Welcome to OIB 2009 where we put rumors to rest (unless, of course, we start them).
I was chatting with OIB friend MCAT (Michele Mount) the other day and she was saying one of the valuable forums OIB serves is an open invitation to set the record straight. Okay, so as we kick off a new year don’t be bashful about clearing up any alleged indiscretions such as the amount of booze you consumed the past few days. We won’t tell, but you can.
Can you believe it? My whole allotment New Year’s Eve was one gin and tonic and a glass of vino. Then Ms. Mo and I watched a couple of immoral programs on the History Channel about the Seven Deadly Sins. Which ones have I committed? Oh, shit, I don’t have to tell you, you already know that story. But I can’t wait to learn this year the number of our favorite pols committing overt acts of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy or pride.
Why wait until the last minute? The Seven Deadly Sins go with the political territory.
Speaking of political territory, we have entered what we junkies call an off-election cycle. The presidential cycle was just completed, the gubernatorial and Congress next year and Bridgeport mayor in 2011. The highest-profile races in Bridgeport will be City Council, and with it, the strategic witch’s brew of Democratic Party Chair Mario Testa and his predecessor John Stafstrom that may ultimately determine, once again, future control of the party.
Who’s on Mario’s hit list? Who’s Stafstrom promoting? Will Bob “Troll” Walsh stick around just to be a big pain in the ass to Mayor Bill Finch?
And who might be in the mix for mayor in 2011? Johnny Fabs and Chris Caruso for sure. What pols will emerge from the Latin and African American communities? State Rep. Andres Ayala has become a proven vote-getter on the East Side. Good grief, former State Senator Ernie Newton will be out of the joint within a year. What will he do?
A lot of what happens depends on the success of Finch’s new budget year beginning July 1. What kind of tax hit will occur? The mayor has begun to get his footing after a slippery start, but mayors live and die by their budgets.
What is the future of a newcomer such as Marilyn Moore who lost the Democratic state senate primary by a whisker to Anthony Musto who rode the Barack wave to victory over outgoing State Sen. Rob Russo?
Nothing against Musto, he’s a good guy, but I’m sad to see Russo leave office. He’s an outstanding public servant. Actually gives a shit. He can pick up and leave Bridgeport any time he wants for a Republican town but chooses to stay in the minority party in the city.
And what is the future of Chris Shays?
And, and, and, will anyone challenge Probate Judge Paul Ganim in 2010? Paging Mary-Jane Foster. Paging Auden Grogins.
There will be no shortage of candidates for mayor next time out. I see Andres Ayala and Marilyn Moore, two minority candidates who have done well in getting votes. I see Fabrizi, Curwen, Caruso and Finch also running. I would like to see Russo run as he would be an exciting candidate.
I see McCarthy running for probate judge; it will be good to get him out of labor relations and into a job where he can show up on time.
Council seats could be up for grabs in many areas. I think my alderwomen are safe as they have both been very busy and working with their constituents. Martinez and the two Black Rock council people could be in trouble. Curwen and Paoletto could face a challenge. There are probably more challenges out there I just can’t think of them.
I do think we need to change the makeup of the council as they are stagnated now and really with the two exceptions I noted not working for their districts.
*** #1- I have to agree with you on the not doing anything for their districts part; 80% has been dealing with basic city business. The rest has been P/R work in general @ different city functions like they’ve been doing something & meetings! Same with the state legislation up in Hartford, except for the vet. usual few who stay busy on city & state business. ***
Did Russo think he was representing Bridgeport by voting against the minimum wage hike? For that, he deserved the pummeling he got.
When you’ve got more loyalty to Barry Goldwater than your living and breathing constituents, your career as a public servant shouldn’t have ever gotten started. Good riddance.
Marlys you can’t look at just 1 vote, you have to look at the whole picture. Russo did what none of our democratic reps and senators could do, he got money to conduct an audit of the Board of Ed. He also helped keep Lacey manufacturing in the city and this potentially saved 100s of jobs.
On the surface voting against the minimum wage was not a good thing. In today’s economy it might have been a necessary thing. It would be interesting to know how many full-time jobs are actually minimum wage jobs.
