The new twenty-something officers of the Republican Town Committee–Chairman John Slater and Vice Chairman Francisco “The Cisco Kid” Borres, who’s also the GOP deputy registrar of voters–have asked the city’s Charter Revision Commission to allow voters to decide if minority party representation can be “shared to the mutual benefit of all.” The charter panel is expected to send several questions to the City Council for approval to be decided by voters in November. The GOP letter:
Dear Charter Revision Commissioners:
During this time of transition and evolution you have an opportunity to enhance the lives of thousands. The people of Bridgeport have been in desperate need of a new direction. As you know a reformed system for our public schools is not the only matter which needs your attention. This commission must also explore the benefits that would come from minority party representation.
There is no downside to the implementation of a minority party representation rule to the Bridgeport city charter, on the contrary positive effects abound. For instance instead of a political monopoly by the majority party; power is shared to the mutual benefit of all. The majority party maintains its power and therefore its agenda, however, opportunities for effective government can now be more readily presented by minority party representatives instead of capable ideas being lost because they are never initiated in a public forum. A further example of the effectiveness of minority party representation is in the case when the minority party’s Governor is in office in the state of Connecticut, as was the case from 1994 to 2010. In this case minority party representatives could have more effectively lobbied the Governor than the ruling majority party of the city. The outcome of close votes in the state legislature could also be determined by this more effective lobbying. There is no doubt that this would benefit Bridgeport.
Recently Mayor Finch campaigned on the issue of transparency in city government. What better way to achieve transparency than to have the check and balance of minority party representation. Many towns throughout Connecticut currently use minority party representation to the benefit of its citizens. It is time for Bridgeport to become progressive in the real sense of the word. This would be a good start.
Please accept this letter as a formal request from the Bridgeport Republican Town Committee to strongly consider and later adopt this rule.
Respectfully Yours,
The Bridgeport Republican Town Committee
John Slater, Chairman
Francisco Borres, Vice Chairman
Scot Henkel, Secretary
I am not sure how I feel about this idea but I will say this, the Republican party in this city has done nothing to educate the voters as to what is going on in the city.
Six months before a mayoral election they trot out a sacrificial lamb as their candidate. This person is totally unprepared to answer questions about the city or its finances and as such he/she is not known by the electorate. The same holds true for their council candidates, I have never heard or knew the people running on their ticket other than Linda Grace.
So now you get a minority representation on the council, what changes?
A strong GOP would make for better checks and balances in a one-horse town.
*** Any political ideas to change the status quo are like dust in the wind, no? *** GOP is welcome, but late as usual to the party! ***
It is interesting that one of the most outspoken supporters of minority representation was the late John D. Guman, Jr., who took that position at a time when he was the Democratic Town Chairman.
Guman, himself a former Council member, believed it would result in better, less political, decision making.
The young Republicans need to talk to some of the older folk before making statements like this.
First of all there is a state law that covers minority party representation on municipal boards and commissions. They should read this to see what it says.
Secondly, they should determine which boards or commission do not fall under the state law i.e. the City Council and make sure to craft their suggestions appropriately.
Thirdly, they need to realize that minority party representation does not mean Republicans. It simply means not the majority party or in Bridgeport’s case non-Democrat. This would include unaffiliated voters, Republicans, Working Family Party, etc., etc.
But more importantly they should address the process by which these seats are filled. Having Bill Finch recommending appointees and an all-Democratic City Council approving them does not make for good minority party participation.
GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, BOYS.
PS Speaking of minority representation, you couldn’t find a female officer?