Update
: Republican Town Chair Marc Delmonico filed a formal complaint Friday with the city’s Ethics Commission charging the Bridgeport City Council with receiving improper benefits from promoters of the Gathering of the Vibes at Seaside Park.
The City Charter and Code of Ordinances addresses several areas the GOP leader cites in his complaint, including:
2.38.030 Standards of conduct.
B. Specific Conflicts. No official or employee shall:
1. Solicit or accept any gift, directly or indirectly, whether in the form of money, loan, gratuity, favor, service, thing or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence him in the performance of his duties or employment in the public interest.
Republicans claim “it can be reasonably inferred” that complete access to the Vibes for all City Council members, and a companion, is intended to influence the council. How can the council represent the taxpayers’ best interests voting on the Vibes contract with the city when members of the legislative body are offered VIP-like treatment? The dubious benefits were included in the city’s contract with the Vibes promoter approved by the council.
Complaint Filed By Delmonico:
The Name of the City Officeholder or Employee you claim violated the City Code of Ethics:
Bridgeport City Council President Tom McCarthy and City Council Members
Complaint Description:
I would like to submit a complaint against the Bridgeport City Council, the Council Contracts Committee and any members who accepted free VIP packages and/or full 4 day access to the 2010 Gathering of the Vibes Festival for each Council Member and a companion. The packages are estimated to be worth around $420 each. Council President McCarthy let his fellow Council members know this privilege was available to them and a companion via e-mail posted below:
As you are aware, the Vibes concert is happening this weekend. The contract with the vendor calls for the City Council Members to have access to the concert all weekend. Each Council Member will get one VIP ticket for the weekend, plus one for a companion. I will let you all know the details of parking and how to get the tickets when I get those details. Most likely it will work like last year. Our names were on a list last year and you needed to bring ID’s. When you showed your ID you got your ticket. When I get info, I will share it.
Remember the purpose of this access is for Council Members to assess and see first-hand the Vibes to determine whether this is something we want to do on a going forward basis. Thanks. Tom Mc.
The city is in a contract with this entity and accepting benefits from them and using their public position for personal gain, especially for this amount, is in violation of the City Charter, specifically Chapter 5 concerning the City Council and further Section 5(f)(2) of said Chapter:
5(f)(2) Any member of the city council who, while holding office, shall directly or indirectly, take or bargain for any fee, compensation or reward to influence his vote or action upon any matter pending in the city council, shall be expelled from the city council.
I also believe it’s a violation of the Code of Ordinances, specifically Section 2.38.030. In Part B1 it states:
“Specific Conflicts. No official or employee shall: 1. Solicit or accept any gift, directly or indirectly, whether in the form of money, loan, gratuity, favor, service, thing or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence him in the performance of his duties or employment in the public interest. Nothing herein shall preclude the solicitation or acceptance of lawful contributions for election campaigns;”
On August 1st, 2010, on the webzine Only in Bridgeport under the article titled “Big Mac Defends Council Mates, Poising Your Vote, And Thespian Magic,” Bridgeport Council Member Robert Walsh revealed that during a Council Contracts Committee meeting he brought forth a proposal for a revenue-sharing stipulation between the Gathering of the Vibes organization and Bridgeport if revenues for the festival exceeded a certain threshold. Vibes Promoter Ken Hays objected to the proposal and the other members of the Contracts Committee sided with Mr. Hays. Here’s a copy of Councilman Walsh’s post:
Bob Walsh // Aug 1, 2010 at 7:37 pm
The last time the Vibes contract was before the City Council, I sought a bonus payment for the city if and when the event is highly successful. When revenues exceed a predetermined amount then the city should receive a percent of the additional revenues. In retail this is referred to as percentage rent. In most malls when a store’s sales exceed $XXX they pay the mall a percentage of all sales over that amount. This seemed reasonable to me but not to Ken Hays and not to the members of the Contract Committee.
Hays screamed in protest and the committee went along. Makes you wonder, eh?
