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Non-Profit Alliance Plans Mayoral Debates
Newly formed Bridgeport Civic Alliance aims to be City Hall watchdog
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Business New Haven
08/18/2003
By: BNH
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BRIDGEPORT — Park City-based nonprofit leaders have created something called the Bridgeport Civic Alliance. The initiative is designed to improve and monitor city government operations, hold accountable elected officials and provide the community with tools for increased civic engagement.
"When I first heard about the alliance I was excited to see so many distinct groups with individually different agendas," says Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce President Kathy Saint, president of the Schwerdtle Stamp Co. "Groups that in the previous administration were without voices are now working toward city accountability as one united voice. The Bridgeport Civic Alliance represents a tremendous opportunity for the good of Bridgeport."
Twenty-five Bridgeport nonprofit organizations, significant stakeholders in the future of the city, comprise the historic alliance. Combining efforts to improve city services and ready to serve as watchdogs to ensure the ethical operation of city government, the Bridgeport Civic Alliance’s first course of action will be the sponsorship of a series of three mayoral forums.
All mayoral candidates have been invited to attend the forums designed to provide the public and diverse constituencies represented with an opportunity to learn firsthand about the credentials and plans of the field of hopefuls.
The series is designed to include a session before the primary, one after the primary and the final one after the election with the new mayor. Following the election, regular gatherings with the mayor are envisioned at which progress toward the group’s "Healthy Bridgeport Framework" will be monitored and discussed.
The first forum is slated for 7 p.m. September 4 at Mt. Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank Street. The post-primary forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. October 2 at Housatonic Community College.
"The compelling need that the Bridgeport Civic Alliance can uniquely address is for a community forum through which diverse stakeholders advance the cause of good and ethical government in the city," says the Rev. John Kidd, executive director of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport.
"We are delighted to be working together to provide a framework for candidates," says Merle Berke-Schlessel, president of the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County. "It expresses our concerns and shows the depth of our commitment to the community. As stakeholders, we have a vested interest in the community."
Members of the Alliance envision not only the review of mayoral candidates but a continuous monitoring action set as "quarterly reviews" with the newly-elected mayor.
"Politicians not only in Bridgeport, but Hartford and Washington as well will take note of the strength of the Alliance’s united voice," says Paul S. Timpanelli, president and CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. "The candidate forums are a wonderful place to start this work, where diverse groups are helping to organize the communities and connect voters with the candidates."
Members say the Alliance also intends to promote a Bridgeport where various city issues are dealt with as part of missions such as fiscal integrity and an advancement of the core elements of community life such as arts and recreation, economic development, education, health, housing and public safety.
Members of the public are invited to attend the mayoral forums free of charge. For particulars, call 203-335-3800.
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