But not Hartford's King Luke
Luke Bronin doesn't deal well with anyone that challenges him or criticizes him, apparently especially when that person is a City of Hartford employee.
Bronin didn't fare too well when he stepped afoul of Federal law and was rebuked by a Federal Judge when he refused to indemnify Hartford Police Officer's from a Federal Court judgment, You can read more about that here.
Yesterday , apparently a City of Hartford employee voiced his displeasure with King Luke through a posting on social media venue "Twitter" as follows:
The City employee was quickly met with a response from the thin skinned Bronin as follows:
Apparently in the Kingdom of Luke, Federal law doesn't matter. But lets give King Luke the benefit of the doubt, can we really expect Mayor Bronin to keep up on Federal law as he is guiding us down the road to Bankruptcy.
Our Federal Courts recently ruled that an elected official can not block their constituents from criticizing them on social media, no matter how thin skinned they are. It determined that the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause does indeed prohibit officeholders from blocking social media users on the basis of their views
In the Federal Court decision of Davison vs Loudon County Board of Supervisors it involved the chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Phyllis J. Randall. In her capacity as a government official, Randall runs a Facebook page to keep in touch with her constituents. In one post to the page, Randall wrote, “I really want to hear from ANY Loudoun citizen on ANY issues, request, criticism, compliment, or just your thoughts.” She explicitly encouraged Loudoun residents to reach out to her through her “county Facebook page.”
That Kind of sounds like Luke Bronin's campaign promises to be "open and tarnsparent" . That is until you criticize him and then you will be BLOCKED.
Davidson sued, alleging a violation of his free speech rights. As U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris explained in his decision, Randall essentially conceded in court that she had blocked Davidson “because she was offended by his criticism of her colleagues in the County government.” In other words, she “engaged in viewpoint discrimination,” The Court cannot treat a First Amendment violation in this vital, developing forum differently than it would elsewhere,” Cacheris wrote, “simply because technology has made it easier to find alternative channels through which to disseminate one’s message.”which is generally prohibited under the First Amendment ,Judge Cacheris explained.
Maybe Luke is just emulating Donald Trump , who has been criticized for the same behavior. Another decision noted that citizens can use social media to “petition their elected representatives and otherwise engage with them in a direct manner.” The decision’s reasoning can also be applied neatly to Trump’s practice of blocking Twitter users with whom he disagrees. When Trump blocks Twitter users, they can still see his tweets—by, for instance, viewing them in an incognito window. But they cannot engage directly with his tweets, at least not without resorting to an intricate and unreliable workaround.
Toughen up Luke and grow a set, it goes with the territory. We have much greater issues to deal with than your feelings being hurt on Twitter.
67 comments:
Luke must have a very fragile ego. The comment that was sent to him was not personally offensive at all and Bronin still blocked him?! Get a life Mr. Mayor!
Hope that employee is not a minority. ... otherwise Mr Bronin might have the makings of a scandal on his hands
not that it should make a difference, but yes, a minority and a Hartford resident and taxpayer as well expressing his opinion as one of the King's constituents
Quick Boss, blame it the kids or the dog, something!
I bet the Empress runs his account
Did Sarah lend a pair to Luke and direct him to block the constituent?
Do you really think Luke the elitist cares?
It’s really time for change in Hartford and CT, Democrats have failed us miserably. It’s really time to Republican leadership.
Even Trump only blocked users from his personal twitter. He maintains two accounts. His longstanding personal account in which he tweets as a private citizen and the @potus account which is the official account of the president. Elected officials can block users from their personal accounts as They do not become a public forum. Bronin’s twitter is exactly like the one in the referenced case and it’s clearly a first amendment violation.
Maybe it's time to go back to a city Mgr . instead of politicians that have their own agendas, and little idea on running a city.
There are very capable people able to do the job, we just need to fix our political process and not allow the position to go to the highest bidder
Hartford residents had the opportunity to change the charter. However, a large percentage of residents do not understand what a charter enacts. Hartford community and political leaders need to get the residents involved and informed. The more residents listen and learn the easier Hartford's recovery will take place. It takes a Village to raise a Child and Adults.
As I mentioned earlier, federal court decisions are not "law." Especially if they're from another district or circuit. I guess you prefer to rile people up over nothing rather than post the truth.
