Jonathan Pelto points out that Connecticut is one of the wealthiest, best educated states in the nation, yet its politics and government are increasingly dysfunctional, driven by greed and indifference to the public weal.
Citing an article by Connecticut journalist Sarah Darer Littman, Pelto shows how state officials have been pushing to build a high school in Bridgeport on a polluted brownfield so as to make room for the expansion of Bridgeport Hospital.
He writes:
“In Sarah Darer Littman’s latest MUST READ column entitled “The Environmental Racism of Bridgeport’s Carnival of Corruption” in this weekend’s CT Newsjunkie, Sarah Darer Littman shines the bright light of truth on a complex deal in which Bridgeport ’s political and corporate leaders are conspiring to move Bridgeport’s Harding High School on to a severely polluted superfund site in order to make room for Bridgeport Hospital’s expansion plans.
“The political wheeling and dealing stretches from Bridgeport to Hartford and back again.
“By the time their effort is over, the cost to Connecticut taxpayers will exceed $100 million or more, and that doesn’t even begin to count the cost to Bridgeport’s public school students, teachers and parents who are but pawns in the deceit that has become the hallmark of Connecticut’s political environment.”
Be sure to read Pelto’s column and Littman’s shocking exposé, called. “The Environmental Racism of Bridgeport’s Carnival of Corruption.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Hey, it’s a win-win. Locate the school on the toxic waste dump and simultaneously provide future paying customers for the hospital!
It’s a two-fer!
Indeed: it’s a neoliberal perpetual motion machine!
LOL
Yeah, a real funny. Sometimes, disdain, shame and anger are the only appropriate responses.
It is not just Connecticut. The U. S. itself is one of the wealthiest countries, well educated yet its politics and government is increasingly dysfunctional, driven by greed and indifference to the public weal.
I dunno, by comparison with Illinois, Louisiana, Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania, etc., Connecticut is looking passably healthy. At least they got rid of Vallas. Looks like Illinois is getting ready to take him back.
Proud to know them both. Thank you, Diane.
My electrician father-in-law passed away from mesothelioma after years of working in the brown fields of Bridgeport, many of which included the site discussed above. Thank you, Diane, for showcasing the probing and insightful journalism of our best bloggers.
Gordon, no, it is not just Connecticut. Dienne, yes, many worked very hard to get rid of Vallas. Illinois is more than ready for him, having reviewed their history with Vallas to assist the Bridgeport community in ousting the choice by top CT officials (governor, state education commissioner, mayor of Bridgeport) and the privateers for Bridgeport public schools.
Thank you, Diane, for giving this story national attention because–like the scenario above where the governor and his education commission DICTATE a community’s choice for Superintendent of Schools by just placing Vallas where they want him–the machinations are so clear and at the expense of the students in the community (and all who work with them).
As Jonathan succinctly says, “Sarah Darer Littman shines the bright light of truth on a complex deal in which Bridgeport ’s political and corporate leaders are conspiring to move Bridgeport’s Harding High School on to a severely polluted superfund site in order to make room for Bridgeport Hospital’s expansion plans.”
Reblogged this on 21st Century Theater.
I am so glad that this is getting distribution. Thanks for sharing. Time flies when you are trying to catch up on email. I hope that you feel better. I had this long drawn out but not not feeling so bad yet wanting to do nothing but sleep thing. Rest up.