Saying he’s optimistic about the pace he can move the city forward, Mayor Joe Ganim appeared Sunday on Dennis House’s Face The State answering questions about the city budget, public safety, state support for Connecticut’s largest city, and addressing revelations about two city police officers accused of moonlighting as bouncers at a bar serving underage college students. Video above.
Prompted by House, Ganim said he’s still dealing with the fiscal “hangover” from the prior administration. He said his short-term game plan for the city is balancing the city budget and hiring 100 police officers to address low staffing levels. He highlighted projects that are teed up such as new housing units under construction for the East Side, a planned natural gas power plant for the South End and the city securing a large federal grant to address flooding issues, projects that were shepherded by the recently departed development chief David Kooris. Ed Lavernoich, veteran city development official, has joined the city on an interim three-month basis while a search is conducted for a permanent development chief.
Ganim added that two police officers accused of moonlighting as bouncers at a bar serving underage college students could be subjected to strong discipline by Police Chief AJ Perez based on the findings of the on-going investigation. The chief has stronger disciplinary powers based on the latest union contract.
Lennie, no one seems to have any interest in Joe’s headache. Thank goodness this commentary is ready to come off. Joe, take an aspirin and go to bed.