Mayor Bill Finch recognizes he has serious labor-management issues so in an effort to build a bridge between city employees and his office he has called on an old friend for assistance.
Dennis Murphy, who served as chief administrative officer under former Mayor Joe Ganim and then moved on to direct labor relations for the city of Stamford, has been retained by the city on a consulting basis.
I’ve requested additional details from the mayor’s office about Murphy’s role and financial arrangement. What I’ve heard most in private emails and from city employees posting on OIB is that labor morale is low and the city must systemically and verbally implement policies that allow city employees to feel part of the solution rather than the problem.
Murphy was hired by Ganim shortly after his election in November 1991 as chief of labor relations. Murphy was key in negotiating significant union concessions that provided Ganim much-needed breathing room in his early budgets. The city that Ganim inherited from Republican Mayor Mary Moran, who had plunged the city into federal bankruptcy court in June of 1991, was a mess. With Murphy as his chief negotiator, Ganim leveraged withdrawing the bankruptcy filing to achieve dramatic givebacks from unions. Moran had rationalized her bankruptcy claim as a way to lance union contracts. But in doing so Wall Street threw a fit and demoted the city’s bond rating to junk bond status rendering government helpless to make any capital improvements. Overnight, real estate prices plummeted creating nightmares for homeowners and opportunities for real estate wizards.
Murphy’s an attorney with a labor relations background who first got involved in the city when he was appointed to the Civil Service Commission by former Mayor Tom Bucci. He is the life partner of John Stafstrom, former Democratic town chair. Murphy is good at what he does whether in labor relations or as chief of department heads.
Juvenile Hearing
My my, sounds like the public hearing Thursday night by the Department of Children and Families regarding the governor’s proposed juvenile detention center on Virginia Avenue was quite a hoot. Anyone go? Our friends from www.doingitlocal.com were there and share this:
Funding for Kuchma and 333 State Street, From CT Post
Two downtown projects get $22M in development aid
By Keila Torres
STAFF WRITERBRIDGEPORT — Two downtown projects stuck in the development pipeline are getting an infusion of $22 million from a fund set aside by General Electric Co. for housing and mixed-use projects in the city.
Developer Phil Kuchma and Garfield Spencer, of First National Development, have been selected to receive the bulk of the $25 million fund, which is being distributed by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.
This month, Kuchma received confirmation on a promised $12 million allotment to be used to complete his stalled condominium building at the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Lafayette Circle. The developer had been assured of getting a share of the funds because he first applied for the money in 2007.
Kuchma said work on the condos will resume as soon as the paperwork is in order and the money is formally allocated. “Everybody at the city and state has been extremely helpful and patient,” he said. “They know we’ve been doing everything we can.”
Kuchma’s $24 million project is being funded by several other lending sources, including the Community Preservation and Development Corp. as lead financier. The developer said outside funding sources, like the GE fund, are essential for a Bridgeport developer.
“The [GE] funds are available at a lower interest rate than the conventional bank could offer,” he said. “The actual costs of construction are relatively the same in Stamford, Greenwich and Bridgeport. But the rents we get are much lower [in Bridgeport]. Even though it costs the same thing to build a project, we get less revenue.”
This year, in an attempt to make the money available to more developers, CHFA issued a second request for proposals. The agency received nine other proposals by the June 15 deadline.
Spencer was notified in September about a $10 million allotment for his plan to renovate the dilapidated office building at 333 State St., which is projected to cost an overall $12 million. Christine Schilke, CHFA’s planning and communication coordinator, said the project was chosen because it was “ready to proceed.”
The money will help kick-start Spencer’s efforts to convert the vacant eyesore, just two blocks away from Kuchma’s building, into a mix of housing, retail and commercial space.
News release from Mayor Finch
Mayor Thanks U.S. Postal Service for Removing Noble Station Post Office from Closure List
(November 20, 2009) – Mayor Bill Finch today applauded the U.S. Postal Services’ decision to take the Noble Station Post Office off the list of potential closures.
“I want to thank the Postmaster General for listening to my pleas, and those of Congressman Himes, other elected officials, and our local residents, to keep the Noble Station open,” said Mayor Finch. “The neighborhood needs the post office, especially the poor and elderly who rely on public transportation to do their essential errands. And, now that economic development is picking up in this area of the City, the post office will become more important as more people come here to work and to live. In addition, I’d also like to thank Senators Dodd and Lieberman for all their efforts on behalf of Bridgeport on this important issue.”
