Torres Video Message–Focus On Person, Not The Party

It’s nice to have a creative family member. Republican mayoral candidate Rick Torres’ campaign features cool graphics and videos courtesy of his son John, also an accomplished musician. This video highlights Democrats for Torres.

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  1. John Torres,
    That commercial was excellent. By far the most effective of all! Kudos. Can you tell I am frustrated? Doesn’t matter. You will definitely be getting Ganim votes. I’ve noticed Torres signs where Ganim’s were. Keep up the good work! Remember Foster, Row G. 🙂

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      1. DB, I seem to get under your skin, don’t I? That’s great, you keep supporting a loser candidate who will lose both positions he’s running for. He’s such a loser, he couldn’t make up his mind on which position to run for thereby showing disrespect to the voters in the 130th district by not making a decision, two losers.

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    1. Ron, each of those people are authentic. They are not paid for their participation. The reverend at the end worked with Caruso when he ran in the primary. Torres endorsed Caruso and worked alongside him. The two younger men come from the ‘hood, plainly stated. They have been the two most tireless advocates for Torres. It is real, not a joke. Come on board and even I will be shocked by what can happen in Bridgeport. Or just take another vote from Ganim, that is good as well. I respect your right to make up your own mind. That is what we believe. The Torres campaign has not done anything slick or overly managed. It is a campaign of ideas with a central message of open government, people first.
      www .Torresforbpt.com

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      1. You are talking about three blacks, that’s right, three, you have to be joking. I know who the pastor is, now tell me where is his church and how small is it? So am I to believe these three blacks in this video will convince thousands of black voters to vote for Rick Torres? Now that’s a joke.

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        1. No, only believe the message is not contrived, we will let the voters decide for themselves based on what information they come upon. With money for Ganim and Foster being at 14 to 1 and 9 to 1, you would think Torres would be invisible. The fact he is in this race to win it proves there is more to the eye than can be bought with the money. Also, sorry for kidding with you about switching to Torres, I know you are not crossing party lines. We however, do not see party lines here at all. In fact, this is an unusual race in that, when it comes to standing up for the needs of the people first, Torres is in his own dimension, they can’t even touch him on social concern. All the best.

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          1. Social concerns? You have got to be kidding, social concerns, please tell us what are Rick Torres’ views on social concerns. Torres gets his talking points from listening to Rush Limbaugh.

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          2. You can talk to the man himself, Ron. You can visit the web site. You could have gotten off your fat lazy ass to hear what he had to say at the debate. But nooooooooo, you’d rather come on here and play the race card. That doesn’t trump anything.

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          3. DB, I’ve looked at Rick’s website and there isn’t anything about social issues. I bring the subject here on OIB to give the candidate Rick Torres an opportunity to tell all the voters of Bridgeport what his solutions are for social issues, not just for Ron Mackey, but I know that’s over your head.

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          4. I must say the Torres campaign is not behind any personal insults that may be levied here. It bothers me personally to hear slander and insults. I will see if it is possible for Rick Torres to answer you directly on here regarding his social concerns, Ron.

            I paused to make a call. We will have Rick Torres respond to you directly Ron, regarding his social concerns. Thank you for being an advocate for people’s rights. Best.

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          5. Whatever, Ron. If you were ignorant that would be one thing. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. Stupidity is knowing better and still acting like an asshole. So that makes you a stupid asshole, no social agenda, no political agenda, no priorities, no concerns, just “I’m going to be a stupid asshole.”

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          6. PC, I respond back to insults only, you will not find me starting it. I understand why Derek Brown does that, he’s not able to give a good response.

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          7. I must say, Ray, I am here speaking as an individual, not as a representative of the Torres campaign. If you have a problem with that, you know how to get in touch.

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  2. I spent the weekend with those two young men and Pastor Paol. The young men have endless genuine energy, they wore me out. And the Pastor is a humble person. Rick is surrounded by good people.

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  3. There IS NO campaign. No sign of door knocks, no mail, no sign of the candidate or his peeps anywhere but in Black Rock, at debates and on OIB. Zilch.

    Yard signs, t-shirts and video spots on OIB do not a winner make. Neither does constantly and I mean constantly, stealing opposing candidate signs off of private property.

