HOW TO BUDGET EDDIE PEREZ STYLE... LESSON #1, CREATING A DEPARTMENT WITHOUT ANYONE REALIZING YOU ARE CREATING A DEPARTMENT

Apparently Mayor Perez has had enough heat placed upon him for a couple of the positions housed in his office. Perez's Capitol Projects Manager James Keaney has been the focus of much discussion and criticism related to Perez. At the time that Keaney was hired, part of his contract deal was a city "take-home" vehicle. According to sources, Keaney requested, and was provided with, a luxury SUV with heated leather seats. To this day, Keaney drives that car back and forth to his home in Cheshire daily at the taxpayers expense.

Further criticism was dumped on Perez when it was revealed that Perez gave Keaney an "ESI" bonus at the time Keaney was hired to boost his salary to more than $180,000. ESI bonuses are intended to be used for existing employees who go above and beyond their job descriptions as a way to reward them.

Perez was further chastised when it was revealed the man James Keaney was hired to replace after his "retirement", was actually hired back as a "Special Assistent to Mayor Perez" at a rate of $85.00 per hour. Charles Crocini was rehired by Perez at about the same time others were being laid off. Even at a part time position, Crocini was(and is) making more than many City employees working full time.

And then add on to that Perez's decision to hire a full time "Energy Czar". He's only making about $90,000 a year, but I don't think he demanded a luxury SUV with heated leather seats, so there is a savings right there.

So, apparently Eddie had enough of being embarrassed by adding staff to his office through the back door approach without the Council's knowledge, in the middle of a hiring freeze none the less.

Well, this year a slick little entry in the Mayor's Budget Book caught my attention.

After reviewing this years budget proposal outlining the Mayor's Office budget, I was encouraged that Perez had come to his senses. No funding for Keaney, Crocini and the rest of the "hiring freeze hires". Was Eddie actually making cuts that made sense, an appropriation line showing -0- dollars.

My hopes were dashed when I got to page 22-1 and saw a "new" Office of Capital Assets. I asked a staffer from the Mayor's Office if it didn't require Council approval to create a new Department or Office? Nope, not if you are slick like Eddie.

Apparently, if no one questions the appropriation and the Council approves the budget, the new department would appear and be legal. Sounds a little underhanded to me, but at least it is out of the Mayor's Office and no one will notice then, too late, sorry.

So I guess Perez can say he reduced his office's budget when he is asked, he probably wont say that he buried the City's highest paid employee somewhere else, on page 22-1 of the budget book

A LITTLE FYI, HOW DOES HARTFORD'S MIL RATE COMPARE STATEWIDE

First off, what is a "mil"? Here is the official definition form the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM)

Mill Rates

Description

A mill is equal to $1.00 of tax for each $1,000 of assessment. To calculate the property tax, multiply the assessment of the property by the mill rate and divide by 1,000. For example, a property with a assessed value of $50,000 located in a municipality with a mill rate of 20 mills would have a property tax bill of $1,000 per year.

Local property tax mill rates have been set for individual Connecticut municipalities for fiscal year 2009-2010. These rates are based upon the 2008 grand list and are available below. These are the most current mill rates and are reflected in each municipality's July 2009 tax bills.

Hartford's mil rate is approaching 80 mils. Here is a listing of all towns and boroughs for the State of Connecticut and their respective mil rates. The next highest mil rate is New Haven at 42.21.

Here are a few others:

Bridgeport 38.74
East Hartford 31.67
New Britain 34.98
New Haven 42.21
Stamford 26.50
Waterbury 39.92

Take a guess who is top on the list.

2008 Mill Rates

IT'S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT BUDGET CUT IDEAS

Just about every City of Hartford employee I speak with has numerous ideas how to cut the budget and reduce spending. Almost every resident can point out an inefficient area in city services. It isn't too hard to identify some waste, and in the end it all adds up.

A couple of the obvious ones are repeated time and time again at Council Meeting public sessions, but no changes seem to be made. City vehicles being used excessively for who knows what reasons. A constant example is the Assistant Police Chief who commutes daily to Stamford, CT in a city vehicle using the city's gasoline.

It would seem to me that the reason for a "take-home" vehicle is to be able to respond back to the city in an emergency. If you live an hour and a half away, is there really a need for anyone to respond back. I would hope that there would be enough qualified people on duty to have the situation under control in much less time than it would take to drive back from Stamford. Not a huge amount, but it all adds up.

A complete review of city vehicle usage needs to be conducted and the policy revised. I won't even go into the luxury SUV assigned to the Mayor's Director of Capital Projects.

A driver for the Mayor. Leadership starts at the top, and a Mayor should lead by example. Can we really afford to have someone driving the Mayor around, especially lately when that job consists of chauffeuring the Mayor and his wife from their home to the courthouse. On several days when I checked during jury selection, the Mayor's city-owned Mercury Mountaineer SUV and his driver were sitting in the parking lot of his attorney, directly behind the courthouse. Again, probably less than $60,000 (plus benefits) but it all adds up.

Sarah Barr, Director of Communications, Mayor's Office


Numerous media spokespeople. Probably half a million dollars, if not more, are spent on what the city calls "media relations". Most other people would call it media "spin" and the Mayor's Office actually calls it furthering the "Gospel of Perez". The Board of Education has a couple people handling "media relations" at salaries of over $100,000 each. When was the last time you saw a press release from the Board other than bus schedules. In reality, when media people check with the Board regarding an incident in a school, they are met with a firm "no comment". I would think a staff person could do that for much less.

The Police Department has at least 2 people handling the media and their website. Since the blog for Chief Roberts on the HPD website was last updated in August of 2009, I might question the need for that position. The Public Information Officer for the PD, a uniformed Sergeant who could be used on the street, works Monday through Friday during regular hours. The majority of incidents that the media is interested in typically happen after normal business hours.

When an incident happens after hours, a ranking officer in charge for the shift sometimes speaks to the media and on many occasions the Chief himself speaks at 2 or 3 in the morning if he is at the scene. Couldn't this happen 24/7 and free up a sergeant for the streets and save a "website coordinator" contract worth over $65,000.

Then the Fire Department has a PIO (public information officer) a Captain assigned for media relations. Probably another $80,000 a year plus salary (not including benefits). At any major incident there is always a Deputy Chief (always at least one if not more)and in most cases they speak to the media as needed.

And then there are the disciples spreading the "Gospel of Perez", also known as propaganda and spin, from the Mayor's Office. The numbers probably will never be accurate to the public as to how much is devoted to "media relations" out of the Mayor's Office, but salaries alone are probably over a couple hundred thousand dollars.