Bridgeport and the Probate Court could use some “Foster” care.
In my biased opinion … if Ayala wants it … and why would he … he can win it … the city would be pumped.
Wondering- I think this city has to wise up. If this country can accept an African American President why not have a Latino or African American Mayor? Andres Ayala is highly qualified for the job. Marilyn Moore did a fine job running against Musto. All of the other candidates that were mentioned Fabrizi and Curwen are all cut from the same cloth. Unfortunately, that cloth was used to wipe a shitty ass. If Finch gets 3/4 of the $billion that he asked from Barack then this is all a moot point!
Lenny- we would like to hear Marilyn or Andres on the pol pod. Enough of the north end retreads.
I second Mr. Dewars’ request for an Ayala pol pod. Not that I think he’d do it, but I think we need to hear from him now if he would even consider running for Mayor in 2011, whether ’cause he wants to, or ’cause we need his kind of leadership.
The last go-around, the only district that had no opposition was the 136th. Hence you end up with Carlos Silva still in a seat thinking he deserves everything else under the sun. The guy barely understands how the council works …
Then there is the Crowe that never crowed … Why the hell did he run? Black Rock was better off with Donna Curran in that seat …
Blunt should realize he is smoked out, get somebody young in from that district …
Poor Martinez and Valle will more than likely end up in a district battle for no reason at all … Gil, Tito and Lydia should just give it a rest and get behind Martinez so he can become a star in their district and let Valle retire in 2011. Everywhere I go I hear about the potential that kid has … His district should put aside their egos and back him …
Paoletto and Curwen should get their asses kicked like they almost did in the ’07 primary …
Holloway should give it a rest.
Don’t forget about Hubler and Shays in ’11.
Yahooy those are 2 good names to add to the list. Shays is well known in the city and he knows the inner workings of Washington where all the money comes from.
Bruce Hubler certainly has added many insightful ideas on this blog. I don’t know him but he definitely is a step or 2 above what we have now and what may be available in the future. I would suggest he start getting known by the people of Bridgeport asap.
Dewars that there is surely an opening for a minority mayor and I am not sure the word minority is the right word. The problem is that the hispanic and black politicians can never get along and tend to vote along ethnic lines thus canceling each other out. The other problem is that they can’t get the vote out citywide (exception was Obama). When Santa Ayala primaried Lisa Parziale only 12% of the registered hispanics voted.
On # 10 … Ayala has proved that the hispanics will come out and vote when someone is worthy of voting for … if a home-grown and honest hispanic politician were to run for the highest office in the largest city in the state … the numbers would be staggering.
Bpts Finest: The hispanics in his area will come out for sure as they did for Santa Ayala; it’s the other areas of the city where they do not come out. I am not for or against Ayala at this point but he also needs to get his name throughout the city. Ayala would need to get the blacks and whites behind him in order to win. It should be an interesting 3 years. I will say this, under no circumstances will I again vote for a Bill Finch or someone like him or someone now on the council.
This year Bridgeport voters have a special opportunity. There is no top-of-the-ticket candidate. That means that Board of Education and Council candidates will be out there running without the benefit of someone else’s coattails. This is the opportunity to hold them accountable which everyone on this blog has been talking about.
Santa Ayala won because of the hard work of Andres and the support of John Stafstrom. Oh how quickly she forgot. She knows what she did to John Stafstrom.
Needless to say Mr. Ayala provides real leadership. During his tenure as City Council president things were actually under control until the powers that be got jealous and wanted him out once he became a state rep. Tom McCarthy should thank him for at least stalling and opening the door for him to become the president. A decision he decided to make a week before the vote down in DC. Ask Carlos Silva 😉 The reason why he did that is because he was thinking of his city first. Could you imagine Bob Curwen or Carlos Silva as the president of the council???
Wondering … I have no problem with Bill Finch as a person, I think he is a good man who was asked to run for a job he really wasn’t interested in and is doing the tough things he has to do at a bad time … I could be wrong about that but it’s my opinion … Andres Ayala is a young man who was brought up in this city and has made himself into what he is and really cares about the city of Bridgeport and the people of this city and if he should want to run for mayor that message would be clear to not only the east side but the whole city.
