KILLIAN INTERVIEW FROM CPBN

When I first started this blog, my main goal was to bring about change in Hartford. To a large degree, I think I have accomplished some of that. As part of that goal, I think a change in leadership is needed to bring about more of that needed change. Some of you may agree with me, some of you unfortunately may not, but regardless I am going to try to educate as many people as possible why I have made the choices I have made.

If you agree, hopefully you will learn why I think Bob Killian is the right choice for Hartford, and maybe you will learn something that will help affirm that choice or persuade you to consider changing your support to Bob from someone else, If you don't want to be educated, there is a red "X" in the upper right corner, click on that. In the meantime for those that want to be educated voters, please tolerate me and see if you agree me that Bob is the best choice for Hartford.

This is an interesting interview and mostly questions you will never hear at any debate, but I think it gives a little more insight into who Bob Killian really is. I do have to do something about that Yankee's support though.

 Media Lab interns at the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network interviewed Hartford Mayoral Candidates as a part of our (I)NTERVIEW series. Watch as these political candidates reveal personal tidbits about their favorite hobbies, their biggest inspirations, and their reason for wanting to become mayor.

I found the link to this video on Bob's website, killianformayor.com

Thanks again for your  indulgence


indulgence

ARREST WARRANT FOR PASTOR'S SHOOTING SUSPECT

The Hartford Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for last Sunday's double shooting, including the assault on a pastor.  Aaron Taylor, 12/17/89, of Windsor CT has an active arrest warrant for a shooting that occurred at 932 Capital Avenue on 05/24/2015. This incident was documented under HPD case number 15-15639. He is currently charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Assault in the First Degree. The warrant carries a 1.2 million dollar judge set bond. Use caution when dealing with Taylor as the firearm in this incident has NOT been recovered. Taylor operated a black Nissan Maxima in this incident although the marker plate is not known at this time. Taylor is also a suspect in other crimes. CT Inmate # 350467

Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to contact Law Enforcement

ARE YOU SERIOUS? HAS SEGARRA LOST HIS MIND OR JUST OUT OF TOUCH

That might be a harsh headline, but it is exactly what came to my mind Saturday morning. ( Actually , I wonder quite frequently if Pedro has lost his mind)

After a shooting on Barbour Strreet Saturday morning, Segarra was quick to arrive on the scene to begin comforting the neighborhood. What a leader, where did he find the time to take a training course on how leaders are supposed to act? And I think that is exactly what most people observing Segarra's behavior are thinking, it's an ACT. An election year act when he has realized that he is fading quickly and his job hopes as Mayor of Hartford are shrinking quicker than the support for his baseball endeavors.

I am convinced he has lost his mind , or at least his grasp on reality when I read a media quote attributed to our delusional Mayor:" Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, who was comforting the Barbour Street families, said the area is usually quiet.

Is there another Barbour Street in Hartford I am not familiar with?
Usually quiet? Someone might want to remind our poor Mayor that the crime scene tape had just barely been taken down from the previous homicide on Barbour Street The scene where a 23 year old man lost his life earlier in the week, where a vigil for him will be held at 4:00PM this afternoon.

Mayor Segarra, homicide vigils don't occur in neighborhoods that are "usually" quiet. And there have been far too many vigils on Barbour Street for it to be classified as "usually" quiet. There has been far too much gunfire  and crime on Barbour Street  for it  to be classified by anyone of sound mind as "usually " quiet

Mayor Segarra, if Barbour Street is your version of  "usually" quiet our City is most definitely doomed under your  so called "leadership" Oh and those residents you were busy comforting, honestly, how did they react when you told them their neighborhood was "usually" quiet? Did they openly laugh or did they wait until you left their "usually" quiet neighborhood?

And I noticed in the photograph of you "comforting " the neighbors in their "usually" quiet neighborhood, you were alone. It might be a good idea to have the bobblehead Council members pre-program Barbour Street in their GPS. Maybe they can then find it quickly to accompany  you on your next "leadership" tour after the next homicide or shooting in the "usually" quiet Barbour Street area. I doubt it is an area  that any of you regularly visit without the  camera opportunities.

Everything is good in Segarraland

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR A CHARTER CHANGE AGAIN

I think we need to change the Charter again in Hartford. Not a lot of changes, really just one. We need annual elections for Mayor and City Council. It just seems like so much more gets done and our elected officials are much more attentive in election years. Isn't it amazing how Mayor Segarra has suddenly come to life acting like a leader when he knows his job is on the line and his record of performance isn't too great

As I write this now Segarra is arriving at the latest shooting scene on Barbour Street. Now that almost sounds Mayoral, but is this the first shooting in almost six years for him to attend? Where has he been previously. I don't even recall him showing up at a scene when a police officer has been shot.

 But it goes back to my reason for Charter Change. Politicians become different people when they know their jobs are on the line.

For years now I have heard Hartford's plead with the Council at budget time for more Officers. I have heard him plead for more money and to try to stop the Council from cutting  spending for the Cadet program and the PAL program. Unfortunately that has fallen o n deaf Council ears year after year . PAL and the Cadet program are the first stage of HPD's minority recruitment plan. But, since it wasn't done in an election year, it doesn't matter, cut the budget.

It was almost funny if it wasn't so serious to the City. Yesterday, Segarra held a press conference in the atrium of City Hall after he emerged from his secret meeting. It was interesting to watch. I almost thought that someone had found the money to make life size bobble head dolls of Ken Kennedy, Kyle Anderson and Shawn Wooden. Every that was made by Segarra about hiring more cops, funding for overtime, Funding Community Policing programs, all those statement were met by the bobblehead bounce of support.

I am going to save that that video. When Chief Rovella goes before the Mayor and Council for the funding to accomplish those goals I may have to drag that video out to remind them of that day. But if an election day isn't in the immediate future they may quickly forget ,as if often the case it seems

Friday, Police Chief Rovella said he was down 70 to 90 police officers... Rovella has cautioned city leaders in recent years that the department is losing staff faster than it can replace them." Where were the boobleheads then, or do they only listen to the Police Chief in an election year? Are the bobbleheads finally realizing that proper police funding is important to the people of Hartford and maybe they should listen because it might just become a big election issue?

 Maybe annual elections would remind the next Mayor and the next group of potential bobbleheads that they have to come through on their promises. Leadership requires that you step up and be a leader everyday, not just every 3 and a half years, 6 months before the next election cycle begins. Leadership requires that you show compassion and care for your constituents the entire term, not just when an election is looming.

And finally, since Hartford's voters for some reason seem to have short memories, annual will keep the failings of our elected officials fresh in our minds as we decide who to support. They will no longer be able to rejuvenate their images as fresh for the next election. They will no longer to be able to write off the history of their lackluster terms. They will no longer be able to tout "but look what I have done lately".

