LUKE'S LEMONADE STAND

It is often said that when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Luke Bronin ha been working tirelessly to make lemonade out of the truckload of lemons that Pedro Segarra left behind for him in the Mayor's Office when he took over January 1st..

It is unfortunate that in the first two weeks into his new term as Mayor, Luke Bronin had to focus on saving a team instead of building his own team. By most accounts, Luke tackled the problem head on  and brought the problem to a successful resolution, at least for the immediate future I know it took a lot of work and many people working together. If it shows anything at all, I think it shows that unlike his predecessor who was always right, (or at least Pedro thought so), Bronin listened to advice and came up with a workable solution.

Is it a solution that has satisfied everyone? Of course not. But what were the alternatives? Most likely  lengthy, prolonged and expensive litigation if any other course was taken. To those still challenging the Stadium, what would you propose as an alternative. And what  would the costs of those alternatives be just in attorney fees and potential legal settlements?Probably much more than the estimated $5million share for taxpayers now.  Litigation that would not be quick and would drag on for  years.

All that time , Hartford would still be shouldering the costs of the debt on the project. There was no way we could just walk away. It was a bad , poorly conceived plan from the start, but at this point we are stuck with it.

As Mayor Bronin clearly stated, twice, during his announcement, this was not a "Mission Accomplished" chest thumping moment for Hartford. This was making the best of a bad situation without making it worse. Despite the "Done Deal" announced by Pedro Segarra, this deal was and is far from done.

The stadium deal needs strong , professional supervision to keep this project on track . Supervision that actually understands large scale Construction management and people that are not afraid to ask questions and keep the public informed. Sitting behind a dais once a month and giving defensive sound bites to the media is not suitable management.  The taxpayers of Hartford need to be reassured that someone is watching their backs on this project.

That clearly has not happened to this point and to maintain the public trust and confidence it needs to happen now, and soon.If the Stadium Authority members will not voluntarily resign, the Council needs to move to rescind their appointments

In the meantime, hopefully Mayor Bronin can shut down the lemonade stand and start focusing on the necessary business at hand. Somehow, I think the lemons will keep coming as more of the Segarra years are unraveled.

PARKING BAN DECLARED FOR HARTFORD STREETS

SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M.: MAYOR BRONIN DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING BAN

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(January 22, 2016) Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has declared a snow emergency parking ban for the City of Hartford, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016 and ending at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2016. All Hartford District Public Schools will be closed and lots will be available for parking, however, cars must be moved by noon on Sunday.

“Latest forecasts are predicting up to six inches of snow in the city, and your cooperation with the parking ban will allow our DPW team to get the streets clear and back to normal as quickly as possible," said Bronin.  "Once a storm reaches four inches of accumulation, it's important that our crews are able to plow to the curb and avoid any damage to cars.  I urge residents to take necessary steps to help us secure safe emergency access routes and get the streets cleared quickly."

During a snow emergency parking ban, all on-street parking is prohibited throughout the City of Hartford. Any vehicles not removed from City streets by the start of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed. Residents without access to off-street parking should move their vehicles to one of the following authorized parking areas before the start of the parking ban:

·         Colt Park – Warwarme Street Lot                 

·         Dillon Stadium – Curcombe Street Lot     

·         Elizabeth Park – Asylum Street                  

·         Elizabeth Park – Prospect Avenue            

·         Goodwin Park – Hubbard Avenue            

·         Goodwin Park – Maple Ave. Golf Course                     

·         Keney Park – Woodland Street            

·         Keney Park – Ridgefield Street             

·         Pope Park –Park Terrace Lot   

·         2 Holcomb Street Lot

·         80 Coventry Lot

·         KDA Center Lot – Naugatuck Street            

·         All Hartford District School Parking Lots. For a complete list, visit www.hartfordschools.org/schools and select “District.”

Residents should remove their vehicles from the lots promptly following the end of the parking ban. Residents whose vehicles are towed during the parking ban should contact the Hartford Police Department at (860) 757-4000. The cost for retrieving a towed vehicle is $93.59. An additional $99.00 ticket will be issued, which owners are responsible for paying before the answer date. Please visit http://www.hartford.gov/snow-parking for a list of snow emergency parking locations, and for information regarding towed vehicles. 

