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
I served with Jean on the Griffin line commission and consulted her often on issues concerning senior citizens To call her an advocate sells her short: she was a ferocious fighter for her causes. Her encyclopedic knowledge of the bus routes always amazed me. "Take an E 17' transfer at the Old State House to a M -9, but re beer, the last return bus leaves at 8:00 pm." I'll miss you, Jean!
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