Mary-Jane Foster’s Campaign Manager Tom Swan issued a statement Monday in response to Joe Ganim supporters questioning the veracity of Foster’s background, asserting “I realize that I should not be surprised that supporters of Joe Ganim, who had his sentence extended for lying under oath, would spread falsehoods to advance their political goals. It is par for the course with Joe.”
Swan says Ganim supporters (supporters of Republican Enrique Torres have done so as well) are making up stories in their claim that Foster comes from a background of privilege. The assertions have come in the OIB comments section from Ganim supporters including 2011 petitioning candidate for mayor Jeff Kohut. Read Foster’s bio here.
Swan statement:
I want to push back on some dishonest attacks on Mary-Jane Foster and her background in the OIB comment section. I realize that I should not be surprised that supporters of Joe Ganim, who had his sentence extended for lying under oath, would spread falsehoods to advance their political goals. It is par for the course with Joe.
In case people forgot I will cite coverage of Judge Janet Arterton when sentencing Joe for public corruption from the coverage in New York Times.
In sentencing Mr. Ganim, she said she was influenced by the former mayor’s leadership in the scheme and her belief that he lied to the jury when he denied any knowledge of fee-splitting deals and incriminating evidence.
“I find clear and convincing evidence,” she said, “Mr. Ganim’s testimony was so fundamentally and materially in dispute with that given by others, whose testimony was corroborated.”
I want to make clear that when Joe’s team lies about Mary-Jane in the future we will call them out and we will remind people of his willingness to lie under oath and in closing I want to make clear that when people question Mary-Jane’s background she could not run back to daddy’s mansion in Easton everytime she got in trouble.
Just read the New York Times, society page, wedding announcement of Mary-Jane and Jack Foster (it’s on this blog, along with a link to the Times’ website). Was the New York Times lying, or did Mary Jane give them a line of BS? Somebody must have lied in that article.
Mary-Jane, you’re a BS artist! Go swap hard-luck stories with the single moms in Marina Village and Trumbull Gardens.
The people believe Joe Ganim. He’s had a Bridgeport life. He was born here, lived here until he was an adolescent, kept ties and friends here all his life. He came back here, had a catastrophic fall from grace, and is now redeeming himself.
Go ahead! Try to BS your background and kick Joe Ganim in the groin for mistakes he’s paid for and learned from. You are not fooling real Bridgeporters. You’re just Bridgeport’s version of Linda McMahon!
A vote for Foster is a vote for Stamford (and Bill Finch!).
Dude, Ganim went to Ward High School. You’re about as veracious as the former felonious mayor.
I’ve heard around town even Maria Pereira can’t stand to work on his disingenuous campaign anymore. Looks like she is one of many people sick of him for capitalizing on people’s tragedy and lying while taking selfies.
Dude, he went to Barlow and graduated from N.D. Maria, once again, has taken her bat and ball and gone home.
Jeff, MJF’s vitae speaks for itself. You are being very shrill and it is unbecoming of you.
Right, wrong Fairfield High School. Thanks for the correction.
Frank, I don’t know who you are, but your comments regarding Maria Pereira are gossip and it upset me enough to call her to see what she had to say. I quote Maria “she doesn’t know you, and denies any rumors you’re perpetuating on this blog.” She refuses to blog, and urged me to do this for her. I’m doing it because I don’t believe she said what you claim to have heard. When you use a person’s name, it should be when you can swear that individual spoke with you.
Shouldn’t you be campaigning for Joe?
Run along and play, Lisa. Let the adults talk.
Okay!
Jeff, you are so full of shit, no one believes you or trusts you as was shown in your aborted run for mayor. You are a sad little man who has attached himself to Joe Ganim like an inoperable hemorrhoid.
Hey Fardy,
When Foster shits you fall out so you’re the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to attaching into rectums.
REBEL, coming from a punk like you I expect this kind of BS.
You are one sick puppy.