    Time to bust out the Segway and take a tour beyond the Black Rock Nation, Mr. Storekeeper.

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    1. You are truly misinformed!

      Rick has been all over the city. I was there when he meet with North End homeowners. I will spare you the list of places and times.

      There are more Torres signs in my neighborhood. To whoever put the Ganim signs in my yard and in the bank-owned house across the street, I returned them to the Ganim office as I would never want to be accused of stealing.

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    2. That’s right, Fayerweather “Friend,” while you’re on OIB shoveling shit, Rick Torres has been out meeting with the people. Even Grimaldi got it wrong.

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      1. I am a Foster supporter, but it is clear Torres is working the entire city. I would be more interested in promoting my candidate than denying they are beginning to eclipse you. Clearly, Ganim and Torres know getting their names in front of the people as much as possible is key. I have done my best and I cannot be held accountable for others’ complacency. I am hopeful for Foster, how many times can one compliment others’ campaigns before you acknowledge the obvious? Get Fucking Busy!!!

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    3. I must say to imagine I didn’t see 17 Torres signs this morning would be the equivalent of having my head stuck up my ass. I think Torres has mobilized and Ganim has put up signs on public properties everywhere. It doesn’t matter–as long as people see his name he has done a great job. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

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    4. Fay Friend, that is a silly thing to say. We are excited to see Foster will take votes from Ganim. If that is your intention, good. We however have every reason to believe we are running a great overall campaign, doing a better job with far less money. Torres gained 8255 votes in the general election against Fabrizi. He is outside of Black Rock. As a councilman, he has gained the support of his Democratic colleagues, making it possible to pass the only transparency resolution, as a symbolic move towards open, people-first government in Bridgeport. We share your concerns for a better future for Bridgeport residents. Please give an example where that may be incorrect. Thank you.

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  4. We would welcome you Steve, with open arms and be very grateful for your support! Everyone is welcome under our Torres Tent! Come Aboard (you certainly won’t be “bored”).

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    1. flicka, you are too kind. I am very proud of my candidate Mary-Jane Foster, Row G. I am the only person on this blog who acknowledges the other candidates and their positive as well as negative points. It would be nice if everyone were fair and balanced. I believe Mayor Finch has been an excellent Mayor for the entire city. That is my belief. I DO NOT JUDGE A MAYOR BY A SNOWSTORM. THE REPUTATION OF OUR CITY HAS BEEN RESTORED. THERE IS MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING IN THIS CITY NOW THAN IN THE PAST 50 YEARS. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A GANIM SUPPORTER, FINCH SUCKS AND JOE IS EXONERATED FOR EVERYTHING. A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR KIDS.

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  5. FF, you are absolutely wrong. We spent all weekend on the lower East Side. Going door to door, street by street, in front of C Town. Rick was giving riding lessons on the Segway. We had a great time and a lot of positive feedback.

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    1. Rick was giving riding lessons at St. Ann’s during their amazing feast this summer. When I showed up wearing a Finch t-shirt everybody said Thank G-d! That was a fact! He endorsed Mary-Jane Foster. Maybe she will take advantage of that! Maybe not!

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    1. Who’s judging, we’re talking about a supporter of Rick Torres who is making a judgment and is telling us who he thinks his candidate is therefore I have every right to question him in his support of Torres. What, we can’t question a pastor who supports a candidate?

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    1. Actually not goody, the current airport manager appointed by Finch does not have the proper license in place and construction has halted on the runway by the Feds, putting the $40 million grant money in serious jeopardy. So glad the driveway has already been paid for.

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        1. Hey Ron. I started out life in politics working with Joe McNamara in 1983. We called ourselves WECAN (West End Community Action Now) and we worked on numerous community activism initiatives including registering voters, advocating for poor residents who were routinely ignored by the city government, food drives. We also worked to stop the city from needlessly demolishing historic homes. I was a very liberal Democrat back in those days. I remained a Democrat for many years after, but began to shift my thinking when I saw the absolute failure of our city to in any way improve the lives of the poor. I saw the same people who I grew up with in Evergreen Garden Apartments and other poor areas, were still there, no better off than when we were kids. I started to look for a new way. The entire reason I became a Republican was due to the lack of social justice I saw in Bridgeport. I know what the perception of the GOP is, and I’m a very different kind of Republican. I am a social justice Republican who can’t stand certain groups being left behind.