Until we overthrow Hartfords politically elite who continue to profit from a corrupt system , nothing will change. The last three ng they want is an educated or involved electorate who would force change
So the US Constitution is only for certain parts of our Country?
Kevin, definitely one of your best posts. I applaud the employee for sending the tip to you. He knew you would turn it into good content. Judge Garfinkel's decision about indemnifying police was quite the rebuke to Hartford. His best line: "What capable officer, in his or her right mind, would want to work for such a city?"
And that legal decision about First Amendment? Unbelievable. But are you sure that Mayor Bronin is monitoring his Twitter account?? Hmmmmm . . . . He's obviously a good insurance attorney as shown by his negotiation of the stadium project, and I like that he is forcing the hand of bond insurers who should have done a better job of reading the fine print, i.e. city audits. He should try his hand at being a professor.
Kevin, Who are the Hartford political elite? I must be missing something.
Kevin, Who are Hartford's political elite? I must be missing something when you make that statement.
16 years I made the city my career. Loyalty I give... Sacrifice I have gave.. Now the floor below my family is about to disapear. you decision makers are an effing joke, bunch of kids attempting to be adults. To bad you all don't live in the real world and know what loyalty and love feels like.. you have effed your daddies legacies and are cheats and punks.. U know who u are.. but you give 2 effs. You're all a failure and shotty no name punks. . I'm moving on cuz I can. I know you won't sit in your own poop you caused and are moving on to your next feed bag. But think for one min. of the people, kids, mom's dad's, Grandma Grandpa, you screwed. Just for a minute..... How do you all sleep at night
Kevin. Check the Webster dictionary an the definition of "elite". You give to much credit
When brian and uncle jimmy r toast? U hav no more hooks at hpd brookman ......
Fyi Dustin, red lobster management team provides partial medical and opitonal 401k.....
10:56pm
I think you will eventually see how very wrong you are
I have been critical of you for being overly (I believe) critical of Bronin. But this time, I agree with you. Bronin in should lighten up. But he can't so he will not get vary far in government.
I don’t make these things up, so maybe if he didn’t do such ridiculous things I would have nothing to be critical of
And I agree with your last sentence, after Luke’s brief tenure in Hartford I really don’t see him going much further in government or politics
Hartford has few options as the state of Connecticut finances implode. Maybe it's time to remove the property tax exemption for government and religious properties and make them pay a lesser amount. Police and fire are available to all properties and the cost of these services are skyrocketing. Those who vote for generous pensions and benefits need to create a source of revenue. I'm sure Bronin is in a tough position and has few options available to raise revenue to pay the bills. It's easy to criticize and tough to come up with workable and positive solutions.
Kev, Maybe Luke can “teach” law at UCONN beside his wife Sarah when this gig is up . Don’t forget Sarah Bronin took part in the negotiations for Dunkin Donut Park so I’m assuming that incompetence is a requirement for professors at UCONN Law . Kev, does that make Luke overqualified?
@9:52
You sound like an officer or fire personal. I understand how you may feel. But the simple fact is that we can't afford all the perks and spikes in the pension and the generous health plans anymore. Whoever heard of being able to retire at 45? Who? Sixty five should be the retirement age. The negotiations to give accumulated sick time is ridicules. Sick time is exactly that; to be used if and when one is sick to be examined by an impartial medic. No accumulation then adding it on to be given in one lump sum. Who ever rationalized that? Who. The unions, of course. . No spiking the last three years with overtime to insure a $100,000.00 annual salary. No no no no no no no. You are spoiled by decades of gimmie deals made by your unions.
Thank you for your service. I respect what you have given. You describe it as loyalty and sacrifice? It has been a paying job. You didn't sacrifice anything. You earned a salary., my friend. Thank you. If you didn't agree with the responsibilities of employment, you should have gone elsewhere. No go sit in the sun or what you will probably do is find another full time job so you can augment your $100,000 pension. Please, go back to work until you are sixty five like most others. As a small business owner, I will work until I drop.
I'm really tired of hearing this crap.
Anyone take into consideration our soon to be Chief of HPD Rosado also hails from UCONN Law? What a network!
Kev,Sounds like 4:41pm is on to something. It would take me forever to figure out 7 degrees to DanWillLie Malloy with this Rosado appointment. Do you think I’m too cynical assuming more shady work by these sleaze balls?