We won't have to worry about our long term memory, it will be fresh in our minds with yearly elections

5th DISTRICT REP. MCGEE COMMENTS ON RECENT VIOLENCE

 

Dear Friends,

This has been a very trying time for this community in the wake of the extreme and unnecessary violence. I write to you still in shock over the events.

My heart weighs heavy with deep concern for the victims, their families and loved ones, and for all the young people growing up in fear in this atmosphere of hate and disregard for human life.

In the past two weeks, four people have died in shootings in Hartford and another was stabbed to death. As of yesterday, 12 homicides have occurred in the city, and random shootings have skyrocketed compared to last year. Earlier this week 2 drive-by shootings occurred around 6am Sunday morning. A pastor placing memorial flags in front of his church on Capitol Avenue and another man on Garden Street were both shot minutes apart.

It pains me to think of what these acts are teaching our young people. Children growing up in homes plagued by domestic violence and abuse often become abusers themselves. I hate to imagine anyone carrying forward and replaying these atrocities in the future.

I still believe the most violent neighborhoods have the potential to achieve peace with the proper support and programs for struggling youth that reduce their numbers entering the juvenile justice system. Making positive changes in neighborhoods prone to violence and supporting families remains a priority.

I have been working with many groups committed to transforming violent neighborhoods back into safe and thriving communities in spite of those individuals who spread terror and hate again and again.

All of us are committed to the common goal of stopping the cycle of violence and revitalizing urban neighborhoods for the future--but we are still losing young people to violence and families continue to flee those neighborhoods.

I will work with anyone committed to safer and healthier neighborhoods for all children and families. By joining together, we can increase our collective impact and have a bigger opportunity to achieve meaningful, positive social change. City and community leaders and neighborhood groups will be meeting to affirm our solidarity, discuss, and plan for action.

I ask you to join me in these efforts, to work together, and share your thoughts and ideas. I promise to keep you informed and communicate more about these meetings as they are scheduled in the hopes you can attend. Your participation is most necessary and appreciated.
 

Sincerely,

Brandon McGee

BOB KILLIAN'S THOUGHTS ON HARTFORD'S RECENT VIOLENCE

 The following was received from Mayoral Candidate Robert Killian:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/267085975/Killian

SECRET MEETINGS DON'T BUILD COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE

According to the Hartford Courant Editorial today, Mayor Segarra will today meet privately with "selected community members".

Bad idea Mayor .I know you are trying to look like a leader since you squandered five years of possible involvement, but not this  way. People, especially Hartford residents, need to have confidence in their leaders and secret meetings do not instill confidence. Yes, maybe you are doing something, but who will know?

I think you already know there is not a lot of trust and confidence in your administration and do you really think they are going to take your word for it?

And just for clarification , who are these "selected Community members" I notice the term "community leaders" wasn't used Are they your campaign supporters. I would imagine they aren't campaign donors, because if they were Hartford people, that seems like a very small group.

This is a conversation that needs to be held in the open , publicly. The public is who is being impacted most by this violence and they are the ones that need to be reassured. A room full of Segarra  supporters, patting the Mayor on the back, serves no one.  Pedro needs to hear the harsh reality of his failures, not the hand clapping of supporters waiting for the next grant check from the City

 People are dying. 

As one person familiar with the meeting today said "too little too late"

WHAT IS THE CORRECT NUMBER OF OFFICERS FOR HPD?

Here is a  report commissioned by the Hartford Police Department. Hopefully the report will answer some of the staffing questions for HPD such as what are the proper number of Officers that should be at HPD. It is very dry reading, but it is informative
Hartford Police Department Staffing and Deployment Analysis 3-02-201 (2)

THE FOLEY COMMENTS, THE OTHER SIDE "WE ABSOLUTELY NEED MORE COPS"

A mentor of mine has always tried to pound into my head that I owe it to the people I write about to contact them first before I post a story about them. I did that this afternoon, with some interesting results.

I read this mornings newspaper with an interesting story about Hartford's Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley and his apparent comments that "we don't need more cops in Hartford". I think I read that like most people asking ' You know we aren't talking about Hartford Vermont. Are you aware of what has gone on in Hartford, Connecticut the last few weeks?" I drove around all day stewing about how anyone in their right mind could make such a comment and what I was going to write as my next blog post

 Would the heading be " HPD DEPUTY CHIEF LOSES HIS MIND?"  To make the situation worse , a couple of HPD Officers I encountered during the day all asked me "What's up with your buddy Foley and the Courant article?"

Yes , it is no big secret Brian Foley is a friend of mine, it has been mentioned numerous times here in the comments. I knew I was headed to a showdown when I put my thoughts on the blog, so late this afternoon I called Brian with the "heads up" that he probably wasn't going to like my blog posting tonight. The immediate response was "You're not going to beat me up also are you" I guess it was a bad day for Brian

I offered to make our conversation off the record, but I had questions about his comments. He said no, let's talk on the record and clarify any questions I had. I know that sounds odd for friends going on and off the re3cord, but I like to be upfront about that . Former Chief Daryl Roberts and I always had an understanding like that. I knew what it meant if he talked to me as Daryl to Kevin and what it meant when he talked to me as Chief Roberts to Kevin. Luckily a few times I asked that before the conversation got rolling , just to be sure.

 The first point Brian made was to the headline attributed to him. Foley "Could we use more cops , absolutely" Foley also clarified that "We need more long term solutions, We do need to hire more cops" " Flooding the streets with cops is not a long term solution"  Foley seemed to make, or try to make the point in the article that we will soon be hearing the call from the community urging the State Police to come in to solve the crime problems. Chief Foley walked very gingerly on that thin ice. Both Brian's father and his sister are or were Connecticut State Troopers so he wanted to avoid anything that looked like a slam to the State Police.

 But I don't need to defend Brian on this one, we are in total agreement here. For some reason CSP has always been seen as the savior riding in on the white horse to solve Hartford's problems. It is a feel good thing and not a solution at all. For the State Police to come into Hartford, for some screwy reason , the Hartford Police Union has a clause in the contract that any Trooper coming into Hartford needs to be paired up with a Hartford Officer on overtime,. If the Governor is even asked to send in Troopers, I would hope that he says NO. Give the dollars that would be spent on Troopers directly to Hartford in the form of a grant  to only be used for a summer initiative  to put HPD Officers on the streets.

