GET OFF THE STREETS OR PAY UP

 The City of Hartford  has declared a snow emergency parking ban for the City of Hartford, beginning at 12:01am on January 24 ending at 11:59pm on January 24, 2015. As it is Saturday, all Hartford Public Schools will be closed and lots will be available for parking.  Currently, there is not a parking ban on Sunday, January 25. Winterfest Hartford in Bushnell Park will remain open.

The snow could be anywhere from 4 to 7 inches in Hartford along with freezing rain  Residents are encouraged  to check on their neighbors whenever possible. Shelters will remain open for 24 hours as long as the temperatures are below freezing.”

During a snow emergency parking ban, all on-street parking is prohibited throughout the City of Hartford. Any vehicles not removed from City streets by the start of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed. Residents without access to off-street parking should move their vehicles to one of the following authorized parking areas before the start of the parking ban:

•       Morgan Street Garage

•       2 Holcomb Street Lot

•       Keney Park Entrance Lot—Ridgefield Street

•       KDA Center Lot—Naugatuck Street

•       Pope Park Center Lot—Park Terrace

•       Metzner Center Lot—Franklin Avenue

•       Colt Park Lot—Wawarme Avenue

•       Elizabeth Park Lots

•       All Hartford Schools Parking Lots beginning today at 3:00pm

Residents should remove their vehicles from the lots promptly following the end of the parking ban. Residents whose vehicles are towed during the parking ban should contact the Hartford Police Department at (860) 757-4000. The cost for retrieving a towed vehicle is $93.59. An additional $99.00 ticket will be issued which owners are responsible for paying before the answer date. Please visit http://www.hartford.gov/snow-parking for a list of snow emergency parking locations, and for information regarding towed vehicles.

Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 211. As long as the temperatures are below 25 degrees, the following shelters will be open 24 hours:

•       McKinney Shelter: 34 Huyshope Ave, (860) 722-6922

•       Immaculate Conception Shelter: 560 Park St, (860) 724-4823

•       South Park Inn: 75 Main St, (860) 724-0071

KEEPING THE HFD PIO BUSY

I'm pretty sure he would prefer to be busy putting out the good news at the Hartford Fire Dept. but lately that seems somewhat rare. The new PIO, Lt Raul Ortiz has his hands full

This rather abrupt statement was emailed a few minutes ago

As of today, January 23, 2015 4:30pm,  Firefighter Cinque Scott is no longer employed with the Hartford Fire Department.

 

For more on Scott's termination, click here

CIRCUS FIRE PHOTO DESTRUCTION STORY GOES NATIONAL

The story of Hartford Fire Captain William Pond destroying historic Circus Fire photos has made the big time, The story appeared on NBC.com late this afternoon. To view the story on NBC's national network page , click here.

Making Hartford Proud.

IT IS ALMOST THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN, ST,PATRICKS DAY FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY

The 44th Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Parade will be Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Come down  early and get your seat! The parade begins at Capitol Avenue by the State Capitol, takes a left on Main Street, a left on Asylum, a left on Ford Street, and then ends by the Memorial Arch. The parade is held rain or shine.
In addition  the Parade will again be broadcast live on FOX CT WTIC-TV beginning at 11:30 a.m. The parade coverage will rebroadcast on St. Patrick’s Day at noon on WCCT-TV.

1/25/2015

 HARTFORD PARADE COMMITTEE FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY

Time:

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Donation:

$25.00

Location:

Polish National Home 60 Charter Oak Avenue

Details:

The Hartford Parade Committee will be honoring Tim Sullivan as Town Marshal and Jimmy Cosgrove as Town Honoree. Join us for an afternoon of music, food and laughter as we honor Tim and Jimmy.  We will have some terrific raffles prizes for you to win.

I THINK WE HAVE A PROBLEM

The following press release came in this morning from the Hartford Fire Department:

On January 23, 2015 at 1:30 this morning, The Hartford Fire Department received notification from the Connecticut State Police Troop E in Montville that Firefighter Cinque Scott was arrested on charges of Failure to Drive Right, Operating under a Suspended License and Driving under the Influence. 

Firefighter Scott has been a member of the Hartford Fire Department since 2000 and at the time of this incident, was on Administrative Leave with Pay. 

Effective immediately, Firefighter Scott has been placed on Administrative Leave with No-Pay pending further investigation.

There seems to be a pattern of alcohol and drug abuse within the Hartford Fire Department that needs to be addressed and dealt with. I am not sure if their EAP (Employee Assistance Program ) is operational, but it needs to be looked at so that people in a high stress occupation can turn somewhere for help other than alcohol or drugs.


