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Thursday, October 29, 2015

FROM HPD: OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING DETAILS

FROM DEPUTY CHIEF BRIAN FOLEY:
 
At the Hartford Police Department, we feel that the most critical time for us to communicate with our community and the media is during the immediate hours after a police involved shooting. Last night we again provided an on-scene media briefing and also communicated with key community members approximately an hour after the incident. The following is an update to that information:  

Last night The Hartford Police Department (HPD) was contacted by the South Windsor Police Department regarding an Emotionally Disturbed Person (E.D.P.) who had just left his mother’s house in South Windsor. According to his mother, when her son (Christopher Reh, W/M/28 of Enfield CT)  left the house he was depressed,  previously suicidal, had a knife, and made verbal statements to her that he was going to “stab police officers”. The mother told police that Reh has previously tried to kill himself with self-inflicted slashing wounds. 

This information was communicated to H.P.D. Public Safety Dispatchers via an official South Windsor police tele-type. South Windsor police also put out a Silver Alert on Reh. South Windsor police told HPD they had “Pinged” Reh’s phone in the Park Street area of Hartford. This information was relayed to HPD Patrol Officers.  HPD officers found Reh in his car on Park St. last night at 8:14pm. 

As HPD officers approached his vehicle, Reh rammed three police cruisers, and also struck a uniformed Hartford police officer who was approaching on foot.  The officer (Andrew Nelson Jr. 3yrs at HPD) was struck and knocked to the ground. At this time Officer Nelson had fired his gun at the Reh multiple times. Reh was struck twice in the Right arm. A “10-0, Officer Down, Shots Fired” call was made by on-scene officers. 

Reh then drove a short distance and crashed into a building at 577 Park St. Reh was taken to St. Francis Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Medical staff listed him in stable condition with 2 gunshot wounds to the right arm.  

Officer Nelson was taken to Hartford Hospital. Medical staff listed him in stable condition with a minor head injury, he was treated and released. 

A second officer was also taken to Hartford Hospital for minor injury and evaluation. He had been operating his HPD cruiser when Reh rammed his vehicle head-on. He was also treated and released.  

We continue to work cooperatively with the CT States Attorney’s Office through the investigation. This morning, Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Christopher Reh. He is charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, 2 counts of Assault on Police, Reckless Driving, Operating a MV with Suspended License and Evading Responsibility. The warrant has a $1,000,000 bond. Reh is at St. Francis Hospital receiving treatment for his injuries. He is in HPD custody at the hospital awaiting his release and arrest. 

The investigation of the complete incident is ongoing. As per protocol with the Connecticut States Attorney’s Office, the shooting is being investigated by an outside police agency. As with all HPD police involved shootings, there is also an internal investigation and review.
 

A GUEST POSTING: THE POSITIVE SIDE OF OUR HARTFORD

There are good things going on across our City. The following e-mail  I received today is just one example. If you  hear of  something positive going on, let me know, maybe it  will be posted here

Friends, 
 
I write to you about a story of "community" here in Hartford. 
It started with Kevin Brookman when I returned home and picked up my cellphone, I saw one of my missed calls was from him.  I texted and he called right back asking if I had heard about my friends' building, City Fare on Franklin Avenue -- it was on fire.  I thanked him profusely for caring to reach out and immediately left home again with such a heavy heart.  I love that building with its warm and inviting interior and old-fashioned side doors by which I used to let myself into the old kitchen.  Admittedly, as I was racing down to the scene, I was cursing Fran Reale (in heaven!) under my breath and asking how she could let this happen??!  When I arrived, I saw the Hartford Fire Department trying to preserve what remains of this charming building and City Fare business.  It is an experience I will NEVER forget and one that I hope others never have. Current building owners Phyllis Reale and Teresa Preziosi were SO incredibly brave and hopeful throughout that their kitchen and building may be saved so they could one day operate there again.  

