From the Finch campaign:
“Bridgeport is at a crossroads, and this fall the city must choose who is best equipped to keep it moving forward,” said Congressman Himes. “That’s why my choice for Bridgeport continues to be Mayor Bill Finch.”
In supporting Mayor Finch’s re-election bid, Congressman Himes mentioned creating jobs, growing businesses, and making the city safer for kids and families as key reasons why he trusts Mayor Finch to continue moving the state’s largest city in the right direction.
“The Mayor has made smart investments in our future: creating jobs, attracting businesses, making our kids and families safe, rebuilding schools, and increasing pre-K access,” said Himes. “He’s made the city a place where our kids and grandkids will choose to live, work, and raise their families. And, in the process, Mayor Finch has made us proud of Bridgeport again.”
Congressman Himes also noted that Mayor Finch has enhanced Bridgeport’s image by moving forward key projects like Steelpointe Harbor after decades of broken promises, and re-opening Pleasure Beach after years of neglect.
“Mayor Finch has rebuilt the city and its image,” said Congressman Himes. “After decades of neglect and vacancy, Steelpointe Harbor stands at the precipice of creating thousands of jobs and landmark retail destinations. The West Side now hosts the Eco-Technology Park, making Bridgeport a hub for clean energy and green jobs. Bridgeport families and eager visitors can now return to Pleasure Beach and enjoy an afternoon in the sun.”
In addition, Congressman Himes noted that Mayor Finch is a leader he can trust to spend federal funds wisely and honestly.
“With Mayor Finch, I know that every federal dollar I bring back to Bridgeport will reach the people who need it most,” said Congressman Himes. “You are seeing that with the city’s transit oriented development. Federal money is helping rebuild downtown Bridgeport by bringing new businesses, new housing, and better transportation. But this investment cannot happen without the vision, support, and trusted leadership of the city of Bridgeport.”
In response to Congressman Himes’ endorsement, Mayor Finch noted that he is honored to have his support.
“Congressman Himes is a champion of Bridgeport, and we can always trust him to do what’s right,” said Mayor Finch. “He’s helped us secure federal funds to develop Steelpointe Harbor after decades of broken promises, and to re-open Pleasure Beach after years of neglect. I look forward to continuing our work together in the future, ensuring Bridgeport continues becoming a place where more and more companies want to invest and hire people.”
Well Himes is right about one thing: Bridgeport is indeed at a crossroads. Now so are you, Jim. You should have waited.
It should be noted Himes voted yea on bills authorizing trade promotion assistance, trade adjustment assistance (both bills that could well lead to American jobs being outsourced to nations with cheap labor pools) and the Iran nuclear deal. And here he comes to Bridgeport to support a failed administration, crowing about jobs that have yet to be created, a bridge that’s yet to be built. Were it not for the state of Connecticut taking over the Port Authority the harbor would never be dredged.
Congressman Himes said, “making the city safer for kids and families as key reasons why he trusts Mayor Finch to continue moving the state’s largest city in the right direction.”
Obviously Congressman Himes doesn’t read the newspaper here or follow what’s going on in the city.
Himes must be talking about Wilton CT!
Thousands of Jobs? Three thousand housing units?
A new Congress St Bridge?
More Himes/Finch Bullshit!
Finch is out of touch. If Bridgeport families don’t have jobs they can’t go to NO Steelpointe and watch a movie or have a latte. So who is this shit for? It sure isn’t for the average Bridgeport family. It is so disrespectful to put a StarBucks that charges over $2 dollars for one cup of coffee in one of the poorest neighborhoods and then have the nerve to tell families this is good for you. You are so out of touch. Say what you want to say about Ganim but Ganim has walked the streets and is more familiar with the struggles of Bridgeport family living in two months than Finch in eight years who stays in his comfy little office removed from the realities of Bridgeport.
Ganim works harder than Finch. He just raised half of what Finch raised in two months than Finch in four years. At this rate Ganim would have had $5 million in four years to Finch’s $500,000. But the Finch administration has nothing to say except 17 felony counts. YAWN YAWN theyhave nothing real to say about the guy who MADE Bridgeport.
Finch is out of touch with the people of the city of Bridgeport, the people on the street, the ones who are tired of the violence, the drugs, the lack of employment opportunities. Does Little Billy really think the minimum wage jobs at Starbucks, Chipotle and an upscale movie theater are going to turn Bridgeport’s economic tide? Mr. Mayor, trickle-down economics do not work.
For a little while I thought maybe Jim Himes could see the writing on the wall in Bridgeport, but I guess the glare from the gold in Greenwich obscured his vision.
No doubt. Our federal delegation needs to follow Bill Finch back into private life. (When is Dan Malloy going to take the plunge? Maybe tomorrow afternoon.)
The Good zoomed is going to get rolled in this primary.
Outstanding endorsement. Apparently, every Democrat voted for all Finch’s endorsements but not happy they are rightfully endorsing Finch for the same reason every developer within a 100-mile radius is supporting Finch. He has set the city on a new course that will eventually bring fruit to the city. It is obvious in every corner of the city. The activity is extremely exciting. Not so much if you are not a Finch supporter.
I am pleased with this endorsement and I voted for Jim Himes!
Duh, of course they will endorse the incumbent. Same shit they would do if Ganim were mayor.
Our two U.S. Senators, the governor and Himes all need to be put out along with Finch at their next election, they only stop by here for a photo op, they know little or nothing about Bridgeport. Five the hard way.
Jimfox, Blumenthal and Finch made that Congress Street Bridge promise on Jan. 11, 2011. Where did that $15 million dollars in state grants go?
QD, right on!
Bill Finch is not putting a Starbucks or a Chipotle Grill or a movie theatre or the Bass Pro Shops. These companies are making business decisions to come into Bridgeport. The question should be why are they doing this? There are many reasons including low rents and tax incentives, however the current administration has worked hard to remove the tarnish of corruption that has hung over this city like a dark cloud. Business is coming into Bridgeport and I can’t believe that the Only in Bridgeport community can’t connect the dots and realize that the mayor can’t snap his fingers and create jobs. Jobs are coming to Bridgeport slowly, but surely. There is no speedy solution. Honesty and ethics will get us there. Corruption will take us back down.
I don’t understand why Ganim is the only alternative either. We’ve already been down that ugly road.
QD, it’s time to clean house at city hall, that $15 million for the Congress St. bridge is only a drop in the bucket. We haven’t had a balance budget in eight years! Finch, Sherwood and McCarthy could work for flucking Bernie Madoff!
Fast food restaurants and box stores open and close all the time. They try locations knowing there’s only a 50-50 chance of staying afloat. They are especially willing to go where there is plenty of cheap labor and government assistance involved in their set-up expenses. These types of companies write a lot of risk into their business plans as a matter of course. If things go right for them, they become Subway, or McDonalds, or Walmart–if things go bad, they fold up their tents where it isn’t profitable and merge with somebody with money to make their business plan work.
We don’t see any established, high-end retail, financial, or manufacturing companies (offering living-wage employment) trying to displace parking lot at Steal Point. Why is that?
Jeff, why not share Ganim’s vision of Steelpointe you find exciting? Make it good or I’ll go back and share with you what happened with Ganims’ last vision for Steelpointe and then we can discuss the reality of what is physically happening there. I guess I am just curious as to how you are selling Ganim to your following and how you are framing Steelpointe. Of course it will not work. People just aren’t that ignorant.