Couldn't one person operating out of the Mayor's Office handle all media relations as needed. If you look at the number of press releases generated by all of the various "media people" on a weekly basis, it would probably be hard to fill a 40 hour week for just one person. This could be a sizable amount of cash saved if one person co-ordinated media relations.

Many major cities, including New Haven, coordinate media relations through the Mayor's Office and centralize their operations reducing redundant positions. If the PD and FD can have ranking officers handle the media, why do full time positions need to be assigned. Again, it all adds up.

In addition, last year at budget hearing time the issue of city cellphones was brought up, and numerous cellphones couldn't be accounted for, even though the city was still paying the bills. Sounds like a savings is available there, who knows how much that could add up to.

Just a start, but it amounts to reduced spending. Fell free to post any ideas.

LEGAL MALPRACTICE OR INCOMPETENCE ? ROSIE STRIKES AGAIN

John Rose once again was the topic of conversation at Monday nights Council Meeting. Much of the debate was regarding a move to clarify the City Charter and whether John Rose should issue an opinion or should the Council just skip right over him and get an outside opinion.

On Tuesday, it seemed to become quite clear that Rosie does not have the best interests of the Council first and foremost. Almost 24 hours after the Council meeting, Rosie sent an e-mail to all Council members advising them that in his opinion they had broken the law the previous night. The e-mail from Rose to the Council outlining his thoughts is below.

The question arises though on whether the Council is actually receiving proper advice from Rose. He has exhibited his disdain for the Council on numerous occasions, and this is just one more glaring example.

If Rosie sat through the meeting and observed this perceived illegal activity and said nothing , it can amount to one of two things. If he didn't realize the actions were improper and had to research it the following day, that is incompetence. Although he makes it quite clear that he is ignorant of, or unwilling to obey, FOI laws, the Council deserves much better representation when dealing with the business of the City.

If Rose sat there and knowingly let the Council proceed down a path he knew, or felt, was illegal I would think that would constitute malpractice. If this was a game of "gotcha" to show the Council who's "the boss", Rose should be removed from Council meetings permanently. If necessary, someone competent from the Corporation Counsel's Office should be assigned to serve the Council since Mr. Rose is incapable, or unwilling to do that. Although in considering the track record of the Corporation Counsel's Office, finding someone competent in that office might potentially be a problem.

Rose 4-27-10 Email

A COUPLE MORE FOR THOSE WHO FELT LEFT OUT, WE CAN'T ALWAYS BE SERIOUS

HARTFORD'S VERSION OF DANCING WITH THE STARS

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

THE SOUTHEND HULA DANCERS

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

FRED AND GINGER

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

JUST AN IDEA TO CLOSE THE BUDGET GAP

Here's a performance I'd pay to watch. It could be a fundraiser to close the budget gap. Maybe the Bushnell could host it, starring Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Chief of Staff Susan McMullen, Chief Operating Officer David Panagore, Corporation Counsel John Rose and of course Director of Communications Sarah Barr (no performance of the Mayor would be complete without her).

Possibly we could even open the performance with a short prayer vigil for the Mayor

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

THE "HARTFORDITE"

I spoke with WFSB's Dennis House at last nights Budget Hearing at Bulkeley High School.

He told me that he had done a posting on his blog and put a link to "We the People" on there. While looking at his blog, he had a posting directed to the taxpayers of Hartford and questions they should be asking regarding "economic development", or the lack thereof in Hartford.

Here are his suggested list of questions:

The City of Hartford is beginning budget hearings to talk about Mayor Perez’ proposed tax hike. Citizens aren’t happy about paying more taxes and there are some questions taxpayers should be asking city officials.

1. Why has the city lost so many taxpayers since 2005? ING, Mass Mutual, Met Life, WFSB, the Goodwin Hotel, T.J. Maxx, and the list goes on, and on.

2. Rather than raise taxes on an already burdened citizenry, why not attract new business to the city?

3. Why have dozens of companies opened stores and restaurants in the surrounding towns, but avoided Hartford?

4. What is the city doing to recruit new business to the city?

5. Why are there so many empty storefronts downtown?

6. What additional services will we get in exchange for paying higher taxes?

7. Does the administration feel responsible for the loss of thousands of jobs in the city, and the loss of millions in tax revenue?

To view Dennis's blog click below or he can be found at wfsb.com under "blogs"

Click here to go to wfsb.com and read "the Hartfordite"

DO YOU RECEIVE HARTFORD 2000'S H2K "E-LERTS'

If you aren't receiving them you should be.

Linda Bayer from Hartford 2000 and Richard Frieder from the Hartford Public Library have been providing an e-mail service for a while that has proven very beneficial.

The "e-lerts" usually consist of a common sense, plain English notice of Council meeting agenda's in advance of the meetings followed up by a "council re-cap" of action taken by the council a day or two after the meeting.

Occasionally "e-lerts" include notices of upcoming community meetings of interest to subscribers.

Overall it is a great service, and well worth signing up for, it is free of charge.

To subscribe, e-mail Linda Bayer at htfd2000@aol.com

DON'T FORGET, SAVE THE DATE

Someone gave me the church bulletin from Saint Peter's Church on Main Street from this past Sunday.

On the back page was a notice for a "vigil of support" for Mayor Eddie Perez.

Didn't they learn a lesson the last time the Mayor's "spiritual supporters" tried that on the steps of the Courthouse?

And the next question I have is whether it is really appropriate for a church to be holding a vigil for a man charged with criminal activity. Would it not be more appropriate to hold a vigil and pray for the future of Hartford and the monumental hurdles it faces?

And not to be judgmental, I'll leave that to a higher authority, but isn't the first step toward forgiveness and reconciliation actually repentance? If he has done nothing wrong, why the need for a vigil? Shouldn't the truth be enough to avoid any problems.

Maybe an "anti-corruption" vigil outside the Church might be appropriate.

It seems as though the priorities might be a little out of line here. Maybe a vigil to support the Mayor's family as they struggle with the stress he has put them under. Maybe a vigil to pray for guidance for Mayor Perez to do what is best for Hartford and its people. Maybe even to pray for the jurors and prosecutors and Perez's attorneys to give them strength and guidance and for justice to prevail.

I guess it is probably just easier to pray for a one sided subject with closed eyes to the truth. But, I think we all have a tendency to do just what Saint Peter's Church and Sacred Heart Church are doing.

When the situation seems hopeless and nothing else will work, we turn to God and prayer. It might work out more favorably with Eddie having a one on one conversation with the "Big Guy", that usually seems more genuine than using "Him" for a media spectacle.

