WHO ACTUALLY WON THE DTC CHAIRPERSON RACE ?

According to people supporting the Holloway Slate last night, Democratic State Central rules were clear and stated the following:

Section 19: Tie vote

A. For Towns of Five-Thousand (5,000) or More Population Under the Last Federal Census

In the event that a vote taken on selection of a party endorsed candidate results in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved by the vote of the Chair of the Town Committee, but this provision shall not affect his or her right to cast any vote as a member of the Town Committee in the first place.

The wording of that seems pretty clear. The problem arises though in where that clause is found in the State Central Party Rules. The only spot I could find that wording was in the section entitled:

ARTICLE VIII:
RULES GOVERNING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN TOWNS NOT HAVING LOCAL PARTY RULES

Read that heading again, "in towns NOT having local party rules". The problem is that Hartford does have local party rules, so the tie-breaking clause would seem to not apply. There were plenty of lawyers in that room last night, but if that is what they were relying on for the win, I'm not sure it applies.

As of this afternoon, Sean Arena has apparently filed a dispute with the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee and according to their party rules it will be handles as follows:

Article V:
FINAL COMMITTEE TO RESOLVE ENDORSEMENT DISPUTE

A. Any dispute concerning endorsements for any office, or for delegate or for town committee
member or officer, and any dispute concerning the interpretation and effect of party rules and procedures must first be referred to the State Central Committee members in the applicable district for local resolution. In order to expedite any such disputes, State Central members may seek legal opinions from Counsel for State Central. If the parties involved cannot bring about a resolution to their differences within seven business days, then the issue may be referred to the State Party Chairman in writing asking that the issue be resolved through a Dispute Resolution Committee. If the dispute is brought before a Dispute Resolution Committee, the issuing of a previous legal opinion by State Central Counsel concerning the dispute shall not prohibit said Counsel from advising the Dispute Resolution Committee.

B. A Dispute Resolution Committee shall be composed of no less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members of the State Central Committee, appointed by the chairperson thereof, none of whom shall be represent the district or districts concerned. The decision of the committee shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties.

C. The committee shall be appointed no later than five (5) business days after the Democratic Party Chair receives a written request for the resolution of a dispute pursuant to this article. The committee shall set a time and place for a hearing of said dispute within five (5) business days of its appointment. The parties to the dispute shall receive notice at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing unless exigent circumstances warrant less notice. The Committee shall issue its decision within three (3) days of the close of the hearing, and a written copy of such decision shall be filed with the State Central Committee, and provided to each party to the dispute. However, when exigent circumstances arise, the State Chairman shall have the authority to modify these requirements.

I guess we will have to see where this ends up.

Only in Hartford.

TO READ THE ENTIRE CONNECTICUT DEMOCRATS PARTY RULES, CLICK HERE

THE T-SHIRTS ARE IN

A limited quantity of the "Wanted" t-shirts are in, if you are interested in one, e-mail me or call me.

They are available in large and x-large, white with black lettering

DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE RESULTS ; HOLLOWAY IS IN, ARENA IS OUT

In a major blow to Mayor Eddie Perez's power, the democratic Town Committee election results are in and Sean Arena is out.

Up until the last few days, most observers considered it a tight race between current Town Chairperson Sean Arena and challenger Bruce Rubenstein. In the final hours, 5th District Town Committee person Jean Holloway threw her name into the race for consideration.

It would be easy to rehash the pro's and con's of the candidates, but it is late and it has been a long day. Suffice it to say that there were a lot of opposing viewpoints and not everyone left the function room at City Hall happy.

It might be a long stretch to ask this of the Hartford political personalities, but if you really care about Hartford, please show it. As the tide of power continues to turn, it can no longer be Eddie's fault. Eddie's days are numbered and his power continues to erode more each day.

The blame will soon be directed towards those of us that have been handed a huge opportunity for change if we choose not to do with it what the people of Hartford expect. This was not a battle that was waged over the last couple days in preparation for tonight's vote.

This has been an effort that began years ago as people began to realize that the city we care about was veering off in the wrong direction. A direction that wasn't about what was best for Hartford and its residents, but rather a direction that favored a select few.

We were going down a path where corruption and cronyism and payoffs were the first order of business, and the needs of the residents came second.