          But I do not believe the answer to what ails us as a society is more social spending. I believe it has crippled minorities and it in no way promotes an individual’s ability to succeed. I believe it is best to provide a robust economic environment rather than a constant flow of government assistance. I believe that compounding the problem is in the absence of a legitimate economy, illegitimate economies develop and with them comes violence, addiction, prostitution, etc.

          I believe that societally, we’ve dug ourselves a hole as it pertains to the way government interfaces with the poor. I believe that to get ourselves out, we’re going to have to be sensitive to certain objective truths. People who have lived in poverty have done so for generations. We can not simply take that away from them and say “go get a job.” Yet that is exactly what happens today under Democratic leadership if a person passes a certain income threshold. Their benefits are taken away in one fell swoop as soon as they make a dollar more then they’re allowed to. I would change that. I would lobby the state and Washington to allow for a gradual reduction of benefits as people make more in their job.

          As a candidate in Bridgeport, my main political objective has been to provide fairness to the city. I have witnessed the powerbrokers of this city take care of their own, the poor be damned. Worse, I have witnessed minorities take advantage of their connection to the political bosses and sell out their own for personal gain. But what has been most disheartening of all is to witness the ECONOMIC STAGNATION that cripples our communities, leaving them in a perpetual cycle of poverty. We need someone to break the cycle. Joe Ganim can’t do it. Mary-Jane can’t do it. They are in cahoots with the same machine that has been holding the people of Bridgeport down for generations. I can do it. I am the only independent person of the main candidates, beholden to no one, with a unique perspective blending elements of the left and the right for the maximum benefit of our city.

          Back to the point. Social justice. Social Justice? Bridgeport hasn’t had social justice in 50 years. I intend to make Bridgeport a fair and just city by focusing on rebuilding broken neighborhoods, lowering taxes for EVERYBODY (but first and foremost on the sections of Bridgeport that are paying between 2 and 7 times what they should), stopping the boot & tow program that disproportionately affects minorities, stopping the unfair foreclosure process this city employs that can be triggered by as little as $600 owed to WPCA. But most importantly, a Torres administration will bring JOBS. That is the greatest form of social justice you can ask for. A glut of good, high-paying jobs for people who have no economic opportunities to speak of.

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          1. Rick Torres, let me start out slow. First tell us what city the size of Bridgeport or bigger has been successful in dealing with social issues where the mayor is a Republican.

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          2. Ron, I think I will make a brief point please, Rick is very busy and I don’t know that he will be able to go point for point, but I appreciate your taking a measured approach. I think Bridgeport is a diverse city and it is a highly Democratic city. Having a Republican mayor, who I assure you is more of a people-first person than his opponents, will not turn us into the tea party. I think I saw a view of the differences between the main candidates clearly, for myself, just recently. I truly believe Torres will focus all his decisions on what is best for the People of Bridgeport in their diverse neighborhoods first. This is why he has called for the tax revaluation to occur in 2016, to give the people tax relief and leave more money in the pockets of people to feed, cloth and house themselves and their families. This would be coupled with assessing large parcels of land that pay too little tax now at market value, to make people develop the land or get it to someone who will, to get them offsetting lower property taxes. The example is a step in the direction of providing support to all neighborhoods relatively immediately. His two opponents have yet to say they would follow the upcoming revaluation. It is scheduled for 2016, Torres has publicly stated it is “morally wrong” to leave people overpaying taxes. Especially in some of the harder-hit neighborhoods economically. I think that is socially conscious in itself. I realized both main opponents of Torres simply have a top-down approach, believing if the big businesses get the breaks it will eventually help residents with jobs. This leads to a culture in city government that bypasses people in favor of corporate interests. This can only explain an out-of-touch policy such as booting people’s cars immobilized for as little as $100 owed in car taxes, or starting foreclosure proceedings when as little as $600 is owed in water pollution monies. It is an indication of a callous government when it is seen next to 30-year tax-free business arrangements and tax forgiveness on buildings that have gone into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not to mention the choice of gun and ammo stores in vulnerable places, with the possibility of a Super Walmart gun store less than a mile from Bass Pro. These things point to an out-of-touch decision making process that has not been people-centric and it has come from only Democratic administrations, largely made up of people who arrange to put themselves up for election time after time. Yes, the city seemed to be on the move under Finch, but how much of the movement made it into the neighborhoods when the schools were treated like a problem instead of the city’s children. They have not even had appropriate books and we talk of tens of millions in development projects as if everything is fine with the city. So put the people first with a Republican mayor who sure does not talk like the stereotype and has laid out plans and a platform that should be celebrated. When the city council has open access to city records, the neighborhoods have recourse and people can begin to believe their voices will be heard. Hopefully Rick will pick this up on OIB and continue some explanation of his beliefs as time permits this week.

