Here is the simple answer, I think most people, even casual observers, realize Hartford is a hot mess, devoid of any real leadership. This isn't a new phenomenon for Connecticut's Capitol City, but I think it is actually getting worse and it almost seems like the residents just don't care. Voter turnout is abysmal, voter involvement is even worse and there is virtually no accountability for the under life at City Hall.
Earlier this week I broke the story about Working Families Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings and her antics. Even though Jennings was elected as a Working Families Party member and gladly accepted the support and votes from Hartford residents willing to vote for her, under the cover of darkness she decided she would rather be a Democrat.
I'm not really sure what the difference is between a Democrat and a Working Families Party candidate, aside from the fact that they aren't Republicans. And under the State's minority representation laws, The WFP has a better chance of grabbing minority seats by not officially being "Democrats".
Here is Hartford City Clerk John Bazzano's take on the matter
Here is Hartford City Clerk John Bazzano's take on the matter
Now you would have thought that WFP Councilwoman Jennings would have pulled out her official "rule Book", also known as the Hartford Municipal Code and done a little research. It clearly states that Jennings actions were improper and would essentially result in her forced resignation from the Council
This is the specific wording from the Hartford Municipal Code:(c)
This is the specific wording from the Hartford Municipal Code:(c)
Vacancies in various elective offices.
(1)
Vacancies resulting from changes in member's residence or political party registration. A member of the council shall be deemed to have resigned upon ceasing to be a resident of the city. With the exception of the final three (3) months of the term of office, a member of council who changes political party registration and thereby alters the party composition of the council shall be deemed to have resigned.
If her actions were even close to being considered legitimate, why was there no public announcement or even a press release? Why did she continue to identify herself as a WFP member and sit with the other WFP members at Council meetings?
And an even bigger issue is being researched by staff in the City Clerks Office. How much of the Councils business since she jumped ship in January can possibly have been affected by her illegitimate presence on the Council? What about her actions moving items out of committee as a result her motions or referrals forward or even seconding a motion.
Jennings irresponsible actions may have placed a half year of the Council's work in potential jeopardy.. Councilwoman Jennings needs to be held accountable for her unlawful actions as well as any costs involved and any payment or benefits provided to her since she jumped ship. These dollars need to be recovered for the taxpayers of Hartford, as well as to set an example that we place trust in our elected officials and we won't tolerate any abuse of that trust
And as a lawyer, Jennings should be familiar with how to research Connecticut State Statutes, and she would have found that her antics were also illegal under Minority Representation Laws, 9-167a.And even worse is that Jennings withheld her actions from her fellow Council members, her Working Families colleagues and most importantly, from the voters of the City of Hartford, all while she continued to fraudulently collect her salary and benefits from the taxpayers.
And an even bigger issue is being researched by staff in the City Clerks Office. How much of the Councils business since she jumped ship in January can possibly have been affected by her illegitimate presence on the Council? What about her actions moving items out of committee as a result her motions or referrals forward or even seconding a motion.
Jennings irresponsible actions may have placed a half year of the Council's work in potential jeopardy.. Councilwoman Jennings needs to be held accountable for her unlawful actions as well as any costs involved and any payment or benefits provided to her since she jumped ship. These dollars need to be recovered for the taxpayers of Hartford, as well as to set an example that we place trust in our elected officials and we won't tolerate any abuse of that trust
