TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY CAUTION : DISTURBING CONTENT

 

 

The video below, on its face value, looks bad. But as we always hear, there is usually two sides to every story.

The individual in the video below being apprehended by HPD Officers, is a convicted felon with a history of gun possession. He was observed by two officers near Mather and Garden Streets in Hartford. The officers stopped to check him out and thought he may have a weapon under his jacket.
One of the officers conducted a quick pat down and felt what he thought was a gun. As he reached for his handcuffs to detain the man, the suspect swung around and elbowed the other officer in the face breaking his nose and injuring his eye.

A foot chase ensued and the suspect was apprehended about a block away. He refused to comply, but was eventually taken to the ground and arrested.

Now watching the video, it looks much different and the person shooting the video  readily adds his own vulgar narrative, but they never show a closeup of the injured Officer's face, streaming blood. This video is meant more to inflame than it is to provide factual evidence. My understanding is that none of the video has been turned over to HPD as of this point.

I have seen pictures of the injured officer and they provide a very different side to this story. As of this point HPD has not been helpful to provide the other side of this story, and I am not sure why. I think rather than running on emotion both sides should be put out to avoid further complications.

I am trying to be able t to obtain the photos of the injured officer to post here to present both sides.

UPDATE: 
 As I was writing this , a source outside of HPD sent me the pictures of the injured officer I have confirmed their authenticity with HPD and to make sure the release would not interfere with any investigation.

The video below is unedited  as well as offensive in the language used, please mute the audio if you are offended by strong language

DROPPING LIKE FLIES

The details are still a little thin. No one at HPD is commenting officially, but it seems as though another HPD veteran officer is quickly heading toward the ranks of the unemployed after his arrest last night. It seems as though Hartford Fire isn't the only agency dealing with battles with the bottle.

 HPD Veteran Officer Israel Zea was arrested early this morning by his own Department. Zea, according to sources, was arrested on a multitude of charges, including home invasion and domestic violence related charges.

The charges resulted after Zea arrived on the porch of his girlfriends home in the Frog Hollow section of the City. After being denied entry, Zea broke down the front door and entered the home and allegedly assaulted the female. HPD was notified and Zea was arrested.

Specifics and further information was not available from Deputy Chief Brian Foley. Zea's  current status as a Hartford Police Officer could not be established at this time either

HPD is in a very critical position now for staffing due to retirements, discipline problems are also currently taking their toll ,


UPDATE:

After I posted the issue above, HPD quickly responded and released the details of the incident, which as you can see are identical to what I posted, it will be interesting to askhow much overtime Zea and others like Stachowitz have been working in overtime and has that resulted in increased stress and alcohol abuse in the Department.

On June 29, 2015 at 12:29am, Hartford Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to Lincoln Street for an domestic violence incident involving an off-duty police officer. The victim reported that Israel Zea forced entry into the her apartment and assaulted her. On arrival, HPD Officers located Zea in the second floor apartment being detained by two witnesses. The female victim sustained facial trauma and was treated at Hartford Hospital. Zea sustained facial injuries while being subdued by the two witnesses but refused medical treatment. Internal Affairs Investigators arrived on scene and took over the investigation. Probable cause was established and Zea was arrested, charged and taken to the HPD booking facility.

 

Arrested: Israel Zea, 6/9/66, 253 High St Harford, CT

Charges:

1.       Burglary 2^nd

2.       Assault 3^rd

3.       Criminal Mischief 2^nd

4.       Criminal Trespass 1^st

Domestic Violence $50,000 Bond

Victim: Female, 47 of Hartford

 

A separate administrative investigation has been initiated. Israel Zea has been an officer for approx. 17 years, he has been placed on unpaid suspension.

FROM HPD: DETAILS OF RAWSON SCHOOL HOMICIDE

HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley addresses the media after the deadly shooting on the basketball court at Rawson School

 

The details:

 

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 4:30pm Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers and Shooting Task Force Detectives responded to the basketball court at 260 Holcomb Street after several 911 calls for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene with numerous individuals fleeing from the basketball court area of the school. A basketball tournament was being held at this location with hundreds of people attending. Officers located a male victim (Identified as James Headen, 41 of Hartford) suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital via ambulance. As this was occurring, 3 other victims arrived separately at St. Francis by private vehicles. These 3 victims were each suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. At 10:49pm James Headen was pronounced deceased.

 

Victims:

James Headen, 41 of Hartford, was shot in the head. (Pronounced deceased at 10:49pm)

Justin Jones, 23 of Hartford, was shot in the hip/groin. (Stable, admitted, non-life threatening)

Shawn Patterson, 24 of Hartford, was shot in the hand. (Treated and released)

Roosevelt Holmes, 23 of Windsor, was shot in the calf/ankle area. (Treated and released, taken into police custody)

 

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene Division began the investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that a basketball tournament was taking place at a basketball court adjacent to the Rawson School when the shooting occurred. Major Crimes Detectives, STF  Detectives and patrol officers all received information that Roosevelt Holmes a.k.a. “Roe” became involved in a dispute while the tournament was taking place. (It is, at this time, unclear who this dispute was with, but it does not appear that it was with any of the other victims) Holmes was not a participant in the tournament. The dispute escalated and numerous shots were fired. This is when James Headen, who by all accounts was an innocent bystander, was struck in the head. This is also when the other 3 victims were struck by gun fire.

 

At St. Francis, Patrol Officers detained the transporting vehicles and drivers. Evidence, to include at least one firearm believed to be involved in this incident, was secured. This firearm was found in the vehicle which delivered Roosevelt Holmes to the Hospital. Upon release from the hospital, Holmes was taken to the HPD Major Crimes for interview. Following the interview he was placed under arrest and charged, held on a $1,000,000 bond. Holmes , a convicted felon, could potentially face further charges.

Charges:

1.       Criminal Possession of a Firearm

2.       Criminal Attempt/Assault First Degree

3.       Reckless Endangerment First Degree

4.       Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm

 

This investigation is ongoing. We are asking for any witnesses to please reach out to the Hartford Police Department. We believe that video evidence exists to this event. We are asking for any assistance in obtaining this video. Anonymous sources can contact HPD anonymously at our website. The Major Crimes Division is continuing to investigate this homicide and the investigation is progressing.

http://www.hartford.gov/Police

WHY THE NEED FOR STEALTH

 

Hartford's Fire Chiefs new $70,000 plus Tahoe, his new City Car.