Really; the tactics of the Foster camp are looking more and more like the Finch Campaign. Just for the sake of assuring no one misses the bigger picture of a Foster city hall, here is a copy of a previous post a couple of articles back.
***
One of the scary things about a white-glove, tea-and-crumpets Foster administration in City Hall is she would have Nancy Hadley as her economic development director (and might keep David Kooris on in some capacity).
Now remember; Nancy Hadley is the BRIDGEPORT Economic Development Director who is responsible (at the behest of her former boss, then-Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, and then-Governor Jody Rell) for re-directing the location of the $500 million, 3000-job Royal Bank of Scotland North American HQ from a proposed DOWNTOWN BRIDGEPORT site to the present Stamford site.
No, a Foster administration–especially with Nancy Hadley and Stamford City Councilman David Kooris (let’s give ’em a big, 40-year tax-break; Bridgeporters can handle it!)–would be much worse than ineffectual; it would ensure we would never regain our socioeconomic footing.
And I’m sick of hearing about Mary-pJane’s hardscrabble life. Her father was a surgeon and professor of surgery and her mother owned a jewelry store (see her New York Times, society page wedding announcement–it’s on line and recorded on this blog). And she absolutely didn’t have a “Bridgeport” life. It is BS for her to try to relate to real Bridgeporters. Let her swap tough-life stories with a few single mothers in Marina Village or Trumbull Gardens–or who grew up in the old Father Panik Village.
No. Mary-Jane is a wealthy BS artist trying to BS her background and accomplishments and BS her way into City Hall. It annoys this Bridgeporter who remembers the tons of cash used to start her Bluefish Ball/Arena experiment–which Bridgeport is still subsidizing to the tune of a couple of mullion $ a year–and which was never a success. Mary-Jane had to be bailed out–BY THE FINCH ADMINISTRATION. All of this is public record. It would be good for the Connecticut Post to recount all of these things in a Sunday issue before November 3!
Mary-Jane; please go back to UB. You truly were very good there. You are not Bridgeport Mayor material.
Jeff you fucking idiot, when Nancy did that she was employed by Stamford not Bridgeport. You know about Mary-Jane’s up bringing HOW? You don’t know squat. In fact you are a wart on the ass of humanity. What did you want MJF to do, lay around all these years and earn peanuts like you did? MJF earned every cent her and Jack have. Since when is it a minus when running for office to be well off?
Me thinks Andy Fardy is in love with MJF and losing his marbles (not that he had many to begin with) over another failed mayoral run by the queen of BS.
What a shame, another comment from a gutless person who does not want to use his name. You have no standing, asshole.
BPT REBEL,
THE CITY IS GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH MARY-JANE FOSTER. EVERY PERSON SHE TALKS TO IS COMMITTED. SEEMS LIKE SHE NEEDS TO MEET 30,000 VOTERS. NOT GOING TO BE EASY AS FINDING HER ON THE BALLOT. NOTHING WORTH HAVING COMES EASY!
Why are you shouting today, Steve? Tone it down–lol!
Steve, go take your meds!!! You’re insane today. Better yet, go to sleep and wake up on November 4th.
As someone who was involved in most state economic development deals involving Bridgeport during the Rell administration I can say without a doubt you have no idea what you’re talking about.
You are so far off base, it’s not worth responding to. Have a good life with the 16-felony-count criminal. Know anybody else who lied under oath to a federal judge?
Jeff Kohut, I take issue with this part of your statement about the history of Joe Ganim: “had a catastrophic fall from grace, and is now redeeming himself.”
When did Joe Ganim arrive in this holy, grace-filled or sanctified state? What qualified him for that appearance in your eyes? After all, wasn’t he a politician and how many of them get into Heaven? For real, tell us what gets you to provide witness one of our candidates should be called St. Joseph?
Joseph Ganim did have a fall. His human failing of greed, avarice, wanting something bad enough to gain access to it in criminal manner. And got caught. And kept insisting on his innocence. And showed no understanding of the gravity of the charges, or genuine remorse at how the public trust was forsaken. And was not allowed to pick up his legal career when he presented himself before legal peers. And has been free of incarceration for years but not as a Bridgeport resident and not as a public volunteer putting hours of time, personal energy and caring into a public redemption.
