Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jun 2006
Source: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT)
Copyright: 2006sMediaNews Group, Inc
Contact:  http://www.connpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

TEXT OF MAYOR FABRIZI'S SPEECH

Good morning - in a perfect world, I would have had an opportunity to 
address you yesterday - before today's news hit the paper. I am your 
mayor and I believe you should have heard this from me first. I'm 
sorry that the timing worked out this way and I appreciate you all 
coming today to hear what I have to say.

I wish to make a statement to my family, my friends, and the people 
of Bridgeport.

Over the course of a number of years, I abused alcohol and used 
cocaine occasionally.

About a year and a half ago, I recognized that I had a drug problem 
and sought professional help to address the issue. It has been a 
difficult road but it was one I knew I had to take.

I believe the steps that I have taken are the correct ones for me 
personally and for my family. I am pleased to tell you that I have 
not used drugs in the last 18 months. I have put this personal 
struggle behind me and it has never affected my job performance. The 
tremendous progress Bridgeport has made in the last three years is a 
testament to that. My record speaks for itself.

Separately, it became clear to me that I needed to stop drinking 
entirely. Approximately four months ago, I did that.

I thought that these were personal and private matters; that I could 
deal with these problems alone. I now recognize my actions affect 
many others and I want to apologize to my family, my friends, and the 
people of the City of Bridgeport for my actions.

Those are actions I cannot Advertisementchange because they are in 
the past. All I can do is use my office to the benefit of others in 
making them aware that even people in my position can become victims 
of drugs and alcohol.

I am appalled by some of my recent statements and the lengths to 
which I was willing to go to keep this issue private. Having put this 
painful episode behind me well over a year ago, I hope you can 
understand why I foolishly wanted to distance myself from this 
nightmare. I realize now that by trying to protect my family, I only 
compounded things by not being open with them or with you. I know 
this was a terrible mistake.

Being mayor of Bridgeport has been the highest honor that I could 
ever receive. I am sorry if I have, in any way, hurt the dignity of 
this office. I will do everything I can to regain the respect and 
support of the people of this city.

I have put my heart and soul into moving Bridgeport forward these 
last three years. I ask for your understanding and your forgiveness 
so that I may continue working on your behalf over the months and years ahead.

Thank you.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman