I first met Chief Huertas several years ago , and whether you agree with me of not, I found him to be an honorable man willing to stand his ground.
At the time Hartford Police were experiencing staffing issues and Huertas was on the road as a District Chief for HFD. A medical aid call had been dispatched , I believe it was a shooting after a robbery. Huertas and the Fire crew dispatched responded quickly but they couldn't enter the shooting scene until HPD was dispatched and determined the scene was safe. Knowing that the victim was laying only a few hundred feet away from help, yet HFD was helpless to potentially save the life of a victim who may be bleeding to death
Huertas repeatedly called the Police dispatcher asking for a cop so they could enter the scene .Several times he was told no officer was available. Huertas finally told the dispatcher that he didn't care what they had to do, get mutual aid from another Police Department or request a Trooper to respond, but he needed a cop, and he needed them now.
Somehow , once Huertas reached his frustration level, he made sure the right thing was done, a police officer was found to respond and most likely the victim's life was saved. Later that evening I found Chief Huertas at the former Fire Headquarters building on Pearl Street and thanked him for what he did and for standing up for a Hartford resident and potentially saving the victims life by standing his ground.
He was surprised that anyone was even aware what he had did, but that left an impression with me that Huertas wasn't into the image games, but was willing to do what was right when it was needed.
I thought it was important to tell that story to emphasize why I think Chief Huertas has integrity and character.
Now once again I am calling on Chief Huertas to do the right thing and set an example by doing what he knows is right when he is pushed to his frustration level. I have heard all of the stories of how Terry Waller was promoted to Deputy Chief. As the story has been retold to me by numerous people, Former Chief Casares was called into the office of at the time Acting COO SKB and asked right out "you are going to make Terry a Deputy Chief, right ?" to which Casares apparently replied "NO". That sealed Casares's fate and he was forced into retirement almost immediately.
Then comes along Casares replacement, Chief Huertas. According to numerous sources familiar with HFD and Chief Huertas, the Chief was told that his appointment was contingent on his Assistant Chief choice. Chief Shapiro, who was more than competent as Acting Assistant Chief, was returned back to the streets of Hartford as a District Chief and Waller ascended to his throne , apparently courtesy of SKB.
Now apparently the fix is in courtesy of a corrupt administration led by Mayor Caviar and his rack of lamb crew. Surprise, surprise Terry Waller is the only capable, qualified candidate. No testing, no training assessment, not even management experience requirements. Terry is the guy because he is Sandy's guy.
It is demoralizing for anyone who wishes to move up through the ranks based on merit and not based upon sleeping with a political hack. I know that is a crude assessment, but it is the reality.
Chief Huertas, we all know how the game is played. The choice is now yours. Play the game and potentially endanger the lives of the men and women you have worked with all your career, or say hell no to the little Gigolo and stand up for what you know is the right choice. If they force you out you can at least leave with your head held right , knowing you did what is right for the men and women of the Hartford Fire Department and the people of Hartford.
No job is worth selling your soul, especially to this group. Although I doubt that they have the guts to force you out if you do the right thing. The Hartford Courant is now digging into this, and if the calls I'm getting are on the mark, calls are being made to numerous outside agencies requesting a full review of how the Caviar crew are using the City of Hartford for their own game. I think it is hard to get the attention of the US Attorney's Office, but when you do...watch out.
When it comes to low hanging fruit of corruption, it doesn't get much easier than Hartford City Hall.
Chief Huertas do what you know is right and stand your ground, for your own reputation and the legacy of your time as the Chief of HFD and for your fellow firefighters. Read some of the comments... we will have your back and support you for doing the right thing
To read the Courant's article ,click here
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25 comments:
Kevin,
How is it that you have so many of these stories days or sometimes weeks before the "real" media.(Is the Courant considered real media these days) Is that what we are supposed to rely on now for our news? So called reporters that know how to read blogs and steal the stories for themselves, by the way with no credit to you, even though they fully know that is where they are getting the stories from? sounds sleazy , but as long as you keep digging we will know how dirty our City is.
Anonymous 7:57PM,
The goal of this blog has always been to get information and let people know what is going on with City government, the good the bad and the ugly. The blog does that . Even though I am now getting a few thousand hits a day the reality is that when the Courant or TV stations grab a story, many more people see it and the word spreads, that is all I can hope for, the more people that see these stories, the better it is. It would be nice if they would be fair and attribute the story to where they found it, but then again would you admit that you were stealing from Walmart everyday and hope to maintain your credibility
Kevin, what a nice comment(s) you wrote about C/Huertas, very nice. I'm hoping and praying that C/Huertas does the right thing for the department. Having Terry Waller as A/Chief reminds me of the days when Dobson was there, notice I didn't say Chief...calling a person" Chief" is earned and respected by fellow department members, and Dobson by all means was not respected by anyone in the Fire Department, morale was at it's lowest when he was on board, but, it took awhile to get Dobson out, and it took a year or so to build up the morale at the Fire Dept. The same thing is going to happen if Terry gets the position, moral will be down again, and there will be no respect towards him, why ...because he didn't earn it, and doesn't deserve it ! Also if they are working it out that it should be a requirement for the A/Chief to live in Hartford, then what about his house in East Windsor? Every A/Chief that I could think of did not live in Hartford, so, why now ? Terry..take a hint.."YOU" are not wanted.
