The Charter Revision Commission will conduct a public hearing Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 45 Lyon Terrace. What’s on your mind? The panel has been focusing on education initiatives and likely will send to the City Council for approval a question that asks voters to choose between elected or appointed school board positions, or perhaps a hybrid. School board members are currently elected and Mayor Bill Finch has been weighing in hard on the side of a mayoral-appointed body, saying if you’re going to blame me for schools authorize me the power to improve them.
Other questions voters could decide include minority-party representation on the City Council, a streamlining of the reporting process involving the economic development department, extending the city’s budget-making calendar closer in line with the Connecticut Legislature so that state funds don’t become a guessing game for local budget impact. Voters will act on the charter questions during the November presidential election.
During the past 25 years voter-approved charter changes include budget authority for the City Council (eliminating the Board of Apportionment and Taxation); mayoral appointment of the police and fire chiefs to five-year terms with an option to appoint them to one final five-year term; creating an Office of Policy and Management with a director who builds the budget presented to the mayor and City Council and an Office of Finance with a director who oversees the city treasurer, tax assessor and tax collector.
In 1998, voters also approved a four-year term for mayor. Finch is the first mayor to win two four-year terms as a result of that charter change.
Attorney Steven Mednick has been retained by the city to provide advice in drafting a new City Charter. Mednick has advised charter commissions and drafted new city charters for Hartford, Waterbury, New Britain, East Windsor and Hamden. Finch issued this statement last month when he announce formation of a charter panel.
Commission members:
Harry Weischel, Democrat, vice president with Arnold Peck’s Commercial World, has been a long-time city resident active in a number of social service and city athletic programs. He founded the city’s Grassroots Tennis Program. He has served on the city’s Ethics Commission.
Charlie Valentino, Republican, served years ago as the chairman of the Bridgeport Republican Town Committee. He has been a long-time state marshal involved in serving summons and complaints in state and federal civil matters.
George Estrada, Republican, vice president for Facilities at the University of Bridgeport, served under mayors Mary Moran and John Fabrizi as chief of Public Works and Public Facilities. An intriguing selection by the mayor considering his past issues with the University of Bridgeport where his primary opponent Mary-Jane Foster works as an executive vice president.
William Marshall, Democrat, pastor of Bridgeport Christian Life Center on Connecticut Avenue.
Cathleen Simpson, Democrat, labor relations attorney for the state Office of Policy and Management. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.
Florisca Carter, unaffiliated, director of operations for Achievement First Bridgeport Academy. She is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Ruben Felipe, Democrat, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Finch. Felipe has taken on an expanded role serving as the city’s point person for redevelopment projects on the city’s East Side.
Come on Lennie. Cut the crap.
Harry Weischel–Prior recipient of city funds/block grant funds for Grassroots Tennis
Charlie Valentino–As Sheriff serves papers for an attorney who works for WPCA and sits on the board of WPCA
Cathleen Simpson–Wife of attorney whose annual billings to the city of Bridgeport easily top 6 figures.
Florisca Carter, unaffiliated, director of operations for Achievement First Bridgeport Academy whose employment raises potential conflict of interest due to Achievement First’s dealings with the city.
Ruben Felipe serves at the will of the mayor.
More typical Bridgeport political BS.
*** Will the Mayor’s will on elected or appointed BOE be the main focus of the entire Charter Revision? If so what a waste of time and money in the long run overall, no? Also, will the C.R. Commission (ex-city affiliates) listen to any ideas from the public or is this hearing just going through the motions? As BEACON2 would say, *** TIME WILL TELL ***
*** Rumor has it the SEEC is looking into the 131st AB’s received in the past DTC election; could there be more fines pending? *** WHAT? ***
Mojo,
The SEEC is looking into more than the 131st and the AB’s. They are also looking at the 138th for past infractions.
From an email:
This is a comparison of our Magnet Schools to Bpt. Achievement 1st. It is only for those grade levels that Achievement 1st currently accepts (they are expanding). The data comes from the Strategic School Profiles.
Please note the data shows:
Using the flawed standards of NCLB and Race to the Top, our Magnet Schools have done significantly better than Bpt. Achievement 1st.
While Magnet Schools and Bpt. Achievement 1st have selective student demographics with regard to ELL and Special Ed, our Magnet Schools have a significantly higher percentage of low income students, which is why the national NAACP has a resolution opposing charter schools (also attached).
The teacher demographics are very revealing: our teachers have 10-15 more years of experience; significantly more advanced education; better attendance; and, Bpt Achievement 1st teachers have over 50% turnover.