Mayor Joe Ganim reports from Israel via his Facebook page he’s “very impressed with the 21st century data driven, ‘smart city’ approach employed to manage municipalities in this ancient country.” Ganim adds he’s “looking forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned once we return home in a few days!”
From Ganim:
Shabbat Shalom from Israel! Truly inspiring to be in this tiny yet powerful little country with mayors from all over the world. From meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu נתניהו בנימין to meeting with the mayors of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Nazareth and learning from some cutting edge technology companies this has been an amazing journey through the Holy land. We have been very impressed with the 21st century data driven, ‘smart city’ approach employed to manage municipalities in this ancient country. These are methods we can certainly use to help the residents of Bridgeport get better, more cost effective delivery of city services. The sheer beauty and history of this land and the richness of the diversity of its people are also nothing short of remarkable. Israel is truly a beacon of light to other nations that is clearly represented in this journey as fellow mayors from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe have all joined us for this journey. Looking forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned once we return home in a few days!”
Very eloquently stated, Mayor. The people on this blog can’t stand it.
Steve, as one who understands the concept of eloquence and can use same in a compliment, perhaps you can cajole, request, or push the FOI curtain to determine which address in Bridgeport is deemed to be the home of our Mayor. I believe you have reported owning more than one property in past missives, but guess we would have heard if you were honored by Joe’s taking up residence in same. He has not graced my doorstep either.
But City Charter in Chapter 2, Section 2 indicates:
Section 2. – Officers to be residents and registered voters.
All officers of the city, elected or appointed under the provisions of the charter, shall be residents and registered voters of the city of Bridgeport.
It is there, open to public view, about as transparent as anyone can see but the voter registration document filed as recently as August does not appear accurate, i.e. Joe Ganim is not observed for the last three months as a resident in that complex, yet a public document indicates otherwise. Should we await an answer? Or an opinion from the City Attorney’s office? Is it a matter of Integrity that we may question Ed Adams’ Office of Public Integrity about? Does anyone else care when the rules seem to be flaunted? There are other situations I have raised in the past few years where I have asked, where is the Sheriff? Does anyone else care about those who are elected following the rules? Let me know, please. Time provides days and room for learning, for reflecting and becoming wiser about the world in which we live. That’s why I have employed the often quoted tag line, Time Will Tell. But if people are not attempting to look at the rules and ask that leaders live within them, then perhaps there is little hope for our community. But the optimist responds … time will tell.
John Marshall Lee, I am not really sure what you are asking but since you are let me be clear. Joe Ganim may in fact live in Bridgeport. He may reside in a Black Rock Condominium or he may reside in a Condo Highrise known as Cartright Towers. I must be honest. I always thought Joe lived in Easton and to be honest at this stage of the game, I could care less. If Firemen and Policemen can live outside of the city, why not? Breaking the law? Yeah use that in campaign literature and you will find out nobody cares. Seriously, to be honest, there is not one person in my circle who ever believed Joe lived in Bridgeport other than a costume change and a shower. The fact he owns a few properties here is enough for me. Where he sleeps these days is none of my business.
Mayor Joe Ganim is giving us a tourist report and not a business report. Ganim said, “learning from some cutting edge technology companies this has been an amazing journey through the Holy land. We have been very impressed with the 21st century data driven, ‘smart city’ approach employed to manage municipalities in this ancient country. These are methods we can certainly use to help the residents of Bridgeport get better, more cost effective delivery of city services.” That’s great mayor, now what does that mean and what is the cost for the taxpayers of Bridgeport?
Mackey,
It’s not costing us a dime. There is nothing to be implemented. But what we all want to know is who else is on that trip. “once we return home in a few days!”
Bob, I’ve been asking that same question, who was on this tour with the mayor of Bridgeport? Did they go to find out about system or to attract businesses to set up business here or was it a tour of Israel?
His parents are on this trip. How fortunate he was able to take care of business and bring his parents on the trip of a lifetime. What a miserable lot you guys are.
Come on, Steve. Cut it out. You have got to be making this stuff up.