It really was something to watch firefighters try to put out stubborn flames and smoke, in the pouring rain no less.  But Lt. Mario Oquendo was there because Special Services got involved and of course, who else came onto the scene and was incredibly helpful but State Rep Angel Arce.  We all see Mario and Angel at monthly MARG meetings, but it was so impressive to see them both in action!!  It was also impressive to watch HFD working together and trying to do their best to put out the fire.  Fire Marshal Lt. Sherriff was not only compassionate but extremely helpful and excellent in his public capacity.  He explained very technical fire terminology and his role in the process in plain English that all present could understand.  He conducted an exterior tour and methodically explained step-by-step what he thought had happened to cause the fire and how it traveled.  David Viens, Building Inspector from Licenses & Inspections, was very professional and kind and stayed around to the very end, trying to explain what happens in a fire-damaged building and when and what he and his department do.  With fire personnel, he went in and salvaged important business and insurance records.  Mario too, went back into the building and saved a laptop and storage drive with other business records.  There was a young police officer manning the sidewalk who was also very kind and professional.  And true kudos to the young woman who was driving by and saw the fire -- she stopped and called it in.  Mario Oquendo will try to obtain her name from fire dispatch.  This AM after getting a few hours sleep, I was so gratified to see such a prompt response to my request for help from both Julio Mendoza of SAMA and Fernando Rosa of HEDCO.  Both knew Fran Reale for years and helped Philly and Teresa obtain the loan to purchase the building after her death.

In short, it DOES matter "who" you know in our wonderful Hartford community and regardless of our bad politics and countless media stories, Hartford does have some fine staff and related resources who support our City, our businesses, our residents.

I hope those who know Philly, Teresa, Gary and Ricky will reach out to them via email, text, phone . . . whatever.  Angel Arce is already inquiring with SAMA and Trinity College to determine the availability of commercial kitchens in the area.  I was thinking the new Swift Factory kitchens??  Anyone else have an idea or can post on their FaceBook page to learn of one available??  The holidays are City Fare's busiest and most profitable times of the year.

Thanks all for reading,
Alyssa


Sunday, October 25, 2015

LOW LIFES STILL EXIST

Most of you that have been reading the blog for a while know the story of my nephew Andrew. Andrew lives with Cerebral Palsy and doesn't let it hold him back. Several years ago he took up adaptive skiing. You can check out his website here andrewraces.com  Over the years he has progressed very well and is attempting to ski in the Paralympics in Alpine skiing.

Competing is not inexpensive. Andrew needs to travel throughout the US and Canada to competing ski events and for training. My sister Sheryl, Andrews mother ,is a tireless fundraiser to help accomplish his goal. She has organized everything from Spaghetti suppers to Motorcycle runs to keep the money coming in for airline tickets, ski equipment and everything else needed to get Andrew to the Paralympics.

People have been very generous as well as helpful with Andrew's quest.

Last weekend that changed a little bit. My sister paints pumpkins at a local farm during Halloween season. As a fundraiser she has put out a jar and people can leave donations for Andrew. Customers also leave donations for special requests and additional decorations on their painted pumpkins.

Last weekend someone stole the money from the jar. It was probably only about a $100.00 or so, but the jug is clearly marked as donations for a young man with Cerebral Palsy. How low can someone go to have to steal from an effort like that?
 
Andrew currently attends college in Utah, which puts him at some great mountains for training
 

I REALLY WANT TO BELIEVE

It is kind of difficult to have a lot of confidence in anything Pedro Segarra says or does. Anything that involves his administration seems to result in chaos or corruption.

I have been driving by the Yard Goats Stadium hoping to see some miraculous progress that will put my mind at ease on the future of the stadium.

Unfortunately, I'm just not seeing it. My fear is that we are constructing a hole in the ground that will be a money pit ,that we the taxpayers of Hartford will be throwing bags of cash into,( at least $4.5 million dollars per year)  for the next quarter of a Century.

The project just not seem to be realistic. The grocery store promised seems to be non -existent, the affordable housing seems to be out as the developer pushes for a hotel to be constructed.  Is any of this project outlined in a contract that is solid or is it just "play as we go" planning?

A little over 45 days from now, December 15th, is the date the Stadium Authority has set in their own minutes when the finished infield will be complete. The pitchers mound, the base layout, the sod should all be set by that date.

 With the current condition of the construction I just don't see it happening. And if the pictures from Saturday are any indication, sod is the last thing that will be happening to that field December 15th
.Picture the baselines somewhere in here, among the construction materials

TERZI TALK AUDIO FROM SATURDAY 10/25/15


Friday, October 23, 2015

TUNE IN TOMORROW

I'll be Tony Terzi's guest tomorrow , Saturday ,October 24th for the 9 o'clock hour . Tony can be heard on WDRC, 1360 am.

Tune in if you have a chance .