A request for comment from the Archdiocese of Hartford went unanswered. A person in the Archdiocese Office of Radio and Television said spokesperson Father John Gatzak "was in production, and unavailable"

Perez Vigil 5 3 10

A LIGHTNING ROD OF A QUESTION

One of the things I've really enjoyed about this blog is the increase in comments that are posted regularly as "We the People" continues to grow in popularity.

Just following the comments yesterday regarding the failed Charter revision attempts was an eye-opener into some of the "behind the scenes" maneuvering and explained a lot. The time and effort that is put into the comments is also encouraging.

Today I was doing my daily web "checking" and found the video below, it made me think how this would translate outside of Alabama. With the new legislation passed regarding Arizona's enforcement of immigration laws and now this video, I was just wondering what others think.

As the title of this posting says, it is a "lightning rod of a question" but I'd like to know what other people think.

I'm not opposed to immigration, although I think I would have to say I am opposed to "illegal" immigration. If not for the opportunities open for immigration to this country, I can safely say that my family history would most likely be much different. Who know's, I'd probably be headed to a pub somewhere in County Cork, Ireland about now.

With that being said, my original family members on my mothers side actually stepped off the Mayflower before there were any immigration laws here. But once the laws were enacted, millions of immigrants came here in compliance with those laws.

I'm not hinting that all "illegal" immigrants are here to hurt our country, but if 9/11 taught us anything at all, it should be to point out the gaping holes in our security as a nation and the need to know who is living within our borders.

Another big issue to me is the unreported crime and mistreatment of illegal immigrants. It is no secret that much, if not most, crime against illegal immigrant's goes unreported for fear of being identified and deported. Illegal immigrants hired by business owners also work in conditions ,in many cases, just one step above slavery. They know that any complaints about wages or working conditions can result in a one-way ticket back to their country of origin.

Is it time to review our laws to streamline the process for people ready to start a better life in the United States? Or is it time to tighten the rules as Arizona is trying?

Please take the 30 seconds to watch the video below and let me know what you think. And yes, I realize it is Alabama, not New England.

DOES ANYONE ELSE REALIZE HARTFORD IS IN A STATE OF CHAOS?

No need for a long post here, the point is quite simple. Whether or not Eddie Perez is a crook headed to prison is not the issue.

Tonight at 9:45pm the Hartford City Council adjourned their regular meeting to go into an executive session. Prior to that, as has become the norm in most council meetings lately, the discussion centered around removing the Mayor from office and arguments regarding the role of John Rose.

Please Councilmembers stop this insanity. There is much more business that is critical to the operation of Hartford as a city. Whether Eddie Perez stays or goes will be decided most likely in the very near future. His damage has been done and by not focusing on the business of Hartford, you as councilpeople are adding to the damage.

And besides, by looking like opportunists who smell blood in the water it just adds to the distractions to draw attention away from the real work that needs to be done.

Has any contingency plan been developed for what most people think will be the inevitable headline in the next few weeks on the front page of the Courant "Perez cuts a plea deal with the State, will resign today". I doubt it. Has any thought been given to cleaning out the Mayor's Office and who will come in to facilitate a smooth transition?

Wasting time on arguing about Eddie Perez and John Rose is just that, a waste of time. Please focus on the budget, focus on the huge deficit Perez will be leaving us with. Focus on how we will begin turning Hartford around once Perez, Rose and the rest are gone. Focus on the needs of city government and making that happen in full transparency so that you can begin restoring confidence in the operations at City Hall.

If Perez is gone tomorrow by some miracle that the Council could garner 7 votes to remove him or if he is removed in a few weeks by pleading guilty to numerous felony charges, does it really make that much of a difference.

Please start focusing on the real remedies and be ready to forge ahead when the reigns of government are taken back by an honest leader. The frivolous resolutions, as well meaning as they may be, are just adding to the distraction that has become the daily standard operating procedure in City Hall.

Lets be ready to make real change when that Courant headline becomes reality any day now.

AND NOW...A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Julia Pistell, (908) 418-7357 (cell)

HartBeat Ensemble to Perform FlipSide as a Work-in-Progress at Manchester Community College.

HARTFORD, CT. – HartBeat Ensemble, Hartford’s local professional theater ensemble, will perform a workshop version of their newest original work, FlipSide on April 30th, May 1st, 7th, and 8th at 7:30pm at the Manchester Community College Auditorium (MCC). The work is the culmination of hundreds of hours of interviews with the community about the War on Drugs. HartBeat Ensemble will use audience feedback and talk-back discussions to finalize the production for its official premier next year.



Using rhythmic choreography and spoken word poetry from local poets MIRA and MIND EVOLUTION, FlipSide tells the story of two drug warriors on opposite sides of the drug war. FlipSide is a story that uses spoken word, addicting rhythm sticks and

potent characters to portray the war on drugs. To write the play, HartBeat conducted a huge range of interviews and says, “we are excited to present a well-rounded, deeply thought play that will help us all examine this all-to-familiar topic in a new way. We invite the audience to be the final contributors to our new work.”

FlipSide is being work-shopped as part of HartBeat’s New Play Institute in collaboration with Manchester Community College. While conducting the Institute, HartBeat works for a period “in residence” while also teaching MCC theater students to create their own original work on the same topic. The final outcome of the partnership is the debut of a new play in development. The New Play Institute fosters an environment of experimentation and creativity for both the Ensemble and MCC students and offers audiences the chance to experience new theatrical work in its early stages. Admission is $5 general admission and free for students with student identification. Each performance will be followed by a discussion of the play.

During the research phase of this project, HartBeat worked with Dr. Robert Painter of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy to accumulate empirical information on the topic of drug policy. During this time HartBeat also conducted interviews with many people who have themselves been involved in some way with the underground drug economy. HartBeat interviewed ex-offenders, ex-addicts, health workers, law enforcement, drug counselors, and policy makers. This interview process aimed to create performances that were complex and true to real life.

The performance will be held at the Manchester Community College Auditorium (Great Path, Manchester, CT) at 7:30 on April 30th, May 1st, May 7th, and May 8th.

Reservations can be made by emailing julia.pistell@hartbeatensemble.org.
The mission of HartBeat Ensemble is to create original, professional theater based on stories from the people of our community. Through Mainstage plays, Open-Air performances, and Education programs, HartBeat Ensemble makes theater accessible beyond the barriers of class, race, and gender. Their last major production was Ebeneeza: A Hartford Holiday Carol, which traveled through four of Hartford’s neighborhoods and drew in new and diverse audiences.

ANOTHER ROSIE APPEAL THAT MAKES YOU WONDER

Some days, actually most days, you just have to scratch your head in wonderment and ask how John Rose still has a job, never mind a law license.