I know I sometimes focus on the "little things" but maybe if our Mayor and others at City Hall began focusingn the little things, they just might not turn into the bigger things.
As one honest candidate for Mayor has consistently stated, the City of Hartford is broke. The honesty is refreshing but I am not sure Segarra or any of his associates are ready to recognize that fact.Moody's and the financial rating groups all seem to get it, but our current Mayor doesn't,

The picture's above are a perfect example.. Apparently our Fire Chief has a brand new luxury SUV as his City vehicle. WHY? Maybe if Chief Huertas wants more money to hire his much needed Assistant Chief to cover his deficiencies, just maybe laying out $70,000 plus for his loaded Tahoe isn't the best way to manage a budget. Wouldn't the $19,000 Chevy Impala like Chief Rovella drives make more sense?And why the "undercover " need for a Fire Chief? I know his predecessor removed the HFD-1 license Plate when he started making his regular rendezvous's to the Gold Club. He also removed the Hartford Fire Department decals from the doors.

I would think that the HFD-1 (Hartford Fire Department car 1, the Chiefs designation) would be a sign of pride for Hartford's Fire Chief. And why no visible markings?  I think every City vehicle, including all Police and Fire vehicles, should be fully marked to display their presence on the streets. Unless it is a vehicle that has a clearly defined  use for undercover  work.

Fully marking the vehicle's would serve a twofold purpose First, it would greatly cut down on abuse. People issued City Cars would be a lot less likely to jump in the take- home cars to conduct personal business if taxpayers could see them pulling up to the dry cleaners on a Saturday or piling the family in for a trip to a restaurant for dinner. It would definitely cut down on weekend trips to Newport or Manhattan if people could visibly see their tax dollars being abused.

 And yes, that really happens. Retired  Assistant Police Chief McCoy's trips into Manhattan ,on weekends in his City car were well documented by the tickets mailed to the City when he would run the tolls in his City car  and they would photograph his plate.And lets not forget  Segarra puppet master Saundra Kee-Borges  wrecking her City car, not  even being driven by her, after her outing to Jay's Crab Shack on Park Street for dinner.

Secondly why shouldn't the people be able to see their Fire Chief out in public. For the outrageous taxes we pay in Hartford, it might actually be nice to see the Fire Chief is attending a community meeting or visiting a school or event. They can't now because Chief  Huertas apparently is running in stealth mode

If Chief Huertas wants to build morale in his department, the HFD-1 plate should go back on the Chief's car and he should proudly be identified as the chief of the Hartford Fire Department with proper markings on his vehicle.

Little things mean a lot.

 

SLEEP EASY TONIGHT, SHERIFF SEGARRA IS ON PATROL

Apparently the remedial classes on "How to Look like a Decent Mayor"are paying off for Pedro Segarra. The classes are offered by the National Mayor's Association, especially in election years for lackluster Mayor's who are running to salvage their political career's. The photo above is of Segarra at yesterday's homicide and shooting scene at Rawson School.

Segarra has begun making a point of visiting shooting and fire scenes starting the last couple weeks, something he had not done for the previous five years. Apparently the National Mayors Seminar instructed the attendees to do this. According to one source the NMA stressed to Segarra and the other failing Mayor's that every time one of their constituents takes a bullet to the head, it is a media opportunity to actually look like a leader. jump in front of the Television cameras .

Clearly state your indignation and how this behavior will not be tolerated "in our neighborhoods". If anyone asks how this could happen or if your constant budget cuts and failing to hire police officers, quickly steer away from that question  and even try to force a tear to your eyes to look like you care.

The other part of the remedial course was to always have their GPS in the car programmed for parts of their City that they don't regularly visit. According to Segarra's staff he has recently programmed Blue Hills and several North End locations in his GPS, particularly those pockets that show locations of voters that actually get out and vote.

I personally am not convinced of the value of Segarra visiting crime scenes. It definitely appears to be a disruption when Segarra shows up and crawls under the yellow crime scene tape. He also doesn't appear to be too cognizant that he is traipsing through a crime scene, possibly destroying evidence as he takes his Mayoral Parade through the latest shooting scene. Plus I am not sure if he understands that after the person has left their gray matter on the basketball court, he is a little too late to do anything.

But if nothing else, maybe he is improving his acting skills for his next  career. That lawyering thing and then the Mayor thing haven't gone too well for him, but after watching some of his recent performances, I think he might just have the actor thing down to an art.




"And the Academy Award goes to...."

MOODY INVESTOR'S DOWNGRADE REPORT FOR HARTFORD, CT

Here is the actual Moody's report and the reason's they downgraded Hartford's financial rating

Rating Action:

Moody's downgrades Hartford, CT's GO to A3; outlook negative

Global Credit Research - 24 Jun 2015

Assigns A3 to $76M GO Bonds; city has $434M in GO debt outstanding

New York, June 24, 2015 --
Moody's Rating

Issue: General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2015 Series A; Rating: A3; Sale Amount: $55,000,000; Expected Sale Date: 07-03-2015; Rating Description: General Obligation

Issue: Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2015 Series B; Rating: A3; Sale Amount: $20,700,000; Expected Sale Date: 07-03-2015; Rating Description: General Obligation

Opinion

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded to A3 from A2 the rating on the City of Hartford's, (CT) outstanding general obligation bonds, affecting approximately $434 million of outstanding debt. The outlook remains negative. Concurrently, Moody's has assigned an A3 rating to the city's $76 million of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2015 A and B.

SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE

The downgrade to A3 from A2 reflects: the city's weak financial position which is evidenced by a continued reliance on one-time revenue sources in order to balance the budget; a narrow reserve position following a sizeable deficit in fiscal 2014 and modest expected improvement in fiscal 2015, limited revenue raising ability in the absence of tax increases, and diminished flexibility for future expenditure reductions. The rating also incorporates sizeable pension, OPEB and debt liabilities, as well as the city's standing as the state capital and an important regional economic center, albeit characterized by weak socioeconomic indices.

OUTLOOK

The negative outlook reflects our expectation that the city will remain challenged to restore fiscal stability over the near term, given its limited revenue raising flexibility, high fixed cost burden and continued reliance on non-recurring revenues. The outlook also incorporates the possibility for downward rating action should the city fail to adopt structurally balanced budgets and augment its slim reserve levels.

WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO UP

• Established trend of structurally balanced operations
• Rebuilding of reserves to adequate levels
• Substantial tax base growth
• Significant improvement in socioeconomic indices

WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO DOWN

• Protracted structural budget imbalance, including reliance on one-time revenue sources
• Reduction of General Fund reserves
• Deterioration of the city's tax base or demographic profile

OBLIGOR PROFILE

Hartford is the capital and third largest city in Connecticut, with an estimated population of 124,893.

LEGAL SECURITY

The bonds are secured by the city's general obligation unlimited tax pledge.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Both the Series A and Series B bonds will be used to restructure certain outstanding maturities from the series 2005C, 2009, 2009A, 2010A, 2011A, 2012A & B, 2013B, and 2014B & C bonds. The restructuring will result in an overall net present value loss of $9 million. On a budgetary basis, the restructuring will provide roughly $42 million in upfront cash flow savings, which will be used to provide budgetary relief in fiscal 2016 and 2017, with smaller savings from 2018 to 2020. From 2021 to 2034 the city will recognize budgetary dis-savings of approximately $52 million.

PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY

The principal methodology used in this rating was US Local Government General Obligation Debt published in January 2014. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

The following information supplements Disclosure 10 ("Information Relating to Conflicts of Interest as required by Paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(J) of SEC Rule 17g-7") in the regulatory disclosures made at the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for each credit rating:

Moody's was not paid for services other than determining a credit rating in the most recently ended fiscal year by the person that paid Moody's to determine this credit rating.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
Thomas Compton
Analyst
Public Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
60 State Street
Suite 700
Boston, MA 02109
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BUT NOW IT IS TIME TO STEP IT UP

Many of you that read this blog and have been faithful to it also deserve much of the credit for its success. Without your help and trust in me keeping your information confidential, this blog would have never accomplished even close to what is has been able to do.

Without your calls, I would have never know to look for the Mayor's caviar and champagne swilling receipts. Without your calls and tips I would have never know about the secret little dal with Saundra Kee-Borges to fleece the people of Hartford with her comeback deal approved by Segarra.Without your calls I would have never known about the Mayor's former Chief of Staff and his stolen City vehicle recovered in front of his home on Capitol Avenue.

Yes, with your help and assistance we have accomplished much and exposed a multitude of corrupt activities in the Segarra Administration. The work is not done yet though.

Hartford can not survive another four years of the Segarra Administration and the City Council that has been complicit with it. The only way to change that is through the voting booth.

If you have attended any of the Mayoral Forums  being held across the City , I applaud you for your involvement. But have you been able to weed through all the crap that you are being fed.

Let's start with one of the hot issues. Second chances and the second chance legislation. If you listen to Segarra , he strongly supports second chances and sits at very forum and states that with all sincerity. But look at the facts. Actions speak louder than words. Do any of you recall the name Kennard Ray? Ray was hired to work in the Segarra Office doing community outreach. Ray was a convicted felon and served prison time on numerous gun and drug charges.

Probably not the best choice to be hired by the Mayor to work with community groups trying to rid their neighborhoods of guns and drugs,but I think it was more about Ray's connections with the Working Families Party and Segarra's political future than anything else.  Apparently Kennard's speciality  during his younger years was providing  guns and drugs  to their very neighborhoods. But regardless, Segarra hired him. After it was announced  that Segarra hired Kennard Ray, the response was quick from the media and Ray's criminal history was out in the open. Segarra's response was just about as quick, he immediately fired Ray.

Now does that sound like someone who believes in second chances or second chance legislation?  No , it sounds more like a fraud who will say and do anything when it fits his needs

Let's go to public safety. Segarra loves telling people he brought us Chief Rovella. More Segarra nonsense. The truth of the matter is that when Segarra could have hired Rovella, he was signing a contract for $70,000 for an outside search firm to pick a Police Chief. That result almost landed us our next police Chief who was apparently a drunk from Indianapolis who had recently been arrested for a DUI charge.

I also love that after 6 years, Segarra has suddenly decided to act Mayoral and now makes it a point to console victims of violence and the families of homicide victims. During that comforting process does he also advise the victims families that under his guidance both he and the City Council have ignored hiring  the necessary number of Police Officers to keep up with the needs of HPD. Does he tell them that HPD is  close to 100 police officers under where it should of where it should be? Does he advise these families during his consoling tour that the violence that took their loved ones life could be directly attributable to his mismanagement? At least 5 more officers retired this week and there is no end in sight. HPD is headed for a real staffing crisis.

Today marks a monumental decision from the US Supreme Court regarding same sex marriage. It just happens to coincide with a Gay Pride Rally at the Old State House this evening. I am sure Pedro Segarra will be front and center proclaiming hi "gayness" He actually organized the rally and placed his husband in charge of organizing the even. But what is the motivation? Hartford hasn't had a gay pride rally in several years and under Segarra there has been very little attention to the gay community.

 Might it be that Segarra realizes that roughly 10% of the population are gay or identify as LGBT or Q. That is also 10% of the voting population as well as potentially 10% of possible donors. In a City with roughly 50,000 voters, 10% is 5,000 if they all voted, that's enough to win an election.Why would Segarra pander to them and act like he cares?If it was about "Gay Pride", it should have started in year one not year six when there is an election. More of the Segarra fraud.

Back to my original title. Now is the time to step up your game. If you believe Hartford needs serious change and you want to be part of it, continue to call me with your tips, but also pick up the phone and call your neighbors, friends, church members, actually anyone that will listen and tell them Pedro Segarra is the wrong choice for Hartford. Tell them if they care about this city, we need a fundamental change for truth and reality.

Go out in your neighborhood and knock on doors and tell them why we need change. Tell them why 4 more years of Pedro Segarra will be devastating to the people of Hartford.

Finally, if they ask you what the alternative is , let me say again, loudly, proudly and sincerely "I SUPPORT BOB KILLIAN FOR MAYOR" If you need to learn more , feel comfortable, call him and talk to Bob. Invite Bob to your home for coffee and a conversation, he will be glad to sit down with you and your neighbors and answer your questions. I doubt that is an offer you typically get from politicians.  But check out the real deal and know what you are getting in advance.

 Let's end the fraud and move forward with integrity.

HPD NEEDS CANCER SURGERY ...QUICKLY

The  Hartford Police Department has a cancer in its midst, and like any cancer it needs to be removed quickly to keep the rest of the body healthy.

