Governor Dan Malloy visited Bridgeport Thursday to address business and government officials on his transportation agenda, but with a nod to political priorities got right to the point in the Holiday Inn Downtown: “There’s a little stiffness in the room so I just want to get this out of the way. Everyone who is not running for mayor of Bridgeport raise your hand.”
Mayor Bill Finch was at the luncheon, as well as his 2011 Democratic primary opponent Mary-Jane Foster who’s expected to challenge him again. Former Mayor Joe Ganim, exploring a run, spent the afternoon on a neighborhood walk of the Hollow. School board member Howard Gardner and three-time mayoral candidate Charlie Coviello are also in the race.
Malloy, who recently attended a Finch campaign fundraiser, talked about investing in rail service including a new station on the East Side. CT Post scribe Keila Torres Ocasio covered the luncheon:
He reiterated that people are losing 40 hours a year due to congestion on the highways. “In Fairfield County, we’re probably talking two or three times that with respect to lost time,” he said.
The governor also mentioned efforts to fund the construction of exit 33 ramps in Stratford and plans to build a new train station in Bridgeport’s East Side.
“Lest you think that is somehow a gift to Bridgeport this plan calls for seven additional stations up and down the Metro-North system,” he said.
Full story here.
Quick question, in a previous post Lennie stated Ganim is receiving support from the black and brown communities. When you say brown are you referring to Hispanics? Because both blacks and Hispanics are supporting Ganim, no way Finch can win. From what I’ve seen though it is a split with Hispanics between Finch and Ganim. Btw you said white precincts Brooklawn and Black Rock I thought Central was a minority precinct. I thought Blackham and Winthrop were the white precincts.
donj, Ganim has some support in black and brown communities, but this mayoral cycle is very unsettled. It’s very much a work in progress. So many variables.
They should have given Malloy the number “86” for his jersey.
“86” was already taken by Finch to which Woody immediately 86ed it.
I think blacks and Hispanics in Bridgeport are beginning to feel insulted and humiliated that they are considered to be in Ganim’s back pocket. I am sure it also infuriates the blacks and Hispanics who are strong supporters of Finch, Foster, Coviello and Gardner as well as Daniels. I think the propaganda surrounding Ganim’s support in the black community with the black churches is grossly exaggerated and I am grateful one of my diatribes was read on the podium in a number of churches. OIB.
And you are basing this on what?
Steven Auerbach, what basis do you have to speak for black and Hispanics who do, or do not support Joe Ganim?
I am interested to know the names of the “number of churches” where one of your “diatribes” was read from the podiums.
Maria,
As G-d is my witness, I was told by two ministers. Which churches, Maria, I will leave that up to your investigative reporting. Me personally, I was shocked, elated and could care less. You on the other hand could care so start asking around. I was told by a minister who is also a sub. That should narrow it down for you. I have worked with him in seven schools. That’s about all I care to share. But thank you for inquiring.
I don’t know of any black minister who serves as a substitute in the BPS.
Then you haven’t researched enough. It wasn’t a specific church it was the membership of local ministers and since it has nothing to do with my faith nor my interest I didn’t inquire further. I was approached at Harding High School the comment was made. Now I am not aware of any such group but apparently it was a lively debate on my diatribe regarding the black population blindly following Ganim based on a post from Only in Bridgeport. So apparently Maria, some individual on this blog shared my post which thrilled me for 10 seconds about two months ago. I only share my contacts when they ask me to. It doesn’t serve my purpose to mention anyone’s name on this blog who is not personally part of the conversation. Is there a local group of ministers? Maybe, whoever shared it was hoping to garner more support for Ganim, and was told it had the opposite effect.
Steve, you are the one who wrote your diatribe was read from the podium of a number of churches, not I.
Just for the record Maria, substitutes do not work for the BPS and are not paid by the BOE.
Steve, I never wrote substitutes are employed by the BPS. I wrote they served in the BPS. There is a difference.
I see where Malloy named a new education commish. At least it didn’t mention any connection to charter schools.
