MORE FROM HPD: A BUSY DAY, OR MORE LIKELY A TYPICAL DAY, PLENTY OF ACTIVITY

I guess there is good money in counterfeit knock-offs  and hallucinogenic bath salts. HPD  seizure  above and confiscated  cash from the suspected illegal activity at City Gas

On January 13, 2016 Detectives from the Hartford Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit in conjunction with Agents from the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Service executed two search and seizure warrants/ arrest warrants at two “City Gas” Stations (1510 Albany Avenue and 10 White Street). HPD Vice and Narcotics detectives had 2 search warrants for Intellectual Property violations, while the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services had several arrest warrants for individuals associated with the businesses. During the execution of these warrants several pieces of counterfeit clothing were seized. Detectives were able to recover a large amount of synthetic marijuana and bath salts which were located hidden in the ceiling tiles of the business. The Agents were able to seize a large amount of untaxed cigarettes. Three individuals working at the businesses were arrested by Hartford Police as well as by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services agents.

Arrested: Shiraj Mhommed DOB 5-4-65 LKA 90 Waverly Dr, Newington

CHARGES: Counterfeit stamps/labels, Possession of

Hallucinogenic With Intent to Sell, Possession of Hallucinogenic

Arrested: Ahmed Mustak DOB 1-1-83 LKA 813 Maple Ave, Htfd

CHARGES: Counterfeit stamps/labels, Possession ofHallucinogenic With Intent to Sell, Possession of Hallucinogenic

Arrested: Mohammed Shaheen DOB 9-25-64 LKA 178 Allen Street, New Britain

Charges: Counterfeit stamps/labels, Possession of Hallucinogenic With Intent to Sell, Possession of Hallucinogenic

Evidence: 663 counterfeit hats knit winter hats

Evidence: 1022 grams of bath salts, 37 Synthetic marijuana packs

Evidence: U.S. currency $28,187 dollars, large amount of untaxed tobacco products

Note: After the operation, the business was closed down and the doors were locked and secured. However, after police left the vicinity, the building was burglarized by forced entry. This burglary investigation is ongoing by HPD North District.

FROM HPD; ANOTHER GUN OFF THE STREETS

On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at 1101 hours, Patrol Officers were dispatched to 52 Stonington Street in response to a report of a domestic dispute involving a threat involving a firearm. Upon arrival, Patrol Officers encountered the suspect Vehicle (a 2006 Honda Civic, 2 door, black, CT AB43940) leaving the property at a high rate of speed.

An Officer signaled the operator to stop but the operator did not comply and engaged the Officer in a pursuit. The suspect vehicle eventually entered Interstate 91 South at a high rate of speed. The pursuit was eventually terminated.

A passing motorist later advised Police that an item was thrown from the suspect vehicle on Interstate 91 North near exit 27. A blanket, rifle, and safe were located. The victim reported the suspect (her brother) demanded to know where his firearm was, left and returned stating, "I'm gonna kill you." "Where's my shit?" as he pointed a silver firearm to her head. The suspect entered the passenger front door of the suspect vehicle and left the property.

FROM HPD; CLEANING UP "NEEDLE PARK" AKA SOUTH GREEN PARK

On January 12, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., Detectives from the Hartford Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Unit, along with members of the South Conditions Unit conducted an undercover narcotics operation in the area of South Green Park and 33 Park Street.  This operation was conducted in response to numerous citizen complaints regarding open air street level narcotic sales in the Park.  Undercover Detectives conducted surveillance in the area and were able to identify prospective buyers and sellers of narcotics.  A total of (16) individuals, from in and around the Hartford region, were arrested and charged with various narcotics charges.

Evidence:

Two ounces of Marijuana

60 bags of Heroin

15 grams of Crack Cocaine

Nine Suboxone

U.S. currency $441.00

Arrested: Ismael Ramos, 48, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of a Controlled Substance

2.      Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Sell

3.      Sale of a Controlled Substance

Arrested: William West, 54, of Meriden, CT

Charges:

1.      Criminal Trespass 1^st

2.      Disorderly Conduct

Arrested: Nathaniel Jefferson, 23, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Criminal Trespass 3^rd

2.      Possession of Narcotics

3.      Sale of Narcotics

4.      Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell within 1500 School

Arrested: Walter Nosek, 45, of East Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      Operation under Suspension

3.      Failure to use turning signal

Arrested: Eric Ortiz, 35, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Criminal Trespass 3^rd

2.      Possession of Narcotics

3.      Sale of Narcotics

Arrested: Marisol Rivera, 51, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

