Bondi to switch parties.

Normally I leave Norwalk to Turfgrrl, for obvious reasons. However I heard the title rumored tonight at the JJB Dinner (which was a good time) and it has already been posted over on Connecticut Local Politics. I didn’t see it, but I’m told The Hour has reported this as well.

I learned of the rumor when I was approached by a couple people asking if I knew who it was. What I later heard was that Bondi has been on the outs with his fellow Democrats for some time and things have been getting worse. Specifically, Bondi is not expected to be renominated by the Dems for this fall’s slate.

Not necessarily news to those who follow things political in Norwalk, but there you have it.

There is an announcement reportedly scheduled for 11:30 AM tomorrow morning. Norwalk RTC press release here.

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  • Anonymous

    Peter did this a few years ago but when he found out that the Norwalk GOP doesn’t shower you with gifts and prize appointments upon joining, he had second thoughts.

    I’ll be curious to see how Fred fares – he’s obviously got more juice than his boy. Certainly the combo of Bondi and Hempstead will weigh heavily upon the right side of the council aisle ;-)

  • Secondhand Rose

    I daresay Fred will be far more welcomed by the GOP than he ever was appreciated by the Dems over the past decade or so. But golly, without Fred, how do Wall/Poruban & Co. expect to get King Alex re-anointed again?

  • Old Timer

    Fred switched sides a long time ago. Now he is making it official. Too bad. He should retire.

  • Anonymous

    Want some cries with that waaah-burger? Seems like the new MO for the Bondis is to demand things like they’re entitled to them, then quit and run when the world doesn’t fall at their feet. Fred thinks he is Norwalk royalty, and I guarantee that he’ll be annoying the GOP before too long…

    First Peter, then Betty, and now Fred… good riddance!

  • anonymous

    Should retire? He had more votes than any other candidate last time. It appears more voters agree with him than any other councilman.

  • Anonymous

    He only got more votes running on two lines, without the Working Families votes he would have been close to the sidelines. Republican caucus start recording your meetings, he has lots to say and forgets he saids it…

  • anonymous

    with fred’s record he will get the working families line this november

  • WFP Member

    Don’t count on it #7

  • QuizzyAsks

    #6 You are wrong, these are the numbers without the WFP Line:

    Bondi: 6,641
    McQuaid: 6,439
    Sutton: 6,112
    Brown: 6,006
    Tobin: 5,542
    Geake: 5,510
    Lopez: 5,463
    Beggan: 5,458
    Bradley: 5,354
    Pattengill: 5,097

    With the WFP Line, Bondi received over 7,000 votes.

  • anonymous

    number 8: why ? who from the wfp will not support fred and based on what issue ? please give specifics or your opinion has no merit.

  • Anonymous

    Because Republicans are not allowed to take the WFP endorsement.

  • Kurm Udgeon

    This was the worst kept secret in Norwalk. Why won’t these long time politicians just GO AWAY! They are like herpes, the gift that keeps on giving, while we don’t want any.
    Enuff. Just say NO in the next election and maybe these “politicians” will get the hint and slink away like the snakes they are.

  • Barnstorm

    This kind of debate brings out the political heretic in me. Those concerned with party affiliation really need to get a clue.

    It’s not the color of the shirt you wear, it’s what you do while wearing the shirt. If it’s “what’s best for Norwalk” that provides your motivation, who should give a rat’s ass about which side it comes from?

    The partisan bickering is stupid, and folks, we can no longer afford “stupid”.

  • anonymous

    Here, here, Barnstorm! Why is it I generally see you as a voice of reason? My thoughts entirely and then I read your comment. Also, I want to say to Kurmudgeon that quite honestly there is no new blood willing to put in the time for councilmember. As Phyllis Bolden found out, it is way too time consuming. Anyone out there willing to volunteer their precious time for chump change?

  • Secondhand Rose

    Amen, Barnstorm. Great post.

  • Anonymous

    Apparently many of you just love the idea of influence peddling though the brokering of votes and committee chairmanships as a means to becoming council president and advancing oneself.

    If one were to believe that a particular party was better able to do “what’s best for Norwalk” (because of their philosophy, methods, capabilities, etc.) – and one worked hard to get people from that party elected – then it only stands to reason that one would like folks from the winning side to run the show until the next election.

    And since when is playing one party against another for personal gain not itself partisan? There are a lot of delusional Bondi apologists in here…

  • No news here

    If I remember correctly, Fred came to the Dems in the late 70′s because the Repubs wouldn’t give him an appointment to the Recreation and Parks Commission (now extinct), so this is a return to the Repubs.
    Also, this group of GW’s who “run” the Dems don’t have a clue as to how to run the party. They are clueless, heavy handed and vindictive. Fred was not difficult to deal with, they just never figured it out!