I remember when New York was fighting charter schools and now they love them. Not everyone in Bridgeport is anti-charter schools in case you couldn’t figure that out. Finch and Ganim support them.
Steven Auerbach, New York is still “fighting charter schools.” Where is your evidence New Yorkers “love” charter schools?
Have you had a single conversation with Joe Ganim on his position on charter schools? I highly doubt it.
You really need to stop repeatedly writing statements as if they are fact when they clearly are not.
Maria, does Joe Ganim support charter schools? I do. I have many relatives and friends who are thrilled with charter schools in New York as my roots are from Brooklyn and Manhattan. We don’t agree on charter schools so let’s leave it at that. I hope you do not hate me because I am not supporting Ganim, even if he does support charter schools. Finch supports charter schools but his children go to Bridgeport public schools. I do not recall ever coming across a Ganim. Now that is a real Bridgeporter, NOT.
Steve, please tell us why you keep stating Ganim supports charter schools. What are your assertions based on?
Steve, it’s you who berates others for speaking against Finch or in support of Ganim, not me.
Maria,
DOES JOSEPH GANIM SUPPORT CHARTER SCHOOLS?
If he does that is a plus! If he does what will you do? I am sure many parents would like a choice.
Steve, you have repeatedly stated as fact Ganim supports charter schools. I am simply asking you to support your claims.
Do you have an email, letter, news article where he is quoted? What supporting evidence do you have to support your repeated claims?
Maria, I am simply asking you on April 24 to ask Joe Ganim yourself. You are paying for that honor. I was always under the impression Ganim was into privatization.
I might also add for the record during Ganim’s 10-year stint as Mayor I had never written a disparaging letter or comment. I have only had a few conversations with Ganim. We both greeted Hilary Clinton to the City of Bridgeport. Joe had just gotten back from his honeymoon in Italy, I had been there the year before. When he terminated me from the city, my bliss I might add and when he was supporting Mayor Finch and I was supporting Foster, Joe Ganim has always been respectful so I will not trash him on those grounds. Even his cousins were shocked at my silence during his arrest and convictions. Not a word. Ganim beat Moran and I thought Ganim did a great job. I supported his marketing campaign, which put him and his wife on national television. You know, all things Finch can’t do. The thing is I am happy Joe is out and getting his life together. But I just cannot imagine any develo.
Steve, let me get this straight. You have repeatedly posted here that Joe Ganim supports charter schools. I have now repeatedly asked you what your basis for this claim is, and now you are asking me to ask Joe Ganim what his position on charter schools is? Therefore, I am led to believe you repeatedly posted Joe Ganim supports charter schools without having any direct knowledge of his position on this issue.
If I am correct, you should stop posting about what Joe Ganim does or does not support. It is completely out of line, and you are perpetuating a false narrative about his position on an important education matter. I am really surprised by your irresponsible actions, Steve.
Maria, regarding you, Joe Ganim and charter schools, when are you going to realize most voters are not interested and most likely would support them. The war on charter schools is a waste of time and energy.
Steve, once again, what basis do you have to write “most” Bridgeport residents would support charter schools?
Why do you keep posting broad statements as if they are grounded in fact?
The fact that Jennifer Alexander from canCON, and other charter school proponents have already issued press releases praising her selection is cause enough to be concerned.
donj for Mayor!!!
We can all agree to disagree, no? 🙂
Steven Auerbach, well I know it’s NOT Mt. Aery Baptist Church. Well we all know Rev. Kenneth Moales is a Finch supporter along with Conn. State Rep. Rev. Charles Stallworth, President of the IMA, but that doesn’t mean the members support Finch.
Ron, the minister in question does not have his own church but is a member of an organization of ministers. That’s all on that.
Remember when Moran was Mayor at $52,000 a year. When Ganim got in didn’t he give himself a huge increase? Bucci made the same paltry salary, but not Joe.
