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Political Forum at HCC Sparks Protest and Questions

                 Activists, and people wanting to be in the political know, filled Housatonic Community College Thursday, October 14, as the Women's Center, together with the League of Women Voters, sponsored two debates between local Senate candidates.

                 Democratic Senator Ernest Newton faced off against Republican opponent Jerry Blackwell for the 23^rd Senate District seat.  The second debate focused on the 22^nd District Senate race, pitting Republican Robert Russo against Democratic Senator Bill Finch.

                 Since both races were concentrated in Bridgeport, HCC seemed like the perfect place to hold the debate, said Dr. Linda Wolfson, director of the HCC Women's Center.

                 "We just want to help voters become informed about the issues," Wolfson continued.

                 The candidates gathered together at a long table in front of a few hundred people, both Bridgeport residents and HCC students.  Each one seemed to bring their own air of nervousness to the table.  After brief opening statements, the questions from the audience began.

                 The first question came from Women’s Center members.  Beth Lazar rose and asked each of the contenders about their views on gay marriage.  Both Russo and Blackwell said that there needs to be further study before they commit to a definitive answer.  Newton was quick to point out his support of civil unions, but said he would need to look into the matter further before he committed to marriage for homosexual partners.

                 Finch said, “The point of our Constitution is to protect everyone equally.  I don’t see any way that we can’t support gay marriages or civil unions.  I believe that everyone should be treated equally.  I support the Constitution.”

                 After that, the debate turned quickly to the issue of property taxes.  Questions raised about senior living conditions prompted Russo to say that, “We’ve got seniors scared of property taxes… between the cost of prescription drugs and property taxes, they don’t know how they’re going to continue to live independent lives.  The government has been taking our seniors for granted or ignoring them.  Giving them a retirement that is not filled with terrors from property taxes and high prescription drug prices is certainly something I would support.”

                  When the debate turned to leadership, Newton became angry.  “In 1999 we gave Blackwell’s company $100,000 to develop a small property in Bridgeport for the city.  The company is [in] default now, the city has no development, and here he sits and talks about leadership.”

                 An indignant Blackwell responded that Newton just “didn’t want a Republican to lead the project.”

                 After the brief excitement over the terse words and tense moments between Blackwell and Newton, the debate returned to the familiar issue of property taxes.

                 Blackwell and Newton were not the only people up in arms at the event.  As the audience filed into the Performing Arts Center, a conservatively dressed woman named Debbie Lozanov passed out flyers reading, “We, the taxpayers of the 22^nd district, deserve a Senator who can respond to our needs promptly and compassionately.  Finch ignored us in our most desperate hour.  How can we trust him to represent our most basic interests?  It’s time for a change.”

                 Lozanov is an advocate for adoption law change.  Last February, she had to give up the son she had raised for three months after the birth mother changed her mind.  While trying to change the amount of time a biological parent has to renege on their parental rights, Lozanov claimed that, “Numerous calls to Bill Finch went unanswered.”

                 Other questions were also unanswered.  Even though the event was held at a community college, no questions were asked about student issues during the debate.  Afterwards, as the candidates mingled with the crowd, HCC students surrounded them, asking what they thought of the college and what could be done to help students struggling financially at the school.

                 “[I] recognize that education is the way out of the property,” said Newton.

                 “It doesn’t do us any good if we make a [college] education unattainable… If we don’t take care of our community colleges we’re going to have a problem,” was Blackwell’s response to questions about school funding.

                 Audience reactions to the debates were mixed.

                 “I wouldn’t say there were any winners in this debate.  I think that I need to see more concrete proof from any of these people that they would actually have the vision to make changes, not just promise changes,” said Joyce Glasco.

                 Nick Lasso, an HCC student, said, “I don’t why I went, but at the same time I’m glad I did.  I got a glimpse of how shady politics can be, but it did give me some hope about the process.”

                 “I don’t believe in someone winning debates.  It’s a collective effort.  Everybody gives their share,” said Anita Senes, a former HCC student.

                 Each of the men aspiring to the Bridgeport Senate seats has a different perspective and a different background.

                 Newton was elected to the State Senate last year in a special election when Senator Alvin W. Penn died in office, said the Connecticut State Senate website.  Newton has won 11 local and state elections, starting when he ran for the Bridgeport City Council at the age of 25.  He was the youngest and first African American Bridgeport Council President.

                 According to the Connecticut State Senate website, Finch also started politics at a young age, becoming Trumbull's youngest Constable at 19.  He then moved to Bridgeport and became a City Councilperson, a position which he held for eight years.  He has had two full terms as a State Senator for District 22, and hopes to be elected for another.

                 Russo spent four years as Congressman Chris Shays’ executive assistant, said the biography on his website, russoforsenate.com.  He then returned to Bridgeport to serve as campaign manager for mayoral candidate Rick Torres.  Even though his candidate lost, Russo felt they ran a “spirited” campaign.  Russo has also served on the Bridgeport Republican Town Committee since 2001.

                 Blackwell lists his occupation on the League of Women Voter’s website as golf professional.  He served in the United States army from 1968 to 1970, and is running because he feels the current senator, Newton, has “failed the district.”

                 The election for both senate seats will be held on Tuesday, November 2.

Copyright 2004

Senator Ernest Newton

By Amanda Evans

Date: 10/26/04

Senator Bill Finch