State Senator Anthony Musto hasn’t made a lot of constituents happy the past few days following his announced stance against the government reform bill advanced by State House members Jack Hennessy and Auden Grogins–supported by a cross-section in the state legislature–that would bar city employees from serving on the City Council minimizing conflicts of interests such as councilors approving their own wages and benefits. Supporters of the bill say Musto caved to political interests opposed to the bill rather than stepping up for a vocal chorus of constituents. It has a number of reform-minded Democratic activists weighing candidates to run a primary next year against Musto. It also has Republicans engaged on winning the seat that covers Trumbull and portions of Bridgeport and Monroe.
Hennessy and Grogins will continue to put up the good fight trying to advance the bill, but even if they’re successful pushing a vote out of the State House in the last days of the legislative session, the bill will likely die with both of Bridgeport’s State Senators Andres Ayala and Musto opposing it. It’s rare for the remaining 34 senators to push against the grain of two of their peers. It sucks up too much oxygen. And so it goes in the legislature.
Republican Senate Leader John McKinney, for one, has been an active proponent of the reform bill, a nice issue for him as he weighs a run for governor in 2014.
Interestingly, even some of Bridgeport’s political operatives who support city employees serving on the City Council question privately Musto’s constituent skill set in a district that could swing Republican next year, given the dynamic of Musto’s support for the highest tax increase in state history as the economy continues to struggle. Musto’s portion of Bridgeport includes the higher turnout areas of the city–Black Rock, Brooklawn and the North End–less reliable to the party apparatus that counts on low turnouts to win elections. In Musto’s appeal to strengthen political support he has actually alienated constituents prone to vote rather than stay home.
So the search is on for opponents on two levels, angry Democrats seeking to take Musto out in a primary next year and Republicans feeling good about their chances to regain the seat last held by Rob Russo.
One name that has popped up as a potential Democratic challenger is Marilyn Moore who lost to Musto in a Democratic primary in 2008 by a slim margin. Moore ran for city clerk on the mayoral ticket of Mary-Jane Foster in 2011. She also is aligned politically with former State Senator Ed Gomes, popular in the North End Wilbur Cross precinct that was carved into Musto’s district by Democratic redistricting operatives to try to make Musto’s seat safer. Gomes is still miffed that his district was carved up. He finished third in a primary to Ayala and Ernie Newton last year.
On the Republican front, two-time mayoral candidate Rick Torres who’s popular in Black Rock where Musto’s bleeding support over his position on the reform bill is weighing his options against Musto.
Organizers of the community action group Citizens Working 4 a Better Bridgeport that includes David Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, say they will be actively engaged working against vulnerable elected officials opposed to their government reform measures.
Really?
Marilyn Moore and Sen. Gomes were anti-Steelepointe. I was at a meet and greet for Moore run by Caruso and Gomes. I got their anti-Steelepointe rant. I voted for Musto. Although I appreciate the anti-Musto rant, I am certain he will be able to tie Steelepointe into his campaign. If there is a better candidate out there I am listening. We need some new blood. Tired of the same recycled obsequious local politicians.
Would you consider voting for a Republican or anyone other than a Democrat? Just curious.
Oh yes, sure, without a doubt I would vote for a Republican. I voted for Chris Shays for years until he started to change and started acting like the “right-wing members” of the Republican Party and his continuing support for the war, my vote was against Shays and not for Himes but Himes got my vote.
I have always split my ticket. However, to be honest being in the 21st century I have a problem with the Republican party becoming a freakishly religious and creepy crew with very few looking to reclaim the party. Honestly I have always voted for the best man or woman for the job. I am not a guaranteed Democratic vote. A Republican would have to be a moderate to get a vote from me. I have no use nor would I even attempt to put a staunch social conservative in a decision-making position.
Steve, Steel Point’s not in Musto’s district but he certainly can take credit for it. Musto also thought a women’s prison in his district at the time was a great economic development initiative for the city.
