Mayor Joe Ganim inherited a police chief he did not want in a leadership role, but is Joe Gaudett willing to take another job in the police department to free up his position? An effort is underway.
In the last days of his administration Bill Finch stuck it to Ganim by authorizing a new five-year contract for Gaudett as chief rather than allowing Ganim to select his own police leader. Gaudett is a cerebral chief well-liked in certain segments of the community but not loved by some rank and file officers, many of whom supported Ganim’s comeback.
The current salary range of chief is $129,778 to $142,576. Buying out the entire contract is a big ticket so negotiations ensued with Gaudett if he was amenable to a lesser figure. They could not come to terms. But in lieu of a buyout another option has been considered as a result of Gaudett wanting to maintain a regular pay day. Another job within the police department. It’s unclear what that job is and the associated financial arrangement, but if Gaudett accepts it would free up the chief’s position for Ganim to select his own in an acting capacity.
One of the names at the top of the list for Ganim to appoint is Captain A.J. Perez whom the mayor trusts implicitly. In recent weeks Ganim has made Perez the face of the police department as head of a high-profile investigative unit featuring him at press conferences.
So we are going to be paying two police chiefs just so fucking Ganim gets his way. Perez knows where all the high-end wine stores are.
Let’s not forget Perez has been in charge of the detective bureau for years and their solve rate is nothing to write home about. Is Paris going to get a chief’s job holding the door for Perez?
Here is a novel idea. How about the Mayor follows the law and works with the duly appointed Police Chief? Using taxpayers’ money to buy off a civil service employee, whatever his rank, whom the Mayor dislikes undercuts the protection from political interference that is at the heart of the civil service system. It was wrong when it was done in the past and it is wrong now. The fact the Mayor may have a friend he wants to put in the job only makes matters worse.
Phil, as a young reporter I had the audacity to ask Mayor Lenny Paoletta why he felt the need to hire his friends. His response: “I should hire my enemies?” I don’t think I’ve ever asked that question again.
If your are talking about someone who serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, I have no problem with that. But the Chief of Police doesn’t serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and hasn’t since the civil service system was created 80 years ago.
Following Superintendent Walsh’s retirement there were suggestions the Police and Fire Chiefs be made direct mayoral appointees. Both the Mayor in office at the time (Tom Bucci) and the Charter Revision Commission rejected that suggestion. Instead the current system of a civil service position with a five-year term was instituted.
If the Mayor wants to change the Charter there is a way to do that. Until then he is required to follow the law.
Phil,
In reality, who and where is the Sheriff who can see the requirement you indicate is followed? Civil service should be delivering safety to competent employees in their positions and genuine service to the public in exchange. In too many cases it is not working today because of union and other agreements or considerations that have been useful to leadership.
Where is training of employees so good hires grow in their capacity and earn more? Where is the evaluation by management so efficiency is routine and effectiveness is well served in each department? Where are the genuine SERVICE INDICATORS showing what each department is delivering steadily (or not) such that their annual expense has value to the community (or not)?
“Follow the law” and “public service” are such quaint phrases. Where in City government, including the City Council do we see such phrases and attitude to support? Where is there an adequate understanding government is intended to serve all its citizens fairly and justly? Time will tell.
Phil, keep in mind Finch appointed Gaudett without any intention of conducting a national search. The acting appointment lasted I believe three years and then Finch officially appointed Chief for his first five-year term around 2012. Then came the controversial second five-year term. If allowed to complete the second term Joe Gaudett will have served 13 years as Chief. Doesn’t this sound like “at the pleasure of the mayor?” The pure intent of the charter is clearly for a person to serve two five-year terms. I was against the national search as I believe it’s best to have a chief from within as long as they hold the required credentials. Verillo was next in line, Finch blew him off and did it his way. Joe Gaudett played the same politics A.J. Perez is playing. If Joe Gaudett moves over and agrees to a one-year buyout, he’d have eight years under his belt as chief. The one-year buyout cost can be offset by not filling the position of Assistant Chief for a year, eight years or never again. If A.J. is appointed acting chief, I don’t see how he or anyone could justify hiring an Assistant Chief when in theory, there is no chief to assist. I’m disappointed at the level of thinking on the part of all you posters. I’m just the P.D. Janitor.
JML,
I have been critical–here and elsewhere–of the appointment of a politically connected “acting” personnel director; the failure to test for that and other positions in a timely manner; and the Finch administration’s continuing efforts to reduce the number of jobs that are subject to civil service testing.
All those things are inconsistent with the principles of a merit-based civil service system.
Who is the Sheriff? In Bridgeport too often both the state and federal courts have had to step in to force compliance with the law.
Phil Smith, all your posts on this topic is the road map to really moving Bridgeport forward and eliminating some very serious problems costing millions of dollars. It took the federal court to get Bridgeport to hire blacks and Hispanics to be police officers and firefighters. Even after those lawsuits the City still didn’t get things right and the police dept. had to have a “special master” to overlook the department. In the fire dept. it took another three more lawsuits and five million dollars in back pay before the City got it right. Well Bridgeport has fallen back to its old ways and they are going to be brought back to court for their hiring practice by the City’s Personnel Director who has no background in testing or hiring. The City Charter is not being followed.
Oh, you were the one who asked that?
