CHURCHES CHASTIZE FABRIZI

BRIDGEPORT -- One of the largest church groups in the region says it
will demand Mayor John M. Fabrizi's resignation if he does not develop
a plan to restore public trust lost over his admitted drug use.

The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport said in a letter to
Fabrizi that its members have "empathy" for the mayor's wife and
19-year-old son. "But neither empathy nor forgiveness can undo the
betrayal of the public trust that is the consequence of your
addiction," the council wrote, questioning Fabrizi's fitness to lead
Bridgeport's fight against drugs in its schools and on its streets.

"We have not yet heard of a clear plan to regain public trust. Such a
plan is needed today, with decisive short- and long-term steps for the
well-being of the city.

"We request an opportunity for personal conversation with you. Absent
such a plan and conversation, we will join those who call for your
resignation," the group said.

The council was reacting to Fabrizi's admission last week that he used
cocaine while serving as mayor. The mayor said his cocaine use ended
in late 2004 and he quit drinking earlier this year.

The council of churches consists of dozens of Protestant churches in
Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield, Monroe and Easton. It operates a
number of social-service agencies, including after-school programs in
city neighborhoods and a program to help adults make the transition
from jail to the community.

When asked about the letter, Fabrizi said he would call the group and
schedule a meeting to discuss concerns.

"I will give them a call and invite them to sit down and have a
conversation and let them air their issues and concerns," Fabrizi said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Caucus of the City Council has scheduled a
meeting for Thursday night at the City Hall Annex to discuss the
mayor's admitted drug use.

It is unclear what the caucus plans to do, considering the council
lacks the power to recall the mayor, or even discipline him, short of
a resolution criticizing his behavior.

The council consists of 20 members; 19 are Democrats and one is a
Republican.

"I assume we will be talking about Fabrizi," said City Council member
Robert Walsh, D-132, referring to the closed-door caucus meeting.

Walsh said a possible update to the city's ethics code and drug policy
may be discussed.

"Other towns have a broader ethics code. My reaction is the council
should look at getting the mayor to agree to full disclosure, meaning
specific dates on when he stopped doing coke, stopped drinking. Was he
doing it when he was a teacher?" Walsh said, referring to Fabrizi's
many years as an educator.

Ganim, I think it's in the negatives," he said, referring to former
Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, who is serving nine years in jail for municipal
corruption.

City Council member Robert Curwen, D-138, said he believes the caucus
meeting is being held to gauge opinion regarding the mayor's admission.

"We don't have many options. There is no recall provision. I don't
think there is a feeling to censure him," Curwen said.

Curwen urged the mayor to become a public symbol and spokesman for
rehabilitation and abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

"I've told the mayor he needs to take a proactive stance and become
vocal when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse. He should join programs
and take an active part in raising funds," Curwen said.

Fabrizi said he is doing that privately, and does not want to
"politicize" the effort.

Council President Andres Ayala, who called the Democratic Caucus
meeting, could not be reached for comment.

Brian Schofield-Bodt, executive director of the council of churches,
said the organization decided to speak out partly because of the
damage the scandal has done to the city.

"This is bringing national attention and has real potential for
stalling the progress the city has made. We hope this will be
addressed so public trust can be restored," Schofield-Bodt said.

In its letter, the council referred to its own anti-drug programs and
questioned what type of example the mayor is setting.

"What do we tell our young people and clients who daily resist drugs?
Certainly not 'exempt the powerful from abstinence,' " the council
said in its letter.

"What have you said to your police chief, whose officers daily risk
their lives fighting the drug lords who provided your cocaine? Your
behavior mocks the National Day of Prayer event annually organized by
your office," the council continued.

"Others have praised your forthrightness. Yet your public admission
was only after the behavior was exposed by law enforcement. Others
have noted that drug use is a disease. Yet a key component of
addictive behavior is deception, evident through the press reports and
in both your public and private handling of this matter," the council
said.