Another solution to involve the State Police as a resource is also simple By CT Statute, the State Police can patrol or go anywhere in the State of Connecticut  outside of their regular areas as long as they don't establish regular patrols. If the state Police should come into Hartford, let them do what we already know they are good with. Set up a traffic check point on a Friday or Saturday and do traffic inspections. Hartford is a small city and most things move by car.

At a traffic checkpoint I would almost guarantee that it would serve several purposes. It would calm Hartford's reckless driving mentality and force some adherence to Motor vehicle law and most likely it would find guns and drugs being transported around the City and many outstanding warrants.

The HPD Union may not like the idea, but we are talking lives here

If State money doesn't come with those strings attached, Segarra and company will find a way to suck it into the General Fund to plug another budget hole.

Chief Foley also seemed to make the comment that by putting more officers into poor and minority areas it disrupted those area with additional, or maybe excessive police action and arrest to disrupt the neighborhood. Although again Foley said that flooding an area with cops is not a long term solution. I asked Brian if he would agree that the execution of a 17  year old , shot through the head at the curb disrupts a neighborhood more than any Police presence ever could. He replied :"I would absolutely agree with you". (He was using absolutely quite a bit today).

I was glad that I took the advice of my mentor and contacted Brian. I was prepared for a much different conversation initially, but in the end I was much happier with the outcome and felt much more comfortable with Brian's comments.

 Just remember , there are always two sides to every story.

TIME TO ADDRESS A FEW COMMENTS

Just about eveey comment submitted gets posted on the blog with veery few exceptions. Sometimes comments are made that I don't agree with, but I guess it would be somewhat hypocritical to censor comments on a blog named "We the People". As the saying goes, I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.

But with that being said, sometimes I feel the need to address comments.

Anyone watching Hartford the last few weeks must realize that Hartford's crime problem is a mess, And before you start, I will be addressing Deputy Chief Foley's comments in the Courant shortly.

The comments I want to address are regarding Hartford's Shooting Task Force. Is it perfect, no.  Do I agree with everything, especiaslly their staffing and budget issues, no

The truth is that prior to their creation, there was nothing around like the Shooting Task Force. There were attemps, but such an effective group of law enforcement professionals had never been assembled to achieve the long term results of STF. The project was the brainchild of States Attorney's Office Chief Inspector James Rovella.The way it has been explained to me previously,during a spike in violent crime, not unlike what we are experiencing right now, Governor Malloy called a meeting with Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane . Malloy's instructions to Kane were simple, "Do something about the crime in Hartford". The similarities continue on at that point. Pedro Segarra was the Mayor at the time and then, as now, there was no plan to deal with the rash of violence.

I guess Segarra's plan was, as it appears now, if he didn't acknowledge the violence then it probably wasn't happening.  Chief States Attorney Kevin Kane hand picked his solution. He directed his Chief Inspector at the time, James Rovella to devise a solution. Rovella's plan was a multi agency task force devised of various State and local agencies to launch a mutli pronged approach to getting guns and violent offenders off Hartford's streets .

The Hartford Shooting Task Force was born under Rovella's guidance. It was comprised of a large contingent of HPD officers and detectives, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Depertment of Corrections, Connecticut Probation and Parole, FBI, ATF, Connecticut States Attorney's Inspectors and I think a State prosecutor was thrown in also for good luck in working the cases through the courts. A couple of local municipalities also sent officers, I think West Hartford, East Hartford, Werhersfield and probably a couple other towns were involved also.

The plan came together like clockwork. The results were almost instantaneous. The media were all begging to ride along and try to see how they did what they did. Nationwide, Hartford's Shooting Task Force was getting recognition, shootings were down and some very dangerous felons were taken not only off Hartford's Streets but streets throughout the region.

Since the inception of STF over 300 weapons of various sizes and numerous felons have been arrested and most likely many lives saved. Unfortunately, all good things must come to and end, or at least fade away. Since its inception , STF has been decimated over the years as the problem decreases  I guess Mayor Segarra doesn't see the need or understand the word "sustainability".

A true leader after having several homicides and high profile shootings would probably be calling the Governor asking him to recommit his resources to Hartford. That is , if he had that type of relationship with Governor Malloy where they could actually communicate and respectfully ask for assistance. It is not about egos or budgets, it is about Public Safety and saving lives.

Oh and most of those agencies I originally mentioned as being part of STF, most are gone except for a few from HPD a Sergeant from the Ct State Police, a very limited presence from CT Department of Corrections and possibly limited resources from Probation and Parole. Two more Hartford Detectives were pulled back last Sunday to fill vacancies in the HPD Major Crimes Division, one of them the only Spanish speaking detective assigned to STF from what I am told.

I understand the comments regarding large amounts of overtime for STF.  I also understand that those officers and detectives assigned to STF are hand picked and go through a rigorous interview process to get there. Their work ethic is also reviewed. You have to be producing results and be hard working to gain an assignment in STF. I understand that a lot of the comments probably come from Officers that might have been passed over for an STF assignment.

As we read  and see in the media everyday, we owe a sincere debt of gratitude  to every Hartford Police Officer that protects our city  day in and day out. With the danger that STF faces everyday dealing with these weapons, it is money well spent and with the training involved and the specialty of the information involved, I don't really think the OT money would be productive opened up to everyone. It is not like there isn't enough OT to go around with 15 patrol cars being filled with overtime officers last Friday night alone.

The OT comments seem like sour grapes  and I would welcome our Mayor acting like a leader and getting the commitment to beef up STF more to what Chief Rovella originally intended. All lives matter and the people of Hartford deserve that from our "so called" leaders, Governor Malloy included

OK SO WHAT'S THE PLAN MAYOR?

The Hartford Courant is reporting that shooting incidents are up over 33percent in Hartford this year. So now what the plan from our Mayor and Council and the City Hall brain trust. If the response is typical, it will be to cut police funding even more than they have over the last few years.

Friday night on the evening shift, 15 patrol cars were filled by officers on overtime, several of them sergeants. What does that do to the overtime budget? And are we getting the most effective policing when these officers have already worked 60 or 70 hours in the week already

Here is a link to the Courant's story

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SHOOTING IN HARTFORD

On 5/26/2015 at 0023 hours, a victim of gunfire walked into Hartford Hospital with a single non-life threatening gunshot wound to the right wrist/forearm area. Victim was positively identified as Rascell Leggett , born in 1986 of 160 Homestead Avenue in Hartford. Case is documented under HPD Case 15-15769. Leggett has a history of arrests to include firearms and drugs with HPD.  

Leggett stated he was walking north on Seymour Street near Park Street when a red, possibly a Ford Focus or Ford Fusion with NY plates pulled up to him, and after an exchange of words, the passenger fired three shots at him striking him in the wrist. There was no shot spotter activation to confirm Leggett’s accounts. Leggett refused to cooperate any further.  