I am also wondering what type of follow up is done to make sure employees have a valid drivers license. According to the release , Scott's license was under suspension at the time of his arrest. Anyone driving a City vehicle or potentially operating a City vehicle in any department should have the validity of their license checked regularly. Just imagine the liability to the City of someone crashing a Fire Truck or DPW Vehicle without a license.


You might recall a few years ago when the driver for Mayor Perez was found to have a suspended license , I believe after an accident with the Mayor's City car . At the time no one had checked his license.


It just seems sad that a respected organization is being embarrassed regularly now by the poor decision making of its members and reflecting on all when it is in reality a very few that need to be addressed At least it keeps their PIO busy

 

 

TODAY'S PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH DAN LOVALLO

 

 

GO TO CT TALKING WITH DAN LOVALLO AND HEAR THE PODCAST HERE

The interview is about ten minutes long but we covered a lot of territory, the McGeee viral posting, what I thought would be an appropriate penalty for McGee, how the blog started, the Perez corruption Trial and the Registrar of voters controversy and appropriate remedies.

NBC CONNECTICUT'S VERSION OF THE CIRCUS FIRE STORY

Click here for NBC Connecticut

WHO IS LUKE BRONIN?

Watch Hartford Mayoral candidate Luke Bronin on "Face the State"
 this Sunday at 11:00am on Channel 3

This Sunday at 11AM on WFSB Channel 3

 

Registrars, Taxes and Bathrooms

Guests:   State Senator Bob Duff (D) Senate Majority Leader

                   State Senator Rob Kane (R) Deputy Senate Minority Leader

 

The race for Hartford Mayor

Guest:  Luke Bronin (D) mayoral candidate

 

Flashback:    Demolition of historic YMCA

              Acrchive film from 1974

CHIEF HUERTAS RESPONDS TO CIRCUS FIRE PHOTO DESTRUCTION. WARNING - SENSITIVE PHOTO BELOW, USE DISCRETION WHEN VIEWING

WARNING-SENSITIVE PHOTO BELOW, USE DISCRETION VIEWING

The Day the Clowns Cried, the Hartford Circus Fire

FROM CHIEF HUERTAS:

Hartford  Fire Chief Carlos Huertas today responded to my posting from yesterday regarding the destruction of photos from  the Hartford Circus Fire.
***********************************************************************************
HUERTAS STATEMENT BELOW
***********************************************************************************
Soon to be retired Captain William Pond exercised poor judgment in removing photos from the quarters of Engine Co. 14. He has demonstrated a lack of professionalism in his decision to take matters in to his own hands and circumvented the process put forth to better handle the situation. The photos removed were found to be copies and have no intrinsic value. However, I will be taking the necessary actions to ensure the situation continues to be investigated in its entirety.****END OF STATEMENT*****


Below is apparently one of the photos in question, This is a morgue photo that was used to eventually identify the deceased victim known as little Miss 1565. This photo apparently drove Hartford Fire LT. Davey to persevere for years to continue to investigate the Circus fire and eventually identify Little Miss 1565 as Eleanor Cook. Her body, after being identified, was eventually exhumed from its grave at Northwoods Cemetery in Hartford and reunited with her family at their plot in Longmeadow , MA

Pond announced his retirement, his last day is tomorrow.

The picture below is apparently what has started the uproar. I apologize for posting it but I think it is important to put this matter in perspective

 

Alittle more about Lt Rick Davey and his quest for the truth, from a Newweek article:

 

For 47 years she was known as "Little Miss 1565." On July 6, 1944, as 7,000 people in Hartford, Conn., watched the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform, the Big Top burst into flames. When the inferno subsided, its cause was a mystery and 168 people were dead, including an 8-year-old child lying unclaimed in the morgue with a toe tag numbered 1565.

Haunted by a morgue photograph, Lt. Rick Davey, 42, investigator for the Hartford Fire Department, decided to find out who she was. Beginning in 1982, he studied files and interviewed old-timers. He publicly identified her last month as Eleanor Cook.

If Davey could solve that mystery, what about the fire itself? At the time, the police concluded that a dropped cigarette, probably igniting the tent, caused the fire. But Davey found witnesses who said the flames started high on the tent wall. Davey even tracked down a possible arsonist: a 14-year-old circus worker. Davey's suspect, now 61 and living in Ohio, denies setting the circus fire, He later served time for arson elsewhere, which he allegedly confessed to committing after "frustrating" sexual experiences. Connecticut officials are reviewing the case to determine whether it was arson or an accident. Says Davey: "These [fire victims], even in death, have a right to expect that the truth be known."