That cancer is Hartford Police Officer Kamil Stachowitz. Stachowicz is a racist cop who has no problem referring to African Americans using the "N" word in Public. His behavior was well confirmed by the Foxwood's Tribal Police as they banned him from the Foxwood's Casino for life. His lifetime ban was the result of a racist tirade inside the Casino when he freely yelled the "N" word as well as other racist remarks. He also made it a point of letting everyone know that he was a Hartford Police Officer while doing it.

HPD and the City of Hartford, as well as the Mayor and Council can't have it both ways. You can't be holding meetings asking for the support and confidence of the community, while at the same time condoning racist behavior. Police Officers that respect the residents of Hartford don't throw around the "N" word during  racist rants.

Last night, I personally put Councilwoman Jennings and Councilman Anderson on notice of Stachowitz's behavior. They claimed they didn't know anything about it, but now that the Foxwood's incident reports are posted and public, ignorance is no longer a defense.

What will City Hall do? Will they allow this cancer to grow until God forbid we are the next Ferguson or Baltimore? Or will they assume the leadership roles we expected when we elected  them?

What will the Hartford Police Union  do? Will they continue to support a racist cop , providing attorney's for him for his IAD interviews. Or will the majority of Union members stand up and say that Stachowitz's  behavior is not representative of them and is offensive to all of the other Union members that conduct themselves with dignity  and respect for the people they serve. Since Stachowitz's behavior didn't happen on duty , why is the Union obligated to defend his racist actions?

The union's actions also strengthen the appearance of the Union defending bad cops, rather than working to clean up the working conditions to protect the good cops.

A cancer diagnosis is never an easy thing to deal with, but everyone knows when that diagnosis is confirmed, difficult treatment decisions need to be made. That time is now and the difficult decision for removing the HPD cancer needs to happen now.

Below is another Foxwoods Tribal Police statement provided to me this morning by Foxwood's Police Chief  William Dittma. The statement was omitted from my original request for documents.

Chief 15-109-OF

A STORY OF A RACIST COP, THE FOXWOODS REPORTS

When is a racist cop acceptable. How drunk do you have to be to overlook racist behavior. I think the correct answer is never .From what I am told this version is a greatly sanitized version and as you can see ,  both reports were "modified" on 5/19/15 , after I requested their release, even though the incident occurred on 2/25/15. I have requested the original versions from the Foxwoods Police Chief

Here are the incident reports from the Foxwoods Tribal Police. It has been a long day, but I promise , much more on this tomorrow,

FOXWODDS STACHOWITZ REPORT0001

WE HAVEN'T CORNERED THE MARKET ON MORONS

Here is another story of roadside sign holders. HPD showed more restraint than the Seattle PD did, but I guess stupidity is not just a local issue, click the link to see the story http://www.aol.com/article/2015/06/24/police-fine-man-holding-sign-warning-drivers-of-speed-trap/21200754/?icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl34%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D-655136560

JEAN POTTINGER: A FIGHTER FOR HARTFORD

One of the immeasurable values of this blog are the great people I have met that I probably wouldn't have met under normal circumstances. One of those people is Bowles Park resident Jean Pottinger. Jean would call me on almost a weekly basis, sometimes more frequently, mostly  about issues involving transportation. More recently her calls were about the gentrification  of the Bowles Park housing project, where she lived.

Jean was also a regular caller to our public access TV program. She was passionate as well as extremely well informed about the issues she raised and a phone call from her almost always required a block of at least twenty minutes to get it all in.

I was surprised as well as saddened  yesterday to see that Jean had passed away Monday at Saint Francis Hospital. Jeans latest issue was with the I-quilt project and the removal of downtown bus stops. Jean said much of this was done without any notice and made it very difficult for Hartford Senior Citizens to make their bus connections downtown.

I never realized until reading her obituary what a staunch advocate she was for transportation issues and the various boards she had served on.

The people of Hartford have lost one of their unsung heroes, who worked hard for their benefit.

Jean Pottinger passed away Monday at 78.

You can read Jean's obituary in the Courant here

BE BOB'S GUEST

I am proud to be one of the hosts for a reception for Mayoral candidate Bob Killian tomorrow evening

Tomorrow night at 5:30PM we will be hosting Bob at the Tavern Downtown for a meet and greet  for Hartford people (and  others) Everyone is welcome to take a few minutes and meet Bob and ask him the questions that you may have on your mind. Donations are welcome, (it is politics), but they aren't required. Just your presence is enough, get to know the candidate

Stop by 201 Ann Ucello Street, next to the Russian Lady, and be our guest for an evening with BOB beginning at 5:30. Light refreshments, beer wine and soda  provided.

 Thank you to the Tavern Downtown, owner  Jerry Fornarelli and the staff of the Tavern for their hospitality

DELIVERING A STEAMING PILE OF CRAP

 

 

That's a rough title, but that is exactly what Mayor Segarra dumped on the desks of the Hartford Media people last Friday at 4:00PM in the afternoon.

 That pile of crap was the sixth month Fire Chief's Advisory Report commissioned by Segarra after numerous problems within the Hartford Fire Department, culminating with the first Line of Duty Death of a Hartford firefighter in decades.

The report was full of finger pointing and even some back slapping by the retired Chief's,  even going so far as trying to decide who was the best Chief. The report was very short on any solutions though.

I was a little surprised that Chief Rovella would even allow his name to be included on such a flawed report. I also realize who he works for and it wasn't his free choice to be included .  Rovella is one that always has a vision and is not short on solutions that make sense. The rest of the group is not.  I have heard a lot of positive things though regarding retired Chief Carter, but I have never personally met the man and was not here when he was Chief.

 The rest were predictable. Can anyone in their right mind say that  alcohol and drug abuse are not a problem within HFD. How many high profile do we need to see played out in the media? How many Doug Caldwell's do we need to see drunk in firehouses and creating public disturbances? How many firefighters do we need to see under arrest after gunplay with handguns while partying? If drugs are being dealt out of firehouses, might we have a problem?

Maybe the former Chief's might have issues with their own addictions and choose not to take a hardline approach against the very same behavior they have been involved in and may still be involved in. To ignore the problem is to condone the behavior.

 We also all know the animosity between the current Deputy Chief of Training Dan Nolan and both the current Chief as well as previous Chiefs A major portion of the report was to place blame for the Department's problems on Training and Nolan.

I have to ask who were the Chief's of the Department and where is the disciplinary reports or e-mails or documents, commonly called progressive discipline in the Labor world. The answer is simple, there is none. The Department Chiefs are responsible for monitoring the Department's performance , identifying problems and taking corrective action. If you have been asleep at the switch  for years, you can't suddenly try to cover your ass and point the finger of blame.