In lieu of this revelation, the Ethics Commission should determine if there is a further violation of the Code of Ordinances in Part B5 of Section 2.38.030
“Specific Conflicts. No official or employee shall: 5. Vote upon or otherwise participate in any transaction, contract or sale with the city or in the sale of real estate, materials, supplies or services to the city or from the city, if he has a personal or financial interest therein;”
The City Council President has stated this was for assessment purposes, but a VIP package at $420 for the entire weekend is excessive for that purpose and still does not explain why a companion with no official role with the city also received the free package. The people of Bridgeport had to pay $75 for a weekend pass, but Council Members and their companions were given preferential treatment in relation to other Bridgeport residents. These packages for themselves and a companion violate Part D of Section 2.38.030 with regard to fair and equal treatment of elected officials, which reads:
D. Fair and Equal Treatment. No official or employee shall use his position to secure or to grant special consideration, treatment, advantage, privilege or exemption to himself or any person beyond that which is available to every other person; except that nothing herein is intended to, or shall void, affect, restrict or limit in any way the power or authority of any officer to exercise that discretionary authority granted him pursuant to his position.
While I believe Chapter 5 of the City Charter and Section 2.38.030 of the Code of Ordinances is the applicable law, I ask the Ethics Commission to please examine other parts of the Charter and the City Ethics Ordinance to determine if there are any other violations resulting from the actions of the City Council and act accordingly. Guidelines for the penalty that should be levied against the Council Members can be found in Part E of Section 2.038.030 of the City Code of Ordinances:
“Penalties. The failure to comply with, or any violations of, the standards of conduct established by this chapter may upon determination by the proper authority, following proper proceedings and hearings, constitute a cause for disciplinary action or other appropriate penalties. Nothing in this chapter is intended to, or shall deprive any official or employee of all those rights and remedies granted him by any relevant and applicable contract, collective bargaining agreement, ordinance, Charter provision, statute, constitution or other legal authority. Any and all contracts, agreements, undertakings, commitments, purchases and obligations made, entered into, procured or agreed to in violation of this chapter shall be null and void.”
News release from Delmonico:
BRIDGEPORT REPUBLICAN PARTY FILES ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST BRIDGEPORT CITY COUNCIL
Today, the Bridgeport Republican Party filed an official ethics complaint against the Bridgeport City Council for its members’ acceptance of two free VIP packages for themselves and a companion to the recent Gathering of the Vibes Festival. In an e-mail written by City Council President Tom McCarthy and released to the public by Council Member Robert Walsh, McCarthy revealed that members had the packages waiting for their use to enjoy the entire weekend. The Bridgeport Republican Party and RTC Chair Marc Delmonico immediately responded with a press release calling on Council members to refuse to accept the packages or pay for them in full. After the festival, McCarthy responded to the criticism by saying it was blown out of proportion. Today, Delmonico followed through with filing the ethics complaint.
“Over the past few months, this City Council has gotten out of control and become an embarrassment to Bridgeport. The City Council is accepting illegal ‘free’ gifts from an entity with whom the city has a contract and Council President Tom McCarthy is trying to sweep it under the rug. There isn’t a rug big enough to cover all the dirt this Council keeps piling up. Enough is enough and it’s time they stand in front of the Ethics Commission and explain their actions,” said Bridgeport RTC Chair Marc Delmonico.
Delmonico was also highly critical of Council President McCarthy and his handling of the Council.
“There’s no doubt that the ethics and behavior of the City Council over the past few months has been unacceptable. If a body can’t be kept under control, one has to question the ability of the person leading it. Instead of taking responsibility that accepting these gifts was a mistake, Council President McCarthy has tried to brush off the criticism from the public. If he expects us to accept his lame excuse, he doesn’t respect the intelligence of the people of Bridgeport. If these VIP packages were to make an assessment of the Vibes festival’s impact on the city, why did they get to bring a companion? Why was a $420 VIP package necessary to make one?” said Delmonico.
Delmonico specified that this wasn’t an attack on the Vibes festival, but that taking free gifts can influence council members when they develop contracts between the city and different entities. In a post on the webzine Only in Bridgeport, Council Member Bob Walsh revealed that during contract negotiations with Ken Hays, operator of the Vibes festival, he suggested that Bridgeport get a proportion of revenues once they exceeded a certain threshold. Hays protested the idea and members of the Contract Committee followed along with him.
“This is about how the city government enters into contracts. What if the Vibes festival was doing significant damage to Seaside Park ruining this beautiful asset for our city? What if Councilmen Walsh’s revelation is true and Bridgeport isn’t getting its fair share of the revenues? There’s no doubt that there is a foul stench coming from Council members receiving these free passes. This same attitude can not be brought to the negotiating table for every contract with the city. This Council needs to clean up its act,” said Delmonico.
Get a load of this, From Hartford Courant:
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Thursday that the office of Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz maintained “inappropriate” personal and political information in a taxpayer-funded office database – creating “the reasonable perception that the state database was developed as a useful tool for political campaign purposes.”
