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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)
Max Medina, former president of the Bridgeport Board of Education, and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group are supporting mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster who’s challenging Mayor Bill Finch in the September 27 Democratic primary. This is a nice endorsement for Foster. In Medina, a 2003 mayoral candidate, she receives the help of someone with extensive contacts among city parents and in CCAG it provides her campaign workers on primary day. Medina and Finch have never been buds and they often knocked heads when Medina accused Finch of short-changing the city school system. In fact, Finch provided city schools not one extra penny the past three years as the Bridgeport Board of Education struggled with budget deficits. This allowed Finch to avoid a tax increase in an election year. Medina, in a statement below, accuses Finch of carrying out a carefully executed plan to tank the school board in favor of state control. From the Foster campaign:
The Connecticut Citizen Action Group Endorses Mary-Jane Foster for Mayor of Bridgeport
CCAG cites Bill Finch’s undemocratic behavior regarding the dissolution of the Bridgeport Board of Education and his troubling ties to People for Excellence in Government PAC
Democratic candidate for Mayor of Bridgeport Mary-Jane Foster received the endorsement of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) today. CCAG released the following statement:
The Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) endorses Mary-Jane Foster for Mayor because it is time to restore honesty, integrity and transparency to Bridgeport’s municipal government.
After initially deciding to not become involved in Bridgeport’s 2011 Mayoral contest, the CCAG Board unanimously decided to endorse Mary-Jane Foster in response to Bill Finch’s role in the dissolution of the Bridgeport Board of Education in July and revelations about Finch’s relationship with the People for Excellence in Government PAC.
“CCAG is endorsing Mary-Jane Foster for Mayor because Bill Finch finds democracy inconvenient,” said Max Medina, Jr., CCAG Board member and former President of the Bridgeport Board of Education. “The Finch Administration participated in a carefully executed plan to deny Bridgeport residents the opportunity to vote for the four seats on the Board of Education which were up for re-election this year,” added Medina, a Bridgeport resident.
After conspiring with others to eliminate the duly elected Bridgeport Board of Education — without any opportunity for community involvement or comment — Bill Finch then added insult to injury by testifying before the Connecticut Board of Education:
“I don’t see it as a great loss, for a few years, to lose the electoral process.”
“I just do want to remind you that there is (sic) many of my parents who either
because of them not being citizens or having done things in their previous life cannot participate in the Democratic process.”
“Democracy doesn’t work. It doesn’t work in all cases.”
State board of Education meeting, July 6, 2011
(http://blog.ctnews.com/politics/2011/07/15/radio-ad-bashes-mayor-finchs-election-stand/)
“Mary-Jane Foster and CCAG believe democracy always works — it is the American way and for that reason we endorse Foster for Mayor,” added CCAG Board Chair Bill Bloss. Bloss said that the CCAG board was particularly concerned about the lack of public involvement in the process leading up to the vote to dissolve. “In towns all over Connecticut, Boards seek and value public
input. It is inconceivable that the most drastic decision that a Board of Education could make – to disenfranchise a City’s voters – would be made with the short notice and lack of public discussion as happened here.”
He also cited the serious questions which have been raised about Finch’s ties to the People for Excellence in Government PAC. Bloss continued, “CCAG fought long and hard to pass the Clean Elections system in Connecticut. We now have a system that has taken big money and lobbyist contributions away from elections for state office. But municipal elections are not as well regulated as state elections.”
“Bill Beccaro works for the Senate Democrats where he worked with Finch. Finch hires Beccaro to do consulting work for the City of Bridgeport. Finch hires Adam Wood as his chief of staff. Finch sends his candidate committee surplus to Beccaro’s PAC. Finch, Wood and their spouses in turn benefit from Beccaro’s PAC. In my opinion, it doesn’t pass the smell test and it’s just plain wrong,” added Medina.
“The people of Bridgeport deserve a mayor who embraces democracy and transparency. Mary-Jane Foster is that candidate and that is why CCAG supports her candidacy for Mayor,” said Bloss.
CCAG is a statewide organization with over 20,000 member families committed to fighting for social, economic, environmental and racial justice for 40 years.