He also came out against Nob Hill Academy by Beardsley Park. I am not a a big fan of Musto and do find it curious that apparently he has no support on this blog. I guess he has just shown up at Steelpointe for the photo opportunity like every politician in a 25-mile radius.
Steve, he came out against Nob Hill Academy after the neighborhood mobilized against it. Prior to that he was bragging about the benefits of building this prison.
He then got the legislature to redefine his voting area thus getting him out of the 138th and into Black Rock. He is a scumbag.
What about the Brownfields Grant to redevelop a downtown parcel into 57 market-rate housing units?
I’d vote for yahooy over Musto.
Here is my vote, yahooy over Musto.
Thank you. Your endorsement is generous. I don’t think we have anything to worry about regarding Musto. It certainly looks like Musto, the ill-advised sycophant, could run unopposed and lose by a mandate.
I don’t see Musto losing. Yes this will muddy the waters for him because I don’t think Ms. Moore will run again for that position and I don’t see any Republican with any strength to win.
Ron, if Torres runs and qualifies for public financing he’s a big problem for Musto. Torres will win Trumbull and Monroe. He will win Black Rock. He will run competitively in Brooklawn and Winthrop School in the North End. Musto will need to run up large numbers in other Bridgeport precincts to survive. Musto could still win but a Torres candidacy is problematic for Anthony.
Lennie, you said “Musto will need to run up up large numbers in other Bridgeport precincts to survive,” well, that’s real important, the other districts that were in Ed Gomes’ district could turn out in big numbers against Torres a Republican because there a lot of voters will come out not to vote for Musto but to vote against the Republican.
Yes, Musto will need every possible vote out of Wilbur Cross, a potent Democratic precinct. But Barack Obama will not be on the ballot. Something tells me Ed Gomes will not be among those pumping out votes for Musto.
Torres is also Tea Party. As soon as he opens his mouth with some of his more controversial comments like when he was bashing Muslims when he ran for Congress or his opposition to even modest increases in the minimum wage, he will sink like a stone. Trumbull tends to be a lot more moderate than Monroe. Remember when they ran Tea Party candidate Dave Pia? I am going to say this again. Black Rock does not revolve around Harborview Market. Rick had his day when he ran against Fabrizi with all the money he had he couldn’t defeat a seriously flawed candidate like Bill Finch. Torres will turn off the dissident Democrats. Run Auden in a primary, you have a chance. And BTW Lennie, yes, Bob Keeley was endorsed but they abandoned him afterwards and were quietly telling people to vote for Auden.
David Pia won Trumbull and Monroe, and he’s to the right of Rick Torres. It’s true you just never know what Rick Torres will say. A lot of this will be contrasted against Musto’s dubious voting record. But no matter the GOP candidate, Dems will trot out the Tea Party rhetoric. It’s what they do. Torres defeated Finch at Black Rock School in 2011. As for Auden, she has built up her own prestige independent of the party apparatus. It can be done.
Torres is only Tea Party when he happens to be right in front of them … otherwise he hides from them. Shush … no one is supposed to know …
Lennie, Lennie, Lennie; snap out of it!!! Rick Torres is a very nice man. I think you are way overreaching his ability to win in those areas. Way overreaching.
Musto is in a no-win situation. If he does the right thing (supports the bill), he faces the wrath of Mario and company who will work against him and deny him the party endorsement. Do the wrong thing (oppose the bill) and the educated voters come out against him. Question is: who has the most power?
Why isn’t anyone lining up against Ayala who also opposes the bill? Is it because his constituents are brain dead or is he confident the absentees will pull him through no matter what.
Bruce, why a no-win situation? Auden Grogins co-sponsored the bill. She’s not worried about losing political support because she’s on the side of the angels with this bill. She also defeated Bob Keeley with Keeley as the endorsed candidate. Mario Testa broke the convention tie that gave Keeley the endorsement. Hennessy has run and won several times without the town committee endorsement. When Tom McCarthy challenged Hennessy in a primary McCarthy was the endorsed candidate. Hennessy won. As for Ayala, yes a large part of his constituency is brain dead. I’m not talking about the folks who vote, but the folks who don’t vote.