  • A Voter

    On the local level-does it really matter- if you are a D or R? Fred Bondi- really cares about Norwalk- and I respect him for that.

    Everybody- wants lower taxes, safe streets, and great schools.

    Only “working together”- can this be done- so if Fred is going to continue working for a better Norwalk- I say-go Fred.

    You will have my full support!

  • Secondhand Rose

    #16, do you have any **proof** of your claims of Fred Bondi’s “influence peddling though the brokering of votes and committee chairmanships as a means to becoming council president and advancing oneself” ??

    If you do, I suggest you post them here where all can read them.

    Certainly sounds like you have a serious case of sour grapes to me.

  • Anonymous

    #19 – You’re kidding, right?

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think anyone is making a case that laws were broken, just standard politics and back-room deals.

  • Secondhand Rose

    No, #20, I’m not kidding. At least have the guts to post the proof of the claims you’re making about people I’m willing to bet you don’t even know personally. All you know is what you read in the newspapers, and if you believe solely what you read in the newspapers in this day and age, then I feel even more sorry for you than I did before.

  • Secondhand Rose

    #21, if you have no proof of such “standard politics and back-room deals” to back up your claim then all you’re doing is talking out of your ass.

  • Anonymous

    “Talking out your ass” are such pretty and sophisticated words! I see we’re exchanging ideas with a cretin…

  • Dem Outsider

    It’s no secret that Peter thor and Gail Wall weren’t Fred Bondi fans– there were always plenty of cloak and dagger claims among the members of the DTC and lots of allegations that Bondi sold out his party to become Council Prez (of course, no one ever accuses Serasis of selling out the party by being so much like himself).
    So the Dems really stick it to Bondi’s daughter and turn their sites on him. He’s a survivor and he switches parties– no big deal for anyone.
    Does any one really think that the GOP thinks that Bondi is with them heart and soul? Nope– but, let’s be serious, if you take the other party’s leading vote getter in a year when they are going to have a bloodbath of a primary fight for mayor, you know you’ll keep Dem votes low. Good strategy by the GOP and maybe a show of principle by the Dems.

  • Anonymous

    #25: Now THAT is a good post!

  • Secondhand Rose

    #24, as usual dodging the claim and attacking the poster. You do that very well.

  • Old Timer

    Rose
    You have to admit prettier prose has been written. You have written prettier prose. When you feel your best response needs that kind of language, it is usually a sign there is not much to your argument.

  • Mrs. Peacock

    My Dear Old Timer,

    Forgive me, but this time I must come to Rose’s defense. Had she used “ragionare con i piedi” (to reason by one’s feet) to convey similar meaning in her response, we would not still be pondering the impact of her wordsmithing. There are times when we opt for the appropriate way to deliver the message, and in Rose’s case, I think she achieved her purpose. While I am not a part of her argument, I also believe that it still stands.

  • Secondhand Rose

    Yes, Old Timer, I have written prettier prose. But sometimes one is required to drag oneself down to the intelligence level of the person one is replying to in order to make one’s point…..

  • Old Timer

    Having found myself in that position, and having resorted to worse language, rest assured I was picking on you a little bit, because you made it so easy. The point is still made that having to resort to such language suggests not much to your argument. Given a little time, your point could have been better made without crude language. A real diplomat learns early how to tell an adversary to go to hell in such a nice way the adversary can’t wait to pack for the trip.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think she’s getting it:

    “But sometimes one is required to drag oneself down to the intelligence level of the person one is replying to…”

    An ad hominem attack neatly nested inside a specious rationalization for the use of course language? These weapons are typically used when one is in a weak position.

    Really, this doesn’t do much for the debate.

  • Old Timer

    Reilly’s column in today’s HOUR claims that Bondi cannot caucus with the Republicans before September without the caucus then becoming a public meeting, under FOI law..

  • Mrs. Peacock

    Anonymous #32 – I agree with you, and Old Timer, I retract my earlier defense of Rose. Typically Rose will request facts or proof, if you will, of an erroneous statement or accusation. That said, my previous comment defended her word choice as a strong tactic to bring home her point. She was on the fence with this one, however. With her most recent comment:

    “But sometimes one is required to drag oneself down to the intelligence level of the person one is replying to…”

    Rose is guilty of drawing an irrelevant conclusion (Aristotle’s Ignoratio elenchi) to attack her text opponent.

    And so, back to the thread topic….