Chief Huertas, do the right thing and if the two scumbsgs try and fire you,, remember there is Whistle Blower Protection.
You told me that Saundra was presuring you to make Terry Asst Chief, shortly after he was made Deputy Chief. I will say the same thing I said back then; "do what's right for your Department" , do not let them pressure you. You responded; I'm not, he's not ready, he was just made Deputy".
Now I could be wrong but wasn't he out of work for months after making a critical decision to drive Saundra's car without authorization, so where did this experience come from, managing the couch? I am certain as an Assistant Chief he will be forced with critical decisions almost daily, if the crash car decision is indicative of his decision making, not only is Hartford screwed, so will you be and the Hartford firefighters and Hartford Residents endangered.
Stop the insanity,do not give in, stick to your values, remain an honorable man with dignity and character!
Shame on you Saundra, Caviar and most of all the check and balance, asleep at the wheel Council President.
Consult an Attorney, use the media and expose these scumbags.
"DO THE RIGHT THING"
Kevin, a open letter to Charlie to do the right thing and not accept Terry as your #2 man, don't hold your breath. Pedro told Charlie, to become Chief of Department you have to pick Terry as your Assistant Chief. Charlie sold his sole to the devil when he went along with it so I don't understand what your expecting of him now. Besides, do you really think Charlie has any say as to who he prefers for this position. One of the reasons Shapiro came back on the line is because Charlie and Terry didn't speak to each other or to him. Charlie micro manages and has to check with Pedro before he could do anything. Terry walked around like a politician / used car salesman, shaking hands and kissing babies trying to sell himself to anyone who didn't know any better. The latest saying in the fire houses is that the Fire Department is a welfare to work program for city residents. Of the last handful of classes they put on, you can only count on a few of the firefighters to back you up in a fire or any other call which is even remotely dangerous. Most of them are unfit with know it all attitudes and ego problems who don't want to do anything work related but talk on their cell phones and watch TV. Now, take that and add a "chip on your shoulder - militant hate whitey" mindset and you now have what the Hartford Fire Department has become. The department / city hires unqualified individuals, does basically nothing regarding their alcohol & drug abuse (once on the job). Allows individuals to be late for Roll Call and AWOL, and does nothing to correct it. In the end, the officer gets verbally degraded and transferred but the problem child gets promoted.....kind of like ahhh...Biffle. Not picking on Henry, but he is a prime example. The citizens of Hartford, the commuters who pass thru Hartford and the people who work in Hartford have no clue how lucky they are. If some major incident were to happen in the city, the outcome would not be pretty. Fortunately, Hartford has been blessed. I really don't expect much of anything to change in terms of moving in the right direction.
I remember when Charlie would stand up and the right thing that you reiterated in your story. Everyone used to think of him as a decent person, but things have changed drastically. He is nowhere near the man he once was, flying off the handle for apparent reasons and doing whatever the corrupt politicians of this city tell him to do no matter how wrong and despicable. He has lost the trust and respect of the rank and file along with his backbone. He has a chance to redeem himself by standing up for what is right by telling Segarra, Borges and Waller to pound sand. If they try to discipline him for it, he will have every honorable person support him and most likely bring the attention to the abusive corruption that has plagued Hartford for far too long. It is Charlie's choice to become a hero or remain a coward. I don't believe he has the backbone or anything left of his integrity to make the right decision but I hope he does.
Huertas, Segarra, Waller and Borges are affirmative action parasites that are ruining the city. If they were on fire I'm sure the rank and file of HFD would extinguish them with their own urine.
