Having successfully convinced city officials to amend Bridgeport’s Master Plan to formally recognize his Italian eatery as a commercial use, Bridgeport Democratic Chairman Mario Testa now wants related zoning changes for Testo’s.

Testa’s attorney, Charles Willinger, insists his client only wants the changes to make it easier to refinance. Neighbors suspect Testa either wants to expand or sell to a buyer who wants the property for other commercial uses.

Those same opponents allege that he has an advantage because of his position as a political power broker in Democrat-dominated Bridgeport.

That’s nonsense, according to Willinger, who adds it’s unfair to penalize his client’s business because of the owner’s political activities.

If Testa obtains his zoning approval, perhaps someone will toast his success Saturday when Testo’s hosts Mayor Bill Finch’s annual Mayor’s Ball at 7 p.m.

As we reported this week, Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas as well as the Board of Education insist that under a new 2012 state law the mayor owes them an additional $3.2 million.

If that’s the case it’s another expensive complication in an already tough budget season for the Democratic mayor and all-Democrat City Council, who are under pressure to hold the line on taxes while facing cuts in state aid. As it is Finch’s proposed budget would raise taxes on the average residential property owner by $400.

“He is in trouble,” said School Board Chairman Kenneth Moales. “Somehow, he is going to have to come up with the extra dollars. If he doesn’t, he is breaking (state) law.”

Finch should trust what Moales has to say about money because Moales was the mayor’s campaign treasurer.

As usual his spokesman (and former Connecticut Post employee) Elaine Ficarra was at his side.

Finch is perfectly able to field a reporter’s questions, and he should be well-versed on this school funding issue because it’s been around for about a year.

But the mayor’s staff prefer the questions be posed to Ficarra and the answers come through her as well. It’s message-management 101.

I asked the mayor to explain his rationale for not providing the extra $3.2 million to the Board of Education.

“Well, we’re formulating an answer for you. We’ll probably get it to you tomorrow (Thursday),” Finch said.

I pressed, since it’s what I get paid to do.

“Okay,” I said. “But tell me – just give me your initial understanding…”

At which point Ficarra – as she gets paid to do – interrupted, “No, I think he gave you the answer. He gave you the answer, Brian. That’s it. He gave you the answer. C’mon.”

So would they get me a comment Thursday?

“It looks like, yeah,” Finch said.

“We’ll get back to you,”  Ficarra said.

I wasn’t reassured.

“Well, I need something tomorrow (Thursday),” I said.

“That’s good. That’s your schedule. We’ll get back to you,” Ficarra said, adding: “No. No. No. You’re not going to put him on the spot over here, Brian, to talk about it, okay?”

At which point the mayor chimed in, “Actually, we’ll get back to you when we want to.”

After our exchange I emailed Ficarra later Wednesday with my specific questions about the $3.2 million, why the mayor kept it out of his budget, whether the administration was negotiating with state officials on the matter, and what happens if any talks fail?

On Thursday Finch’s answer arrived via Ficarra in a very short email: “We are incredibly focused on this issue and we are working diligently to resolve it. In the end, we hope to be as effective as we were in 2012 in working with the state to close the Board of Education’s multimillion dollar deficit.”

For comparison’s sake, here’s the level of detail Ficarra provided in an email Thursday about the mayor’s tree planting ceremony on Friday…

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WHAT:           On Friday, April 26, Arbor Day, Mayor Bill Finch will unveil a new “Tree City USA” sign. Mayor Finch will also plant a tree near the new sign to celebrate National Arbor Day.

The “Tree City USA” sign will be located on the city line, so drivers traveling into Bridgeport will be made aware of the City’s achievement. This is the fifth consecutive year that Bridgeport has been named “Tree City USA.”

The honor “Tree City USA” officially recognizes Bridgeport’s commitment to responsible urban forestry management. In 2012, the city reached its goal of planting 2,012 new trees.

The Arbor Day Foundation awards the title “Tree City USA” to cities and towns across America that have demonstrated a strong commitment to tree care, and have made urban forest maintenance a priority.

WHERE:        The esplanade located in the middle of Fairfield Avenue, across the street from 3431 Fairfield Ave. (Kali’s Auto Body), Bridgeport, CT

WHEN:          Friday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m.

There are still several weeks left in the 2013 legislative session, but with the revaluation required this year – and Gov. Dannel Malloy having opposed similar revaluation delays in the past -  the city can’t wait on the General Assembly to make a decision.

So the work has been put out to bid. Below is a photo of the bid documents posted downtown at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center.

