Former State Senator Ernie Newton likes to say all saints have a past, all sinners a future. Newton is rebuilding his life after several years of confinement following a conviction on corruption charges. Political allies of Mayor Bill Finch reached out to Newton, who’s popular in his old State Senate district according to OIB polling, for an endorsement. One of Newton’s best friends, East End District Leader Ralph Ford, is supporting Finch who as an incumbent has so much more concrete to offer Newton in the way of a deal than a challenger. Newton has decided to support Mary-Jane Foster for mayor, saying her jobs-creating pedigree for inspiring the ballpark and arena at Harbor Yard closes the deal for helping his peeps. But now, Newton says, he’s feeling the sting for not supporting Finch.
Political operatives of Finch are selectively knocking on doors of white homeowners in the North End, attaching Newton’s name to Foster in what he says is a game of race baiting. “Why aren’t they doing that in the East End?” a predominantly black neighborhood, Newton wonders. Such is life in Bridgeport politics. Had Newton endorsed Finch, the mayor would be saying we love you, we want you, we need you. Now that Newton’s with Foster, Finch operatives are trashing him where it’s convenient, the same way Finch is castigating so many folks now with Foster who had supported him in 2007 such as Charlie Coviello. Finch spent days in 2007 thundering the endorsement he received from Coviello. Now, all of a sudden, Coviello in Finch’s campaign rhetoric is this, that and the other thing.
When it comes to Newton, says the former state senator, Finch is playing a game of roulette. If African American voters start sniffing a game of race baiting it could backfire. The Greater Bridgeport Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, an influential clergy group, has been active in city politics for decades. They understand the road to paving streets, rebuilding sidewalks, creating jobs, assimilating all races and ethnic groups governmentally, requires political participation. Some of the ministers are Finch supporters.
Newton says he intends to call upon the ministers to make it clear Finch operatives are playing a race-baiting game that does the city no good, particularly in light of voters disenfranchised over ballot shortages last year, dissolution of an elected Board of Education and Foster denied a ballot spot (overturned by a Superior Court judge).
To understand the influence of the ministers, they were a key in determining John Fabrizi’s fate more than four years ago when he walked into a courtroom to seek leniency on behalf of a sexual offender. Many of the ministers said they could no longer support him. Most of them supported Finch for mayor.
I have heard of this whispering campaign taking place in the 134th Council District. I am very disappointed in the individuals involved if this is true. Be careful what you whisper about because it can turn into a Holler. It’s no wonder why so many former Finch followers are now flocking to Foster.
BILL FINCH MESSED WITH THE WRONG PERSON. ONE THING I DO KNOW, ERNIE HAS MORE CLOUT WITH THE BLACK MINISTERS THAN FINCH. I SPOKE TO HIM TODAY AND HE SAID YOU DON’T GET MAD YOU GET EVEN! ERNIE SAID FINCH LIED TO HIM ABOUT CREATING JOBS IN THE EAST END FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. HE DECIDED TO SUPPORT MARY JANE FOSTER. FINCH AND COMPANY WANT TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK ON PEOPLE’S RIGHTS TO VOTE. HE THINKS WE DON’T COUNT, BUT WE WILL SHOW HIM. SEPTEMBER 27, 2011.
DOOR-KNOCKING IN THE NORTH END TO TRASH ERNIE NEWTON? FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT, Ernie has paid his debt to society. Second, I live in the 134th and cannot imagine anyone having the audacity to resort to such abhorrent behavior. Ernie does have a lot of supporters out there and I know firsthand from friends of mine who know all of the good Ernie has done for his constituents. To assume Finch supporters would have the balls to enter the North End 134th to attack Mary-Jane Foster’s association with Newton is just being desperate. Foster believes in second chances. Ernie has committed his life to serving his community and has served his time. Finch is wasting his time in the North End. We should really be talking about Mary-Jane Foster’s recent endorsement by the BEA Bridgeport Education Association. That is what the North End is interested in. We already saw the caliber of a Finch supporter at the recent North End Association debate. Rude, vulgar and 25 years too long on the job. She is paid by the taxpayers and that pit bull needs to disappear!!!
And that rude, vulgar woman is the treasurer of the Democratic Town Committee. I also heard the Town Committee had a little pep rally pre-Tuesday night debate at Testo’s. Part of the festivities was Mayor Bill Finch mocking Mary-Jane Foster. Finch is a real Mocking Bird! Too bad for a guy who always loves to quote JFK and his favorite proclaimed book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” just doesn’t get it when he disrespects his constituencies.
Foster will never dis you.
That old nag ought to be sent to the glue factory.