“The Noble Post Office is essential to maintaining the neighborhood’s livability and economic vitality,” said Congressman Jim Himes, D-CT. “Mayor Finch, the community, and I have worked hard to keep this office open, and I’m thankful to the Postmaster for listening carefully and responding to our concerns.”
The Noble Station Post Office at 934 E. Main St., was one of more than 100 post offices nationwide that the United States Postal Service had targeted for closure as part of a cost-cutting effort.
During a public hearing held last week, Mayor Finch, Cong. Jim Himes and local and state legislators, as well as the public, spoke to postal officials about the importance of this post office to the residents of the neighborhood, and the rest of the City.
Earlier this year, the Mayor, City Council President Thomas McCarthy (D-133) and Cong. Himes were successful in their efforts to urge the Postmaster General to keep the Barnum Station Post Office at 2253 Fairfield Avenue open. Both sites have now been officially removed from the list.
Rick’s Run
Rick Torres has jumped into the 4th Congressional District race joining his former campaign manager Rob Russo and Shelton State Senator Dan Debicella, and a few others, in a GOP field challenging Democrat Jim Himes.
Rick, the GOP candidate for mayor in 2003, runs Harborview market, a nice neighborhood gathering spot in Black Rock. Rick has been dismayed with local party leadership since he was thrown out as Republican town chair more than two years ago after endorsing Democrat Chris Caruso for mayor. He has no political support for his run. So, unless he can stand up and say, ‘Hey, I have a million dollars to spend on this race’ he’s exercising his anger at Russo for leading the charge to replace him as town chair. Unless some big-money Republican jumps into this race (always possible), the nomination battle will come down to Russo and DeBicella.
News release from the National Republican Campaign Committee
Suburban Voters to Jim Himes: Slow Down or Be Voted Out of Office
After Pushing a Reckless Big-Government Agenda, Suburban Democrats Are Losing Their Footing
Washington- Suburban Democrats like Jim Himes have a growing list of reasons to be concerned heading into next year’s elections. With voters, especially independents, fleeing the Democrat Party at an alarming rate and electing Republicans in two major races earlier this month, Democrats are already seeing the cracks in their suburban base:
“Suburban Democrats are bracing to defend their recent gains amid unmistakable signs of volatility among an electorate that is impatient with the pace of economic recovery.”
“That sentiment applied up and down the East Coast in the 2009 off-year elections, as suburbanites registered their discontent by rejecting Democratic incumbents, even in typically blue-tinted counties.”
“Some candidates already hitting the trail for 2010 say the worst may be yet to come, as voters grow frustrated with the sputtering economy and wary of the Democratic Party’s domestic agenda.” (Alex Burns, “Suburban Districts See Red,” Politico, 11/19/09)
The Democrats’ suburban defections are part of a mounting pile of evidence that Himes and his colleagues have managed to spurn key segments of voters with a tax-hiking, big-government agenda that continues to halt economic recovery in its tracks and lacks anything resembling accountability. Even Democrat leaders have taken notice that their constant push for more spending and fewer jobs has turned away independent voters at an alarming pace – but that didn’t stop them from forcing through their trillion-dollar government healthcare takeover:
“Following serious setbacks with independents in off-year elections earlier this month, White House officials attributed the defeats to local factors and said President Barack Obama sees no need to reposition his own image or the Democratic message.
“Since then, however, a flurry of new polls makes clear that Democrats are facing deeper problems with independents—the swing voters who swung dramatically toward the party in 2006 and 2008 but who now are registering deep unease with the amount of spending and debt called for under Obama’s agenda in an era of one-party rule in Washington.” (Alex Isenstadt, “Dems Alarmed as Independents Bolt,” Politico, 11/18/09)
“After unapologetically supporting a reckless job-killing agenda that has put the screws to suburban Connecticut families, it should be no surprise to Jim Himes that voters are ready to send him packing next November,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Despite the mounting evidence that key voters are turning against his party’s tax-hiking spending spree at an alarming pace, Himes and his party leaders are showing no signs of moderating their radical push for more government and fewer jobs. Suburban voters are clamoring for more jobs and sound economic policies, but Himes’ arrogant and tone-deaf loyalty to his party’s agenda will have them seeing red when Election Day rolls around.”
