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Monday, July 25, 2016

HARTFORD TAX COLLECTOR RESIGNS

According to City Hall sources, Hartford's Tax Collector quit today. Marc Nelson, who has been Hartford's Tax Collector since 2008 will resign effective August 5, 2016. Nelson would have served under Mayor Bronin's proposed Finance Director  Darryl Hill if Hill's appointment is approved by the Council.

Nelson had run for City Treasurer last fall but was unsuccessful  against incumbent Treasurer Adam Cloud.

More on this as information becomes available

Saturday, July 23, 2016

HARTFORD'S DOUBLE STANDARD



The list above is a document given to all potential Hartford Police applicants this week in preparation for their pre-employment background checks. I understand the need for a fair and thorough background check of police applicants, but should they really be held to a higher standard than anyone else at City Hall, including the made up position of Chief Financial Officer?

One of the documents requested for the background check is "proof of your most recent motor vehicle and real estate taxes payment"

I am just wondering , why is it OK to ask that of a potential Police Officer but we don't require the same information of a potential Finance Director or a CFO, if we had such a position.

Maybe because the CFO hasn't paid his auto taxes for over a year so he has no proof of payment to submit





HARTFORD'S DEN OF THIEVES

Everyday I find myself asking more and more, "What is Luke up to? What is his plan?" I am not sure anyone can answer that question, at least not honestly, without causing a rebellion.

Moving to plunge Hartford into bankruptcy. Trying to strip negotiated pension rights away from Hartford's employees by legislative action. Cancelling one civic event after another under the guise of budget cuts. Throwing the developers off the stadium project and moving toward a lengthy and costly legal battle,

Now the vision for the stadium appears clearer if we are to believe a document filed in Hartford Superior Court on Friday.  It has been said for a while that Bronin's plan was to remove Centerplan to clear the way for Josh Solomon , the Yardgoats owner, to bring in his buddy , John Moriarty and Associates, to complete the project

According to sources , the Chairman of the Hartford Stadium Authority, I Charles Matthews, was originally introduced to community people as "working for Josh Solomon to get the project approved" It is unclear if I Charles Matthew's time as HSA Chairman and a Solomon overlapped or when the relationship was severed. Matthews son , Brian Matthews is also a City of Hartford employee working in the Department of Development Services, the same Department overseeing the Solomon deal and the construction of the Stadium.

According to the document, Centerplan alleges that is exactly the plan and they anticipate the City and Bronin to make that announcement this coming week

"Upon information and belief, a meeting took place on or about Tuesday, July 19, 2016  between Josh Solomon, the owner of the baseball team scheduled to occupy the stadium, and representatives from a construction company – John Moriarty & Associates, Inc. (herein also “Moriarty”). At the conclusion of that meeting, representatives from the City advised both Mr. Solomon and Moriarty that they could contact subcontractors who had previously worked on the  project to discuss going back to work with Moriarty overseeing the project, as opposed to Centerplan. On or about Wednesday, July 20, 2016, a project manager from Moriarty did contact at least one subcontractor to discuss going back to work under the oversight of Moriarty. Upon information and belief, the City intends to announce next week (the week of July 25) that it has retained Moriarty to complete the project. "

In the meantime, Bronin's law buddies hired  to handle the suit are adding up their hourly charges as the stadium sits empty and the only game being played is Bronin and companies "fleece the taxpayers".

In the meantime Bronin may have greater problems on the horizon. A Federal Grand Jury is being impaneled to probe into the fundraising efforts and any potential criminal activity of the Connecticut Democratic Party and Governor Dannel Malloy. Bronin may have played a key role in those efforts as the Chief General Counsel; to Malloy during that time period.

Friday, July 15, 2016

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING APPROVALS

Apparently the Hartford Charter is just viewed as a minor inconvenience and the Board of Education is just a nuisance.

Votes and process apparently mean nothing in the Kingdom of Luke.