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  6. Got a couple of different, very high-quality, very powerful message mailers from the Torres Campaign today. These are the type of mailers that sway voters in the desired direction.

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    1. Yes Jeff, however this one was written directly in response to Ron Mackey. I called the campaign and asked for the direct response to Rick’s social justice position. There is a lot of valid thinking in this response, it was created today before his Radio Cumbre interview at 3:15 by Rick Torres. He finalized and posted on his return. You are obviously an intelligent man. Please allow a main candidate, and the main candidate for people-first open government in Bridgeport to have his say. Yes, comment, but let’s hear your substantive rebuttal. I know you can do it.

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        1. Well I know he was with Ganim. If he wants to say Rick’s mailers are strong and will sway votes his way, I think we will take that. And I believe he is sincere in saying it. Not concerned about being played, I’ve been played all my life.

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  7. Excellent post Rick, thank you so much for everything you do for all people. My hope and prayer is some of these people will see the light you offer and come on board team Torres. We are the only hope for our broken city.

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    1. The 147,000 residents are the hope of the city. A good administration simply lays down the framework for them to succeed, first by not being oppressive.

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  8. Ron, no need to start slow. I’m sure the candidate can handle you at your fastest. Furthermore, maybe ask a question that doesn’t so clearly indicate to EVERYONE you have literally NO followup to that post.

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    1. Let’s not head out in the wrong direction please. Mr. Mackey has been kind enough to engage and for those of us who have been debating for weeks, I am happy with that.

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    2. John Torres, I did ask a question.

      Ron Mackey // Oct 27, 2015 at 6:36 pm
      Rick Torres, let me start out slow, first tell us what city the size of Bridgeport or bigger has been successful in dealing with social issues where the mayor is a Republican.

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        1. PC, oh I pray Allen West becomes the Speaker of the House Representatives, he is the conservative Republican Party number-one black. I’m sorry but what elected position in government does West hold? Oh that’s right, he lost when he ran for congress but West being the speaker of the House would a revolt by the voters to elect Democrats. Question for you, do you know why General West was kicked out of the military?

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          1. No sir, I also am not endorsing West. It was a commentary on the near failure of Democratic administrations to actually solve social issues in the cities. I am not a Republican shill, but also not going to say the Dems have fixed much. In Bridgeport, elect Torres for a clean look at our city. He certainly is not going to ultimately swing the whole city Republican, least of all the state. I think it is shameful as I watch political alignments. Connecticut, as you are well aware, has gained the name “Corrupticut.” Did we give ourselves that name? No. It is perpetuated by the chain of affiliations in politics, whereby people zealous of political power for its own sake will align themselves with anything or anyone who can act as a placeholder for them. Political affiliations, while they create group support for like-minded thinking, once the chain is corrupted they act like bad DNA. It is hard to root out, because it is built into the politician when they are weak, and cannot take a stand on principle, to pretend it is not there, rather than to break or re-make the chain. That is why Torres is so valuable to Bridgeport. He is not in the chain. He is a catalyst for change. Thank you. I do not disagree with anything you say, except Torres is not the negative reflection of Republicans you are concerned about.