However, Shot spotter activation was confirmed at 101 Atwood Street around the same time Leggett reported he was shot. Leggett is known to frequent the area around Atwood Street and it is likely that he was shot on Atwood Street and not Seymour Street. Two shell casings were recovered on Atwood Street, a 45 and a 38 caliber shell casing.  There were no witnesses or suspects identified and due to the lack of cooperation from the listed victim, this case will be forwarded to the Shooting Task Force for follow up.

 

To read more about the successes of Mayor Segarra's Community Policing Program, click here

I GUESS IT IS OFFICIAL NOW

 

From Fox 61's Louisa Moller's Twitter Account

 

Hartford police apparently are now confirming that they are investigating Sunday's shooting of a Pastor on Capitol Avenue as a hate crime. According to my sources, the shooter asked the pastor prior to shooting him if he was Gay. I had requested confirmation of the crime being investigated as a hate crime from HPD and I received no response.You can read the original posting here

 

I understand it is an election year and the incumbent doesn't want to be embarrassed by the crime in his City, but it is the reality. HPD should be in the business of providing accurate information , not protecting the Mayor's image.

 

And while I am on it, when was the last time you heard of Mayor Segarra visiting a shooting victim in the hospital  or even attending a vigil after a shooting? Should we expect more of this as we ramp up to Election Day? Or is it only the high profile visible cases that catch Segarra's  attention. Did he attend the vigils or even visit the families of recent homicide victims? I tend to doubt it

 

Doesn't Segarra represent all residents of Hartford, not just those that the TV cameras are following or paying attention to, and shouldn't we also know if someone is targeting a specific group with hatred? Why does it take a Pastor being shot to result in action when a 17 year old murdered with a gunshot to the head and 3 homicides in as many days did not, those crimes  hardly resulted in a response from the Mayor?

PLEASE DON'T DO THIS AT HOME...OR ANYWHERE ELSE

I think we have all seen it. A parent or grandparent with a toddler riding on their lap as they mow the lawn with a riding mower. It is a recipe for disaster with tragic consequences as the Courant story below details. It looks like fun for the toddler , until they fall and you run over them. Please think twice and find another way to entertain them.

From the Courant:

 Clinton , CT- A 4-year-old boy suffered severe injuries to his right hand after he fell off a riding mower and his right hand went under the mower deck, police said.

The boy was riding on the mower with his father when he slipped off, police said.

The boy was taken by ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Police are investigating the incident, which was reported at 8:10 p.m. at a home on Menunketesuck Drive.

A GREAT HARTFORD STORY

The link below is to a Courant story about "unsung heroes". This is the type of positive story about Hartford people making a difference that I wish we saw more often. The story speaks for itself so take a few minutes to read it. I have to add that I have had the opportunity to meet one of the sons mentioned in the story and it only helps reinforce the impact a strong mother's and father's presence has in the development of their children into respectful, productive adults. Thank you to Jackie and Chris Allen-Doucot for their efforts and the positive impact they have had on so many Hartford children in addition to their own sons. You can be proud of your efforts and the results

You can read the story here

ONE MORE FOR MEMORIAL DAY

This is a great rendition of our national Anthem by a blind and autistic 16 year old girl. I honestly wonder how many of our youth even know the words or even the history of the Star Spangled Banner

REMEMBER WHY WE CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY

I think far too many people look forward to Memorial Day as the kick off of the Summer season, A day off from work and school, barbeques, and cook outs.

Keep in mind the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day every year. It is about recognizing those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom and also those that have been maimed and disfigured defending our country.

I will never forget the funeral for my father who was a proud US Marine during the Korean Conflict. As the service ended, it was about 4 degrees out at the time of his burial. The Marine color guard  in their dress blues presented the folded flag to my mother and the young marine handing my mother the flag had a tear that ran down his cheek. My dad would have loved that. Once a marine, always a marine, even in death

Tomorrow, remember why we celebrate Memorial Day and thank a veteran for their service to protecting our way of life

(Sorry Mom, I know the video and music will probably give you goosebumps and cause a few tears as it reminds you of the love of your life. Thank you dad for your service and the example you set for us. We miss you)

WAS PASTOR'S SHOOTING A HATE CRIME?

 The plot thickens.

This is the official version from HPD regarding the shooting of a visiting pastor on Capitol Avenue early this morning: the First shooting happened at 932 Capitol Ave. at 0627 hours, documented under HPD Case 15-15639. The victim is identified as Augustas Sealy DOB 8/14/1959. Sealy is a church Pastor from Mass. Sealy is from Hartford and was posting Flags for Memorial Day in the area of Capitol Ave. @ Newton Street when he was shot by unknown assailant(s). Sealy was shot twice in the right leg and once in the upper left arm. He is in surgery at Saint Francis at this time listed as serious but stable. Investigation is active. MCD detectives and Crime Scene detectives are investigating.

According to at least two  independent sources from HPD , speaking on the condition of remaining anonymous, have told me the shooting may actually be a hate crime. The victim, prior to being shot, was asked by the shooter "if he was gay" according to sources.

A request for comment from HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley has gone unanswered.

Pastor Sealy was sticking flags into the ground alongside the sidewalk at the Church in honor of memorial day, prior to his being approached and shot 4 times.

It does not appear that Pastor Sealy has any readily available criminal history  at this time.


UPDATE: Another source has told me that Pastor Sealy had actually served as pastor of the Capitol Avenue Church for five years before being transferred to another assignment in Shrewsbury MA.recently. He was back today for a celebration of his five years of service in Hartford apparently

IS THE DEATH PENALTY OK IN HARTFORD?

Comments posted on other social media sites the last few days seem to be stating  that Hartford's recent homicide victims are the result of their drug dealing ways. Now I don't doubt that many of the victims are living less than stellar, crime free lifestyles. But I have also not seen HPD state that they are all drug dealers , or even make the link for that matter between the homicides and any alleged motives. I think the posters are ready to assume that since they are murdered, they must be up to no good.

You know  what they say happens when you "assume".

This morning a visiting pastor from Shrewsbury , Massachusetts was shot 4 times in front of the Church of the Nazarene on Capitol Avenue. The pastor's crime crime? Sticking American flags into the ground lining the sidewalk of the church in honor of Memorial Day. If you fall in line with the Downtown thinking, he must be a drug dealer to  invite being shot 4 times.