Even though he hasn't been approved as CFO, Darryl Hill has already had his business cards printed in the City Hall printshop listing his job tittle as Chief Financial Officer, according to City Hall sources. As of today, Darrel Vinson Hills Hartford car taxes are still delinquent back to July of 2015, not a good lead for the potential Finance Director of the City of Hartford. Maybe as he runs down to the bowels of City Hall to pick up his new business cards, he could drop off a check in the Tax Collector's Office

Jose Colon Rivas has been nominated for the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Hartford Schools. Nominated being the key word. His position does not become effective until voted on and approved by the Hartford Board of Education

But yet, Colon -Rivas today announced his elevation to the new position , even though the vote does not take place until next week at the earliest. Maybe our elected officials should put a hold on both appointments to send a message that they were elected for a purpose and aren't rubber stamps for the Administration or the Superintendent

Colon-Rivas e-mail from earlier today today

------ Original message------
From: Braithwaite, Maritza M.
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2016 11:44 AM
To: Everyone (City Only);
Cc:
Subject:Farewell from Jose Colon-Rivas

July 15, 2016

Dear Colleagues:

I write to bid you farewell and to inform you that I am leaving my position as Director of the Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation.  I will be joining the Hartford Public Schools as their Chief Operations Officer.
It has been my pleasure to work with you for the past ten years. With many of you, I have shared a unique camaraderie that I trust that will continue into the future. Each one of you has played an important role in the evolution of my career; thank you for the guidance and support you have generously extended to me. I take with me the strong bonds of friendship which I nurtured over the years.
You are an exceptionally dedicated and passionate group of colleagues. What we have accomplished would not have been possible without the committed team of gifted, tenacious individuals who came together to work relentlessly for a common goal: to serve our community.

Individually and collectively, we have many reasons to be proud!

I am confident that the Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation will continue to be a force for good in the lives of Hartford’s families and children.

Finally, dear Colleagues, “hasta luego” and my warmest wishes for a bright future!

Sincerely,

José

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

HERE WE GO, FIRST COURT ACTION FILED BY CENTERPLAN VS CITY OF HARTFORD

And weeeer'e offfff.

We knew it was coming and it looks to be interesting. Centerplan Construction LLC, today filed for an injunction,essentially requesting the Court to override Mayor Luke Bronin and order the City of Hartford to return them to complete Dunkin Donuts Park. The 273 page document is below, as welll as substantiating exhibits to show Centerplan's side.

It will be interesting to see if this injunction is granted and goes down in history as the next major policy defeat for Bronin.

Much more to come on this
REQUEST FOR INJUNCTION

IS THE ARCH DECISIION IN?




The Hartford Stadium Authority is having a special meeting at 3:00 PM today in Council Chambers.  The only item on the agenda at this time is an Executive Session - "Discussion of the Pending Claim on the Performance Bond".

Could this mean that Arch has rendered their decision on the City's move to call the bond for the stadium? I Charles Matthews had promised a decision in as little as two weeks when they threw Centerplan off the project, but that was weeks ago.


Monday, July 11, 2016

JASON RUDNICK FROM CENTERPLAN ON "WE THE PEOPLE" TODAY

We interviewed Jason Rudnick from Centerplan today. Rudnick's explanations of the Dunkin Donuts
Stadium project may put some of the information in a different light after our candid conversation. Nothing was off limits and Rudnick's responses are interesting, as well as backed up by documents.

Many of the documents and much of the information we discussed can be found at Centerplan's website, finishtheballpark.com


FROM HPD: ANOTHER GUN ARREST

On July 8, 2016 at 9:11pm, Several Hartford Police Officers were conducting a detail in response to a recent increase of firearm related incidents within the North District of the City of Hartford. HPD Officers responded to 190 Westland Street on a report of a female recklessly pointing and threatening the use of a firearm towards a crowd of people. Upon arrival, Patrol Officers made contact with the suspect inside 190 Westland Street and quickly recovered a 9mm pistol with 12 rounds of live ammunition. During the investigation it was learned that the accused, who is permitted to carry a pistol in Connecticut, transported another firearm to New York City. Once the location of the firearm was obtained the NYPD 75th Precinct was notified by HPD. HPD was later contacted by members of the Brooklyn North Borough Crime Unit and informed they were able to locate the Ruger SR40 with 20 live rounds of ammunition. Additionally, the occupant of the apartment was taken into custody on felony related firearm charges. A pistol permit revocation was completed and the accused was transported to the Hartford Police Booking Facility.

