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Bruce Morris An Embarrassment in Hartford


by turfgrrl


March 14th, 2007 · 40 Comments

This could have been a post about the debate in Hartford over whether Plan B should be distributed through Catholic hospitals via legislation. In short, I think this is one of those slippery slope arguments about whether the Government can dictate a medical procedure, let alone a medical procedure that is against a religion’s dogma. Careful, serious debate is warranted. But, according to CGG (caffeinated geek girl) over at Connecticut Local Politics, that’s not quite what happened.

Most of the opposition didn’t fare as well. My favorite was Senator De Luca. He doesn’t serve on the committee, hadn’t read the bill, hadn’t listened in on any of the hearing, and was completely ignorant of what Plan B even was. Yet for some reason he felt compelled to speak. For 28 minutes we were treated to De Luca’s testimony. And I know I’m not the only who, at 10:30 PM when the hearing finally ended, appreciated that Senator DeLuca had taken up so much of everyone’s valuable time.

DeLuca’s performance was staggering, but so were the questions and commentary of many committee members. Rep. Bruce Morris kept calling on politicians and rape advocates to talk about theology. Rep. John Thompson constantly mispronounced the word ovulation as OVALation, and asked Dr. Davidoff if the sperm inside an assaulted woman could be considered a “continuation of the rape.” Rep. Adinolfi suggested that not all rapes were crimes, complained about his own poor treatment at the ER (and seemed to be implying that rape victims were asking for special treatment), and after staying silent while a number of experts testified chose to aggressively question a a grad student about why she and others were attacking Catholic hospitals.

I emphasized CGG’s characterization of Norwalk’s State Rep Bruce Morris, because noted pro-choice advocate Galen Wells has been a big supporter of Morris, and would undoubtedly find his performance here, embarrassing. But I also bring this up because CGG said this hearing was 9 1/2 hours long, and State Rep Bruce Morris was being paid for his no-show job at the Norwalk Board of Ed, at the same time. WIth no accounting system in place, we don’t know if Morris showed up for work at 8ish yesterday morning, and then left at 11ish to make his 1pm hearing time. The BOE has circled the wagons around this sacred cow, and still has not responded to my simple email requesting a response to the 32 questions.

And this coverage will get better, because as soon as the transcript of this hearing hits the web, I will extract each and every inane utterance of State Rep Bruce Morris for your enjoyment. This is after all sunshine week, and our government will only work when its transparent.

Good job CGG on covering this hearing in the first place, and calling it like it is.

UPDATE: The Transcript: The Transcript

Tags: In the News · Local

40 Responses so far ↓ “Bruce Morris An Embarrassment in Hartford”



  • 1 anonymous // Mar 14, 2007 at 7:57 pm

    Bruce Morris is an embarrassment to the BOE also. He has not supported our teachers or even the troubled children that come to complain to him. Why should he back the plan B idea? He does not think of the women as much as he does his pay check. Why are matters as important as these are put into the hands of people like this? OMG! Things that really make me go HHHHMMMM!

  • 2 anonymous // Mar 14, 2007 at 8:05 pm

    This blog is great! How did Bruce Morris get onto such an important committee?

  • 3 anonymoose // Mar 14, 2007 at 8:13 pm

    I’m sure R. Krummel will be up in arms when she finds out that Bruce Morris is working counter to all her efforts to protect women seeking abortions. She has labored many years at abortion clinics as an escort and feels very passionately and acts very compassionately to protect a woman’s right to an abortion. B.M. was not elected to inflict his religious beliefs on women in this state.

  • 4 anonymous // Mar 14, 2007 at 8:20 pm

    I don’t want him speaking for me. The question keeps hovering over the population…WHAT ARE HIS QUALITIFICATIONS? Does anyone out there know? Why is this not being asked in any newspaper?

  • 5 Anon // Mar 14, 2007 at 8:53 pm

    Wow and then some! I had no idea that Bruce Morris was so disrespected in town. I always thought he was a decent enough chap who did his job. Of course, I never delved that deeply into what his job was. I only knew he was in charge of human resources at Central and handled issues of a discriminatory nature. Do we know for a fact that he comes without the proper accreditation required for the job he holds at central office? What IS required? Better yet… what IS his title at this time? If these suspicions are true, what can be done? Surely, something should be done, yes?