Bpts Finest: No argument here. I have known Bill Finch for 30-plus years but I regret to say that the Bill Finch of today is not the same person I knew.
I’m of the opinion that Bill’s support system is not totally of his own choosing … putting extra pressure on himself … to run a city at any time not just a bad time you need a strong support system with trusted people and good business minds, not retreads from other administrations … this again is where I bring up Ayala’s name … he has a great support system of trusted people and would clean house and start fresh.
Marlys you can’t look at just 1 vote, you have to look at the whole picture. Russo did what none of our democratic reps and senators could do, he got money to conduct an audit of the Board of Ed. He also helped keep Lacey manufacturing in the city and this potentially saved 100s of jobs.
Wondering, all that shows is that Rell was more concerned about keeping a Republican in office than Russo was about keeping his constituents in groceries.
And hell, he only cast a couple dozen votes in total anyway. If you want a couple more stupid votes tagged to him, how about the paid sick-leave bill (SB 217) or the healthcare pooling bill (HB 5536)?
Ayala is a nice guy and he tries hard, but he is not Mayor material. His performance in the Legislature has not produced anything for Bridgeport and he isn’t the best speaker. You need someone who is at least glib, quick on their feet and a quick study. Even Finch has these qualities. You need a leader. Ayala is not enough of a leader to be the CEO of the largest City in Connecticut. Neither was Finch or Fabrizi, but at least Fabrizi understood how to take control and make others fall in line. Finch’s problem is he hides in his office while others try to make him fall in line.
I think Finch, for whatever reason has a blind allegiance to it didn’t work out so well. Now he has Stafstrom, his money maker, sitting on his left shoulder whispering in his ear constantly. He also has the holdovers from the Fabrizi administration who made themselves “indispensable,” as the only ones who knew where the bodies were buried. He caved into political pressure for many of the hires like Santiago, Curry, Dorgan, Rosario, Tyron and a few others. He shut out sound advice because it came from the “wrong” source. Finch needs to clean house and make a bigger tent. He also has to try to get more help from his Legislative Delegation.
For too many years and too many mayors, Bridgeport has been on the threshold of great opportunities. Unfortunately, no mayor in recent memory has had that special mix of leadership and managerial talent to turn the city’s potential … into reality.
The challenges facing Bridgeport are far from trivial. They’re formidable, and won’t be solved quickly, inexpensively or without sacrifice and cooperation from a variety of constituencies. But they can be solved.
Many of the posts on this blog deal with what’s seen as critical for Bridgeport’s turnaround and revival. Whether stated directly or simply implied, there’s a recognition that one of Bridgeport’s more pressing problems is the quality and the quantity of people who CAN, who WILL and who SHOULD run the city in the future.
But before jumping to conclusions, consider this: Bridgeport’s recent history has few examples of oustanding political leadership that truly transformed the city. If there were, we wouldn’t be in the pickle we’re in today. And if that’s the case, why assume that this type of official might have the talent, the know-how and the vision to solve the problems of tomorrow?
Bridgeport voters need to take a fresh and highly critical look at the competencies they want in tomorrow’s elected officials. In the past, too much emphasis was placed on the politics/political skill of potential candidates for office … and not enough on the substantive requirements for delivering superior fiscal and organizational results.
Consider this: What top elected official, in recent memory, ever came from a background of running a successful business or leading a large, complex organization? And yet we wonder why the city continues to be plagued with budget problems, labor problems, growth problems and competitive positioning problems.
Seems to me the selection profile of Bridgeport’s top elected officials is a bit out of whack. Where’s the evidence, where’s the resume that suggests this is a person who can manage the scale and complexity of the issues facing the city? Where’s the evidence that suggests this is a person who can deliver results given the rapidly changing and deteriorating environment facing the city? Where’s the evidence that this person has the talent, experience and personal integrity to perform the job better than anyone else? And where’s the evidence that this is the type of person who will transform the way “outsiders” view our city?
How do you create a better future for Bridgeport? Engage the voters. And get them to THINK really hard about what the city needs in, and from, its elected leaders.