  • Mrs. Peacock

    So Old Timer, which faction of the Republicans will Fred Bondi gravitate?

  • Old Timer

    I don’t know much about factions in eaither party. Sciallaba was part of the BIG announcement, so I would guess BONDI will go to whatever group follows Sciallaba.

  • Will Fred be a

    Sleeper mole for the Dems?

  • Old Timer

    He certainly knows the role, having been a sleepr mole for the Repubs for the last few years.

  • Secondhand Rose

    Oh well, easy come, easy go.

  • Old Timer

    The HOUR today reports Bondi caucused with the Repubs and reporters were kept out. Either Reilly is wrong on the law, or they are. All they need is an FOI suit to defend in election season. Bondi may turn out to be a liability. It will be interesting to see if the HOUR pursues a complaint.

  • anonymous

    Come on folks…. what’s with this FOI rubbish and the insinuation of conspiracy theory? Is there anyone who would actually be willing to request a council packet and read the extensive background regarding the items on the agenda? Have a go… get yourself a council packet, sit in on a caucus, but make sure you do your homework to be able to ask halfway intelligent questions. However, the major work is done in committee meetings. If you expect anything covert, you are sadly mistaken.

  • justMe

    #40 Old Timer–why don’ you file a FOI complaint? We trust you completely & we know that you could do it for all of us. Lord knows, Gail Wall doesn’t have the balls to do it, she probably doesn’t even read the paper or this blog or realize that she should do it!

  • Old Timer

    I wasn’t the “public” denied access to what Reilly claims became a public meeting when they allowed Fred into the caucus. The HOUR should file an FOI complaint, but I bet they won’t. I think Reilly may be right, on the law, but the Repubs are confident nobody will call them on it. Even if somebody does, the worst that will happen will be they will be told to stop doing that. By then, Fred will have become a legitimate (?) Repub, and it will be a non-issue. I have much better things to do, and not enough time as it is.

  • anonymous

    Should we REALLY care about this? As far as I can see, the moderate Republicans (McQuaid, Hempstead) say what needs to be said out in the open. Caucus is a silly little formality that is granted to council members prior to meetings. So Fred Bondi changed parties… big deal. So did Mr. Colarossi. So did Bruce Kimmel. People change their addresses, their marital statuses, and their party affiliations. Why don’t we start focusing on working toward a unified Norwalk instead of polarizing this city with this ridiculous politicking?

  • anon

    Of course we should care. I think this shows the “we’re above the law” mentality of the Repblican “insiders” in town. Where are their ethics?

  • Please!

    #45-Fred is now a Republican, the only thing he cannot do is vote in a primary until after Sept. 2nd. This has nothing to do with council business. Look at NY senate. Do the dems think they can hold hostage a gov building? There are two dems that went over to the repubs with possibly 11 more to follow suit today, does that mean that the ousted senate president has the right to lock the senate doors? They seem to think so. Looks like they took lessons from Pelosi. Seems they and other dems, including ones in this town always believe they are above the law so why not concentrate on the needs of Norwalk and not who changes party affiliation. Dems weren’t up in arms when Gail Wall changed parties because she couldn’t get her own way. Instead they rewarded her with chairmanship of the party. get over it and get back to business. This is the reason there is so much infighting on the DTC. Lets start worrying about whats best for the city and not about personal agendas. I certainly hope when November rolls around people start looking at the candidates and what they have/have not done for the community and stop voting because of their party affiliation. The BOE is the perfect example of uneducated voting.

  • Mrs. Peacock

    #45 – What an outlandish question you ask! Who are the Republican “insiders,” first of all, and whose ethics are you questioning? Sounds as if you need to get out more and meet some people in a diverse setting, and get some facts on this FOI claim you assert. But while we’re on the subject, here’s a quick question for you: Two U.S. female journalists are sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in North Korea. If you could magically alter this situation, would you have them serve their time according to law or return them safely to the U.S.?

  • Old Timer

    Mrs Peacock:
    Nowhere near enough information in your question to even try for a reasonable answer. If, in fact, these journalists actually committed serious crimes in North Korea, and were charged, tried, and convicted, with the bemefit of competent counsel, and the sentence is reasonable, under N Korean law, they should probably serve the time.
    Most of us, here in the USA, have a reflexive feeling that probably did not happen as I just described. If it didn’t, I would like to see them returned safely to this country.
    Without a lot more objective information, your question is impossible to answer.

  • Mrs. Peacock

    My dear Old Timer, you needn’t try so hard.

  • Anonymous

    Republican “insiders” are Moccia’s yes-men, including Scialabba who spends so much time kssing Moccia’s feet it’s surprising he can stand upright!

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