Also, many of the recent shootings involve numerous shots fired, evidence shows in some cases 25 or more rounds fired. In one of the cases after 26 rounds, the victim was only grazed once. Where do you think those other rounds went? Accuracy is clearly not the priority or strong point of Hartford's shooters. Who knows where the other rounds landed

Could an innocent victim just driving by on Main Street take a bullet? Could a child sleeping in their bedroom be a victim of wayward bullets. How about a senior sitting by their front window watching television. To say that the violence only affects drug dealers is both ignorant as well as irresponsible. We should be screaming at our City leadership to end this violence, not condoning it by thinking " I am not a drug dealer so it won't happen to me"

And anyone that knows anything about economic development should understand that violent crime , especially homicides and gun violence makes it very difficult to attract new residents and businesses, no matter what the excuse. Anyone who has paid attention to Chief Rovella's public speeches knows he often partners Hartford's crime rate with the possible success or future of Hartford's Economic Development potential. To ignore the connection is shortsighted.

Until then, sentencing criminals to death at the hands of other criminals in Hartford is not acceptable. We will probably see many innocent victims of Hartford's death penalty by the end of summer of we are willing to accept it.

Luckily Pastor Seely is expected to survive his shooting, at least 10 others so far this year have not.

At least one Police Official told me this morning  Pastor Seely's shooting may have been a gang related type of initiation  to show that the shooter "was worthy", If that has any possibility of being true, that is a very scary thought.

Mayor Segarra and Council, what is the plan? Have you thought about what needs to be done. Show us some leadership please.

FROM HPD: PASTOR SHOT 4 TIMES IN FRONT OF CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING

First shooting happened at 932 Capitol Ave. at 0627 hours, documented under HPD Case 15-15639. The victim is identified as Augustas Sealy DOB 8/14/1959. Sealy is a church Pastor from Mass. Sealy is from Hartford and was posting Flags for Memorial Day in the area of Capitol Ave. @ Newton Street when he was shot by unknown assailant(s). Sealy was shot twice in the right leg and once in the upper left arm. He is in surgery at Saint Francis at this time listed as serious but stable. Investigation is active. MCD detectives and Crime Scene detectives are investigating.  

Second shooting happened at 402 garden St. at 0641 hours, documented under HPD Case 15-15640. The victim is identified as Robert Jones DOB 2/29/1987. Jones is a Hartford resident with a criminal history. Jones was walking in the area of 402 Garden St. when a unknown lone shooter approached him and started shooting. This shooting is captured on video. Jones is at Saint Francis listed in critical condition. He was hit by gunfire in the chest groin and both arms. MCD and crime scene detectives are actively investigating this shooting also.  

 

HARTFORD'S SNOW PLOWING PROBLEMS REVEALED BY SEGARRA

The Mayoral forums being held across the City to educate voters are so helpful as well as informative. Last nights forum held in the West End allowed the audience members to ask questions to assess the candidates. One question asked by a resident was about the conditions of Hartford's streets after snowstorms. It was interesting to get Mayor Segarra's  perspective and his ability to identify and solve problems.

Segarra's response left many in the audience shaking their heads. Now I am not writing a comedy sketch here, he actually said this. Segarra said the poor condition of Hartford's streets  is caused by our suburban neighbors who  come into Hartford and then clean their cars off, sweeping the snow onto Hartford's streets. Yes, our esteemed leader has identified the problem. Is this maybe the answer as to why Hartford is such a mess? If this is Segarra's grasp on reality, is it any wonder he has such a poor record of fixing the problems.

Damn those suburban car sweepers, its all their fault. And all this time I thought it was DPW.

FROM HPD

On May 19, 2015, Detectives from the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Unit received information that a Parole violator operating a blue, four door Lincoln with tinted windows was in possession of narcotics and a firearm.  With information provided, Detectives were able to locate and positively identify the individual in the suspect vehicle as Miguel Diaz, 35, of Wethersfield, CT.  Hartford Narcotic Detectives with the assistance of South Condition Officers and the State Police Narcotics Task Force (SNTF) attempted to stop the vehicle.  The vehicle failed to stop for Detectives and a clear plastic bag was observed thrown out of the vehicle window before fleeing the area.  The clear plastic bag was located and contained 309 bags of Heroin. Surveillance was established at a location on Hillside Avenue identified by Detectives as a “Hideout” for Diaz.  Diaz and a second individual identified as Felix Hernandez, 39, of Hartford were located in the area and detained.  Consent to search was obtained for that location where Detectives located a firearm, along with narcotics and packaging material.  The evidence seized by Detectives through the surveillance and search is listed below:

 

Seized Evidence

$4099.00 in U.S Currency was recovered

10 grams of raw heroin as well as 609 bags of heroin

Hi-Point 9mm handgun and a box containing numerous live 9mm rounds

 

Arrested: Miguel Diaz 35, of Wethersfield CT (also had a warrant for an escapee from Parole)

CHARGES:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      P.W.I.T.S Narcotics

3.      Criminal possession of firearm

4.      Reckless driving

5.      Reckless endangerment

6.      Failure to obey Officer signal

7.      Drug Factory

ARRESTED: Felix Hernandez 39, of Hartford CT

CHARGES:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      P.W.I.T.S Narcotics

3.      P.W.I.T.S Narcotics 1500 feet of a school

 

 

WHITE HOUSE ACCOLADES MEAN VERY LITTLE ON STREETS OF HARTFORD

 

While the Segarra Administration was out thumping their chest last night in response to the White House's praise  for Segarra's Community policing program, the violence on Hartford's streets continued. A 17 year old was shot in the head on Irving Street last night in a flurry of gunfire. He was taken off life support this morning and pronounced dead. At least 17 gunshots were picked up by shotspotter.

This was Hartford's third homicide in three days, and one of several shooting incidents, At one of the shootings ,  26 spent casings were recovered.

I don't know if  Mayor Segarra is that far out of touch with what is happening in our community or is he just delusional. I think a combination of both is fitting. I am not sure how anyone can instill confidence in the community by only singing the praises and ignoring reality. The fact of the matter is that  Segarra an his Council allies have decimated the ranks of the Hartford Police Department over the last several years. The number of sworn Police officers at HPD is the lowest it has been in decades and will probably be under 400 in a very short time, Three more officers resigned today to retire and start careers at another department.

All of Hartford's walk beats have been ended a few weeks ago (except for City Hall, funny how that works)  Can it be much longer before Community Service Officers positions are cancelled to fill critical patrol positions. Why is it that a recruit class to fill vacant positions was only filled by Segarra to graduate just in time for the Mayoral and Council elections this fall?

Although most active HPD officers are loving the overtime gravytrain, are we going to see Chief Rovella made the scapegoat as his overtime costs skyrocket due to the lack of planning by City Hall? Who is going to accept the public outrage as their CSO's start disappearing, I'm pretty sure it wont be Mayor Delusional standing in front of the NRZ's explaining it.