Lennie Grimaldi, have you found out anything that would shed light and show Gaudett is an enemy of Mayor Ganim?
I believe a reporter also asked John F. Kennedy why he appointed his brother Robert Attorney General and received a similar response.
Let’s see, Gaudett makes $142,000 per year and Perez will make the same plus you have that other carpetbagger from New York making $65K. So that means we are paying three people to do one job a total of $349,000 per year. Ganim has learned a lot while away.
Captain Perez helped me get my stolen scooter back although it was my son who cracked the case.
Is your son in the running for Chief also?
Damn, that’s a lot of candidates for a spot not even posted yet.
In 1998, Perez, then driver for Mayor Joseph Ganim, loaded boxes of expensive wines into the trunk of Ganim’s car that were being given to Ganim. Perez was never charged with anything, but did testify at Ganim’s federal corruption trial. This is going to be our next chief???
It’s not like A.J. was charged with delivering cocaine to the mayor while at the office. Rings an alarm? Yeah, then get off your ass and go fight that fire. Care to remind us of who Fabrizi was ready to testify against in a federal corruption trial?
You fucking moron, a crime is a crime. Why is a police officer making the rounds doing pickups for the mayor? Yeah punk, and that’s what you are, it is alleged by morons like you Fabrizi was on the government witness list to testify against my son, Fabrizi was not on the list, asshole. In fact my son was caught on 3-1/2 minutes of telephone conversation that had nothing to do with Fabrizi. Just so you know, Fabrizi spent a year entertaining the Feds. Joel, why don’t you stop over and talk to my son about it? BTW, get back on the mop, low life.
I hit a nerve, eh? Let me let you in on something. George Ganim and his wife (Joe Ganim’s parents) came from Florida to witness and participate in his son’s comeback. I saw him at the first fundraiser and I walked up to him to say hello. George Ganim thanked me for supporting his son time and time again. He told me he is an OIB reader. How do you think he feels reading your vicious attacks on his son?
I don’t have to nor do I need to go over to talk to your son about anything. He is welcome to come to the blog and join the discussion. He can also do the same thing Carmen Colon and her son Giancarlo Amado did. Carmen Colon rolled up on me on Park and North as I was holding up the Joe Ganim sign doing my thing. “Keep my family’s name out of your mouth, you fucking nut, blah, blah, blah.” My reply and retreat to ignore her made her
recklessly turn onto North Avenue nearly hitting me with the car (just like Steven Auerbach’s death wish upon me days before that happened). Without saying any name I posted a short message to a certain “bitch” here on the blog. No long after that, one night I’m on my front porch with my little girl when suddenly an SUV parked across the street facing the opposite direction. Two bad-ass dudes (Giancarlo and uncle Juni) get off. Giancarlo yells, “you called my mother a bitch?” I stepped to the sidewalk, “That’s right and you’re a bitch too,” I replied. “Come on head up me and you,” (meaning let’s fight). I told Uncle Juni he’d better take him out of here before he gets it fucked up with me and told them to stay right there as I dialed 911 and as soon as the cop arrived I was going to fuck him up or he’ll fuck me up. They jumped in the SUV and drove off. I had already filed a police report on Carmen Colon and filed another one on Giancarlo and Juni. There had been other threats by them before I filed. Ironically, Carmen Colon is related to that person (Marrero) your son was caught on-3 1/2 minutes of telephone conversation. Small world!
“BTW get back on the mop, low life” Oh no, you didn’t! You had to go there? You “fucking moron,” “punk,” “asshole,” “low life.” You have no idea how much fucking mopping I’ve been doing and still have to do, my arms hurt as hell to the point I haven’t been able to type and blog for a while. Let’s not even go to cleaning potties like your mouth.
Have a beef with me? Bring it to the blog, not to my house or within arm’s reach/personal space. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the burning kitchen. So much for a firefighter!
Joel, I never had a death wish for you! I think you were just testing to see if I were reading your diatribe!
Steven Auerbach // Aug 2, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Joel, again. What’s with the gay references? Are you just plain ignorant? Is this a form of intimidation? Are you so frustrated with me you cannot think of another way to insult me? Do you have a problem with gay people? Whatever your deal is, it really doesn’t matter. Grab a Ganim sign and stand in traffic. Make yourself useful. Maybe you will get lucky and someone will put you out of your misery.
Ah yes Joel, I stand corrected. It is 2:44 Sunday morning and I thought I would browse OIB. I really haven’t done much on here lately. You have reminded me why. You are an obsessive-compulsive degenerate. My comment in August was in response to your ignorant comments then and I guess I don’t need to walk on eggshells. We are not friends. We will never be friends. I really do not respect you and although I was not part of the Colon experience you injected me into, you are one person I could give a shit of whether you were standing in traffic with a Ganim sign or having your ass kicked by the Colon family. So we understand, there is a mutual disgust for one another. We move forward. I no longer will respond to pieces of shit like yourself.
Andy, thanks for the memories. Time will tell.
“… Gaudett is a cerebral chief well liked in certain segments of the community but not loved by some rank and file officers, many of whom supported Ganim’s comeback …”
It would seem Gaudett, being “cerebral,” as Lennie makes note, and knowing the city, department, and modern policing techniques, could be valuable as a “special projects” supervisor for BPD who could be charged with making sure BPD is kept up to date with all the latest crime-tracking, forensics, and crime-prevention technology. Also; since the detective bureau, along with the rest of the department, is understaffed, his training and experience could be used in several capacities in crime investigation and case-solving.