Senator Musto’s poor judgment, lack of courage and failure to represent his constituents has me reconsidering whether I and others need to pursue (and win) elected office to change things from the inside versus the outside. Stay tuned. Musto will go if he does not turn around fast.
LOL, here we go.
Let’s remember the voters in Trumbull and Monroe are not as concerned about the government reform bill advanced by State House members Jack Hennessy and Auden Grogins as much as the voters in Black Rock. They will need something else for them to turn their backs on Musto.
Well, Monroe and Trumbull are not absolute Democratic strongholds it seems. Both towns have Republican First Selectmen. Herbst will likely win again in Trumbull this election cycle, but I don’t know much about Vavrek. If these towns maintain the Republican party First Selectmen, it is very reasonable to think a Republican can be highly competitive or even win there, isn’t it? Logic dictates Musto is indeed in trouble if he loses Black Rock, Brooklawn and the North End in Bridgeport, right?
Ron, Musto has never won Trumbull and Monroe when the Republican has qualified for public financing.
I do not live in Musto’s district and I do not support him but I still don’t see a candidate who will beat him.
I have reported this previously, but it cannot be emphasized often enough.
The State of CT provided $270 Million to Bridgeport in the 2012 FY for operating purposes. (In contrast the City received $273 Million from resident and business taxpayers plus another $50 Million from the Federal level.)
As City and State financial status are discussed at budget and other times, do you think there is any resentment for the amounts sent, and the amounts spent without any clear idea of what is being purchased, towards an effective purpose, and with what sense of efficiency?
A legislator from the ‘burbs could easily cover his vote as an efficiency vote, it seems to me, that would resonate with Republicans and tax-averse Democrats who do not like to see their State payments increasing and who see major contributions to Bridgeport and other impoverished communities as competing with State monies they wish to access. Here is a good-government vote that lets you wear a white hat, unless you are beholden to others for what you are about to receive. Or hope to receive? Time will tell.
Musto, pedantic putz. We’re talking about Musto. If you have veiled a point including Musto, it is lost on me.
Sir yahooy–I believe what General Lee is trying to say is all of CT sends beaucoup bucks to Bridgeport in the form of state tax dollars. As such, good governance in city govt is important not only from the perspective of the Bridgeport taxpayer, but for all of the State’s taxpaying residents. It’s important, ergo, for Bridgeport be able to be “OAT”-ty, show how the money is spent, etc. and keep the folks on Council conflict-free. That, Sir yahooy, is the connection between JML’s diatribe and 5724.
P.S. You know JML gets paid by the word, right?
Thank you for interpreting the Bow Tie Bozo’s message. I continue to state the man has a compelling message but not the capacity to reach those who really need to hear it. Seems he takes exception to this. Naturally. A message lost is a message wasted. Sadly.
Au contraire, mon frère. I think we get extra credit points for hanging in there and separating the wheat from the chaff. I don’t think JML takes exception to this–well, probably the name-calling he doesn’t like. We need the JMLs and the Andy Fardy’s of the world, who are willing to get down into the weeds to sniff out the b.s. and find out where there is trouble. Most of us are just trying to put food on the table and don’t have the wherewithal to stick with the hound-dogging these guys so generously do on behalf of all of us. I’ve read this blog for some time now and I’m amazed at how little unification there is–all this bitching back and forth. A lot of hot air and energy WASTED. Instead of tearing each other down, we should be supporting each other. We really all do want the same thing. Let’s get it together here.
yahooy will always be a yahoo.