I have pondered on the “redemption” story and compared it to the scripture story of the Prodigal Son. Joe’s Father may be well pleased at his son’s return and happy to celebrate with a party, but the other son is less than happy because the Prodigal Son already had received his share and blown it.
We are the voters of Bridgeport. Where are Joe’s redeeming endeavors? Where are his efforts to reach out to credible community voices that were not a part of his historic “fall?” The criminal behavior had to do with money. Where are the safeguards that they cannot happen again? Where are the checks and balances and other structures that will set off an alarm if Joe wins, gains office, and begins to use the power of his position to further damage Bridgeport property owners into the future? I have been calling for a “trust but verify” initiative, but how do you do that with what the continuing political operatives in this City have left us with as governance outside the Mayor’s office? Don’t be shy, please tell us why we should trust and how we can verify. Please be as graceful as possible. Time will tell.
Tom Swan, whom do you think you’re kidding? You opened your comments stating Ganim supporters were claiming MJF was not exactly ingenuous when describing her early life. You know darn well you were just doing that so you could justify getting in testimony from Joe’s trial. We know you obtained all records of the trial, grow a pair and just put it out there. Is there something there the CT Post missed? They should have given the Pope the amount of coverage they gave Joe. I hear you’re pretty good at what it is you do, I don’t know, I’ve never worked with you, but I suggest you get creative when promoting your candidate. And BTW, who gives a damn about MJF’s life? I know the residents of Bridgeport would much rather hear about her political credentials, since running for the highest office in Bridgeport will require experience.
Lisa, how much experience did Joe Ganim have the first time he ran for office?
Bridgeport has been such an inbred mess for so long, not many thoughtful people would think it requires experience to run it.
EXCELLENT, Tom Swain! Lisa and JEFF ARE GETTING NERVOUS, THAT IS GOOD. WHAT EXPERIENCE DID JOE, LENNY, TOM, MANDANICI AND MORAN HAVE?
WHAT EXPERIENCE ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT REGARDING JOE? HIS CRIMINAL EXPERTISE? HIS LAW KNOWLEDGE? HIS PATHOLOGICAL LYING? HIS CRIMINAL DENIAL? WHAT????????? GANIM PEOPLE ARE JUMPING SHIP AND JUST LAST NIGHT ALONE FORMER GANIM WORKERS ASKED FOR FOSTER SIGNS. THE TIDE IS TURNING.
The tide is turning? You must be popping amyl nitrate. At least four DTC district leaders who supported Tax Bill went to Testo’s, hats in hands, to kiss the ring and beg Mario’s forgiveness. Now they are promoting The Crook.
It really won’t require experience. It will require HONESTY. It will take the ability to surround yourself with intelligent people. It will take Open and Transparent governing. It will not take what Joe Ganim is used to.
Fardy says MJF is surrounding herself with intelligent people yet Fardy has called MJF’s partner Bill Finch every name in the book including dumb and stupid.
It figures you would use the handle REBEL as you would fit in with those back-hill hillbillies. It’s too bad you are so dumb but keep trying, you may write something worth reading one of these days. REBEL, what a joke.
Andy, I’m not disagreeing with the qualities you mention, but it also takes a certain amount of political experience to navigate through politics in Bridgeport. You can’t take the politics out of politics.
Show me one mayor other than Fabrizi who had political experience before taking over the mayor’s office.
BILL FINCH WAS A COUNCIL MEMBER AND A STATE SENATOR. MARY-JANE FOSTER HAS TWO STATE SENATORS WHO ARE TRUSTED ADVISERS AND SHE IS PERSONAL FRIENDS WITH THE GOVERNOR. LISA, HOW MUCH MORE POLITICAL SUPPORT WILL SHE NEED TO TAKE OFFICE OTHER THAN A CLEAN SLATE AND HONESTY?
