The City Council’s Ordinance Committee, reviewing proposed changes to the City Charter for voter approval, addressed reforms to modernize Civil Service and personnel division, particularly what is considered a classified, protected position versus mayoral discretionary appointment.
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When the Charter Review Commission handed over their review of the Charter to the City Council for their review and approval, they established the Ordinance Committee to handle their Section by Section review of the document. Monday evening August 4 will find the Charter document seeking approval of the entire City Council.
Certain Council members appeared before the Charter Committee to recommend and comment on sections of the Charter like Ethics, the Mayor, and the City Council size itself at our Public Hearings. Generally, public citizens were not present with comments or suggestions, the purpose of the hearings. All were transcribed by video.
The work could go on if the public were interested but will remain as it is until something like a Charter Change will dictate review of such foundation document on a regular basis, with sufficient time, and motivated Commissioners, like every five or seven years.
We must focus on all Departments ‘teaching’ CIVICS by what they say and what they do when meeting citizens and taxpayers. Casual Civics Conversation can be a part of changing grassroot orientation and understanding, especially if faith traditional institutions take part in offering.
Finally, I have two brief writings to offer for Charter consideration: A new PREAMBLE, and a statement of purpose for the CITY COUNCIL itself.
City Charter-Preamble Concepts
We as Bridgeport citizens have reformed the City Charter to provide civic instruction and guidance to all residents served, including elected and appointed officials and employees, as to the structure of governance, as well as the authorized powers and responsibilities extended to them during their terms of office. Process, a description of official responsibilities, and restrictions meant to provide better checks and balance, oversight, and enforcement powers are included in the Charter to invite a better understanding and support for City functions.
The Charter speaks to governance structure, a major part of Bridgeport “rule of law” yet different in kind, from politics. Politics is how the people come to employ or install officials with necessary authority and power, to solve problems, provide leadership, and oversight, by adopting well communicated plans, requiring tax, grant, or fee, revenues to be monitored and to deliver efficiency of expenditures.
Open, accountable, transparent, and honest values guide this process to provide respect for improved ethical governance, especially as to the community standards of behavior expected and the power to enforce such activity in the future.
CITY COUNCIL Mission – Purpose Statement
Candidates for the City Council run every two years to earn majority votes from registered voters in a single district. They form a legislative body whose purpose is to represent members of their constituency in matters of municipal issue or concern, to encourage broad oversight and support of democratic participation by all citizens, not merely as elections approach, and to encourage civic rights and responsibilities for all citizens of Bridgeport while serving their term of office.
TIME WILL TELL. 7-27-2025