The Circus fire always had an interest to me . At the time I was born at Saint Francis, many years after the fire, my mothers roommate was a surviving victim of the Circus Fire also giving birth at the time. My mother and Barbara stayed in touch and  became friends .Coincidentally my father and her husband eventually became employed at the old Hartford Gas Company. I remember at a young age going to their beach house one summer and noticing the scars on her body, arm and legs and chest, and my mother explained to me the devastating effects and the story of the Circus Fire and that those were burn scars covering her body . Apparently her mother and sister were also trapped in the tent and burned , fortunately all 3 survived I didn't realize the damage at the time, but as an adult I can only imagine the pain and agony they went through as well as the terror trying to escape that tent  My grandmothers cousin, Michael Godfrey was also Hartford's Police Chief at the time and I remember photos of him from various reports with the burning tent and devastation as a backdrop behind him, not to mention the pictures of the limo style sedan he was chauffeured in by his police driver. Times have changed.

THE ENGINE 14 EXORCISMS

HARTFORD CIRCUS FIRE

 

 

Rally, I don't make this stuff up.

The e-mail below was sent by Captain William Pond of the Hartford Fire Department to Chief Huertas. Apparently Pond took exception  with several framed pictures of a victim of the Hartford Circus fire Eleanor Cook, known as Little Miss 1565 for years.

The best-known victim of the circus fire was a young blonde girl wearing a white dress. She is known only as "Little Miss 1565", named after the number assigned to her body at the city's makeshift morgue. Oddly well preserved even after her death, her face has become arguably the most familiar image of the fire.

Her true identity has been a topic of debate and frustration in the Hartford area since the fire occurred. She was buried without a name in Hartford's Northwood cemetery, where a victims' memorial also stands. Two police investigators, Sergeant's. Thomas Barber and Edward Lowe, photographed her and took fingerprints, footprints, and dental charts. Despite massive publicity and repeated displays of the famous photograph in nationwide magazines, she was never claimed. Barber and Lowe spent the rest of their lives trying to identify her. They decorated her grave with flowers each Christmas, Memorial Day, and July 6.^. After their deaths, a local flower company continued to decorate the grave. In 1991, the body was declared to be that of Eleanor Emily Cook, despite the fact that her aunt and uncle had examined the body and it did not fit the description they provided. The Connecticut State Police forensics unit compared hair samples and determined they were probably from the same person. The body was exhumed in 1991 and buried next to her brother, Edward, who had also died in the fire. Apparently Captain Pond took exception with photos  that were supposed to be used after the fire to identify victims, the photos had been posted inside engine 14 for their historic value since the house had been built. The historic value of the pictures is indisputable.

Despite the historic value, Pond for some reason felt he needed to destroy the pictures to bring peace to Cook's soul. According to his e-mail he took the pictures home and burned the pictures in his fireplace as he prayed for the "poor girls" soul. It is unknown as to what authority Pond felt he had to destroy property of the Hartford Fire Department, property of such historic value. This needs to be investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken immediately.

Pictures or property of such a historic value that are destroyed   have removed a part of Hartford's history that can never be replaced. This is inexcusable and probably criminal as well

THE E-MAIL



From: "Pond, William"
Date:01/15/2015 8:25 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: "Huertas, Carlos M."
Subject:

Chief Huertas
I received your voice mail and will respond to it in writing. When originally assigned to engine 14 in the summer of 1990 I objected to the naked deceased pictures of Eleanor Cook displayed in the hallway. I objected verbally to every house Captain through my career where my efforts proved fruitless. My first order of business as house Captain was to remove them from display.
I was afraid after retirement they would be placed back on the wall where this poor girls soul would never rest. I removed them today and at my home prayed for peace for Eleanor and burned them in my fireplace. I hope you understand and also the Cook family had no knowledge that there loved one was publicly displayed in this horrific manor.
Respectfully Submitted
William Pond

Portions of this posting obtained through Wikipedia

WALLER AGAIN

The Hartford Courant ran a story this morning detailing the latest complaint against the Hartford Fire Department  and former acting Assistant Chief Terry Waller. The complaint was made by Captain Luis Ocasio who apparently felt his career was being threatened by Waller if he didn't lie at a hearing before the Connecticut Department of Health to cover for another firefighter .

You can read the Courant story here

Here is Captain Ocasio's complaint below

ocasio

GOING VIRAL

That is how the Springfield Republican has described the story of the Connecticut Legislator parking illegally in a handicap space. In a story posted tonight they described that as the response on their website masslive.com , you can view that story and related video here.

