21Dec 2012

GBCE's exciting upcoming work to develop another 2-3 new green enterprises and to grow our current enterprises to create 90-100 new jobs in Bridgeport.

Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer 

GBCE was founded only 6 years ago.  In that short time, we have a developed a Job Training Program that trains disadvantaged residents for jobs in the new green economy.  GBCE have developed 2 new green businesses, the Green Team and Park City Green.  And about to embark on an even more ambitious plan starting in 2013.

GBCE can help continue full speed ahead to fulfill our mission of creating jobs in Bridgeport.  Make a year-end tax deductible contribution to Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises to help the community.  Checks can be sent to: GBCE, 570 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport, CT  06608.

Park City Green opened amidst much celebration and media coverage around the nation.  More than 150 people attended the ribbon-cutting.  Joining Mayor Bill Finch were numerous state commissioners and dignitaries, and local community, government and business leaders.  Business is growing with mattresses stacked up to the ceiling and spin tables and compacting machines running nonstop.

RESULT:  Park City Green has created 5 jobs in its first five months and is on track to create another 15-20 jobs over the next few years.  We are deconstructing more than 400 mattresses a week, keeping them out of landfills and incinerators, helping preserve the environment, and saving municipalities, health care facilities and universities high disposal fees.

Job Skills Training Program.  The WorkPlace provided funding for 2 cycles of brownfields and deconstruction job skills training for Bridgeport's low-income unemployed residents.  Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust awarded GBCE contracts for 2 cycles of environmental remediation training and refresher courses for minority contractors renewing their licenses.   

RESULT:  In 2012, GBCE graduated 115 from our job skills training program (99% graduation rate).  This year $1.2 million has been pumped into struggling Bridgeport neighborhoods by our graduates who have found employment as a result of GBCE's job skills training program.

The Green Team completed the Green-Up House.  (See the video on our new website in which workers talk about what a job means to them, greenteambpt.com.)  Apprentices from our job training program joined the Green Team to complete the first phase of the restoration of the historical Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses in Little Liberia, a community of free blacks in Bridgeport that flourished before slavery was abolished in the state.

Result:  The Green Team completed $150,000 in contracts in 2012 for a total of $750,000 over the last five years, providing jobs for 27 unemployed low-income residents, and is on track to create another 10-15 jobs over the next 2-3 years.

While finances have been a continuing challenge
and our budget is constantly stretched, you can see that GBCE provides a huge return on investment.

22Nov 2012

MEATLOAF FOR THANKSGIVING!

Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer 

MEATLOAF FOR THANKSGIVING!
Meatloaf has teamed up with Medical ID Marketplace (www.hopepaige.com) to create a customized bracelet, which will be launching on their website on Cyber Monday, Nov. 26th. Meatloaf created his customized bracelet to raise awareness for children with asthma and severe medical conditions and provide a stylish, masculine ID bracelet that males of all ages will be proud to wear. 100 percent of proceeds from Meatloaf's bracelet will go toward The Painted Turtle, an organization that provides camp experiences to children with severe medical conditions.

28Apr 2012

Your Internet privacy has now been compromised

Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer 

The bill we've grown to fear is much, much closer to being a reality in our lives
with the passing of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA),
courtesy of the House of Representatives. The controversial bill passed with a vote
of 248-168, giving us a clear indication of how much our elected leaders value your
Internet privacy.

25Nov 2011

America: Land of Hard Work and Prosperity or Land of Entitlement and Litigation?

Written by Longe Magazine 

America: Land of Hard Work and Prosperity or Land of Entitlement and Litigation?

It is well known this country was founded on hard work from the pilgrims to pioneers, coal miners and engineers. Everything worked for was done through enormous feats of physical endurance, know-how and innovation. All of this hard work led to the inventions and innovations which have made our lives so much easier. Each generation has worked extremely hard to make sure the next generation has had it a bit easier. But the question is have we made it too easy for ourselves? Instead of a good old fashioned work ethic have we passed down a sense of entitlement?

American workers of the past didn’t grumble over 16 hour work days. They didn’t bail when they broke a sweat. They were proud of every hard earned dime which put food on the table. When it came to buying a car, house, or a college education for the kids, they saved and felt a well earned sense of accomplishment when they could afford anything. This sense of pride and accomplishment has been replaced with a sense of entitlement.

Easy credit and frivolous lawsuits might have thrown the concept of having a work ethic out of the window. It is hard to pick yourself up and head out the door for a tiring laborious job when you see someone on the news bring in a multi-million dollar check because they found a bug in their food at a local fast food restaurant, or because they didn’t look both ways and got hit by a car. Seeing these kinds of incidents pan out for folks who have done nothing to actually earn a million dollars has sparked envy from those who always work hard. Regrettably, children see this type of payout and grow to expect an easy ride rather than earn it. Today, some look to those who are financially successful such as doctors, fast food chains, insurance companies and big business, but instead of imitating the model of success they spent years following, some just want to acquire what they have by suing them.

There are endless of examples of those who have chosen to sue for riches and a lifestyle they won’t work to earn. Some ways in which you see this tactic used successfully is in the areas of car insurance, medical malpractice suits and workers compensation. You can find many situations where someone suffered minimal damage and has accepted a multi-million dollar settlement so they never have to bother working again. Medical malpractice meant to protect you from malice or intentional injury has been twisted to make doctors pay out serious cash for any human error imaginable no matter how minor the suffering may turn out to be. Statutes meant to protect labor workers from being unfairly fired or recklessly injured have also been twisted as to allow any minor injury to also result in big pay outs so the worker never has to wok again. It seems as though anyone who sees a large house or beautiful car can simply contemplate who to sue and they too can have all the luxuries in life without ever having to work to earn them.

There are several shocking examples of people who chose suing to earn money rather than hard work. One man actually sued NBC for 2.5 million on the premise that the show “Fear Factor” caused him pain and suffering due to its content and how it made him sick to watch. Another woman is now living quite nicely after she was hit by a subway train in New York City. She was awarded 14 million dollars. The subway system in no way failed or was faulty. She was laying on the tracks trying to attempt suicide at the time she was hit. She survived and now has 14 million reasons to live. One man now lives free and easy after suing Budweiser Beer. Did they harm him in any way making it impossible for him to earn a living for his family? No. He was irreparably traumatized when he found drinking Budweiser didn’t get the beautiful women promised in their advertising. Sadly, all of these folks are now relishing in riches they never had to earn the hard way.

These cases and the general mentality of entitlement found in all aspects of American society only show future generations all they need for success is to sit back and wait for a minor misfortune to fall upon them. Millions of dollars are likely to fall from the sky if they just find the right lawyer to take the case.