And while I am addressing Mayoral honesty, I am getting pretty tired of Segarra spouting his nonsense about "second chances" . Why is he supporting second chances now? Has it become politically popular? Does Segarra forget the name of his former staffer Kennard Ray? If you need a reminder, Kennard Ray was an employee in Segarra's office. I way "was" because as soon as it became public that Ray had felony convictions, Segarra quickly jettisoned him from City Hall and fired him. So much for "second chances".

I doubt there are many people hearing gunshots and witnessing the killings that take comfort in the accolades from the White House. Maybe what Hartford needs is a leader that is more into actual results as opposed to the phony chest thumping as the homicides and shootings escalate.

CHIEF HUERTAS, TIME FOR AN E-MAIL

2015_5_20

THE PROBLEMS CONTINUE AT HFD , DONALD BROWN ARRESTED

On April 24th, 2015 at approximately 4:58pm, the Hartford Police Department received a 911 reporting that a person was shot in the driveway of 131 Hebron Street. On arrival, the victim was identified as Lascelles Reid, 31, of Simsbury, CT. Reid was found lying on the ground, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the torso. Reid, alert and conscious, was transported to Saint Francis Hospital via AMR ambulance. Responding HPD Patrol Officers also met with Donald Brown, 54 of Hartford, CT. Brown was on scene and cooperative when police arrived. Brown said he shot Reid with his 9mm firearm one time because he was in fear of Reid. The 9mm firearm used in this incident was secured by officers as well as a single 9mm shell casing. Detectives from the Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Division responded and assumed the investigation. The scene was processed by the HPD Crime Scene Division. 

As of this date, Reid has not fully recovered and continues to require medical attention. 

On May 14, 2015 Hartford Police Major Crimes Division Detectives applied for and obtained an arrest warrant for Donald Brown, for the charge of Assault in the First Degree, 53a-59(a)(5). Judge set bail was $150,000. Donald Brown turned himself into HPD without incident. 

Donald Brown, formerly a 25 year veteran of the Hartford Fire Department, retired on May 1st and is no longer an employee of the City of Hartford.  (Brown was off duty at the time of this incident)

UNDER WHO'S AUTHORITY?

 

 

Several years ago a Hartford Police Lieutenant was shown the door after it was found that he had been printing up what looked like official parking passes, having them laminated and then selling them to anyone willing to pay the price for "Police "parking privileges.

 

Now it seems that someone in the Hartford Fire Department has come up with the same scheme. I have seen numerous illegally parked vehicles around the downtown area, proudly displaying the "get out of jail free" placard , claiming the authority of the Hartford Fire Chief. Many of them are in close proximity to the Hartford Fire Union office  near Linden Place and the claim for being on official business is probably not legit.

 

The Hartford Parking Authority claims no knowledge of the placards and clams the Fire Chief has no authority to offer free parking passes. I have requested comment from Chief Huerta's Office, no response yet. I venture to say it is more likely someone who has been creative with a color printer and a laminator to avoid feeding the meter. In which case parking controller's need to be advised to ignore and ticket these freeloaders.

THE FULL REPORT CAMPAIGN FILING, FOI KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY

Not everything at Hartford City Hall is a mess. One area that deserves praise is the Office of the City Clerk, specifically Clerk John Bazzano and staff person Eric Lusa ( not to leave anyone out, the entire staff understands customer service and should be an example to everyone in that building, John and Eric are the two people I dealt with on this project)

Shortly after the Mayoral election filings were due, I went to City Hall to review the documents. I wasn't expecting what I was given. The reports were several hundred pages for two of the candidates. The cost of having them copied to then scan as PDF files to post here would have been very expensive , especially at the statutory set rate of fifty cents per page. I appreciate transparency, but not when it would cost me probably over a thousand dollars in copying fees.

The more I thought about it, the more I figured paying  50 cents a page for copies was an outdated way to obtain documents. I also knew almost all of the copiers at City Hall, in fact most copiers in use today, can scan a document to a PDF file as quick as it can copy it.

 

 

One of the things that is apparent with the FOI laws is that they  are constantly trying to catch up with technology. One of the things most people aren't aware of is that if a document is saved or available in electronic format , you can ask for it that way when requested. This alleviates the need to run to City Hall to pick up ,a paper document when it can just as easily be e-mailed. The intent of FOI was not to create a revenue stream for government agencies to be a copying service, it was meant for the easy distribution of documents, the public's right to know.

 Since most business is done by e-mail  or PDF files or Word documents, almost everything can be obtained electronically.

I went back to thinking about the campaign filings. If a staff person in the Clerk's Office was going to stand at the copier and photocopy all of the pages, couldn't they just as easily scan it to a PDF file and alleviate the cost for the copies. I spoke with a person at the FOI Commission who thought the idea was reasonable for the PDF scan rather than several hundred copies. The only problem was that there apparently hasn't been a test case decided by FOI on the PDF scan versus copies.

The FOI person though it was reasonable and said I would probably win the argument if I filed a complaint to set the precedent. The only problem is you have to have a complaint to file first.

I called the Hartford City Clerk, John Bazzano and asked about receiving the filings electronically and explained it seemed to make sense to me to get a scan and it would take the same amount of time to scan as it would to copy.  I was almost hoping for a denial from Bazzano in order to file an FOI complaint to establish the precedent. Within an hour I received the email from Eric Lusa in Bazzano's office with all the PDF files attached. Bazzano has always been someone who understands the meaning of transparency.

There was some difficulty in sending the files because of their size and earthlink's limitations on file size, but Bazzano and Lusa persisted, and the filings are public information here for your viewing pleasure.

Thank you John and Eric for your commitment to open and transparent government

THE FULL CAMPAIGN FILING BY CANDIDATE- JOEL CRUZ 1 OF 1

JOEL CRUZ 1 OF 1

THE FULL CAMPAIGN FILING BY CANDIDATE- JOHN GALE 1 OF 1

JOHN GALE 1 OF 1

THE FULL CAMPAIGN FILINGS BY CANDIDATE- LUKE BRONIN 3 OF 3

LUKE BRONIN- 1 OF 3

LUKE BRONIN 2 OF 3

LUKE BRONIN 3 OF 3

THE FULL CAMPAIGN FILING FOR ALL CANDIDATES- APRIL 10 2015- SEGARRA 3 OF 3

Previous postings may not have included all pages, here is the complete filing by candidate as on file with the Hartford Clerk's Office

SEGARRA FILING APRIL 10 1 OF 3 by kevinhfd

SEGARRA FILING 2 OF 3

SEGARRA FILING 3 OF 3

WE THE PEOPLE PROGRAM 5-11-15

WHO PAYS THE DEBT? ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE SEGARRA RECKLESS MANAGEMENT

That title might be misleading , I don't think anything the Segarra Administration does can be called management.