Although I am pretty sure that Representative Mcgee is not happy with the attention. I hope at the very least it has brought attention to the illegal practice of using handicap spaces for a quick convenience for able bodied drivers.

And I loved this line from the article  "A state lawmaker was left with egg on his face – or possibly jelly from a doughnut – after he was caught parking his Beamer in a handicapped parking spot at a Hartford Dunkin' Donuts on Friday."

EXPANDING MY HORIZONS, AND THANK YOU

Last week I posted an entry entitled "Whaddaya know" and it has turned out to be well worthwhile. To those of you who provided information and tips, a sincere Thank you. The parts of the puzzle are coming together.


This morning I received a phone call that I should be in the Hartford Federal Courthouse for 11:00am. No further details. Needless to say, I was at the Federal Courthouse at 11:00am.
I felt a little odd when I approached the Federal Marshal at the metal detector and he asked where I was going. My response surprised him I am sure. "I don't know where I am going, I got a call to be here at 11:00am. I gave him a couple more details as to why and for who I thought I was there and was pointed to a courtroom.. Luckily I wore new socks because they made me take my shoes off also to make it through the metal detector. And no cell phones allowed, leave it in the car


The expected event didn't happen as planned, but apparently lawyers and the US Attorney sometimes work out deals for their clients to surrender, so be patient.I would love to elaborate on the reason for being there , but that will come soon. Be patient.


While I was sitting there in the gallery with NBC Connecticut's Max Reiss, we watched the arraignment of the Finance Director from the Town of Plymouth. Again, not much on details, more procedural than anything else. After the court recessed, The US Attorney handling the case came over to us and introduced himself. I was a little surprised when he asked "Aren't you Kevin Brookman?"  When I answered yes, he replied "I read your blog occasionally" Who doesn't?


He then handed myself and Max the arrest warrant, or whatever the terminology is in FED talk, indictment maybe?


Later when I read it, I thought heads should be rolling today in Plymouth. How does the Finance Director of a little town write almost a million dollars in checks to himself and no one notices. One of the checks was reportedly for $300.000. No one noticed? Who monitors their budget?


The really interesting part to me though was the FBI Agents explanation of how the case began. There apparently was no complaint from the town of Plymouth. The investigation began based on Media reports.


If that is the case and the US Attorney had just told me he reads the blog, the FBI must be crawling all over Hartford City Hall by now. If it works for Plymouth, I am sure it can work for Hartford.. If you ever wondered how to blow a million dollars, read on

Plymouth Finance Arrest0001

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, REMEMBERING WHY YOU HAVE TODAY OFF

DO COPS HAVE RIGHTS ALSO?

As the debate continues to record every action a Police Officer makes with body cams and dash cams, what measures are being taken to protect the Officer's rights, as well as those of the community.

The video below is a perfect example. Does the officer have a reasonable expectation of privacy while in his cruiser as long as his actions are legal, or should every police officer now plan on showing up on you-tube at some point during his or her career embarrassing themselves on a dash cam video.

And where is the right to privacy line drawn? Is a police officer on his  meal break in his cruiser fair game for public humiliation if he is having a discussion with his wife or partner about their sex life caught on video?

Should these videos be released if they don't involve elements of a crime or a civilian complaint, no matter how funny they are, without the officer's permission?

Imagine what can be recorded on body cameras. Bathroom breaks, phone calls, personal conversations

And I do have a sense of humor , the video is hilarious.

DON'T DENT MY SHINY BMW

Add caption

Dunkin Donuts, Capitol Avenue 1:47PM Friday

 

UPDATE: MONDAY1/19/2015

to follow more about this and watch the video be sure to check out NBC CONNECTICUT on Facebook.com and read the over 600 comments

 

One of my pet peeves are people that  abuse Handicap parking spaces. It is even worse when it appears that it is a state legislator, proudly displaying his legislative plate. I am told that the same vehicle apparently as stopped recently at an HPD checkpoint while talking on his cell phone.

I guess if you are elected to make the laws  you aren't expected to obey them also.

And no, there was no handicap tag hanging in the vehicle

Legislative plates are assigned to Representatives and Senators numerically by the number of the district they represent

DOES ANYONE THINK?

