Only in Bridgeport

Bridgeport Police Chief Joe Gaudett told City Council members Monday night that police cannot enforce an 11 p.m. youth curfew unless the entire community — from residents to educators to social service agencies — is involved.

The city’s legislative body is considering a proposal to enforce a curfew following the shooting death of 14-year-old Justin Thompson in the East End. A public hearing will take place on Monday at 6 p.m. in City Hall to field community input. Actually, a curfew ordinance is already on the books, passed in 1994 after years of violent crime devastated neighborhoods. But, the chief noted, additional resources would be required to do the job.

He recommended in the short term a pilot program that would enable police to gather information for several weeks and report back to the council. Translation: don’t ask us for results unless you give us the tools to do the job.

For more on this check out the story by Keila Torres Ocasio here.

Is this curfew business proposed by council members legit or just for show?

(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)

Mayor Bill Finch says pay increases to roughly 80 non-classified city positions are necessary to attract quality job applicants. Opponents claim the city ordinance pushing salary hikes is being rushed through the City Council. A public hearing on this issue will take place Tuesday, 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers before the full council meets at 7  to potentially vote on the matter.

The ordinance states … “the Mayor may authorize salary increases within the salary ranges established by ordinance or not more than fifteen percent (15%) outside of such salary ranges as the Mayor deems warranted …” The positions include discretionary appointments of the mayor such as office staff.

Critics, including the Connecticut Post Editorial Board, claim the increases are out of line, particularly in light of the city’s fiscal condition in a difficult economy that required extensive givebacks by unionized personnel. The mayor says many of his discretionary appointments sacrificed more than bargaining units.

What say you?

(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)

Paul Vallas

Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Paul Vallas has seen it all when it comes to struggling school districts. He’s been hired, on an interim basis, to tackle Bridgeport’s struggling “system of schools.”

Brash, decisive, results are all associated with his work in those school districts. Vallas has big ones and understands the political nature of school districts in cities. In 2002 he waged a close Democratic primary for governor of Illinois against the now disgraced Rod Blagojevich. He may be in charge of schools for just one year, but he’s experienced, and gutsy, enough to make some difficult choices and set the foundation for the permanent school chief.

Vallas Biography:

Paul G. Vallas was appointed in May 2007 as Superintendent of the Recovery School District of New Orleans. He is implementing sweeping District-wide reforms in New Orleans, duplicating many of the initiatives that turned the school systems of Philadelphia and Chicago into nationally recognized models for education reform. In New Orleans, Vallas’ reforms promise to create safer schools, better-trained teachers, a unified curriculum, more support for students with special needs and a fiscal plan that improves the financial health of the District. His approach to reforming the RSD is one of inclusion to give parents, staff, community organizations, religious institutions and the New Orleans community a say in their schools. Among the new initiatives he has put into place are after school and summer school programs, a standardized curriculum and a classroom modernization initiative. He also will introduce a network of alternative schools, a student conservation corps and a school-based community policing program. Originally from Chicago, Vallas received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History in 1976 and a Masters in Political Science in 1980 from Western Illinois University.

In his first year at the helm of the Philadelphia public school system, Vallas put in place new initiatives that included after school and summer school programs, a transitional program for students returning from court-appointed placements, a Saturday program for chronically disruptive students and a parent truancy officer program. He installed a new Code of Conduct for students and a “zero tolerance” policy for infractions. His administration also launched a comprehensive academic overhaul of the system’s high schools as well as a five-year, $1.5 billion capital program that is building an unprecedented number of new schools and accomplishing major renovations to many existing ones.

In Philadelphia, the Vallas administration also brought new programs to scale, reduced class size in kindergarten through third grade, implemented new, system-wide math and literacy curriculums and distributed $18 million in textbooks and other materials to support them.

Under Vallas’ leadership, on May 25, 2004, the School District of Philadelphia adopted its first balanced budget in seven years. This $1.9 billion operating budget funds programs that further strengthen early childhood education and literacy, build academic achievement, create safer, more orderly schools, enhance community collaborations and make Philadelphia’s public schools more equitable.

Before coming to Philadelphia, Vallas served as the Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001. While there, he transformed the nation’s third largest school system from what was thought of as “the worst in the country” to “a model for the nation.” Vallas initiated a broad series of educational reforms to reverse the system’s persistent failure. He eliminated a projected four-year shortfall of $1.3 billion within two years and balanced the system’s budget each year thereafter. Vallas fully restored financial stability to the Chicago Public Schools, which earned thirteen bond rating upgrades within a six year period.

During his term, he also implemented an unprecedented capital improvement program by constructing 76 new buildings and renovating more than 500 existing buildings. The program produced a vastly improved learning and teaching environment for the school system. Vallas streamlined the system’s administrative organization by eliminating 1,700 duplicative non-teaching positions and replacing inefficient operations with privately managed services. Vallas is also credited with ending social promotion, the reorganization of Chicago’s high schools, and establishing the largest after-school and summer reading programs in the country. Between 1996 and 2000, student test scores improved by virtually every academic indicator, including six consecutive years of improved elementary reading scores.