 

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: BRINGING COMMON SENSE, BUSINESS SENSE TO HARTFORD CITY HALL

We don't need any more politicians inside City Hall. I have said for a while now we need people with common sense and business experience from the private sector to get Hartford back on track. We also need people that don't require a learning curve to get  up to speed when they move to Hartford from another State. We need people that have a realistic understanding of sound business concepts. Realistic expectations of Customer Service goals. Someone that can look at overinflated salaries that are so far out of whack with the private sector.

I think Mayor Bronin has found that person right here in our midst.

MAYOR BRONIN ANNOUNCES NOMINATION OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(Jan 22, 2016) Today, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced his intention to nominate Bonnie J. Malley as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford.

Ms. Malley currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Phoenix Companies, Inc., where she is responsible for all financial management and oversight as well as investor relations.  

“I am thrilled to nominate Bonnie to serve as Chief Operating Officer,” Mayor Bronin said.  “Bonnie’s extensive leadership experience, including as Chief Financial Officer for a major Hartford-based public company, will be a huge asset to the City of Hartford.  As chair of my transition’s Financial Review and Audit Committee and as a member of the Personnel Committee, Bonnie has already been a critical member of my team.  She is a dedicated resident of Hartford, and she will be a tremendous addition to the team we’re building at City Hall.”

"I am honored to be nominated to serve in Mayor Bronin's Administration at such a critical time for Hartford,” Malley said. “If confirmed by Council, I will work tirelessly to help our city address the current challenges and realize our potential."

Before becoming Phoenix’s Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Malley served as the company’s Chief Administrative Officer and was responsible for Human Resources, IT and other administrative functions.  A proud resident of Hartford, Ms. Malley is a member of the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts’ board of trustees, and serves on the board of directors for the MetroHartford Alliance, the Connecticut Forum and the iQuilt Partnership, among others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western New England College.

Ms. Malley’s nomination is subject to approval by the City Council. She intends to leave Phoenix once the company’s previously announced merger with Nassau Reinsurance Group Holdings is complete. 

ASK MAYOR BRONIN: GET YOUR YARD GOAT ANSWERS

MONDAY: MAYOR BRONIN TO HOST TOWN HALL ON DUNKIN’ DONUTS STADIUM AGREEMENT

— MEDIA ADVISORY—

(Jan 22, 2016) Monday, January 25, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will host a town hall on the Hartford Stadium Project. Earlier this week, Mayor Bronin announced that the City has received financial commitments from both the team and the developer to help fund a significant portion of the $10.3 million shortfall in the construction of the new Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

The event is an opportunity for Mayor Bronin to answer any questions residents may have about the agreement.

--

WHO: Mayor Bronin

WHAT: Town Hall on Hartford Stadium Project

WHEN: Monday, January 25, 2016; 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hartford Public Library, Atrium, 500 Main Street, Hartford 

THE HPD YOU-TUBE VIDEO, THE REAL STORY

Recently, I posted about the misinformation of a youtube video which was reported to depict a Hartford Police Officer, snorting cocaine in a hotel room with a transgender prostitute. Here is that original posting .http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-video-was-fake.html

The individual has been identified and was arrested by HPD on July 15, 2016 for impersonating a police officer .

Luis DaChuna was identified as the impostor after another incident at Koji Restaurant where he identified himself as a Hartford Police Officer and flashed a badge during an altercation. During the investigation, DaChuna was identified as a State of Connecticut DCF employee and the badge he was flashing  was a DCF badge and was the same badge shown in the alleged prostitute video on YouTube. During an interview with HPD, DaChuna apparently admitted to the impersonation incident and his involvement in the alleged transvestite prostitution video

From HPD:
On 11/28/15 a party, later identified as Luis DaChuna, was being belligerent inside Koji Sushi Restaurant and Bar located at 17 Asylum. When DaChuna was asked to leave the establishment, he claimed he was a Police Officer and said that he would "Shut the place down!". As the owner
escorted DaChuna to the door, he flashed a badge (DCF) and once again stated he was a Police Officer and said "you don't know who you are messing with." Officer Tran, who was outside on an unrelated call, intervened and determined that DaChuna was indeed flashing a Department
of Children and Families badge and that DaChuna was not a Police Officer. The incident was documented under case # 15-39994. A follow up investigation was conducted by Detective Kashmanian, and an arrest warrant was granted for Dachuna on 1/15/16. Detective Kashmanian,
along with the assistance of the HPD Vice and Narcotics unit, and the Newington Police Department, took DaChuna into custody on the evening of 1/15/16 at 66 Kimberly Road in Newington, CT. DaChuna was transported to 50 Jennings where he made a verbal admission to the
incident, as well as identifying himself as the subject of a recent controversial YouTube video in which he was wrongfully depicted as a Hartford Police Officer.