Bruce, I agree. However you still need someone with political acumen. Governing is not exactly like being a CEO. A city is non-profit entity. So the bottom line isn’t always the dollar; there are societal goals as well and the two interests are competing. The most successful leaders know how to balance the two to the least amount of detriment to the other.
Speaking of Johnny Fabs … rumor has it he took a header outside of Testo’s and had major surgery to repair his broken eye sockets … there’s speculation as to what caused the fall … but I hope the big guy is recovering well if it is indeed true.
johnb- You are gauging Ayala’s performance in the legislature after his freshman year? During his freshman year he brought $100k to Aspira. That’s $100k more than Reinoso, Lydia Martinez or any Hispanic legislator has brought to that organization ever. He is vice-chair of Bonding after his freshman term. I know there won’t be a lot of money to dole out, but I see that as somebody who is on the rise. He recently received the Pioneer Award from Sacred Heart University by Michael McCabe, President of Sacred Heart University.
I personally don’t see him running if Finch is in the mix, but I do know that he would be a great candidate. He is still young, only about 38 or 39. Lenny should reach out to him and get him on the pol pod.
johnb, you make a good point.
Knowing how to “balance” the competing needs/demands of various constituencies is a critical executive skill, that absolutely requires political acumen.
That’s true in any organization of three or more people, non-profit or for-profit, the skills required are similar. It’s the application and context that differ. I’ve worked in both environments and I’m struck more by the similarities than by the differences. There’s considerable portability of most executive competencies across the profit/nonprofit threshold. I’ll concede that the “greed is good”, “drive for profit” mentality doesn’t work in the nonprofit world.
My point is, the city’s talent pool of electable candidates is out of balance; we seem to have a disproportionate share of officials whose backgrounds offer little more than the experience of politics … and Bridgeport’s city politics at that!
In the future, voters need to raise the bar and set tougher standards for all elected AND appointed officials. Political acumen is certainly necessary, but it’s far from sufficient, given the leadership and governance challenges facing the City of Bridgeport.
*** Bpts Finest, Celia & Dewars on the Rocks all have the same agenda on these blogs most of the time, Latinos & A. Ayala! Same people, same agenda as usual, talking outside the box. Santa Ayala held her own in her elections, also with the help of the Bpt. Dem. Party, not just all due to her nephew Andres as you claim, it’s a team effort! Also, I believe that Finch has more than demostrated that (not just) “anyone” has what it takes to lead a city like Bpt as the Mayor. And again it takes teamwork, so having a good quality admin. staff also can make or break you in certain areas of city government. Ayala though a good community activist, councilman & president, and soon to see what he’ll accomplish as a State Rep. He also has a long way to go before thinking of having the needed support, money and overall experience and personal committment needed to be a good Mayor. You need much more than just the Latino vote to get you there, you need the majority of the registered Dems. in Bpt.! Also, there was no powers that be, it’s just understood as in past practice that once you get sworn in to another gov. elected position, you resign from the present seat you’re holding. There’s nothing on the city charter that states that you must & Andres for his own personal reasons decided to stay on ’til after elections in November, his choice! Also I believe that the next one in line after Andres left that would have been good @ the Council-Pres. position was Curwen, McCarthy or Mulligan had he stayed and run for council again. Now, from those #3 names you’re seeing McCarthy as the Council-Pres. and his choices for the council leadership positions and how they all work with the Mayor’s Admin. What would OIB bloggers rate them on a scale from #1 to #10 with #10 being the best score? Now remember, being book smart is good but if you don’t have any common sense, what good is it? OIB bloggers & Lennie, make a simple scale comparison of Bpt.’s last #7 Mayors not including Finch since he’s still in the foxhole! Different areas of a Mayor’s job & say a #1 to #10 scale on how well they performed in those areas; like say, public speaking, popularity with citizens, tempers, running meetings in gen., Knowledge of city & state charters or ordinances, elections candidate, giving & getting respect, attire & appearence in public, etc. … Maybe we can take the best & worst from all #7 and make a good “Frankenstein Mayor”! ***
johnb, your posting regarding Andres Ayala is absolutely incorrect. House Speaker Donovan called Andres the Star of Bridgeport’s delegation. He is the most respected from Bridgeport because the man thinks, seeks advice from others and is HUMBLE. He is a hard worker and does what it takes to get the job done.
