
Bob, to your point and from a little excerpt from “Fight Club,” the first rule of the DTC is, there is no DTC!
So JML,
Now that Phil has given you the CGS reference, contact the SOTS OFFICE Monday morning and request copies of Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford’s DTC rules.
I know New Haven’s committee is at least 50% larger than Bridgeport’s. That should be the first rule Maria and Steve attempt to amend; double the size of the membership of the DTC.
I just spoke to Lennie and as soon as anyone gets a set of rules from the SOTS, he will post them on OIB.
John from Black Rock,
Shortly after procuring a copy of the rules and the public has had a chance to digest them, someone, either JML, Maria P or Steve A will be contacting you about using a room at the Black Rock branch of the library to hold a community discussion of those rules.
If this goes well then there may be a follow-up meeting to debate proposed changes. I would recommend Maria, Steve and maybe Lisa in support of changes and Danny Roach and Mario in defense of current rules.
Everybody got that???
Got it, Bubba. May I remind everybody, when I nominated Judge Lopez for the BOE, I asked the Chair if she could thank those TC members who voted for her. It would have taken less than a minute, but Mario said “no,” it was against the rules. Does anybody really believe that? I know the Judge would not have wanted me to make a big deal of it because she’s classy and professional, but rest assured if I had a copy of those rules I would have turned that room upside down. Testa knows that, he’s lucky I wasn’t in the mood to get arrested that night because I’d step on him like the bug he is.
And Lennie,
Use a picture of the pizza place in FAIRFIELD, please. That is his unofficial DTC HQ.
I am NOT party of the Bridgeport DTC, but am a member of the Trumbull DTC and on its Rules Committee. The following is from the State Party Rules. Note: if the local party’s rules are not in compliance with these, this overrules the local rules.
“CONNECTICUT DEMOCRATIC STATE PARTY RULES
14
The following rules shall govern the activities of the Democratic Party in each town of the state, whether or not the local party has adopted its own rules, notwithstanding any local party rule to the contrary.
Section 1: Election of Town Committees
A. Party endorsed candidates of any local party for town committee members shall be selected by the enrolled members of such party in caucus or via a direct primary held in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes. At caucus meetings, any eligible person may be nominated from the floor, notwithstanding any notice or pre-registration requirements in the local rules. Notice of the time, place and purpose of said caucus shall be given to all enrolled Democratic voters of the municipality at least five (5) days, but not more than fifteen (15) days, in advance of the caucus by publication of the same in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality.
B. The payment of dues shall not be a requirement for the endorsement or election of a candidate for any local party or town committee position. A town committee may be endorsed and elected on a district basis as such rules may prescribe. At any caucus duly called for the endorsement of members of a town committee, nominations for such town committee members may be made by (1) presentation to the caucus of a full slate composed of a number of persons equal to the number of town committee members prescribed by local party rules or (2) by nomination of individual candidates. Voting by slate is only permissible when the election is between two or more full slates. In the endorsement of such candidates, voting shall be in accordance with the local party rules, but in no event shall a member of the caucus vote for a greater number of candidates than those to be elected. In the event no endorsement is made by the above stated method, then there shall be no endorsement and election to such town committee shall be made by direct primary as provided by law. No person shall be eligible to serve on the town committee unless he or she is a registered member of the Democratic Party.
Section 2: Primary Date
On the first Tuesday in March in each even-numbered year, each town committee, if needed, shall hold a primary for the election of town committee members.
Section 3: Terms of Members
Unless otherwise provided in this Article, members of the town committee shall serve for a term of two (2) years, commencing on the Wednesday after the first Tuesday in March in each even-numbered year and ending on the first Tuesday in March of the next even-numbered year.
Section 4: Election and Call of Organizational Meeting
A. Not more than thirty (30) days following the day fixed for the holding of a primary for the election of town committee members, the chair of the town committee in office at the time of said primary shall call a meeting of the newly elected town committee for the purpose of electing such officers of the town committee pursuant to the local party rules. If such Town Chair fails, for any reason, to call such meeting by the end of the prescribed thirty (30) day period, the Vice Chair in office at the time of the primary shall call the meeting within forty-eight (48) hours.