Arrested: Maria Karabetsos, 48, of Newington, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

Arrested: Juan Velez, 34, of Winsted, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      Possession of Narcotics Within 1500 Ft of a School

3.      Possession of Narcotics With Intent to Sell

Arrested: Andrew Knapik, 24, of New Britain, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      Possession of Narcotics Within 1500 Ft of a School

3.      Failure to obey a Traffic Control Signal

Arrested: Amor Ahmetbasic, 25, of New Britain, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      Possession of Narcotics Within 1500 Ft of a School

Arrested: Emilio Montalvo, 54, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Loitering

2.      Possession of Narcotics

3.      Possession of Narcotics Within 1500 Ft of a School

Arrested: Jon Carlos Gonzalez, 40, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

Arrested: Victor Torres, 40, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of Narcotics

2.      Failure to keep narcotics in container

Ticketed: Jadaiah Sneed, 36, of Westfield, MA

Charges:

1.      Possession of a Controlled Substance

Ticketed: Raymond Guzman, 28, of Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.      Possession of a Controlled substance

Arrested: Idalina Morale, 53, of Hartford, CT

Charges: Outstanding Prawn Warrant FTA 2nd

 

DID WE REALLY NEED BLACK DIAMOND AND THE FBI TO FIGURE OUT DILLON STADIUM?

In digging through the Internet today, I found the following website.

It  was created by a Hartford School  Student as a class project. He analyzes the use of Dillon Stadium and defines his proposed solutions to making the field viable once again,  probably for far less than the  millions already spent for virtually nothing, no benefit, no improvements .

The student, Shawn Lozada has posted his work on line and it can be viewed at http://missiontorestoredillon.weebly.com/final-reflection.html. Click on the various tabs at the top of the report to read all of his work

It is also interesting to note that Lozada lists his mentor as Roger Pearl, a retired Hartford Police Officer

Please take a few minutes to review is work, I think you will find it impressive.

Also, there will be a community meeting tonight at 6:00pm at the Hartford Public Library for a Community discussion of the future of Dillon Stadium

THIS MIGHT BE TIMELY AND WORTHWHILE

Brooklyn-based author Neil deMause, whose book "Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit" and is the bible on the that subject, will be the special guest (by phone) on WTIC 1080 radio at 3 p.m. TODAY. He'll be talking about our Yard Goats saga. His blog is www.fieldofschemes.com, and he's been covering Hartford's problems there for more than a year

I have not rad his blog or the book, but this might be worthwhile to check out

HARTFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING TONIGHT

The Hartford Planning &  Zoning Commission will meet tonight, Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 6 PM in the Plaza Level Conference Room at 260 Constitution Plaza.

The agenda is as follows:

Site Plan Review of 641-659 Wethersfield Avenue for proposed construction of Dollar General Retail Store.

Site improvements Public Hearing 167-169 Bond Street: Conversion of a 2-family house to a 3-family home ,

185 West Service Road: Improvements to the Ryder Truck Rental site including addition of new truck fueling and washing facilities Zoning Regulations

Comprehensive revision of zoning regulations and zoning map (see www.hartford.gov/planning/zoning )

SIXTO'S VERSION OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTIONS

Council Actions Meeting January 11, 2016

RECAP OF HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS JANUARY 11, 2016

Council Review

Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 11, 2016

Prepared by Hartford 2000

There were 19 items on the original agenda.  No additional items were added to the agenda during the meeting.  The City’s official listing of actions taken on all items on this agenda can be found online at http://www.hartford.gov/townclerk/council-minutes .  The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 25 at 7 P.M. The next regular public hearing will be Tuesday, January 19 at 7 PM (change in day due to Martin Luther King Holiday.  All meetings are in the Council Chambers.

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Leibert Road – The Council passed a resolution approving the sale of City-owned vacant, wooded land at 34 and 36 Leibert Road to the CT Department of Transportation for a price of $323,000.  The CT Transit Bus Facility is located on adjacent land at 100 Leibert Road and the acquired parcels will be used to expand the surface parking lot at the facility. (Bronin) (Item #6)

Registrars of Voters – The Council postponed indefinitely an ordinance which would change the selection process for Registrars of Voters.  Currently, Registrars of Voters are elected every four years.  The ordinance provides that, beginning in 2016, the Court of Common Council would appoint a registrar for each major party, as defined by State law. Currently, the two major parties are Democrat and Republican.  Prior to such appointments, the Council would solicit applications and hold public interviews of at least 5 of the individuals who have submitted qualifying applications.  Registrars would serve four year terms beginning in January of 2017. (Wooden) (Item #10)