  • 6 turfgrrl // Mar 14, 2007 at 9:10 pm

    Mytrice Riley-Wilson has some choice things to say about Mr. Morris. From a post on another blog:
    Norwalk Debates: District 140 State Representative
    There are many problems in the 140th district, and despite lots of talk, little has changed. Three candidates, Rick McQuaid (R), Burce Morris (D), and Mytrice Riley-Wilson (D) sat in front of a small crowd to talk about the issues. The 140th district holds several minority neighborhoods, where the abstract issues melt down to the daily challenges of managing to earn a living, providing educational opportunities for children and preventing crime. The residents here are weary of the same old problems.

    Bruce Morris talked a lot but had little to say, failing to answer questions and interrupting his fellow candidates. At one point candidate Mytrice Riley-Wilson, visibly annoyed just shrugged and passed on attempting an answer. It’s too bad, Wilson brought a fresh perspective to community responsibility. “We have to look to ourselves to solve some of these problems,” she explained, expanding on her journey to clean the streets and get involved in making her community better after choosing to live in Norwalk.

    A typical Morris answer to subject of how can the state legislator affect the affordable housing crisis facing Norwalk. “Education is foundational to affordable housing, it’s foundational to crime prevention, it’s foundational even to health care,” began his long rambling response. He concluded with restating his strong experience in education. One member of the audience, wearing a fire department baseball camp, attempted to ask just who affordable housing was for these days, but gave up when Morris spoke for another 5 minutes without addressing the question.

    For Wilson and McQuaid affordable housing and the cost of living in Norwalk were important issues. Both questioned who was able to afford the affordable housing when each cited anecdotes of people being turned away by banks when applying for mortgages. Wilson also pointed out that she knew of a woman who was qualified for a unit, succeeded in getting a mortgage yet could not afford the commons charges of the condo development of $500/month on top of the mortgage payment. Wilson pointed out that building condos and lowering the purchase price does not make the units more affordable.

    Both Wilson and McQuaid spoke of the importance of tax credits to encourage companies to create jobs in the district. Morris rejected tax credits as an option and instead spoke about the need to create transportation solutions to the gridlock facing commuters from Guilford. Morris probably got confused about what city he was talking about since Guilford commuters are more likely to head into New Haven, not Norwalk. Morris’ ties to New Haven, according to McQuaid are still strong. “All his fund raising money comes from New Haven,” McQuaid said shortly after the debate, “Not Norwalk.”

    McQuaid said that the state should reward businesses that hire locally instead of importing workers. “If you use people who live in Norwalk, the transportation problem that we’re talking about is changed.” Morris’ candidacy has not been without controversy this year. He’s accused (primary challenger) Common Council member Carvin Hilliard of distributing flyers against him, going as far as filing an official complaint which was dismissed. McQuaid pointed out after the debate, that Morris does not live in the district anymore having recently moved across the line.

  • 7 mattw // Mar 14, 2007 at 9:39 pm

    Look, a lot of people feel a need to publicly wail and gnash their teeth on this kind of thing. He can say whatever he wants to say, at the end of the day, the question is whether or not he’ll vote for it. Those who’re set in their position against the bill and saw the audience just kept their mouths shut, and left at 5pm or earlier.

  • 8 anonymous // Mar 14, 2007 at 9:49 pm

    Mattw- The question at the end of the day should be is he qualified and informed enough to represent his community with the vote he casts. And is he representing the community “Norwalk” when he speaks if anything he says makes sense?

  • 9 turfgrrl // Mar 14, 2007 at 9:59 pm

    mattw: Electing incoherent people to office should be discouraged at all costs. Experience and character count. Has Morris discussed his views with the community here in Norwalk? No. Has he acted in good faith? No.

  • 10 mattw // Mar 14, 2007 at 10:37 pm

    Yeah well that’s your election-time business.

    Morris stayed until about 10pm, and asked questions that showed he was paying attention to the testimony, which is better than can be said for 80% of the committee. Only Harris, Jarmoc, and Bartlett were as engaged for the duration. Coleman, Burns, Caron, Walker, and one other didn’t even show.

    Whether or not he’s representative of the right interests is a fight for the people of the 140th. All I’m saying is that while I might not have liked the premise of his testimony, he’s at least working hard and is committed to the process.