And if you have a free minute, take a second and "like" Tony's Facebook page, as he is trying to increase his social media presence.https://www.facebook.com/TonyTerziFox61?fref=ts

Thursday, October 22, 2015

ANGEL MORALES ...AGAIN

Second chances are important  in society, everyone makes mistakes. But 3rd, 4th , 5th and 6th chances.  Where do we draw the line and realize that some people just don't want to change or are unwilling to change? Angel Morales might be just one of those people.

Morales, a convicted felon, has had more than his share of opportunities to get his life in order, apparently to no avail. He was even given an opportunity in the State Legislature as a clerk with a Senate Committee. That apparently came to an end after an investigation by the State Capitol Police..

Now Morales is apparently be under scrutiny by the Office of the Attorney General . The case involves a referral by the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) regarding Morales 's refusal to pay back civil penalties regarding missing funds from his unsuccessful run for the legislature and funds from the Citizen's Election fund that were unaccounted for by Morales and his campaign Treasurer. The amount in question was detailed in a complaint filed and heard by SEEC was $19, 381.85. As part of that decision Morales and his Treasurer Jason Lopez were ordered  to pay fines totaling $10,000 and $5,000.00 respectively.

Apparently those fines have not been paid and SEEC now wants to refer the matter and collection and enforcement to the Attorney General.

Morales was recently paid at least $5,000.00 dollars by the Hartford Democratic Town Committee, according to paperwork filed, for election efforts.

You can read more about Angel Morales and his antics in the attached posting and HPD Police Reporthttp://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2011/11/another-election-another-angel-morales.html



GRAND JURY SUBPOENA'S DELIVERED TO CITY HALL FOR DILLON RECORDS

It is moving quick. Word came down today that a Federal Grand Jury has been convened to look into the Dillon Stadium deal. It seems just a few short weeks ago when Councilman Kennedy was force feeding us this wonderful project, and now it is the focus of the Feds.

I would imagine there are many sleepless nights in the Scarborough Street /Terry Road area over these developments. I guess time will tell, who knew what and when did they know it and who was paid what for their votes to move the deal forward.

Stand by for the next developments.



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

DETAILING THE DILLON STADIUM CONCERNS

Although it appears that Thom Deller and the majority of those at City Hall were unfamiliar with fact checking and Google, luckily the City Council's attorney was. Below is the letter sent by Allan Taylor to Council President Shawn Wooden and Councilman Ken Kennedy outlining his concerns.


It is unclear why the full Council wasn't advised, but maybe those who have the most to lose were first on the list.


Much more to come out I am sure.


I apologize for the "we the people" watermark through the document, but I am getting a little tired of posting documents and others taking them as their own. At least now they will have to do a little work to get them on their own.

CONTINUING TO MILK THE CASH COW

Hasn't Saundra Kee-Borges, fleeced us enough over the years? Now she is back at it again. SKB and her boy toy Terry Waller have now filed suit against GEICO for the accident they were in, with Terry Waller driving a City car that he had no authority to be driving. SKB claims in the suit that she gave Waller permission to drive the car, but I am not sure she has the authority too override City policy.


More pigs at the through syndrome





Friday, October 16, 2015

THE DILLON STADIUM FRAUD DEEPENS: WHERE IS THE MONEY?

Again more questions than answers to the Dillon Stadium Project  .

 According to one attorney, the City paid PSMG,LLC for invoices billed but the money never made it to the vendors as it was supposed to go . Now isn't that shocking news. Surprise, surprise

The details are in the letter from the attorney below.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

UPDATE: STATEMENT FROM HPD ON THE DILLON STADIUM INVESTIGATION

"We have a Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Fraud Detective looking into the matter.

As a matter of standard protocol, we have notified the Connecticut States Attorney's Office as well as the United States Attorney's Office.

HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

DILLON STADIUM: THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE INDIGNATION, WHO'S FAULT IS IT

Some days I think Hartford thrives on being embarrassed. The Dillon Stadium fiasco proves it. Council President Shawn Wooden is now becoming a master at back pedaling as witnessed by his performance at last nights Council meeting. Wooden voiced his displeasure on being called on the carpet by the public at last nights public comment session. Councilman  Ken Kennedy quickly withdrew his resolution giving the keys to the Kingdom to James Pluckett and his fellow snake oil salesmen.