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  9. So Ron, let me see if I got this straight, because I’m a little slow.
    You would rather this city continue to fail, our schools continue to fail our children, our children having no hope for the future because there are no jobs, this city continuing to be a “beggar” city because we have no vision for the future because of the letter in front of our names?
    So in other words, according to you, your party is more important to you than the residents of Bridgeport?

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  10. I apologize, that was contentious. I guess I’m just really embracing the spirit of OIB. I think my issue with Ron is his first instinct is to think in this incredibly macro way. Whenever a point is made, he seeks to connect the dots in this global manner that causes me to start scratching my head. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you invoke national Republican policies as if they have any bearing on what happens at this incredibly microscopic level. This is local politics. And there is a man who happens to have an R next to his name, baring his soul to you, explaining in detail policies that run afoul of social justice in Bridgeport that he will eliminate IMMEDIATELY upon entering office, and it’s as if you didn’t even hear him. You immediately equated him with your perception of what a Republican is and asked a question that is irrelevant to the point at hand. This man CARES about the poor. He really, really does. Who in hell cares what other city has succeeded under a Republican mayor? Was it Rick Torres leading those cities? Beyond that, I can name you about 10 DEMOCRATICALLY run cities where there is NO social justice. Bridgeport is one of them. So maybe, open up your eyes a little bit, and hear the words he is saying. You might find you don’t disagree with THIS Republican after all.

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    1. John Torres, let’s talk facts and talking points. I bring the word Republicans up because Rick Torres is running as a Republican and as a Republican candidate let’s look at numbers, your party has just over 3,000 members, why is it if local politics for Republicans is different than national politics then why are their membership numbers terrible? Why is there only one elected Republican on the City Council? Why are there really no blacks in the local Republican Party?

      Next you said, “explaining in detail policies that run afoul of social justice in Bridgeport that he will eliminate IMMEDIATELY upon entering office,” pray tell how can Rick Torres as mayor do that? The answer is he can’t. I bring up other cities to ask Rick Torres to show us all an example of where people of color have voted for and supported a Republican mayor and that points why Republicans will always lose because people don’t believe and they don’t trust Republicans at any level of elected government. Why give Rick Torres a chance, the only thing he’s doing is putting out spin, he has no plan to bring jobs into Bridgeport that are not minimum-wage jobs.

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  11. PC too, Col. West is a great American.
    Many of us pushed for him to be the next Speaker of the House. You don’t need to be a current Congressman to be eligible. And I’m glad to see you reference him, but I’m little surprised. You know he’s a Tea Party guy?
    Don’t be surprised if you see him in Ted Cruz’s cabinet. You heard it here first, an exclusive on OIB.

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    1. Okay. West is not running for mayor of Bridgeport. The article indicated Democratic policies have not solved entrenched city problems. I would say that only to point out solutions are not going to be arrived at through purely partisan politics. We need leaders who have a focus on people first and an understanding of who they are and where they come from to make solutions fit the people. Bridgeport has many people who can step up to this challenge. Right now, Rick Torres is one such person, who has a powerful understanding of Bridgeport’s people. That is why we say people first should be the focus of government. With that focus, neighborhoods are not neglected and policies and development ideas would be put in place that line up with the needs of residents.

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  12. You’re absolutely right Mackey, when Ricky says he will bring jobs to Bridgeport, it is just puff. I know his heart is in the right place, but he surely knows bringing in jobs that will transform a person’s life in Bridgeport is not true or realistic.

    The news reported to have a living wage in Connecticut one must make $19.03 an hour and no $19 an hour jobs are coming to Bridgeport under Ricky. A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. Not to live great, hell not even to live good, just to have your basic needs met.

    Ricky knows the State has made it virtually impossible for a business to come to Bridgeport because of taxes and the high cost of doing business here. Manufacturing jobs aren’t coming back to Bridgeport and if they could get a large tech company to come, a person would need a degree to qualify for those living-wage positions. So where are those living-wage jobs coming from for the average Bridgeport resident?

    Ricky, no bloviating, or is it just called politicking?