I would ask if any of my readers know of a bank or lending institution would allow anyone to sell their home and not pay off the mortgage but instead pocket the money. That is essentially what the City of Hartford did today.  The State Bond Commission today approved the ill conceived sale of the Church Street garage by the City of Hartford to the State of Connecticut.

The sale apparently is for $14 million dollars, but no mention of the $7 million dollars in remaining debt still outstanding on the bonds  originally sold for the garage.  Will the debt be paid off with the proceeds or will we continue to pay interest on the $7 million for years to come. The smart thing to do would be to pay off the debt, but when is Mayor Segarra known to do the smart thing as it comes to the finances of the City.

It is probably more important to be able to say that the budget is balanced   for Segarra in an election year than it is to saddle the taxpayers with $7 million dollars in non producing debt.    

I think Ronald Reagan used to call it voo-doo economics, it is all smoke and mirrors                                      

WHO IS BEHIND THE POLL?

Friday evening I received an e-mail from a resident who questioned a phone call they had received and the polling questions asked. The person was sharp enough to write down the questions word for word and then traced the callers number back to the polling company. Saturday I received more phones calls and spoke to more people who had received the call.

I think by the nature of the questions, it isn't too hard to figure out who commissioned the poll, but you never know, unless his campaign is willing to admit it, or when the next campaign financial filing is due and we see which campaign actually pays the bill.

Here are some of the poll questions:


If you knew John Gale had four kids and a wife and lived here for life would that be a positive or negative thing?

If you knew John’s family was from an immigrant background and his uncle was Johnny Duke, is that a  positive. or negative thing?

According to the e-mail as well as the other callers, there were two or three more of these positive statements, before they ask who  the e-mail author would be supporting for mayor.

There was a question about whether the e-mail author would rather support an attorney that worked for the public interest in Hartford or an attorney that worked for the federal government

They asked my opinion of  Governor Malloy.

THEN, the BOMBSHELL, according to the e-mail 

The pollster asked  “Would this statement make you feel more negative about a candidate?  If a candidate was an attorney who had his law license suspended due to failure to pay client fees " would that affect your decision

I did a reverse phone number look up and it appears they are using EMC Research. http://www.emcresearch.com/index.html

I am not sure what the motivation for the poll was, unless Gale's campaign is actually trying to gauge if there is support in the community for his campaign. I also wonder about that first question, was it to make people question a gay candidate who is married to a man and has no children without actually coming out and saying it? And who has even heard the name Johhny Duke or remembers who he was? And I am not sure which candidate had his law license suspended, I am pretty sure it is not Judge Killian or Luke Bronin, so the only other lawyer running is Pedro Segarra.

TOUCHING A NERVE

 

 

Last week I posted "Transparency". In that posting, I questioned the motives of some of our elected officials and why they actually run for office.  I didn't name one Councilperson by name, he was astute enough to figure out it was him. I had mentioned a Councilperson of 16 years and what he had done ( or more appropriately not done) on the Council during that time.

Councilman Ken Kennedy was at the Mayoral Forum Thursday night at the library. As soon as I entered the room, the esteemed Councilman approached me. Not even a hello, how you doing, nothing. Kennedy entered into his public tirade and stated " I have only been a Councilman for 14 years, not sixteen as you said on your blog." And then the kicker, he claimed" I have passed plenty of legislation on the Council, I am going to print it out and deliver it to your fat ass to show you"

That should be a very short print out.  But even more surprising was Kennedy's promise to "deliver it to your fat ass". Councilman, does your home have any mirrors or even a scale? I don't think you have met a cheeseburger you didn't like in the last few years. It also exhibits why we need a change on the Council. There is a total lack of respect between the Council and their Constituents. Kennedy's addressing me exhibits that. We also saw the Council President lack of dignity when he addressed anti-stadium residents, particularly Joanne Bauer, after the Councils rubber stamp vote to pass the stadium.

It is time for a change to Council people that actually respect and serve the community that puts them there.

NO PLACE FOR RACIST COPS AT HPD

There is no doubt about it, the last few months, and probably even longer, have been very difficult times for police community relations. At the same time Hartford residents and the Hartford Police Department have been working together to come up with solutions to avoid the next Ferguson or Baltimore here in our own City.

It is a difficult tightrope that  Police Chiefs across this country must walk every day knowing they are one step away from the next incident that could ignite a community. It almost seems ironic that at the very same time I am working on this posting, Chief Rovella is in a meeting with several of Hartford's African American leaders to make sure the bridges HPD has built over the years remain strong, and accessible.

But. as the saying goes " one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch". And now it becomes an issue of throwing out the bad apples before they can do any damage. I think, actually no, I hope the picking is swift and decisive in this case to send a strong message to both HPD Officers and Hartford residents that racism within HPD will not be tolerated in any form by anyone.

Recently a Hartford Police Officer, Kamil Stachowitz attended a whisky tasting event at a Connecticut Casino. While there he apparently tasted too much of the whisky. Stachowitz, according to numerous sources within HPD ,created a disturbance at the casino. The Tribal Police were called to apparently remove Stachowitz from the Casino. Also according to sources, an African American Tribal Police Officer responded to the call. Upon confronting Stachowitz, the officer reported that Srtachowitz began yelling the "N" word and went into a  racist verbal tirade, yelling at the Officer at one point "My family used to own people like you" and "My Grandfather used to own slaves".

For some reason , no arrest was made, even though the Tribal Police were recently given full powers of arrest by State Statute after the State Police were removed from the Casino's. It may have to do something with Stachowitz identifying himself as a Police Officer, but I think any professional courtesy should have ended once Stachowitz started yelling the "N" word.

Stachowitz, according to sources, is now out on sick leave under the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Stachowitz has hired an attorney and may be planning on making a claim under the American's With Disabilities Act. Apparently he may be claiming that alcohol dependency or problems with alcohol would alleviate his behavior.

That may be true , but the streets of Hartford are no place for a racist cop. The alcohol helped the words come out, but the mindset already exists for someone that can freely use hateful language like that used by Stachowitz. He needs to go, too much is on the line for Chief Rovella to tolerate such behavior, and I am very confident he will not, EAP leave or  not.

I will post the incident report and any video I receive through FOI requests  here when it is received.

An Internal Affairs investigation is ongoing within HPD.

