Though I truly don't know what city Councilor Art Ward will do when he files his papers Wednesday, I wouldn't be surprised if he decides not to seek a primary after all.
So what happens if we see a Nov. 6 general election ballot featuring Republican Ken Johnson, Democrat Ellen Zoppo and Ward as an independent? Does it make Ward the Lieberman of Bristol?
Well, maybe.
There's no denying that Ward is a popular fellow in town, especially among veterans. And since one in 12 people in Bristol is a veteran, and most of them are voters, that's meaningful.
On the other hand, the race would feature one woman, Zoppo, against two men in a contest for the city's top job -- a position that hasn't yet been held by a woman. More than half the voters in town are women, and some of them will find some appeal in trying to knock the men out of power.
In a more general sense, both Zoppo and Johnson are sort of technocratic in their approach to government, ready to delve into the mysteries of administration and keen to monkey with the machinery of the bureaucracy to try to improve its efficiency.
Ward isn't that kind of guy. I'm not sure Bristol is that kind of city, for that matter.
If voters are hungry for a change -- and they always say that but they often don't really mean it -- then perhaps Johnson will get some traction since he's the only outsider in the mayoral race. For better or worse, Ward and Zoppo have been there at City Hall since the Nicastro administration and they bear some of the blame and get some of the credit for everything that's happened under their watch. If voters are sick of what they've had, Johnson benefits.
One factor to watch is what Mayor William Stortz will do. Does he favor Zoppo, as some suspect, or does he have little use for all three of his possible successors? We'll see. Stortz has the power to make a difference in a candidate's fortunes, or at least try.
It'll be a fun fall.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
23 comments:
I usually agree with most of your analysis but this time you are really shortchanging Zoppo by putting Ken Johnson in the same category. He is very smart but untested and unproven in govt. and even people that don't care for Zoppo have to admitt that she has been the prime mover and shaker on the Council. There is no lip service from her - she gets it done. Its more than woman who will support her. Its people who want to see things get done. You go to the meetings Steve, you know this is largely true. And for anyone who watches on tv, that whole Municial Energy thing was not a big confidence builder for Ken.
I don't think Stortz is a facotr but clearly the fact that Ellen and he get along puts her ahead of the others in that group. I am sure his friends and relatives will also not be supprting the guy who busted him for 2 years usually over nothing, or the guy who ran him out of the party by snatching the endorsement. Or theyall just stay home.
So the race is about gender? Who cares if a man or woman is running for Mayor that should not be the focal point. I am not going to vote for a woman just because I am a woman!
Melissa M.
Its no surprise who stortz will favor - Zoppo has been his puppet for the last 2 years, why would she change now. I want someone who can stand up for their values - not cave in because of the fear of being taken off committees & Boards.
William T.
The first poster here has a fair point. Zoppo is far more experienced than Johnson and she does get things done. That's a source of support for her for sure -- and a source of opposition, too.
Melissa, I didn't say the race is about gender. I said that it will matter to some voters. And it will.
Steve is right - I am a woman and I am voting for her because she is the best qualified. It kills me when I hear people say they are voting for Art because "he is a veteran." I will always hold him in high regard for his service, but what does that have to do with running the city? Gender, association with a group or cause, even race, as we see with Obama, are all factors that people evaluate when looking at candidates.
I take offense to William T's comments. Bipartisanship is not caving and I am glad Ellen put the needs of the city above petty politics. The parks are finally back on track and its because of her doing the right thing. What has Art and his group done for the last two years except complain about everything? Enough!!! She is no one's puppet.
Park getting done was under the Couture Admin. and the Park Rev. Committee the was chaired by Art Ward & Zoppo. SInce the new Park Rev. nothing has been done - the Park Board is the one that got things moving. You need to get your facts right rather then listen to the me - me Zoppo.
What has Zoppo gotten done? We keep hearing she gets things done - well list them.
Zoppo is a puppet face the facts as is Minor and McCauley. Watch them they follow her like little puppies. Funny to watch but it does make you sick after awhile.
Yes, how could I have forgotten all those Park and council meetings where Art ward came in with all his papers and files and so efficiently co-chaired the park revitalization meetings while Ellen came in without even a piece of paper to write on and sat there and did nothing. Now I remember......
For those who asked what Zoppo got done, check her own website. It's her job to tout her achievements.
I will say, though, that the city has made significant improvements in its code enforcement laws and processes due in large part to her efforts. I don't think anyone who knows would dispute that.
Well Steve, what about the issue with the Finance Board when she wanted the money for Roberts Property and was disrespectful to them, and said it is all or nothing, wait until it goes to the joint board. Now the Finance Board is looking after the taxpayers' money right or wrong?
What about the property tax relief for the seniors that was even better yet. That was like stealing. Now that is someone who I want to vote for, its my way or the highway.
She is the most difficult person to work with, she is a not at all a people's person. She wines and needs to muture a Lot More.
Steve do you live in Bristol?
I'm certainly aware that some people say Zoppo is difficult. Lord knows there have been days when I wouldn't disagree.
As to your other question - No, I don't live in Bristol anymore. I lived in Bristol for six years - first on Wolcott Street and then in Forestville - but moved to a nearby town before my children began school. Sometime I'll write more about that whole decision. It's interesting.
Steve, are you avoiding my other question about the Finance Board and looking out for the taxpayers? I believe that was the reason why they formed the Finance Board. We could go on all night about this.
Now can you imagine how Ms. Zoppo would be as Mayor with the way in which she treats Board Members and wants to spend taxpayers money when city buildings are in desperate need of repair. Oh, lets spend millions on a ballpark, a dog path. Oh please. This is not West Hartford.
I know what happened at the finance board. I was there.
But I'm not going to offer an opinion about it.
So what if Zoppo clashed with the Finance Board on an issue she felt strongly about. I disagree with her, but Ward has refused to cooperate at all with Stortz from day 1, which to me is a lot worse. And now Ward is threatening to go independent?
Zoppo is very difficult to work with. She has the my way or highway mentality. She also will backstab & disrepect your opinions. When the finance board said no to her all or nothing, she tried to dump the Roberts on the park board. Then the BOE came looking at it and she turned her stories around as to why she wanted to continue with it. She wants to have 3 dogs parks in Bristol! Even that she tried to pull over on committees and boards but we caught her at her own game.
Not the kind of Mayor I want in office. Zoppo needs to develop her communication skills, work with others, and respect the opinions of others and to know its okay to agree to disagree. Her people skills stink! She also needs to lose the "I am better then you attitude." Zoppo has some growing up to do and its not in the Mayor's seat - one should be fully grown before taking that position.
I just wonder what bothers you Ellen haters more: that she acts like she's smarter than you, or that she is smarter than you? She can work on the first, but there isn't a heluva lot she can do about the second.
Smart is one thing. Common sense is another. But when your basic human skills & compassion for others is clouded by ones own greed, what good are you?
No one has to be "smart" to remember how bad they are treated or what is said to them.
Obviously, you too seem to agree with her lack of human decency.
No, I agree that she should be nicer to people, both as an aspiring politician and as a human being. But choosing a mayor for a city of 60,000 souls with a grand list of about $1B and an annual payroll of $3M should not be a popularity contest. It should be about leadership, vision, and competence. No Superbowl-winning coach ever won a popularity contest.
You are right the problem is the grand plans are Ellen's vision, her projects. Leadership also comes with effect communication and working with others - which Ellen is not good at, at all!
Ask anyone who has worked with her or been on committees. Her arrogance turns people off - its not popularity we are after its working as a team and with Ellen you can't spell team with an "I"
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