You may recall that late last year Hartford Corporation Counsel John Rose advised the City Council that the Murtha lawsuit was a stinker of a case and should be settled. The Hartford City Council ignored Rosie's advice and dug their heels in. Eventually the Court decided in Murtha's favor and awarded him damages.

Now, even though Rosie acknowledged the case stunk and the city should settle, he is now appealing the Murtha decision once again in court.

I know, I know, you are probably asking yourselves if he knew they were going to lose and predicted that, why would Rosie now spend the money to appeal? Good question, but look who you are dealing with. Whether it is FOI decisions or Court decisions, Rosie has no problem spending the taxpayers money in Hartford on these eventual losses.

Rosie's next date with destiny is scheduled to begin in New Haven Superior Court on May 24, 2010 at 10:00am.

Open the checkbook, Rosie's on the way.

THE PREDATORS AMONG US

This afternoon my phone rang and it was a call from the Working Family's Registrar of Voters Urania Petit. It was in the middle of the Red Sox game where the Sox had just scored to take the lead. I was almost ready to let voice mail grab the call, but I figured for Urania to be calling on a Sunday afternoon, something must be going on. Maybe she was calling to tell me Eddie cut a deal, that would definitely be better than any Red Sox win.

Something was going on, but it wasn't the deal I had hoped for.

Urania had just received a call from Father Emmanuel from Saint Michaels Church on Clark Street asking for her help. Apparently one of Father Emmanuels parishioners had parked in Saint Michael's Church parking lot to attend Mass. When she came out her car was gone. Luckily for the parishioner it wasn't stolen by an unknown person.

The car was actually "stolen" by a driver from Whitey's Towing Service. For those not familiar with Whitey's, they are predatory towers preying on some of Hartford's most vulnerable residents exercising what they call "trespass tows". They have contracts with many property owners to remove vehicles that park on lots where they apparently aren't authorized to park.

The problem is that they do this without any, or very little, oversight. Whitey's knows that many of the vehicles they tow are from people that can't or won't fight back, and the only way to recover your vehicle is to pay the $90.00 or more fee.

After Father Emmanuel's parishioner realized the car had been towed by Whitey's, he drove her to Whitey's West Service Road goldmine, also known as the impound lot. There the driver who towed the vehicle spoke with Father Emmanuel. He refused to release the vehicle until the $90.00 fee was paid. He apparently described to Father Emmanuel how he had towed the vehicle from alongside the church near the side fire escape.

Father Emmanuel questioned how they could do that and the driver replied that Saint Michael's had a signed contract with Whitey's to remove the vehicles. Even though there were no signs warning violators about the towing as required by State regulations, the driver refused to give back the vehicle.

That's when Urania called me, she must know I love a good fight, especially when the Giant is abusing the little guy.

I met with Father Emmanuel at Saint Michael's Church, he showed me exactly where the car was parked and related most of the above information to me. My next call was to the Hartford Police to become involved. They requested we go back to Whitey's and wait for the officer to arrive. We did and shortly thereafter three officers showed up and they spoke with the driver.

After speaking to the driver the Officer's came back to us and stated it was a civil matter since the Whitey's driver showed him a contract signed by an Arthur Teale for towing at 17-19 Clark Street. OOPS, the problem is that Saint Michael's Church is 7-9
Clark Street, not 17-19.

It seems like that should have been a simple matter at that point, a mistake was made, return the car, end of story.

Nope, the Whitey's driver was still insisting that the $90.00 fee be paid and that the car owner would have to come back to the office on Monday to rectify the matter and get a refund.

At that point I asked the officer for a supervisor to intervene in the situation. The officer resplied to me that "supervisors don't come to you, you have to go to 50 Jennings Road". Whether the officer realized it or not, he was interrupting the Red Sox game for me, and that was not the answer I wanted, or expected, to hear.

At that point I once again explained to the officer that there were a few problems with the tow. First off that the property at Saint Michael's was not posted for "trespass" towing as required by the State of Connecticut. Second, the driver himself admitted he had towed the vehicle from the wrong address without any authority or permission to tow the car.

For anyone else that would constitute motor vehicle theft and taking the car without the owners permission. It would seem that would no longer make it a civil matter, and the drivers actions were criminal. Especially after he admitted his mistake, the car should have been returned immediately.

Again I requested a supervisor and the officer again refused. As much as I didn't want to involve Chief Roberts in a matter like this on a Sunday afternoon, there are times when it is good to have him in your speed dial.

When the two officers there realized that I was calling the Chief, a quick conversation was held with the Whitey's driver by the officers and not surprisingly, the decision was made to return the vehicle to its owner.

Chief Roberts assured me he will be following up on this tomorrow as to the way it was handled and the fact that even after repeated requests for a supervisor, no supervisor was requested. I have every confidence that some "customer service" training classes will be in a couple of officers immediate future.

It is time for both the City Council and the State's Attorney's Office to launch an immediate investigation into predatory towing practices in Hartford. At the very least, an ordinance regulating these towing practices needs to be looked at and imposing severe penalties for incidents just such as today's

It will be interesting to FOI the Hartford Police Departments record of complaints against Whitey's Towing and others preying on Hartford's residents and visitors to the City.

The end result is the car owner got her vehicle back, but I am far from done with this one. If you have any information regarding Whitey's or similar such incidents, please feel free to e-mail me any details at krbrookman@earthlink.net, or if you would like, post them here.

IT SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING NIGHT FOR "1 HARTFORD"

We usually record the "1HARTFORD" program on Thursday mornings.
This week though we will be recording tonight. Our guest this week is Dan Malloy, former Stamford Mayor and candidate for Governor. In order to accommodate his schedule we are doing the program tonight.

It should be an interesting program. I have to say, not knowing much about Malloy before I started doing my research on him, I'm impressed.

One of 8 children who was at one point referred to as "retarded" due to learning disabilities, and rose above his disabilities to become an attorney. He eventually became the Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York with an impressive record. He returned to Stamford, his hometown, in 1995 and was elected Mayor by a landslide.

At that time, Stamford was very close to what Hartford is today, less the corruption.
Out of control crime, businesses and resident's fleeing, a depressed city sliding backwards. Malloy and his team were able to reduce crime by 64% and eventually was rated one of the 10 safest cities in America.

As impressed as I am, it's not a propaganda program for him. We will be asking some tough questions about why he should be our next Governor.

Be sure to watch the program here when it is uploaded.

IS THE IMPLOSION IMMINENT?

I usually have enough to keep me occupied focusing on Hartford issues, but for some reason I love the Courant's Bob Englehart's common sense interpretation of issues and this drawing caught my attention.

It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

TIME FOR A "WE THE PEOPLE" CALL TO ACTION

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!