 The problems at HFD are much deeper than just the training Division. Where was the portion about Worker's Comp abuse? I must have missed that page. When you have a firefighter that has spent much of his career out injured but is well enough to carry a gun and shoot a man in the driveway of a home he is renovating, you have a problem. That wasn't caused by training.

When you have Lieutenant's fist fighting at a fire scene, your zero tolerance policy for workplace violence doesn't seem to be being taken seriously. I don't think the Training Division teaches hand to hand combat, so I don't think they can be blamed.

When a brand new ladder truck sits in the repair garage for months because no one is monitoring payment of bills, that is a problem. I am not sure of the entire structure of HFD, but I really would be surprised if fiscal management comes under the Training Division.

 There was a lot of discussion calling for another Assistant Chief position to be created, but there was no discussion of the time and effort wasted creating a sham position for Terry Waller.

One of the claims was that live fire training was not happening as frequently as it should. Last I heard, Chief Huertas would not approve funds for hay and other materials for the live burn scenarios, so is that the responsibility of the Deputy Chief of Training. Last I knew thy could no longer print money at the Fire Training Academy to pay bills.

The fact that fit tests were not performed on Scott Air Bottles as required because the machine was broken was never mentioned in the report. That seems like a major problem that at least warranted a mention in the report. Nothing, training again? I doubt it

 It was also interesting to note Chief Teale's mea culpa when he wanted it noted in the report that he was excluding himself   from any discussion when it came to the death of Firefighter Kevin Bell, stating that Bell was a relative of his. Did he make that same proclamation when it came to the hiring of Bell or his nepotism all OK as long as the spotlight isn't shining on it?

 It just seems interesting that Mayor Segarra made the choice to bring back these men to try to solve the problems within HFD. Especially when you consider that for the most part the are the same men that began or allowed the decay of the Hartford Fire Department. Reading this report will show you the lack of vision or the ability to conduct change of these so called leaders of the Hartford Fire Department.

 I think much more would have been accomplished if Segarra recruited the assistance of respected Fire Service leaders from outside of Hartford. Leaders that didn't have the need to cover their own tracks and bad deeds and really wanted to get to the truth to prevent any more LODD within HFD

To see a copy of the Hartford Fire Department Task Force’s final report, visit: http://bit.ly/1Gaw2fi

TRANSPARENCY CAN NOT BE A ONE-WAY STREET

Recently, the Hartford Police Department made a big production of their quickness in releasing information regarding an officer involved shooting in a Blue Hills neighborhood. Mayor Segarra quickly jumped on board and touted his transparency. I would gamble a guess and say Segarra had nothing to do with it, it had James Rovella written all over it and was probably thought out well in advance by the Chief.

Segarra can't seem to manage his way out of a paperbag, never mind successfully defuse the potential powderkeg that HPD had on their hands. Under Rovella's leadership the shooting was handled properly and no public disturbance was felt.

 But it is relatively easy to be transparent in textbook type situations. If the situation was entirely different, would the information be as forthcoming? If there were clear questions  regarding the officer's probable cause, would Mayor Segarra have been as quick to support HPD?

Lets move to another racial incident where "transparency " has not been as forthcoming. And let me say up front, I know Chief Rovella is in a tough spot on some of these decisions, but it doesn't make it right. I posted here a while back regarding Hartford Police Officer Kamil Stachowitz. Stachowitz in a drunken rage recently at the Foxwood's Casino began yelling the "N" word at a  Foxwoods tribal police officer, who had been called to remove an unruly Stachowitz. During the altercation Stachowitz repeatedly yelled the "N" word and even went so far as telling the African American tribal officer  "my grandfather used to own slaves like you".

After learning of the incident, I attempted to obtain the incident report from the Foxwoods  Police Department. After numerous phone calls to Foxwoods, the tribal Police finally acknowledged the incident and provided me with their case number. They refused to give me the report though, claiming that HPD asked them not to release it to me because they were conducting an internal administrative investigation. Foxwoods told me they had forwarded a copy of the incident report to HPD .

I requested the report on at least three occasions from HPD through Deputy Chief Foley to no avail. Detective Ursula Wiebusch who handles the Department's FOI requests would not give me a specific denial. All she would mention on her e-mails is that the report was part of an ongoing administrative investigation.

There are several very specific exemptions under the FOI law when an agency can refuse to release  public documents. Open Administrative investigations is not one of them. Documents as part of an "ongoing criminal investigation" can be withheld.  Since HPD has no jurisdiction in Ledyard or at Foxwoods, there is no chance of HPD's administrative investigation resulting in criminal charges. Specifically, this is the exemption HPD is apparently trying to use: Records of law enforcement agencies not otherwise available to the public which records were compiled in connection with the detection or investigation of crime,

 I understand collective bargaining and Union nonsense, but why would the Union or the Department try to protect a racist cop?

The scary part in this is that Stachowitz apparently went off sick under the Employee Assistance Program  (EAP) when the incident first came to light. I guess alcoholism is an illness under ADA( American's with Disabilities Act). It's a convenient dodge to buy time . Since that time Stachowitz has since returned to regular duty as a Hartford Police Officer complete with a badge and gun out in the public. He is currently assigned to TeleServe, HPD's front desk area, which is also the HPD version of the penalty box for bad boys and girls.

The problem with that is that Stachowitz last week was taken out of TeleServe and used in a regular  patr0ol car on the streets of Hartford, racist attitudes and all. One high ranking official at HPD also said that Stachowitz is eligible for overtime and there is no way of stopping that. What will happen if he is working a PJ at Walmart and assaults a black or Puerto Rican  alleged shoplifter. What happens if he is working a road job and gets involved in an altercation similar to the one we saw last year with the Taser deployment? Will the community give him the benefit of the doubt?

Will the community just accept the situation and continue their trust and confidence in HPD. In the current climate I would say probably not. Too many people are looking for a reason to light the fuse on that powderkeg, and with known racists like Officer Stachowitz on the force, they have every right to be concerned.

The HPD Union needs to not protect racist , bad cops. They have apparently provided legal representation for the racist Stachowitz at all of his interviews. Maybe it is time for the Moral Monday group to stage a protest on the street in front of 253 High Street at HPD Headquarters That's a protest for a cause that is not abstract to Hartford, we have a proven racist cop in our midst and he needs to be gone. Stachowitz has no business wearing the uniform and badge that all of the other honorable men and women of HPD wear  everyday as they serve our neighborhoods with respect.