Blumenthal made those findings in an investigative report. He said he was was referring the report to the state’s top prosecutor, Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane, as well as the State Elections Enforcement Commission and legislative leaders in hopes of closing a longstanding loophole in state law that permits political activity in state offices by elected officials and their appointed aides.
The referral to Kane also will allow the prosecutor to review whether any criminal laws were violated, Blumenthal’s office confirmed Thursday.
From SuBy:
Bysiewicz Launches New Web Feature To Ease the Voting Process
Secretary of the state unveils a new web feature allowing voters to confirm their voter registration and locate polling places
Hartford: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today launched a new web feature to ease the voting process by allowing voters to confirm their voter registration and locate polling places. While some towns have similar web features, this is the first statewide program of its kind in Connecticut.
“I am very excited about this new web feature,” said Secretary Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “This program will make the voting process easier. Citizens can confirm their voter registration in advance, so no one will mistakenly miss out his or her opportunity to register and vote. Each day we are making strides to improve the electoral system in Connecticut and I think this is another step in the right direction.”
To access voter information, one must provide his or her legal name, town of residency, and birthday. Once the web feature confirms this information, a voter can see if he or she is registered to vote. The website will also provide the location of the individual’s polling place. Users must be aware that occasional special conditions can force changes in polling places. For the most up to date location, voters should check with their town offices and local registrar of voters.
To access this new web feature visit www.sots.ct.govand click the “Vote-EZ-CT” link or get the direct link at www.dir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx
It’s about time the Republican party got off its dead ass and started speaking up. Let’s hope this continues.
Let’s look at the McCarthy-led council and what they have done in the past.
1. In relation to Steal point they took 2 paid for trips to Florida paid for by the developer to see what he developed in Florida. What has been built at Steal Point since these trips? Nothing, Zilch, Nada, Bupkus.
2. The council sponsors a yearly trip to Washington DC. Council people go every year to learn to be better legislators. So far no results.
3. Council passes a budget with a built-in $8 million dollar deficit. This is passed after the budget committee hears from every department and yet made NO cuts. Here we are a month into the budget year and we still have an $8 million deficit.
4. Council gets Vibes ticket worth about $800 to check out the Vibes concert. Who are they kidding on this one? McCarthy makes some lame-ass excuse for these tickets and then goes silent.
What has this council done under McCarthy’s leadership? The answer is simple. Nothing, Zilch, Nada, Bupkus.
My dilemma is if I vote for Lamont and he wins in November and takes Finch with him am I better off having McCarthy as the mayor? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.
Nice turnout last night at the OIB event held at the Black Rock branch. You guys ought to take your show on the road.
Stay tuned for more great programming coming out of the branch by John Soltis.
Thanks to Lennie for inviting me to last night’s Library event and thanks to John Soltis of the Black Rock Library for hosting the event.
For me, it was great fun. Like I said, I felt like a member of a Rock and Roll Reunion Band. But it was great to see some old friends and meet some new players.
There is great heart in the City of Bridgeport and I hope people there never lose that aspect of their lives.
Bill Walsh, the Grand Old Man of Politics at The Post-Telegram used to say to young rookie politicians “this politics is great stuff, but don’t believe your own press clips.” He also used to say “Never spend your own money” on the game.
Both adages are true.
The city needs to figure out what money it will spend because going forward the state and federal coffers are tightening up. So when these candidates come knocking on your door for your vote, remember to ask them (all at once now) “What’s in it for me?”
Because when they have to fund a project, they’re coming back to YOU and asking (all together now) “What’s in your wallet?”
Once again, last night was great fun … thanks to all who came out for a jaunt down memory lane.
Sorry again for getting there late you guys, but in the time I spent there I learned a bit, Thanx. I’m wondering if there has ever been a book written (not religious) by three authors at the same time on the same subject. Even if it wasn’t a first, I’m sure it would be a good read if you guys decided to put one together. Sample Title “Clean Politics AND Dirty Campaigns” maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Could it turn out to be like the Miami Heat where there’s not enough pens (basketballs) for amount of ALL-STARS. Thank You John for putting on a good show. I know that with you there the library’s Positive direction is assured.
I wonder if any perks are given to State officials at “the Big E.” Maybe we should get the Republicans to check it out. Oh wait a minute, we have Republican State officials.
So Hector, why don’t you go ahead and file a complaint with the State Ethics Commission? Or are you trying to trot out the tired old “everybody does it” defense?
