Acting Education Commissioner George Coleman has named the panel of six that will supervise the city schools after the Board of Education voted to call in the state for a takeover. One of the appointed members, Ken Moales Jr. serves as treasurer of Mayor Bill Finch’s reelection candidate committee. CT Post story link:
www.ctpost.com/news/article/Coleman-names-new-Bridgeport-school-board-1743182.php
Meanwhile, the campaign of Mary-Jane Foster has gone to court to try to ensure its slate of Board of Education candidates has ballot access, assuming they’ve successfully petitioned their way before Democratic voters. The deadline to submit signatures is Wednesday. From Foster:
Democratic candidate for mayor of Bridgeport Mary-Jane Foster’s campaign filed a complaint today with the Superior Court of Fairfield County seeking to ensure that the Bridgeport Board of Education candidates who are running on her citywide slate are placed on the primary ballot on September 13, if they submit the required certified petitions. Plaintiffs Robert Walsh, Charles Coviello, George Pipkin, III, and Pertrinea Cash-Deedon v State Board of Education, et al. seeks:
1. A declaratory ruling that Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 10-223e(h) is unconstitutional;
2. A declaratory ruling that the dissolution of the Bridgeport Board of Education was improper and in violation of the requirements of the Statute;
3. An ex parte injunction ordering the Democratic Registrar of Voters [of Bridgeport] to accept the petitions of the Board of Education Candidates and to place their names on the primary ballot;
4. A temporary injunction preventing the State Board of Education and Acting Commissioner of Education from taking further action to reconstitute the Bridgeport of Education;
5. Any other relief that is appropriate.
“Mayor Finch worked for months behind the scenes with outsiders to orchestrate this takeover. It is stunning that it never occurred to him to discuss it with those who would be most affected by it–the parents and residents of Bridgeport–the people he took an oath to represent and protect,” stated Foster.
“I have stated from day one that the State reconstitution of the Bridgeport Board of Ed was the wrong way to fix our school system. It not only throws the democratic process out the window by overturning local elections, but also suspends Board of Ed elections for at least another three years. All this and still no one can articulate what benefit it brings–either in terms of financial relief or new resources.
“The mayor and his closest advisers were promised the potential for receiving significant dollars for the school system if the elected board was dissolved. They steamrolled the Constitution in the process. I am the only candidate in this election who has taken any substantive action to prevent the takeover and protect the rights of our parents.
“I began my legal career as a victims’ advocate and have long fought for the rights of those whose voices are being silenced. I am committed to preserving our voters’ right to express themselves through proper elections and there will be an election for the Bridgeport Board of Education if I have anything to say about it.”
The complaint was filed by outside legal counsel, Atty. John Kardaras with Atty. Michele Mount as co-counsel.
“The citizens of Bridgeport have a right to an elected Board of Education,” stated Kardaras. “The State’ s action dissolving the Board was in violation of the Connecticut Constitution. Our suit seeks to compel the Registrar of Voters to place any qualified candidate for Board of Education on the ballot and for the people of Bridgeport to continue to have an elected Board of Education.”
If the judge agrees with the opinion expressed here, do the remaining members who are not running (in this election) keep their seats? It would seem those on MJF’s ticket would simply “walk on” with no opposition in the primary or general election. They would than join the current members who weren’t up for election. Am I correct?
It would appear you are correct, Mr. Diaz. Mary-Jane Foster’s campaign is fighting to ensure control of the BOE is wrested from Mario Testa’s hands.
The revelations of the quick-rising PAC scandal are going to matter on September 13th. Even if Finch went out of his way to communicate with the SEEC about the reimbursements it still looks as though some improprieties were committed. No endorsement from the Governor, many former Finch supporters, some of whom were employed by his administration, lining up at the office of a challenger for the party nomination, it all adds up to one thing: bad news for One Term Bill.
Hector, you would be correct. People there now would keep their seats and those up for re-election could run if they make it on the ballot. DTC didn’t put anyone in those slots. MJF and Working Families could have people there though.