Jean Holloway and her new Executive Committee have been chosen and have been handed a huge opportunity. What they choose to do with it will be determined by history and can go either way. As a city on the brink, we can choose more business as usual and continue down the Perez path.

Knowing Jean and her passion for Hartford and its people, I expect to see a move for unity. Unity by those on the Town Committee that truly want to be part of Hartford's solution without any self serving interests. Unity by those in the neighborhoods that will be hopefully called to action to become part of the process for change. Unity by those that are willing to be mentored and nurtured to become Hartford's leaders of the future.

The choice is ours and hopefully we will step forward, forget the ego's, forget the personalities and work together to accomplish the difficult tasks in front of us as a city and as a unified team.

I saw enough nastiness in that Function Room tonight to last a lifetime. It's time for change, will we step up to the challenge?

WHAT'S GOING ON AT CAPITOL PREP?

In the previous post I raised the issue as to the delays in the opening of the newly renovated Capitol Prep school.

As I'm sure most of the regular readers here are well aware, getting information out of the Adamowski Administration or the Perez Administration usually involves a fight.

If you have any information, please feel free to post it or e-mail me.

STUDENTS STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES

It seems that we have a generation of adults in Hartford that have a problem with doing the right thing. If the students at Hartford's Capitol Preparatory Magnet School are any indication though, there is hope for Hartford on the horizon.

Apparently students at the school are fed up with a lack of response to their questions asked regarding a move to their new school. Sources have confirmed that the school is essentially complete with the exception of landscaping and minor cosmetic details inside the building.

Many people, both adults and young people, were observed walking in and out of the newly renovated "Capitol Prep" (the former Barnard Brown School)on Main Street. No one was wearing hardhats, as would be the OSHA requirement,if the school was still a "construction zone".

There are still many questions as to the reason for the delay for the students to move into the school. I will dig into this and try to get the answers to some of the questions being raised by students and parents at Capitol Prep. In the meantime, students I spoke with feel deprived of high school memories from spending their senior year in a temporary home shared with Capitol Community College at 960 Main Street.

I'll post more on this as I get answers to questions, but in the meantime parents and students are suspicious of the reasons that the move has not taken place yet.

In the end though, it was very encouraging seeing Hartford's next generation of potential leaders standing up and speaking for themselves in an orderly and productive manner.

ANOTHER HOMICIDE IN PEREZ'S "SAFE CITY"

The City of Hartford has just recorded its latest murder.

This less than 24 hours after Mayor Eddie Perez spouted his latest rhetoric that "violent crime is down" in his "State of the City" address last night.

The latest victim was shot in broad daylight at the beginning of rush hour on one of Hartford's busiest streets, at the intersection of Albany Avenue and Oakland Terrace.

The victim was pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital at 4:37PM.

I've lost track as to whether this is homicide number 9 or 10 and HPD's statistics haven't been updated since February 20th. I can understand why though, I'm sure Eddie Perez doesn't want the information getting out that homicides are now up almost 300% for the year.

GOOD NEWS... IT'S NOT ONLY HARTFORD THAT IS POLITICALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL

One of my regular readers e-mailed me today with a link to another blog similar to "We the People " that covers issues in another Connecticut city.

I now feel better that we aren't the only messed up Connecticut city, if that should make anyone feel better.

If you check out the link, I could probably cut and paste the entire article and only substitute the name Hartford when the other town is mentioned.

I think the only difference is their Mayor hasn't been arrested.Oh, and they broadcast their Town Committee elections for everyone to watch, that could be fun!

Take a look at the second posting (as of today) "Did the Democratic Town Committee primary really solve anything?"

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST

IS SEAN ARENA RUNNING OR RUNNING SCARED?

According to Hartford Democratic Town Committee bylaws, The Town Chairperson is required to call for a special meeting within two days after Town Committee elections. The meeting is required to be held within 10 days for the purpose of selecting a new Town Chair.

Hartford's Town Chair Sean Arena has not issued notice for that meeting, instead relying on a clause in the State Central bylaws that allows him to postpone that meeting for 30 days.

Confused? Welcome to the club.