I have been watching all the commentary about the anger that our French Ambassador was the highest ranking American Diplomat in Paris last weekend. Whether you like President Obama, or not, is that a climate we want to send our president or Vice president into. What was the final body count of victims and hostages killed by terrorists in Paris? These were vicious terrorists intent on achieving their goal at any cost and going out as martyrs to their cause. And is there anyone with half a brain that thinks that to terrorists there is any greater achievement than the President of the United States of America? Anyone that even thought about encouraging that trip ought to be under psychiatric  treatment about now

THE REGISTRAR INQUIRY REPORT, VAZQUEZ AND ASSISTANT REFUSE TO TESTIFY

The report is complete on the Registrar of voters mess. Click on the link below to read it. the following foot note is an interesting note . The two Democrats most responsible for the mess refused to testify. Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.) The Council should be taking immediate steps to remove them both. They clearly have no desire to fix the problem or to protect the voters rights to make sure this doesn't happen again. And why would Garey Coleman be directly overseeing an election involving his brother. Does anyone understand conflicts of interest? Only two persons who were asked to interview with counsel before the hearings failed or refused to do so, Olga Vazquez and Garey Coleman (the Democratic Deputy Registrar). 2The December 22 and 23, 2014 hearing transcripts are Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to this Report. 3Joseph Wilkerson’s position as deputy Democratic Head Moderator is also known as a “spare” Democratic moderator. Wilkerson had responsibility for overseeing the absentee ballot counting throughout November 4 and therefore was also known as the “central counting moderator.” (Tr. 12/23/14 at 155.)    READ THE FULL REPORT HERE .

 More thoughts on this later this weekend.

t

WHADDAYA KNOW?

Much of what is or has been  exposed here on this blog and  information developed is based on your tips. I need your help.

Several of your e-mails recently, as well as comments here on the blog have provided details regarding the possibility of a Federal Investigation into Hartford City Hall and even quite possibly one or two Federal Grand Juries underway. The details already received are being researched and much has been verified, FOI requests have been submitted but any details pointing myself and others in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I can be contacted by e-mail or cell. Much of what has been developed so far has been from tips that people thought were small or insignificant but once we began chasing the tips down and talking to people the bigger picture is becoming clear

The existence of Federal or State grand juries normally aren't public, until charges start being lodged.

If you have any information you would like to share in complete confidence by e-mail or cell phone, please feel free to contact me

This posting is not meant to confirm the existence of a Federal Grand Jury into Hartford City Hall but is an attempt to gather additional information

Thanks

THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT

The following comment was submitted today I have been asked this question  so frequently over the past year, I figured it was time to post it as a response

Kevin, you give your heart and soul into the City, why have you not mentioned about running for Mayor, I think you would do a great job for the City, you certainly wouldn't put up with any of it's B.S, so why not?
Let me start off with a somewhat arrogant answer, I know I could do a much better job than our so called current "leaders" I think I can honestly say that I have brought  about more policy change than anyone currently on the Council or in the Mayor's Office. P Cards, City Vehicle use, I have exposed improper actions of several Department heads resulting in their resignations or terminations.

I have a backbone and I know what I stand for and I am not afraid to stand by my beliefs. Any City employee that felt it was appropriate to steal from the taxpayers through misuse of a City Credit card or abuse of City resources would be gone as soon as it was verified. Caviar dinnerspai on a City credit card would not result in paying back  and all is forgiven, it would result in termination and expulsion from your City Hall Office, and hopefully a criminal prosecution.

Incompetence or improper behavior by any Department Head would not result in  City Hall babysitting  services, it would result in a guide map to the closest City Hall exit and the location to pick up your final paycheck.

With that being said though, I also want to make it clear  that Hartford City Government is a system operated and run by human beings with human frailties. Many of those frail people have had large amounts of taxpayer money invested in them for training and other purposes I wouldn't be as quick as our current Mayor to write them  off for the expediency of the 60 second  sound bite on the 6 o'clock  news , especially when they might be some of the City's more productive employees. with the reputation our current Mayor has, he needs to try to look like the tough guy who is actually doing something, using those sounds bites.

I would think a Mayor worth his weight would show his leadership everyday through his actions and not need all the media and public relations stunts to prop himself up. A Mayor who values his residents and its neighborhoods wouldn't need a Police detail to protect him as he moves around the City. The Police protection would be on the streets where it is needed in the neighborhoods that suffer from the crime problems every  day, not as the designated driver for a Mayor out partying

We need a Mayor that is not afraid of the truth and is not afraid to stand up to it . We need someone that understands what accountability means and also understands that he owes that accountability to the people that elected him and the only way to operate an efficient government is to make  it understood that the new standard is that you will be held accountable. You are given a great opportunity as a City employee , with a good salary, great benefits and as a City employee, you are in much better shape than many of the people paying your salary. And as a City , we will demand your best in return, every day.

If you are unable to do that , please don't prolong the inevitable, start your new job search now.

