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