*** If interested again, Russo would fair well over Musto while Moore might be more of a long shot especially in the towns of Monroe and Trumbull. But at this point it’s obviously clear “Musto must go,” there are far too many self-serving career pols up in the State Capitol already, no? ***
That senate district can bite a pol even if the person does a good job of representing the state. It is difficult to represent this district without voter trouble because it is so diverse. It’s fun to write about. It’s the way all districts should be.
On a related note …
Since when did a prison morph into “Nob Hill Academy?”
Be careful, this mangling of the language is how bureaucrats (and their political enablers) try to get you to accept the unacceptable.
This senate district is a prime example of the evils of gerrymandering. It makes absolutely no sense to have Black Rock and Brooklawn in the same district with Monroe.
I am down with Marilyn Moore. She is a woman of substance and a polished politician.
She established her own non-profit to assist women in obtaining medical care for cancer detection and treatment. And it is a for-real not-for-profit; one where she is willing to go without in order to better serve her clients.
It would serve the powers that be if the result of their gerrymandering Senator Gomes’ old district ends up creating a block of voters that sends Musto packing.
She is active in the African American community as a way of life and by way of politics.
Come on baby, let the good times roll!
I forgot, Bob. You, Caruso and Gomes are all connected. Marilyn Moore is a very eloquent speaker and I would support yahooy before I’d vote for her. I would start a petition and run his campaign office. Caruso is done with local politics and Gomes nor Moore can guarantee a block of votes in both the African American communities. Furthermore, Moore could not even deliver a handful of votes in the African American Community. On the surface her credentials and involvement with breast cancer are impressive. Talk to people in the African American Community and you find the level of respect just does not exist. I know that to be a fact.
Why are you bashing Marilyn? She is a great lady who really cares about Bridgeport.
Steve: I hear what you are saying regarding Marilyn. Although she was very instrumental in the Petitioning phase regarding MJF’s campaign, at the end of the day the demographic that should have been reached by her presence in the campaign, sadly was one of the demographics that contributed to MJF’s loss–African American females.
I do think she has her strong points though and if she strategizes properly and runs a strong grass-roots campaign in Trumbull and Monroe, I think she can run strong. She is well educated and female. She could appeal to the same group there.
Mustang Sally, I agree with you but what you also had was some black leaders and black ministers with strong connections with the DTC who told out-and-out lies about MJF, about her really being a Republican and with connections to the KKK.
Yes Ron, the Republican KKK thing blew my mind. There really was no limit to how low the opposition would sink. They even blasphemed Dr. Seuss! Nobody should ever mess with the Doc. 😉
Marilyn would make a great Senator. If I were still in CT I would definitely jump on the bandwagon.
MM must be the only person in the world you actually like, BRG. I’m stunned.
Steve,
I won’t even respond to your comment but one of these days please enlighten us all as to how she almost beat Musto the last time they ran against each other and Musto had the backing of the machine.
Please Steve.
She lost, Bob. If she runs against Musto she will lose again. She does not support development on Steelepointe. We do not need self-serving individuals.
Steven Auerbach, where are you getting your information from when you said, “On the surface her credentials and involvement with breast cancer are impressive. Talk to people in the African American Community and you find the level of respect just does not exist. I know that to be a fact.” A fact, please tell us all how it is a fact? I go to the same church as Ms. Moore and it is obvious you never spoke to the members at her church and now you are telling us you know what the African American Community feels about Ms. Moore, please.
Ron Mackey, I am getting my information from friends and former associates and members of the Business council. Members of the Business council in Bridgeport focused on the minority African American community and the street. To be honest she was one of the individuals running on Foster’s ticket who made me sick. Furthermore Mackey, if she runs, I will do what needs to be done to see she Doesn’t get into a decision-making position. Ron Mackey, I would rather not get int character assassination. Suffice it to say, if this blog is trying to find a candidate who could unseat Musto I can say Moore would not be my choice.
YES I would want to interview members of your Church … not!