Are there any rules on how many from any political party? The RTC didn’t endorse any candidates either.
What kind of message does it send when the mayor’s campaign treasurer is named to one of the six new positions? Seems like politics as usual.
It just came to me, Mary-Jane Foster is going to have to work her butt off if she wants to beat Finch. Because it just came to me in the 2007 primary it was raining and Caruso still lost. If it did not rain trust me Finch would have won by way more votes.
One precinct I think will flip will be Black Rock, Finch won here in 2007. I think Mary-Jane will take it this time around but you never know, who would have thought Finch would win Black Rock school in 2007? The x-factor for this precinct will be Danny Roach, he knows how to get out votes for his candidates in primaries at Black Rock. Who is he supporting this election?
Bill Finch …
Dan Roach controls the Black Rock district and has tried to become the DTC chairman … we’ll see who is going to deliver.
Moales is on this board to make sure the BOE is privatized. Once the “package” is delivered, and it will be soon, Gomes and MJ will save the city.
A well-known politico once said to me “It’s the appearance of impropriety that a candidate must avoid at all cost.”
You know, tyranny and oppression can only go so far. No matter how the Mayor insults democracy, when the good people of Bridgeport go in to cast their votes, no one will know who they voted for.
Tyranny and oppression? The Finch administration is more aptly described as “tyranny and mutation.”
This deal for the state to take over the BOE certainly has all the earmarks of a move by Mario Testa to retain control of the of the majority. Why was the treasurer of Conrad Birdie’s re-election campaign appointed to the board? I’ll give him a pass. He’s just an accountant. There are four other appointed board members, four elected seats to be filled. It does seem odd that one of the appointments went to a Finch insider.
The BOE issue is the least of Conrad Birdie’s problems. The biggest headache was on the front page of this morning’s Connecticut Post, above the fold.
Mr. Moales should have give up one of his positions, either he is working for Mayor Finch or he working for Commissioner Coleman, not both.
Exactly, Ron Mackey. No one can serve two masters.
How is this different from Foster who thinks the mayor should appoint 5 out of 9 BOE commissioners?
*** Saw in the paper a Barry Piesner passing away; is it Charlie’s friend? If so, I’m saddened to hear the news, he was always a nice fellow & good writer too! *** RIP ***
Wow, thanks Mojo, I was not aware of his passing. I agree with your comment about Mr. Barry Piesner, he truly cared about Bridgeport.
Regretfully you’re right. Barry’s passing, although unexpected due to his illness, was a sad event. However, Coviello is now going to think for himself. And that might prove difficult.
*** Something rotten on the new state ed. panel already, no? And is Moales the only pastor in Bpt these days? *** Bad Decision! ***
If they wanted a representative from the religious community, there were certainly better choices with no ties to Finch. Pastor Bennett for example who worked for many years with the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition. The appointment of Rev. Moales just doesn’t feel right, even if he resigns as campaign treasurer. Everything Finch does has an ulterior motive.
Don’t forget Rev. Charlie Stallworth. Finch supported him for the 126th seat–buying the brothers’ votes up.
I question Acting Education Commissioner George Coleman’s appointment of Kenneth Moales, Jr. to the city’s new school board. Not because Mr. Moales is a former forensic accountant and senior pastor at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit but because he is the treasurer of the Bill Finch for Mayor campaign. This is nothing against Kenneth Moales, Jr. but against Commissioner’s Coleman decision to placed Moales on the new board, what was he thinking?
Barry was a good and talented man. Condolences to Charlie and I hope I have as good as friend as you were to Barry.
It’s politics as usual. The sooner the birdman goes, the better.
This is clear cut. We see who was sleepin’ with whom. Yes, the needed package will prevail and in easy fashion. Change, reform, victory for the people and workers of Bpt. Mr. Ganim … enjoy the sidelines with your lovely family, the package will prevail.
Flies on the wall know. Never fear, the package is near.
Save Our City
Forget Queen Kate.
There is no debate.