I attended the debate at Housatonic this morning. Towards the end of the debate, Bill Finch criticized Foster supporters by naming Ernie Newton, Tito Ayala and Charlie Coviello in the same fashion as the YouTube video his out-of-town friend made and released. A short time later, he noticed me sitting way in the back and we made eye contact and I knew he wasn’t going to be able to resist the temptation to take another cheap-ass shot a me once again. I’m confident the day will come when Bill Finch will find himself facing a judge and in the crowd of court spectators, he will see me, Tito Ayala, Ernie Newton and Charlie Coviello. I just hope any of the other three buy me lunch that day.
Joel, you left out a very important point. Mary-Jane talked about ridding the City of the DTC and other politically connected do-nothing employees (my words, not hers). Finch responded by naming Newton, Coviello and Ayala and said MJ’s association with them is like “the pot calling the kettle black.” I cringed just like I did when he said at the Arena in front of thousands of people, “Guess who’s coming to dinner …”
Your point is noted, BG. One interesting observation is Bill Finch compares oranges with bird droppings. Newton, Coviello, Ayala and Joel Gonzalez are not elected officials and we don’t make–nor are we running for positions–budget or any kind of decisions for the city.
I’ll buy your lunch that day, Joel. We’ll go to the Red Rooster Deli.
Finch likes to disrespect and disenfranchise the voters.
Bill Finch is the devil’s minion.
I think it is time to start again. Hail Mary, full of grace, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. It worked with the court decision and now let us begin to pray again–that it will work at the ballot box. Bridgeport has a chance to let sunshine in again–let’s begin saying the rosary for MJF.
Couple of thoughts spring to mind from Lennie’s column.
Screw Ernie Newton. He was always an embarrassment in Hartford and then a self-serving crook … just like Joe Ganim. If he weren’t such a narcissist, he would quietly rebuild his life. Instead he’s positioning himself to live off the public yet again.
This blog has become terribly one-sided. The rhetoric from the MJF supporters is so vitriolic I imagine many Finch supporters don’t want to participate.
Obviously given the voter makeup, the Democratic primary is the election. To that end, it’s great MJF and Finch are duking it out. Very glad she’s on the ballot.
That said, I am voting for Finch although there are certainly things that bear improvement. However if MJF wins, she’s a smart woman and it will not be the end of the world.
Lastly, rather than running for Mayor, I really wish people like Rick Torres, Jeff Kohut or Marc Delmonico would run for City Council. That’s where the checks & balances occur.
I think you are going to find out on September 27th this entire city has become “terribly one-sided” when it comes to MJF’s candidacy. We’ve had enough.
I agree with your assessment of Former Inmate Ernie Newton and your suggestion Torres, Kohut and Delmonico run for City Council.
A vote for Finch is a vote for the status quo. There will be no improvement. It will continue to be what it has been.
I do agree, however, that this blog is one-sided and has been from day one, and I agree about Ernie Newton and I will even throw in Tito Ayala. MJF was not my first choice to go against Finch but as the sign says, “Anybody but Finch” and I will support her wholeheartedly. And if you knew anything about what goes on at City Hall you would too; unless, of course, your job or that of a family member depends on the machine.
Bill Finch is the devil.
Come on, Bridgeport Kid. Bill Finch is actually a nice guy. He is just misguided and surrounded by vultures that he imagined in a parallel universe would help him achieve a higher office. I remember his coronation lol lol at the Klein. Looking dapper as a President Kennedy wannabe and Sonya looking stunning as a Jacqueline Kennedy wannabe. Remember Bill Finch thought he was so omnipotent he thought he could run Bridgeport and be a State Senator simultaneously. Well maybe Adam Wood would have been the Ghost Mayor as Bill was in Hartford. Bill, you need friends, not vultures. You need to grow a pair and take full responsibility for your actions and stop taking credit for past Mayors’ accomplishments. If John Fabrizi and Joseph Ganim don’t have a problem with it–that is their business. I do. You are a nice guy but the Mayor you are not. Mayor Mary Moran had one term after two years. You have had four and do not deserve another four. OMG can you remember when we were having elections every two years? Well we see what you have done in four. Pass the baton. Foster is running and is gonna cross the finish line and hopefully leave you in the dust. After she wins you will have an opportunity to evaluate your past four years and you will see what it is like when those vultures start picking at you like road kill.
Can you cite chapter and vitriolic verse? I also hope you will include the Cluster Finches of Mary_Choen95 and Godive2011. I agree with some of your points but I guess I am a lot more of a Frustrated Bridgeport Democrat. Four more years of BF could be the end of the world for Bridgeport.
Mary_Choen95 and Godive2011 are the brides of Satan dressed in drag.