@1:40PM
The next time you need help because you are in a motor vehicle accident or someone is threatening your life, you make sure you call Luke Bronin or Dannel Malloy, because I'm sure they will be there to help you. How dare you undermine the hard work that these public safety professionals do day in and day out. They risk lives everyday dodging gunfire, entering burning buildings, protecting complete strangers like you. Those pensions that you mention are owed to them for having devoted their lives to this city. But for what? To have people like you say they don't deserve those entitlements. To my knowledge, crime hasn't gotten any better. There was a homicide, stabbing, another shooting, and multiple incidents of shots fired in this "great city" all within a 5 hour period Saturday night. Firefighters are responding to numerous buildings fires and are forced to relocate residents because they have no renters insurance. They also respond to hundreds of EMS calls and are the first to arrive because there aren't any ambulances signed online. They are all subjected to known health hazards, blood bourne pathogens, work related injuries, stress,etc. If you want to fix some issues start with those "elected officials." Ask yourself, why are the Mayor and members of the city council entitled to a pension at the end of their term? What risks are they exposed to? Don't worry though, there will be a mass exodus of both departments. Good luck calling 911 in the City of Hartford. I don't blame them though, why not go to another agency where the municipality actually respects its employees.
@7:27
I didn't say that these folks are not entitled to pensions and decent pay. I did say that the bennies that have been offered for years are out of wack. Don't make me to be the ungreatful guy who thinks cops and firefighters should work for free. The problem with these hot button issues is that we are all frequently put (by people like you) on one side or the other and this is not fair. I believe in fair pay and for the hazards that are faced.
I accept the social and legal compacts we make living in society. I pay for these professional services. But for the sake of responding to your cryptic position, I do have two fire extinguishers in my house and my two front doors and my two back doors are locked most of the time. And I am protected. End of story. Give me a break. Cheese wiz... I can't remember when I last, or if ever, I called 911. I handle my own emergencies. When I was once involved in a bike accident, I refused an ambulance $1,000.00 ride and instead, got a ride to the hospital in a pick-up truck. I'm not a pussy head that needs professional services every other day. Try your argument on someone else.
You sound like a real tough guy. Maybe u can help patrol the northend on a weekend night. Sit in your little aetna cubical and live your little life. Let the men do their jobs.
@7:27pm
Completely agree with you. People who aren't in the emergency services have no idea what goes down in this city and the crime here is only getting worse. The exodus has already started because nobody wants to work for a city that routinely disrespects its public safety professionals and places every fiscal shortcoming at their feet. HPD and HFD never win...mayor disrespects us and the community despises us. As for that so called business owner, you made the decision to run a business as I made a decision to accept this job. Just realize that it was the city's ELECTED officials that signed off on all those union deals you hate so much not us.
Pubic Safety is key to a livable city. However, Hartford's HPD has plenty of private jobs and HFD most members have another job. Both departments have great salaries, vacation days, sick time, pensions and so forth. Surrounding towns have volunteer Fire Departments and police salaries are much lower than Hartford. So, what is the big deal. Yes the HFD gave back again and that is a good thing. However, The HPD did not. Well, they ought to. No one asked any of these persons to take on these dangerous jobs. It would benefit the city that all Police and Firefighters live in the city and pay home and car taxes.
1:40 PM: Finally, finally we have someone here telling us the truth, the real honest truth.
Will Hartford be able to handle the truth?
5:35PM
I think you need to recheck your salary info and you might find that you are wrong
I would rather quit then move to hartford. And i pay car taxes in a town that actually is managed correctly. All your taxes go to pay for library greeters making 102k a year. Library directors making 165k a year.
Your little hartford resident opinion makes no sense and contains no actual facts. Typical , very typical.
I’m a DPW employee with nearly 20 years and never read it here. DPW has always, since I’ve been employed here, made union concessions EVERY contract renewal. Not to bash PD or FD or think they should concede an inch but remember it, while your departments get the headlines, our PW jobs are more dangerous. Day in , day out, we don’t wait for the call, we are doing it.
