When a state like Connecticut has seen a governor and multiple mayors wind up in jail, elected officials should be extra careful to avoid corruption or the appearance of corruption.
Unfortunately, thanks to Mayor Blake’s action or inaction, it’s become easy to imagine a ‘Mayor for Sale” sign in front of the .
In the last election, lawyers from the Bridgeport law firm Pullman Comley made some political contribution far in excess of any other firm that handles bonding. They made huge contributions to Mayor Blake and 2 other Democratic mayoral candidates. All 3 Democrats won and all 3 switched their city’s bonding business to Pullman.
Blake’s defense has been that he was informed about what was going on but was uninvolved. As mayor, I think the people of Milford would hope he would take a little more interest in what’s going on.
Pullman and Comley made no contributions to the campaign. None. Several attorneys from that firm did, as did attorneys from many other firms. Mr. Blake is an attorney and has many friends and supporters who just happen to be lawyers. In his attack Tom seems to have neglected to mention that Pullman has extensive experience in Milford under the prior two Republican administrations. He also, conveniently neglected to mention that the Blake administration brought Pullman in because they were $55.00 an hour less than Robinson, our previous bond counsel. Pullman was hired for cost and competence. They have already helped to reduce our interest on bonds, saving taxpayers of Milford over $900,000 in interest. Tom and Lisa seem to have little interest in those facts. As a taxpayer I thank the administration for reducing costs.
You're beautiful man!
“Let’s be honest and give credit where credit is due,” said Smith. “The real story is that the City of Milford and its taxpayers have worked hard over the past 10+ years to maintain a stellar credit rating. Our AA+ credit rating and our long-term prudent fiscal management are the drivers behind the $1 million savings touted by Mayor Blake – not the new bond counsel. This refinancing plan was in place long before Pullman & Comley was involved.” Smith continued, “If there are real savings on our legal fees, then let’s see the analysis.” Mayor Blake has said that he was informed about the selection process but did not have anything to do with the choice. Smith said: “Given the questions that have been raised, it’s time for the Mayor to get more involved.”
At the March meeting of the Milford Board of Aldermen, Alderman Paula Smith (R-3) called for full disclosure on the controversial selection of the new city bond counsel. Hartford Courant investigative reporter Dave Altimari named Milford and the Blake administration in a recent article linking unusually large political contributions from Pullman & Comley attorneys to the campaigns of Mayor Ben Blake and two other Democratic mayoral candidates and the subsequent awarding of lucrative bond counsel services to the Bridgeport law firm by all three mayors. “We are talking about Milford’s reputation here. No one is saying there were any illegal campaign contributions but unfortunately there is now a perception of ‘pay to play’ in the selection of our bond counsel. Full disclosure of the selection process, how the decision was made and an analysis of the legal fees and services should clear up any questions,” stated Smith.