Next Version of Bridgeport City Council to have New Face as Dustin Vincent Opts Not to Seek Third Term
By Jeff Toquinto on January 12, 2021
There will be at least one new face on Bridgeport City Council come July.
This afternoon, Council member Dustin Vincent confirmed he will not file for re-election. Vincent is completing his second term in office and will not have his name on the ballot for the June election.
“Honestly, I’m a big believer that there should be a certain amount of turnover on any governing body because new ideas are a good thing,” said Vincent. “At the same time, there’s also a place for people who have experience and are knowledgeable to be joined by those who are new to a board.”
Vincent has assured that will happen. His seat, along with that of Council member Robert “Bob” Greer and John Wilson as well as that of Mayor Andy Lang are all up. The group has worked together for the last four years, while Greer and Wilson have served with Vincent for his entire time on Council.
“I have enjoyed the last eight years. There were a lot of good things completed and a lot of good things under way,” said Vincent. “This is a good group to work with.”
When asked what he was most pleased with during the last eight years as a member of Council, Vincent said there were several things. He said he recently started thinking about those projects during a walk at on the Bridgeport City Park Trail.
“I guess knowing I wasn’t going to run these last couple of months made me think about things that took place during my time, especially when walking recently on the trail,” said Vincent.
Vincent said he looked at fields that now had lights, new facilities including a concession stand and more. He thought about the trail system and was thrilled with the soon-to-be-finished Bridgeport Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex “The Bridge.” However, he said it took everyone pulling together to make those things and others happen.
“Those things and the really good projects taking place in Bridgeport have been going on even before my time here. It’s part of a policy and tradition of strong fiscal management by Council and the administration,” said Vincent. “Bridgeport is able to do certain things because of fiscal responsibility.”
Vincent said by announcing he is not running he is hoping several quality candidates will emerge. He also said he hopes to see females get involved.
“It would be nice to have a female’s perspective back on Council,” said Vincent, citing the past works of Diana Marra and Melissa Matheny. “I believe the perspective would be valuable.”
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