Bridgeport desperately needs to retain experienced officers. If a useful position that doesn’t ruffle rank-and-file feathers could be carved out for Gaudett, it could possibly be a good situation for all involved, including the taxpayers. It would certainly be better to give the chief a new job and a new office, along with a legitimate workload, rather going further into a rancorous legal situation. It can only be damaging to the chief’s career for him to contribute further to the department’s difficulties by clinging to his position when he isn’t wanted there by his boss, his staff, or a large segment of the population of Bridgeport.
It would be good if there could be circumspection and flexibility by all parties involved in helping the chief to move on to a new position in a positive way.
It would seem if Chief Gaudett were to think things through and use his intelligence to create a new, useful job description and position for himself in BPD so he could vacate the chief’s position with dignity and continue to get paid and do police work, he would find himself and those around him in a much happier, productive situation. I’m sure the chief wants to retire, at some point, in a positive light.
Complete rejection of your line of thought and rationalizations of a screwed-up Police Union, excuse me, Police Department.
How about some “line of thought and rationalizations” from you?
Joel Gonzalez, I will give you my line of thought but I will NOT use rationalizations and jump through hoops and try to create some type of byzantine command and control line of authority that is being suggested here with this idea of giving Gaudett some other position and then naming another person as the actual Chief of Police. If Ganim wants a different Chief of Police, he should buy out Gaudett and put someone clearly in charge instead of creating this muddle the original article is proposing.
Fair enough, Frank. The title of this commentary is in the form of a question. Is There Movement With Chief Gaudett? What Lennie is trying to do is get some information, thoughts or leaks on this issue. Yes, there is movement or negotiations going on since Ganim’s day one and even before. What’s going to happen is obviously not ready to be publicly and officially announced. Let’s call it a rumor and we regular followers of the event know many times rumors turn out to be somewhat true. Bill Finch left Gaudett with some aces up his sleeve and he shall play his hand wisely. Ganim should buy out Gaudett but he doesn’t have to sell if he chooses not to.
Jeff, are you thinking clearly? I agree with Frank and reject your line of thought. I am sure AJ is a qualified candidate. I am certain Chief Gaudett is qualified. Let’s save the drama for bigger things like minority jobs! Joe Ganim has big-boy issues to deal with. Although it is commendable you supporting Ganim on the blog it will not change things. Andy Fardy, I forgot about AJ and the wine. He is clearly able to multitask.
BTW, thank you, John Ricci!!! Not just for the snow removal but for … well, you know. Much appreciated. You are a man of your word. Let the bloggers scratch their heads!
Hey Steve, what happen to our friend Mrs. Dorgan? The Greeters chair at City Hall is empty. Which head should I be scratching?
Johanna Dorgan was a huge asset to the city, its taxpayers, the Democratic Town Committee and a friend to many. She will be be missed. On the other hand, when you are a political appointment you run the risk of losing a job. Mayor Ganim has every right to surround himself with his loyalists. He owes many and is limited to how many he can take care of. So we can all scratch our heads about the demise of Johanna Dorgan. Just make sure she is replaced with a sweet, empathetic individual with a strong knowledge of all city departments who understands the concept of excellent customer service. Carolanne Curry would definitely not be a candidate for this position! Good luck in finding a replacement!
Johanna Dorgan was not a political appointment, she was a unionized employee as I was just made aware. Not sure anyone will differentiate between the two. But it is a loss nonetheless.
I agree, Steven. Strange how many city employees have been let go, demoted, or moved. But we didn’t get a list of names, department and positions. But we did get a list of the top 100 high earners.
Jeff, get your head out of your ass. Why should Joe take a demotion just to make some politicians happy? What are you going to say next, Joe Gaudett should take a pay cut? Did you ever hear of a contract? If they want to get rid of Joe buy him out, pure and simple. Fucking Ganim has no trouble spending our money on his friends. Hey Jeff, the street cops are not running the department. If they don’t like what is going on they can quit, it’s that simple. You see, you liberals think people should roll over and play dead when they are getting screwed. Jeff, why don’t you go to work in the AM and volunteer for a pay cut and demotion?
Andy Fardy, you’ll never get your head out of your ass no matter how many firefighters come to assist you. Weren’t you one of those firefighters trying to run the fire department? You of all people should be able relate to the street cops’ plight. You’ve been blasting away lately at cops. You didn’t say shit when your fellow firefighters failed to stop the inferno at Charles Street. If only there was a way to get that head out of there so you could see what BPT cops have gone trough is not that much different from what firefighters have gone trough–they are both on the line of fire, literally and politically.
Joel, you don’t have the brains or the balls to do either job, The FD did a great job and over 100 people exited the building safely. Failed to stop the inferno? You are one dumb asshole. You should not talk about things like fire about which you know nothing. Run the fire department? I was in charge of the arson squad, asshole. I had a detective for a partner for over 10 years. Tell me what the cops go through from your perspective at the end of a mop.