TRANSPARENCY

I take a lot of pride in the changes this blog has forced in Hartford. P-card's, use of City vehicles, sexually abusive Department head removed, the list goes on and on. The biggest change this blog needs to make, or more accurately help make, is in the change of leadership to move our City into the future.

As a City we can not survive another four years of this Council and Mayor Pedro Segarra. It is time for change if we are to succeed. That change will only come about through education of our voters and some deep soul searching by those that claim to care about Hartford. Why do people run for Council seats, why do they run for Mayor?

I am more and more convinced the reason is over inflated egos and desires for titles. Possibly they also love the invites to the best cocktail parties. Ask most of our elected officials what they have done during the time they have been in elected office and they might have a hard time giving you solid answers. What have you done in your 16 years as a Councilperson is a question that should probably get you a lengthy list of accomplishments, except in Hartford it will probably get the glasses slid down the bridge of the nose and a blank stare.Why would the voters re-elect a Councilperson after their  term as Council President ended in shame with a Mayor you rubber stamped for eventually  resigned in shame  facing corruption charges. Yes , a solid reputation of excellence in moving Hartford forward.

Hartford is in a good position this year if the voters educate themselves and if the Democratic Town Committee stops playing politics with the lives and futures of Hartford's residents. The time is here to put the political payback and dirty deal making aside and select the best possible candidates to run our City.

Up until a few weeks ago, the choice for me for Mayor was a tough one. I had met Luke Bronin at the Governors Office. I had known John Gale from being out in the community, I had seen Councilman Cruz as a fill in Councilperson when he was elevated to fill an unexpired Council term. I probably would have supported Luke Bronin as the most capable of the candidates. I still think Bronin , at a different time in Hartford's future, could provide a level of leadership this city is sadly lacking now.

That all changed when Hartford's Judge of Probate retired last month after 31 years in that position. I had never met Bob Killian. I knew who he was and knew of him and his family, who wouldn't if you had any sense of Hartford's and Connecticut's history. I was surprised when Judge Killian called me and asked if we could sit down and talk. I agreed, even though I had thought I had made up my mind that Bronin was my choice.

We met at a restaurant for lunch and ended up leaving almost 4 hours later. I was impressed. No , I was very impressed.This man gets it, and he also has an amazing knowledge of Hartford's past and its history. He also has a love for this City that can't be made up. His love for Hartford, its people and its neighborhoods comes through loud and clear. I never felt that love in talking to Pedro Segarra and although it is there with Bronin and Gale, the compassion for Hartford from Killian exudes in everything he has to say.

I think part of that might be his 31 years as Hartford's Probate Judge. Bob has dealt with over 51,000 Hartford families during those 31 years. Many of those dealing were at less than favorable times, deaths, drug and alcohol issues and mental illness issues, removing children from less than desirable home issues and the bright side of the job such as completing adoptions and placing children with relatives and others to provide them the nurturing to make them productive adults.

I think those 31 years also provided Bob with the nurturing and compassion that uniquely suits him to be Mayor of our City. Bob's love and compassion for Hartford come through in just about every conversation he has about Hartford. And just about every conversation Bob has is about Hartford and his vision for the City he was born in and grew up in ( as well as his father and family)

 Bob also seems very well versed in issues facing Hartford, budget, pensions, land use, you name it, he understands it, or is willing to listen and learn. The leadership and vision for Hartford are exemplary qualities that puts Killian ahead, definitely ahead of our current Mayor . His knowledge of Hartford's issues  can only come from his experiences living here and growing up here. I think I can honestly say that there have been very few people  that have impressed me enough as to their leadership  and knowledge of City government as Bob Killian possesses.
 Listen to what he has to say and decide for yourself. Isn't it about time we have leadership at City Hall that cares about each and everyone of our residents? Isn't it time we have a Mayor that understands City government and is able to work within it to  make the City we love move forward and succeed?

After this short time of getting to know Bob Killian, I am ready to say Bob is the best choice to move this City forward., The Mayor's Office is not a stepping stone for Bob. He doesn't want to be a Senator or Congressman 10 years from now, he wants to see Hartford thriving and it's residents and business owners thriving 10 years from now.

I support Bob Killian for Mayor and I truly believe he is the best hope for our future.

WE THE PEOPLE PROGRAM: RETIRED PROBATE JUDGE ROBERT KILLAN AND HIS RUN FOR MAYOR

I had posted this clip earlier but apparently there were some audio issues. Here is a corrected version of Bob Killian and his interview as to why he is running for Mayor of Hartford.

ON THE AIR WITH TERZI TALK - 4/21/15 "WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE HARTFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT"

This is an audio clip only of my recent interview with Tony Terzi on WDRC radio.

WE THE PEOPLE PROGRAM MAY 4, 2015

Many of you who don't live in Hartford have been asking about our "We the People "program on Hartford Public Access TV. I am going to try to post the program weekly here for your viewing.

KILLING HARTFORD'S BUSINESSES ONE STEP AT A TIME

 

It is hard enough for businesses to survive in Hartford, and even harder to make it with the roadblocks put in front of them by City Hall. Does anyone at City Hall understand what it takes to operate in a city that I far from business friendly? Hartford's extremely high mill rate places  a difficult burden on any business owner that decides to set up shop here.

 

Then, what I can only call City Hall stupidity, makes it even tougher . The "No Parking" placard above is  what most visitors to downtown Saturday night found when they tried to park . The placards were put up in advance of a Sunday event, but many people trying to park downtown to visit Hartford restaurants were afraid to park thinking the regulations would be enforced Saturday night and many just drove off, probably to head to West Hartford Center or elsewhere.

 

The placards were not put up by HPD, who would hopefully use a little more common sense. According to sources, these placards were the work of Hartford's Department of Public Works. Why couldn't they be put up later, at least after the dinner and bar crowd subsides so as not to kill the downtown business?

 

I guess common sense  and  intelligence are not the hallmark of the current administration. With the amount of empty storefronts, do we really want to try hard to create more?

HELP REPRESENTATIVE ARCE

From Angel Arce's Facebook Page: State Representative Angel Arce

Please Help me Help this family .
 
This morning there was a fire on Brownell Ave a Asian Family lost everything they had, and they have no family here at all. They have not gotten any help at all from anyone or agency. The Red Cross put them in a motel for two days after that they have no where to go or place to stay. ( I won't let that happen ) I will find a way to house them no matter what. This an elderly women her daughter and her 8 year old grandson. If anyone has any clothe, Shoes, they can donate please contact me I appreciated.


Please contact Angel through his facebook page if you can help. Angel really cares about his constituents and is not a "typical" politician.  It seems like our Mayor or Councilpeople should be spearheading these efforts for one of their neighbors