Wasn't Ken Kennedy the same one that has been shoving this development down our throats for months to cement his legacy as a soccer dad? Wasn't Kennedy the same Councilperson that sandbagged the first developer that was in line for the project.  The developer who is now suing the City of Hartford for its actions. I am pretty sure his case has been strengthened now by Hartford's actions and should be a slamdunk for a large settlement.

But let's get back to Wooden and the Council's actions. Wooden has every right to be indignant because this Council has been deplorable. Through their actions (or more appropriately inaction) the Council has empowered the air of incompetence that enshrines City Hall and this administration.

Remember the caviar and P-card incidents first outlined here? Where were the investigations and hearings into that ? There were none, again a little indignation but no one ever dug into the problem to get to the bottom of it. Maybe a memo advising employees that putting food and alcohol on City credit cards was a no-no. No discipline, nothing.

Remember all the trees cut from Keney Park by a rogue vendor profiting off the backs of Hartford's taxpayers . Again, questionable letters of credit and very poor oversight by City employees. What happened? Nothing. Does anyone remember the Council hearings on that matter? No you won't because there weren't any.

Incident after incident of incompetent business practices have been described here on this very blog. Many of those incidents have resulted in audits by Hartford's Internal Audit Commission. The results of those audits have ended in very specific recommendations by the Audit Commission to the Council , the Mayor and Department heads. For the most part those recommendations have fallen on deaf ears

After the Keney Park incident, the Commission recommended hiring an asset manager for the City. A City Hall employee had also recommended instituting an asset protection program after realizing that many City employees left employment and never turned in their I-pads, cell phones and laptops. Apparently at the time that the asset program was suggested there was no small asset inventory program. No one really kept a record of who was issued a cell phone or laptop, hence, no way to track what should be turned back in., and to the best of my knowledge, there still isn't an asset protection program. Incidentally, the employee who recommended the program has since been terminated by the brain trust at City Hall.

Hartford is a free-for- all and exemplifies the height of incompetence . These practices would never survive in the private sector, yet at Hartford City Hall they are rewarded. And in most cases the City Hall so-called managers are paid significantly more than their counterparts working for private businesses.

Hartford has a suite full of attorneys as well as a floor full of so called experts occupying high priced real estate at Constitution Plaza (Development Services) Are they so focused on proclaiming the next "Done Deal" as their resume builder that they are afraid to actually examine the deals closely? Could anyone with any common sense look at the Dillon Stadium deal and not realize the documents and the deal stunk to high heavens?

And how did Duckett arrive at the land of opportunity for sleazy scammers, also known as Hartford Connecticut? The theories abound, one being that there may have been a relationship between a certain Councilman and youth Soccer programs he was involved with. And how did invoices get overpaid with apparently duplicate payments with very little , or no oversight? One source claims there may have been a "dating relationship" between one of the persons signing off on the invoices and Mr. Duckett himself. I guess the investigators looking into the dirty deal will have to develop that information further.

In the meantime Council President Wooden, save the indignation and take a look in the mirror. How much of this fleecing of Hartford could you have stopped over the years with some actual leadership. I know the truth hurts, but you had the potential to form a different direction for Hartford and you chose not to. Maybe you weren't ready and didn't know how to, but hopefully your replacements coming in will understand a little better why they were actually elected and what leadership requires. Below are a sampling of documents used to determine the validity of this project. Would they have raised any red flags for you?
And here is the so called letter of credit

Saturday, October 10, 2015

A LITTLE LEVITY- IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO WORK

I can only post so much about Hartford's corruption, occasionally I need to take a break.

Friday, October 9, 2015

THE BACK PEDDLING BEGINS AS INVESTIGATIONS TAKE SHAPE

COUNCILMAN KEN KENNEDY WITHDRAWS RESOLUTION ON DILLON STADIUM

 

--- NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT---

 

(October 9, 2015) Today, Councilman Ken Kennedy has withdrawn the Resolution to develop Dillon stadium.