    In contrast, having seen him in action, I doubt Hilliard would have stayed so long or had anything to ask, though I don’t know so much about who the GOP put up in the 140th.

  • 11 Anonymous // Mar 15, 2007 at 2:23 am

    Mattw- Hilliard is a better democrat!

  • 12 turfgrrl // Mar 15, 2007 at 8:25 am

    mattw: Morris has a fondness for a microphone or stage. But the harshest criticism of his “work” comes from his colleagues. That is more telling than anything. And Hilliard does not have a reputation for shirking his duties or leaving early. Not showing up is more of a Morris thing.

  • 13 norwalkdemocrat // Mar 15, 2007 at 11:44 am

    I’ve only seen Morris perform a couple of times - rambling preacher is the only way to describe him. Not much substance, many, too many words and a know-it-all attitude.

  • 14 anonymous // Mar 15, 2007 at 9:22 pm

    Turfgrrl you are right when you say the harshest criticism comes from his colleagues. But justly so.

  • 15 anonymous // Mar 15, 2007 at 10:49 pm

    Bruce Morris is one of the worst legislators in the state. Period.

    Another rumor regarding him is that his son assaulted the son of a former school asst. superintendent while in the high scholl and Brucie helped cover it up. I would appreciate if any readers could help fill in the fact of this allegedly vicious assault.

  • 16 Anon // Mar 16, 2007 at 6:42 am

    Hey… come on now. Isn’t that idle gossip? Can’t we stick to the issues? Geez….

  • 17 Anonymous // Mar 16, 2007 at 6:47 am

    By the way… how can we validate Ms. Riley-Wilson when she claimed her neighbor was pointing some sort of alien ray at her head causing her to have blinding headaches?

  • 18 turfgrrl // Mar 16, 2007 at 7:42 am

    For me, I’d like to hold public officials to a higher standard, of being fair, just and deliberative in their work. I have no tolerance for corruption, cronyism, incompetence or cover ups. I have zero tolerance for stupidity, which I admit is somewhat a fault of mine.

    I think Dorothy L. Sayers, in Gaudy Night, outlined the issue that is the touchstone to the question of what I mean. In the book, a couple of stories are intertwined to raise the philosophical question of whether one becomes lenient with those that fabricate or suppress evidence in order to advance careers. Being a period mystery, the question has dire consequences for those involved, but the discussion by the characters reinforces that the pillars of one’s profession cannot sustain the erosion of the truth. And so it applies to our public officials, who should above all not be promoting their self interests at the expense of the greater good.

    So in regards to Riley-Wilson vs. Bruce Morris, what is it that we should we be more critical of, a combo of eccentricity and intellectual honesty or a combo of intellectual dishonesty and self grandiosity?

  • 19 anonymous // Mar 16, 2007 at 7:43 am

    Anon 6:42, if cover ups are the truth, then they are relevant, because they show the true character of a person who would put their interests above society to help themselves, and this would be the type of person that I think we all agree should not be in politics.

  • 20 indiga // Mar 16, 2007 at 8:56 am

    “….a person who would put their interests above society to help themselves..this would be the type of person that I think we all agree should not be in politics.” I assume, then, that we all agree to give the boot to Herb Grant becuase he used his council positon to promote his own business…and Fred Bondi who promotes athletics as a Parks and Rec committee chair so that he can ensure a cleintele for his trophy business…

  • 21 turfgrrl // Mar 16, 2007 at 9:17 am

    indiga: What a major stretch with those citations. Contrary to your insinuations, you don’t have to be elected to office to apply for a permit to hold and event at a public park. I believe there are numerous such events scheduled at Calf Pasture all the time. Does the Norwalk Boat Show, Car how etc somehow escape your ire? P

    And under your reasoning I suppose Bill Krummel must be a problem because he drives his car on roads that he has interests in as a council member. Oh, that must mean that Doug Hempstead shouldn’t be in politics because Stew Leonard’s employs so many people who live in Norwalk. Gee that must mean Gwen Briggs is out too, that real estate job is in Norwalk too. Of course none of these people have lied about their qualifications and work for the city either. But go ahead and defend Mr. Morris by trying to change the subject. That leaves the facts unchallenged, now doesn’t it.