B. If, for any reason, the Vice Chair does not call the meeting within the prescribed forty-eight (48) hour period, the State Central Committee members in the district shall call the meeting within the next forty-eight (48) hours. When the meeting must be called by the Vice Chair or a State Central Committee member, the call of the meeting will be valid notwithstanding any otherwise applicable rule concerning time and notification of town committee meetings.
Section 5: Quorum
Two fifths (2/5) of the membership of the town committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Section 6: Slate Endorsement
A. At any caucus or town committee meeting duly called for the election of delegates to any convention, nominations for said delegates may be made (1) by presentation to the caucus or town committee of a slate composed of a number of persons not exceeding the number of such delegates to which the town is entitled under the state rules of the Democratic Party or (2) by nomination of individual candidates. Voting by slate is only permissible when the election is between two or more full slates.
B. In the selection of such delegates, each member of the caucus or town committee member present and voting shall vote for a number of delegates not to exceed the number of a full slate as defined above.
C. The voting for delegates to each convention shall be done by individual convention.
Section 7: Increased Membership.
The town committee, at a meeting called for the purpose, may, by majority vote of those present and voting, increase its membership, provided that all new members shall be duly elected by the time of the next primary date in the state election calendar, shall begin in office the next day, and shall continue in office only until the next date for election of town committee members.
Section 8: Town Committee Meetings
In accordance with the Charter of the Democratic National Committee, all meetings of Democratic town committees, subcommittees and all other Democratic Party committees shall be open to the public, and votes shall not be taken by secret ballot.
Section 9: Limitation on Proxy Voting in Town Committee Meetings
Unless specifically provided for in local party rules, proxy voting shall not be allowed at any town committee meeting or for the endorsement of candidates or delegates.
Section 10: Filing of Local Rules and List of Officers and Members
Within one week after swearing in a new town committee and the election of Officers for any given term, the Chair of the town committee shall file a copy of the town committee’s Local Rules, as well as a list of the names and addresses and other pertinent contact information of the officers and members of the town committee (in a format designated by the Democratic State Central Committee) with the Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee.”
Marshall, in general to my memory that is pretty much what I believe is in the Bridgeport DTC party rules. There are no secret rules in it.
Please note, the State Democratic Party Rules require the local Town Committee to file its rules with the Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee, NOT the registrar of Voters, municipal clerk or Secretary of State. Don’t waste time searching in those offices for the rules.
Lisa Parziale, in my continued effort to find my copy of the DTC rules, I came across The Telegram, Bridgeport, Wednesday, December 7, 1983 heading, Freshmen to head most council panels” by Rose P.B. Venditi. There are ten pictures, Chris Caruso (D), Peter Gilmore (D), Mary Bruce (D), Joane Fener (R), Chester Przyblski (R), Peter Holecz (R), Edwin Gomes (D), Clement Young (D), Lisa Parziale (D), Samuel Baldwin (D).
Lisa, you still look good, but wiser.
Joel Gonzalez, I also came across the Bridgeport News, Thursday, March 17, 1994, front page titled “Why a Bridgeporter cut off his finge–Gonzalez, sans index finger, wants criminals to feel pain.” Joel, there is another article in the same paper titled, “Gonzalez recalls when he was a crime victim.”
Awww Ron, those were the days. That was my first term, and if you notice we had Republican representation, not only that term but the following term we had eight Republicans and in ’89 we had ten and ten. The decline began when the council became all Dems. I also remember Phil Smith was our go-to person when we needed assistance only Phil could provide. We knew better than to go to a City Attorney or anyone on the payroll.
Lisa, oh yes those were the days. Although I’m a loyal Democrat I do believe in the two-party system like we had before. Local Republicans do not have to follow the same direction as their national party does because they are at the street level dealing with everyday issues. There’s nothing wrong with both working together for the good of the voters. Somewhere the local Republicans lost their way and decided to not make Bridgeport better. Now they want to blame the Democrats and Mario Testa for the wrongs of Bridgeport but they are the ones not being involved in challenging Democrats. Why did they stop? Lisa as you stated they were in elected positions in fact Ralph Wilson was a black Republican who got elected here in Bridgeport in the early 1970s plus there was a Black Republican Club on Stratford Ave. But the Republicans gave up on Bridgeport.
