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Friday, July 24, 2009

IS THE END NEAR FOR THE PEREZ REGIME ?

On Thursday, July 23, 2009 Superior Court Judge Dennis Eveleigh issued a ruling that his report detailing his 18 months as the Investigative Grand Juror (IGJ) in the Perez corruption case was to remain sealed for the most part. Immediately my phone began ringing from many concerned people that this was a bad development and Perez was going to walk. Most of their minds were eventually changed when I repeated the phrase "the information contained in the report is so damning that the publicity would affect the said individual's right to a fair trial". In addition Judge Eveleigh concludes in his report that there is probable cause that various people have committed crimes. Those statements don't sound like a walk to me, and actually would indicate to most people that the scope of this investigation was much broader than most people realized.

**********UPDATE: Friday evening********** Jeff Cohen at the Hartford Courant has posted on his blog that the Hartford Courant has filed an appeal of Judge Eveleigh's decision. The appeal has been accepted by the Connecticut Supreme Court. The hearing will most likely be held before the Supreme Court this coming Wednesday. Jeff's blog can be seen at http://courant.com/cityline. The text and PDF file of the Courant's appeal can be viewed there also.

IS ANY GOVERNING REALLY HAPPENING IN HARTFORD ?



As the corruption investigation into Hartford City Hall appears to be stepping up to the next level, the war of words between the Mayor and Council continues to escalate.

The following is the text of a letter sent from King Eddie to Councilman Pedro Segarra after Segarra threatened this week to subpoena city documents that Perez has failed to provide the Council:

July 22, 2009

Hon. Pedro Segarra
Councilman
Hartford City Council
550 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103

Dear Councilman Segarra:

I am in receipt of your letter addressed to the Council President dated to July 20, 2009 concerning the FY’08-’ 09 budget. After reviewing your letter, I am genuinely puzzled by what appears to be fundamental misunderstanding of the city budget process and the copious data we have provided the council.
I would like to correct a few points in your letter so that there is no confusion by your colleagues or the public:

I. Contrary to your assertion, the city is not running a deficit and has not done so since I have been Mayor. As you know, the city’s unallocated fund balance is part of the
calculation in determining the existence of deficit. Even after operational shortfalls are factored in, if the city still has cash reserves there is no deficit.

2. As you well know, I have attempted during my tenure to steadily and responsibly increase the fund balance. In contrast, the council has recently supported efforts to
expend the fund balance on operations as part of the budget process. Though I have opposed these efforts, it is clear you and some of your colleagues have felt very
comfortable in attempting raid “the rainy day fund” instead of making either tough decisions on taxes or cuts in services.

3. The council has been kept up to date in regular reports on the status of the budget with monthly and quarterly reports that have outlined the financial situation of the city in
detail. As you well know like every other governmental entity in the country, we will
have to us our fund balance to reach a balanced budget. Additionally, we have outlined a number of strategies to address both revenue and expense that would mitigate the use of the fund balance to balance the budget. The final closeout numbers for the fiscal year will be forwarded to you shortly.
I do urge you to proceed with the items before your committee. These items are important to the residents of the city and have been explained to the committee in some detail. They deserve the counci1’s support.

EDDIE A.PEREZ
MAYOR

530 Main Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Phone (860) 543-8300
Fax (860) 722-6606

End of Perez letter*************************************

WHAT? There is no deficit as long as the City has money in the bank (cash reserves)?

Perez, through his own admission and 3rd quarter budget documents clearly states the year end deficit could be anywhere from 6 million dollars to as high as 32 million dollars (if not even higher the way this city is being managed). Since the "rainy day" fund currently sits at somewhere around 19 million dollars (I don't think anyone knows an accurate number)the potential for that reserve to be wiped out is entirely possible. What then?

And the question arises as to why Segarra or any Councilperson, or even residents for that matter, should have to jump through hoops to get information from City Hall. Are subpoenas really necessary to get what amounts to public documents? Or does the Mayor and his staff need the time to cook the books to further the Gospel of Perez?

Possibly Eddie is just trying to buy time so that his disaster of an administration and his legacy as a corrupt leader all come together at once in October as the "damning" facts do become public during his trial

A REQUEST FROM THE HARTBEAT ENSEMBLE



Steve Ginsburg from the Hartbeat Ensemble has asked local bloggers to get the word out about their last performance this weekend for this summers series of "Performance in the Parks". Attached is their press release. Check it out, something positive happening in our city this weekend. While you are out why not check out the Mark Twain House and Museum or the Bushnell Park Carousel and maybe dinner at the Hook and Ladder on Main Street or the Red Rock on Capitol Ave, both with outdoor patios.

The following is the press release from the Hartbeat Ensemble:

HartBeat Ensemble Announces 4th Annual “Plays in the Parks”
Family Friendly Plays Focusing on the Economy


HARTFORD, CT – HartBeat Ensemble will present the fourth season of it's popular outdoor summer play series, "Plays In The Parks", this July in five Hartford parks. Admission is free.

Emceed by Hartford's legendary poet MIRA, each "Plays In The Parks" performance consists of three short plays interspersed with performances by Hartford's best musicians and spoken word artists. This year’s plays come from interviews conducted with residents in Connecticut who are faced with the shifting economy. The series, called “The Economy Hits Home,” tells the stories of people in Greater Hartford who have had to confront issues of housing, job loss, job creation, rising energy costs, maintaining small businesses and much more.