*** Well if this ain’t a kick in the head! D/M who I believe is married to the X-chair of the D.T.C. is going to make some $ being a labor management consultant for the city of Bpt? And the beat goes on & on while more employees get the boot, (one way or another) and some savings are incurred, others seem to slide in & make some loot? *** Latest rumor is Gomes is done, however he just doesn’t know it yet! *** Blast from the past (oldie but goody) has been getting lots of play lately on the local airwaves called “Back Stabbers” by the O’Jays. And a tune called “Games People Play” by ? ***
Rumors out of city hall true? BOE about to do something right and join the new millennium? A woman to be the new operations director … a breath of fresh air … could be moving in the right direction … finally.
Just what we need to improve labor relations and morale in the ranks of the employees, Dennis Murphy. The same Dennis Murphy that crammed the golf course lease down our throats. The same Dennis Murphy who showed little patience or respect for city employees. Great Move Mr. Mayor. Just when I was going to compliment you on your presentation last night at the meeting with state officials on the Virginia Ave project and now this.
If we are in such financial bad shape where do we keep coming up with the cash to pay these political retreads? How much per hour are we paying this genius?
Lennie Grimaldi asking The Mayor of Bridgeport for additional details about Murphy’s specific role is like Batman telling The Joker about his specific plans to defend Gotham City.
starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/849/849008/Jokers_Five_Way_Revenge_1201830158.jpg < --
You don’t have to hire Murphy to improve morale and dialogue with the city employees. What you need to do is act in a professional manner and be truthful. The city employees can believe that the city is on hard times if it really is.
What we have here is a quiet hiring frenzy. We have hired an assistant Police Chief while we have 4 deputy chiefs. That BS story that this was necessary because of an order from the special master is just that, BS.
We got rid of Curry and transferred Gomes to a new job and hired new people to fill those jobs. We have created a job for Murphy. We have hired another attorney for the city attorney’s office to handle land use issues part time. Stamford Law firm, go figure. The city just keeps hiring and the employees keep getting screwed. I can’t wait until 2011 when the union pay increases kick in. To the administration do you think you could find an extra $100 a week to keep the transfer station open or is that money going to be used for a raise for some other political flunky?
Take it from a woman’s perspective and a voter in Bridgeport, a woman and hopefully a mother as Op Director in the Board of Ed is an awesome thing (you go girl).
Lennie–Several times you have tried to pin the collapse of the Bridgeport real estate market, in the early 1990s, to the Moran administration and her bankruptcy petition. Nothing could be further from the truth.
While I do agree that the rating agencies lowered our bond ratings to almost junk status, at once, based on the June 6, 1991 muni bankruptcy notice this had nothing to do with the collapse of the real estate market in Bridgeport. The whole country was reeling from the S & L scandal, Oct. 19, 1987 stock collapse, and an overbuilt real estate condo market in Bridgeport. The MAC with Jake Ukeles, David Carson with the FRB were already in place back in the Bucci era or error, trying to save the city that was drowning in debt. People saw the values in their homes drastically reduced, under water, upside down and any other term you would like to use. They swam away from their debt. Today we would call it a Tsunami. City Trust, Mechanics and Farmers and the Bank Mart were closed by the FDIC in or around the late summer of ’91. The real vultures were Resolution Trust and CARC that called in performing loans and sold off the debt for ten cents on the dollar. Without access to credit, businesses that were servicing their debt were shit out of luck.
Now a pregnant pause regarding Mr. Murphy. He will need to give Lamaze classes to the labor unions. I think that they trust him and not Finch. Murphy’s Quality programs that he instilled in the city are noteworthy. However, he does not go unblemished with his work as the CAO. Lack of the bond renewal on golf course with questionable ethics violations with Mr. Stafstrom sitting across the table representing his client during golf negotiations. If there was one good quality about Ganim is that he did surround himself with some good people. Mr. Murphy is one of them. Bill Finch is so into recycling, don’t be surprised if Mike Freimuth comes back into the fold if his tent gets closed down in Stamford. Don Eversley is a real No Where Man! Wake Up Little Snoozie!