Plowing and repairing the roads safety, business and residents use daily. We clean their parks, blighted properties and garbage and recyclables daily. Trust me, the things that are discarded can be outright wicked. Our masons, electricians, plumbers and carpenters keeps their buildings operating daily. Many city properties are obsolete and risky. Our fleet services repair their cruisers, heavy trucks, fire apparatus, construction equipment, maintenance equipment and emergency equipment daily.
We do it daily.We don’t wait for emergencies, those do happen , we like to be ahead of that, however we are stereotyped as unmotivated. We may not have gone to University or College or whatever, but DPW is not going to concede anymore! We done it for years and we are DONE! We are now forced into a situation where the balance is going to totally tip the DPW employees closer to personal bankruptcies. Compared to other municipalities , we are underpaid and under supported and so be it! Most of us were born here, grew up here and still live here. We know it’s nooks and crannies. We know it’s people. It’s our home.
Our expense takes up less than 2.5% of the City’s $550million budget, so , logically our take is peanuts compared whatever else is going wrong! Follow that money and find the real problems!
Here’s some more logic for ya, if $500 + million budgets are being passed and only half of Hartford’s property is taxed, what is Hartford’s revenue potential?
Good night everyone and Happy Columbus Day....
Thank you Kevin for your ability to tease out the BS at the BOE and library admins and I have a feeling that is only the proverbial ‘tip of the iceberg’!
To 1:40 and 8:49 PM -- Eloquently made case. Those of us with different viewpoints are often villainized on this blog as being on the "wrong side." However, in the face of our latest fiscal crisis, it IS time to separate out Hartford perks and pensions into 2 classes: Hazardous duty and Non-hazardous duty.
There really is no comparison to the HPD employee who might have had to deal with a "homicide, stabbing, another shooting, and multiple incidents of shots fired within the 5 hour period on Saturday" cited by 7:27PM. Or, that HFD employee running into a burning building, forever dealing with gruesome accident scenes, or being exposed to blood-borne pathogens. Or, the HPW employee who could get their arm caught in machinery or hit by a shitty Hartford driver while crossing the street to return an emptied garbage can. These City employees deserve a different level of perks and pension vs. certain overpaid library employees whose day is spent at a desk or cubicle. Hopefully, the new state financial review board can get Hartford turned in the right direction on this issue.
Yeah ok, until I show up to your house at zero dark 30, kick your shitty door in and visit violence on you that you haven't even let your mind think of when out on your bike ride in the park. That's why the police should be paid well. Because men like me are prepared to confront that wolf! A bad guy would cut through your make believe world like a wildfire in a august cornfield. After all, when was the last time one of your coworkers was killed at work?
Police have not received health after retiring FOREVER so u have no idea WTF u are talking about and only a small % of those who made their life their job get a $100k pension so YET AGAIN, another IGNORAMUS talking out their jealous ass who has a job with no 401 k. STFU with your ignorant statements. Enough already. YOU MOVE & get a JOB! Want to know what's BS????? Crossing guards working 15 hours a week get FULL LIFE INSURANCE upon retirement!!! THAT'S SOME FKED UP MISMANAGEMENT!
Bad sign. If you do not want to live in the city and contribute to taxes then get another job in another place. The Hartford Police Department need to agree on a contract and give back. In the end you will not win. Other unions gave back and most of the employees live in Hartford. I personally have encountered officers who would not move back or who have never lived in the city. No one disagrees that Public Safety is a tough job. Yet, HARTFORD FIREFIGHTERS gave back. Come on HPD do what is right. Yes, the Hartford Public Library CEO and her Leadership Team paycheck is out of control. They will not win either. Hartford is broke. Do not insult the intelligence of Hartford taxpayers. We see the light.
11:14
You talk a bad talk while not exposing who you are. Like most cowards. Tell you what, tell me who you are and I will do the same, coward. Kevin will ensure both of us are truthful. You sound like you should retire and get out of policing if that is what you do for a living. You should not be there and you should have your guns confiscated. You are a danger to society.
You would make a mistake trying to push my door in, big boy. A real mistake.
@11:25
No wonder my crazy sister has remained a school crossing guard.