I scored 87 on a firefighters exam. When I went to Civil Service to apply for the test I told the white lady and the white guy there that yes, I have a felony conviction. They told me I can’t take the test. I argued my case and they gave me the application and told me I was wasting my time. The test results was all I got. The purpose of my Charles Street comment was meant to sound like you as I follow your logic about Police officers, but you’re too stupid or something to catch on. I’m doing a good job at setting little fires under your feet here. I grew up on State Street during those years of constant arsons in the West Side. In retrospect you assholes back then took the wrong approach. Should have used the community policing method and reached out to the young kids who were committing lots of arson. I have fond memories of the garbage truck driver who always gave out pastries to the poor kids around my neighborhood. He got more respect from kids than you ever got, I bet. I remember seeing the kids throwing rocks at you guys while trying put out some fires. I never understood why they did this but you are a good clue as to why.
Andy,
Who is taking a pay cut?
It looks like AJ could be the one.
6 PEREZ, ARMANDO POLICE CAPTAIN P 220,651.64
72 GAUDETT, JOSEPH CHIEF OF POLICE A 157,304.49
But then again, the city would allow AJ to start collecting on his pension to make up the difference.
Gaudett would have to be getting $165K a year or he takes a cut because he can’t collect his pension if he is back as a city employee.
What is Joe to do? Maybe hire Gaudett under a consulting contract at $185K a year (since he would have to pay self-employment taxes which would get him back to around $167K).
Give him a five-year contract that would be written to make it impossible to terminate him.
The money keeps piling up.
They can’t terminate him now. Screw Ganim and his crew.
Bob Walsh, considering Gaudett has a contract NOW. What faith would he have ANY FUTURE CONTRACT would be honored considering there may be an attempt to break his present contract? People may think a contract is inviolate but someone in the future may try to find some weak spot in his new contract.
Why should Chief Gaudett do anything? He has a contract I am sure Ganim and Meyers have looked at trying to find an out. I believe if Gaudett hired a lawyer these assholes would find out they can do nothing. All you people have solutions to what Ganim’s problem is with getting rid of Gaudett and you are all full of shit. Contract! Contract.
Gaudett already has a lawyer on this matter. I don’t know who it is.
This is not just a question of a police chief. The main question is, HOW DO WE (in this case, the people of the City of Bridgeport) regain control of the Bridgeport Police Department which literally has become synonymous with the Bridgeport Police Union? Everything is a mess. The Overtime. The Contract. The Pensions. Lack of Direct Line of Command and Control.
And a Police Department that will grow to $100 Million or more annual budget this year unless the table of organization is reduced for reasons unknown at this time or other police retirement associated expenses are recorded elsewhere in the budget document, because it is likely Nestor Nkwo will not be forgetful as Tom Sherwood was about $8 Million items.
On the one hand local funds are being sucked into public safety (with 340-450 or so employees) by contracts delivered but never explained by the Finch administration and our labor relations specialist by day, Council President by night Tom McCarthy. Why not? And on the other hand are the 21,000 youth in our education program that receives less than $60 Million from local taxpayers. Fair? Just? Need a tweaking or a kick in the pants? Do you live in Bridgeport and care? Time will tell.
JML, the 340-450 or so employees are the BPD. In operation 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year covering the entire city and sometimes beyond. The 21,000 youth are also protected by the above, schools aren’t in service 24-7-365. Tweaking done.
Where the Frank have you been? We, the people of the City of Bridgeport elected Joe Ganim as the person to deal with all problems the City of Bridgeport must face.
Joel Gonzalez, ULTIMATELY it is the people who are responsible for our own governance. Joe Ganim was elected (in other words HIRED) by the people of the City of Bridgeport for a period of four years. Although only about 30% of registered voters (approx 65,000), and never mind considering the total population of Bridgeport being about 148,000. So only 7-8% percent of the population actually cast their votes for Bridgeport. If Ganim decides to seek reelection in four years, we the people of Bridgeport will decide to re-hire or fire him. We the people of Bridgeport also have the capability of having our voice heard before the next mayoral election with the next Common Council Election in TWO YEARS. If enough people are informed about the performance of the Common Council’s performance and the present Common Council, AT THIS TIME, seems to be working in tandem with Ganim, we the people can reelect (rehire) or Defeat (fire) the incumbents and this could be viewed as a referendum itself on the performance of Mayor Ganim. TODAY all residents of Bridgeport can (and should) be involved in the governance of this city by going and speaking before the Common Council, other public meetings or expressing their opinion through any other means. JUST BECAUSE GANIM WON THE MAYORAL ELECTION DOES NOT MEAN WE THE PEOPLE DO NOT CONTINUE TO REMAIN INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THIS CITY. GANIM HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN CARTE BLANCHE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF BRIDGEPORT.
True. A win is a win. This comeback was historical. Never before has a party-endorsed incumbent candidate been defeated in a primary. I’m sure many of those left on the outside looking in expected that to change. What are the odds of the same thing happening to Ganim in four years? Who knows? Who said Ganim has been given carte blanche? The majority of the people who freely chose to go out and vote have spoken.
*** If I were actively working for the PD and also collecting my pension early as a Chief of Police, you could bet your last bottom dollar if the Mayor wanted me to free up the Chief’s position and take another management position with less responsibility and stress but still keep and receive Chief’s pay while working it, I would jump all over it, no? ***
Mojo, let me get this right. You say you would take a lesser job to make Ganim happy. Why would you do that when you have a contact to be the chief for five years? Mojo, I don’t believe you.