UOB, I agree with what you say, but I’ve never blamed Moran for the real estate collapse. The economic tsunami, aided by heavy real estate speculation, had already hit New England with several bank closures–or on the verge–by the time Moran filed for bankruptcy protection including City Trust and Mechanics and Farmers. The budget went bust on Bucci in 1988 and he asked for a state bailout. The city was under the thumb of a state financial review board when Moran filed for protection and from the state, Wall Street and business community perspective she exacerbated a cratering local economy.
Lennie, you do constantly blame Moran for the collapse of the Bridgeport Real estate market in 1991. It would have been easy for Moran to do what every Mayor has done since. RAISE THE TAXES. That is what Weicker had told her. While the Bankruptcy gave the city a black eye and gave Ganim the opportunity to look like the Messiah it did not hurt the Real estate market any more than the actual economy. Since our taxes continue to rise, seniors that have long paid off their homes are paying $6500.00 a year to live in the homes they paid $12,000 for. The taxes will continue to rise until we get some serious development. We cannot continue to cut city employees and services.
Regarding the detention center. What a joke and insult to the city of Bridgeport and the Beardsley Park neighborhood. The area is considered to be one of the more desirable locations in Bridgeport. Steps away from one of our most beautiful parks and the State’s only zoo. Who cares that the state thinks that it is a perfect fit? 15 million dollars invested to house 36 girls? How about investing in our educational system in the city? A jail and a detention center should not be in a residential neighborhood adjacent to park land and not to mention future development bordering Nob Hill–The Remington Woods Project. For once the State (we are part of the State aren’t we?) and the city need to look at the bigger picture of real economic development down the road. The entire city should band together and stop the detention center from being built on 115 Virginia Ave. I was at the meeting and I agreed with most of what everybody had already spoken about but also the deterioration of the Beardsley Park area and the stigma placed on the city by the thousands of visitors to the park and zoo. The lowering of the area Real Estate is going to happen because a detention center in your back yard in a quiet neighborhood just isn’t a good selling point.
Hope to see you at Épernay 🙂
Anyone know what the scoop is on Torres running for Congress?
poljunkie, last Wednesday Rick Torres told us that he will be announcing his entrance into the 4th congressional race. I’m waiting to see if an African-american from Bridgeport who had mentioned to me that he was contemplating entering this race will do so. If he does, we will see a diverse group of Republican candidates battling for the spot.
He’d have to quit his job, though–so I doubt he’ll go for it.
You should go back and read what you wrote.
“Moran had rationalized her bankruptcy claim as a way to lance union contracts. But in doing so Wall Street threw a fit and demoted the city’s bond rating to junk bond status rendering government helpless to make any capital improvements. Overnight, real estate prices plummeted creating nightmares for homeowners and opportunities for real estate wizards.”
So I suppose Bob Scinto’s near economic collapse was exacerbated by the actions of Bridgeport?
No, Scinto’s problems came a year before Moran’s decision to file for bankruptcy. Scinto didn’t have a “near” economic collapse. He had an economic collapse in 1990 when he was in the hole for $62 million. As he explains in my book Bow Tie Banker he was insolvent. But he was resilient and fought through it.
Moran’s decision was different based on advice that she could blowtorch union contracts. It was rejected by the federal court and she appealed the decision. But her bankruptcy decision, yes overnight, further gouged local real estate values. Were homeowners pleased by her decision?
Bob Scinto had a Bow Tie Banker that helped with a work out. He was resilient and People’s rightfully helped him out of his doldrums. I think you are giving Mary Moran too much credit that she single-handedly tanked a sinking real estate market. The banks tanked the market. Same as now with foreclosures. People had already jumped ship. I give Ganim credit but you must also give Weicker credit and the fact that we never had slot revenues that helped Joe keep the mil rate down.
No doubt, Weicker arguably deserves the most credit: $tens of millions in slot revenues, $10 million to purchase the zoo and Beardsley Park, new HCC downtown, relocated state police barracks from Westport to Bridgeport, made maintenance of the railroad station a state function. And of course, the personal income tax that funds a whole lot more.
The state purchased the Park–Beardsley Zoo is privately funded. Had the conversation with Gregg Dancho the other evening.
There was an article written in the New York Times right after the Bankruptcy bid. “A silver lining …” The local Real Estate was not affected. End of story!
I think Lennie just got “cut and pasted.”
BOE morale is up already today I hear.
The woman they are talkin’ about is a wonderful lady and works at a huge law firm and her husband Smokey is one of the nicest guys I’ve met.
Good things come to those who wait.