SAUNDRA KEE BORGES: DID YOU REMOVE A LIEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,629.30 THAT WAS ON A PROPERTY IN PARK ST.? THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY IS...... YOUR FIANCE TERRY WALLER. IS THIS A COINCIDENCE OR WHAT?
definately coincidence. sorry, clerical error sounds better. no, blame the waiter who charged for Pedro's caviar, he deleted that $50k charge, but he did charge for the caviar
kevin i didnt know you were on the fire dept now. how long have you worked with chief waller? yet u think you have the right to speak on behalf of us? Just beacuse dan nolan or tommy dalton tell you something doesnt make it true...you should reall start thinking for yourself
anonymous 6:02pm,
clearly you haven't read the previous comments. There is not a lot of respect or confidence for Terry Waller. I stand by everything I say and I don't hide behind Anonymous. The process was wrong, the Mayor knows it, Chief Huertas knows it and hopefully someone will step up and do the right thing
why don't YOU ask firefighters anywhere in the city what they think about Waller; ask those who know him, ask those who worked with him. No need to check with Pedro and/or Saundra. Don't forget to post your comments. Anonymously or not.
6:02pm, you call Waller W H A T ? CHIEF Waller? no way Jose.
anonymous 6:25 pm,
should we say Vinny
Why not subpoena her to testify? We want to know the truth.
Anonymous 7:14PM
I don't have subpoena power yet, but maybe we can find an agency that does to ask the tough questions
6:20, I am on the job and I am not the only one who feels chief waller has put in the work to get where he's at. I don't need brookman speaking on my behalf. He is not on the job. he should stick to spreading crap about people that isn't even true. ..As for the previous comments...The same people write on this blog all the time so that must represent the entire fire dept... so you stick by your comments.....that is what Dalton or nolan told you to do right
There're lots and lots of tough question to ask mayor caviar, SKB, Waller, Deller, Charlie O., Wooden - all of them, lots of questions!
Now listen up buttercups .. It is a done deal. The ink is dry. The ceremony will be grand and even brockman is invited to attend....
Done Deal , love to hear that when it relates to Segarra, actually translates to Dead on Arrival as we have seen
I agree so much with Kevin's statement. Honor and respect is certainly more valuable than titles. Chief Huertas and all administrators should always do the right thing. The promotion of candidates that have shown to be incompetent or have place at risk the well being of citizens should not be allowed. Some people just want to escalate out of greed and they will create a corrupt working atmosphere. A bad apple can do a lot of harm to a good team of working people. If Huertas gets fired for doing the right thing I am sure he will be backed up by a community that not only admires his commitment but also respects him for what he is, the best Fire Chief of Hartford.
Look in the mirror of Terry Waller, he can have an over protective Saundra K. B. , lots of money and properties but he has no morals, no peace, and no respect from his community and colleagues. He had sold his soul for money and greed. An individual can't serve God and the Devil at the same time.
Kevin, if you get a chance, pick up the latest book that came out, the Former Chief Stewart had it written....interesting reading..City Hall was corrupt even back then...and I'm getting the idea that C/Stewart was a racist too...not only was he into himself, but he also believed he did so much for the City...
Former Fire Chief John B. Stewart thought he was a God in the black community. He was so in love with himself that when they rebuild Engine 14 / Ladder 4 (the crack house) he insisted the city name it after him, including a plaque on the wall with bust of himself on it. Normally you wait until a person has died before you honer them by naming or renaming a building or street after them, but Johnnie boy couldn't wait. He used to drive around the city and when he saw a group of unemployed social misfits hanging around on the street corner he would yell to them to go apply to the fire department because they look like they would be good firefighters. He also would frequent the homeless shelters to recruit potential firefighters. When you went before him for "disciplinary action" he would go on and on rambling about absolutely nothing relevant and then finish up the meeting by asking you if you needed any new gear. I know several firefighters who used to get in trouble on purpose just to receive replacement / new gear because the then Chiefs Aide Rudy Sococcia was too cheap to pass out new gear that wasn't costing him a dime! Maybe there was a reason that former Chief of Department Eddie Casares threatened to kill him and the mayor, back in his heroin addict days? Like the saying goes, "you lead by example".
to 4:34, we worked under the guy, and he was worst, all he thought about was running for City Manager, he could care less about any of the fire fighters, and the employees that worked in headquarters, I agree with you that, normally they wait until a person passes on to name a building or a street after, and to a person that deserves it, yes he would recruit idiots off the street, just like he did when he recuited Dobson out of Philly, he had no idea what this guy was about, and we got stuck with this idiot....ghee I wonder if some of the former chiefs will write another book, telling the truth about the fire department, and him. can't wait !
Kevin, Do you remember when about 18 yrs ago a bunch of firefighters got in some hot water for receiving "Mail order degrees",,,submitting them to the city for an additional 5% in their checks..?? The City Council ,along with the public, DEMANDED "ANSWERS AND A REFUND" There was one BIG problem,,,STEWART WAS ON THE COUNCIL AND RECEIVED ONE OF THOSE "MAIL ORDER" DEGREES!!!!! Do you remember what happened???? NOTHING!!!!! OLD JOKES ARE STILL RELEVANT TODAY !!!
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