I believe the city needs to go to court and reopen the contract, which is a travesty for the residents of Bridgeport.
I believe we should hire a chief from outside Bridgeport who has all the education and credentials you want.
I believe the deputy chief positions should be eliminated altogether or should serve at the pleasure of the chief.
I believe the entire training division should be replaced.
Civil service should have a professional like Jacobs heading it, not some crony of Finch and Ganim. I believe all members of the appointed civil service should be replaced with city residents.
The biggest failure is the Police Commission which has sat by while the department has collapsed.
Andy, on this one I agree with you.
Well said, Andy. And if we look at the numerous City Boards and Commissions, where do we see examples of “public service” on the minds of those serving? Not saying there are none. Just asking you where you see good service ongoing. Because when you come to study it and report on it as I have, you see the Finch (and previous manipulations and inaccurate reporting of all Boards and their membership details) administration leaving vacancies that conveniently allowed City employees who lived out of town to be the actual majority of a group for voting purposes with only one public resident plus two vacancies, reported absent monthly for years with nothing done about it. Governance problems, you bet. Who cared about it? Technically speaking, canceled meetings, absent board members, non-participation in group activities can be easily tracked and new motivated persons appointed to Boards and Commissions by a Mayor. Evaluations can be done before a term expires but is not. OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT and HONEST governance can start with a 180-degree change in appointments. Open the process. Let people learn what is going on. Post the minutes rapidly. Put dollar signs on all agenda items that have a financial component. Make sure all committees in the City that have an effect on the public pocketbook have meetings posted on the City calendar and make way for public response. The City Council proves it cannot be the solo watchdog over public affairs in the City and should focus on updating its fiscal oversight and Ordinance monitoring. Is the Police Commission the only group that has allowed a restricted definition of their duties to creep into operation over time? Time will tell.
And you believe in unicorns.
*** SAVE THE MONEY AND KEEP GAUDETT AS CHIEF, THE MAYOR WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL HIM IF NEED BE, NO? ***
*** WHAT I SAID WAS, IF I WERE THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND ALREADY COLLECTING MY PENSION AS CHIEF WITH ALSO A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT; AND THE MAYOR WANTED TO HAVE ME VACATE THE SEAT BUT STILL BE ABLE TO COLLECT MY PENSION AND MY ACTIVE CHIEF’S PAY IF I TAKE ANOTHER MANAGEMENT POSITION THAT I WANT, WITH LESS RESPONSIBILITY AND STRESS! THAT WOULD BE LIKE BAKING YOUR OWN CAKE AND EATING IT TOO, NO? ***
Bill Finch and David Dunn, the head of Civil Service, both allowed both the police and fire chief to retire and draw their pension and then to sign five-year contracts and the City Council said nothing. This is something that has never happened in the history of Bridgeport.
It seems to me an examination for the Personnel Director, a civil service position, is long overdue.
Finch must be loving this. “I showed them. Tee hee, tee hee.”
Joel, you are absolutely right that Fardy has his head stuck up his ass. He said nothing about his Boy Rooney when he got his pension and salary knowing it would cost the city in salary and future pension costs. He said nothing when his Boy Rooney was appointed chief instead of an individual who had a bachelor’s, a master’s and was working on his doctorate in fire science and Rooney had a high school education and four years in the navy.
Now he had the temerity to criticize Joe and his handling of the bullshit that his Boy Finch left him. He was one of those firefighters trying to run the fire department and I’m sick and tired of hearing about you being in the fire marshal’s division. You were given that position without any experience or testing because that was your reward for being an outspoken critic of blacks coming on the job. The only exam you ever passed in your life was a lieutenant’s exam and that was prior to blacks and Latinos coming on the job because you couldn’t compete against us, man to man. You’re right Joel, he should have the same compassion for the police that he has for the fire because they both put their lives on the line on a daily basis. Go ahead Andy, call me a racist, a bigot or another name, but you can’t call me a liar because I was there when you did what you did and what you were given and never earned. I’m sick about you patting yourself on the back for a job you never tested for, that was just given to you because you were a loud-mouthed white firefighter, which was your only qualification for the fire marshal’s division.
Donald, you didn’t mention during that timeframe every officer was a white male and most of them were in provisional positions and had never taken a test for the higher position they were getting paid for from pumper engineer to deputy chief. They worked in positions they didn’t pass a test for, they were just appointed by the fire chief and many of them served as a provisional for over ten years without Civil Service giving any exams. Don, remember how those same firefighters bitch about us getting on the fire dept. and we were not smart or good enough to hold the position but they are working in positions they didn’t pass a test for.
Well, we are now hearing from the other half of the black Bobbsey twins and another font of misinformation.
Ron, all the officers were white and provisional because we had to wait for the minorities to get their time on the job. Provisionals in most cases were by company seniority. Mackey, there were no deputy positions in the FD at that time.
With all the fucking worthless law suits that were filed, how was the FD supposed to run? Maybe Judge shithead Daly could have gonr to the avenue and picked officers. You and Day are worthless one-trick ponies. To you and the other racist Day, I say too bad you’re not me, white and smart.