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
Jasper McLevy, Bridgeport's longest-serving mayor.
For Finch? For Foster? For Jasper McLevy?
Who’s Jasper McLevy? He was the city’s Socialist mayor from 1933 to 1957, known for his frugality and honesty. Now there’s a novel approach!
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis will issue a decision Friday at 3 p.m. whether Mary-Jane Foster and her slate of candidates will face Mayor Bill Finch in a primary. The judge presented a series of questions to lawyers involved in the court complaint against Democratic Registrar Santa Ayala who rejected the Foster slate citing one too many candidates for Board of Education on certification papers. Ayala had informed Town Clerk Alma Maya who prepares candidate names for the ballot that Foster had sufficient petition signatures, but then Ayala yanked back the ballot approval claiming the candidate surplus issue obligated her to blowtorch the entire slate. Foster’s lawyers argue Ayala is at fault.
Read the responses to the judge from Foster’s lawyers Alan Neigher and Michele Mount.
http://onlyinbridgeport.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Plaintiffs-Responses.pdf
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
The state is investigating Democratic Registrar Sandy Ayala (was the fix in?) for blowtorching Mary-Jane Foster’s ballot spot for mayor. The state is investigating a political action committee with ties to Mayor Bill Finch. The Foster campaign is filing a law suit today in state court in an attempt to overturn Ayala’s decision.
Voters have been disenfranchised. A lot of funny business is going on. Are the feds looking at any of this?
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
Now what? That seems to be the question following Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala’s ballot denial of Democratic mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster based on a technicality. Look for Foster to file a court complaint soon.
So, what is this? Incompetence by the Foster camp? Incompetence by Ayala? Political sabotage?
What say you?
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
Don’t ya just love political campaigns? When Bill Finch was a member of the City Council, State Senate and a mayoral candidate four years ago Mary-Jane Foster in his view was the cat’s meow, the visionary behind the Bridgeport Bluefish and ballpark and arena at Harbor Yard. As a member of the City Council Finch voted to approve the Bluefish contract with the city, as a state senator coveted Foster for campaign donations, as a candidate for mayor loved her for raising tens of thousands of dollars for his campaign. He loved her so much he named her his mayoral transition team chief. Now that she’s a mayoral opponent, well she’s a bum.
Weeeee!
The Finch campaign has kicked out its first direct radio attack against Foster regarding her ownership in the Bridgeport Bluefish, featuring two women making the case for Finch. See a transcript of the radio spot below followed by the Foster campaign’s response.
Hey, have you been following the Mayor’s race?
Um, Not really, the summer has been busy.
Well, it’s a no brainer, vote for Mayor Finch.
OK… Who’s running against him?
Mary Jane Foster. She telling people she’s a successful business woman.
Really? What has she done?
Well, as CEO and part owner of the Blue Fish, she lost money nine years in a row.
That’s not good.
Things got so bad, she even took a million dollar taxpayer bailout.
So wait. Mary Jane’s only business lost money and she took a taxpayer bailout? That’s not going to get my vote.
Especially when you compare Mary Jane’s failure, with Bill Finch’s record of success.
Like that new development downtown, what’s it been, 25 years?
I know, with so many new businesses opening, we actually enjoy going down there again.
You’re right, it’s a no brainer. I’ll tell everyone I know to vote for Bill Finch on September 13.
Foster’s response:
Foster Campaign: Finch Lies and Breaks His Promises
The campaign for Democratic candidate for mayor of Bridgeport Mary-Jane Foster issued the following statement today in response to Mayor Bill Finch’s radio ad:
“Bill Finch lied when he promised voters a $600 tax cut in order to get elected and he’s lying about Mary-Jane Foster’s record with the Bridgeport Bluefish,” stated Jason Bartlett, campaign manager. “Mary-Jane never took a bailout. In truth, she is responsible for transforming a contaminated, abandoned factory into the beautiful Ballpark and Arena at Harbor Yard. She founded the Bridgeport Bluefish, a franchise that has pumped $60 million into Bridgeport and the regional economy and created 140 permanent jobs, most of which are held by Bridgeport residents. The Bluefish and Arena have brought millions of people to downtown over the last 12 years and have contributed significantly to repositioning Bridgeport as an attractive destination offering family-friendly entertainment.