Rhino, I was just “wonderin’!” Not my place or yours to make unfounded accusations.
It’s too bad, but everybody loves some AZUCAR!!!
As for the VIBES, Council people are not the only ones with freebies … Several City employees get free passes for themselves, friends and family … Especially Mayor’s office and Parks Dept employees …
And what about the free tickets to events at the Arena, Bluefish, etc??? Should that be unethical?
I guess it’s good that at least the GOP is making noise now, but let’s hope they figure out to make noise on REAL issues …
Celia,
It is good when anyone raises REAL issues. Every time you write, it’s a chance to reference the REAL things that hold the Bridgeport body politic back from breaking away from the past. And party affiliation is least important in identifying what is REAL.
Last night’s ‘journalist-historian’ rap dealt with politicians, primaries, and practices, mostly 20-40 years ago. John Soltis, et al., it was certainly great fun!!! But we were listening to tales and rumors (not a morality play), of individuals pursuing personal vision based on ego, pride, pure self-interest, tribal heritage, political pressure, etc. in the sphere of “WHO GETS WHAT, WHEN, and HOW MUCH?”
I am happy to hear Marc Delmonico and the local Republicans are inquiring about the ethics of the Vibes benefits. The justifications raised seem weak at best, and fade when the lights go on. Perhaps we might ask folks from Trumbull, Fairfield, Stratford, Stamford, etc. what ethical standard those City statutes might hold to this set of facts. Each community is different, it seems. Until Bridgeport gets truly serious, perhaps having some teeth in our ethical standards regarding punishment or enforcement, why should human behavior change?
Good news from the Library System!!! First anniversary with a good track record of community service during the past 12 months. And the Library personnel available must have done this without advice from the Mayor’s Office, which seems bent out of shape about the voter authorization. Bridgeport voters decided to commit to a 1 Mil per year budget allocation to the Library System because the Libraries are important to so many of them, past, present and future. The Library Board needs to respond with full financial accountability and operating transparency. They are on a good roll, and now is the time for them to trot out superior community service practices and governance that will show the rest of our municipal government how to provide GREAT service with transparency, efficiency and independent stewardship.
Finally, if you paid taxes to Bridgeport during the past 30 days, did you read the small print on your tax bill? Mayor Finch, or an enterprising subordinate, continues the administration cry that the voters authorized a 1 Mil increase to fund the Library!!! That is an untruth, memorable in the same category as the $600 campaign Finch promise to voters! If former City Budgets included an annual Library expense (controlled by the Mayor’s Office) equivalent to about 2/3 of a Mil and the next year for a Library commitment equal to 1 Mil (directly to the Library Board one assumes, no longer directly controlled by the Mayor’s office) the 1/3 increase in City Library expense to the taxpayer does not merit the printing of that untruth on Bridgeport tax bills!!! That is a small but REAL Bridgeport issue that shows the personal vision of the incumbent team.
Political savvy dictates that leaders should look for where the people are marching and then run like heck to get out in front of them. What Mayor Finch has done is to see what the voters asked for (where they were marching), but he was still unhappy enough to dishonestly claim to taxpayers the Library is the cause of 2011 increases. No glory in that! And no guts in keeping secret how to deal with the missing $8 Million in this year’s budget. No guts and no glory, and that’s our story!
That proves the Finch administration is afraid of the reaction from those who “Bring home the Beacon.” The Bridgeport Library Board should respond to the statement on the tax bills.
Callahan, Gilmore and Grimaldi–what a team! You guys were great last night. Thanks for coming and thanks to everyone who attended. It was a fun evening at the Black Rock Branch.
Also, thanks for the kind words. The support we have received from the community has been great and that makes our job easy.
We’ve just celebrated our one-year reopening anniversary. If you get a chance check out the slide show of the past year’s events on our web page: bportlibrary.org/category/blackrock
It’s been quite a year.
Thanks again,
John Soltis
Community Librarian
Black Rock Branch Library
I agree John. The exchange at the end was refreshing.
The funniest part was at the end when I was outside with Hector Diaz and he said: “You’re having fun with the “Snitch” comment. You’re walking around with a big ‘S’ on your chest.” I hope we can all make it to the future events.
Hector:
There could have been a pretty funny story out there about the political reporters from The Telegram and The Post ORDERED to file jointly for The Sunday Post in the 1985 mayoral election.
All witnesses are dead.