Day, I won’t call you either but I will say you are gutless. You don’t like Rooney because he was about to suspend you and you were told to retire or be brought up on charges. Day, you are a fucking coward and made captain because of Judge Daly, not because you are qualified. I applied to the arson position of which there were two on the last day the job was posted. You see after 14 years on Squad 5 I was supposed to get my choice of assignments but the one I wanted was filled. Just so you know, I became one who was considered one of the top 10 fire investigators in the country. Qualified as an expert witness in Federal and most states’ courts. What have you accomplished without Judge Daly? I finished 24th in the lieutenants test, how did you do? Not as well. I was one of many white firefighters who knew you were a black ASSHOLE looking for something for nothing. Day, read the supreme court decision as it relates to New Haven. THE COURT RULES IN THE UNION’S FAVOR. THIS WAS A MIRROR OF THE BRIDGEPORT case 20 YEARS later. Day, you know you wish you were half the firefighter I was and not the coward you were. BTW I was and I am better than you are, asshole.
Andy, it seem strange George Bryant didn’t pass the entry level fire exam although he was a college graduate and was a teacher in Bridgeport but he came out number 4 on the Captain exam. Makes you wonder what type of entry level exam was given and it shows federal judge T.F. Gilroy Daly knew what he was doing when he ruled against the City.
Nothing is strange, the captain’s test was an oral exam that left a lot of room to maneuver. That’s how some who barely passed the Lt’s test but finished in the top 13 in the captain’s exam. Two of those who passed without a test were George Bryant and Earl Pettway, I can’t remember who else was made captain but I knew the people they chose had their act together,
Andy. You have crossed the line. Why on earth would you call anyone such a vicious name? You knew he was a what?
What line? With these two there are no lines. Sorry if you are offended. I have been dealing with these two racists for 40 years plus. They jumped in on a blog that did not mention either one.
Yes Ron, I remember how they were provisional officers for over ten years and the only reason Fardy’s punk ass went to the fire marshal division was because he couldn’t compete against smarter blacks and Latinos on promotional exams. Andy, you and your ilk bailed out of the fire department with your provisional appointments because you couldn’t stand getting your assess kick on promotional exams by the same people you said didn’t deserve to be on the job and we lowered the standards by being hired.
By the way, I came out number two on the captain’s exam which was the highest finish on a promotional exam by any non-white in the history of the BFD at the time, how’d you do on that exam? How did they measure the ten best fire investigators in the country, with a test or is that just more of your blowhard bullshit? The only thing you’re one of the best in the country is being a class one asshole, nothing more. The sad part about you Andy is there isn’t one person on OIB who doesn’t think, feel or believe you aren’t a class one asshole, not one person Andy. I feel sorry for you Andy and I pity your sorry ass because a bunch of blacks on the BFD exposed you as a classless, ignorant and less than intelligent and you’ve never gotten over it.
Oh yeah! In 1958 I made my first class Boy Scout badge at Camp Pomperaug. That night my entire troop stripped me down and ran my underwear up the flagpole.
Did that stop me from being a First class Scout? Nevertheless I then became the leader of all the Cub Scouts in Bridgeport and I have the merit badges to prove it!
I didn’t become a flucking asshole until I started blogging on OIB!!!
Thank God, when you guys from the Fire and Police department got the call, all the name-calling of who’s black enough, who’s white enough bullshit, who’s got the biggest dick stopped and your professional side kicked in!
Hey shithead, say it to my face. You are a coward and always were one. DAY, YOU ARE STILL MAKING SHIT UP. YOU ARE A PUNK JUST LIKE YOU WERE ON THE FD. TELL ME FIVE NAMES ON THIS BUNCH OF BLACKS YOU TALK ABOUT. YOU CAN’T, CAN YOU. I FINISHED 24TH ON THE LT TEST, YOU DON’T KNOW SHIT YOU RACIST ASSHOLE. YOU KNOW DAY, I AM 72 YEARS OLD BUT IF YOU WANT TO FUCK WITH ME BRING IT ON. DAY, WHAT THIS AMOUNTS TO IS A BLACK MAN (YOU) WHO IS NOT AS SMART OR AS GOOD A FIREFIGHTER AS I WAS. DALY may have put you on the job but you could not compete otherwise. So now you speak for all on the blog, what bullshit. People on this blog know what a phony you are. There is no test for private fire investigator, you stupid shit. You sound like a little kid in the sandbox crying nobody will play with me. BTW if the blacks you are talking about are anything like you then they are full of racist shit like you. Name them, FF.
The smarter blacks I met were not you, Day.
It was okay for white firefighters not to take a test or fail the test but still get promoted to be provisional officers and to retire at a higher pay level only because the fire chief liked them and gave them a promotion, now that sounds fair.
Ron, I was on the job 19 years before I took my first promotional test. None of what you have written is true and you know it, name one Ron, just one.
Andy, how many different positions were you made a provisional and for how many years and the fact as you said it took you 19 years before you could take a promotional exam but you and others were given promotions along with all of the benefits and pay as if you had passed the exam?
One position, Ron. It was provisional LT on the squad. Ron, we were given provisional appointments because Daly would not allow promotional tests until the minorities were eligible. It was designated by him to be three years after they were on the job. Ron, let me ask you, who is supposed to be in charge of these companies when there are no bona fide officers left on the job? The judge and labor board cleared provisional from serving extended periods of time. Ronm what do you suggest, that we take the rookie minority FF’s and make them officers? Come on, Ron.
