Sorry to hear of the passing of Bridgeport native and former Monroe First Selectman Tom Buzi who had been battling cancer for a few years. He was 59.
Buzi was a good guy, a refreshing straight talker who earned an MBA in accounting from the University of Bridgeport and was a successful businessman. He had a strong connection to Bridgeport, as a young man working for many years with the Boys and Girls Club and Board of Education on job training, counseling and recreation programs for city kids.
I’m not a politician, I’m a business guy, he would say to me when we chatted about regional approaches to better services. I’ve heard that a lot of from business guys, but in Buzi’s case it was true. He didn’t try to be someone he wasn’t. He took his years of experience in finance and applied that to his government decision making. He would come at you with facts rather than spin, business sense rather than nonsense. He understood a strong Bridgeport meant a stronger region, and that was very likely due to his years spent in the Park City. He had heart. He served just one term 2007-2009 as Democratic first selectman, and his loss was arguably the biggest surprise of the election season. He had been open about his illness, and always showed a courageous spirit when addressing his future. Good thoughts to Tom’s entire family and the people he served.
Buzi sounds a lot like John Gomes.
May Tom rest in peace.
Tom was a gentleman and a professional–increasingly rare in politics today. I am so sorry to learn about his passing. My prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Tom was a good man. The last time I had the pleasure to see him was at Arthur’s Famous Pizza. Sadly, now they are both gone.
You are right Smoker. Gomes takes no prisoners.
He was done wrong and now he will do in the wrongdoers. He will clean up the City and the BOE.
Ramos got no idea what Henry, Garcia and MacBride been doing behind his back. Finch got no idea what Nunn and his boys been doing behind his back.
JG got eyes behind his back.
SEPT 13 2011
BPT’S WORLD COMES TO AN END. NEW WORLD STARTS.
Once again, people need to take a topic and take it into a whole new direction for their own agenda.
It gets tiresome to see the the same people carelessly name names without actually giving any credible example on the claims they make against people.
Some bloggers should really think twice before they actually name people.
“In addition, the site will not protect your identity if you make libelous assertions, outrageous allegations or accuse someone of criminal conduct without credible proof. If you think you have proof of illegal conduct go to the authorities. You can criticize, you can express a passionate opinion, but do not attempt to soil a reputation through lies and hate”
LMAO
These people threaten and rule by intimidation and false info … the white collars are tightening. They don’t like it when they know their time on top is coming to a end … eh BILL?
I don’t see nothing said wrong Bill Hicks.
You must know there’s something wrong happening.
I meant they are all holding hands and singing kumbaya behind everyone’s back. Must be I hit a nerve.
GOMES 2011
One again, you and Capone speak in vague reference. You say they give false info but yet again you give NO info, just finger pointing. I am not really on either side but it just gets tiring when 75% of the blame game on here has no substance. Can you clue us “ignorant” ones and tell us exactly how the people you name can do a better job or what it is they are doing behind the Super’s back he needs to know about? I am sure I will be waiting ’til hell freezes over.
The proper people are slowly finding out Bill.
Don’t you say you could care either way.
IF you are clean you need not worry.
Too many people forgetting where they came from once they got a little power they crap on people and that’s why Gomes will clean up the mess. When he had power he hurt nobody, but was done wrong anyway.
Gomes and his people have good memories Bill.
Bill you seem like a good dude, hope you are clean as a whistle.
Smoker I think Billy is in blue ’cause it’s like he might have a family website in Virginia.
Ever since the new BOE took over there’s been nothing but intimidation, lies, threats.
Now they threaten the mechanics with going on nights, ruining their families and kids, some have been on days 20 years but the BOE wants them scared. They say some report says the custodians are overstocked by 30 custodians so they are gonna lay off custodians. Garcia forgets he was a #1 custodian once and wants all the custodians scared at him but they laugh.
I think it’s common knowledge the Finch administration rules by intimidation. This is not an outrageous allegation or rumor; it is fact. Talk to the employees and most will have stories to tell. Under this administration, you are not entitled to an opinion, you cannot make a suggestion or criticize an unfair practice. If you dare speak up, you are quickly disciplined. There are many examples of this. People like Feeney, Charlie, Nunn, Wood and Osborne are lacking the management skills necessary to move this city forward. They are the main problem. That is why people are looking to candidates like Caruso and Gomes because they are the ONLY ones who will clean City Hall of these people.
I heard last week the city has hired two law firms to re-negotiate existing union contracts. Dave Ryan Jr has been seen in City Hall as well as some other legalese from another firm. How much are we, the taxpayers, shelling out for these outside firms and why can’t Osborne do his job? When are we going to stop covering up inept overpaid supervisors with outside overpaid consultants? And where is this in the city budget because I have looked and can’t find it.
Just out of curiosity, why is Billy Hicks’ name in blue?