In a city that has been run for almost ten years through corruption and incompetence, it now seems that we are rising to a new height. In a city as financially depressed as Hartford, Mayor Perez is once again proposing a tax increase, an increase in spending, and no mention of controlling or reducing spending.

Yesterday when I posted the proposed budget, the response from blog readers was almost immediate. It is time to be heard and make a change.

I couldn't agree more and a few of you have stepped up to offer to help begin organizing demonstrations at budget hearing and Council meetings.

The time is now to start taking back our city and our local government.

The name of this blog was never more fitting than now.

Let's start by making our voices heard at next Tuesday's Budget comment session at Bulkeley High School. The hearing will be held at Bulkeley High at 300 Wethersfield Avenue, beginning at 6:00PM.

I'll post more on this in the next couple days, but from the couple people that have stepped up to help, we want to be there and be heard. Signs, banners, chanting, loud voices, bring it all as we send a clear message to the Mayor and Council that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Instead of residents and businesses talking about packing and leaving, maybe it is time to send the politicians who refuse to listen packing instead.

NO MORE TAX INCREASES!!! Instead let's send the message to politicians that it is time to end the frivolous travel. It is time to end "drivers" and other frills for the Mayor. No more "training sessions" at the Orlando Palms for a dozen people at the City's expense. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

If you are part of a group that can turn people out, or even if you just want to bring a few of your neighbors, the time is now. Taxpayers in Hartford can't take anymore of this insane spending.

Feel free to call me or e-mail if you can help organize this demonstration and as always, feel free to post your comments here.

It is time to end the talking and begin the action.

DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND THIS OFFENSIVE?

From the start of Eddie Perez's journey down the path to potential prison time, it seems that it is all about Eddie being a victim of racism.

From the day of his first arrest Eddie was singled out because of his race. From the mouth of his taxpayer funded attorney it was pure and simple racism. The Office of the State's Attorney was trying to take down a strong Hispanic Mayor. Not because he was corrupt and committing criminal activities, but because he was a strong Hispanic.

All throughout the journey it has been based on race.

Throughout history ethnic groups have supported "their own". Irish-Catholics have always supported Irish Catholic politicians, hence the Kennedy dynasty so this is nothing new. Hispanic voters at one time took pride in seeing the first Hispanic Mayor elected in Hartford almost 10 years ago. Due largely to the Hispanic vote Perez was re-elected to a third term as Mayor even when it was known that the dark cloud of corruption was looming over his head.

But where do we draw the line. I find it offensive that the racism, or reverse racism, continues right into the courtroom. Would it be tolerated if a defense attorney stated that his white client needed a "white jury" or his black client needed a "black jury". And do white jurors have a different view of what's acceptable in society. Do black juries turn a blind eye to crime? I seriously doubt it, and this is more of the "divide and conquer" mentality that continues to split our society along racial lines.

I seriously wonder if Hispanics, in particular Puerto Ricans, take offense with the way this jury selection is being handled. We keep hearing that Perez can only get a fair trial if the jury were to be stacked with minorities. As a "non-Hispanic" watching this posturing by Perez's defense, it seems that the message appears pretty clear. Do "hispanic" jurors look at corruption and crime differently than the rest of us?

I seriously don't think so and it would seem that potentially it could be the total opposite. I would think that Hispanics, in particular Puerto Ricans, would want to send a clear message of strong punishment to Perez if convicted.

Eddie entered his first term as someone that his community could be proud of. A Puerto Rican former gang member who had seemed to have left his life of crime and changed his life. The "Professor" (his gang street name) could now be a role-model for his community and show that anything was possible for inner-city youth.

If anything, Eddie Perez has been a huge let down to that same community, as well as all of us, that saw him as potential role-model for their youth. Eddie Perez is potentially sending the message to Hartford's youth that jail is inevitable. If Perez as Mayor couldn't avoid crime and jail time, how is a kid growing up in Hartford's neighborhoods supposed to avoid it.

Eddie had so much potential and has apparently chosen to squander it all for counter tops and a steam shower.

It's sad, but to continue the process cloaked in racism is even worse.

Shouldn't the uproar over the "Cuban" juror be directed at the juror who potentially lied, without it being about her ethnicity?

RECOMMENDED 2010-2011 BUDGET RELEASED

The recommended Hartford Budget has been released for the upcoming year. More on this later, but to review the budget on-line, click here

A SUGGESTION FOR MAYOR-TO-BE SEGARRA

Hopefully in the next couple of months the process of turning Hartford around will begin under a new Administration led by Pedro Segarra.

One of my "faithful" regular readers sent me a great e-mail today with a suggestion that would probably scare the hell out of the Perez Administration as well as all of the non-profits beholding to Eddie Perez for their operations.

Quite simply, the reader directed me to the City of New London's municipal website. There, New London posts their check registers by month showing each and every check issued by the City for each and every department. Imagine what we might find if Hartford was so open and transparent.

They even go so far as requesting that every non-profit receiving funds from the City of New London do the same thing. According to their website ""The City of New London encourages other organizations that receive public funds to join us, in making financial data more accessible to the public."

All I can say is...."Wow". This must be how an administration not overrun with corruption operates.

I would imagine that City Treasurer Kathleen Palm-Devine would find this kind of openness refreshing also. It might answer a lot of questions about where our money is going.

To check out how an honest government operates, click the links below.

And the best part, Mayor-to-be Segarra, this suggestion didn't cost the city anything for a consultant. There are plenty of good people more than willing to see Hartford turn around and return to the direction it was going "pre-Perez".

Click here to view New London's "homepage" which actually provides factual information, not propaganda pictures of their mayor

Click here to view New London's actual check registers, available on their website, no FOI battles required

And thanks again to my "faithful" readers. Keep the suggestions coming, this is definitely a good start that would begin restoring confidence in Hartford's ability to do the right thing once Eddie is gone

DAYTRIPPING HARTFORD STYLE

Tomorrow might be a good day for a trip to Hartford and see the best of what Hartford City government has to offer.

Might I suggest a nice breakfast at Ashlee's at 221 Main Street, then head up Buckingham Street and find a parking spot in the shadows of the Connecticut State Capitol and the statue of Lafayette. Procure a parking spot using one of the Hartford Parking Authority's high-tech kiosks. Then walk one block south to 101 Lafayette Street, Superior Court, GA14. Spend a couple hours watching jury selection in the corruption trial of Hartford's Mayor, the honorable Eddie A. Perez.

A couple of helpful jury selection watching tips. Be sure to feed the meters, the maximum time is two hours and the parking controllers can sense that to the second it seems. Expired vehicles are promptly ticketed. When entering the courthouse, please leave all weapons and dangerous instruments in your vehicle.