I think Gilmore killed them. But don’t tell him you heard this from me. He can get very upset about things. I, of course, would have to deny any responsibility.
Me? Kill someone?
Peace-loving me?
When did I ever have to stop someone heretofore unnamed from whacking on a relative of the publisher in a local pub?
We never got asked about the Guns of Main Street campaign.
We never spoke about the shooting of a RAL lieutenant by a black panther in front of an armed and well-known Bridgeport minister.
We just touched on voter fraud and completely avoided the antics that were linked to the 300-lock Democratic votes residing in the Dinan Center.
And we never discussed the car bombings in Bridgeport long before they became the weapon of choice in the middle east.
Or candidates wearing bulletproof vests.
As I said, it was a Peter Pan existence in a warped way …
Oh well, there will be another election …
I’m taking my Miranda.
With a splash of lime, or neat?
Paging John from Black Rock:
www .ctpost.com/news/article/Camden-NJ-preparing-to-close-all-its-libraries-606305.php
These are the children and grandchildren of those unruly, disrespectful and prior drop-outs of the past 25 years. I dare say 50% of the students in the Bridgeport school system belong in a circus or a zoo like the animals and clowns they are. The only way to crack down on them is to send them to Singapore:
www .ctpost.com/local/article/Bridgeport-schools-to-crack-down-on-vandalism-606686.php
Joel maybe we should send the parents and not the kids.
Who will take the Bait?
www .wtnh.com/dpp/news/hartford_cty/Hartford-lamont-angry-at-malloy-for-attack-ads
Let the Good Himes Roll!
I think I was part of a new state mailing of political crap record. Yesterday in one delivery I received no fewer than 8 political pieces of literature (crap).
The best one I received was a Lamont ad by my council person Bob Curwen. He was endorsing Lamont. I have to wonder does he ever talk to Rich Paoletto? The ad appears to show Curwen endorses Lamont with no mention of Paoletto who does support Lamont.
I wonder if Big Bob is angling for a state job as his efforts to obtain a city job of influence have failed to date. People wonder why shit never happens in this district. This is a good example.
TC
One of the Lamont ads that arrived in my mailbox had Leticia Colon endorsing Lamont. Look at all the money that took to sort the addresses and match the address from someone in the town committee district. This race should be about credentials and experience not advertising slogans and expensive mailings. Keep your eye on the hiring job at hand. We are selecting someone to run a large complex governmental body with a $4 billion deficit. We need a team that has the best shot to do the job day one. The top candidate with the strongest resume and did the best job interview (the debate earlier this week) is Dan Malloy. Add Nancy Wyman and we just might dig the state out of the terrible mess it is in.
It is amazing what computers can do nowadays. Simply point and click. No big expense involved here. Maybe this type of technology is too much for Malloy supporters to embrace.
NANCY WHY-MAN!!!
She is part of the problem!!!
She has been Comptroller the entire time the budget has been out of control!!!
Her office has grown out of control under her leadership!!!
Here we go again being asked to believe all of a sudden Nancy Why-man is going to get it right.
Countdown: You know what the shame in this whole thing is? The Dems in Hartford created this $4 billion deficit. They have controlled the house and the senate for years and have a veto-proof majority. No I am not speaking in favor of the Republican candidates who are worse than the 2 Dems we are offering up.
Whats going to make any difference even if either of the 2 are elected? Not a thing is going to change. Why is that? Because the unions run this state. Ever watch the highway department change a guard rail? There have to be 10 or 11 workers for this 2-man job. We offer to many services to less than the majority of citizens.
Now TC,
Excuse me but your Republicanism is showing.
When TC was receiving union representation and union benefits, I am sure he wasn’t biting the hand that fed him.
Now they are the cause of all problems in the state.
First of all, the governor of the state of CT has extensive powers. They set the budget and if the legislature does not approve or amend to an acceptable level they have significant powers over budget cuts.
Secondly, please tell me when was the last time the veto-proof legislature actually overturned a governor’s veto? I keep waiting.
Reaper the last time they overrode a veto was July 20, 2010. Before that Connecticut lawmakers overrode six of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s vetoes, including a bill to allow three restaurants to have off-track betting programs be televised in their businesses.
The results meant the Democratic-controlled General Assembly had managed to overturn nearly half of the Republican governor’s 13 vetoes from the regular session. Rell is not seeking re-election and is leaving office in January.
Does that answer your question on vetoes?
Reaper as far as Unions are concerned they are generally in place to protect screw-ups. They have done well in the past 20-plus years as can be seen in the wages and benefits for public employees that now far exceed those in the private sector for comparable jobs.