Steve Auerbach, the mayor is the CEO of a city with over 140,000 people with a budget well over $500,000,000 therefore they should be paid as a CEO. Steve you wrote, “As G_d as my witness, I was told by two ministers.” So you want to lead us to believe you had some insight into the black voters by talking to two ministers, what a joke. I suggest try just sitting in at one of the black churches and listen and see for yourself, there’s nothing wrong in visiting a church that’s different from your own.
Steve Auerbach, I do have a problem with the City having a fire chief who only has a high school education and is in charge of a budget of $30,000,000 and has no background in finance and is paid $120,000 a year and who had made over $1,000,000 in his time as fire chief.
Ron Mackey, I am certain you did not understand my post as you often do not! I do not think Finch is overpaid as the leader of Bridgeport. Tom Bucci and Moran were grossly underpaid. That was my point. You intentionally misread or interpret my comments on the black churches and ministers, so let me make it simple. I am not concerned with the ministers or the churches or why they read my post or not. It is of no interest. If I were running for Mayor I would speak to people in common areas and not churches. I would see the city as one united group with the intention of protecting and developing all corners. I do not see the city as black, brown, white, protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddist, Cuban, Brazilian, Dominican, etc. etc. etc. I am not black. I find the many different cultures fascinating. The foods of many African nations delicious as well as down-home Southern food. We all have the same issues in this city. So save the ministers’ personal comments to me as personal and do not imagine Ganim has the support of the black community, he does not. Finch does. Let’s agree to disagree, Ron. Let’s just agree. I am a white person who can empathize with most people simply because I respect and extremely well traveled, well read and have the most diverse circle of friends. For the record and sadly I have been in almost every black church in the city over the past 30 years. Only a few weddings and too many funerals. So save your crap for other bloggers. You have become a bore to me.
Joe Ganim has asked me to support him in his re-election bid for Mayor. I have met with him either individually or in small group settings about six times now. I explained I wanted to hear from my neighbors first. We spent about 90 minutes knocking on doors this afternoon. We spoke with four white, four Hispanic, and one black household. The reception was pretty amazing.
Three white voters said they had no problem giving Joe a second chance and would vote for him. One was very neutral and non-committal but had a positive conversation with us. Two said they were not pleased with Finch.
The Hispanic voters were very receptive to Joe and said they would vote for him. All of them said they were dissatisfied with Finch for a variety of reasons. One Hispanic voter greeted us by saying he thought Joe was a great Mayor but could not vote for him. In the end we had a great conversation and he said he was willing to listen to Joe and would keep an open mind. One Hispanic voter allowed me to change his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat so he could vote for Joe in September.
The one black voter we spoke with told Joe if you are running, I am voting for you. You do not have to say another word. She said she moved to Bridgeport because of Joe and she has been disappointed since he has been out of office. She took two voter registration cards to have her husband and son register. I will definitely have to follow up.
Based on my repeated discussions with him, the commitments he has made, and the overwhelming support he has received from those residing in my neighborhood and throughout Bridgeport, I have decided to commit my support to Joe Ganim.
I also looked him in the eye and told him if he has looked me in the face and lied to me about what his administration will stand for, he will pay a price for it. I explained that as hard as I will work to elect him, I will work twice as hard to defeat him in 2019. I explained that Andre Baker, Dave Hennessey and Fran Rabinowitz have betrayed many of us, and they will be held accountable for their actions. I explained I believe in holding politicians accountable and I will become his most vocal opponent if he becomes another Andre Baker and/or Dave Hennessey.
I believe he clearly understood my position on politicians who say one thing when they want your support to help them get elected, and then turn around and do the complete opposite once elected.
I hope I have made the right decision and I never come to regret it.
Maria,
You will. One must admire your passion. I wonder about the 15000 people who voted for him and were betrayed. The people you spoke to you’d have to ask why they dislike Finch so much that they would re-elect a convicted felon. What could they possibly say that would make sense? I think it will not hurt Finch your supporting Ganim. I do not think it will help Ganim either. I know you are a hard worker but you had better keep knocking on doors because once the campaign starts going, unfortunately, the Bridgeport voters will again relive the lowest point in our history. Once new voters get educated and older voters remember it will not be a difficult choice. Good luck Maria, remember we have a bet. The only negative thing I can say is G-d help Joe Ganim if he pisses you off. You are a politician’s worst nightmare. 🙂
Steve, Finch won Thomas Hooker in 2011, and I promise you he will not win it in 2015.