In addition, as Helen Ubinas learned the hard way ( I think she is out of lock-up now) texting and twittering (or is it tweeting) is not allowed and you will be dealt with appropriately by the Judicial Marshalls. Please be sure to put your cellphones on vibrate.

Then maybe back down to Main Street during the lunchtime recess. Maybe try the Hook and Ladder Restaurant right next to Ashlee's, where your morning began.

If you have time, be sure to visit Hartford City Hall on your day trip of corruption and incompetence. Be sure to stop by the second floor, the home to the Perez "leadership team". Out of respect though for people that are actually trying to work in City Hall, please keep your laughter to a minimum when you see the word "honorable" on the door to the Office of the Mayor.

By this time, it should be getting close to 2:00PM so head back up to the Lafayette Statue and procure another kiosk funded parking space. This time head north to 18-20 Trinity Street, home of the Freedom of Information Commission. The entrance is near the back side of the Bushnell Theater by the loading dock.

Shortly after 2:00PM Hartford's Corporation Counsel and Perez confidant John Rose will be making a command performance. Not the command type for the Queen of England, but he is being commanded to be there by the FOI Commission. John Rose will be attempting to explain why he shouldn't be fined the largest possible fine passed down by the FOI Commission.

And then if you want to watch something good happening, in all seriousness, stop by City Hall for the 5:00PM swearing in of Hartford's new Fire Chief Ed Casares. Hopefully Chief Casares will bring some integrity back to the Chief's Office, unlike his predecessor, but I'll keep you in suspense on those details about Chief Teale until another day. You might want to get your eyes checked to be able to read that posting clearly :) Tell the eye doctor Charlie Bribe sent you.

PEREZ TRIAL: STATE MOVES TO REMOVE JUROR #2, THE BONDSMAN

In a motion filed today in court with Judge Dewey, Assistant States Attorney Chris Alexy has asked her to reconsider her acceptance of juror # 2, the bondsman.

During yesterdays jury selection, a Hispanic male was interviewed by both sides and answered numerous questions. Among those questions regarding his occupation, he replied that one of his jobs was working as a bondsman in the Hartford and New Britain courts.

In order for a juror to be selected, both sides need to agree. They do have a limited number of challenges and can ask for a juror to be "excused".

In yesterdays selection, the state asked for the "bondsman" juror to be excused. Perez, through his attorney, Hubert Santos, objected. Santos used a "Batson" challenge to question the State's vote to excuse the juror.

A Batson challenge is the result of a court case that eventually was decided by the US Supreme Court. In Batson v Kentucky, the case essentially was the result of a claim of purposeful discrimination on the part of the prosecutors in a case to exclude potential jurors based on race.

As I sat in the courtroom yesterday, I thought that the bail bond issue would be a deal breaker for the defense. Furthermore, he stated that his father and uncle were retired police officers. I was surprised when they "accepted" him.

When the state voted to "excuse" him I was also surprised, but their arguments about the bondsman issue seemed valid, and I never heard them mention race. The State's challenge, as noted in their motion, appeared to be race neutral.

On the other hand, Santos's questions to two white females this afternoon seemed much different than questions he was asking to other potential jurors. It is very interesting to watch the so called "justice system" grinding along. Boring, but interesting.

The entire motion is below for your reading pleasure.

Perez Batson Challenge

WFSB WEIGHS IN ON PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX COLLAPSE

WFSB, Channel 3's Hartford Bureau Chief Len Besthoff covered the impending demolition today. Here is his report and some more information about the "preservation" of Hartford's history

click here for Len's report

WHO ARE EDDIE'S VICTIMS? (oh yeah, allegedly)

A few months ago I raised an issue that I knew would never go anywhere, but still, I think, a valid issue.

Who are the victim's of Eddie Perez and Veronica Airey-Wilson's crimes ? (oh yeah, allegedly)

Since the crimes involved public funds generated through tax revenue and other means such as Federal dollars entrusted to Hartford, it would seem clear that the taxpayers of Hartford are the apparent victims. It's not Eddie's money or Veronica's money or Abe's money. It was our money as the people of Hartford.

We are Perez's victims. (oh yeah, allegedly)

Now the big issue question. By law, no victim of a crime can be allowed to sit on the jury judging that same crime. Should that prevent Hartford residents from serving on that jury, if they are, in fact, the victims of that crime?

Noted Hartford defense attorney Michael Georgetti apparently feels the same way. He was quoted in today's Hartford Courant,"Frankly, I think you could argue that the victim in this case is the people of the city of Hartford. If I were a Hartford taxpayer, I don't think I could sit fairly on this jury," said Georgetti.

Hubie, quick, file the motions.

HAS EDDIE HIRED AN IMAGE CONSULTANT?

Just a thought, but after watching Eddie Perez in court today I kept thinking something was different.

He looked tired, but then again who wouldn't. I'm sure he's having many sleepless nights trying to figure out what he is going to do. Many nights wondering how it will all turn out. Many nights wondering should he roll the dice and go to trial and continue to play the race card and hope for the best or should he cut the deal with the State.

Probably many thoughts about how close his "close" friends really are. How much pressure would it take for a "close" friend to cut a deal and actually co-operate with the State's Attorney. A lot of questions were asked of potential jurors today about a "co-operating witness" and how jurors would weigh their testimony.

No names were mentioned, but it seems pretty clear that someone has rolled and is now a co-operating witness for the State.

But back to Eddie. After looking at a few news stories and "googleing" Perez stories, it was no longer a "gray" area, it became clear to me. Eddie Perez is dyeing his hair. No more gray hair like the picture below taken April 6th, but today Eddie is once again jet black.




Not really sure, but I would think a jury would trust gray haired Eddie more than jet-black Eddie. I guess that is why Hubie Santos gets the big bucks though.

What's next, the mustache again?

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE FOR EDDIE PEREZ...AND HARTFORD

Hartford's Mayor Eddie A. Perez entered court today for the start of the jury selection phase of his trial facing 5 counts related to corruption. He left court today facing additional charges adding up to 8 counts related to corruption, including larceny, extortion , bribery and now coercion. The "Substitute Information" documents submitted by the State's Attorney's office are below.

Perez Substitute Information 4-12-10

I'll post more tonight after the council meeting

THE PEREZ "LEGACY OF INCOMPETENCE" CONTINUES

above,Eddie Perez leaving court



above, A portion of the collapsed facade of Perez's "new" Public Safety Complex

It has been a bad week for Mayor Eddie Perez. His defense motions in Superior Court collapsed around him as they were denied, the Town Committee vote for Perez's handpicked chairperson collapsed as Sean Arena was defeated, and now Perez's Public Safety Complex is literally collapsing. Not a good week at Camp Perez.