Btw Ron, when Caruso and Sen. Gomes had a function promoting Moore she was the minority in the room. I will say she speaks most eloquently. If only she shared my vision for the City. The vision that benefits all residents and supports the BILLION dollar Steelepointe project creating 1000’s of jobs. She and Sen. Gomes were not supportive and look where they are.
Whether Steelepointe is in her district or not is not relevant. To be vocally against and believing it will never happen like Sen. Gomes and Moore could not help move our city forward.
Steven Auerbach, how long has the Steelepointe property been vacant and it’s Gomes and Moore’s fault?
No, not their fault. But they do not support it. They are not in decision-making positions so it is not important. What is important Ron, is the leadership of our great city have support and partners in both Hartford and Washington. Mayor Finch and the residents do not need to elect officials who do not share the Vision or buy into the administration’s mission statement.
Steve, who has supported Steelpointe and shown leadership and where has that gotten Bridgeport?
Let’s just get the job done. The collective intelligence exists within the reform effort to make sure in the next election, Musto is dusto.
Steve,
It seems a few comments about people who run for office, past, present and future have caused you to be center ring and flailing your arms while trying to share your vision.
Steelpointe in its multiple retellings to you represents a BILLION Dollar project with 1,000s of jobs, as you have said above. We are at a time when it takes a couple years for Federal funds ($11 Million) to begin expenditure and at the same time are witnessing battles as to who is responsible for extra expense for buried utilities.
So how will the BILLION or more be raised? From whom and for what profitable (to lenders) purpose? What business activity will choose to locate itself on the Bridgeport waterfront to make such choice and investment profitable? What does the pro forma projection for such enterprise offer to the Bridgeport taxpayer as a reward for patience? And then we get to your jobs vision, hopefully for local jobless to a good extent, what type of work, with what levels of compensation is part of your vision? Will you check that out with your Business Council associates and get specific?
Finally Steve, will you provide some more comment on your statement: “What is important Ron, is the leadership of our great city have support and partners in both Hartford and Washington.” I understand your love of the City. What I dispute on a regular basis is the way “leadership” operates, as you know. The support in Hartford and Washington you mention are the lobbyists bought and paid for with taxpayer funds, right? What word do they mention from one year to the next about how the future of the City has been advanced because of the lobbying activity on our behalf? How does their work or words support this grand vision? Time will tell.
JML and on Mackey, when it comes to Steelpointe, I prefer to not look backwards. I have been as frustrated as many residents. I had such hope since Len Paoletta had the vision for Harborpointe, a name that has since been hijacked and successfully implemented by Stamford. For 10 years during the Ganim administration time was halted due to issues the courts have investigated and no need to regurgitate. We must look forward. The jobs that will be created at first will be 20 years’ worth of carpentry, electrical, construction, project managers, the beneficiaries are area restaurants and housing. I do not need to waste my time retrieving information from the BRBC as their info has been studied ad nauseum. I am hoping eventually Steelpointe will reduce our taxes and also hoping we are not just looking at Steelpoint but also Remington Woods and the South End by the University of Bridgeport. It is my hope every corner of the city benefits from gentrification. I know at the other extreme are groups that fear gentrification as property values go up, but we can be guaranteed Bridgeport will continue to be a magnet for public and low-income housing. Low-income people should be spread throughout the city. An entire area should not be written off as undesirable. What I am writing about is my hope for the city. This is my agenda. I will vote for anyone sharing my vision. Talking about corruption in this city is fruitless. Just look at the local churchgoing bible thumpers running non-profits in Bridgeport and the cars they drive. I want every elected official in Bridgeport to have the ability to bring big bucks back to Bridgeport. I want headquarters on Steelpointe and the BRBC to have the ability to bring them here instead of assuming Bridgeport takes the low-wage jobs while Stamford and Norwalk continue to add to their tax base. I am not interested in the fact Musto voted against the Hennessy plan. Surely we were hopeful, but did anyone believe it could get passed? It is time for a call to arms! We all need to promote the positive happenings in this city while continuing to attempt a check and balance. Just like in retail where sales will cure everything and hiring and salary increases, so it goes with economic development as well as its powerful link to the educational system in Bridgeport. It ultimately is all about building our education in Bridgeport. The quality of education will grow our economy as we will once again became a magnet for young people. Without Steelpointe, We have no future to look forward to. This will be the icing on the cake for Finch much to the chagrin of everyone hoping for his demise. Me, I just want to be proud of this city and see all of us enjoy and prosper. You can make fun of my cheerleading of this city, but it is this communication that will attract prosperity instead of misery.
