Flanked by his good friends Democratic Town Chair Mario Testa and Republican Town Chair Marc Delmonico, Mayor Bill Finch delivered his State of the City address this afternoon to the business community at the Holiday Inn.
By invitation, no doubt, the mayor hosted an interesting configuration of political leaders sitting at his table to create the appearance of reaching out and working together. I wonder if big Marc was invited simply to do a taste test of the mayor’s food with Mario sitting nearby. The mayor and Mario haven’t exactly been buds since he became party chair about a year ago.
Early in the speech the mayor hit on many of the expected items causing everyone pain in this economic environment: the economy sucks, everyone is hurting, and we must stick together. He emphasized the budgetary mess he’s been working through and had kudos for the municipal union concessions to help close the budget gap.
He praised Governor Rell for not killing the city in her budget and for her incentives for municipalities to create regional approaches. The mayor is looking at creating a regional authority that would allow Monroe to join the city’s sewage treatment system through a town of Trumbull hook up.
The mayor segued from the current tough times to a positive vision stressing what the city has to offer and the singles and doubles his administration is creating, along with trying to make a home-run project such as Steelpointe become a reality.
The full text of the Mayor’s speech is contained in the following press release:
Take My Money
Congressman Jim Himes says he will donate his 2009 cost-of-living adjustment to local charities. The news release below doesn’t specify the amount.
Himes Foregoes Pay Increase, Calls for Sacrifice from CEOs
Himes plans to donate 2009 pay increase to charity
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) announced today that he favors eliminating any pay increase for Members of Congress in the 2010 budget and that he will donate his 2009 increase to local charities. This announcement comes the same day chief executives from the eight major companies that received funding from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) are testifying in the House Committee on Financial Services. Himes suggested in an interview this morning that those CEOs take into account the sacrifices families are being forced to make as they consider the way they operate and pay their executives.
“At a time when families are losing their savings, their homes, and their jobs, we should demand that our leaders and businesses be prudent and helpful in working to get us out of this mess,” said Congressman Himes.
Congressman Himes will donate the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) he is receiving in his 2009 salary in equal parts to Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, CTE Inc. (Stamford’s Community Action Agency), and Action for Bridgeport Community Development. The 2009 increase was approved during last year’s appropriations process which determined this year’s budget.
“During this economic downturn, many charities that depend on donors are experiencing hard times as well-just when more people than ever depend on their services,” said Congressman Himes. “NEON, CTE, and ABCD all have solid records of providing results for the citizens they assist, and I am proud to support their efforts.”
The House Committee on Financial Services is holding a hearing today titled “TARP Accountability: Use of Federal Assistance by the First TARP Recipients.” The Committee is hearing testimony from the CEOs of the eight major companies that received TARP funding regarding the use of the funds. The committee will use the testimony to determine how best to increase accountability and transparency in the distribution and use of the second installment of TARP loans.
Help Captain Chris
Hello and Happy Spring–well not really but we can hope can’t we? 60 Plus today is making me a bit crazy! I know its gonna get cold again, but I was down at the boats today at Seaside watching the snow melt and you would not believe the trash and debris that was left on the shore by careless individuals this winter–air conditioners, garbage bags, paint, glass–you name it–it’s there. If it wasn’t so sad it would be disgusting. So what can we do? Pick it up right! Right–As skipper and big man on campus for CCB, I am trying to organize a massive cleanup of the property on March 1. We got some funding as the Best Waterfront Improvement Project in New England to purchase supplies and we’ll get full support from the City, but we desperately need volunteers–there is much to do. Can you volunteer for that day and promise to bring at least one person with you to help–or if not, could you at least share this email with anyone you think might be interested? Our waterfront is our greatest natural resource and even if you don’t live in Bridgeport, your home and neighbors are affected by a polluted Sound. So please do what you can to help me and Connecticut Community Boating, Inc clean up Long Island Sound and start by helping me clean up the Boat Ramp at Seaside Park. Thank you–Chris
—
Capt. Chris German
Executive Director
Connecticut Community Boating, Inc.
www.ctcommunityboating.org
203-382-3661
It’s a stretch (a very long stretch) for me to believe that Bill Finch truly gives a damn about the people of the city of Bridgeport. He has been nothing so much as a puppet for the DTC (Democratic Town Committee or Don’t Touch the Corruption, depending on your point of view), in spite of the well-known spats his faction has had with DTC chairman Mario Testa. Why did Hizzoner hang on to his State Senate seat for so long? He couldn’t serve two masters and the city’s business suffered for it. (A filing deadline was missed re Steel Point and now there is a new lead developer because of this administrative fuck-up.) The city’s business is still suffering for those months of neglect.