For those that truly understand the CT GA, bills die faster than they are passed … So introducing a bill for the hell of it does NOT make you a great legislator.
As to his ability to be Mayor of Bpt. I believe that he can fill the role because it’s a matter of having the right people around you to help you run this city. The Mayor doesn’t do it all. You need a strong team. Ayala knows how to build a strong team …
If Finch replaced at the minimum Feeney, Nunn and Sherwood with competent non-political appointees we would begin to move in a better direction.
Wow, this post title should change from Sinners and Saints Step Up, to Should Ayala Step Up in 2011 …
Mojo … you could not be any further off about my so-called agenda as I am not Latino and my agenda is a better and non-corrupt Bpt … I also have proved to be a huge Finch supporter who feels, in my opinion … he took a job he didn’t want and if he doesn’t run again I want an honest hard-working gentleman like Ayala running my city and not the same ol’ bs political machine.
One final thing Mr. Mojo … life is way too damn short to be angry all the time … stop and smell the roses … that glass can be half full.
doo-wah-ditty, isn’t it a pity …
SOME PEOPLE think Bridgeport needs a Mayor with the resume, experience and “evidence” that makes a better City a foregone conclusion. That person doesn’t exist. The Mayor is required to balance the budget which has limited his popularity so far. Things might change.
Consider this: some of the most successful businessmen of our time have proven themselves unable to do the same things and are clamoring for a bailout–Bridgeport has avoided that. The Republican Party currently in power has borrowed and overspent thus violating their own “fiscal conservative” banner. The problems are endemic not partisan.
In an unrelated matter, MANY non-profit firms are greedy and misuse their not-for-profit status. But you can’t break the rules until you learn how to play the game, right? (wink). Boo-hiss.
A great mayor is like a great sports coach or manager … builds a great support system, like asst coaches and scouts … takes in all the info and advice … and in the end makes all the hard decisions ‘cuz in the end it’s the top dog whose backside is on the line … one thing Bill Finch needs to do as a great coach would do … clean out the previous administration’s asst coaches and bring in his trusted coaches who are all on the same page … and keep his eyes on all phases of the city from the police to the fire to the public facilities to the board of ed … the more info he gets from the scouts out in the field the stronger he will be as a head coach.
Mojo–If I were to rate McCarthy’s job as council president on your rating scale it would be a 7 with 10 being the highest. He has made a lot of poor decisions. He is in a position that many believe the Mayor is in. He is in a spot he truly doesn’t want. He got outworked by Hennessy for state rep. He chickened out of State Senate because of Hennessy and now he has already set his sights on judge of probate. I suggest Judge Ganim should change his name to Jack Hennessy. That would scare the bejesus out of Tom.
I would hope that for the sake of the city Ayala, Curwen, Mojo, McCarthy and all of these politicos help the Mayor in his efforts of getting federal and state funds to help the city. Lobby on his behalf (and yours). You are all elected to help its citizens after all.
Happy New Year to all. As a City employee, I would like to weigh in here:
First of all, Fabrizi was a good mayor up to the last 6 months or so. For the first 3-4 years, his heart was definitely in the job and he loved being mayor. But once he decided not to run, he became a miserable vindictive SOB:
He went after people for the sole purpose of revenge. He was so angry at himself because he f-ed up his career that he took it out on everyone else. Then there was the whole civil service fiasco. With the help of Tom Sherwood, he moved 30 political people into Civil Service which gave them not only CS protection, but also gave them large salary increases and step increases every year going forward. They get the steps even though the rest of the employees are taking 0% increases and taking unpaid furlough days. The 30 favored people include the girlfriend of Charlie Carroll, the former girlfriend of Tom Sherwood, the treasurer of the DTC and several other “connected individuals.” These people never took a test or were even interviewed for their jobs. Many are grossly unqualified. It was and still is a sham.
Fabrizi proved that he does not have the temperament to be mayor. When things go wrong he acts out like an immature little boy. No other mayor acted this badly. Too bad because he did have potential.