N/J … I agree 100%.
Oh that Cottell guy don’t respect no one; Smokey always treated me like way more than a night mopper and his wife is as classy as he is. Good job BOE.
I know them both too, great people. She is a brilliant women.
I could make a lotta money on you guys ’cause you guys are blind. He musta paid you to say that stuff.
The regional real estate market, and indeed real estate in some parts of the nation, was going rotten by the late 1980s.
The Bridgeport financial crisis under the Bucci administration exacerbated that locally.
The Bucci administration tanked the budget. The Bucci administration made an attempt under the direction of a financial review board to correct the situation.
Voters were enraged because of the financial errors of the Bucci administration, and the municipal misery that resulted. A lot of good eventually came out of the fixes.
Mary Moran didn’t realize, or didn’t want to realize, she was boxed as mayor to continue policies implemented by the financial review board with the consent of the Bucci administration. Some of those policies Tom Bucci fought as too draconian. Some were modified.
Moran received dreadful advice. The “bankruptcy” petition–which was not going anywhere, no how, no way–convinced outside investors the city was not merely in very bad trouble, but a loser.
Say goodnight to real estate evaluations.
Whatever his flaws, the election of Joe Ganim and implementation of his policies stabilized a real estate evaluation freefall. Without that intervention, whatever investment that occurred in the next decade would not have happened.
Bridgeport was a lot better off when Tom Bucci was forced to use his brains to slog through an ugly financial crisis. He was justifiably criticized for that situation happening on his watch. Bucci, and too many others, spent too long thinking that things were “under control.”
To his credit, Bucci didn’t hide under the sheets once he realized what a mess was there. It was a mess.
Dear Enlightened,
The loss of loan to value ratios of the banks from their real estate portfolios crippled the values of the homes long before Mary Moran did. Ganim did to his credit delay reval which kept the mil rate at about 65. Reval at that time was mandated every 10 yrs. and freeze was implemented through state statute which allowed for the delay of reval that was scheduled for 1994. However, in the same token when values had leveled off, he hid behind the same principles. Condos were taking it in the shorts for years based on the values of the early to mid-80’s condo boom that went bust. In fact many have argued that if he had implemented a reval around ’95 or ’96, when the longest and strongest economy was skipping town, it would have brought about a lower mil rate to make investment more attractive to outside investors, besides insider trading with Mr. Lenoci and later Paul Pinto on Kasper deal. Joe didn’t want to be damaged goods as he was looking to be a Goobernatorial candidate, pre-4 yr. term charter change. As a good friend of mine told me what his Sicilian father said when asked why this certain guy got re-elected. His dad replied, “because he no raise-a-da-tax!
Bucci helped soil the sheets and hid under the sheets in ’87 election knowing full well it was time for him to come clean. Rick Porto made the claim and was poo-pooed by Bucci. They called it the Porto-let.
In praise of OIB bloggers.
NO WONDER Bridgeport spooks Bob Scinto. Bad dreams die hard. From a developer’s perspective, Steel Point seems to be a newly available, conveniently located piece of turf where a builder could leave their mark. However, history is Scinto’s bad memory. Only here did I learn why he has shown so little interest in a piece of land desired by others.
OIB Blogosphere to-the-rescue!
***************************************
What I do not like about upcoming OIB Parties: (WIDNLAUOIBP)
They force me to be nice to people I would otherwise diss.
(TFMTBNTPIWOD)
What this world needs is fewer acronyms …
*** Mary Moran without realizing it @ the time actually helped Bpt & other same-type pre-industry urban cities that were left ghost towns get much needed attention & help from the federal government after her actions & bankrupt claims. And who after her term was Mayor @ the time ready to capitalize on the incoming fed. “$”, Ganim!*** Lately present city gov. & the Finch Admin. seem to be doing the same things it’s criticized the (B.O.E.) for doing in the past, present & maybe future? Which is spending much “$” hiring consultants @ alarming rates of money to tell them something they already know & could fix for a lot less. Most times, they’re ex-employees or retirees, political friends or family, or personal paybacks for past deeds, etc. *** It doesn’t take an ivy-league grad. to figure out the overall city gov. operational happenings from the past, present, and maybe future, & that things are going to get “worse” before they get better if the same ways of operation simply continue? *** What goes around comes around, sooner or later. *** Time will tell. ***
Bill “It’s not fair” Finch
Why was it fair when Finch supported the Juvie Joint on the river? They have a 56-bed facility with plenty of vacancy. I guess you could say, that joint ain’t jumpin’.