Appropriations – The Council postponed indefinitely an ordinance which would make three appropriations totaling $1.3 million from surplus funds generated in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2015.  The estimate of the FY15 surplus is about $7.3 million.  The three proposed appropriations are 1) $497,000 to the Police Department for purchase of Shotspotter equipment, which pinpoints the location of gunfire in real time to allow officers to respond quickly to incidents, 2) $300,000 to the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) for implementation of the Public Safety Initiative which works with young people to introduce them to public safety careers with the goal of increasing the number of Hartford residents in such jobs, and 3) $300,000 to the Department of Families, Children, Youth & Recreation to increase the number of young people participating in the Youth Employment Program. (Segarra) (Item #11)

Council Rules – The Council postponed, to its next meeting, action on its 2016-2020 Rules.  Proposed changes to Council Rules previously in effect are limited to the establishment of Standing Committees and the schedule of their regular monthly meetings. Committees are listed below. 

·         Labor, Education, & Workforce Development: 3^rd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Health & Human Services: 1^st Monday at 5:30 PM

·         Operations, Management & Budget: 3^rd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Planning, Economic Development & Housing: 1^st Tuesday at 5:30 PM

·         Parks & Recreation, Environment & Public Works: 4^th Thursday at 5:30 PM

·         Quality of Life & Public Safety: 3^rd Tuesday at 5:30 PM

·         Legislative Affairs: 2^nd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Committee of the Whole: 1) Prior to first Council meeting of the month (2^nd Monday, except for holidays) from 6 to 7 PM, and 2) Within 15 days of the submission by the Mayor of appointments of department heads, Chief Operating Officer, or Corporation Counsel.

(Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch) (Item #16)

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LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Director of H&HS. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Gary A. Rhule, MD/MPH as Director of the Department of Health & Human Services. (Bronin) Referred to Committee of the Whole meeting of January 19

2. Director of Development Services. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Sean M. Fitzpatrick, JD as Director of the Department of Development Services. (Bronin) Referred to Committee of the Whole meeting of January 19

3. Fire Chief. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Reginald D. Freeman as Chief of the Hartford Fire Department  (Bronin) Referred to Committee of the Whole meeting of January 21

4. 960 Main Street. Approval of an amendment to a lease with the owners of 960 Main Street for changes in occupancy by the Hartford Public Schools and extension for an additional five years. (Bronin) Passed

5. Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Authorization to enter into contracts, using $5.0 in grant funds, with 23 organizations to provide teen pregnancy prevention services. (Bronin) Passed

6. Leibert Road Sale. Approval for the City to sell land at 34 and 36 Leibert Road to the CT Dept. of Transportation for expansion of parking at the CT Transit Bus Center. (Bronin) Passed

7. M&B Director. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Melissa N. McCaw as Director of the Office of Management & Budget. (Bronin) Referred to Committee of the Whole meeting of January 19

8. Corporation Counsel. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Howard G. Rifkin, JD as Corporation Counsel (Bronin) Referred to Committee of the Whole meeting of January 21

9. TOD Grant. Approval to apply for a $2.0 million grant from the CT Office of Policy & Management for streetscape improvements along Bartholomew Avenue. (Bronin) Passed

10. Registrars of Voters. Ordinance authorizing the Council to appoint two Registrars of Voters every four years beginning Dec. 20, 2016 and setting forth a process for such appointments. (Wooden) Postponed indefinitely

11. Appropriations. Ordinance appropriating funds from the FY2015 surplus as follows: $497,000 to the Police Dept. for Shotspotter equipment, $300,000 to the Capitol Region Education Council for the Public Safety Initiative, and $300,000 to Dept. of Families, Children, Youth & Recreation for Youth Employment. (Segarra) ) Postponed indefinitely

12. Housing Practices. Ordinance amending the fair accommodation section of the Municipal Code to forbid the denying of housing to anyone by reason of “familial composition” and requiring that the City’s Fair Housing Plan promote equal housing opportunity without regard to familial composition. (MacDonald, Deutsch) ) Postponed indefinitely

13. Asst. Majority Leader. Approval of appointment of John Q. Gale as Assistant Majority Leader for a 2 year term. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch) Passed

14. Majority Leader. Approval of appointment of Julio A. Concepcion as Majority Leader for a 2-year term. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch) Passed