  • 22 anonymous // Mar 16, 2007 at 1:19 pm

    Fred Bondi and his family have worked tirelessly for many years for the youth of Norwalk in the athletic association. If he sells a few trophies so be it, he has given back to the future of this city for all the good he has done. Look at the big picture.

  • 23 Watchdog // Mar 16, 2007 at 2:16 pm

    Gadzooks, Turfie! Call the logic police! Love your comment. To go one further, wouldn’t you agree that ALL politicians who reside in NORWALK have a direct conflict of interest when serving NORWALK on any NORWALK board or agency? Tsk tsk.. obviously these “townees” are out to protect their OWN interests as Norwalk residents. Perhaps we could follow the BOE’s lead and attempt a few New York candidates on the council.

    P.S. Thank you for the “previous/next” links, but I haven’t seen them yet. Am I not looking in the right place or should I clean my lenses?

  • 24 indiga // Mar 16, 2007 at 2:26 pm

    Nice try TigerGirl but…Krummel does not make a profit from driving City roads. Council has not voted to award any real estate deals to Briggs (that I know of). Hempstead did not bring or vote on Stew Leonard’s at the beach (that I know of..if he did then that’s another story.) Sorry…the Grant deal stands alone. For-profit, private, quid pro quo use of public land for a Councilman who’s cozy with the current Mayor. And don’t go yammering about “XXX did it too” as if that makes the unethical OK. It doesn’t.

  • 25 turfgrrl // Mar 16, 2007 at 2:41 pm

    watchdog: Ah, well then I think my question is answered as to the placement of the links. I will add them to underneath the last comment and see if that is more obvious.

    To be fair, conflict of interest is often murky, the clear cut examples shouldn’t merit debate. I think on the council there are a few that work in New York, which is good thing to allow for the diverse experience base of all of Norwalk.

  • 26 turfgrrl // Mar 16, 2007 at 2:50 pm

    indiga: You mean engineer Bill Krummel doesn’t have ties to the firms that bid on city contracts? And let’s see Briggs is married to Walter Briggs chair of planning which weighs in on subdivisions in Rowayton. Yup, nothing to see here, please move along. Explain how Grant’s one day festival fits into this?

  • 27 Watchdog // Mar 16, 2007 at 4:44 pm

    Yep, Turfie… I’m with ya. I was being facetious. Conflict of interest is murky business, and I’m sure we agree that the obvious doesn’t need a checklist for those of us who honor common sense in our fellow mankind. Some voters, like me, still trust the politically inspired to be motivated by a sense of civic duty and not by self-serving ulterior motives. I am inclined to believe too much distrust is just not healthy. I guess some people expect our representatives to walk on water. An ideal standard, but unrealistic. I would guess anyone who puts himself in that public fishbowl had better be squeaky clean. Some of the postings here demonstrate how the antics of one’s offspring can become a pair of dirty knickers.

    Ah, Public perception. A nasty beast fed by armchair critics, mob mentality, and horrifically bad journalism.

  • 28 indiga // Mar 16, 2007 at 4:44 pm

    Gadzooks indeed. The logic police should haul the whole blog in and book us on misappropriation of logic theory.

  • 29 turfgrrl // Mar 16, 2007 at 6:21 pm

    watchdog: I’m kinda against the concept of squeaky clean public officials, preferring simply honest ones.

    Squeaky clean implies, at least in the turfgrrl world, a person who doesn’t live a reality based life. Nothing worse than a reformer or zealot subjugating us mere mortals to piety and purity.

    There’s all sort of nuance in this position, which I think will not translate well here, but I’ll give an example. In Europe, say Italy, there’s a public separation between the personal life of a politician and the public life of governing. So you get politicians who have affairs, and that is neither news nor controversy. Even when the wife of an Italian politician takes out a full page ad to decry the infidelity. Here of course, we make a big deal of it, as if one has any affect on the other. It’s refreshing for someone like Rudy Giuliani to run for president despite his divorces, and not get flamed out like Gary Hart was. And that’s not an observation on politics, just a reflection that we the people get married, get divorced, choose wisely and poorly, and so on.

    Getting back to locally, I am having great difficulty understanding how a one day jazz festival is generating such animosity. Understandable if the festival was offered, free use of the park, free security, or free anything, really. From what I understand it is not. Yet, the city derives the goodwill generated by a tourism event. So we the public benefit. Much like we benefit when the boat show rolls into town. Maybe Indiga will provide the exact issue that is of concern, because I’d really like to know.