As Mayor, I would also have a difficult time dealing with reactionary people , including the City Council. Where is the vision?  Hartford can't survive by only being prepared to react to issues. How about thinking ahead or maybe exercising some degree of management expertise to avoid problems? The Council was quick to react to the Registrar of Voters mess, including their media comments. Can any one of them say they never knew there was a problem with incompetence in the Registrars Office ? Did anyone of them talk to our Legislative delegation to talk about a statute change for the Registrars Office  as the voters indicated they wanted by their vote for Charter Change over a year ago?

As much as I appreciate your comments, I am not convinced that Hartford has reached the boiling  point where they are serious about change and turning this City around, and electing a Mayor and Council that will take their positions seriously and forget the political grandstanding  and making every decision based upon ensuring their e-election in 4 years as I think they do now

 Until we forget the political posturing and start doing things based upon sound management  methods and accountability Hartford will not change. We can not survive more of the same old same old, We also need a media that is more willing to hold the Administration accountable.

At last weeks dog and pony show to announce violent crime was down, no one asked Mayorr Segarra about sustainability( even though the reductions are in line with national trends and no great plan by Segarra). How does Segarra plan on keeping the numbers down when the number of Officers at HPD is at least 100 less than it was at this time last year with no visible light at the end of the tunnel for hiring. It sounds good that crime is down, but we also don't hire cops on a weeks notice because we run an ad in the paper. It requires vision , leadership and planning. I a not complaining, I want to see our city safer. I think the world of Chief Rovella and his efforts, but he can only do so much without the proper support

In closing, the short answer to your question is, yes, I have thought about running for Mayor. Yes , numerous people have contacted me asking  me to consider it and  as I stated initially, I am arrogant enough to say I know in my heart I could do a better job than what we have now, I also know that I am not presumptuous enough to think anyone can walk in and run a half a billion dollar a year corporation. That would require  putting together a superstar team to get the job done. A team that would not be afraid to tell me or anyone else when they disagreed or thought there was a better way to get things done, unlike our past two administrations.

Nothing would make me prouder than  to end every day telling myself I made a difference in our City and improved the life of someone that calls Hartford Home. Not gauging my performance on how many trips I could make to Boston or New York to pick up nonsense awards that did nothing to make Hartford a better  place.

I think I have  good idea what Hartford needs and how to get there. The secret for the next Mayor is in convincing five or six thousand people to believe it also.

THE WALLER RESIGNATION LETTER

I will be taking up a collection to buy TerryWaller a mirror. I think he needs to look into it and read his resignation letter and ask "why". Why were his duties curtailed and his responsibilities cut. Look into the mirror and repeat Terry, "because I am incompetent" "Sandy can not save me" .

In the meantime, Chief Huertas' testosterone shots seem to be kicking in, possibly because the puppetmasters strings have been cut

Waller Resignation

FINALLY, THERE IS HOPE FOR HARTFORD

 

 

Hartford can not survive another four years under Pedro Segarra. The missteps, the corruption and mismanagement are taking their toll more and more everyday. There is no accountability at City Hall and I am not even sure that Segarra  has a grasp on how City Government is supposed to function..Many of the Department head positions, which are supposed to be filled by Segarra are or have remained vacant for extended periods of time .Public Works and Finance are two examples

The light at the end of the tunnel became visible today when Luke Bronin announced his candidacy for Mayor of Hartford. Luke, until recently was the Chief Advisor to Governor Malloy for Malloy's first term. Much more on Bronin and his plans for a new direction for government and accountability in Hartford soon.

Read more on Bronin's announcement here.

Segarra was apparently unable to comment as he is conducting interviews to fill patronage positions for Hartford Democratic Town Committee members and the children of any State Representative available for sale.

WALLER OUT AS ASSISTANT CHIEF

Sources are confirming that Acting Assistant Fire Chief Terry Waller is being demoted back to District Chief effective Sunday. This move is apparently being made after a fallout yesterday between Waller  and Fire Chief Carlos Huertas. Shortly thereafter  an e-mail was distributed Department wide that as of Sunday Waller is no longer assigned to the Chief's Office.

Waller is also the boyfriend/ fiancee'/ significant other of outgoing Corporation Counsel/Puppet master Saundra Kee-Borges

More on this later today

DON'T LOOK UP

It is never a good idea to stare up at a surveillance camera if you are allegedly thinking about robbing a bank.

Windsor Police are apparently looking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual in the photo above. If you have any knowledge of his identity, p[lease call Windsor Police at 860-688-5273.

If you are thinking about making this a career, it might be a good idea to invest in a ski mask or at least pull it over your face instead of posing for the selfie for Windsor PD and the FBI.

 When you eventually get out that is.

 Does your mother know you snuck out of the house?