Duly noted.
The candidate who claims she will never lie to us and who announced she was not running–but is again running despite what she told us–is now taking back her commitment to not allow City employees to serve on the City Council.
First she supported the bill banning it and claimed she would not permit it if she were Mayor. Now in today’s Connecticut Post article she tells the paper, “We would have a conversation” with Tom McCarthy when being asked what she would do about his appointment. What? So much for her not permitting him to be an employee and a Council member at the same time. He is a Mayoral appointee and whose employment with the city is solely her discretion. And so much for her commitment to end the conflicts of interest she claimed she would. But wait, he is another Finch guy. No commitment to terminate this Finch Councilman/Employee. More talk only!
Wishy-washy she is!
BETTER THAN A SLIPPERY SNAKE?
STEVE, WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING???!
Sorry, my caps was stuck.
Time to upgrade the iPhone, Steve.
Andy. You are very confused. The RBS switch occurred under Hadley’s watch in 2005, under the Fabrizi Administration. You can find all of the info in the Post’s archives if you know how do an Internet search or use the microfiche files at the library. (As a matter of fact, we were given a one-time payment of $10 million to give up the development option and allow RBS to bow out of their commitment and go to Stamford. It’s all a matter of public record.)
Jeff,
For the record, I have no idea what you are writing about regarding RBS in 2005. Also please note I never worked for Dannel Malloy, not as Mayor, not as Governor.
Bridgeport must have a Mayor who has the highest ethical standards. That candidate is Mary-Jane Foster.
Jeff, did you miss my questions for you? Where are Joe’s redeeming endeavors on behalf of all the voters of Bridgeport? What are the specific ways for voters and taxpayers to trust Joe Ganim anew and be able to verify in a 2016-2019 administration open, accountable, transparent and honest governance? These are basic questions. Why has no one answered them yet on OIB? My questions are not personal to Joe, but having waited months for a time when he might wish to talk with me about fiscal matters and governance and finding time winding down to Election Day, I am surprised I have spoken with Rick Torres, Mary-Jane Foster, Charlie Coviello and Dave Daniels during the past year on more than one occasion about such matters. Bill Finch was not open to such conversations unfortunately. And Joe Ganim has not shown interest though one or more of his serious supporters know of my willingness to share. Who can help with the “trust but verify” issue for those who believe in ‘second chances’ but believe necessary care must be taken? Time will tell.
Lennie, could you post my second video?
www .youtube.com/watch?v=fJtXp3GauA4
I have been watching you. Very good videos, Mr. Daniels.
DavidDanielsIII, THE VIDEO WAS REMOVED???
Brewster, you nailed that one. It looks like nothing would change. McCarthy would bring his husband along and the rest of them would join in and we would back to one big happy incestuous common council, mothers, cousins, you name it and nothing would change.
Black Rockin, did McCarthy get married? If McCarthy is a competent city attorney, why should he be dismissed? I understand in many instances there could be a conflict of interest. In those cases a council member could in fact recuse themselves. Or pass an ordinance that makes it clear for all future candidates in the city employ.
This guy Swan is no schoolyard brawler, that crap above sounds timid and like last week’s news. Also, why is he writing her statements? Is he running for mayor? This is just amateur hour.
I am very disappointed with Mary-Jane Foster. I was impressed that she said she would put an end to city employees serving on the common council. Now she is quoted in the paper saying she will have a conversation about it. Just another politician making empty promises.
BETTER THAN FIXING A FENCE. SHE IS MENDING FENCES AND BUILDING COALITIONS. PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG WRITE AS THOUGH MAYOR FINCH WERE SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE AND REDEMPTION AND FOSTER NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE FOR CHANGING HER STAND AS THOUGH SHE LIED UNDER OATH AND GAVE HERSELF A MILLION-DOLLAR INSURANCE POLICY. SHE DID NOT SERVE TIME IN JAIL AND FINCH IS NOT UNDER INVESTIGATION AND FOSTER DOES NOT NEED A BABYSITTER TO MAKE SURE SHE IS BEING ETHICAL.
