Mayor Bill Finch kicked out an eblast about this report from the Brookings Institution.
The most populous city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with a population exceeding 144,000, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Its place in popular trivia is assured, as it is both the birthplace of the Frisbee and the location of the first Subway restaurant, according to the 2005 book “One Hundred Great Businesses And The Minds Behind Them” by Emily Ross and Angus Holland.
The city’s medical sector is an important source of revenue. In fact, three of its five top employers are in the medical sector. The top employers in the city are St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport Hospital, People’s United Bank, University of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Health Care Center.
Full story: realestate.yahoo.com/promo/the-worlds-most-productive-cities.html
Was there ever a bigger “Yahoo” as Mayor?
*** On paper anything can sound good, but in reality the resident unemployment stats in Bpt are nothing to “herald” about. *** DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE! ***
The good mayor is once again delusional.
We do have two great hospitals that provide a certain amount of income to city residents and mostly to residents of the surrounding towns. The city of Bridgeport subsidizes 4 out of 5 of the institutions mentioned as we receive a fraction of what the taxes should be. Peoples Bank pays its full share of taxes but does very little for the city and its residents. Bill Finch is grasping at straws.
Then why are we still broke? I am pretty sure pensions are not counted in GDP BTW …
Zena: We are broke because the people who are elected to office refuse or are afraid to do their jobs. The council for the most part does nothing to protect our interests. They pass budgets they neither question and really do not understand. Why is that? It is because many of them work for the city and a greater proportion have relatives who work for the city.
Here is an example: Last night the council voted to send an ordinance proposal to the ordinance committee that would stop massage parlors in Bridgeport, we have 19 such establishments. Health inspector Warren Blunt abstained from voting on the measure. Why is that? I would have though he would champion this motion.
Andy, you’re absolutely correct. This city, like the federal government, is spending far more than they take in from tax revenues. Also the overbloated governments have employees who have benefits you and I are not able to get.
And, I ask, who is the largest employer in the City of Bridgeport CT? And how many actually live in Bridgeport?
Maybe Warren Blunt has some financial interest in these 19 establishments … I’m just speculating here.
Hope residents show up at the Charter Revision Public Hearing tonight. I am out of town all week. My top five are:
1. Blended board of education: some appointed; some elected like the Hartford model
2. New board of finance: elected citywide positions; all MUST have significant finance and investment experience. Minority representation required. There must be a board that deals with the municipal finance issues every single month. Bridgeport’s mil rate is almost double the surrounding towns. This is terrible.
3. Merger of Office of Planning and Economic Development and Land Use Construction Review with the OPED director held accountable for economic development, growing the tax base and job creation. The split responsibilities means no one is held accountable.
4. Creation of a Transportation/Mobility Authority to handle the parking meters; zip cars and transit oriented development issues contained in the new zoning regulations although not yet implemented.
5. Minority representation on the city council.