6:11pm
I don’t that was any type of threat as much as it was emphasizing the question who are you going to call when things go bad. There aren’t a lot of people willing to confront that level of danger alone on our streets at 3:00am
Mr Brookman is right on the money, it was not a threat towards you at all I'm on your side! I'm merely stating the obvious. The fact is I would bet money that you have ZERO idea how to actually defend yourself. Maybe you karate chopped at someone during recess or kicked at someone's groin once in your life. But let's both be honest with each other, as much as I would LOVE to meet up with you in person I get a fat paycheck and I wouldn't risk that to prove you wrong. Now that that is out of the way why would you want me to get out of policing? I'm the perfect man to police the absolute animals that we have in the city of Hartford, the type that prey on innocent citizens trying to lead a good life, the elderly that are trying to enjoy the end of theirs and the young kids that might not even get to that point because of the violence in the city caused by those animals.
You may not like it but the city of Hartford breeds tough cops and that's what the good people of the city need protecting them. I want you to google "Tracey Thurman" and see what happens when officer friendly shows up in a life or death situation.
And P.S. If I was going to actually kick your door in I would do it with a shaped charge, and blow the door through the other side of your house. It would all be settled before you even finished soiling yourself. No thank you necessary though. Me and the other tough men and woman of the department will keep on being the sheepdogs that check on those shadows outside your "locked" door at 3 am, you go on happily being the sheep.
@9:21
I did read much of the Tracey Thurman case. I don't know how the hell that case of spousal abuse has anything to do with me and being protected by the good "sheepdogs" of Hartford. Man, you should take some courses in how to think straight. And this all originates with my remarks about overly generous benefit packages ( in my opinion) and how today, some of these bennies are unaffordable. As to Ms Thurman, unfortunately, these repeated incidences often end very badly. I only wish that more wives under similar circumstances would just go purchase a hand gun and blow their bastard husbands to kingdom come. Lastly, I know, you're the big bad wolf that knows how to huff and puff and blow down doors. But now that I have set up my defense perimeter of armed drones circling above my house 24/7, I trust you won't have the eldment of surprise when you arrive with your shaped charges ready to soil my pants. Oh and I don't ride my little tricycle anymore in Hartford. I don't need to test my fate with the myriad of stoned junkies recklessly riding through Hartford streets.
Question; Did you and have many of your fellow officers spent time in the military and in war zones? Just curious.
Very well said. However I would add that a few years ago your union 1716 had a president that saw the union trend of giving into concessions. The union president at that time stood his ground and refused to give in to concessions and pushed for and recieved wage increases that were contractually owed to various skill trades and other classifications.
Answer; Hartford is a daily war zone....more of a war than you’ve ever seen water boy.
I wasn't referring to the Thurman case to reference domestic violence, I referred to it because a cop with no spine stood there and watched her get beaten almost to death. The vast majority of your hartford cops never would have let that happen. They would have handled it.
@12:50
I agree that Hartford is a war zone. It means job security for you all. That is why I have upped my security. No one will bother me. My next door neighbor's, yes. But not me. But overtime is killing the budget. We should limit overtime or... Hey, I have a great idea, Mr Police Officer. I think we might higher out and hire Indian police men from India. Give them all HB 1 visas and allow them to take your place for less than half the cost.
Just kidding. Did that grab your goat? I enjoyed messing with you. Your doing a good job. Keep going after the bad guys. Bust their asses. Bust their doors down while they are soiling their pants. I'm a good guy, BTW. And I like the good cops that patrol Hartford. I just don't like the bad ones and they are around, too.
Agreed!!! There's no room for bad cops and I hate to admit it but there is a few that need to go! And I'm sure you got the homestead secured but don't hesitate to call if you ever need something!! We are here to serve you! And all the other good folks of the city. And I apologize for being rough around the edges, I do mean well though! Just know that.
Please give me an answer! Why do I read so many posts attacking the “working man” ? Shouldn’t the criminals be discussed first? They cost society way more money than any cop,firefighter or teacher will in a lifetime. Prior to their crimes we have to pay for their birth,feed ,clothe and house them,attempt to educate them,supply EBT cards,THEN we get to pay high insurance fees and taxes to cover their destruction I.E. car theft,car break ins, burglary damage/theft,assault victims medical bills ,workers comp/death benefits for those that harm our peace keepers,then we pay for investigation/prosecution/incarceration/rehabilitation once their caught.. ONLY FOR MOST TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN ONCE THEIR OUT OF JAIL! Next up should be the able bodied “freeloaders” that are taking our inner cities down. So please stop demonizing an important element of a civilized society.
