IS THERE ANY INTEGRITY IN HARTFORD POLITICS? MORALES ADMITS GUILT

The City of Hartford's political system seems to be intent on keeping the Connecticut Elections Enforcement Commission(SEEC) busy.

Minnie Gonzalez ...guilty, Democratic Registrar Olga Vazquez...guilty, Deputy Democratic Registrar Garey Coleman...guilty.  Now another Hartford politico, Angel Morales, is adding his name to the list of those fined by the SEEC for political wrongdoing..

Morales, a convicted felon has not been successful in his attempts in the political arena, but none the less he keeps surfacing as he is embraced by several Hartford politicians.

Morales has recently been employed by the Senate Democrats at the Capitol. He apparently also works occasionally for the Democratic Registrars office.

The SEEC complaint against Morales goes back to the November 2011 election. The complaint alleged that Morales entered the polling place at the Learning Corridor on Vernon Street with at least 6 younger boys . Morales was not authorized to be in the polling place and refused to leave when asked by the Moderator, Carmen Cordero.

According to sources who were present at the time of the violation, Morales used the now familiar Hartford line "Do you know who I am" when he was asked to leave. Morales refused to leave the polling place and was eventually escorted out by a Security Guard.

In the consent decree , in which Morales admitted to his violations, the SEEC felt that Morales "did not show good faith" in the matter and fined him $200.00 for his violations to ensure Morales's compliance in the future.

Why can't Hartford's politicians just play by the rules? It is certain that they actually know the rules, but there seems to be a sense of entitlement that they can just do whatever they want. I think this is a large reason for chronic low voter turnout. Hartford's voters are reluctant to place their faith in a system that they know is corrupt and has no integrity.

How do both the Democratic Registrar and her Deputy have their jobs after admitting that they forged signatures on election petitions. In most towns there would have been an immediate outcry for their removal. Not in Hartford though, corruption is encouraged and actually rewarded with large salaries and the knowledge that there is no accountability for corrupt activity

Hartford's culture of blindness needs to change

Morales Seec Consent0001

GET THE DESIGNATED DRIVER READY

The eve of Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest bar nights of the year. So it is probably a good idea to find that designated driver before you head out tonight

From the Hartford Police:

The Hartford Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Enforcement Checkpoint on Wednesday , November 27, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., in the vicinity of 100 Wells Street, Hartford CT.

 

This checkpoint a part of the Hartford Police Department's ongoing expanded 2013-2014 DUI enforcement program supervised by the HPD's Traffic Division and funded through a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation DUI Enforcement Program: For more information click   http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2094&q=435934

 

 

 

 

WE DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER

MAYOR SEGARRA ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF

--- NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT---

(November 26, 2013) Today, Mayor Segarra announced two staffing appointments: Henry Burgos as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations and Kennard Ray as Deputy Chief of Staff. They begin work with the City on December 2.

 

Mr. Burgos, a Hartford native, joins the administration after serving as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Capital Community College. Burgos also served 10 years as the Principal Human Resources Specialist for the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, overseeing labor relations for the agency’s 4,000 employees. Burgos holds a Masters in Science from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated cum laude from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.

 

“Henry is an extremely qualified professional and public servant,” commented Mayor Segarra. “As we continue to improve our processes and procedures citywide, I look forward to working with Henry and his staff to develop a new approach to human resources management that positions the City to recruit and retain a talented, diverse workforce. Throughout our search, we talked to staff and identified a need to transform and modernize the department. Henry brings the skills and perspective necessary to help us realize that goal. ” 

 

Mr. Ray, also a Hartford native, joins the Mayor’s Office after serving as the Political and Legislative Director for the Connecticut Working Families Party, where he lead regional organizing efforts in support of public education, voter outreach and minimum wage increase. Mr. Ray will work with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff as a liaison to City Council, community organizations and residents. He will lead project management, policy development, and day-to-day community relations through the Office of Constituent Services.

 

A Deputy Chief of Staff? Can anyone point out to me where that position is in the Hartford City Charter as an authorized position in the Office of the Mayor?

 

But wait, it gets worse, much, much worse.

 

Kennard Ray is a convicted felon. And before all the comments start about "second Chances" I'm not saying a convicted felon for a "mistake" one time when he was young. I am talking about an extensive arrest record dating back to at least 1998 for gun charges, drug dealing, interfering with police and at least a few years served behind bars during his adult life.

 

We have enough problems with guns on our streets, never mind bringing those people committing the gun crimes into the Mayor's Office.

 

And how did this selection get through, does no one on the Mayor's Staff know how to use Google or even check his name in the Judicial website. Those in the Mayor's Office can't get out of their own way and this seems as another example of how they go out of their way to embarrass Mayor Segarra almost daily. Note to City Staff, : he does a fine job of embarrassing himself, he doesn't need your help.