Dear Steve “in the know,”
I am so happy I directed my latest note seeking the Mayor’s residence within the confines of Bridgeport. Now if he lived out of town as so many Public Safety employees, members of the BRBC and others influential in the City do, perhaps it would not be a problem, except for the Chapter 2 reference above. It should be easy Steve, just a simple question that has a factual answer rather than a subjective opinion. And you are just the person who can put this “Columbo question” to him. When it comes to chatting folks up, Peter Falk learned the ‘shtick’ from you, didn’t he? Unless you feel asking the question is somehow inappropriate? Because he is our Mayor? And we should all gather behind him? And I ask you these questions respectfully.
When the Trump regime, which you would wish us to get behind (rather than join with other skeptical folks in the ‘back benches’ as part of the loyal opposition, hoping a dialogue will develop) when they begin to pass around the sign-up sheets for registration by religion, what will you say then? Perhaps you can say I am not a follower of the way of Islam. Will you find it necessary to file some statement so “they” know and keep track of “who and what you are?” What say you, neighbor? Time will tell.
John Marshall Lee. I have to be honest. I just returned from a celebration at the Sitting Duck Tavern. I only had one beer so I am not thinking in a fog, so first let me answer Bob Walsh. I know Ganim has his parents with him because he had them on his Facebook page. JML, I am not in the know or privy to any information. I do not need to spend four years dumping on Trump because the people have spoken. I am not a Sanders or Warren supporter so I do not know where my party is heading. I supported Clinton. I know many on the DTC who voted for Trump. I know one who voted for Jill Stein. I think my political leanings really should be of no concern to you. I do have questions–why did the Connecticut Post call MJF for a comment on Joe’s trip to Israel? Who cares what she thinks? Where does Joe live? Who cares? He is the Mayor, does he get a ticket for living in Easton? He won the election one year ago. I have no desire to waste my breath finding fault where there is no fault in my eyes. I do know for eight months I had to listen to a BOE elected official talk about Ganim like the second coming, drooling as she spoke only to find she is his biggest adversary. I move on after an election. I give the opposition a chance. So far, I have no problem. JML, although I appreciate your whistle-blowing position, I am not the person you need to go after for answers. Joe Ganim is not on my auto dial. I cannot inquire and get the information that keeps you up at night. If I did, I certainly would not share privileged information on this blog. People on my Facebook page know where I stand on most issues.
As for Donald Trump, well there is nothing we know now we didn’t know before he won the election. He is a racist and a bigot. His top supporters in his administration are antisemites and don’t believe in climate change. They denigrate woman and yet he did well with woman. He is now the President. The people have spoken. We move forward. I feel for women and minorities. I don’t feel bad for Sanders supporters who didn’t vote. No free college for them. JML, I do not know what you want me to say to you. I do not know what my having had multiple properties has to do with you or Joe Ganim. BTW, my former property on Glendale Avenue is under deposit, $219,000. Anything else you need to know? I will tell more when I announce my Mayoral run, but I wouldn’t hold my breath! 🙂
You are the only person on OIB who has provided any type of answer to the question of where the Mayor lives. You understand the Charter calls for the Mayor to be a resident as a qualification. Yet you do not care about this personally. Perhaps a lot of people do not care about this, either. And perhaps many people do not care about following the many rules, regulations and laws that are about us. And would that be called anarchy, or chaos? And then whistleblowing would be done by police authority, not citizens. Does anyone have a comment on whether a Mayor, Ganim or future, should have a residence in accord with the City Charter? Time will tell.
Ganim is the Missing-In-Action Mayor.
סטיוו, לייטאַן אַרויף. איר זענט נוראַטיק פֿון ווייל סטאַק אין די זאַל שאַפע.
Will you provide a translation?
[Ed. note: It’s Yiddish in Hebrew letters. “Steve, lighten up. You are neurotic about being stuck in the hall closet.”]
BTW, does anyone know who sponsored this junket? I could swear I read it somewhere and now I can’t find it.
LOL, I read about it right here on OIB on a separate post. International Conference of Mayors and the American Jewish Congress.