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    1. Fair enough point, Mr. Day. Though based on the jobs brought in under the last 20 or so years of Democrats, it is clear the letter in front of one’s name is not the issue. It is highly appropriate for Rick to address your question. I know he can and hopefully will. Let’s see if he will answer the “how does one bring jobs to Bridgeport” question.

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      1. PC, the reason for bringing up the Republican Party is because Rick Torres is running as a Republican and that party has certain core values that are different than Democrats. Now if Torres is different then he should have been telling the voters this last year, the year before that and the year before that so the voters of Bridgeport could see this guy Rick Torres is different but instead Rick Torres now wants to tell us he’s different because it’s election time. His so-called talk about blacks being on government aid is the 1980s Pat Buchanan/Ronald Reagan talk and dogwhistle politics.

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        1. I understand it would be good to know a candidate for Mayor’s mind ahead of an election. However Rick Torres will respond with an answer to the question by Mr. Day, “how does one bring jobs to Bridgeport.” Please give him a chance to respond, he is in many places lately. Thank you.

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          1. Yes Ron, though I am not going to assume voters will respond to being whistled in. That would be very slippery ground. I get the angst, no one can beat that all back, or pretend to. I just believe his intentions are in alignment with the best interests of the people and he is the right candidate for this time.

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  13. Ron, I just don’t get it. Col. West is a good man and great role model.
    He wasn’t kicked out of the military, he retired as a Lt. Col. There was a reprimand for excessive force on an Iraqi policeman. It was during war time.
    Does the letter next to one’s name really make that much difference? If it’s an “R” we’re less than?
    That’s what is wrong with this country, we look at each other as a political party and not as human beings.

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    1. West is one of those self-hating blacks who knows he will get a head start by being a black Republican and attacking Democrats and liberal blacks, he will become a superstar among Republicans, FOX NEWS and other liked-minded people. West was forced out of the service.

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  14. Hey Donald Day–if you are going to question my ability to bring jobs to Bridgeport, let us at least first take stock of where we are. Actually, let’s just take the last eight years. How many living-wage jobs have been created in Bridgeport in the last eight years? Further, how many high-paying employers have run for the proverbial hills of Shelton and further up the valley? Lastly, when high-wage jobs were brought to Bridgeport, what was the cost to the taxpayer? An example of such a debacle was the Derecktor Shipyard. We spent MILLIONS in taxpayer dollars to build this facility that presumably paid a living wage for a few years. And then they were gone.

    What was once a steady stream of jobs leaving BPT has become a mass exodus. The CT Post has reneged on its duty to report this, instead focusing only on jobs coming in. But nearly every job that we bring in is funded by the taxpayer and by the exit of another one. We need to stop paying people to come here.

    By picking and choosing companies to get breaks we effectively have sacrificed our stock of existing companies along with many of our families, friends and neighbors. With no fanfare, these folks have paraded up the Housatonic River valley and settled in our competitors land.

    So is there another way?

    YES! Stop the frantic feeding frenzy by the machine and their connected companies! Our dear Mr. John Stafstrom is called the Rainmaker by the Hartford Business Journal. This title is earned because he has been able to get private firms MILLIONS of tax giveaways to come to CT. Again at what cost? We only look in one direction. Have we accounted for the thousands of jobs that have left the state? Yes, state jobs matter. Many of our city residents have lost jobs in other towns and cities from companies that have moved to greener pastures.

    What you seem to not realize is businesses RESPOND to their environments. If their bottom line is affected without an added benefit to the company, they will seek new locations more amenable to their operation. We have been absolutely idiotic when it comes to this basic concept. We have created a business environment where the only possible way we can encourage people to take part in it is to give them 20-40 year tax abatements! We’re paying them to come here!

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  15. Ricky, I came to Bridgeport 47 years ago so I fully understood how we got here with respect to jobs. In your whole soliloquy you said the same thing I asked you, with the problems facing Bridgeport, with problems facing the State and with problems bringing in new jobs that will transform a person’s life, what can you do to make this happen?

    People are sick and tired of hearing what the problems are and how we got into this situation. Hell, we know that. Tell the people explicitly what you would do to bring transformative jobs to Bridgeport and not those minimum-wage, no-reason-to-hope-for-the-future jobs. I’m still waiting for an answer.

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