Many people may have forgotten about the debacle Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez created when he attempted to build a school at the corner of Farmington and Broad Streets. In defiance of "advice" from the State of Connecticut, Perez began construction on the property after he was told that it was an improper use of the lot.

Perez moved forward and I guess decided to show Governor Rell who is in charge of Hartford's destiny. (how's that working for you Eddie?). In the end, an estimated $4 million dollars was squandered by Perez for a school that never happened.

In the meantime, another construction project began a few blocks north of the Farmington Avenue sight on High Street. After another three or four staged media events by Perez disguised as "groundbreakings", work began on the Hartford Public Safety Complex. The existing structure of the old Hartford Board of Education building was going to be "saved" and used as the facade of the Complex.

Preservation of Hartford's history and architecture is important as we continue to knock down so much of what has made Hartford a beautiful and interesting city. Many of our buildings have been allowed to slide into a state of disrepair, even the Board of Ed building. And many of these buildings are actually owned by the City of Hartford and eventually end up being torn down, such as the Lyric Theatre on Park Street.

Now it seems that the Hartford Board of Ed/"new' Public Safety Complex will suffer the same fate.

With the amount of highly paid construction "experts" in the Mayor's Office, one would think that they would be able to get a project done correctly. Maybe too much time is being spent in their luxury SUV's rather than actually reviewing construction projects.

Perez proved his construction incompetence almost immediately after becoming Mayor when the cost overruns, construction delays, labor problems and shoddy workmanship delayed Hartford Public High School by years and ran millions of dollars over projected costs. And as recently as to the present day as Capitol Prep School's opening has been delayed for over a year by construction issues (picture below).




Last fall I posted that large portions the the facade being saved for the "new" Public Saftey Complex had collapsed. Eventually WFSB also did a story on it, and as I recall, they reported that the Mayor and his staff had reassured Channel 3 that everything was fine and structurally sound. At a cost of roughly $2 million dollars the remaining walls had been shored up with large steel beams. Here is the original post from November 14, 2009
Although no real progress is visible on the sight except for a few pieces of construction equipment that never seem to move, we were assured that construction was moving forward.

About a week and a half ago I stopped at the sight and saw the entire front entryway which made up a large portion of the front facade has now also collapsed. Calls for comment regarding the future of the structure to the Mayor's mouthpiece, I mean Director of Communications Sarah Barr, were unanswered.




Apparently now though, Steve Goode of the Hartford Courant and cityline@courant.com has been told by city officials that the entire structure is unsound and will be torn down. To read Steve's posting, click here to go to cityline

I'm not a construction engineer, but it seemed pretty obvious from the start that it didn't make sense to handle a 120 year old structure this way and expect it to remain standing. All of the interior walls and support for the structure were gutted and removed initially. After that was done all of the roof and all of the roof trusses and beams were removed, leaving the century old walls to stand on their own.

I guess that plan didn't work too well. It makes you wonder if the plan was ever supposed to work from the start or is it another corrupt scheme hatched in the Mayor's Office as posters here have hinted.

The other major question is how this project was ever going to be completed. At the time that "construction" (or destruction, depending on your level of confidence with Eddie Perez) began, it was stated that $28 million in funding was in place for the projected $88 million price tag for the project. Where was the other $60 million to complete the project coming from?

I for one can't wait for a change in administration that can actually get in and audit every penny spent by Perez's corrupt administration (oh yeah, allegedly). In the meantime I'm pretty confident the shredders are running overtime.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT SEGARRA ON FACE THE STATE SUNDAY

Council President Pedro Segarra will appear on WFSB's "Face the State" program this Sunday morning at 11:00AM. Guest reporter, and newly appointed Hartford Bureau Chief Len Besthoff joins Dennis House for an interview of the potential "Mayor-to-be" Pedro Segarra.

From what I understand it was a good interview as Segarra answers questions related to Hartford. High on the list was the question everyone is asking, can Eddie Perez function as Mayor while he faces a trial and potentially a prison sentence.

Segarra also goes on the record and puts Hartford's current budget "gap" at $28 million. Although that number may sound bad, according to some City Hall insiders it may be double that number.

Another segment on the program is an interview with Howard Baldwin. Baldwin was the force behind the Hartford Whaler's and is working to bring a NHL team back to Hartford. As a side note, I'm being told that Whaler's apparel is still one of the top purchased NHL items, I'm hearing #7 in the country but I'm still trying to confirm that.

Sunday Morning, 11:00 am on WFSB, Channel 3.

Oh, and it looks like the "WFSB Hartford Bureau" will be up and running this coming Tuesday. Timing is everything, it could be a busy week in the Hartford Bureau as jury selection for Perez begins Monday at 10:00am.

IT IS GETTING HOTTER... COURANT CALLS FOR PEREZ TO "STEP ASIDE" ...AGAIN

In what may become an all too familiar image of Mayor Perez,sitting in a courtroom fighting for his freedom, the Courant ran the above photo today along with an editorial calling for Perez to "step aside".

To read the entire editorial, click here

Today's editorial was a far cry from their editorial endorsement for Perez's re-election in 2007. The big question is what has changed between now and then. Other than the arrests actually taking place, most of the accusations and information was pretty much known in 2007.

Apparently the editors at the Courant have seen the light. In describing Perez today, they claim he suffers from a "Superman complex" and is a Mayor who "doesn't delegate well". No breaking new there. The only difference is that in the past he suffered from a "Napoleon complex" , now he has risen to the level of the Man of Steel and is suffering from a "Superman complex".

Better late than never I guess.

A BIG U.P.S. OOPS !

A Hartford family received an unexpected package delivery from UPS today.

The family and the address shall remain nameless for the time being.

Apparently after opening the package they discovered roughly 10 pounds of marijuana, from what police sources are telling me. Police sources do not believe the family opening the package was the intended recipient and they are investigating.

What can "Brown" do for you? I guess the possibilities are endless.

More details when I can provide them.

COUNTDOWN TO THE END, HELPFUL TIPS FOR LOYAL MEMBERS OF THE PEREZ ADMINISTRATION

As these helpful tips come to mind or as people point them out to me, I'll try to post them here.

DAILY TIPS FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 7, 2010

1. To all members of the Perez Management team, as you are aware, we are most likely facing a $60 million dollar plus "budget gap" for this year. Please don't order any business cards or stationary, they will not be of any use after July 1, 2010 or thereabouts when Mayor Segarra begins cleaning house.

2. If you are an overpaid member of the "Perez Leadership Team" who has been given the unconditional use of a luxury SUV, now is the time to begin car shopping. The gravy train is about to jump the tracks.