You are correct, this blog has become one-sided. May I offer up a few suggestions as to why that has happened? Consider the fact many of the folks who post on this blog are former Finch supporters. I know I was. Consider the posters to this blog are basically a group of people who follow and care about the political situation in Bridgeport. Consider this blog is a gathering place for people who have watched political events unfold, who have decided the bleeding needs to be stopped and maybe some of the posters are folks who have the skill sets and knowledge to do something about it. Consider this blog is an accurate sampling of the general population of Bridgeport, and this one-sidedness could possibly be a true representation of the attitudes and perceptions of the population of this City. Consider maybe it’s not just this blog. I have seen folks shift allegiances on this blog. Consider it’s becoming one-sided because people are beginning to “see.” Just sayin’.
FBD,
“That said, I am voting for Finch although there are certainly things that bear improvement.”
I can live with “I am voting for Finch because I have a City job that is important to me” or “I am voting for Finch because he kept taxes down today (even though his budgets have been unbalanced by kicking $30 Million of adviser-recommended current costs into the future) therefore guaranteeing even higher fiscal risks and taxes in near future years” or “I am voting for Finch because he fulfilled his support of education as his second highest incoming goal (even though he flat funded them from the City side, never was able to get the final audit accomplished even though there was City, State and BRBC funds invested for five years, and then worked in a most opaque way for half a year to create a path for BOE members to surrender their elected positions, not to local successors but to appointees from outside the community).”
If you are still reading this, will you post some of the things Bill has done guiding close to $1,850,000,000 of City budgets for four years? His list was too numerous yesterday for him to reference, I guess.
As for running for City Council, why bother until there is a change in the Mayor’s office away from DTC control? You are not a real check and balance, because you don’t get to use your legislative dollars to supply you with the information to counter City Hall “experts.” Getting on Budget and Administration is almost equivalent to saying you have no financial experience or background to serve as a check and balance, and will ask no serious questions. There are also long-standing requests for specific info or reports that are delayed, forgotten or not completed. Timeliness and living up to Charter standards for four years is not a standard for good municipal management.
So why are you voting for Bill? Logic (explain), sympathy, or gun to your head?
BEACON2, I was teaching at Central High School today–Sub–I had a nice chat with all of the students including one you happen to mentor. The young man couldn’t say enough good things about you and also surprisingly was well aware of the primary and supporting Mary-Jane Foster.
He had interviewed her. You have done a great job with this young man–He gave me your Blog name!
You know what they say about desperate times … we will see, I suppose, if the Moses of his people can make the seas part for Mary-Jane. Any reformer takes a gamble by playing ball with people like Ernie Newton, et al. But–change won’t happen if there aren’t some real players who are made to believe it is in their self-interest to make it happen. (Filed under lessons learned during previous campaigns.)
Has anyone offered Chris Caruso a gift certificate to The Merritt Canteen? It would be interesting to know who he thinks is pretty this go ’round. Wouldn’t it?
MJF, but he’s staying below the radar … he really dislikes Finch.
Then why is he staying below the radar? To preserve that job he got from Malloy?
Call Caruso’s office and ask him. Like that will do any good.
Mr. Caruso knows Mario Testa is SATAN …
Below the radar is not supporting. Stand up and be counted or lay down and disappear! Hmmm. Well, you get the point!
It is appalling Finch campaign operatives are knocking on the doors of white homeowners in the North End and attempting to “scare” them into voting for hizzoner. I’ve spoken with Mr. Newton. From what he has expressed Ernie has the best interests of the people of the city of Bridgeport as his top priority.
In the past I’ve been harsh in my opinion of him. Ernie Newton and Steven Auerbach are correct: Ernie served his time, paid his debt to society. In the eyes of the judicial system he has served his penance. No need for absolution at this point in time. Ernie Newton received that a while ago.
This is another example of a desperate campaign. Finch and Testa did not want to run against Mary-Jane Foster because she’s the strongest candidate. John Gomes and Charlie Coviello would’ve weakened the opposition vote. Neither of them is running for the Democratic nomination, both choosing to support the strongest reform candidate to emerge in Bridgeport politics in decades. So Finch and Testa turned to Santa Ayala, the DTC’s kept woman in the ROV’s office, to provide a remedy. It backfired. And now they are resorting to the dirtiest of political tactics, race baiting.
This is Bridgeport. It ain’t Highway 61.
File under low, latest annex rumor.
Finch himself spotted at Vincelette St. condos pulling Foster signs out of the ground.
Doubt it was Finch himself but it wouldn’t surprise me if something like that wasn’t done by one of his supporters. Don’t you sometimes feel like pulling out Finch signs?