HPD Stachowitz FOI0001

WOODEN DECIDES TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR HARTFORD

"Just keep talking, I  can't hear you with my headphones on" 

 

According to sources within the Hartford Democratic Town Committee, Council President Shawn Wooden  has informed DTC Chairman Marc Dibella that he will not be seeking re-election. Wooden has had a very difficult year and has been widely criticized by Hartfordite's as being "out of touch" with his constituents as well as his waffling on the Stadium deal. Wooden was also criticized for his condescending attitude toward many of his constituents, especially those that disagreed with him publicly.

Wooden's political start was also an issue with many people after he originally announced his candidacy for Mayor years ago  and then backed out after an announcement  apparently orchestrated by Governor Malloy. The deal for Wooden to drop out was never fully realized after Pedro Segarra apparently backed out of his portion of the deal, but that was after the election so the deal was already sealed.


UPDATE: 9:00pm My knowledge of Hartford politics doesn't go back far enough apparently.. Wooden's start in elected politics in Hartford wasn't his ill fated Mayoral run, it was actually  his ill fated campaign against  Senator Eric Coleman 15 or 20 years ago, where he suffered the same fate he did in his latest run against Coleman- defeat. Actually he dropped out when the race became heated, something he might have been wise to do in last falls challenge again of  Senator Coleman.

For history sake, make note that Pedro Segarra does not have the title "Judge" before his name, and most likely never will

PAY BACK IS A B***H

I started getting some caricatures e- mailed to me last week. They appear to be by someone very artistic by the way,  I would imagine that it is someone disgruntled with the Segarra campaign . The cartoons raise some funny issues and they can be followed at https://twitter.com/SosoCampaign

 I have posted a couple here, but check out the rest if you have time. I am not sure why the female in the drawings is called "Cindy". It apparently is a reference to Segarra's campaign spokesperson Shelly Sindland who sometimes refers to herself as Cindy Crawford. The male in the caricatures is apparently intended to be Segarra's campaign manager.

Enjoy

 

 

THE RIGHT TO BE A MORON

Hartford's latest Moron

 

Occasionally I think we all need a reminder what a great country we live in. The picture above is your daily reminder for Friday June 19, 2015. This idiot is standing in the roadway on Airport Road to warn approaching  drivers of an HPD checkpoint ahead As someone who has had a relative lost to a drunk driver, actually a wrong way driver on I-91 several years ago, I fully understand the devastation a few drinks behind the wheel can cause.

 

 

In the case of my relative, it was a unique situation. I had a cousin who was totally deaf. Karen eventually met the man of her dreams. David was also totally deaf and they got along extremely well. It was always very interesting to watch them communicating through sign language and reading lips and they both seemed very happy and they eventually got married and had two children. David eventually was hored by the Post Office at the Weston Street Post Office. He worked nights in an area that specifically hired hearing impaired people die the nose in the area.

David had left work one night after his shift, headed home to his wife and children. It was David's misfortune to encounter a wrong way driver headed South on I-91 in the Northbound lane. The drunk had recently left a bar in Sprongfiweld and collided with David head on, killing him instantly. As is usually the case , the drunk survived


This moron pictured above, identified through sources as Steven Schafer, apparently appreciates his right to free expression along with his associate Michael Picard who was also holding signs along Airport Road. Expression tha they are both  free to exercise no matter how irresponsible or offensive it is. The swastika is an interesting touch and I am not sure how that strengthens their message. As a moron, he clearly doesn't understand the symbolism that symbol  and the deep hurt and feelings it provokes.

The moron was at a DUI checkpoint earlier this evening on Airport Road in Hartford. The checkpoint was held in conjunction with MADD and several mothers an family members who lost children to drunk drivers were there. I am not sure what Mr. Picard's message is or was. Is he condoning drunks killing children? Is he maybe offering support for the Holocaust and the deaths of Jews.

Whatever the message is, he is wrong and the case of DUI fatalities, dead wrong.

But once again , everyone has the right to be a moron, even Mr. Picard . So Mr. Moron Picard, next time you get the idea to warn drunks on the road, try to remember the story of Karen  and David, and maybe remember all of the Jews killed during the Holocaust.

I also can't help but wonder how your family would react if you were run down and killed by a drunk driver while out there pulling your crazy stunt.

THE TROUBLE NEVER ENDS FOR ANGEL MORALES

Angel Morales pictured , far right, at Sundays Parade with Mayoral Candidate Luke Bronin.


The problems keep coming for Hartford's wannabe politician Angel Morales. Morales, who spent several years in prison after being convicted of felony charges related to his unlawfully impersonating an attorney, is once again in hot water. This would seem to be an usual spot for the clerk of the Legislatures Law Committee to be once again running afoul of the law.

Let me start at the beginning.

Back in 2010 Morales made a decision to run against State Rep. Kelvin Roldan. Roldan had his own problems at the time. Amidst allegations of being out of touch with his constituents and being the right had for a corrupt Mayor, Eddie Perez, Roldan was going to face a tough fight.

 Morales approached me and asked me to manage his campaign. I knew he was a convicted felon and I had done some of my own research into the charges to feel comfortable I was making the right choice if I said yes.   I eventually said yes and we began fundraising to get Morales to qualify for the Citizen's Election Fund. He did and that is where the latest trouble began. After receiving his check from the State, the spending spree began.

Apparently Morales hired a campaign Treasurer from Springfield and paid him a sizeable amount. Off the top of my head I think it was $7500 he paid.  Of course he broke that news to me the same night he showed up in my driveway in a brand new Lincoln Towncar. When I questioned him on the car, he advised me it was a rental and it was being paid fro from his campaign funds. Now Morales didn't have a car and for that matter didn't even have a drivers license.

He knew my displeasure with the way he was spending his money  and I insisted the rental car be returned the following  morning. Angel refused to return it and I quickly got away from his campaign. As it turns out that was a very wise choice on my part.

As it turns out, Morales was eventually investigated by the Hartford Police on allegations that he picked up a mentally challenged young man on Washington Street and took him to his campaign headquarters on Franklin and performed lewd acts in front of the man.( Police report on the incident can be read by clicking the second link below) This was done in the car that he continued to rent after the election was over in a campaign headquarters he continued to rent after the election was over. The Citizen's Election Fund money is supposed to cease being used once the election is over except for cleaning up campaign debts incurred during the election.