THE CITY HALL CANDY SHOP IS OPEN

It is and always has been inevitable, but this year promises to be worse than usual. Any incumbent running for re-election usually has an advantage. The power of their office allows and offers them perks that they can use to benefit their campaign. This is especially true when that incumbent knows that they are on shaky ground.

Apparently Mayor Segarra is using the power of incumbency to his benefit.

According to City Hall sources, Segarra has recently hired the daughter of a Hartford State Representative to work in his office.  According to other sources, the hiring came with a deal to shore up Segarra's support in the State Reps home district where both she and her husband are members of the Districts Democratic Town Committee.

The source also detailed the hiring of a female acquaintance  (girlfriend) of a Councilperson for a City Hall position. I am awaiting their employment information pursuant to an FOI request to see what procedures were followed  and whether it was a competitive process. Somehow I think I already know the answer.

It is a promising sign though that Segarra has to take  steps  like this , knowing that his endorsement is far from a done deal according to Democratic Town Committee members I have spoken with. Normally the incumbent is pretty much assured the nomination, apparently not in this case though.

I will continue to update the latest new hires in the Candy Store as election time gets closer, including the names and affiliations once the employment applications are received through FOI.

THIS SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO SLEEP EASIER TONIGHT

Wednesday: MAYOR SEGARRA attends GovERNOR Malloy Inaugural Events

— MEDIA ADVISORY—

(January 6, 2015) Tomorrow, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra will attend events throughout the day in honor of Governor Malloy’s second inauguration, including the parade, swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural ball in Hartford.

---
WHO: Mayor Segarra
WHAT: Governor Malloy’s inaugural parade
WHEN: Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Trinity Street and Jewell Street

WHO: Mayor Segarra
WHAT: Governor Malloy’s swearing-in ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: State Armory, 360 Broad Street

WHO: Mayor Segarra
WHAT: Governor Malloy’s inaugural ball.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Doors open at 6:00pm.
WHERE: Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd.

A SAD ANNIVERSARY

 

 

Even after 11 years the memories don't seem to fade. I Guess having the memories is a good thing, but it doesn't get easier.

This past Sunday would have been my father's 85th birthday. Today, January 6th is the 11th anniversary of his death after a battle with cancer. He wanted so bad to make it through Christmas and his Birthday that year. Why I'm not sure, but he definitely did it with dignity and courage. It was also important to make it to his 50th Wedding Anniversary with my mother and he did that also.

His final birthday was held at Hartford Hospital in his room and we were all well aware that the end was coming anytime . But I don't want to get too deep, but when the priest came in to give my father the last rights, he said "ths is what death is about, it should be a celebration of life"  His room was full of our friends and family, and like any of our family gatherings there was plenty of food also. That's back when we were a Family , before all of the nonsense.

Having the family support made the next several days bearable and I know it was improtant for my mother. She has held up very well and carried on over the years without her best friend and partner  of over 50 years by her side. Her true strength has shown through and she has done so much to give hear a sense of purpose in life without my father to be with her. 

She has done so much from volunteering for the Red Cross to knitting booties and hats for preemie babies at the NICU at Hartford Hospital.Every Wednesday is a do not disturb day with her. That is her day set aside to drive several of her neighbors to the local senior center to get them out of their homes for an afternoon of lunch and board games. She loves it and they rely on her as the capable driver to transport them. I'm glad she still is capable of getting around on her own.

My dad was never a politician or an elected officail, probably a good thing, but I think about him when I have improtant decisions to make and ask myself "what would Dad do?" You too mom, but I can just call you.

At times like this when you have time to think, I think you realize the importance of family and being able to spend time with your parents and family. We probably don't think about it enough when we are younger and busy but as more time passes, it becomes important.

Happy birthday Dad, and I know Mom will be  calling shortly giving me hell for making her cry after reading this posting

TEAM SEGARRA: BUYING AN ELECTION ON A DEFICIT

 

 

It's called politics. It's the power of incumbency, and if you don't have much of a track record, you need to create one.

It explains much of the work that started for the Segarra Administration over eighteen months ago. Segarra didn't have much to hang his hat on and I think he knew he needed something substantial to hang his hat on. Hell, the last major economic development project for the City of Hartford was the Walmart Plaza under Mayor Mike.  After almost 6 years in Office, Segarra's lackluster performance wasn't going to cut it and his successes were few and far between. The scandals were beginning to outnumber anything positive coming out of his media office.