The Bridgeport legislative delegation in Hartford ain’t doing much of anything for the city. They all have their own personal agendas that have absolutely nothing to do with the service and protection of the people that live in Bridgeport. I’ve got a message for all of ’em: This is our home, for God’s sake! Don’t you self-important assholes get it?
I can’t predict whether Hizzoner will run for Secretary of State or Governor, but I can predict that he will be a one-term wonder as Mayor of the Park City. He appears to have a plan of some kind, but the agenda is more concerned with the dealings in the back room filled with cigar smoke. I can’t see that he’s doing anything substantive for the people of the city of Bridgeport. Let’s face facts: Finch was recruited by the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee to prevent State Representative Chris Caruso from tearing down the playhouse. Finch was just what the DTC wanted–and needed: a Harvey Milquetoast sort of guy that would maintain the status quo and not rock the boat. The same can be said for Anthony Musto. The DTC must be giving him a clothing allowance to maintain his GQ poster-boy image. Auden Grogins? Forget about it–she’s got her eyes on a judicial appointment. Who cares about the welfare of the people when you might be wearing a long black robe someday soon?
The only candidate from southwestern Connecticut swept into office on Obama’s coattails that will make any effort on the people’s behalf is Jim Himes. He used his own money to campaign, which cuts down on the number of insiders knocking on the door claiming he “owes” them.
Claws now retracted …
Claws fully deployed …
Who in their right freaking mind would ever consider our shithead of a Mayor for any further public office let alone the Governorship(???) or Secretary of the State? I would vote for Amann before I would vote for Finch.
Only “Cougar” can deploy claws around here.
I agree with yahooy but it seems like our only hope of getting rid of this guy in less than 3 years. Secretary of State would not be a bad idea. Let the rest of the state deal with this guy too. It’s called Regionalization.
Speaking of regionalization who the hell is Finch kidding when he says he wants to regionalize the sewer system? He knows he can’t get his original sewer deal through so now he is going to do it through regionalization? That is pure BS.
Note to Lennie. You will be waiting for awhile to get an electronic copy of the mayor’s State of the City speech. The person that turns on the computers in the mayor’s office is on a furlough day off.
Correction:
Mario Testa joined Marc Delmonico at the State of the City Address.
I was in the room and it wasn’t a terrible speech though it did run awfully long. What I was shocked by was that there wasn’t a single legislator in the room. Not that I could see at least.
Finch said Don Clemons couldn’t be there because of legislative business, but he overlooked the fact that today’s a state holiday and the General Assembly and its committees aren’t meeting today.
Where do we find these buffoons?
One thing I noticed Lennie at the lunch was Finch had almost no backup from local politicians. McCarthy seemed to be the only council member. There wasn’t a single state senator or rep. Finch said Clemons had legislative duties to attend to, so I thought that’s where they all are, up in Hartford. Nope, state holiday, the capitol is closed.
“To create the appearance of reaching out and working together.”
Lennie, care to elaborate?
Wondering, by the tone of your postings I can tell that it’s time you take a Vacation. Forget about the bailout and all the frustrating news you’ve been hearing. I recommend Puerto Rico. Enjoy yourself like these folks will.
www .suntimes.com/business/1428153,w-associated-bank-bailout-milwaukee021209.article
Jury begins deliberations in Pitera case.
www .connpost.com/ci_11683297
Joel: I really don’t need a vacation. What I need is for our elected officials to get off their collective asses and do their jobs.
Was the Judge of Probate at the luncheon? He has dropped off the face of the earth. I thought he was going to be at my announcement at the Klein. He must be hanging out with R&B singer Chris Brown.
I wasn’t at the Holiday Inn today but I did attend the mayor’s pre-state of the city to the employees at City Hall. I give him credit for trying but the response from the employees wasn’t exactly enthusiastic. He thanked the employees and talked about improving morale. Then he specifically recognized three PF employees for their hard work with recycling. Two of those employees were Charlie Carroll and Tony DiPrimo. There were more than a few snickers at the back of the room with the mention of Tony. He was a virtual no-show for 5 years and now that he’s actually coming to work, he gets a special recognition. If the mayor wants to improve morale, he can start by thanking the employees who actually deserve it.
Someone should look at the receipts from the Transfer Station for the past 5 years. If Tony and Bobby did not put them in the shredder by now. I smell a big fat RAT.