As to BEACON2’s post from yesterday:
Until Bridgeport gets truly serious, perhaps having some teeth in our ethical standards regarding punishment or enforcement, why should human behavior change?
There are teeth but unless a member of the public files an actual complaint there is no process.
The Republican Chair supposedly filed a complaint and did not just inquire as to the benefit and that is probably more than you have done.
Take action BEACON2. File a complaint. The more the merrier. Or is it that much harder to put your name on a piece of paper than to simply complain on an anonymous blog.
Or worse yet you don’t want to offend your own City Council representatives no matter how reprehensible the act is.
Grin,
Happy you are reading my writing as I do yours. Now take a minute or two to really think what I am talking about which you are not. You have attempted to trash two lines of thought.
Was it because you trashed TC about Rell’s vetoes and TC was back at you with proof as recent as July 20 that you were wrong, that you came after somebody else, namely me? So I guess my comments look like low-hanging fruit to you.
I have written 4-5 comments in the past 10 days about VIBES issues relative to ethics. I ask a lot of questions so I (and others) may gain information and understanding, rather than float an opinion that is ill-formed.
I am satisfied if Mark Delmonico files a complaint the Ethics Commission has to study and render an opinion on. “Enforcement” is lacking I suggest. GRIN, what powers do they have since you seem to know? Please tell all of us for future reference. More importantly in this situation, if the City Attorney’s office vetted the contract that authorized these benefits, how does the Commission gain independent legal counsel? More does not mean merrier in this regard, only additional time and expense.
Now about the Library: Let’s review the numbers over the past seven years. Fabrizi admin put Library on a flat budget while other departments grew. Finch cut Library along with school nurses, kind of an early Camden, NJ plan?, and I believe they were about 66% of 6 years ago. Starvation diet, no attention to capital plans, Library Board acted. Police and fire did not get that cutting treatment, and State Law did not have a statute available like Library Board found, and public voted. So your questions are moot. Get over it. Unless the Library Board ignores open, accountable and transparent behavior now in which case they deserve whatever voter push-back they receive in the future, my point is now their future is in their own hands. Not a bad place for voters to evaluate whether they are getting their money’s worth or not.
So Grin, how about the CT Post report on the functioning of the Civil Service office? Think there is any waste there? In these days, the perpetuation of waste and non-performance is “corruption”!!! The more we see it and people are on the case, the better chance we have for change. Let’s shift focus.
I have no fear of offending any City Council representative. I hope they are equally fearless in defending their behavior and reasons on this or any point. Thank you. Finally, “put your name on a piece of paper”!!! Does your photo ID list you as GRIN REAPER??? I owe you a drink at Lennie’s next party if it does. Thanks for reading …
Also from the Guiding light BEACON2 yesterday:
Bridgeport voters decided to commit to a 1 Mil per year budget allocation to the Library System because the Libraries are important to so many of them, past, present and future … They are on a good roll, and now is the time for them to trot out superior community service practices and governance that will show the rest of our municipal government how to provide GREAT service with transparency, efficiency and independent stewardship.
Their budget increased 50%!!! Does the Beacon want to increase the police department’s budget 50%? You might have an officer on every corner. Does Beacon want to increase the fire department’s budget 50%? Maybe then we can reopen many of the firehouse that closed over the last decade or two and provide GREAT fire protection service. Or does the Beacon believe Libraries are that much more important the public safety.
Let’s double the library budget and then they can provide FANTASTIC service but it is all with a cost.
Hey TC.
I heard a rumor Richie flipped and is now supporting Malloy.
Or maybe Lamont decided he didn’t want an endorsement from a city employee accused of sexual harassment.
You may have to wait until Tuesday to see if Richie is out in front of the polls and if so whose lit he is handing out!
I can tell you for a fact Richie and his family are working hard for Lamont. In fact the telephone bank for Tuesday is headquartered at Richie’s house. Grin I know my 2 council people and Richie is squarely in Lamont’s corner so you can get rid of that rumor.
Another false Reaper rumor. You hanging out with Yahooy?
Happy Birthday Mojo!!!
*** Why only the Republicans on this complaint to the Ethics Committee after all the whining by Registered Dems, etc.? Outcome, a mere slap on the hand, then business as usual, no? ***
Mojo, Are you a Leo? Another reason to read your words of wisdom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Hey Ripper,
Happy Mojo
Boys, boys, boys. While you guys are whacking each other around over who is going to win the guber primary Tuesday (I’m betting two cents on Malloy but not a Bluefish ticket more), Mayor Bill has actually made some Bridgeport news this Saturday.