This years performance schedule is:

July 11 - Elizabeth Park
July 12 - Sigourney Square
July 18 - Pope Park
July 19 - Goodwin Park
July 25 - Keney Park

Family activities begin at 4:30 and performances begin at 5:00pm.

“We are bringing theater to audiences in the comfort of their home communities,” says HartBeat Ensemble co-founder Gregory Tate. The free summer theater series is a continuation of HartBeat’s mission to create plays about citizens of Greater Hartford.

HartBeat Ensemble co-founder Julia Rosenblatt says, “Outdoor theater must be provocative, relevant and broadly entertaining or else people will just wander away.” “We believe great humor comes with great truth,” adds HartBeat’s Steve Ginsburg. “Our park shows are family friendly and offer a wide range of theatrical styles.”

Emcee MIRA is inspired by poetry, spoken word and Hip Hop greats like Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, The Last Poets, Talib Kweli and Lauryn Hill. MIRA writes from the truth of what he sees in his community. He calls his works SOAPBOX Poetry because he envisions himself on the corner standing on a soapbox spitting his message to anyone who will listen like the great community activists of the sixties.

The mission of HartBeat Ensemble is to create original, professional theater based on stories from the community. Through Mainstage plays, Open- Air performances and Education programs, HartBeat Ensemble makes theater accessible beyond the barriers of class, race or gender.

For information about Plays in the Parks 2008 visit www.hartbeatensemble.org or call 860-548-9144.

Monday, June 29, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE HARTFORD WAY


After the Perez Administration successfully drove WFSB Channel 3 to build a new facility and move to Rocky Hill, the City of Hartford Economic Development people, under the guidance of of our dishonorable Mayor Eddie A. Perez, have once again proved to be a huge benefit to our suburban neighbors. As most of our neighboring towns seem to understand the concept of "economic development", Hartford continues to roll out the red carpet for many businesses leaving the City. Last time I looked, the Sunshine Laundry site on Maple Avenue was still empty.

But back to WFSB. Through a source of mine, I was informed today that Meredith Corp., the parent company of WFSB, will be moving another division of theirs to Rocky Hill. Meredith Video Solutions will be moving their operations to Rocky Hill in the near future. Unfortunately, these are jobs that could have been based in Hartford if Perez had a clue how to build a vibrant business climate, rather than drive businesses out to the suburbs, where they are met with open arms by our suburban town leaders.

WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP? WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

As Hartford continues to build its reputation as "New England's Shooting Star", two of the latest victims of gun violence have just been confirmed dead at Hartford Hospital. The shootings,which occurred today during the evening rush hour in broad daylight, at one of Hartford's busier intersections by South Green Park at Main Street and Wethersfield Avenue.

The major question is where is the outrage on the part of residents, City leaders( if there are any) as well as suburban residents. Aside from the drug trafficking that occurs daily in South Green Park (commonly referred to as Needle Park) as well as the prostitutes walking the area, this intersection is traversed daily by thousands of people heading to Hartford Hospital, CCMC, the Learning Corridor, Trinity College and many State of Connecticut office buildings. Although one more shooting is one too many, the argument used after the Papa Pizza murder and shootings that Hartford really is safe, that it was an isolated incident not affecting the average person doesn't seem to ring true. In a crowded intersection during rush hour when bullets start flying, the miracle seems to be that no more innocent victims were hit, whether driving, walking to one of the numerous shelters in the area, or the person that may have been sitting in South Green Park.

When are the so-called leaders at Hartford City Hall going to step up and do what needs to be done to reclaim our City. And as much as I support Chief Roberts, the question has to be asked , do we really need him attending classes at Boston University or do we need him on the streets of Hartford doing what he is paid to do, lead the Hartford Police Department. I had no problem getting Matt Hennessy out of town for his stint at Harvard, but I think we need the Chief here.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

CITY REJECTS HPD UNION CONCESSIONS

Several sources are telling me that the City of Hartford has rejected over $1,000,000 in concessions that the Hartford Police Union has offered as contract givebacks to the City of Hartford as their share in balancing the Perez Administration's budget disaster. Specific details are not available at this time as to the content of the concessions, and HPD Union President Richard Rodriguez reserved comment until after the union membership meets on Tuesday. The concessions were said to take effect July 1, 2009 if they had been approved.

Although the Perez Administration has stated several times that Police layoffs were not being considered, this action seems to contradict that. It would seem that if layoffs were not being discussed, then any givebacks by the unions would gladly be accepted to help balance the budget.

During the budget process and hearings, Rodriguez had testified before the council, along with other city union leaders, that they desired to work with the City to be a part of the solution in balancing the city's budget. Although the Perez administration is not known for its openness and transparency, one needs to wonder what their intent is as far as police staffing ? It would seem to be a no brainer that when concessions on the parts of the unions are offered, especially as a good faith effort to ease the city's deficit when they aren't required to give anything back, and when the Perez Administration says layoffs aren't being considered, why would you not accept a million dollars plus?

Maybe someone under arrest for felonies and under the microscope of several law enforcement agencies for potential criminal acts, might not be the best person to decide Police issues and be willing to work objectively, just a thought.