What can Bill Finch point to as his legacy? Lies and broken promises. He knew he couldn’t deliver a $600 tax refund to voters but winning was more important than telling the truth. He said he would create jobs – but the only people getting jobs are his politically connected friends, like the $8 million going to his lawyer friends. He said he would lower taxes. Instead he has raised taxes. Crime is up on his watch and the majority of voters feel the city is headed in the wrong direction. And because he’s done such a stellar job, he made sure he and his staff got hefty raises – all while shaking down hard working city employees for concessions and campaign contributions.
Bill Finch has been an elected official for more than a decade and has nothing to show for it, so he’s attacking Mary-Jane. Everything he claims he did was initiated by someone else and every job he’s ever had has been given to him. Mary-Jane looks forward to standing toe to toe with Bill Finch and comparing her professional record to his total lack of accomplishment.”
(Check out my daily webzine at www.onlyinbridgeport.com)
Two months from a Democratic mayoral primary and the campaign season’s in full swing. Mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster issued this news release today:
Two Bridgeport Titans Endorse Foster for Mayor
Two high profile and well-respected Bridgeport leaders have announced their support for Mary-Jane Foster in the upcoming Democratic primary for mayor today. State Senator Edwin Gomes and community activist Marilyn Moore have offered their full support to the Foster for Bridgeport team.
“The issues at stake in this election affect the basics that every family is struggling with,” Gomes stated. “Good education, creating jobs, and protecting working men and women. They’re not easy to tackle but you can do it when you have leaders whose values are similar to yours. Respect, honesty, playing fair… all those things matter and they all apply to Mary-Jane. She’s a hard worker and keeps her word. That’s the kind of person you want leading your city, especially through difficult times like these.”
Gomes has dedicated his life to fighting for the residents of Bridgeport. While working at Carpenter Steel, he became active in his local union, going on to serve in local and regional leadership positions with the United Steelworkers of America. He revived the Bridgeport Black Democratic Club and was elected as a vice president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO executive board. As a civil rights activist, he challenged the racial inequity of Bridgeport’s City Council districts and also helped pave the way for Connecticut’s open primary system. As a member of Bridgeport’s School Building committee, Gomes was a vocal proponent of new school construction, which had not occurred in Bridgeport in nearly a quarter century. His efforts helped to ensure the building of five new schools in recent years. Mr. Gomes served 12 years as a City Council member and has been a State Senator since 2005.
Moore is a political force in her own right. She has championed women’s health issues and fought for civil rights for more than 30 years and currently serves as the executive director of The Witness Project. In 2008, Moore challenged State Senator Anthony Musto and came within striking distance. Moore briefly joined the campaign of John Gomes for mayor with the intent of organizing the campaign and garnering more support for Gomes but recognized the alliance was not a good fit as her vision for Bridgeport was more in alignment with Foster’s. She wants to support a candidate who will listen to the people and bridge community and business so everyone benefits. Ms. Moore believes Foster is the candidate who can best accomplish that challenge.
“Mary-Jane brings the business and community experience that we will need to make progress in Bridgeport. She has demonstrated to me that she can work across all segments of the community and she understands the issues that hinder progress in Bridgeport; not just for business but for the people who live here. For 20 years she has been here fighting for victims of domestic violence, providing financial literacy to young people, and working to prevent homelessness,” explained Moore. “It is time for a strong woman to take the reins, shake things up, and get the city moving again. We cannot afford another four years of missed opportunities, broken promises, and backroom deals that undermine the will of the good people of this city.”
Foster, who has long respected the decades of public service and community activism that both Gomes and Moore have devoted to Bridgeport, saying, “I am thrilled to have two leaders of the African American community rallying my candidacy for mayor. I have had the great privilege of working with both Ed and Marilyn over the years on many important social and economic justice issues. Together I know we can mobilize and empower residents throughout Bridgeport to send a strong message to this administration that enough is enough. It is time for fresh leadership that will build a Bridgeport that works for everyone.”
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