PLEASE TAKE THE POLL ABOVE

Please take a moment to click on an answer above and let me know what you think, feel free to add a comment under the original posting, HFD Adds new Deputy Chief

CHURCHES ON MAIN STREET HEALTH FAIR THIS WEEKEND

Churches+on+Main+Street+Health+Fair

SEGARRA PUTS LID ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

Here we go again, in an Administration that talks constantly about transparency, apparently they don't want the media to be part of it.

Mayor Pedro Segarra's Media spokesperson  recently put a lid on City Hall employees answering questions or providing information to any media people or journalists. In an e-mail circulated to City Hall Staff, Segarra's spokesperson  Maribel La Luz  stated "If any journalist e-mails or leaves a voicemail, please let me know before responding,If a journalist gets you on the phone, tell them to contact me directly with their request. We need to be aware of developing stories. Thank you for your cooperation"

In a building that leaks information like a sieve, this may prove to be a difficult task, as well as illegal.Former Mayoral spokesperson Sarah Barr had issued a similar order that all FOI requests and requests for information had to go through her and Corporation Counsel at the time John Rose. I complained to the FOI Commission that filtering information and documents unnecessarily delayed the release of Public Information as required by the FOI Laws.

After a hearing , the Commission agreed with me and determined the policy was illegal and Barr and the City were ordered to stop.

I can understand that Mayor Segarra wants to control his message and the propaganda coming out of City Hall, but what do they have to hide. Everything conducted in that building is Public information and with some people in City Hall with a conscience, the information eventually will get out.

Ms. La Luz might want to take an FOI course to get herself up to speed on the Public's right to know. This is the public's business she is dealing with, not a press release for a Shakira concert.

WILL CHARTER CHANGE HAPPEN?

Hartford currently has the required Charter revision Commission doing its mandatory 10 year review of the City Charter. The Charter requires that it be reviewed every 10 years or sooner if properly requested.

Some of the proposed changes may not be sitting well with Hartford's politicians, Mayor Segarra included.

One of the proposals that has recently surfaced , was apparently endorsed unanimously during a subcommittee meeting of the Charter Revision Commission. The details outlined in an e-mail from John Kennelly to Commission members, obtained under the FOI Act recommends the elimination of the Registrar of Voters Office.

According to the e-mail "All members agreed that this office should be professionalized and de-politicized in accordance with potential changes to state statute. This would include making this an appointed office. This professionalization should include some form of certification for the office holder."

During conversations with several state representatives, it would seem that there would be support for any legislative change required to make this happen. Hartford's registrars of Voters Office is far from the "professional" operation many would like to see.

The majority of the subcommittee also seems to support the return to a fully elected board of education. All members agree that the Mayor should not be allowed to serve on the Board, according to Kennelly's e-mail.

The members also supported the concept of a budgetary line item veto for the Council, the makeup of the present Council as being appropriate,and  4 year terms as opposed to returning to 2 year terms.

Although none of these recommendations are a done deal by any stretch, they potentially will serve as the foundation for any Charter revision recommendations. Any changes to the Charter must be approved by the Council , and eventually by the voters during a referendum.

The Registrar of Voters change seems like the most likely to move forward and the legislature may possibly make the change in conjunction with Secretary of State Denise Merrill before the Charter does.

HPD OFFICER"S FIREARM STOLEN

Today has been a busy day with the police sources. Several phone call have reported that Probationary Hartford Police Officer Luis Feliciano, the subject of a recent posting on the blog, has now reported to the Springfield police department that his firearm issued to him by the City of Hartford has been stolen. Feliciano apparently reported to Springfield PD that the weapon was stolen during a burglary of his home.

This raises more questions as to how Officer Feliciano has secured his weapon, as is apparently required under the Departments Code of Conduct.  This will most likely not rest well with Chief Rovella and others who are working hard to get illegal guns off the street , not to add more.It would appear that the weapon was not secured in a gun safe or other means to prevent its theft.

A request for comment on the theft was made to HPD but no comment is available at this time.

UPDATE 4:11PM- HPD Spokeperson Nancy Mulroy confirmed the theft of Feliciano's firearm and that the Springfield police were investigating the burglary of Feliciano's home.

Here is the original posting regarding Officer Feliciano

LOBSTERGATE: THE FINAL CHAPTER...HOPEFULLY

Hartford Police sources are confirming what is most likely the final chapter in the alleged lobster larceny case of Officer Natoya Guthrie. Sources are confirming that Hartford police Chief James Rovella has accepted the resignation of Officer Guthrie from the Hartford police department earlier today. Guthrie was seen at the Hartford Police Department earlier this afternoon turning in her city issued uniforms and equipment.

 

former Officer Natoya Guthrie

 

 

This appears to be the final chapter in what has been referred to as "lobstergate" by commenter's here on the blog. Guthrie was under investigation for the alleged thefts of lobster and other seafood from the self checkout line at the Stop and Shop store on New Park Avenue in Hartford.

You can read the original posting here

Apparently there were videos detailing more than one instance of the alleged thefts that could have resulted in Guthrie's arrest on larceny charges if pursued. As soon as I obtain those videos, they will be posted here.