My Hartford DPW retiree family member is on a real nice pension. He likes to remind us, with his new part time job, that he has more money now than he knows what to do with. Hard worker for sure, but let's not get carried away with how dangerous it is to empty a trash can or plow the street. He retired from DPW many years ago, at least 5. He's now in his early 50's. Retired.
To put this simply, the current system is not sustainable. Spending exceeds revenues, and there has to be structural change. Retiring in your 40's, really? The politicians and unions will never get there. Bankruptcy accomplishes precisely that.
Hey 8:32 am , You might want to read the 8:00 pm comment above yours. You question “retiring in your 40’s” ? Why not FIRST question able bodied adults who have received social service benefits “in their 40’s” and BEYOND ! Hartford is now on their THIRD GENERATION OF WELFARE RECIPIENTS AND YOU QUESTION THE COST OF PENSIONS???? AND PLEASE COMMENT ON THE LUKE BRONIN CLAIM OF 20,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN HARTFORD,I GUESS THEY DONT COUNT ?!
8:32 am
Before you complain about the public safety personnel who work 20 to 30 yrs. for the city you should research the people who do 5yrs. and collect pensions and insurance. The people that Bronin is hiring more of than actual workers. Police.Fire.DPW all do their jobs and help to keep the city afloat. The cities problems are white collar, not blue collar.
With all the recent HPW give backs, it is hard to believe this person has a hardy city pension. However, this person has been off the city payroll for at least five years. This individual must had have a high position in HPW. Did this person start work for HPW at a young age? HPW is a hard job. The city needs dependable workers. Most of the HPW workers live in the city and they are very hard workers.
12:14pm: try to stay on topic, it's not that hard. My comments were only about DPW, not about welfare recipients, or illegals, or friends of Bronin, or libraries, or school administrators, or unicorns. What does any of that have to do with retiring in your 40's on full pension? NOTHING.
You're welcome.
11:55
Your comment was about an absolute rarity. That said, connecting such to the City’s sustainability issues is at best negligible.
Dubious observation and your tone is sloppy.
11:55 AM ,,I re-read your comment and you clearly refer to “bankruptcy”, unions (plural) and a system that is “not sustainable” ,ALL OF THAT IS DPWs DOING??? So I really did stay on topic .Here I’ll say it Prime Minister Maggie Thatchers words “Social Services are great until you run out of OTHER PEOPLES MONEY” . My point is ,your family member from DPW should not go FIRST on your list of money grabbers taking the city down. Now that Animal Control Officer Sherry Degenova is back she can get those abandoned unicorns off the streets of Hartford and find them nice homes in the suburbs. Boy! I thought we couldn’t go any lower than demonizing teachers ,cops and firefighters . Thanks (I guess) to General Grievous for proving me wrong. Who’s next ,all the Grandma’s on Social Security?
The police dept needs to be run like a security business. The grip postc has on local police is ridiculous in this state and it only contributes to the problems like understaffing and excessive overtime. What we need to do is first: allow hpd to hire on its own without postc imput, secondly: hire full time officers as well as hire per diem officers. That way when a shift is understaffed and rather than forcing someone to work ot we can make a phone call and get an officer in on straight time. Lastly, the pension has to go in favor of a 401k because we have to do it.
Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
Yet another homicide about to be on the books as soon as they pull the plug. What number will this be Mr. Brookman? Is the mayor’s plan still to remove guns from the streets and hire more officers?
Its time gov started functioning like a business. Had I ran my Private Security and P.I businesses the way the city runs Hartford Police I'd be out of business within a week or less. Time we treated tax payer dollars with respect and hire per diem cops, privatize the library, do merit BASED PAY RAISES and significantly reform the city pension system into a private sector 401k. The broke tax payers of Hartford and CT for that matter do not enjoy nearly anything resembling a gov workers benefits GET in CT. Time government caught up to what everyone has.
Darrell V. Hill is an idiot! He left Hartford with millions of dollars of junk bonds. Darrell Hill was overpaid in Hartford.
Screw per diem law enforcement! You crazy? That's ZERO benefits for putting your life on the line. Zero. Boy, you must really dislike L.E. to be thinking that way.
Post a Comment