 

"While I continue to believe in this project, it's become clear that this proposal with these developers is not in the best interest of the City and its residents. As we continue to dig deeper, we find more issues that cause great concern. Accordingly, I am withdrawing this resolution from Planning & Zoning and Public Hearing. I believe this is the right project and concept for Dillon Stadium but currently not the right team to move it forward.  I know this parcel of land is destined to be a great public space and an asset to the City of Hartford."
END OF STATEMENT

AND SEGARRA CHIMES IN


MAYOR SEGARRA statement on dillon stadium

 

--- NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT---

 

(October 9, 2015) Today, Mayor Segarra issued the following statement regarding the current proposal to develop Dillon Stadium:

 

"I am angered and disappointed to learn that during the course of the City's due diligence for the Dillon Stadium project, disturbing issues and questions have surfaced regarding the project's investors. We are reviewing every payment made to the developer, Premier Sports Management Group, to ensure accurate accounting. They have agreed to work with the City of Hartford to reconcile any issues, if necessary. The Hartford Police Department, Hartford's Corporation Counsel, and the City Council attorney are coordinating efforts to make sure the City's interests are protected."

 

The big  question for many though is how did Kennedy's deal ever make it this far in the first place? How can community people recognize the letter of credit as a questionable document and Kennedy never did? Where were Tom Deller and the Corporation Counsel in protecting the City's interests and verify information before pushing forward? Who should have been verifying the work being billed before writing checks in excess of a million? And why was Councilman Kennedy so adamant about not being willing to release copies of the letter of credit and related documents when requested by Councilman Deutsch and others?

JILL KONOPKA LEAVING 3, HEADED TO NBC CONNECTICUT TROUBLESHOOTERS


THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE ALL AROUND US




Everyday I realize that there are good compassionate people around us. The video above is one that Tony Terzi from Fox 61 had posted on his Facebook page.  The video shows a man recovering from pretty severe burns that he received in a fire. He still found the time to stop and help a stranded motorist..

I had an incident yesterday with a Hartford Police Officer that is worthy of recognition. In these times when police bashing has become so popular with some, we also need to recognize the great officers out there.

Yesterday was my first day (or night) back in my own apartment after my July 5th stroke. I arrived home mid afternoon and a Hartford Police officer ( who I am not going to name, but it is indicative of most of our police officers) pulled into my driveway. The officer knew I had been gone for awhile and he was asking how I was doing .We had a short conversation. I then got out of my car and had a few things to carry up my stairs to get into my apartment.

He immediately went to get out of his car to help me carry things in. I  thanked him but explained I needed to do it myself to continue trying to get back into a normal routine. It was a struggle, but I got everything in on my own.

A short time later the same officer came back into my driveway. I was sitting outside on my back porch with my dog when the Officer pulled in.  He got out and told me that he was just stopping by to make sure I made it in safely.

It was a small gesture but it means a lot to know that people care. We do have many great officers in this city and we need to acknowledge and recognize their efforts.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

HOW BAD IS THE DILLON STADIUM DEAL?

I guess we are about to find out just how bad the deal is. According to several law enforcement sources, at least one and most likely two criminal investigations will be launched as early as tomorrow into the  deal.

One investigation is expected to be launched by HPD into various issues with the the deal,  the other investigation is allegedly a Federal investigation requested by Mayor Pedro Segarra during a request he made to US  Attorney Deirdre Daly earlier today.

The investigations are believed to the result of red flags raised by numerous questions  in regard to the development deal. One question is the amount of work that has been claimed to have been done already on the  site and payments made by the City using Capitol Improvement funds approaching $700.000. Much of that work and the scope of the work is apparently now in question.

According to City Hall sources, a stop payment order was placed on a check today that had been issued for additional work in question amounting to $305,000 .  Numerous other questions have been raised regarding the authenticity of a letter of credit apparently given to the City by the developer showing credit of $404 million dollars from Barclay Bank as of June 2015. That letter appears to be signed by an individual, according to sources, that has not worked for Barclay's since 2004.

It is unclear the involvement or how this information was passed by numerous City Hall individuals, including Councilman Ken Kennedy, a major proponent of the project or  Development Director Thomas Deller.

This deals needs to have the breaks put on and much more scrutiny needs to be shined on this project before moving forward.

Much more coming on this one.

HARTFORD OFFICER'S WEAPON STOLEN

With all the good work HPD and the Shooting Task Force do to take guns off our streets, it doesn't help when carelessness by their own officers are putting deadly weapons back on the street.

A hatford officer left his fully loaded HPD issued firearm, and two fully loaded magazine on the seat of his personal vehicle when he was off duty and went into a home in Hartford's southend. The officer parked his vehicle after midnight Wednesday morning. After returning to his vehicle around 7:30 am Wednesday morning he noticed the window smashed out and his gun, holster and gunbelt was gone. The incident report is below. The case is currently under investigation. I is unclear if the officer will face criminal charges for failing to secure the firearm as required by law.


