City Councilman Bob Halstead proved you can fight City Hall and win…by taking the city to court. Halstead says he was unfairly cited for blight violations at his home. More from Brian Lockhart, CT Post:
It’s only $1,750 out of the city coffers.
But the check to Councilman Robert Halstead and his family for successfully challenging blight enforcers is a trophy for property owners who feel the well-intentioned initiative can be transformed into a backyard Big Brother.
“They were not protecting anybody’s public good by coming on our property,” Halstead, D-132, said of the inspectors, who on three days last year cited his family’s home at 55 Sterling Place for $1,500 worth of blight fines. “They admitted they don’t have a case.”
Full story here.
0
Congratulations to Halstead and O’Donnell for beating the Broad Street Bullies!
That is great, Halstead!
This was not an ‘overreach.’ It was harassment. The mayor’s office attempt at spin is disingenuous (perhaps bullshit is a better term).
Is this administration reaching the point of being so cocky it will misuse laws to harass those they see as a threat?
Is absolute power corrupting?
If anything is done to ‘tweak’ the anti-blight ordinance, Paoletto would be wise to completely recuse (disqualify) himself from any city council action given his conflict of interest.
If the present city council were competent and reasonable, it would review this matter in committee (ordinance). Will that happen? Not likely. The court system appears to be the only recourse for citizens.
Well done, Bob and Jim.
Congratulations! I remember when I first heard about the September 10, 2013 blight violation. In my opinion, it was a retaliatory move on the part of Finch. I agree with you, Mr. White. The only recourse Bridgeport residents have is to request the intervention of the courts. Unfortunately, it seems this is the only time the Finch administration will take you seriously.
This is clearly criminal harassment and a clear example of why city employees should never be on the city council. I hope Halstead sues the city for harassment. I mean, does anyone from blight ever drive through the east side of this city?
And let us remember the head of the blight department, endorsed by Finch, is running for State Rep.
Jennifer Buchanan, come now Jennifer, let’s give names so everybody knows.
Sorry Ron, it is Rosario I think, running against Christina Ayala and Dennis Bradley.
Chris Rosario.
A new meaning to the term fighting blight.
Fighting blight in Bridgeport has to be the job from hell. Where do you start?
Not with Bob Halstead’s lawn furniture! Ridiculous!
Nice Job, Bob!!!
Councilman Torres says in the article blight laws should be used against abandoned properties. Yet he has done nothing to help Black Rock neighbors solve the consistent problems at 105 Ferris, an abandoned, dilapidated house that has been associated with criminal activity for years.
For years? He has been on the council for seven months. How do you know he hasn’t tried? Did you ask him?
Bepo, so tell us MD, what has your very good friend Sue Brannelly done for all those years? What BS!
I’m not sure Ferris St. is in Black Rock. Madeline must be confused! Again!
Jen, the abandoned house has been associated with criminal activity for years which should make it a priority for the anti-blight dept and our council members now. Neighbors on Ferris have told me Torres said he can do nothing.
So you are slamming him based on hearsay? That isn’t very democratic of you. Btw, my name is not Jen. I will assume you asked Sue Brannelly for her help and of course before Rick was elected, Marty and Steve. Haven’t heard you call them out yet. Your prejudice is showing, Bepo.
Madeline, have you asked Sue Brannelly, your other council representative, to do something about this? Isn’t she the one with strong contacts in City Hall?
Bepo (Out of the Know?),
The CT Post quotes Torres as saying he can do nothing. Neighbors of the property have repeated the same statement, yet you want him to be held responsible, single-handedly, for moving this property from its status?
I assume you asked Sue Brannelly the same question, and Steve Stafstrom previously. May I also assume you have spoken to the police about the property and that is where you learned about the criminal activity? And what complaints were made by neighbors to OPED-Blight? And what have been the results? Why are you not on the case of Chris Rosario if you and the ‘friendly neighbors’ are upset? Ever thought of identifying yourself and coming to the Black Rock NRZ with this Land-Use-Blight-Quality of Life issue? Perhaps you are too busy? Time will tell.
A City Councilman used/needed a lawyer to prove he wasn’t an agent of blight. Some call it a victory while others think he exploited city services for personal gain. It’s a reason he’s disqualified himself from appearing here:
www .CoolestDudeinBridgeport.com
I mentioned Torres because HE is the one quoted in the article as saying abandoned properties are the real problem. My neighbors have also reached out to Chris, Sue and Auden with no success. I am a street captain for the BRCC Block Watch and the only ones who have been helpful in this case are the police. John, most folks know I am Madeline Dennis Raleigh at BrideportInTheKnow.com.
Well Madeline Dennis Raleigh, what “most folks” know in Bridgeport is not necessarily accurate a good deal of times. You might now consider using your real name the way that Andy Fardy, Jennifer Buchanan, and a few others (I was initially BEACON2) have done in recent years. It is refreshing to dialogue with people who use their authentic identity, though there are also a few who may be known only to Ray and Lennie who need to protect their identity because of a reasonably supported belief negative payback is earned for speaking accurately about municipal processes and practices.
Ongoing criminality was the subject that bothered the neighbors, and that makes sense why the police are the best folks to handle the issue. Doesn’t that make sense? Responsible ownership, tax currency, efforts to avoid blight and other property concerns are less direct ways of resolving the issues and working with legislators, State or local Council, is likely not to be as effective as crimebusters. What is the advice from the police that has been helpful? Please share it with us. Time will tell.
John, thousands of Bridgeporters see my web site and Facebook page Bridgeport In The Know every day. Hundreds of Black Rockers go to my FB group Black Rock Bitches each day and many hear me on WICC every month. Being known as Bepo In the Know is called “branding.” Seems to me at least one third of the regulars who comment here do so under pseudonyms. In regard to the blighted property in Black Rock on Ferris Street, some active block watchers have worked together with the police to more or less solve the criminal problems in the abandoned house over the past five years. But the building continues to be a blight on the neighborhood, affecting property values, health and safety.