It should be noted when Malloy was mayor of Stamford he wanted to put off his revaluation.

The story was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch this evening issued his own response to GE Capital’s decision:

“GE’s decision is the latest of the many positives that have resulted from the tragedy of Newtown. Urban and suburban neighbors, public and private sectors and here in Connecticut, Democrats and Republicans have all come together to enact change to help keep us safe from the dangers of gun violence. I applaud GE for this bold and brave move and I hope that others who help finance gun purchases follow their lead. I hope that this will serve as another example to Congress that our nation wants gun control reforms.”

As to be expected, some of the speakers were from the Black Rock section of town – the charming waterside neighborhood known for nice homes and high taxes. Residents of that area have been pleading with the council – all Democrats, like Finch – to oppose the mayor’s proposed tax hike.

The most interesting thing to happen at Monday’s hearing occurred afterward, when Councilwoman M. Evette Brantley, D-132, approached one of the Black Rock speakers to commiserate. Black Rock is in the 130th District.

“Our taxes are just as high as yours. I’m ready to sell and get out of here,” said Brantley, a homeowner.

Although council members have expressed concern over another tax increase, Brantley’s been fuming about it since Finch broke the news earlier this month.

A few minutes later on Monday Brantley repeated her lament to some of her council colleagues.

“I wish I could sell my house (and) go in a hole somewhere like the birds,” she said.

Brantley was born and raised in Bridgeport. Was she really serious? Would she leave the city? How about downsize to a condo?

“I would like wherever I could afford it,” she said.

Taxes are always a touchy topic. While recognizing taxes are too high, the administration has been particularly sensitive about the issue in recent weeks after H&R Block labeled Bridgeport the highest taxed city. The designation causes the mayor to get visibly agitated and Finch’s office has been working hard to dispute the claim.

Brantley’s candor will be refreshing for some and cause headaches for others, including, perhaps, herself.

It hasn’t been a great couple of months for the organization, whose members are supposed to be fighting other battles in Connecticut’s largest city over education, the economy, the city budget, crime and quality-of-life issues, rather than wasting that energy on internal feuds.

As a result it’s time for a forced shake-up. The re-organization meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. at Messiah Baptist Church, 2010 Congress St.

Here’s Brannelly emphasizing the all-Democrat council has the authority to cut/alter Democratic Mayor Bill Finch’s proposed 2013-14 budget after members wrap up several weeks of meetings with department heads. Critics view the Council as a same-party rubber stamp.

“I’m not wasting a month of my life to ‘drink  the Kool-Aid,’” Brannelly said.

Oh yeaahh!!!

Need an example of a quiet shift in department chiefs? Take Mayor Bill Finch’s decision to, after five years, relieve Charlie Carroll of double-duty running the Public Facilities and Parks departments. Carroll, a City Hall veteran, will go back to focusing just on parks and the administration will find a replacement to helm Public Facilities.

Yes, the pending change was reflected in Finch’s proposed 2013-14 budget, if you knew where to look. But the administration has not gone out of its way to point it out or offer explanations. Even when the Connecticut Post sat with the mayor and his finance staff two weeks ago for a budget briefing, the decision to fully fund a parks director was mentioned as an afterthought.

Yes there was a lot to talk about that day. But in retrospect it was odd, considering Bridgeport is the Park City and Finch loves his parks. Just check Twitter:

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Bill Finch ‏@MayorBillFinch 14 Apr

Busy day at beautiful Beardsley Park @CityofBptCT @BGreenBPT Parks r worth every tax dollar r government invests!

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Why hasn’t the administration made the case from jump it was time to have a full-time department head and Carroll is the best man for the job?

Instead the change in Carroll’s duties finally came up Tuesday during his meeting with the Council’s Budgets and Appropriations Committee when, as Public Facilities head, Carroll and his deputies gathered to defend their agency from cuts.

Carroll did not mention he was going back to just focusing on the parks until a committee member asked what was up with Finch’s proposal for a full time parks head?

“I’m returning to parks full time,” Carroll said.

And with that the matter was dropped. No one on the budget committee asked the follow up questions about what that meant for Public Facilities.

But the topic had been broached, leading to the mayor’s office Wednesday issuing the following statement to the Connecticut Post and the Only in Bridgeport website:

“It has always been understood, between the mayor and Charlie, that he will be returning full time to the position of parks director at some point in the future since he began serving in the dual position capacity.  The mayor appointed him at the beginning of his administration to double-duty after Charlie volunteered to do this on a temporary basis. Five years later, residents have been well-served by his serving in both capacities – saving the taxpayers money and accomplishing great things.  At some point later this year, Charlie will be transitioning back full-time as parks director, and the city will be selecting a public facilities director, which is a position that serves at the appointment of the mayor. The mayor will continue his past practice of hiring the best and brightest available person to fill this extremely important position.”