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

ONLY IN HARTFORD: CONVICTED EMBEZZLER TO BE HANDED DILLON STADIUM PROJECT

Another one from the "Only in Hartford File". As if the baseball stadium isn't enough, now this Courant article posted on line tonight.http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2015/10/only-in-hartford-convicted-embezzler-to.html

Does anyone at City Hall understand the meaning of "due diligence"? Why are we just hearing about this now? Who  knew about the developers history, especially the embezzlement convictions?

A LAME DUCKS ATTEMPT TO STACK THE DECK

If someone truly loves Hartford as much as he tried to make us believe during the recent campaign, Pedro Segarra needs to forget the ego and start showing us that love, if it really exists.

Now I understand politics a little bit. I also understand that a "lame duck", especially one soundly defeated, will try to leave is mark as he leaves.

The problem simply is that the direction of Pedro Segarra's administration ,as well  as that of his predecessor, has left a terrible void in Hartford's leadership. The next Mayor deserves to shift and replace whatever is needed to begin making real change. Last minute replacements throughout City Hall as well on Boards and Commissions are simply an attempt at establishing roadblocks to impede the forward movement of the next administration.

Segarra's last minute moves to appoint an Assistant Fire Chief and now filling slots on the Pension Commission are sleazy attempts to stymie the next administration.  The slots on the pension Commission are actually not vacant and although the terms of the 2 Commissioners expired as far back as two years ago, both were were still serving, so there was no rush to fill their positions. Except when you look at the fact that the two current Commissioners are believed to be supportive of the Bronin Campaign and the 2 Segarra appointees are apparently Segarra loyalists and donors to the Segarra campaign.

Does a campaign donation really warrant an appointment to the Pension Commission? The pension Commission is too important of an appointment to gamble and rush with. Currently the Hartford Pension Commission manages in excess of nearly $1billion dollars in retirees pension investment dollars .The future of Hartford's retirees demands that these appointments not be taken lightly or relegated to political payback or retaliation.

If the two individuals brought forth by Segarra are qualified to serve, then so be it. But that is a decision that should be left up to the next Mayor and the next Hartford City Council  as they build their own team for the future. The same rings true for Assistant Fire Chiefs also.

Mator Segarra, if you are a man of your word and truly support your successor for a transparent shift, as you publicly stated in Burr Mall, then show us you still have integrity and do it.



REPRESENTATIVE ANGEL ARCE, ONE OF A KIND

 
 
Some people plan and plot just to get into politics. Others are thrust into the political scene.
Hartford's Fourth District State Representative Angel Arce is one of our rare politicians who has found his calling as a true public  servant.

Angel is someone I consider a good friend and I have gotten to know him after he was thrust into the limelight of Hartford's politics. Angel showed that he was a tireless fighter after a tragic hit and run accident that eventually claimed the life of his father. Angel fought hard to see the evading driver brought to justice. Arce eventually answered the call to represent his neighbors in the legislature and was elected as a State Representative.

Angel is one of those rare political figures that actually remembers why he was elected and seems to thrive on helping his constituents. Angel is much more comfortable walking through his district and talking to the residents than he is attending a political cocktail party. A walk with Arce through his District should be required education for every other State Rep. entering the legislature.

Angel's popularity stems from his genuineness, not from any political game playing. The people that approach Angel when walking routinely voice their thanks for everything from help in obtaining a job interview to keeping their lights on when threatened with a shutoff notice. Arce is a product of Hartford and its neighborhoods and clearly understands the  trials and tribulations his constituents face for every day survival. Crime, poverty, health care issues are all problems that Arce comes forward to help his thankful neighbors with.

The attached posting on Angel's Facebook page recently shows just how far Arce will go to assist his constituents. This was copied from Angel's Facebook page. Angel had no idea I was going to post this, but it shows the true quality of the man I am honored to call my friend.

  "One of my constituents called me today and said, "I have not seen my sister in 25 years and she is in New Jersey visiting for a few days . I'm looking for someone to take me to see my sister" I told him don't worry I take you. . so here we are on our way to see his sister . love to make people happy. New Jersey here we come."

If only more of our politicians had the same understanding that Angel has of what Public Service actually means we would be much better off.