I can definitely be a lying, dishonest, condescending, dismissive politician’s “worst nightmare.” However, I can be an incredibly blissful “dream” for politicians who keep their word and do what is in the best interest of our 22,000 BPS students, families, residents and taxpayers.
I got it Maria, a convicted felon 2015. 22000 students do not vote but taxpayers do. It would be sad if Finch lost Hooker but it will not happen. His support there is solid.
Steve, care to make another wager for the same amount? Now you and I both know I have a much better pulse on how Thomas Hooker residents will vote than you do.
What do you say?
Well I will stick with my original bet as I am going to be an observer and not an active participant. I know what it’s like to be an active participant while others sit on their asses. This time I will let those with stakes in the game get busy. I am focused on the Presidential hopefuls. I would imagine and I could be wrong but I am not, Ayala’s people and Richie Paoletto will support Finch.
Mayor Finch is polling men in Bridgeport, or maybe just Brooklawn, not sure. The poll is seeking input about Finch, Ganim and Foster only. The first question posed is whether the subject reached is involved in City Politics or has a relative or person residing in the home involved in Bridgeport Politics, if the answer is yes, that’s the end of the call. If the answer is no, the polling ensues.
It would be Interesting to know what result is attained as the dynamic of the campaign cycle continues to mature.
You got the call? How do you know it is a Finch poll? That sounds absolutely ridiculous. Is it because women are naturally drawn to his Waspish good looks 🙂 so he is only interested in the men’s vote? Are you just being silly? 🙂
Are you kidding me, Steve? Three of my neighbors got it and so did my brother. The polling company asked specifically for men every time. Why would I write something like this if it was not true? If you have not noticed, it’s my name on this post.
And yes, I do know it’s Finch. I figured that one out by making a couple of calls.
Gabrielle, so what were the questions your brother and three neighbors were asked? Was it a serious poll? Do people taking polls normally share who is conducting the poll? And yes Gabby, I really thought you were kidding as you do have a sense of humor. If I were conducting a poll and only contacting men, I would be polling for Mary-Jane Foster as that makes perfect sense to me. Like Hillary Clinton, I am assuming she has the woman behind her but men would be the issue. That’s my take.
Let’s think about it for a second. How far do you think my brother got in the poll in light of the first question asked? No, I did not quiz the neighbors. That’s kind of an invasion of personal space.
What was the first question?
Are you saying Finch has commissioned a poll of only male residents? What are women? Chopped liver?
I hear a la Netanyahu, Mayor Finch is calling only white people and saying they’d better vote because the black and brown people will be coming out in droves for Joe Ganim.
Speaking about women, I’m watching SNL, Nicki Minaj OMG. Awesome!
Maria, what’s wrong with chopped liver? I’d love a schmear on a Ritz!
Yes Maria, I am pretty sure the poll is for men. My brother lives at my home, so it came in to my land line. I answered and gave the phone to him.
Steve: Let’s say for a second I am wrong about the target audience. Let’s say it’s just a raging coincidence that all the calls have been for men. If you think Finch does not have the money to do a super-specific poll like that you would be wrong. I would venture to guess neither Foster nor Ganim do.
I would also venture to guess this may not be the last specific target poll we will see in this campaign cycle either. He’s got the money.
Gabby, yes he has the dough with a lot more coming I am sure. If Ganim saves face and quietly disappears and Mary-Jane Foster forgets to announce a wise decision this cycle, I’d like Finch to make a huge donation to the Barnum Museum. 🙂
It’s not going to go down like that. The voters will have choices this election cycle.
This is going to be exciting or a real yawn. I will be watching on the sidelines.