I usually feel like burning them.
Kid Bpt, I would love it if I saw Bill in my area. However, it would be hurtful with all of the support Mary-Jane Foster has here. But I have to dispel the rumor. Not True! I have put up nearly 70 signs and all but 3 are still standing! Vincelette Condominiums are very visible with Foster signs. And the owner of a vacant lot asked for a sign there also–Go figure!
Frustrated Bridgeport Democrat,
This primary election is about something much more important. If Foster wins her challenge to the Democratic-endorsed candidate, she will not be beholden to the DTC. More than 75% of the DTC membership either work for the city/board of ed or their immediate family work for the city/board of ed. Some DTC members are employed by the city and are also on the city council. They don’t recuse themselves from voting on the city budget which pays their salary or the union contracts which govern their work rules. If Foster wins she will not be beholden to this conflicted incestuous committee. Bridgeport needs reform. It starts with this primary election. Foster is qualified and independent. I am voting for Foster. I am voting to reform Bridgeport’s political house.
If you want to see one-sided go to Bill’s City Twitter account. He is using city personnel and assets to go to cookouts and buy votes at the Hollander House (please see tweet of August 30 and corresponding picture).
He’s a Tweety Bird!
twitter.com/#!/MayorBillFinch
Sorry countdown and while I also believe the entire DTC/City & BOE are too intertwined and incestuous, I just don’t see MJF as that kind of change factor.
Unless passionate, motivated people like Torres, Delmonico, YOURSELF, Fardy, etc. get on the DTC and the City Council, then nothing changes.
So you’re essentially giving up on the possibility of change? The DTC is so intertwined with the workings of the city it is unrealistic to think change will happen overnight. But change will occur under a Foster administration. Another four years of Bill Finch would lead the city to moral and financial bankruptcy. He shouldn’t have taken the job to begin with; now he doesn’t want to let it go because of a deal he made with Mario Testa, AKA Satan.
Frustrated,
First things first. The primary must be decided followed by the general election. I am not sure when the next elections are for the DTC but I am positive there are 90 residents who will want to serve so the very best people are identified for elected or board/commission appointments from around the city representing its full diversity. People who have only the very best interests of the city as a whole. People who do not want to run for office; who do not want to work for the city/board of ed or have their immediate family work for the city/board of ed. Those who the DTC nominate must serve the city as a whole and not have to worry about pleasing people who have conflicts either perceived or actual that affect their true objectivity.
First issue is the primary. Foster is the correct choice.
And Bill Finch does represent that kind of change factor?
In Bridgeport? I’m shocked, just shocked …
I’ve only visited this blog a few times because it’s been so negative and so one-sided I go other places to get the news. I agree with a few of the comments about Ernie Newton. He’s never been an honest person, even when he was our elected State Senator. I don’t know how anyone could take his assessment of race baiting seriously. I know everyone here loves Foster but I have to say, this tag team does not suit her well. If I were her I would stay far away from Newton. Her campaign so far has been so dirty and this doesn’t help.
I will repeat MJF was not my first choice and will agree, again, this blog is one-sided. But where do you get “her campaign so far has been so dirty”? What has been dirty? Uncovering possible illegal activities relating to a PAC? Siding with parents that the state takeover of the BOE is unconstitutional? Providing photos of city vehicles parked in driveways when they aren’t supposed to be taken home? Suing to get on the ballot when she was improperly disqualified?
If anything is dirty, it is this administration and the machine that keeps it going and as a taxpayer you should want to see an end to it. And even if you’re not sure Foster would make a difference, you can damn well be sure Finch will be more of the same.
Not true. I would be careful about character assassinations. Ernie has paid his debt to society. Bill Finch’s campaign has started on a dirty note and will end up in the gutter. Friends come in all sizes and shapes with all kinds of history. I wouldn’t judge. Most important it is Mary-Jane Foster we are supporting. Ernie is just a friend like many who has been invited to the party. Mary-Jane’s party table has many seats, even for you!!!
This blog has become “one-sided?” Take a good look at the names below. Whose name is the biggest? Here is the name of a ‘creep’ who has turned down all our invitations to join the blog; defend his positions; respond to our comments and ideas. Yet he has a free ad (his name in big pink letters) posted here. He gets to post his bullshit press conference announcements here. He gets to clandestinely come into the blog and take my comment of his choice, take it out of context and interpret it the way he wants. So much for “one-sided!”
Sauleastend2,
I’m not sure what you mean about Foster’s campaign. Having 250 pages of petitions thrown out by the Registrar 17 days after receipt resulting in a 34-page opinion by Judge Bellis putting her back on the ballot stating the Registrar misled her campaign is the ultimate assault on Bridgeporters’ right to vote. That to me is just unbelievably wrong.