Steven, we are actually all rooting for the same thing here (except, well, BRG–I cannot figure out what he wants, but whatever). Yes, bringing business back to Bridgeport and the big bucks etc. will indeed cure things. However, that will NOT happen until the perception and reality of the city’s leadership changes. Business will not want to tuck into bed with Bridgeport if there is corruption or even the appearance of the same. Passage of 5724 will HELP get the city on the right track. It is meaningful to people who want to invest their hard-earned dollars in this city, whether to open a business, buy a house, etc. We cannot overlook the problems and just hope for hope’s sake business will come. We gotta clean house.
I agree.
I was hopeful with the grandfather clause the Hennessy bill would have passed.
Steven,
There is overwhelming bipartisan support for the amended HB 5724 in the House and a super-majority of Bridgeport’s House delegation is in support. The bill just needs a vote in the House to give it momentum in the Senate. Senator Musto and Ayala need to start representing their constituents rather than Bridgeport’s political machine. They need to do what’s right for our community for both today and tomorrow. We are at a critical crossroads for our City, the time to do the right thing is NOW!
BallysyinBridgeport,
You are correct. We need to clean up our governance structure, improve the qualifications and capabilities of many of our elected officials, and put our financial house in order. We also need a Mayor who commits to grow the tax base faster than the City budget so the tax burden will fall over time. Mayor Finch has already said publicly he can’t do that. As a result, we need to elect someone who can and will do that.
Right on, CG!
Dave,
I was under the impression the amended HB 5724 failed. If there is overwhelming support I am very pleased and happy for Mr. Hennessy. We will see.
HR 5724 is a joke; it will never pass. Musto will get re-elected and the voices for change in Black Rock are only in the heads of the Tin Hat people of the Black Rock Committee of The Self Important. Who from Black Rock is going to run against Musto?????????
James,
Your comments are very harsh and insulting. You are also incorrect about the merits of HB 5724. Time will tell if it passes. You might be surprised who would be willing to run against Musto. All the best.
Who is Jim Louloudes’ State Senator? Is it John McKinney? I don’t think Jim has ever made this known to OIB readers. Jim, care to comment? Have you written a letter to your senator in opposition to SB 5724. Again, I think your aversion to people in Black Rock is even greater than your feelings about the bill. If that’s true, many sane people would avoid the locale. Maybe you just enjoy fighting words? Do you believe the majority of people you break bread around daily believe as you do? Time will tell.
James’ comments describe you to a T, Mr. Walker. You sound like Nurse Ratchett from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with JML backing you up as Cheswick. Unfortunately for B’port if you and your group characterize the only organized opposition to Finch, I see the machine remaining in power. Any choice between Finch and your group is like the movie Dumb and Dumber … pathetic and scary … and btw Dave I was fighting Finch and his friends in several elections over the last few years before you decided to bring your Napoleonic complex into the mix. And even though I don’t currently live in B’port I am not going away. Don’t like it? Too bad.
BRG,
You don’t know me or my record so your comments aren’t worth much. You’ve never noted what, if any, expertise and credentials you have and you don’t have the courage to use your own name. In addition, you live in Arizona, not Bridgeport! Enough said. Adios.
Why do you attack people so often, BRG? It is kind of messed up.
*** DUMP MUSTO NOW! ***