Andy, before the federal lawsuit in the late 1970s the Bridgeport Fire Department in its entire history only had hired two blacks, two. Nobody even though there was a problem by just having two blacks.
Andy, once those three years were over and blacks could take promotional exams, there was no need by law to allow anyone to serve extended time as provisional and the City Charter’s 120 days rule was back in effect but that didn’t happen.
Andy, how many years were you a provisional Lieutenant?
You know Ron, things were different back in the early ’60s. You had Lt Clark and OE Al McCalla whom I knew rorm my neighborhood where he lived. I can’t answer what people thought or didn’t think.
When Daly cleared the way for exams, they were given. Problem, not enough minority firefighters passed. Dr. Utz a black man who put the tests together now came up with an oral exam for ALL POSITIONS. Now there was an officer’s list and appointments were made. I WAS PROVISIONAL FOR 10 YEARS.
Andy, those 10 years of experience gave you and every provisional officers an unfair advantage with the oral portion of the exam because you guys were serving in the position and giving written and oral reports during those 10 years.
Ron, I am not sure if you are right or wrong on the experience argument. I have to ask you what would you have done if you as chief only had four bona fide officers left on the job. I will say this about the oral exam. I finished #1 on the oral and then on the captain’s test I failed the oral. In the beginning they (powers that be) tried to rotate the provisional jobs every 120 days but that was not working out and led to discipline problems. For example you are my Provisional LT and really break my stones well in 120 I am going to be your boss and pay you back. There was a court decision that allowed waiving the 120 days.
Getting back to original subject, the issue of Gaudett, IMHO, is a subset to what needs to be done with a Police Department that does not seem to be working optimally. I would say Finch SHOULD NOT have re-signed Gaudett to another five years after the mayoral election. That being said, a Police Department needs to be professionally run and should be above politics. A Police Department needs to be seen as being completely apolitical. Unfortunately, I don’t think we can say that about the BPD. As we have seen with the municipal wage/income list, the list contains TOO many police officers with salaries far above their base rate with too many questions of how the extra income came from and was it justified. I believe the behavior of the Bridgeport Police Union was UNETHICAL in the mayoral election. I believe we have a long way to go for us to believe we have a force of the utmost professionalism and maximum effectiveness. Does the present Police contract allow such issues we see with wages far above the base? Can it be changed at the expiration of the present contract? Can we believe Joe Ganim will manage the Police Department in an apolitical manner considering the role the Police Union played in his campaign?
I must say, as a somewhat newbie to OIB (although I am a life-long Bridgeport resident), THIS HAS BEEN A VERY VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION.
Welcome to OIB. Are you familiar with the OIBitchslap? Feel free to check out the OIB archive, it could help you catch up on eight years of OIB insanity.
Why single out the Police Union? All other city unions (the leadership) weren’t playing political games?
Hi, Joel Gonzalez. The police situation is the MOST expensive and all residents of Bridgeport interface with the members of the Bridgeport Police Department almost on a daily basis. I posted somewhere else I called Non-Emergency Police because I had a problem with a neighbor parking a non-functioning car on the perimeter of my property for OVER A YEAR. In the last storm, plows could not clean the street. I called the non-emergency number, an officer came out the same day and tagged the car with the familiar orange sticker, the neighbor came down and pulled off the sticker, and a couple of days after that the City came out and towed the car. GREAT JOB, Bridgeport Police Department. We need that same high level of confidence in all the activities of the Bridgeport Police Department. I feel we are not there YET.
Ron, you know as well as I do there were never any all-oral exams given in the history of the BFD. That was the problem with Andy and his ilk, we had to take exams written by white people but the minute an exam is written by a black man they screamed racism. Why was it alright if the exam was written by white people was good and the exam written by the black man was substandard? If that’s not the mindset of a bigot then nothing is. White is always right, right Andy?
Donald Day, officially in my eyes you died years ago. I don’t know who is writing this racist shit under your name.
*** WHY CAN’T ALL THE BPT FIREFIGHTERS JUST GET ALONG? ***
We are retired so why would anyone but us care?
Please know these angry, bitter old men are in no way representative of the current rank and file Bridgeport Fire Department. God help us all if we choose to waste our retirement years by sitting in front of a computer bitching and moaning about who did better on a promotional exam almost a half century ago.
Guys, get a grip.
MYOB.
We have nothing at all to do with the current keepers of the torch. If you were not so ignorant you would not have posted this BS.
Representative, what a joke, the last two firefighter exams not one female was hired, that’s right no white females or any other during the term of Mayor Bill Finch and Personnel Director David Dunn and I’m sure to you that’s representative of Bridgeport, females need not apply.
park city fan,
The men you describe as “angry, bitter and old” may use a number of adjectives and nouns that do not sit well in “politically correct” circles, but they are sources of living history, perhaps, that may show the way things have been seen, from differing points of view, not generally shared at the time.
Also pcf, they use their own names in sharing their opinions. What about you? Is it fear of retribution or an overall lack of courage that keeps you from using your name? Unions represent the rank and file so you can keep quiet, I guess. But unions do not represent the retired I have learned.