15. Chairpersons. Approval of the appointments of chairs of standing committees. (Clarke)

Labor, Education, & Workforce Development: rJo Winch

Health & Human Services: Larry Deutsch

Operations, Management & Budget: Glendowlyn Thames

Planning, Economic Development & Housing: Julio Concepcion

Parks & Recreation, Environment & Public Works: Cynthia Jennings

Quality of Life & Public Safety: T.J. Clarke and James Sanchez

Legislative Affairs: John Gale                            Postponed to January 25

16. Council Rules. Adoption of Council Rules for 2016-2020, including the establishment and scheduling of standing committees. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch) Postponed to January 25

17. Minority Leader. Approval of appointment of Wildaliz Bermudez and Minority Leader for a 2-year term. (Clarke, Bermudez, Deutsch, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez) Passed

18. City-owned Property. Establishment of a policy requiring that proposals for actions to or use of such property be preceded by public release of information, public hearings, and, under certain conditions, referendum. (Deutsch, Bermudez) Postponed to January 25

19. Black History Month. Approval to hold an event honoring Hartford’s African American residents on February 5, 2016 in the City Hall Atrium. (Winch) Passed

 

LIFE'S SIMPLE 7

Today I attended my first Stroke Survivor Support Group at Mt. Sinai Rehab Hospital. The meetings are held every month, and I would encourage all of you to NOT become members. It is a great group of people, but the initiation process is pretty rigorous.

Mt Sinai has some great resources for those of us that have joined the club. Their Doctors and Physical therapists and I probably wouldn't be walking today if wasn't for their efforts.

Today's meeting was facilitated by Doctor Thomas Miller, a Rehabilitation Doctor at Mt. Sinai. He passed out a handout about a program from the American Heart Association about a program called
"Life's Simple 7"

I think it is a program that would be beneficial to everyone and I thought I would share it here. The program details 7 basic steps to reduce death from cardiovascular disease and stroke by hopefully 20% by the year 2020.

Double click on the title below to view the document full size

Life 7;s simple 7

FIRST MEETING OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL TONIGHT

The first meeting of the newly elected City Council will be preceded by the monthly Public Comment session at 6:00PM a, anyone can speak at that point providing you sign up prior to the meeting

Council Preview

Hartford City Council Meeting

Monday, January 11, 2016

Prepared by Hartford 2000

The Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 11 at 7 PM, preceded at 6 PM by a public comment period.  The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 25 at 7 PM.  The next regular public hearing will take place on Tuesday, January 19, at 7 PM (change due to Martin Luther King holiday).  All meetings are in Council Chambers in Hartford City Hall.

There are 19 items on the agenda. Below is detailed information about items of special interest to neighborhoods.  Following those details is a listing of all agenda items, in layperson’s language.  The official agenda for the Council meeting is available online by clicking on the meeting date at the following web site: http://www.hartford.gov/townclerk/council-agenda .

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

New Agenda Items:  The following item appears for the first time on the Council’s Agenda.

Council Rules – The Council will vote on its 2016-2020 Rules.  Changes to Council Rules previously in effect are limited to the establishment of Standing Committees and the schedule of their regular monthly meetings. Committees are listed below.

·         Labor, Education, & Workforce Development: 3^rd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Health & Human Services: 1^st Monday at 5:30 PM

·         Operations, Management & Budget: 3^rd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Planning, Economic Development & Housing: 1^st Tuesday at 5:30 PM

·         Parks & Recreation, Environment & Public Works: 4^th Thursday at 5:30 PM

·         Quality of Life & Public Safety: 3^rd Tuesday at 5:30 PM

·         Legislative Affairs: 2^nd Wednesday at 5:30 PM

·         Committee of the Whole: 1) Prior to first Council meeting of the month (2^nd Monday, except for holidays) from 6 to 7 PM, and 2) Within 15 days of the submission by the Mayor of appointments of department heads, Chief Operating Officer, or Corporation Counsel.

Previously Submitted Items:  The following items were previously on the Council Agenda.  They were referred to committee and/or to public hearing and are now on the agenda again for action.