Apparently, Morales opponent in the election thought something stunk with Morales's required campaign filings and filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission .These things don't move quickly, especially in agencies decimated by budget cuts, but the matter has recently made it before the State Elections Enforcement Commission. At a hearing the Commission found that Morales had failed to account for, or provide documentation for almost $20,000.00  in Campaign expenses.

 Due to Morales's failure to comply with the requirements of the Citizen's Election Fund, Morales was ordered to repay $19,381.85 he received from the fund. Morales was ordered to pay  an additional $10,000.00 fine and his Treasurer was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000.00.

Morales has continued to work as a paid staff member on various campaigns including recent campaigns of Mayor Pedro Segarra and Senator John Fonfara.

 To read more on Morales posting on "We The People"  click here  or here for another posting

For more on the predatory allegations against Morales, read the Courant's version here

WHY THE SEGARRA SECRECY?

Mayor Pedro Segarra likes throwing around the word "transparency", but the reality is he much prefers secrecy.

Think back to the 18months leading up to the stadium deal, 18 months of secrecy. Secrecy on the part of Segarra and Deller that led to a rushed deal that was forced upon the people of Hartford. A rushed deal that now appears to have serious problems holding together.

 The  supermarket that was supposed to be part of a done deal. It was originally supposed to involve a well known supermarket, that vendor has apparently now backed away from the project.

The Hooker brewery deal is in question also now. I probably shouldn't call it a deal because apparently nothing in writing was ever in place. No memo of understanding , no written agreement, apparently nothing other than architects renderings to make the stadium look flashy. A source that spoke with me, wishing to remain anonymous,  stated that the deal wasn't dead, but was very precarious.

The source said that the owner of Hooker brewery was looking for other space  outside of the stadium to locate his operation. Hooker's owner, Curt Cameron did not return repeated calls for comment. Segarra's spokesperson Maribel Laluz also did not return phone calls for comment. The topic was brought up at Tuesday's Stadium Authority meeting  with no specifics as to the direction, only that they were working hard to save the deal.

Wednesday the announcement was made that Dunkin Donuts had been awarded the naming rights for the stadium. Once again shrouded in secrecy, no information would be released on the financials of the deal

Why?

It is a public facility funded in most part, or at this point entirely, by public (taxpayers) dollars. The suspicion is that the deal fell short of the Mayor's estimates of the amount needed to make the project viable. If the announcement has been made, the deal should already be in place and negotiated so releasing information to the public, the people footing the bill for the stadium is important. And if the deal has already been negotiated, why not?

Mayor Segarra was quoted in the Courant as saying "I have not been given exact figures" Nonsense. Any good manager would be on top of the project  and know exactly what was going on, especially when the annual deal is critical to the project making its financial projections. More likely, the  projection made by Segarra is off the mark of the final deal. $500,000 was needed or the projections would fall short.

 Whether it is deals done in secrecy or secret "public excluded" meetings held in the Mayor's Office, it raises suspicion about Segarra's operation much more than it builds public confidence and trust in City hall.

I have FOI'd the documents from the Stadium Authority to see the real numbers

FROM HPD:17 ARRESTED AT RUSH HOUR PROTEST

FROM HPD:

On June 8^th, 2015 at about 4:01 p.m. Officers from the Hartford Police Department responded the vicinity of Central Row and Market Street on a call for service regarding a demonstration, “Black Lives Matter”.  This demonstration included an act of civil disorder by the participants who held hands while standing in the crosswalk blocking eastbound and westbound vehicular traffic on Central Row, greatly impeding travel during the traditional onset of the evening commute.  Additional Hartford Police personnel were requested and responded.  The demonstrators were given orders to disperse by Hartford Police which were ignored.  Seventeen demonstrators volunteered to be arrested.  The arrests were made without further incident.  Each of the seventeen individuals arrested were transported to booking, processed, with bond set at $5,000.00 each on a single charge of Disorderly Conduct.  Court dates have been set for June 17^th, 2015.

 

The seventeen demonstrators arrested are listed below

Alan L. Benford, age 54 of Manchester, CT. 

Anthony L. Bennett, age 49, of Bridgeport, CT. 

Sofia W. Buyniski, age 59, of Colchester, CT. 

Jan M. Carlsson-Bull, age 72, of Middletown, CT 

Debra Cohen, age 63, of Wethersfield, CT. 

Christopher J. Doucot, age 47, of Hartford, CT. 

Vanessa Gonzalez, age 40, of West Hartford, CT. 

Brian M. Kavanagh, age 71, of Hartford, CT. 

Cornell Lewis, age 65, of Bloomfield, CT.  

Robin McHaelen, age 60, of Manchester, CT. 

Matthew B. Mclaughlin, age 30, of Hartford, CT. 

Jessica Offir, age 50, of Coventry, CT. 

Joshua M. Paweler, age 46, of Glastonbury, CT.

John L. Selders, age 52, of Hartford, CT.  

Angela Swagner, age 64, of Kensington, CT. 

Oshun-Anna M. Vicente, age 46, of Hartford, CT. 

Michael T. Walton, age 39, of Bridgeport, CT.

 

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS...PLEASE

A friend of my sister posted this on her FACEBOOK page. It is a posting on how to avoid the early warning signs of a stroke. Since I have been there and done that, twice now, I think it is important to post.Since recognizing the early signs of stroke and getting early treatment.is quite possibly. the difference between life and death or at least permanent neurological damage. Luckily for me, my sister and a good friend did not take no for an answer the first time it happened. If I had  had my way I would have gone to sleep. Luckily for me the first time, my sister called 911 and summoned emergency help  and not getting treatment was not an option  The e-mail says getting 10 people to read this could save at least one life. If I have a typical day, possibly a few thousand people will read this on the blog

 

You can read it directly on Anne's page here, be sure to like it if you find it helpful

 

 

from the Facebook e-mail:

 

I URGE ALL MY FRIENDS TO READ & SHARE THIS; YOU COULD SAVE A LOVED ONES LIFE BY KNOWING THIS SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!

Stroke has a new indicator! They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
>>RECOGNIZING A STROKE<<

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is

'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you? See More

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IS IT REALLY THE RIGHT TIME TO PLAY A GAME OF CORPORATE CHICKEN OVER THE TAX PLAN?