Hi Honey!
Bridgeport’s latest development programs take a step forward under Mayor Finch, who produces results despite awful financial conditions.
BridgeportCTUSA–progress underway
www .connpost.com/news/ci_13832917
Get used to it
However, The City’s efforts continue to focus on buildings and not people. A fully-occupied building is filled with people but a completed building does not provide happiness. The large amount of empty office space testifies to that.
The Editorial Board at Local Eyes remains steadfast in their belief that people precede buildings in economic importance and the OPIC or One Person Internet Company is the best way to achieve that.
Dear UOB:
I wouldn’t bet rent money on our differences of opinion. You got me on the Ganim reval.
I don’t think the real estate values fully tanked in Bridgeport, however, until after Moran’s gambit with the bankruptcy court.
I don’t think Tom Bucci had a clue that his budget was as bad as it turned out. That’s not an apology for Bucci.
I’m not sure Rick Porto had more than a guess on the city’s budget. In his nightmares, I don’t think he would have thought the budget to be as messed up as it was.
Speaking of nightmares, anyone have an idea as to what the city’s current fund balance is, and what should it be as of Nov. 1? That $5 mil from the BOE that “inadvertently” wasn’t spent has got be a lifesaver for–ah–what snarky nickname are we using for Finch this month?
All day long, I’ve been bemoaning the fact that I don’t have a bright red shirt that says: I Support the Troops
Instead, I’m wearing a bright red Nebraska CornHuskers sweatshirt–my sister lives in Nebraska–in support of a football team I’ve never seen …
Brother, can you loan me a dollar?
What’s with this no-boycott, no-complaint, no-kinda-resistance type of Only in Bridgeport reader that tolerates a 100% increase in less than a year? I’m talking about that venerable teller-of-the-truth: The Connecticut Post. Why isn’t this a topic?
Could it be Lennie’s former and current affiliations?
Could it be their monopoly status in a one-paper town?
Could it be that many readers here have experience raising prices, understand unions, get COLAs or know what it means to pass a price increase on to the end user?
Could it be stubborn and rugged individualism or
Is it all my fault …?
(wink)
Under The Radar:
Am I the only person who knows that Chris Russo unseated a four-term incumbent while steering Tim Herbst’s campaign to victory in Trumbull?
While his brother grabs the headlines, this guy turns candidates into winners and he’s not afraid to cross town lines to do it!
I’d get Chris Russo in the pol-pod while he’s still giving interviews. Early is good and late is bad.
The BOE is a mess; the morale is at an all-time low. Inmates are running the asylum.
It’s the same-old same-old year after year. People getting away with murder and the hard workers get nothing for covering for losers who don’t work. I got 9 years in and I used to enjoy coming here and when OT is available it makes me work harder to support my family.
BOE needs change and a lift in morale. Yesterday was better.
Keep your chin up, better days are coming. Given an equal non-fixed slate a women beats a man in every way. And knowing this women she is as qualified and smart and fair as they come. NO CONTEST.
I hear the overtime is not suffering from low morale.
Glad to see the mayor and other officials are looking into fire safety at PT Barnum and other similar-type buildings. It will not take a code change to fix PT but a code will certainly add teeth to the improvements.
I caution the mayor and others not to act hastily.
Some of what I have read like rope ladders are not practical. To expect the young, infirm and even the healthy to properly react in a fire situation is asking a lot.
The one thing that I did not read about was a central station fire alarm system that covers all of the housing units. Early detection is the key as is early and prompt notification of the fire department. A monitored fire alarm system would provide this and give the FD a fighting chance to effect rescues and extinguishment while the fire is in its early stages.
I am very, very pleased to see that fire education of all the children will be taking place. Great idea perhaps one of the best I have heard in a long time.
I am please that the administration is moving quickly. Maybe this could be a shovel-ready project that will reap federal dollars to help defray the costs and allow for the best fire protection equipment to be installed in PT.
Alarms are definitely the key to quick exiting, and response time. In this case, there definitely was a delay in reporting the fire.