  • 30 anonymous // Mar 16, 2007 at 6:58 pm

    Some where along the line the subject was turned away from BM being an Embarrassment in Hartford. Focus people focus. His vote against plan B is a bad move and it tells the victum that sorry you have to deal with this on your own.

  • 31 Anonymous // Mar 17, 2007 at 2:13 pm

    REMEMBER Mr. Morris’ campaign theme - MORRIS IS FOR US? Yea right,
    the more I learn about this double dipping loser the more my blood pressure rises. I am sorry- I did not vote for Mr. Hilliard or Ms. Riley Wilson. If the Board of Education does not fire Mr. Morris or at least cut the job to part time- I going to vote against the Mayor and all of the current board of education members. The B of E waste so much of our taxpaying dollars.

  • 32 anonymous // Mar 17, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    I agree with 31. At the least, Morris should be required to keel a public log of all of his meetings so their can be transparency between his double dipping jobs, and the taxpayers do not continue to be fleeced.

  • 33 anonymous // Mar 19, 2007 at 11:14 pm

    I agree with 31 and 32. Morris’ campaign slogan should now become “Morris is Fleecing Us”. He is double dipping and it stinks that no one on the BOE even cares.

  • 34 Anonymous // Mar 25, 2007 at 7:12 pm

    I would have never put Hillard or wilson in office in Hartford. Have you ever heard Hillard address the public?? My gosh I think a 5th grader speaks better than him.

    And as for Wilson, she is an embarresment. Why did she even run for state rep this year? Because Morris was running? She was just there to divert votes from Morris. How many votes did she get anyways? Like two?

    As far as him stealing time form his job at BOE, he would never do that. I do believe he is God fearing man. Maybe a meeting ran longer than he thought and couldn’t leave. Are any of you that are posting these comments in the corporate world or ever sat in a meeting before. You know you can never predict how long they will last.

    And the comment about his son, that sounds like a Wilson comment. Please people get a life.

    He is in office now and will be for two yrs. So say what you want her isn’t going anywhere. Well for two more years atleast.

    MORRIS IS FOR US!!!!!!!

  • 35 anonymous // Mar 25, 2007 at 7:18 pm

    Morris is currently fleecing us and his flock.

    The campaign slogan: “Morris is fleecing us” is correct.

    He is openly triple dipping with utter disregard for the taxpayers.

    I saw him in a recent photo standing next to the wife beating Jim Brown. What a noble man. With friends like this….

  • 36 Anonymous // Mar 26, 2007 at 10:32 am

    Boy you sure have alot to say about Morris. He slammed your guy by a land slide. He must be doing something right!!!!

  • 37 anonymous // Mar 26, 2007 at 10:41 am

    “morris is fleecing us”

  • 38 Anonymous // Mar 26, 2007 at 11:19 pm

    With all this hearsay on this blog who has evidence to back up that Morris is allegedly, stealing from his job and has covered up for his son?

    The only fact that I do see is that the man has beaten everyone by a virtual land slide in the polls.

    If Wilson and Hillard thinks they can do a better job in the community a state rep position isn’t keeping them from running programs and getting involved.

    It seems to me that all they want is position. And as a matter of fact doesn’t Wilson live right there in the thick of where most of the violence is happening??

    I don’t know but everyone has something to say about the next person and always believes they can do a better job. Well don’t let a position (or lack there of) keep you from doing something in the community.

    I saw the little bit on channel 12 and everyone had a solution for everything. But who is acting upon it.

    And to my recollection that church he belongs to does alot in the community and he is very involved in it all.

    Morris is for us!!!

  • 39 Anonymous // Mar 27, 2007 at 12:36 am

    Morris is not for us. He is right wing wack job! Why bring Hilliard into this debate? Is Hilliard voting in Hartford no. I dont care if Hilliard speaks like a 5 year old he would be better then this fleecing clown.

  • 40 Yale Alum for Dave Watts // Mar 27, 2007 at 1:23 am

    Dave Watts and I were interns at the U.S capital together. He impressed everyone back then and he still does. He is honest , funny and hardworking- and if he runs we are behind him 100 percent.