What’s still missing is the rationale for “un-consolidating” a job during a tough budget year when Finch has proposed a tax increase and the Council is trying to avoid it. The mayor himself in his budget message to constituents bragged about his administration’s efforts “to take measures to save taxpayers money and expand efforts to create a leaner, more efficient work force.”

“Will it improve services at a savings to the taxpayer?” he said.

Questions that could have been asked of Carroll directly by the budget committee while he was sitting in front of them Tuesday. Still, council members have time to get to the bottom of this.

“We could say, ‘No.’ That is an option,” Brannelly said Wednesday.

Wednesday night via email I asked the mayor’s office to further explain, “Why is it a good thing, during the 2013-14 fiscal year, to return to having a new full time department head in parks?”

Here’s the response from Thursday: “There is only so long you can ask someone to do two major jobs at once, and the mayor is thankful that Charlie was able to serve in this capacity for that amount of time … The Mayor may choose to appoint someone from current staff, thereby not needing to fund a ‘new’ position.”

Carroll was Chief-of-Staff to Finch’s predecessor, ex-Mayor John Fabrizi, and the two remain close. Fabrizi Thursday offered his own theory – Carroll is the fall guy for what critics say was the Finch administration’s mishandling of February’s blizzard.

“Charlie has demonstrated over his many years with the city he is a very capable individual in carrying out his duties and tasks,” Fabrizi said. “I’m surprised at this latest move and, quite frankly, in my opinion the administration is looking to blame someone for the challenges with the recent storm.”

While saying the city could always work to improve, the Finch administration has repeatedly defended its response to the blizzard, arguing Bridgeport was blanketed beneath an historic 30 inches of snow and citizens did not follow the mayor’s emergency declaration to get their cars off of plow routes.

The group is trying to find ways to cut Mayor Bill Finch’s average, $400 tax hike.

Weighty topics, such as police staffing, overtime and sick leave were discussed at length Wednesday with Gaudett. But the council scrutiny inevitably always leads to interesting discussions with various department heads on quirkier areas of the budget as well.

At one point Wednesday Councilman John Olson, D-132, suggested perhaps the police force no longer needs seven horses.

“I love the horses (but) is this something we can afford to do?” Olson said.

Gaudett left no doubt how he feels about the horses, the six officers who take care of and ride the animals, and the unit’s contributions to law enforcement.

“Our mounted unit is not ceremonial,” Gaudett said.

From handing out speeding tickets (yes, it happened, said Gaudett) to crowd management (“Nobody talks back to a horse”) the chief insisted the mounted cops are invaluable to his department.

At another point in the discussion, Gaudett suggested another potential area for cost savings – his $50,000 budget for the sandwiches and milk fed to prisoners.

Turns out that for years the department put the contract out to bid and, for years, only one restaurant came forward – Frankie’s Diner.

Gaudett said his staff has suggested instead using the public schools’ in-house food service, which could halve the $50,000 price. However the department would need to invest in a refrigerator.

The council appeared interested.

And who was sitting quietly in the back of the Council chambers?  Finch’s fellow Democrat and predecessor, John Fabrizi, who reluctantly left office under a bit of a cloud in 2007, though his name is usually mentioned when the next election draws near.

Fabrizi is currently director of adult education for the city’s public schools.

Fabrizi left Monday’s hearing without addressing the committee.

But outside City Hall he shared some thoughts on Finch’s plan and said he will continue monitoring the budget process.

“From what I’m reading and hearing I have a concern about this particular budget and its impact not just on the taxpayer but the city as a whole,” Fabrizi said.

The Finch administration initially claimed the budget would raise the mill rate by 2.5 mills, increasing the average tax bill by $215. But then Finch’s office ultimately upped that figure to $391, which was much closer to the Connecticut Post‘s reported estimate of $400.

“When I read the confusion with the numbers coming out of the administration and hear what’s being said, it just makes me think that harder about where this budget is going,” Fabrizi said.

For Fabrizi, public safety and economic development are major issues. He said tax hikes in particular will hurt the progress he is starting to see in the latter area.

“If you can shave off at least a mill to a mill and a half it’s much more palatable,” Fabrizi said.

Here are Fabrizi (left) and Finch back in 2011 when the former nominated the mayor for a second term.