3. Don't make any travel plans at the City's expense after July 1, 2010. Those lovely trips to Orlando should be cancelled.

4. Attend a resume writing workshop to update that resume. It is a tough job market out there for "former" political cronies and you'll need all the help you can muster to land a job that pays anywhere close to what you've been getting on the taxpayers backs.

5. To former "media" people who had jumped on the Perez bandwagon, I think your credibility has been shot. You might want to look into Public Access, there may be an opening there before long.

These are a start for today, more helpful hints to follow.

ANOTHER ROSIE APPEAL IN THE MAKING

As you may recall, on February, 23, 2010 the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission proposed a final decision against the City of Hartford and Corporation Counsel John Rose for FOI Act violations. Read the February entry and read the decision here

As Rosie seems to never accept outside decisions, he has submitted a brief to the FOI Commission telling them why they are wrong. The full FOI Commission is scheduled to hear and vote on the decision next Wednesday , April 14, 2010 at 2:00PM.

Rosie's "Memorandum of Law" is attached below, but it sounds like more grasping at straws to me. I'm sure, if nothing else it is laying the basis for an appeal to Superior Court by Rose at the taxpayers expense.

The first argument is that Rose is claiming that I made my complaint against him as Corporation Counsel and the decision was against him as the Corporation Counsel. Now if you can follow this reasoning, Rose seems to be making the claim that the complaint and the decision should have been against the "Office of the Corporation Counsel" and not the Corporation Counsel. I know, it sounds desperate, but that is Rosie. File paperwork after paperwork, and appeal after appeal, its not his money.

If you are still following any of this nonsense, in page 2 Rosie claims that there were never any complaint of wrongdoing by "the Office of the Corporation Counsel" but rather against him as "Corporation Counsel".

I won't go through this entire waste of paper and time, you can read it for yourself.

But after you read it, ask yourself, with a legal "mind" like this, is it any wonder Hartford can't win a case in court?


Rose FOI Brief 4-5-10

ISN'T IT TIME FOR EDDIE PEREZ TO RESIGN?

Now that the beginning of the Perez corruption trial is imminent, can he really function as Mayor?

According to the Hartford Courant:

Perez has maintained that he can participate fully in his defense and also govern effectively, and repeated that belief in a brief interview last week. He said that no mayor runs a city alone and that he'll count on staff and the city council to do their jobs and help him do his.

"I'm very confident everyone is on point and I'm going to continue to do the job to the best of my ability," he said. "There's a great team here and the team gets the work done."

I am quite frankly tired of hearing about the "Perez Management Team". Most of this "management team" wouldn't be qualified to run a McDonald's restaurant if they were judged by their performance at City Hall. Most people in the private sector would be terminated immediately if they ran up a $60 million "budget gap" or overestimated their revenues as the Perez "management team" has for this fiscal year.

Most "management teams" in the private sector would be shown the door if they "forbid" a member of the Board of Directors from speaking with a Department head as Susan McMullen just did to Dr. Deutsch.

But putting all that aside, we as voters in Hartford elected a Mayor. We did not elect a "management team". We deserve, and we should demand, a Mayor that can focus on the business of Hartford. Hartford is headed into most likely the toughest budget period it has ever seen.

Hartford can not afford being led by an absent Mayor because he is in residence in a criminal courtroom. I have felt from day one of the Perez arrests that he should have resigned. Eddie Perez is a dark cloud over the City of Hartford and continues to bring embarrassment, shame and skepticism over Hartford's future every day he remains in office.

Is Eddie just prolonging the inevitable for his own personal gain or does he really care about the City? Many feel that Perez's exit from City Hall is only weeks away, being brought on by a conviction as a result of his criminal trial. That is several weeks that could be used by "Mayor" Segarra for righting the sinking ship that Perez has captained like Captain Queeg for the last nine years.

ARENA LOSES !!!!!! HARTFORD...I MEAN HOLLOWAY WINS

Well, after the court battles, State Central interventions and the recounts, the only thing missing in Hartford's Democratic Town Committee Chairpersons race was an exorcist.

The recount ordered by Democratic State Central was held tonight and by one vote, Jean Holloway won the seat. A couple of people that supported Arena the first time around switched over to Holloway and vice versa. Most observers agree that the deciding "vote" was actually no vote at all. Hector Robles, the 6th District State Representative and town committee member actually abstained when the vote was called.

His vote, if cast for Arena, would have tied the vote, essentially leaving the race where it was when Ramon Arroyo cast his second vote, resulting in the ordered re-vote.

Now it is time to see what Jean is able to do with the position. She has been rather silent since the night of the first election. I tend to say what is on my mind, and Jean knows that and she also reads the blog regularly.

The nonsense that has nearly driven Hartford over the edge into political irrelevance needs to stop. People wheeling and dealing for what is best for them rather than what is best for Hartford needs to come to a stop immediately. Holloway needs to set a tone and set it fast.

The days of cronyism and nepotism need to end. The days of people thinking they deserve a nomination strictly because of who they are or who they know needs to end. Rather, political office holders need to be asked " what have you done to make Hartford a better place ?"

Jean, as Town Chair, will have a tough call to make in the next year as the nominations for Mayor start coming in. Since her boss on the Council is expected to run, who will she support?

Today was definitely a bad day for the Perez regime as he lost in court before Judge Dewey in the morning and he was essentially neutered politically in the evening. Can the end for politics as usual in Hartford be far off?

It all depends on Jean's leadership from this point on for the next two years. She hasn't received the best advice in her short and shaky start as Town Chair. Hopefully from this point on, she will feel more confident now that her position is official.

Will Hartford's destiny continue in the direction it is, and has been, going for the last 9 years, or will a new breed of leaders have the fortitude to step up and do what is right for the people of Hartford rather than what is right for themselves?

ON A TIGHT LEASH AT CITY HALL

So much for that openness and transparency we keep hearing so much about in the Perez Administration.Apparently Perez's Chief of Staff Susan McMullen prefers to micromanage all details right down to conversations between acting Department heads and Council people.

From the attached e-mail between McMullen and Councilperson Deutsch, Dr .Deutsch was requesting a conversation between himself and Kevin Burnham, the acting Director of Public Works.

Dr. Deutsch had scheduled an appointment with Burnham until McMullen intervened and apparently cancelled the meeting.

In the e-mail Deutsch asked "are you forbidding him from attending this meeting?", McMullen replied that it was "important that I be present at the meeting". I guess that is the only way of ensuring that the Council is kept in the dark and doesn't come away from the conversation with any more of the truth than Perez wants them to get.

Maybe it is time to start the pool to bet on when this regime is shown the door out of City Hall. I say 10-12 weeks.

Mcmullen Deutsch E-mail