As far as Finch goes, so many of us are extremely disappointed in his performance the first year. Many have said this on OIB but it is worth repeating: get rid of Sherwood, Feeney and Nunn. They bring nothing to this administration. Let’s take an example from President-Elect Obama and bring in the best and brightest and most progressive people we can find. This is a new world and we may have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to finally turn this city around. But we need the right people in the right places. There are many, many excellent City employees but without the right leadership, they can’t perform to their full potential.
And advice to Mayor Finch: you better do something about the Central Grants Office NOW. Do you realize that you are down to 1 grantswriter? This is 1 thing that Fabrizi did right. He supported CGO with qualified staff and a great director in Rina Bakalar. The staff worked as a team and brought in millions of dollars in new grant money. Alanna Kabel, another Fabrizi leftover, has destroyed that dept. She has no knowledge of grants and shows no support or guidance for his staff. One by one, the grantswriters left because they could not work for this unqualified, overbearing woman. We should be preparing ourselves for the influx of potentially millions of dollars in new grant money. How can we adequately apply for these grants with no grantswriters?
Joel–Mike Marella’s move to the city has been delayed. You assume Mike Marella will get the TC nomination in Paoletto’s place. You also assume Curwen will not get the TC nomination; how do you figure that?
Well if we get rid of Nunn (Monroe), Feeney (Stratford reject) and Sherwood (?) it is a step in the right direction. I think that Sherwood is the one that put together a false budget with Fabrizi’s okay and Finch got stuck with it.
Bill I implore you to reevaluate your staff, it is time for a review. Please replace the 3 listed above along with Tyrone and Rubin.
Please send Adam Wood to a Dale Carnegie course or get rid of him. His adversarial and I-am-the-king attitude is hurting you instead of helping you.
Bill come out of hiding in your office and take a leadership role. You will feel better and the city will run better. It’s better to have tried and failed than to not try at all.
Dewars you were generous in rating McCarthy a 7 BTW there are no 10’s. I would rate McCarthy as a 4. Other than being a Finch but more probably a Wood water carrier he has not done well in a leadership role. As I see it the council is made up of many different factions that are working against each other rather than working to make the city better.
The BRBC is big on education and on business … maybe Bill would do good to get Paul Timpanelli involved in his cabinet … we need good business minds running the city and I hear Bloomberg has a day job already.
Wondering on #1:
Paoletto? Isn’t he a Republican ex-mayor?
The word is that Mike Marella is moving back to Bridgeport.
Why? It appears that Paoletto (his nephew) is poised to take the realm of a city department and return the seat he inherited from uncle Mike. Curwen is more likely to face a primary challenge or possibly primary the endorsed candidate in the event he doesn’t get the nomination. Either way, it would be an uphill battle, especially If Curwen can’t find a viable candidate as a partner to primary the endorsed candidates.
Joel- Martha, Mike and Rich are dying to get rid of Curwen. I do see Curwen/Fardy ready to take out Mike Marella and whoever they choose. Rumors are that Rich’s son might take over and run with Mike.
Even if both Paoletto and Curwen ran they are in serious, serious trouble. Curwen has been the councilman since the stone age and Paoletto has been there just as long. Don’t the people in that district know it’s time for a change. They have voted for a long list of bad budgets and I would love to see a scale of how much the taxes have gone up in their districts since they have taken office.
Bpts Finest. I’m sorry, but in my opinion, Paul Timpanelli is part of the problem not part of the solution.
As far as Timpanelli is concerned the BRBC stands for
B-een
R-aping
B-ridgeport
C-onstantly
They need to disband the BRBC. Our corporate infrastructure is weak even before the collapse in the economy. The BRBC is just a slush fund to keep the likes of Timpanelli and Keely on a payroll of some sort.
#39 … yo big guy … can you tell me why as I know Paul is a former 1st selectman and the head of a org that believes in education and in business growth? … Just interested in your opinion as I really never hear anything bad about him.