More on this later today after I get back to write it, but I have serious concerns over information I received the last few days. Is it all a bluff or would GE and Aetna actually consider moving and what would the fallout be to our communities and State?

LIKE HIM OR NOT, THE MAN CAN PREACH

As of Friday, I wasn't sure if I was going to attend the Sharpton Rally.  I don't always care for his messages. Right now in Hartford, I wish we had leaders that were respected enough to unify and guide our community so that we didn't have the need for outsiders to come here. Since we don't have those leaders in place currently I guess we need to take what we can get for help.

The lack of those leaders at the initial kickoff from Mount Moriah Church was noticeable. Councilman Kyle Anderson was inside the Church, as was Mayoral candidate Judge Bob Killian and his wife Candace, Congressman Larson was there also as well as many other community leaders. But no Mayor, no Council President, no Council Majority Leader, or even the Council Minority leader.  The Rally started with a lot of energy as the community gathered to try to bring peace to our City

A singer identified only by his first name , Cedric, was called up to the altar to lead the group in song and he sang accapella a religious song that was very inspiring and made me realize the untapped talent we have among us. From there the group moved to  Barbour Street, less than a block away from a recent homicide scene and about two blocks from where a young man was shot in the face last week.

As usual , the posers in our Community made themselves apparent.  The lead of the march was quickly filled with the late arrival politicians trying to show themselves as leaders by being in the front of the crowd for the media cameras.

The back of the group was also important to note as the people that were there for the right reasons, to support a community in fear and grieving.  Congressman Larson and Judge Killian as well as several ministers,  Reverend Paul Ritter and others,  brought up the rear. I guess their leadership is already known so they don't have to pose for the cameras like the front of the pack.

 The march proceeded through some of Hartford's more dangerous streets, Barbour Street, Martin Street, Garden Street and eventually ended on Albany Avenue at  Shiloh Baptist  Church. As we proceeded south on Garden Street I couldn't help but think how many vigils I have attended on Garden Street in the single block between Mather and Albany for homicide victims. Far too many.

Once inside a fully packed Shiloh, the preaching began by the ministers in attendance. Reverend Henry Brown, who has been on the forefront of Hartford's violence problems for over a decade was exceptional  in his words. Al Sharpton eventually came up to the pulpit and gave his words to the community in attendance. His words were not without conflict, especially when he made a plea for donations to his America Action Network . Probably not the best timing, but Sharpton is not only a minister but also a politician and politics requires money.

One person claiming to be a pastor headed for the main aisle and began shouting "How dare you?" at Sharpton. And while his point was valid, I think his timing was more for the theatrics of the event. I have never seen him out in the community advocating for Hartford's poor and impoverished nor have I ever seen him at a vigil for a homicide victim to support their families But at least he got his few seconds of fame. Sharpton's rebuke of him was also quick and severe, I think he will hopefully find a more suitable way to deliver his message next time.

Sharpton definitely knows how to preach and he brought the gathering to their feet to cheer and applaud his words numerous times, as well as leading the group in song with the Shiloh choir throughout the event. In the end, I think most people left with a sense of hope for Hartford's turnaround. We will see .

 We also need to keep an eye out for the promised memorial and see how that moves along. All of the cash raised was promised to build that memorial with the names of homicide victims on it. With over 300 homicide victims in the last several years, that should be a good size memorial.

 The video below is part of Sharpton's remarks. I apologize for the quality and the layout. I just upgrade to the I-phone 6 plus Friday and I still haven't got the hang of it yet, but the audio is good

JUDGE KILLIAN OFFERS POLICE STAFFING SUGGESTIONS

Right about now we need solutions and suggestions, not attention grabbing stunts. One of those doing that is Mayoral candidate Bob Killian. Killian is stepping up and trying to identify potential solutions that will have a positive impact on Hartford's future. His thoughts are driven by common sense, and after reading his ideas, it makes it clearer and clearer to me every day why Bob Killian is the right choice for Hartford , when we need solid leadership the most.

Killianofferssuggestionstoaddresspolicestaffinglevels (1)

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY, HARTFORD FIRE BLOWS IT

Monday evening during torrential rains throughout the region, a call came into the Hartford Dispatch Center reporting a meowing cat stuck in a storm drain on Nahum Drive. A dispatcher apparently dispatched a fire assignment to check put the situation.Almost immediately after the engine and District Chief were dispatched , the District Chief cancelled the action. Apparently unlike almost every other agency across the Country, according to the District Chief, "Hartford doesn't do cats".

Fortunately, a dispatcher didn't take the Hartford Fire Departments District Chiefs word as the final answer. The Dispatcher decided to try the Hartford Police to show some compassion for a creature in distress. She made the correct call. Sergeant Winston Brooks , who was the HPD street supervisor at the timer was called. Brooks has had his own unwarranted attention recently regarding not letting civilians into the Hartford Animal Shelter. Brooks was recently villainized on a Facebook page over his efforts to protect the City from unnecessary liability He would not allow civilians trying to have unsupervised access to the animal shelter

It seems minor, but imagine the law suits if HPD allowed someone unrestricted access and they were to be bit or mauled by a dangerous animal? These aren't all lovable puppies in the Shelter. So back to the cat, or as it eventually turned out, the kitten.

Brooks and several other HPD Officers responded to 73 Nahum Drive. Sure enough, the sounds of the cat in distress were clearly coming from the storm drain. HFD still refused to respond, the MDC was also less than responsive. Brooks and the HPD officers refused to allow the kitten to drown.

Officer Holly Donahue, clearly an animal lover as a HPD k-9 Officer was on her way home from what am I am told. Officer Donahue is also a member of the HPD Dive Team and she heard the radio conversations about the rescue effort. She immediately responded back into the City, donned her dry suit ( like a wet suit  but it is sealed instead of letting water in) She offered to be lowered down into the storm drain on a rope and attempt to coax the kitten out for the rescue.

This was also as the rain continued and flash flood warnings were in place throughout the state. Probably not the safest thing to do or the best place to be, but HFD still refused to assist. Besides, Mike and Molly was on TV and who wants to go outside in a rain  storm just to rescue a kitten in distress. The cops are on the streets all the time anyway, so they are used to it.

The rescue attempt was successful, the 8 month old kitten probably used up one of its 9 lives but it lived to see another day thanks to Officer Donahue, Sergeant Brooks and all the other HPD personnel involved. Shame on HFD for turning their backs on a creature in distress. Where is the Facebook page about that?