The real “Royal Wedding” coming to Bpt.
Ahhh … the pre-nup …
Package! Package! Package!
And what did Finch say when he swore these individuals in?
By the powers vested in me by the charter of the city of Bridgeport …
Nope, this is totally against the charter.
Do you swear to uphold the charter …
Nope. Any non-resident has already violated the charter.
By the powers vested in me by the state of CT …
Nope. He has no powers once the board of Ed dissolved.
Oh well, it doesn’t really matter.
Finch doesn’t give a rat’s ass about education but he has found a new scapegoat. That’s all that matters to this “not my fault” admin.
Do any of these individuals have children in the Bridgeport Public School system?
“In a hastily arranged ceremony” some of the new BOE members were sworn in at a mostly empty city council chambers. Why didn’t Finch wait until all the BOE members were there and why didn’t he have a proper ceremony? Because Finch had to do something to take the attention away from his fraudulent use of PAC funds. So he calls a half-assed press conference which he knows will garner front-page headlines. So transparent.
Johnny G package does, once the rings are exchanged, he has the big broom. MJ can concentrate on bringing back the love to the once-proud city, and Gomes can weave his magic and his broom.
Exactly. Only MJF does not seem to share that sentiment. Gomes stays in the race, Finch wins the primary.
MJF. We, the suffering people of Bridgeport, want you to be mayor AND we want John Gomes to be a part of your administration at the highest level.
We want Gomes to accompany you to City Hall. We want him to rid the place of all calamarian influence in the shortest order possible. We want him to restore confidence in government so when the Hand of Bridgeport is extended it is shaken not filled. That’s a big job.
MJF. You have a big job too. It shall fall upon your hands to fix commerce. You have the tools; the temperament, the intellectual capacity and the actual hands-on experience. That is what we want you to concentrate on.
We don’t expect you to just give up your authority to Gomes. You are the CEO. He reports to you. But any good CEO knows once management objectives are clarified and orders issued, the subordinate sets forth with responsibility for the outcome and authority to do the job.
That’s what we want. THE PACKAGE. It’s our only option. Without it, you lose and we lose more.
Both of you; wake up!!!
THIS DEMONSTRATES ONE BOARD MEMBER’S CONCERN AND COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
Kelleher, who moved to Bridgeport from Storrs this summer, cited her experience in using data-driven assessments to evaluate school districts. So new is her family to Bridgeport that her two sons aren’t sure which high school they’ll be attending next month–public, charter or magnet–though they’re in the Central High School district.
OR DID WOODY COME UP WITH THIS LIE?
TBK has suggested MJF wants to “wrest” control of the BOE from Mario Testa’s grip.
What benefit to Testa and his calamarian network is there for him to be in control of his BOE “plants?”
The Bird and his worms will be underground, bring in the national guard Sept. 13 to watch the process. Not Malloy’s guard, never know what bed people sleep in.
Bob, you said “regretfully,” well I regretfully ask that you would wait until Mr. Piesner is buried before you start throwing digs at Charlie Coviello, thank you.
Ron, I’ve been throwing digs at Coviello for years. I knew Barry very well, having broken bread with him many times. According to Halacha (Talmudic Law), Barry should have been buried before my comment upset you. I won’t comment further on Coviello as none is really necessary anymore.
Bob, I meant no disrespect to you and I take what you said as true.
Not to worry. Unlike some of the idiots in Bridgeport’s government, I understand loyalties. I still think Charlie Coviello is a poor choice for public office. He had his day in the sun with the Mandanici administration and let that go down the toilet along with his personal life. Charlie is a nice enough guy, but removed from reality on many levels.
Correct me if I am wrong but doesn’t Rev Moales receive in the neighborhood of $200K from the board of education for the day care he runs and isn’t his salary in the neighborhood of $200K?
*** IT’S CALLED CONNECT THE POLITICAL DOTS, TC! *** WASH YOUR BACK ANYONE??? ***
*** DEAL WITH THE DEVIL? *** CROSSROADS ***