We have also looked at the specific history they mention regarding racial and gender statistics and process in hiring City positions and see that as backdrop to Phil Smith’s high-level observation City “employment” needs a certified professional handling the reins rather than “acting” managers whose activities keep the City in legal hot water. Taxpayer funds are burned too often in keeping the water boiling, rather than changing the reason for the hot water.
As a fan, what are you doing to move the City towards greatness for all its citizens? Or does “fan” relate to sitting in a suburb waving something to keep the air moving? Will the current rank and file be different when they age, retire and look back? Time will tell.
Let’s look at this topic logically for a bit. Not too long ago I was told Gaudett had applied for the Shelton Police Chief position. I’m not sure if that was true. Verillo ended up being selected as the best candidate. If it’s true Gaudett had applied too, then there had been some movement on his behalf to move on. This tells me Gaudett wants to stay close to his home and continue working in law enforcement. He is already collecting his pension and will continue to do so if he lands another job elsewhere (but as close to home as he can). It tells me there is a possibility he would consider staying with the City of Bridgeport not necessarily as the Chief. Lennie, have you searched to see if there are other towns in CT looking for a Chief of Police? Could other state politicians be pulling strings to get Gaudett a Chief position elsewhere as a favor to Joe Ganim? Lennie, is it true Joe Gaudett had applied for the Shelton Police Chief position or at any other town? Time will tell. So to everyone (except Lennie) thinking of continuing posting, I say while pointing my 9 MM at you: FREEZE YOU SCUMBAG, KEEP YOUR FUCKING FINGERS OFF THE KEYBOARD AND DON’T FUCKING MOVE.
Oh yes, we’re not representative of the current rank and file. FF John Prusak suspended for calling a black firefighter a nigger, black firefighter finds a noose at fire headquarters, black female being discriminated against and harassed and these are but a few of the racially charged incidents that have occurred the last five years. You’re right, we’re not representative of the current rank and file because I did over 20 years on the BFD and never heard a white firefighter call a black firefighter a nigger. park city, you need to quit hiding behind the cloak of anonymity and just talk about what you know and believe me when I tell you the BFD isn’t one of those things.
Indeed the Bridgeport Fire Department has a proud history. There is a book out about it and there is a Bridgeport Firefighters Historical Society. In fact my dad, Robert E Halstead Sr. has his photo in it for his fire heroics! And my great grandfather was a distinguished pumper engineer at the turn of the century. I have always been nothing but proud of the Fire Department. Their wives were all proud of them too, they used to look so spiffy in their uniforms they wore to go to work. Nothing but class. I used to get to know all the firemen up at 16s when I was a little boy. Saw the Mud Bowl Packers v Green Bay there but they would get up in a hurry when there was a fire!
John Marshall Lee, thanks for bringing us back to where all this started and that’s Phil Smith’s high-level observation City “employment” needs a certified professional handling the reins rather than “acting” managers whose activities keep the City in legal hot water. Phil Smith has given Mayor Ganim and the City Council a road map to solve their hiring problems.
“Phil Smith has given Mayor Ganim and the City Council a road map to solve their hiring problems.”
www .youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5AsFG6qkc
Phil has always done that! I always admired his knowledge and intelligence. Bob Halstead, I didn’t realize your dad and grandfather were firefighters, that in addition to your uncle being a police detective. Impressive history of family public service.
After reading the comments on this topic, I have again come to the conclusion the entire subject has been overridden by a majority of comments that have no relevance. The bickering, insulting and vulgar comments tinged with racism that are posted here by retired firemen are truly way out of line.
You, the person who hides behind a made-up name thinks what the three of us have been writing about are way out of line. My my, too fucking bad. It was history few people lived through. Is it pretty? No it is not. Is it factual? Yes it is. Mr. Day and Mr. Mackey and I stand up and identify ourselves and our comments. You don’t do that, you hide and if your sensibilities are hurt, too fucking bad.
Andrew Fardy, I’ll post under any fucking name I want to post under, what difference does it make to you? If ever there’s a contest as to has the foulest mouth, the most insulting comments and the most inflammatory comments, you win, hands down. Posting under your name just lets every reader know exactly how foul you really are. Hope you are proud of that.
I am proud of that. Sir, you are one of many cowards. Let me say that again, COWARDS who appear on this blog. You sanctimonious asshole, read the post you just wrote. Your posts are always bullshit and you sir, are a jerk.
Godiva2011, why do you keep coming back? The race card, never leave home without it!
Joel–I come back every now and again just for curiosity’s sake, but there’s no race card in my back pocket. For the record, this Andrew Fardy has made comments to you that were truly below the belt. I know you are capable of defending yourself, but to what extent should anyone have to defend themselves from him whether it’s those two other firemen, you, or anyone else? So he uses his own name, big deal, it only serves to let people know just how hateful he is. That is one angry man.
Godiva, guys like you are really something. Joel and I go at each other all the time. It is none of your fucking business. Guys like you need to grow a pair. What has been said in my posts on this page were part of history. Was it pretty? NO. Here the three of us are, 40 years later, still debating it. It is none of your fucking business, guys like you love to hide behind fake names.
Anyone one who enters the OIB Webzine whether using their real name or a handle is free to go on and click the “Reply” button. When any member clicks reply they’re free to get in everybody’s business. Andy, get your own webzine and do it your way. OnlyinFardysWorld sounds good to me.