Phil Smith: You worked for Governor Rell on Bridgeport issues and you’re telling us the Governor didn’t figure into the huge, RBS-Bridgeport-Stamford dirty deal? You couldn’t have been very high up on the food chain in the Rell Administration, or you would have some inkling of what transpired in this regard. (You are from Bridgeport, aren’t you?)
I repeat. You have no idea what you are talking about.
It’s never too late to become a Ganim defector. Make the switch and vote for Mary-Jane Foster. Think of the future.
What happened to your support for the incumbent?
BRIDGEPORT KID, ALL FINCH SUPPORTERS ARE SUPPORTING FOSTER.
Not all of them. Torres can count a few former Finchites among his voter base.
Local, that’s what everyone doesn’t seem to understand. Bridgeport, for all its negatives, has one big POSITIVE and that’s its loyalty, you are not going to get anyone to all of a sudden decide they want to abandon one candidate for another. Joe is going to win this and he is going to win big.
THE ONLY FINCH SUPPORTERS VOTING FOR GANIM ARE A HANDFUL OF WEAK-MINDED DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT BOLD ENOUGH TO TAKE A STAND FOR HONEST GOVERNMENT AND WANT TO CONTINUE KISSING MARIO TESTA’S ASS.
FOSTER JUST NEEDS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC WHERE TO FIND THE ONLY WOMAN CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR ON THE BALLOT.
I hope Mary-Jane will be honest and transparent with the voters of Bridgeport, and tell them what backroom deal she made with Bill Finch and John Stafstrom!
Snuff out that cigar! You’re on the wrong blog. No smoke-filled rooms complete with shady deals. If you want transparency, grab a roll of Saran wrap from the supermarket. Politics in Bridgeport means “battle stations,” but Jimfox would rather go shopping.
The checkout girl says: “Do you have a coupon for that, sir?”
Right on, Hector!
That’s Mister Local Eyes to you, Hector. Your ability to predict the future is unproven and loyalty is not a positive when it comes to events, outcomes and stigmas that paint Bridgeport a dismal color.
The way I see it, Bridgeport won with Finch out. I’m happy with Foster, Ganim or Torres, to be honest. I’m a little hesitant on Foster because of the alliance with Finch, but who knows? Either way, Bridgeport will get better, I truly believe so!
Nancy: I never said you worked for Malloy. But you certainly must have worked with him when he connived us out of the RBS North American HQ in 2005. You certainly couldn’t have forgotten about the RBS deal, although I can understand why you would want to.
Phil; you’ve got that reversed. But that’s OK. Keep repeating it; maybe it will stir an awareness of those days again, or maybe it will even jog a memory. But who really cares, anyway? Right?
Jeff Kohut,
Getting around to Phil and Nancy is helpful in continuing a dialogue. I responded to your story line about Joe Ganim’s “fall from grace” and redemption efforts. I question the details of this spiritual journey as they are told by a disciple and not by the master himself. This is not a scripture course but an election campaign. But since criminality was identified, proven and sentencing followed, the terms by which this journey is described are important. There was law breaking. That preceded the fall from grace as you describe it. But it was created by Joe, wasn’t it? So isn’t redemption something that must be earned daily before trust can exist? Or does the ability to generate big bucks (from inside the City? or from outside businesses?) a form of redemption that trumps working it out in humbler pursuits and similar ways to that which the majority of those from the City who have suffered incarceration are forced to do? Asking real questions, like I have of the CC for years, and seeming to get no answers. How patient can one be? Time will tell.
John: I had a long answer ready for you last night, but my WiFi signal blinked and it was deleted, believe it or not. I will repeat the answer when I have time; maybe tonight. Remind me here before the election.
In any event, something to think about. Where best to right a wrong rather than from the position where the wrong steps can be retraced, but with the repetition occurring in “right” direction?
More later.