Civics Statements from Casual Conversations - "Rebirth" of Fair Rent Commission of Bridgeport CT (John Marshall Lee)

I have been a voter and taxpayer in Bridgeport for 39 years. (I am not party-active

politically but comprehend government outcomes from what has been authorized by law

and norms that create a structure of governance.) Over 20 years ago the city

maintained two Fair Commissions, one that served renters, and the other that served

housing. Each had their own purpose, agendas, meetings, minutes, and members. But

effective systems of appointments to these groups got sidetracked by several mayors

for reasons they alone knew, without communication with the public, and that became a

habit. Existing Fair Rent members from the 20 th Century did not see new appointments

to their Commissions and as their terms expired, they could no longer continue to

function by maintaining quorums. Governance bodies died in plain sight with no

explanation to the public. No enforcement. No oversight.

The State set a goal for Fair Rent Commission as targets for cities in recent years and

activists on the City Council drafted an Ordinance, provided an operating budget for a

staff person, and recruited a Board. The person who directed the process at each step

is not clear, but today, a third person has been appointed to serve. But what her

instructions and training expectations have been from the officials to whom she reports

is unclear when she alerts the current Chairperson of the Fair Rent Commission of her

appointment.

What is the status of Fair Rent Commission members currently? Is there a record of

meetings held in the past year or two? What was the work of the staff members who

formerly served, and how did they inform FRC members of the volume of their work?

What work was set in motion among the renting public of Bridgeport of all types to

inform and educate not only on increases in rent, changes in rental agreements and

leases, and quality of life issues? What investigations of longer-term programs in New

Haven or Norwalk, for instance, produced results? What has been the process by which

the staff members(s) have been evaluated recently?

Officially, where do Bridgeport leaders support residents on housing issues, whether

owners of single family or 1-3 unit locations; as condo or co-op owners when issues

affect the functioning of their self-governing bodies; or the larger group of renters not

served by the Bridgeport Housing Authority which is federally supported by Housing and

Urban Development taxpayer funds without sharing the size of their purpose, the urban

land they own and develop, and the staffing operation they maintain to serve citizen

residents? Time will tell.