Mike Marella, who served for more than 10 years on the City Council, recently registered to vote in the city as he seeks to reposition himself for a spot on the city’s legislative body with the status of Councilman Bob Curwen’s activity on the council in question. Curwen announced in January he was leaving the council for family medical reasons, but did not submit a formal resignation letter. He sold his Bridgeport house and moved to Virginia. Several council members say privately Curwen was trying to position his son to replace him on the council, which was met with resistance from both town committee members of the Upper East Side and councilmen who vote to fill vacancies.
Last week Curwen, the council’s master of malapropisms, announced he was “optimistically cautious” about returning to the council as his effort to position his son as his replacement hadn’t materialized. The welcoming party isn’t exactly overflowing for Curwen’s return.
Marella, the long-time executive director of the Police Activities League, was a key figure on the council in the 1990s. He left the council in 2001 and his seat was filled by his nephew Richard Paoletto. Marella had moved out of Bridgeport years ago. Two weeks ago he registered to vote with an address on Huntington Turnpike in the 138th Council District he once served. Paoletto says his uncle now resides in an apartment complex on Huntington Turnpike.
Marella was the council spearhead in the establishment of the Bridgeport Bluefish professional baseball team and subsequent building of Harbor Yard. He also served as co-chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Even though Curwen verbally announced his resignation and moved out of state there may be no legal obstacle for him to keep his seat because he did not submit a formal resignation in writing. According to elections officials Curwen is still registered to vote in Bridgeport at his former address. But that could become an issue for Curwen if elections officials conduct a canvassing of registered voters to determine applicable residency. If it’s determined he’s not a bona fide resident he could be knocked from the voter rolls preventing him from serving. He must be an elector in the district to serve.
Even if Curwen does return to the council he may have to primary to keep his seat in a council election year. A Democratic primary would take place in September. Paoletto for one would like his uncle to be his council partner. Bridgeport has 10 council districts with two members per district. Paoletto’s not happy with how Curwen handled his departure and now wants back in, saying there’s now a representation void in the district.
The council is now a body of 18 with Curwen a no-show and last week’s formal resignation of Black Rock Councilman Marty McCarthy. He’s expected to be replaced by Steven Stafstrom, an attorney who lives in Black Rock, at the council’s next meeting April 1.
What a joke. Who is Marella kidding, he no more lives in that Huntington Tpk location than I do. It’s too bad for the 138th that we get another Finch toadie for the 138th. I know why it’s happening, Martha Santiago has been led around by the nose by Judy Marella, Mike’s wife. It seems by putting Santiago on the board of directors for Pal he cemented her loyalty.
Mike’s claim to fame the last time he served was he did whatever Joe Ganim told him to do. Mike’s most famous vote was for leasing the golf course. He was the tying vote thus allowing Ganim to break the tie. How did that work out? We lost over $1 million.
Curwen, Marella; what a joke. I am certain they moved to avoid Bpt taxes and that’s a good idea.
So if I understand it correctly I can move to say Florida or Testa land, run for Bpt office out of the sentimental (not fiscal) heart-deep longing for our splendid golden city on the sound. I’m touched by their commitment and commit me if I were to believe them.
How sad. Over 100,000 residents in this city and the best the DTC and Council can do is recycle friends and family. This small circle of friends is not in the best interest of the greater good.
Jim Fox picked Marella six months ago for the 138th. Who’s next, Jim?
My moles in City hall and the DTC are working overtime. I have a big story coming in a few days now.
I am sure the following will happen. Elections officials will check to see if Curwen is still registered to vote in Bridgeport at his former address. But that could become an issue for Curwen if elections officials conduct a canvassing of registered voters to determine applicable residency. This will happen and Curwen will be gone and another puppet will be named.
I can’t remember when a canvas was done to check on a particular elected official. Was one done on Christina Ayala?
This administration will do anything to get a matching puppet in office for the 138th. Amazing how we went from one of the most powerful districts to a laughing stock. All of this happened since the late Ann Migliore stepped down.
Andy, since when do election officials in B’port ever concern themselves with making sure elected officials actually live where they say they do …
NEVER NOT ONCE
Andy,
Are there any “powerful districts” left in Bridgeport? How are you measuring POWER? Is it the ability of the local DTC to continue to push people who are unprepared for representing the citizens of the City or of their own District on people who are even less prepared to vote or know what to hold them accountable for?
Or is the ‘power’ of a Council person who holds his future as a City employee in his own hands by following the lead of the City executives in what they direct him/her to do or say or vote as the case may be?
Or is it the ‘power’ of Council members who may be unfamiliar with Bridgeport’s standards of ethical behavior (except when guided on Federal standards of conflicts of interest) to again vote happily the way the caucus directs?
Imagine the “power” the election of several non-DTC Council persons might have to question or to probe into matters that end up on the consensus calendar rather than face public discussion. No matter what party or no party they were to run on, the difference from today would be like night and day in Council operations, I suggest. Who would like to run? Who would like support? There is at this moment no referendum issue on the November ballot, but there are a number of people in the City willing to find and support candidates who are unconflicted themselves and willing to run. Time will tell.
John, the power I am talking about is the power to get things done for the residents of the district. We had many politically powerful people living here such as State Comptroller Ed Caldwell, State OPM director Tony Milano, Supt of police Joe Walsh.
With Walsh living here we had patrols and very little crime, now it’s like the wild west.
Years ago you could call your council person with a problem and it would get fixed, not anymore. We were and still are a swing district in city elections but it doesn’t mean anything when the people who get elected are afraid of their own shadows and their city jobs. The people up here had power because their elected representatives gave a shit.