As far as Fire public education goes, yes, it is proven to be very effective. Unfortunately, under the tyrannical tenure of the present chief Brian Rooney, public education has come to a complete standstill. The last two years there was absolutely no acknowledgment of fire prevention week. Also, the yearly Fire Prevention Poster contest, run consecutively for 15 years or more, was discontinued by the chief. This is a direct conduit to the students and teachers in public, parochial, and charter schools. The BOE staff even wondered what happened. The chief is not cognizant of proactive policy, but he is reactive.
Our new Bridgeport resident who bought Chris Shay’s Black Rock house who is the Peter G Peterson Foundation President & CEO and former head of the Government Accounting Office, David Walker, is on 60 Minutes this Sunday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Mr. Walker’s interview is part of an episode called “The Cost of Dying.”
Mr. Walker is also on the P & Z agenda for a 156 sq. ft. addition slated to be heard on 11/30. Talk about the cost of dying.
“Murphy is good at what he does whether in labor relations or as chief of department heads.”
Dennis Murphy was only as good as the economy was back then. These are different economic times and l’m sure that Murphy will be facing this reality very soon.
*** Economy is not a problem for this admin, they just either lay off some workers or fire them. Also depending on the dept. as soon as one of the workers gets close to their retirement & has the time & age, it’s forced see-ya time! So it’s save a little money which in turn helps create a new job or dept. that doesn’t bring in any revenue just adds to the city spending in general. It’s good to have eyes & ears everywhere to weed out the trouble spots for good solid uplifting morale! And it helps the B.R.B.C. whenever they’re looking for some type of business venture as well & Stafstrom’s advice & legal services to the city. Hey, the gang’s all here & getting bigger by the season! *** VOTERS CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR THE LOCAL DEMS. FOR THE CHANGE YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE! ***
NO MATTER where you live, prepare for the emerging Suburban Ponderosa, where challenges are met and comforts are enjoyed. No Longer will any town be forced to go it alone. I’m talking about something that’ll make Regionalism look like a Girl Scout campfire. How strong will this bond be?
Answer: once it’s started, nothing’s going to pull it apart.
It’s made of the two strongest glues known to Mankind: survival and joy.
The appointment of Murphy shows that Stafstrom is still the force within the party and Mario Testa has the title and that’s it.
TC, I don’t think that’s the case. It’s more that Finch feels he needs help in management-labor communications. Murphy, whether you like him or not, has lots of experience in this area. And if maintaining his relationship with Stafstrom is part of the equation, that’s the way political relationships work. Mario will never be submissive to Stafstrom. They’ve never been buds. Mario has much too much pride for that.
Honey I love when you talk like that with that submissive and dominant stuff. The Committee to Ball-Gag the People.
Finch, the ultimate Pac-Man, is having a fundraiser at Épernay for his PAC. Maybe it will be under the guise again of retiring his legal debt from the Caruso case. I forgot he already pulled that trick.
Lennie I did not say that Testa was submissive to Stafstrom. I know better than that. What I did say was that Stafstrom carries more weight with Finch than Testa does. What makes you think that Murphy had a good working relationship with labor?
Finch and his band of nasty anti labor people have beaten up on the labor force pretty good. They sold them a bill of goods on the financial problems of the city and got concessions from them. Did the city tighten its belt as did the unions? No they are still spending money on political appointments like drunken sailors.
I just hic-cupped!
I disagree with Murphy coming back as a consultant. He should come back permanently as either head of labor relations or as CAO. Neither of those guys in those jobs know shit or do shit. Murphy could run circles around them. Glad that Finch finally realizes how bad things are. Unfortunately Murphy is friends with Carroll so nothing will change in PF. The greedy foremen will keep hoarding the OT while the little guys starve. How much did Valeri make last year? Inquiring minds want to know.
When Carroll was on the verge of getting fired as a BOE electrician, Murphy stepped in and created the Barnum festival job for him. That was a sweet job while it lasted. How does Carroll go from being a piss-poor electrician about to lose his job to head of parks and PF? No wonder PF is so screwed up. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about Murphy. But there’s much more on the plus side with him.
*** Remember in the balance of life, where there is a positive, you’ll find a negative. Experience can be wasted on old ways of thinking & doing? A young fresh capable new way of doing things is what’s needed, like the change the Dems. talked about during the past presidential election! *** And just wait ’til “2010” with the new B.O.E. & city council, and of course the new upcoming budget! *** Talk about things getting worse before getting better, time will tell. ***