Most political observers are telling me that the apparent reason for the delay is due to the fact that neither Sean Arena or his apparent challenger Bruce Rubenstein have the necessary 34 votes to lock up a win. The 30 days will most likely give Arena and his supporters the extra time for lobbying and arm twisting.

On top of that is another arrival on the Town Chairman hopefuls. One name that is being floated is 5th District Town Committee member Jean Holloway. Although Holloway (apparently no relation to the other Holloway's on the 7th District "non-profit" slate) hasn't confirmed her candidacy but others are telling me she is definitely in.

Other names are also being floated and include members from the 1st district.

I think one thing is clear though, if Arena had the votes, the meeting would have already been called. Bruce Rubenstein also claims to have the votes to win, but he has been around long enough to know that funny things can happen to people who give you their word.

In the meantime the city keeps running like a ship without a rudder.

A word of advice; forget the ego's, forget the personalities and for once start doing what is right for Hartford.

HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL BLINKS, CORPORATION COUNSEL COMES OUT SMELLING LIKE A ROSE

Many people thought that the Hartford City Council was actually stepping up to one of the challenges facing them, but in the end they adjourned with their tails between their legs.

With several resolutions on the agenda intended to investigate, curtail or question the Corporation Counsel, John Rose, not one word of discussion was uttered and the items were all postponed.

In the end, Rose, and several of his staff members who were in attendance, left secure in their positions. Although Attorney Rose has a hard time winning any cases outside the building, inside City Hall he still reigns supreme.

AND NOW... A GOOD LAUGH FOR A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Pictured above may be the forward momentum Sarah Barr speaks of as Eddie Perez leaves Hartford Superior Court after his second arrest


Here is the Press release sent out by the Mayor's mouthpiece , Sarah Barr regarding tomorrow nights "State of the City Address".

I hope maybe they can explain this "momentum" and "progress" they speak of. And who will maintain this progress when Eddie heads to the gray bar hotel?

For anyone with questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Barr on her cell, 860-550-3174. That number might work also if you have any issue and wish to contact Sarah when 311 fails you.


MILESTONES AND MOMENTUM ARE KEY THEMES AS

MAYOR PEREZ DELIVERS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS



---NEWS AND COMMUNITY ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, MARCH 8---



WHEN: Monday, March 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.



WHERE: City Council Chambers

2nd floor of City Hall

550 Main Street, Downtown Hartford



Mayor Eddie A. Perez will deliver his annual State of the City Address to members of City Council, this year focusing on maintaining the momentum for Hartford's progress despite difficult economic times. He will set forth a vision for the City's future that includes investments in the core issues of education, public safety, and economic development--- including job creation.



The primary emphasis of the Mayor's speech will be building on progress--- including the Arts Stimulus and school construction--- and taking that success to the next level to encompass our parks.





Note: The Mayor's speech will be carried live on Hartford Government Cable Access Channel 96 and will stream live on www.hartford.gov. An embargoed copy of the speech will be made available to credentialed media after 4:00 p.m. on Monday in the Communication's Office, Room 210, at Hartford City Hall. Members of the media can contact Sarah Barr, Director of Communications, at (860) 550-3174 (cell) for more information.

A NO POLITICS, NO CORRUPTION POSTING...JUST SOME IRISH HOSPITALITY

As the high holiday for many, even those that aren't Irish, approaches, I wanted to pass on part of an Irish tradition.

My grandmother used to always make her Irish Soda Bread, and not just at Saint Patrick's Day. The recipe has been passed down, and I have never tasted another version that compares. I know I'm biased, but there were at least two things I always looked forward to around St. Patrick's day and Lent. My grandmother's Irish bread and hot cross buns. My mother always did a good job also with baking the Irish bread and took up the baking duties when my grandmother couldn't.

The key to her recipe was cooking it in a cast-iron skillet I think. I've tried it in glass cookware and it never seems the same. And don't forget the butter to eat it with.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY AND DON'T FORGET THE PARADE NEXT WEEKEND IN DOWNTOWN HARTFORD

Here's her recipe:

THE RATIGAN AND DEVINE'S IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPE

3 Cups sifted flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup shortening
1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk
3 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking soda
2 tablespoons Caraway seeds
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Raisins

Bake for one hour at 350 degrees