Arrested: Rosa Quintana 04/27/70 of 190 Westland Street 1st floor Hartford, CT
Charges: Reckless Endangerment 2nd, Threatening 2nd, and Breach of Peace
Recovered: Taurus PT111 PRO 9mm semi-automatic pistol, (12) 9mm live rounds

Friday, July 8, 2016

HFD HEAT RELATED EFFORTS

From the Hartford Fire Department:

HARTFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
253 High Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Telephone:  (860) 757-4500
On July 6and July 7 The Hartford Fire Department Special Services Unit, along with the Hartford Fire Cadets, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) distributed over 2016 water bottles and provided ice to various locations throughout Hartford in order to assist residents and visitors potentially having heat related emergencies and in need of cooling assistance. The following locations are just some of the few visited by our team:

Bus Stops throughout the entire City of Hartford
Parks and Playgrounds
Keney Park
DeLucco Park
Lozada Park
Sigourney Park
Forester Heights
South Park
Hyland and Rocky Ridge Park
Pope Park
Goodwin Park
Colt Park
Bushnell Park
And Streets surrounding the Homeless Shelters: Mercy, South Park Inn, House of Bread,  Immaculate Conception,  Mc Kinney
Colleges: Trinity  and Capital Community College  
Main Roads (Main Street, Albany Ave., Park Street, Wethersfield Ave. Franklin Ave. Farmington Ave., Asylum Ave., New Britain Ave., Hillside Ave., Flatbush Ave. New Park Ave.  Etc.……) 

The Fire department is committed to providing the upmost level of care to all residents and visitors of Hartford and is already in preparation for its next anticipated heat wave or other weather related emergency.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO DO THE RIGHT THING

 
 
Word is that Gislaine  Ngounou is out as the Chief of Staff to Hartford's Superintendent of Schools.

Ngounou failed miserably this year to protect a child that was being preyed upon by another high ranking Hartford Schools employee, Eduardo Genao. Genao was eventually arrested after an investigation by the Hartford Police Department 

You can read more about Genao and Ngounou here

In an email to Hartford Schools employees Thursday Ngounou stated that "Faced with a constant slew of negative attention and poisonous narratives that have done little more than seek to further divide and distract us, ...you continue to do whatever it takes to face the truth, to listen and learn, to focus on the work at hand — even when it becomes personally and professionally painful."

Maybe if she had done the job she was paid almost $180,000 for and entrusted to do, it would have never become "negative or poisonous". Ngounou failed the children of Hartford and the Hartford Schools.

WE HAVE UPSET THE KING


Hartford's Mayor Luke Bronin " the Grinch who stole Riverfest". Will he strike again at Christmastime and steal Winterfest also, what about next years St. Patrick's Day Parade?
 
I understand the need to get our financial house in order. No one is going to agree with all of the decisions being made, but I seriously have to question the rationale behind some of the cuts.
 
It almost seems like we as loyal servants are now going to feel the wrath of the King for not following the lead as royal subjects must do.
 
Especially in light of some of the decisions and the associated  hidden costs that those decisions are going to place on us.
 
Take for example the Stadium. We haven't even begun to see the litigation costs, and eventual settlements associated with the decision to throw the developer off the project. And we know there is going to be litigation that threatens to tie the project up potentially for years as cases wind their way through our courts.
 
The only ones to benefit from that litigation will be the attorneys, and since the Office of the Corporation seems unable to function in real Courts, it will most likely be all outside Counsel paid for by Hartford's taxpayers
 
We have already seen the additional costs for the lapsed insurance on the Stadium as a result of Mayor Bronin terminating Centerplan from the stadium project. How much of that cost could have been applied toward Winterfest or Riverfest?
 
We have also seen the additional cost of a 24/7 round the clock "fire watch" being required at the Stadium. Probably at least a couple thousand dollars a day for the firefighters "PJ" pay. 3 firefighters per shift times 3 shifts a day times 7 days a week will add up quickly. How much of that cost could have been applied to Riverfest?
 