Prior to serving as Chief Executive for Chicago’s public schools, Vallas was budget director for the City of Chicago. In this role, he closed that city’s $125 million budget gap and received the first unanimous city council vote for passage of a city budget in over 40 years. Vallas also served as revenue director for the City of Chicago from 1990 to 1993.

Vallas was Executive Director of the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission from 1985 to 1990, where he was responsible for reviewing, analyzing and assessing the legislative impact of state finances on state and local taxes. He also dealt with economic development issues.

Before joining the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission, Vallas served as a policy advisor to the Illinois State Senate. Vallas was the principal advisor to the Senate Elementary and Secondary Education and Appropriations Committees.

The Stratford woman pulled to the floor, as shown in this video, in the Bridgeport Police Department booking area last year has filed a federal lawsuit against city police. For more on this and what it could mean www.onlyinbridgeport.com

Ernie Newton

The municipal election cycle is over. The page has turned to the 2012 presidential election season and a boatload of races for state and federal office. One high-profile pol who has made his intentions known is former State Senator Ernie Newton who wants his old job back after resigning it in 2005 as a result of federal corruption charges.

The “Moses of his people” says a formal declaration will come after the first of the year but he certainly will be in the mix for Connecticut’s 23rd Senatorial District seat occupied by Ed Gomes. The district includes the South End, East Side, East End and a portion of the North End of Bridgeport and a small piece of Stratford.

Newton was a fixture in city politics for 25 years, first as a young City Council president then in the State House before winning the 2003 special election for State Senate following the death of Alvin Penn. Flamboyant in dress and a lightning rod for discussion, Newton wants a second chance at public office and believes his former constituents will deliver. He cites millions of dollars he delivered for the city for neighborhood clean up and development, the Innovation Center and St. Mark’s Day Care.

Ed Gomes

Ed Gomes, a tough cookie, is an Army veteran and retired steelworker who has built up his own constituency in his years in the State Senate. Newton says he wishes Gomes a full recovery following Gomes’ late September heart surgery. They have faced each other before. Newton and Gomes were just a few hundred votes apart when Newton won the special election in the spring of 2003. Gomes won the special election to fill Newton’s vacancy.

Others may jump into the mix for an August 2012 primary. The Democratic Party endorsement session will take place in May.

Paul Leka, as a young man from Bridgeport, wrote one of the greatest anthems in Rock & Roll history. He passed away a few days ago.

(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)

Tuesday is primary day in the state’s largest city featuring Mayor Bill Finch and challenger Mary-Jane Foster. Most polling precincts are traditional locations except for voters who generally cast a ballot at Wilbur Cross in the 135th District. They will vote at Park City Magnet School on Chopsey Hill. Voters for the traditional precinct Columbus School in the 136th District will go to Geraldine Johnson School on Lexington Avenue off North Avenue. Not sure where you vote? Call the Registrar’s Office at 203-576-7281.

Districts and voting locations

130-01, Black Rock School, 545 Brewster Street

130-02, Longfellow School, 139 Ocean Terrace

131-01, City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace

131-02, Roosevelt School, 680 Park Avenue

132-01, Bassick High School, 1181 Fairfield Avenue

132-02, Central High School, 1 Lincoln Boulevard

133-01, Central High School, 1 Lincoln Boulevard

133-02, Blackham School, 425 Thorme Street

134-01, John Wintrop School, 85 Eckart Street

134-02, Blackham School, 425 Thorme Street

135-01, Park City Magnet, 1526 Chopsey Hill Road

135-02, Park City Magnet, 1526 Chopsey Hill Road

135-03, Hallen School, 51 Omega Avenue

135-04 Read Middle School, 130 Ezra Street

136-01 Beardsley School, 500 Huntington Road

136-02, Geraldine Johnson School, 475 Lexington Avenue

136-03, Read Middle School, 130 Ezra

137-01, Luis Muñoz Marin School, 479 Helen Street

137-02, The Bridge Academy, 401 Kossuth Street

138-01, JFK Campus, 700 Palisade Avenue

138-02, Thomas Hooker School, 138 Roger Williams Road

139-01, Harding High School, 1734 Central Avenue

139-02, Dunbar School, 445 Union Avenue

Tuesday September 27 is Democratic primary day in Bridgeport featuring the match up between Mayor Bill Finch and Mary-Jane Foster. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you don’t know where you vote this link below will provide the answer. Still not sure? Call the Registrar of Voters office 203-576-7281.

http://www.bridgeportct.gov/RegistrarofVoters/Pages/districtlookup.aspx

(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)