*** #29- I’m not angry, I’m disgusted the way the city in general is being run @ a time when so many people are in dire need; and it’s just the beginning! *** #30- I understand the fact that Finch is going to need time to try & get a hold of this city’s budget, etc. But, why do you seem to always give Finch the benefit of the doubt in everything? *** #32- Fact! I’m no longer a city councilman, since “2007” plus Finch does not listen to just anyone anymore, he’s too busy hiding. *** #33- I agree with most of what you blogged but not all. *** #39- Right on point! ***
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdraws his name from nomination as Commerce Secretary. Apparently the feds (there goes those guys again) are looking into Commerce dealings (Pay to Play) in the state of New Mexico.
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RICHARDSON
Once again Mr. Mojo I say the glass can be half full with a new president and after Finch makes the tough decisions that he has to make … your “just the begining” comment is what makes me ask you why you are always so angry and negative … plus you seem to always be against Andres Ayala and I wonder why this is???
Mojo- Why would “not being a councilman” anymore stop you from helping out in the community? That’s just a cop-out.
Bpts Finest- How do you like your two 0’s and are you looking forward to your 5 & 6 percent increase in a few years?
Joel- Who cares? Get your head out of the clouds. We have our own problems here in Bridgeport.
Wondering- You seem to be in the know when it comes to the 138th tc. If Curwen and Fardy get the nomination you can expect half of the city to be in that district working against those two. Something leads me to believe that Curwen knows a little more about the Fabrizi drug than he leads people to believe.
#45 … Dewars … things are tough all over and many people are without a job … taking a few 0’s or a few furlough days helps more people be off the unemployment line … and of course I’m looking forward to my raises but in this hard time I have to be happy to have my roof over my head and my bills being paid.
“Dean” Ayala for Mayor? Give me a break. He’s only good for no-show employees, giving contracts to his cronies, milking the Board of Education with his bullshit job and doing whatever his girlfriend tells him to do. He’s a slimeball that needs to lay off the eightballs. Star of the delegation? Must be a real challenge climbing to the top of that shitheap. Like it takes much to get Jim Amann to talk nice about our delegation. Of course he did (past tense) … they never made him do anything substantial for Bridgeport.
He won’t run for Mayor because Stafstrom won’t let him. His girlfriend will have to force Stafstrom to dump Finch first.
It seems like a scam to me. Just like when Charlie Carroll and his brother screwed the city a few years back with Fabrizi.
City Hall Smoker- you make great points. I suggest you honestly stop hiding behind a handle and get hired by Finch immediately. Your ideas aren’t off the wall and would more than likely work. A definite upgrade over Tom Sherwood. I heard a rumor that Curwen went to Nunn and wanted Sherwood’s job. I hope they can make that happen ASAFP lol.
#48 … don’t know who you are and what rock you crawled out from under … everyone has their opinions but calling someone a drug user who I know for a fact goes nowhere near the shit is as low as you can get … but then again as your name states … you are a liar.
Dewars you don’t know squat about the 138th. Fardy will not primary either Curwen or Paoletto even though he received more votes than both of them in the last TC primary. Bringing up Fabrizi and drug use more than two years after the fact is bullshit as are your comments about Curwen knowing more on the subject than he is saying.
Just so you know, the rest of the city will be dealing with their own primaries and will not be worrying about what goes on in the 138th.
The rumor about Curwen wanting Sherwood’s job is a figment of your imagination.
Just so you know, the taxes are figured on reevaluation and the mil rate, are you going to tell me Curwen and Paoletto influence that also? Gee if they did then they did a good job because our taxes are a hell of a lot lower than the North End and Black Rock for a comparable house. So much for that little tidbit you started. So far you have not been correct in one thing you have posted today.
Dewars maybe you need to deal with town committee when it comes to the 138th. He knows a hell of a lot more about it than I do.