Putting the stadium aside, where else are we wasting money. Do we really need a full time legislative liason, especially when the Legislature is only in session for less than half the year. And did we really get our money's worth out of that position this year. I think I recall the big Bronin initiative at the legislature  this year was  Senate Bill 464. That bill is still smoldering on the North lawn of the Capitol after it crashed and burned in resounding style
 
And now a CFO and Finance Director. I would expect the CFO to at least be able to pay his car taxes to the city on time. Many of Hartford's people have had difficult times paying their car tax bills at our exorbitant mill rate, but I would hope the CFO that is going to supposedly be managing our money was able to pay his own tax bill on time. (thank you to Representative Matt Ritter and others for passing legislation that provided  much need relief for cities like Hartford and their auto tax rates)
 
Now I will be the first to admit, that with Hartford's outrageous mill rate, car tax payments for myself and probably hundreds of other Hartford residents were not always a priority. But I would expect the City's potential Finance Director, who oversees the Tax Department, would be one of the people who would pay their car taxes on time.
 
I am not in the running for the position of Chief Financial Officer, if there is even such a position in Hartford, but I would think that the Mayor would check the financial background of anyone he was considering to nominate for that position. Especially the person who would manage a half  billion dollar budget. Things like wage executions in Norfolk Virginia or delinquent taxes in Hartford might be telling and say something about their financial expertise (or lack therof)



Wednesday, July 6, 2016

JUST THE FACTS PLEASE

HARTFORD'S LARGEST NON PRODUCING ASSET,BESIDE CITY HALL  (but for how much longer?)


I think sometimes we tend to ignore the facts and listen to the rhetoric a little too much.
As we have a ballpark sitting empty with a price tag that ,when all is added up, will probably be well over $100 million dollars in actual and so far hidden costs. (land acquisition, legal fees, the City's hired  Construction rep, infrastructure and street repairs, etc,etc)
It is time we start focusing on the facts and get this project back on track, and quickly. The childish petulent responses from City Hall are doing nothing to resolve a bad situation, in fact they are probably only making it worse.
Below is a fact sheet put out to the public today by Centerplan and DONO, LLC, the developers of the project thrown off site by Luke Bronin.
No one has been perfect in this mess, but it is time to start talking and acting like adults and come to a reasonable resolution instead of trying to move closer to bankruptcy for our City.

JUST THE FACTS PLEASE

I think sometimes we tend to ignore the facts and listen to the rhetoric a little too much.
As we have a ballpark sitting empty with a price tag that ,when all is added up, will probably be well over $100 million dollars in actual and so far hidden costs. (land acquisition, legal fees, the City's hired  Construction rep, infrastructure and street repairs, etc,etc)
It is time we start focusing on the facts and get this project back on track, and quickly. The childish petulent responses from City Hall are doing nothing to resolve a bad situation, in fact they are probably only making it worse.
Below is a fact sheet put out to the public today by Centerplan and DONO, LLC, the developers of the project thrown off site by Luke Bronin.
No one has been perfect in this mess, but it is time to start talking and act like adults and come to a reasonable resolution instead of trying to move closer to bankruptcy for our City.

HFD ANNOUNCES COOLING CENTER LOCATIONS

Hartford Fire Department identifies cooling centers and tips to beat this heat

The Hartford Fire Department wants to remind everyone that with the upcoming heat wave and the heat index expected to be at least 90 and up to 94 between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm, to drink plenty of water and avoid long term exposure to the sun as much as possible. If at all possible please apply sunscreen approved by your physician and wear light breathable clothing. Also, if you have to be outdoors please try and stay in shaded areas and do not leave pets outdoors.
The Hartford Fire Department Special Services Division will be visiting bus stops, playgrounds, and other places of public assembly to pass out cold water from 11:00am – 5:00pm.

And please look in your vehicle before you lock and walk away from your vehicle.