Ron, back then local Republicans believed in their philosophy and cared about the City. They worked to expand their party and share representation on the City council plus Boards and Commissions. You didn’t have token Republicans just to satisfy the Charter requirements. I made good friends during that time, and to this day so friendships exist. I also served with two Republican Mayors and it wasn’t adversarial, instead everybody was respectful and courteous despite our party affiliations. I’m frustrated and disappointed the RTC hasn’t reached out to new people and begun to rebuild the party. A one-party City is the cause of most of our problems.
Lisa, I believe there is currently a move to reach out and rebuild.
Lisa P, have you reached out to the local State Central Members? All four members would not answer your call in regards to the TC Rules? WOW!!! Shame on them!
I have had two types of computer/internet issues in the past two weeks. Frustrating, yes. Patience gets you to sit back and watch other parts of the world go by.
(Thank you Ray Fusci for your most recent help!)
In the most recent interim of three days or so I have been amazed by the number of responses to an essay from me. This article is not about money but about rules, which if known and understood, might cause gastric discomfort for the DTC leaders, known and unknown parties. Since they are responsible for 97% or more of the people who represent us in elective or appointive offices it behooves us to know how, when, and by what mechanism they hold such power. Then if you are unhappy, as Ron Mackey so often points out, there is a path to follow. In recent years we have found “conflict of interest” legislation at a State level is hard to get though citizens of other towns and cities admit they would not allow what is permitted in Bridgeport. Well imagine what we would find if we looked at the potential or appearances of such conflict in the DTC? Perhaps more than even the strongest can stomach. Power yields advantages that are out of sight and public knowledge and sustains itself, so keep digging and find the Democrats who are more important than other rank and file Democrats and who are rewarded liberally for their “loyalty.” It’s a start perhaps. And having and understanding the DTC rulebook cannot hurt either. Time will tell.
flubadub, I am skeptical about the current rebuild and outreach movement with the RTC. Rumor on the street is it is being done by people outside of Bridgeport and in an aggressive, bullying manner. Never a good way to rebuild anything if you want intelligent, well-rounded people to be a part of an organization. Now, the streets are not always the most accurate way of knowing true information, but in Bridgeport the streets are as wide as the day is long. Time will tell.
Mary, we all are watching Donald Trump, a Democrat all his life, who has now taken over the national Republican Party and the top elected Republican national leaders can doing nothing but watch. Well, the Bridgeport DTC can be taken over a whole lot easier and it can be done.
Hi Ron, hope you are enjoying this beautiful day! I wish I could elaborate on my comments, but I am not privy to details. Sometimes you just have to cut conversations off when you feel you have heard enough. One thing I do know, I spent my week on these streets, Knowlton, Park Ave., Noble, State, McClevy Green, Stillman, Prospect and Dewy. Some of these Streets are one way, some are not. This can be confusing if you are not familiar with the area. It happens to me in New Haven every time. If you are not familiar with the workings of the Streets, taking a wrong turn onto a one-way can be dangerous really fast. I have learned not to frequent New Haven for fun very often. I hope the changes to the RTC are positive, I am a registered Republican, but because he is such a bully, I will not be voting for Trump. Happy day, my friend.
Ron, I want to add this. Social Media is the fastest way of getting rumors started or moving around the streets fast. People should be careful what they share and say. Everyone, not just big brother, is watching.
The only people who have to be careful of what they share and say (actually they mean the same) are those who post without the facts and understanding of the streets of Bridgeport. For those of us who have lived our entire lives here, and have been involved in local politics as more than just an observer, we don’t have to watch or be intimidated by anything or anyone. After you’ve “survived” decades in the contact sport called Bridgeport politics, you become almost invincible and for sure not intimidated.