The Black Rock Committee of the Self-important likes to complain a lot about how the city of Bridgeport is run but none of them would run for any public office, most likely because they would have to do something if they did get elected; Mayor, City Council, Zoning Board or School Board.
James Louloudes, resident of Fairfield, continues to disparage citizen participation in ATTENDING MEETINGS, READING FINANCIAL REPORTS, ADDRESSING public bodies, etc. He is silent about these matters and never has comments about those activities in Fairfield. One wonders why he is critical of people who have taken their disagreement with City governance from the “lunch table” to the airwaves, the print media, or the formation of voter groups? Is it possible that his respectable career as a skilled heavy duty electrical worker has become sidelined as a UNION member in this difficult economy? Jim knows the duties of the Greek citizen in the public square to learn facts about the issues, to debate them and to enter into dialogue with other citizens. The only goal is not the seeking of office. Perhaps the tenor of citizen governance in Fairfield is such that he does not have to worry about Charter violations, demise of fiscal watchdogs, and a non-responsive one party system? Rather he can use his free time to pursue culinary interests. How special? And how different than the demos and polis of early Greeks? Time will tell.
John Marshall Lee is an example of a watchdog that is blind, deaf and dumb. Being the self-appointed watchdog has not created one change in the city. I can drive through the city of Stamford, look at most of the building and know I had worked on those projects and see the lights are on. In the case of John Marshall Lee the lights are on but nobody is home.
So Jim, as a relative of Curwen and a former BOE board member I Assume you think this talk around the family dinner table makes you an expert on who is most likely to be Self-important and how to best make a difference in Bridgeport, failed school system and highest taxes in the nation are your relatives legacy to this city – aren’t you the same person who said none of these people would be elected if they ran unopposed – so what is your point here Mr. Fairfield – you and yours know what’s the best way to improve Bridgeport?
I have no point.
Wow – as one of the people you sit with everyday at Harborview Market – you and I are not hearing the same thing for sure – as Black Rock can only have 2 city council reps, and we have one pretty good rep on the Board of Education – and the mayoral election is 2 years away, I think our open discussions about issues we would like to see resolved are not only important, but helps to clarify what is working and what is not. I even asked you to go up to Hartford to testify, and if you had gone, you would have seen how I was able, with Jack Hennessy to meet one on one with state wide Reps and Senators and have them support 5724 – which is very important to the way Bridgeport is governed. We of course would welcome your solutions to how better govern Bridgeport – and gosh, I did not realize you were related to Curwen – wow!
Councilman Marty “lap dance” McCarthy. He’s expected to be replaced by Steven Stafstrom, an attorney who lives in Black Rock, at the council’s next meeting April 1.
Lennie you forgot to tell OIBers Steve Stafstrom works for Pullman & Comley, surely a lack of impartiality, no?
Flucky, I think you have a reading comprehension or short-term memory problem. In a previous post Lennie told us he worked there, along with his uncle John. Try reading the posts all the way to the end.
No Booty, you see I do not have a short term memory loss yet, for it was Lennie who forgot to mention that in Black Rock we will have Pullman Comley LLC & Brannelly running for 130th city council sits.
Talk about a conflict of interest.
Fluck, I didn’t forget. I’ve written several times about Steven Stafstrom’s relationship with John Stafstrom and Pullman law firm. I was the first to write about it. I don’t see a need to mention it in every story. But do not despair, I’m sure the subject matter will come up often. If it’s such a concern of yours this is a council election year. You can challenge the Black Rock council members.
Ok!
Is it true the city pays the phone and utilities for PAL? I’m sure the other non-profits who are struggling would like to know that. If Marella gets back in it will be more conflict of interest and more self interest. What a family affair it would be with wife Judy and nephew Rich on the city payroll and just a matter of time before Marella would be a Finch puppet in exchange for preferential treatment for his relatives.
Bpt nepotism at its worst. There has got to be a better candidate in this district. But then again, Martha Santiago must back Uncle Mike because she needs Rich Paoletto’s vote for the CDBG money for her senior center so she can continue to shake down the seniors for their absentee ballots. You can’t make this stuff up. Only in Bridgeport.
Dont know if the city pays the phone and utilities at PAL. But I did find some things interesting on PAL’s 990 IRS form
check it out for yourself:
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/066/040/2012-066040051-08bf7847-9.pdf
Just to add to your comments. the city owns the building where PAL is presently located. I wonder what the rent is?
Pal was forced to move their so that a deal could be cut to lease the zoo to an outside organization.
The answers to real change need to begin now.
Putting an end to total Bpt monopoly is as simple as picking a candidate that best represents the voter base of the city and pushing that person for the next two years.
Moneys always an issue, a two year warchest an answer.
I understand that Mike Marella is throwing a party at his new apartment. I hear McCarthy is providing the Pizza with Martha Santiago’s own secret recipe cheeze called ‘Mas Marella Cheez”.
Marella is a joke and that is before any consideration is given to the operations of PAL. Many people believe the mismanagement there constitutes something north of that. The Marellas have lived off it for years. PAL deserves a very thorough examination. So does the Marella family residence. Let this be a call for real and substantive candidates next fall. Not only is Marella a retread, his tires were worn out a long time ago.
I read the 990 and did not see rent or utilities under the expenses. All I saw was telephone. Hey Sherwood, where is that hidden in your budget? Because I know it is. Isn’t it a conflict for Marella to sit on the council when his non-profit is financed through the city budget?