Pubdate: Fri, 14 Jul 2006
Source: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT)
Copyright: 2006sMediaNews Group, Inc
Contact:  http://www.connpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574
Author: Susan Silvers, Connecticut Post

FABRIZI WILL FORFEIT RAISES

BRIDGEPORT -- Addressing concern raised since he admitted using
cocaine in office, Mayor John M. Fabrizi on Friday maintained that his
behavior and the city are headed in the right direction.

"I am here to assure you that my personal well being is on track,"
said the mayor, apologizing for his actions in a speech to more than
100 people in City Hall.

"I am confident that over the next 16 months I will regain the trust
that I have compromised," he added.

The mayor's statements came as he spelled out a broad plan aimed at
restoring his credibility and ensuring that the city's development
efforts don't stall in the aftermath of his confession.

To that end, he said that on the personal front he
would:

l ask health and substance abuse experts including Susan Davis, St.
Vincent's Medical Center president and Philip Guzman to update the
public quarterly on his progress; and l participate on boards and
committees of agencies addressing substance abuse.

Though he later said he did not plan to undergo regular drug tests,
the mayor noted that he could be subject to a random one as a city
employee.

He also mayor passed an impromptu test requested last week by the
Connecticut Post. Meanwhile, Fabrizi said he would take steps to
reassure the public that the city operations and development are
showing progress.

accepting a bribe for steering work to an environmental
contractor.

The mayor also vowed reduce use of city owned vehicles, conduct budget
information sessions for the general public, and offer trolley tours
for citizens so they can see development progress outside their
neighborhoods.

Though largely composed of city employees who were asked to take early
lunch breaks, the audience also contained a few invited guests and
other citizens who heard about it. Saying they wanted reassurance that
the mayor has beat his problems with both cocaine and alcohol, both
the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and Council of Churches of
Greater Bridgeport had publicly called on Fabrizi to outline how he
would deal with both his personal and civic challenges.

The Rev. Jonathan Hevita, an outreach official for the Council of
Churches called the mayor's plan "promising."

"We must look to the future," he added.

And BRBC President Paul Timpanelli said he was "pleased" that the
mayor had set forth his agenda.

But, he cautioned, "the proof is in the execution."

Fabrizi said he has created an Advisory Committee to monitor his
wellness regimen and make suggestions for his action agenda. It
includes Mary Jane Foster of the Bridgeport Bluefish; Pedro Wasner,
president of Somerset Investments; Bishop Kenneth Moales of Prayer
Tabernacle Church of Love and Guzman. 
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