***#44 & #45- Just ’cause I don’t spend a lot of time blogging about Ayala like you nor think he’s Mayor material yet does not mean I don’t like him. As a matter of fact, I spent #4 hrs. with him & Carmen last night @ an over-#50’s society toy raising fuction for #3 Kings Day on Jan. 6th “2009” which was a complete sucess for everyone involved & for the children come #3 Kings Day! *** Also, I never stated that I would not get involved in community affairs, I simply corrected the fact that I was not a councilman anymore! I’m still a member of the West-side NRC, Bpt. NAACP, Mason’s #142, Vets. V.F.W. and stay active politically @ times. Plus, regardless of your 1/2 empty, 1/2 full glass interpretation on the city & state’s “$” problems, I just don’t buy it; not that I’m angry! Even though OIB is basically a venting, informative @ times, opinions, rumors & news in general web format, along with many inside & outside the box ideas. Sometimes the best possible alternative source in news & gossip blogging in general, is “TRUE FACTS”! ***
Hey WorldsSecondBiggestLiar,
Let’s get some facts straight. Andres Ayala was elected State Rep in ’06. After this election the BOE decided to move him into the Dean of Students at Cesar Batalla, to avoid losing instructional time in the classroom because he was a Social Studies teacher at Bassick. Now, due to budget constraints they eliminated that position last year and he is back at Bassick HS as a Social Studies Teacher. So, to say he held or holds a no-show job at the BOE is a total lie, then again you are the worlds 2nd biggest liar …
As for contracts for his cronies, please you’re full of shit.
When it comes to his girlfriend; yes, she does play an active role in his political career. Hence his success so far. She knows what she is doing and she does it well.
And as to the Speaker that spoke highly of Ayala, it was DONOVAN … So again, get your facts right …
And by the way, this is ALL POINTLESS until we hear from the man himself on a pol pod … Maybe he doesn’t want to be Mayor, maybe he wants to be State Senator …
Actually in a Bpt Sunday Post article Amann called Ayala the rising star, but Donovan also speaks very, very highly of him also … seems the only ones who don’t speak highly of Ayala are the Liar and Mr. Mojo … also seems the Liar is afraid of a strong woman behind the man … says a lot about the person.
Who knows how the next mayoral race will shape up–it is way too early; however if Ayala were interested he could probably win. My experience with him is that his word is good and he is professional in his interactions. He is smart and his partner is a talented lady. I hope he does look for a bigger stage in the future. I do agree that they key for any Mayor is to put strong, talented people around him. The best appointment Finch has made in my opinion is Gaudett. While I was sad to see Chief Norwood head out, he was not happy in Bridgeport. Gaudett gets along with people and has a common touch that works with the public, the rank and file and the administration. It also helps that he knows his stuff and is honest through and through.
RW&B … great points and I second the Gaudett apointment and hope he ends up permanent … local gentleman who came up through the ranks and doesn’t forget where he came from.
Celia Cruz a.k.a. Ayala worker states: “Maybe he doesn’t want to be Mayor, maybe he wants to be State Senator …”
Oh goody … how long will Ayala last before he follows Ernie to jail?
Ayala was “Dean” to “avoid losing instructional time”??? More like he was Dean so he could get paid full time for working part time! I said nothing about “no-show.” Those are your words.
I’m glad they eliminated that bullshit job if they did.
Dean … Good God. What a total crock of bullshit!
Like people are drooling to hear the inarticulate echoes of his girlfriend on the poll pod.
Lame, lame, lame! I’d rather hear a pol pod with Auden Grogins’ dog barking!
Hey Liar … didn’t your mommy tell you that jealousy gets you nowhere … or was it she taught you if you have nothing good to say to keep your pie-hole shut … or did she abandon you at a young age and you were raised by animals?
You are truly Bridgeport’s finest … um, knucklehead.
I’m ready for the pol pod Lennie! I can hear it now …
“Woof woof … arf … woof!”
“… if he doesn’t run again I want an honest hard-working gentleman like Ayala running my city and not the same ol’ bs political machine.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*** I noticed that when (WorldsSecondBiggestLiar) spoke his opinion on Ayala & responded to a blog from Bpts Finest; Celia Cruz was the first one to respond back (54) speaking in favor of Ayala! Dewars on the Rocks, Celia Cruz, Bpts Finest all seem to have similar interest in many blog conversations? ***
Obviously Mr. Mojo it means Mr. Ayala is a respected and popular person and many people feel that way … you should climb aboard the train instead of watching with envy as it chugs on by you.