HOW TO BEAT HARTFORD'S HIGH TAXES ... ARENA STYLE

While researching the City of Hartford's on-line tax database system, I found many names of people in "leadership" positions in Hartford who were delinquent on their motor vehicle taxes. I have spoke with several of them and the response was pretty much the same. They are all struggling to make ends meet and they are unable to afford Hartford's high taxes and ever increasing mill rate.

One of Hartford's "leaders" who did not show any past due motor vehicle taxes owed in Hartford was Democratic Town Committee Chairman Sean Arena. Oddly enough though, neither Sean Arena or his brother Ralph Arena showed any vehicles at all registered or taxed in Hartford. Ralph Arena is a member of the 4th District Town Committee.

Since I know they both drive vehicles, I was wondering how this was possible.

The next stop was a visit to the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Department to find out if the Arena's had vehicles in their names and if so, where were they taxed? Surprisingly, DMV records showed that both Sean and Ralph Arena had vehicles registered to them and taxed in the Town of New Canaan, Connecticut. By Connecticut law, the vehicles must be taxed in the town where they are "garaged", in this case, Hartford. Not in the town with the lowest tax rate.

Their bills were both sent to an address of 156 South Avenue in New Canaan, Connecticut. According to the Town of New Canaan, 156 South Avenue is a low income/senior housing project. Apparently the Arena's sister, Patricia Arena is a resident of this complex and the bills are sent to her unit.

You might ask why the Arena's would choose to register their cars at an address not their own? The answer is quite simple when you consider the financial gain to the Arena brothers. New Canaan's mill rate is 13 mills, Hartford's mill rate 68 mills. This difference has resulted in a savings of thousands of dollars for Sean and Ralph Arena, while fleecing the City of Hartford of thousands of dollars of much needed revenue.

It most likely would also result in substantial insurance savings for registering the cars outside of Hartford.

All of this information was obtained through public documents and public information from agencies that understand and respect the Freedom of Information Act. Thank you to the DMV and the Town of New Canaan.

More government as usual for Hartford it would appear. Hopefully the Tax Collector and the States Attorney's office will take note and look into this matter.

4:30PM UPDATE- In an effort to divert attention, Sean Arena has apparently offered to the Hartford Courant to produce a Hartford Tax bill showing that he and his partner, James Holcomb did pay taxes on a vehicle registered in Hartford. The problem is that the vehicle is his partners vehicle, not his Audi. A challenge to Sean, produce the tax bill for your vehicle that you drive, not your partners. You may have to go to New Canaan to get a copy of it.

TOWN OF NEW CANAAN TAX PRINTOUTS FOR SEAN AND RALPH ARENA
Arena's Tax Printouts

IS PRENZINA HOLLOWAY BEING SINGLED OUT?

Many of you may recall the questionable move by Hartford Democratic Registrar of Voters Olga Vazquez to hire Democratic operative Prenzina Holloway during this past November's election. As a result of that hiring and the subsequent coverage, it came to light that Holloway was delinquent on her motor vehicle taxes.

As a result, Hartford Tax Collector Marc Nelson seized Holloway's check for her services and applied it to her back taxes. I support that move, but it raises the question whether Holloway was the exception to that policy.


Apparently she was. City of Hartford Tax documents show that Connecticut State Marshal, Perez ally and Democratic operative Abe Giles is also deeper in debt to the City for back taxes than Holloway was. Giles continues to receive payments from the City for a moving and storage contract from the City of Hartford to handle civil eviction proceedings.

What was good to settle Holloway's delinquency should also apply to Giles back taxes.

Below is the most recent accounting for Giles's taxes on only one property. Other tax bills are also delinquent and the amount is higher than the $11,943.92 shown on this one bill.

GILES TAX BILL FOR 740 WINDSOR STREET

Giles Tax Bill

WE MAY ALREADY HAVE THE WINNER OF "HARTFORD'S DUMBEST CRIMINAL" FOR 2010

Manchester Police are today investigating the robbery of a Manchester gas station. An arrest was made within hours due to the great planning by the suspected robber.

The suspect apparently chose to leave his transportation needs to Yellow Cab, rather than have to drive himself. Understandably, robberies can prove to be stressful and allowing someone else to drive makes sense. The suspect apparently called Yellow Cab and requested to be picked up at 200 Mather Street in Hartford.

After being picked up, the suspect proceeded to Manchester, apparently committed the robbery, and then promptly returned to 200 Mather Street, by the same cab, to relax after a hard days work.

In the meantime, Manchester Police began investigating the robbery, and of course the Yellow Cab stood out as a getaway car. Yellow Cab was contacted for additional information. Shortly thereafter, the suspect once again called "666-6666" to serve his transportation needs. The only difference this time was that when he was picked up by Yellow Cab his driver was a Manchester PD detective.

With the assistance of Hartford Police, the "dumbest Hartford criminal of 2010" nominee was promptly taken into custody.

It is early in the year, but I think it might take some real stupidity to beat this one, but you never know.

Happy New Year.

EDDIE PEREZ MAKES "TIME" MAGAZINE....AND NOT AS MAN OF THE YEAR

Once again Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez has made our city proud. Perez is profiled in Time Magazine under "2009 in Mugshots" along with his alleged co-conspirator Abe Giles. Both of their mugshots can be found by clicking here:

HPD BOOKING ASSAULT UPDATE- RASHIM CAMPBELL'S ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT

For those who follow the blog, it was first reported here about the alleged beating of a prisoner by two Hartford Police officers while in HPD custody.

Here is the arrest warrant affidavit submitted by Hartford Police that resulted in the arrest of Rashim Campbell and the facts laid out that led to that arrest.
Campbell Arrest Warrant Affidavit

THERE ARE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN HARTFORD

The main sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church on Sigourney Street, pictured above, was used Monday to host a day of remembrance for homeless people who have died on the streets of Hartford in the past year.

The event was sponsored by numerous faith based organizations and groups that provide services to Hartford's homeless population. The event was well attended and included the reading of the names of those who have died and a candle being lit after each name was announced. After the ceremony, a turkey dinner was served to all who attended.

One of the things that surprised me though was who wasn't there. There seemed to be an even mix between clergy members, volunteers and homeless people. Councilman Deutsch and Councilman Cotto both were in attendance. No other council members were there, no Mayor Perez, no other elected officials that I recognized,no State reps, no State senators, no one I recognized form the Downtown Business District, which encompasses Trinity's neighborhood. (remember how vocal they were when they thought the homeless shelter proposed for downtown would kill their businesses?)

Not surprising though was the absence of the media. Susan Campbell from the Courant was there as well as a Courant photographer. Not one television station was there though to cover a positive event happening in Hartford. Not surprising though was later that night when a suspected drug dealer died while being arrested two blocks away, the coverage by all the stations was quick.

It just makes you wonder if all the "media professionals" we have employed at City Hall are really interested in projecting a positive image of Hartford.