Apparently somewhere along the line, someone cooked up the idea of stealing a minor league baseball franchise from New Britain. What's the saying, "the best laid plans of mice and men". I guess the mice won out on this one, and it looks like that is where the brain power planning it came from. The planning was poor and the result showed it. Many residents didn't buy into the Rockcats plan. There was strong opposition that has made what should have been the Segarra legacy and a key to his re-election an anchor that threatens to dislodge  his election hopes.

The result of the plan appears to be a huge mistrust of Segarra felt by many as well as serious questions related to his leadership, vision and planning skills. The legality of many of the meetings called to approve the project have been challenged in court and are being forced to be rescheduled in accordance with the law. Those meetings are now being held with different outcomes and explanations as to the scope of the project. As an example the retail is apparently out with the exception of the Rock Cats apparel store and a Café has reportedly been replaced by foodcarts

All things work out for the best.

But for anyone watching this election, it should be clear that every vote matters and Pedro Segarra is more than willing to buy every vote he can at the taxpayers expense.

There is a new word in the vocabulary of City of Hartford workers. It is "Mayor's Day". No, not a day to honor any great work by the Mayor, but rather their latest series of floating holidays that have materialized in time for the next election. Just in time for Segarra's re-election announcement, all City employees were given at least two "Mayor's Days". Most employees apparently used their "Mayor's Day's" to take off the Friday's after Christmas and New years as a paid day off for a long Holiday Weekend . Rather than let City Employees use a vacation day or a day off that they already have banked, Segarra has now granted an additional 2 day off benefit to certain City Employees. (Actually 3 days since he also sent them all home early on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve)

I doubt it will end there though, can the Police and Firefighters and probably dispatchers also be far behind in demanding their equal benefits from the City? I would imagine they would prevail since what is good for one is good for all. Maybe instead of Mayor's Days we should be calling them their Musketeers' benefit. And what about the Board of Ed? They were already on vacation for the holiday but many of them vote , shouldn't we allow Segarra to firm up their votes also with a couple thousand "Mayor's Days"? He'd be a shoe in at that point.

Where does the Mayor draw the authority to grant such unnegotiated benefits? What's the final cost and how does a City that is broke justify throwing money around like this. Especially since there are very few City employees complaining about their benefits packages. And lets be realistic, the Mayors office is won by a few thousand votes. If you start off by gaining a couple thousand votes on your side by "gifting" a few hundred dollars in "Mayor's Day" gift card coupons, that base comes in handy.

I got an interesting call from a City Hall insider this morning. (Maribel, don't bothering scouring the phone records to identify the source, it wasn't a City phone) The source said that as of this morning, the Police Academy class that has been stalled for months is now back on the front burner again and being rushed in for hopefully sometime in February. The reason being that Segarra and his staff have suddenly realized the timeline necessary to get a Police Class graduating in time for election season photo opportunities. And what politician doesn't realize the benefit of claiming they are putting more cops on the streets, whether it is true or not

We should probably plan on a lot more of this happening as Segarra tries to use the taxpayers who don't appear too supportive of his reelection to fund his campaign anyway. The crowd didn't look too large yesterday for his announcement at City Hall. I would have expected much more from an incumbent Mayor.


 

WHERE IS THE RESIGNATION?

I guess if history teaches us anything, rules just don't apply to anyone interested in occupying the Mayor's Office in Hartford. Anything goes and rules mean nothing. Perez, Segarra and now possibly Cruz

We will see if rules matter to the latest wannabee to jump into the Mayor's ring. Hartford Councilman Joel Cruz has apparently made his intention known that he is running for Mayor of Hartford. Why I am not sure, I am not sure what his qualifications are to manage a half a billion dollar budget or even what he has really done during his un-elected time on the Council, or even what his management skills are. Cruz was never elected but was appointed to fill the remaining term of former Councilman Cotto, who didn't complete his elected term. For Cruz though, this is America though, and everyone has the right to run.

A couple of things  might need to be addressed though. First off would be that pesky State statute that affects minority party representation. That is why the entire Hartford City  Council isn't made up of Democrat's. The Council can only be made up of a maximum of 2/3rds of the Majority Party and since there is essentially no Republican Party left in Hartford, the minority role has fallen to the Working Families Party.

Councilman Cruz currently serves as a Working Families Party member Councilman and is the Council's Minority leader. Cruz has announced his intention to switch his party affiliation  to Democrat to ensure him a shot at the Mayor's Office. That starts the problem. By making these announcements the clock starts ticking on numerous election law deadlines.

Cruz would most likely not be able to change his affiliation to Democrat and stay as a minority member of the Hartford City Council serving under WFP. That would pose a potential un-balance of the minority representation law  under Connecticut State Law.

It is going to be an interesting election season as the posturing begins, but the laws do matter and should be properly enforced