Here is a list of cooling centers and other alternatives to cool down during this heat:

List of Cooling Centers :
  • North End Senior Center, 80 Coventry Street, Time: 8:30am-5:00pm
  • South End Wellness Center, 830 Maple Avenue, Time: 8:30am-5:00pm 
  • Parkville Senior Center, 11 New Park Avenue, Time: 8:30am-3:30pm    

Public Pools will be open to families at the following locations :
  • Colt Park Pool, 106 Wethersfield Avenue, Time: 12:00pm-6:00pm
  • Goodwin Pool, 1130 Maple Avenue, Time: 12:00pm-6:00pm
  • Keney Park Pool, 471 Tower Avenue, Time: 12:00pm-6:00pm
The Hartford Public Library is available for residents and visitors. Below are hours of operation :
  • Hartford Downtown Public Library, 500 Main Street, Time: Wed-Thurs 10:00am-8:00pm, Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
  • Albany Library Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:30pm-5:00pm
  • Barbour Branch, 281 Barbour Street, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Camp Field Branch, 30 Campfield Avenue, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Dwight Branch, 7 New Park Avenue, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Mark Twain Branch, 55 Forest Street, Time: Wed-Fri 1:00pm-5:00pm
  • Park Branch, 744 Park Street, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • SANDS/Ropkins, 1750 Main Street, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:30pm-5:00pm
  • Goodwin, 460 New Britain Avenue, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Blue Hills Branch, 649 Blue Hills Avenue, Time: Wed-Thurs 11:00am-6:00pm, Fri 12:00pm-5:00pm
Contact: Captain Raul Ortiz

Friday, July 1, 2016

MAYOR BRONIN: STEP BACK, TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CITY, PLEASE

Enough is enough. It is time to stop the finger pointing, the childish antics and the amateur behavior.

I really am getting tired of our City being a joke over a stadium that probably should have never been built in the first place. But it was started and here we are today having to deal with it.

The really sad part, with all the problems aside, is that anyone who has been invited in there has told me it is going to be a beautiful facility when it is done. A great space to watch a baseball game and get the people that don't know Hartford like many of us do, to experience Hartford.

I implore Mayor Bronin to take a deep breath and reassess the situation . But please reassess the situation as the Mayor, not as a lawyer. Please assess the situation as a Mayor who has a responsibility to the 400 plus people that were promised, and counted on jobs at the stadium. Reassess as the Mayor who has an obligation  to the numerous small business people involved with the project and surrounding the stadium area to remain viable with the income generated.

I understand that no one wants to look weak when they have an opportunity to dig their heels in and prove a point. But I also understand that no one benefits from these prolonged battles, except maybe the lawyers involved.

Again I implore Mayor Bronin to act like the Mayor that was elected by the people of Hartford. A Mayor that promised jobs. A Mayor that promised returning Hartford to some version of economic stability. A mayor that promised accountability and much better management that we had been seeing.

Mayor, insist that everyone get in the same room and start talking and  take Centerplan's offers and promises seriously.Put the egos aside. Forget what has been done up to this point and layout a realistic time frame for completion. Maybe keep the Stadium Authority  away from that meeting room, I think their lack of knowledge has been a hindrance to the project.

Admit the City and Development Services were wrong in their assumptions. I think eventually we will be admitting that anyway, and it will probably be a lot cheaper while working out a realistic solution as opposed to doing it in front of a jury determining damages. Admit the time frame for completion and opening this spring was unrealistic and a little too energetic

Admit that Centerplan may not have been up to the challenge of building a baseball stadium which is much different than retail buildings, apartments or rest areas. Admit that there will be no baseball in Hartford this year. But admit we are committed to getting it done, and soon.

But hopefully the City , Centerplan and the Yardgoats can agree to making it ready to go on opening day of 2017. I definitely think that is "doable" if we knock off the nonsense and get back to work immediately.  Not what we had hoped for, but the reality is that is a much  better  goal than seeing it sit empty while the court cases unfold.

Centerplan also needs to make assurances that hey are up to the task, and reasonable expectations can be fulfilled. Whether that involves financial disclosures on their part or even a third party oversight to assure appropriate time lines and deadlines , work it out and come to an agreement.

The ongoing battles may make for good fill for newspapers and newscasts and radio shows, but the interests of Hartford's people who live here demand more.

Mayor, show us you are capable of responsible leadership rather than creating controversy. We all know you inherited a mess and if we wanted that type of leadership your opponent probably would have been returned to office. We expected better and now it is time for you to start delivering that without hurting Hartford, its reputation or its finances more.

Please get it done, and soon. Everyone has to work to be part of the solution, the City, Centerplan, DONO LLC, the Yardgoats and us as residents being called upon to support this project. Your leadership  can make that happen, bickering and backbiting is doing nothing to get the stadium open and generating revenue.