A report whacking Civil Service was released. The Connecticut Post said in the story lead on the report said Civil Service was “Archaic, dysfunctional, bureaucratic, slow and unresponsive.” How uncharacteristically unobjective and understated. I would have called Civil Service … umnh, … eaghnnn … ueghnnn …
EVEN HERE I don’t think I’d say what I think.
Civil Service is “the Third Machine” in city politics. No one has taken it head-on successfully.
During the financial crisis of the late 1980s, the review board and reformers only wanted to chip at it. A community weekly around here, as I recall, expressed some crankiness that more should be done.
Does Mayor Bill really want to go at Civil Service? In an Election Year? He surely would not release this on a slow summer weekend when everyone is pumped up over a primary on purpose, would he?
Oh, Happy Birthday Mojo.
I received a piece of lit today that said Malloy had endorsed Finch!
Jesus where have you been Malloy did endorse Finch when Finch was running for mayor.
Gee! I must have missed that along with my $600.00 check!
Briefly for now on civil service. I see the guy Fabrizi let go and Finch hired back did what he was told to do and that is attack civil service.
Look there is little doubt civil service needs to come into the computer age. The story on provisionals is an easy one give tests, give tests, give tests. I was a provisional Lieutenant for over 15 years because of court suits on promotional test. That problem for the most part has been cleaned up by the Supreme Court.
Winterbottom and the gang at city hall have a goal and that one is simple they want to go to the rule of 3 which means anyone in the top 3 can be picked for the promotional position and thus the politicians have an in. If you are #1 and out of favor with the administration in power you could stay #1 for the life of that list while they promote 50 other people.
Politicians want more areas where the can put their political friends in jobs which is the ultimate reason civil service was started in the first place to stop that BS. More later, these guys never stop and we have these assholes for 1-1/2 years more.
Jim Callahan, thank you for the history you provided where you wrote, “Civil Service is ‘the Third Machine’ in city politics. No one has taken it head-on successfully.”
“During the financial crisis of the late 1980s, the review board and reformers only wanted to chip at it. A community weekly around here, as I recall, expressed some crankiness that more should be done.” Well, you and John Gilmore did a good job back in the day of making the public aware of that story and fight for power involving Civil Service.
Today’s Connecticut Post story on the Bridgeport Civil Service being “Archaic, dysfunctional, bureaucratic, slow and unresponsive” is nothing new. Without seeing this new report I’m sure there is very little that’s new. The last Personnel Director, Ralph Jacobs listed the same problems in his report about the problems with Civil Service after his first three months on the job. One of the biggest points Jacobs makes is the fact the City does not fund for testing properly thereby in violation of Section 209 of the City Chapter where it states the City [shall] fund testing.
David Dunn, the Acting Personnel Director has NO qualification for the position. The City Chapter Section 204, Personnel Director, Civil Service, the personnel director shall be thoroughly familiar with principles and methods of personnel administration and skilled therein and shall have had at least 3 years of successful experience as director or assistant director in administration of employment system involving at least 500 position of employees.
Ron, the main problem with the Finch administration is most of his dept heads don’t meet the minimum qualifications for the jobs they hold. That’s why we hire so many outside consultants. Winterbottom was brought in to do Dunn’s job. Dave Ryan and another law firm were brought in to re-negotiate the union contracts because Osborne is not qualified. Feeney calls the outside auditors on a daily basis ($125 every 1/2 hour fee). And the list goes on.
So Ron,
Are you suggesting David is not qualified to be Civil Service Director?
But the board appointed him.
How can someone not be qualified if a board appoints him; with or without testing?
Isn’t that the ultimate test?
Grin you never cease to amaze me. What makes you think the Civil Service commission is qualified to pick anyone?
They fired Jacobs for some BS charge of disloyalty and it cost the city a bundle to pay him off.
They are responsible for the lack of testing in all departments.
Qualified??? Bullshit political Hacks is more like it.
The Finch administration has already started rewriting the Civil Service Regs.
They now use a term “acting” instead of provisional and act like it is something totally different.
David Dunn is “acting” [and not a very good portrayal] Civil Service Director.
Gaudette is “acting” Police Chief and not a provisional.
They believe by changing the word then these temporary appointments do not fall under Civil Service rules concerning 90-day appointments.