C.H.S. thank you for an opinion that at least may have a basis of credibility. As to your question as to why Billy Hicks’ name is in blue, perhaps it is to let people know how little imagination the man has when it comes to original thoughts.
C.H.S. if any member has an entry in the “website” field of their profile, their name will be clickable and hyperlinked to their website entry. Hyperlinks show up as blue.
Don Calimari and the Machine
Gone — — — — — — — — — 9-13-2011
JG
*** Not sure if I knew Mr. Buzi but my condolences just the same to his family & close friends. *** Well it’s law in Arizona, the immigration law where you must have your I.M. papers handy if questioned by authorities or you can be detained! They better build a new detention center ’cause if this law is actually enforced it’s going to get filled up quickly. And the neighboring states better get ready ’cause many I.M. will move out of Arizona to avoid being caught as well. There’s no doubt something has to be done concerning Immigration & protecting and monitoring the U.S. & territory’s borders, but it must be applied fairly to include “all” illegals regardless of skin color or religion! Also the standards & time set in applying for citizenship need to be changed & revamped for the better. You can only fit so many people in a “phone booth” @ one time or “Superman” will have no place to change clothes! *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
C.H.S. I totally agree with your assertion of the fear of suggestion or critical thinking when it comes to the upper crust in the City in relation to retaliation.
OK people, play nice.
We all want a better BPT
2-13-11 A better BPT
JG
You can change your name and the way you type but you can’t change your ignorance. Everyone will still know who you are.
See eyedoctor/Bill Hicks
You think you know everything, but you are so far off … but you try to intimidate.
If you try to put your energy into doing right and not covering up your screwups the City would be a better place. No one is scared of you. You cut OT to make yourself look good to your bosses. I still mop and clean, my job don’t change. You can’t scare me. But you try. You keep saying privatize to scare us ’cause you think we will mop and clean faster. No one is scared of you. We laugh at you, you just showed how unqualified you are to run us and your bosses read this and they know too.
LMFAO
You see, intimidation techniques.
The city and BOE workers are fed up with intimidation and lies. More proof right here on OIB of eyedoctor and Bill Hicks trying to intimidate pissed-off workers. And once again they look like fools.
Your own ego and arrogance make you think you know who I am, I’m nobody. I’m a man trying to support my family on 15 bucks a hour. A man you write up for no reason just to make me cover for one of your head custodians who is your friend and is never in the school. Just like Gomes I have a good memory and I do my job hard and well and you take it out of us with your threats.
*** Wonder how the budget meetings are coming along? Has all the departmental money screening in general gotten better by the B&A committee or is it just the “same” old few council members who really know the deal, but do not have enough member cooperation or willingness to actually do something that will at least “send a message!” Or how about “when in doubt vote no!” Are members actually going to the meetings other than “just” the co-chairs or better yet are they asking the right questions or just don’t have a clue? It’s probably the same members searching for “true” answers from the admin. like Walsh & Baker, maybe Lyons. But when it’s all said & done, this new budget year will see “more” worker layoffs, city suits, raised mil rate & more money mismanagement as a whole on both city side & B.O.E.! *** Remember, operational audits are only as good or accurate depending on the info. that’s “actually” given. So, “what’s really in their wallet?” ***
The OIB Rumor Mill never rests but sometimes it gets overwhelmed by factual events.
Today is one those days.
Sometimes I’m the message but this time I’m the messenger.
Now hear this:
Seen in the latest issue of The FCBJ under their new businesses listings:
Ethan Book for U.S. Senate–225 Vine St. Bridgeport c/o John Walton
Would somebody smarter than me opine about this?
Have I been sucker-punched or is this a valid data point?
I never tried to intimidate anybody, AC. I’m just saying the name has changed but the same crap still comes out of your mouth. All you do is badmouth the BOE, the bosses and everyone who does their job. If your job is so bad then just quit already and go back to the town you’re from ’cause you’re certainly not from Bpt. And No I am not a boss or steward or admin at all, I’m just a lowly janitor just like you. You come on like you know everything but if you really did then you would be boss instead of Garcia.
Thank you Lennie for your kind words about Tom Buzi. Tom was one of the best first selectman Monroe ever had. He had vision, knowledge and a complete open-door policy. He understood the value of a strong education, true bi-partisanship and how to attract developers to Monroe to plan for the future. Mr. Buzi painstakingly prepared his budgets and presented them in a PowerPoint presentation he crafted himself. It was clear he understood every line of what he presented and could explain every change or cut he needed to make after a failed referendum. Although under his leadership we didn’t have many. I only mention the budget as our town is struggling this year and his leadership and experience is sorely missed.
Tom was the most optimistic person I knew. He had overcome such tragedy in his life and yet he was excited and enthused to be a public servant. I will miss his advice and reminders to keep family first. His family, friends and Monroe lost a great man and a first-rate leader. He leaves a wonderful, caring and strong wife and a son who was recently married.