Leibert Road – The Council will consider a resolution approving the sale of City-owned vacant, wooded land at 34 and 36 Leibert Road to the CT Department of Transportation for a price of $323,000.  The CT Transit Bus Facility is located on adjacent land at 100 Leibert Road and the acquired parcels will be used to expand the surface parking lot at the facility. (Bronin) (Note: This item was not acted upon by the previous Council by the end of its term.  It has been resubmitted.) (Item #6)

Registrars of Voters – The Council will consider an ordinance which changes the selection process for Registrars of Voters.  Currently, Registrars of Voters are elected every four years.  The ordinance provides that, beginning in 2016, the Court of Common Council will appoint a registrar for each major party, as defined by State law. Currently, the two major parties are Democrat and Republican.  Prior to such appointments, the Council will solicit applications and hold public interviews of at least 5 of the individuals who have submitted qualifying applications.  Registrars shall serve four year terms beginning in January of 2017. (Wooden) (Item #10)

Appropriations – The Council will consider an ordinance which makes three appropriations totaling $1.3 million from surplus funds generated in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2015.  The estimate of the FY15 surplus is about $7.3 million.  The three appropriations are 1) $497,000 to the Police Department for purchase of Shotspotter equipment, which pinpoints the location of gunfire in real time to allow officers to respond quickly to incidents, 2) $300,000 to the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) for implementation of the Public Safety Initiative which works with young people to introduce them to public safety careers with the goal of increasing the number of Hartford residents in such jobs, and 3) $300,000 to the Department of Families, Children, Youth & Recreation to increase the number of young people participating in the Youth Employment Program. (Segarra) (Item #11)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIST OF ALL AGENDA ITEMS

Item #

1. Director of H&HS. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Gary A. Rhule, MD/MPH as Director of the Department of Health & Human Services. (Bronin)

2. Director of Development Services. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Sean M. Fitzpatrick, JD as Director of the Department of Development Services. (Bronin)

3. Fire Chief. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Reginald D. Freeman as Chief of the Hartford Fire Department  (Bronin)

4. 960 Main Street. Approval of an amendment to a lease with the owners of 960 Main Street for changes in occupancy by the Hartford Public Schools and extension for an additional five years. (Bronin)

5. Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Authorization to enter into contracts, using $5.0 in grant funds, with 23 organizations to provide teen pregnancy prevention services. (Bronin)

6. Leibert Road Sale. Approval for the City to sell land at 34 and 36 Leibert Road to the CT Dept. of Transportation for expansion of parking at the CT Transit Bus Center. (Bronin)

7. M&B Director. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Melissa N. McCaw as Director of the Office of Management & Budget. (Bronin)

8. Corporation Counsel. Confirmation of the Mayor’s appointment of Howard G. Rifkin, JD as Corporation Counsel (Bronin)

9. TOD Grant. Approval to apply for a $2.0 million grant from the CT Office of Policy & Management for streetscape improvements along Bartholomew Avenue. (Bronin)

10. Registrars of Voters. Ordinance authorizing the Council to appoint two Registrars of Voters every four years beginning Dec. 20, 2016 and setting forth a process for such appointments. (Wooden)

11. Appropriations. Ordinance appropriating funds from the FY2015 surplus as follows: $497,000 to the Police Dept. for Shotspotter equipment, $300,000 to the Capitol Region Education Council for the Public Safety Initiative, and $300,000 to Dept. of Families, Children, Youth & Recreation for Youth Employment. (Segarra)

12. Housing Practices. Ordinance amending the fair accommodation section of the Municipal Code to forbid the denying of housing to anyone by reason of “familial composition” and requiring that the City’s Fair Housing Plan promote equal housing opportunity without regard to familial composition. (MacDonald, Deutsch)

13. Asst. Majority Leader. Approval of appointment of John Q. Gale as Assistant Majority Leader for a 2 year term. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch)

14. Majority Leader. Approval of appointment of Julio A. Concepcion as Majority Leader for a 2-year term. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch)

15. Chairpersons. Approval of the appointments of chairs of standing committees. (Clarke)

Labor, Education, & Workforce Development: rJo Winch

Health & Human Services: Larry Deutsch

Operations, Management & Budget: Glendowlyn Thames

Planning, Economic Development & Housing: Julio Concepcion

Parks & Recreation, Environment & Public Works: Cynthia Jennings

Quality of Life & Public Safety: T.J. Clarke and James Sanchez

Legislative Affairs: John Gale

16. Council Rules. Adoption of Council Rules for 2016-2020, including the establishment and scheduling of standing committees. (Clarke, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez, Thames, Winch)

17. Minority Leader. Approval of appointment of Wildaliz Bermudez and Minority Leader for a 2-year term. (Clarke, Bermudez, Deutsch, Concepcion, Gale, Sanchez)

18. City-owned Property. Establishment of a policy requiring that proposals for actions to or use of such property be preceded by public release of information, public hearings, and, under certain conditions, referendum. (Deutsch, Bermudez)

19. Black History Month. Approval to hold an event honoring Hartford’s African American residents on February 5, 2016 in the City Hall Atrium. (Winch)