*** Thanks for the B-day wishes today guys, I’m 29 yrs. young in spirit but feeling like 50+ in time. “CHEERS” ***
Paging Hector Diaz; paging Hector Diaz.
As to your question about the Big E, did you forget about the Meadows freebies? From the articles of impeachment:
Free Items and Loans from State Employees
(a) Meadows Concert Tickets
On April 4, 1997, the Ethics Commission announced the settlement of a complaint against Governor Rowland and certain employees of the Governor’s Office. Ex. 183A. The complaint alleged that the Governor and Mrs. Rowland accepted box seats for concerts at the Meadows Music Theater that had been purchased by employees of the Governor’s Office. Id. The tickets were worth more than $1,900, but the Governor did not pay full price for them. Id. Under the settlement, Governor Rowland and the other respondents paid $3,841 – the tickets’ fair market value – to charity, and Governor Rowland paid a civil penalty of $2,000 on behalf of himself and the other respondents. Id. This was the first time a sitting Governor had paid a monetary settlement to resolve an Ethics Commission action.
REPEAT AFTER ME; OUCH!!!
Why did the City get rid of Winterbottom as the head of the Labor Relation Department before and why have they brought him back?
Ron, I’m surprised you don’t know this as it is common knowledge around city hall and the BFD. Fabrizi fired Winterbottom over bogus charges having to do with the fire union contract. The real reason was a personal grudge. (Everything with Fabrizi was personal.) Winterbottom fired Fabrizi’s brother several years ago. When John became mayor he vowed to get back at several people. One of them was John Marsilio (who was the brother’s boss) and the other was Winterbottom. Winterbottom wasn’t liked by everyone but he was a labor attorney and qualified to be director of labor relations. When he was fired, Fabrizi made Larry Osborne the acting director. When Finch was elected he made him permanent. Biggest joke going. Osborne hasn’t a clue and that too is common knowledge.
Grin,
Lamont has spent over $9 million on this primary campaign. All of those mailings with slick advertising phrases with a different endorsement and text are expensive. He is trying to buy this race. My point is the job interview was the debate that was televised. To hire someone you need an interview. He bombed on the interview because he doesn’t know the real government stressors and fell back on the advertising slogans. His resume doesn’t cut it either. So I repeat: are we hiring someone with credentials or advertising slogans? I for one want someone whp doesn’t need time to transition. I for one want someone who can take advice from lots of different opinions and make decisions based on sound credentials.
We are hiring someone to tackle a very difficult set of issues. Hands down, that is Malloy.
As for Nancy Wyman, she could have stayed as Comptroller forever. She only decided to run with Dan because she too has the credentials to quickly move the executive branch to work with the legislative branch to tackle the $4 billion structural deficit. Again the right credentials to do the job.
Malloy and Wyman. It is the right team for the job openings. Let’s hire the best for the right reasons.
Malloy is going negative, advertising how Lamont downsized his business and laid people off. He wants us to believe Lamont is no friend to workers. The other Malloy, since he is two-faced, brags about how he cut the cost of government in Stamford by downsizing!!! This guy wants it both ways. Please don’t be suckered in by this professional politician. Democrats need to end the politics as usual and give Lamont the chance.
Yup you are correct lets give Lamont and Gerry Garcia a chance come Tuesday!!!
3-card Lamonte, no way! Vote Malloy, Malloy, Malloy!
Independent Soul.
Lamont took the first negative shot with the Malloy house ad where he said it was built by contractors who got no-bid contracts with the City of Stamford. Horse pucky! I hate this David and Goliath form of campaigning. Little guy with some millions from public finance rules against big guy with gazillion millions of money he inherited who lives in a house ten times the size of his opponent. This just stinks. Step back, look at the resumes, look at the TV debate and make a decision on the merits not the stupid advertising slogans. Malloy and Wyman are the strongest candidates for the jobs of Governor and Lt Governor. We need to hire them!
Countdown, Did I say Malloy started the negative ads? No. I just said he went negative. I deplore negative ads. My point was both men downsized. Malloy’s claim of “creating” 5000 jobs backfired on him. He actually CUT employees in Stamford (I know some of them) and even praised to high heaven the one who stole over $350,000! Not a great character reference. But the guy was a Malloy yes man. Dan surrounds himself with yes men and women. I’m simply tired of career politicians who only know how to feed off the public trough.
There was a time when you wouldn’t even mention your opponents by name. These days they not only mention their names, they show photographs.