LaChuna was arrested by HPD ( the real ones) and charged as follows:

Arrested: Luis DaChuna DOB 7/21/70 66 Kimberly Road, Newington CT
Charges: Impersonation of a Police Officer, and Breach of Peace 2nd Degree.

LaChuna's employment status with DCF is unclear at this time. It also is not clear if his position involved any direct contact with children under DCF care

Arrest warrant application for Luis DaCunha from GA 14

The on-line video can be seen here, ***WARNING*** contains nudity and questionable language

Luis Da Cunha

FROM HPD: MORE GUNS AND A FELON ON PROBATION OFF THE STREET

On 1-21-16 Detectives from the Hartford Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit received corroborated information that an individual was in possession of two firearms and was the passenger in a dark colored vehicle parked near 154 Mather Street. Information obtained further indicated that he was about to commit an armed robbery. The Detectives were able to establish surveillance and observed a vehicle parked in front of the store matching the description furnished. The Detectives observed a male suspect, later identified as David Van-Alstyne reaching in the back seat of the vehicle manipulating something. Detectives approached the vehicle and upon illuminating the interior of the vehicle observed a barrel of a firearm protruding from a bag which was on the rear seat. This investigation revealed that the bag containing two firearms, and a ski mask. David Van-Alstyne stated that he was at the location to purchase some "weed". It was determined that David Van-Alstyne was a convicted felon and on probation. The accused was placed under arrested for several firearm related charges and transported to booking.

Arrested: David Van-Alstyne DOB 10-19-95 LKA 25 Linden Street, East Htfd Convicted Felon out on Probation

CHARGES:

1.       Criminal Possession of Firearm

2.       Weapons in Motor Vehicle

3.       Criminal Possession of a Pistol

$750,000 bond

Evidence:

1.       Black ski mask

2.       canvass bag

3.       1 black Fast EIBAR .22 caliber pistol

4.       1 magazine containing 5 .22 cal. Rounds

5.       1 Marlin Glenfield mod 60 22 cal rifle containing 18 .22 cal rounds

FROM HPD: ANOTHER CONVICTED FELON WITH A GUN

On January 21, 2016, at 4:22pm, Hartford Police Department Patrol Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation, as well as several 911calls for shots fired, in the area of 51 Ward Street. A description of the suspects was given via dispatchers. Upon Patrol Officers arrival, two spent .380 shell casings were located near 47- 49 Wolcott Street. Per protocol, a crime scene was established and secured. Moments later, HPD Patrol Officers observed a male closely matching the suspect's description walking on Lafayette Street. As officers approached a foot pursuit immediately ensued, resulting in the apprehension of the suspect. The suspect, a convicted felon out on Probation, was in possession of a firearm and 45 bags of heroin. An interview conducted by STF resulted in the suspect admitting to firing the shots.

Luis J. Vizcarrondo (DOB 7/2/88), 64 Curtiss Street, 2nd floor, Hartford, CT

Charges:

1.       Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm

2.       Criminal Possession of a Firearm

3.       Carrying a Pistol w/o a Permit

4.       Interfering with Police

5.       Possession of Narcotics

6.       PWITS of Narcotics

7.       PWITS w/in 1500' of a School

$300,000 Bond

Recovered Evidence:

(1) One Black Highpoint Model CF .380 Caliber Handgun

(1) One Black Magazine with three .380 Caliber Live Rounds

(2) Two Spent .380 Caliber Casings

(45) Forty-Five Sleeves of Heroin

Vizcarrondo has 14 previous Hartford arrests and is convicted felon with multiple Narcotics and firearm violence arrests. At the time of this incident he was out on Probation for a shooting in 2009.