David Hall sadly passed away.
By the way I would welcome a discussion of Finch’s Mayoral record. Facts about what he directly accomplished, not things done riding on Fabrizi’s coattails. So far that hasn’t happened. Unfortunately all I have read is a bunch of flamethrower comments with little or no substance. Substance please.
sauleastend2, you made your point, I don’t know what it is but you had your say. You know one of the good things about blogs is you don’t have to read them or comment on them. sauleastend2 it seems OIB is not for you but what you could do is tell us where we can find a friendly blog for Mayor Finch.
I have spoken at one time or another to a lot of politicians from the 134th district and just about every one of them would welcome Joe Ganim into the race. In fact many said they would vote for him. For the ones who don’t know, Ganim is WHITE.
Now here is Ernie Newton who doesn’t live in the 134th district being held up as everything that’s wrong with MJF. To that I say bullshit.
Ernie Newton happens to be black and from the East Side. Ernie served time with Joe Ganim.
The 134th it seems forgives Ganim and uses Ernie Newton as an example of what’s wrong with MJF.
RACISM??? In my humble opinion the answer is YES.
Members of the 134th town committee are as follows:
134th DISTRICT
Dennis Scinto, city employee, son is a city employee
Thomas Lyons, wife is BOE employee and councilwoman
Paul Carbone, former city employee
Matthew Cuminotto, police officer
Johanna Dorgan, former P&Z member, city employee
Eugene O’Neill, city employee and former police commission member
Thomas Gacewicz, former health director
David Hall, police commissioner
Marilyn Santacroce, former council member, part-time city employee.
Most have or have had city jobs. Do they hear MJF’s footsteps? Are they fighting to keep their jobs? Bet your life they are.
Just a reminder to all, there are many, many blacks living in the North End. I encourage you all to keep pissing them off.
That was excellent. I agree 100 percent. They do seem to forget Bridgeport is a fully integrated city with amazing diversity. Notice there is not one Finch sign in the Testo’s area … That was smart. Now I can go for my twin lobsters and not be pissed as I am chewing! Can you believe I have enjoyed Testo’s restaurant for years and have never met Mario personally? How lucky am I? I do enjoy his restaurant and I am happy there are no signs for blocks supporting Finch!!!
I was headed towards Tiago’s a few weeks ago for lunch … saw the Finch signs and turned back around. Haven’t gone back since.
Bridgeport Girl,
The signs are down at Tiago’s. Tonight Markle Court at State street is closed. There is dining outside. A band playing at McLevy Park and hundreds of folks listening and enjoying the night.
Hey Bob, come on down tonight. You will be pleasantly surprised!!!
It seems I made a big mistake in listing the members of the 134th town committee. They have three new members. I used the city web site to get those names. I should have known better as the list has not been updated in four years. Here is the new list:
??? Nolan
Matthew Cuminotto, police officer
Johanna Dorgan, former P&Z member, city employee
Eugene O’Neill, city employee and former police commission member
John Fabrizi BOE employee and major Finch ass kisser
Peter Minaya
Marilyn Santacroce, former council member, part-time city employee.
I do not think these people are knocking on white-only doors but I believe some of them, not all, know about it. Without a doubt Lyons and Paniccia have nothing to do with this nor do they know who is doing it.
I believe Finch and Company are behind this race baiting.
I don’t know how anyone on this page can side with Ernie on his race baiting claim. He has made a career on crying “BLACK.”
While we are talking about race baiting, has anyone seen the “Finch da Grinch” flyers that were passed out on the East End? It said “Bill Finch doesn’t like black people” and “Bill Finch locks blacks out of jobs.” Everyone on the East End knows it was Ernie, and anyone who has read his posts on this blog would know it was him by its half ebonic half 2nd grade grammar.
The best anyone on this blog can say is Finch and Foster are both guilty of race baiting. But to point the finger at Finch, while you hold your nose and pretend Ernie isn’t full of crap is ridiculous. Most of you snicker when he talks or blogs. Even this site mocks his “Black Moses” quote and constantly uses the word peeps when talking about Ernie. Now all of a sudden he’s a victim?!
By the way; has anyone wondered what Ernie Newton and Mary-Jane Foster have in common? Here’s the answer: They both hate Finch and they both have done squat for black people while pretending like they care.
parkcity: Check your facts. MJF has volunteered at several city schools whose population is over 80% minority. She is an angel (school title) at Columbus school. Take a look at her employment history at the Bluefish.
Your post above is pure and utter bullshit.