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Monday, January 11, 2010

THE LATEST "CRIME IS DOWN" DOG AND PONY SHOW HELD AT HARTFORD CITY HALL


I attended the latest comedy event held in the Council Chambers today. I don't know, but I just find it highly laughable to see a Mayor arrested twice on numerous felony charges talking about his crime fighting abilities. Does he even consider his own credibility and wonder how people can take him seriously when he may be facing some serious prison time in a few months?

After having the police called on me last week at City Hall when I asked the Democratic Registrar for public documents, I tried to keep a low profile today.

It took every ounce of my willpower though to not shout out a question for the Mayor.

"Mr. Mayor, do your arrests and the arrest of Councilperson Airey-Wilson and others figure into the City's crime statistics or does the state have to claim those?"

I CAN ADMIT WHEN I'M WRONG

No, not about Sean Arena and his brother Ralph and the thousands of dollars they have apparently beat Hartford out of.

Rather, the posting regarding the documents that someone(I referred to them as spineless) had sent to the Courant. The documents appeared to show that I was not paying personal property taxes for my business office, even though I haven't had an office at the address listed for several years.

I referred to the "source" of the documents as "spineless". I still feel they are because it is easy to sling allegations anonymously with out doing any checking to verify the accuracy of the documents. The person who provided the documents, who I won't name here, had every resource available to verify the documents and chose not to.They most likely knew they were wrong and hoped the Courant would just run with them without any verification

In retrospect, I wouldn't be writing on this blog if it weren't for my "sources" who provide me with information and documents. In looking back, the last thing I would call any of my sources is spineless.Sources providing me with information are actually some of the bravest people I know. They risk their careers and livelihoods by contacting me and giving me the information they do. In this era of corruption at Hartford City Hall, they all know that by contacting me, they essentially could be out of a job tomorrow.

It all comes down to the trust factor and my sources know I will protect their identity and their information at all costs. Hopefully that is why people take the risk to talk to me and forward the information they do.

Although my aggravation in that posting was directed toward those trying to "kill the messenger" and deflect attention away from the Arena's, some felt that it was also directed toward Steve Goode from the Courant.

I whole heartedly apologize to Steve Goode if that was taken as my intent. Although I only met Steve in person today, I have nothing but the highest regards for the way he handled the situation. He was extremely fair. He could have posted the documents on their face value, but he chose not to. He contacted me and then went to City Hall to try to get the full story. Only after he did that and then contacted me again, did he finally post what he found.

Both Steve Goode and Helen Ubinas from the Courant were fair in their analysis last week, and again I apologize to them if they felt any of this was directed towards them.

It is hard to make sense out of a lot of the nonsense that comes out of Hartford politics. All of the back and forth and trying to deflect attention away from their actions by coming after me shows the desperate nature of Hartford's "leaders". But, I guess when you are potentially committing criminal acts, you will become desperate when you face exposure.

Besides, due to the coverage of Helen and Steve and their links to "We the People", the blog had its best week in traffic since I put the information up first regarding the Mayor's second impending arrest. Almost 2500 people clicked on "cityline" and "notes from Hel" in four days to read the blog. Since I am trying not to aggravate anyone more, I won't say which blog was more popular in their links.

Again, I apologize to any of the "good guys" who took this the wrong way, and to the subjects who actually took offense because I exposed their activities, I stand by what I say 100%.

Friday, January 8, 2010

A NEW ADDITION- VIEW OUR "ONE HARTFORD" PROGRAM HERE ON LINE


Some of you may have already watched our "1 Hartford" program, produced by Stan McCauley, on Hartford Public Access Television. Other's may live outside the coverage area or missed the 10:00PM Saturday airing or Sunday at 8:00AM repeat time.

The show has proven very popular as we discuss issues facing Hartford and also try to discuss possible solutions. The weekly cast of characters include myself, Stan McCauley, retired Hartford Deputy Police Chief Gerry Pleasent, Bishop John Selders and Angel Morales. Special guests occasionally appear, and have included Connecticut Republican Party Chairperson Chris Healey, State Representative Minnie Gonzalez, Hartford Council people Ken Kennedy and Dr. Larry Deutsch among others.

I'm going to try to present a preview of each weeks program, as well as the direct link to the show on Stan's Internet TV station, accesstv.org. Just click and watch.

This week on the program we highlight Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez's recent appearance in TIME magazine as one of the 14 "Mugshots of 2009" and discuss whether anyone really is leading Hartford. We also discuss the revelation this week that Hartford Democratic Town Chairperson Sean Arena has apparently been dodging Hartford's high tax rate as both he and his brother register their cars in New Canaan. Bishop Selders brings up the issue of Hartford Schools and the quality of education being delivered.

Is it time for a makeover as the lipstick appears to be coming off the pig? How will Hartford deal with the budget mess and where will the money or the necessary cuts come from. We also discuss the level of continuing corruption at Hartford City Hall as this weeks released Labor decision outlines large thefts from the Tax Collector's Office, yet no request for a Police investigation.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 1HARTFORD AND FEEL FREE TO COMMENT HERE OR DIRECTLY ON STAN'S WEBSITE

THIS IS GETTING UGLY



PICTURED ABOVE, HARTFORD DEMOCRATIC TOWN CHAIRPERSON AND NEW CANAAN TAXPAYER SEAN P. ARENA

After having the police called on me yesterday while I was trying to obtain documents from the Democratic Registrar of Voters, I quickly realized that toes were being stepped on.

Then this morning I read cityline on courant.com and read the comment that essentially said I was a racist and had a problem with latino and "AA" women. I assume they abbreviated "AA" to mean African-American, maybe they didn't know how to spell it. The other "AA" wouldn't make any sense.

I started to wonder how you would defend yourself against an "anonymous" charge of racism. But then I realized that anyone who knows me would probably say that I was color blind when it comes to dealing with people, and my actions hopefully speak louder than any statement of defense would.

Then I get a phone call from Steve Goode, a reporter at the Courant. He claimed that "someone" had sent him copies of outstanding Personal Property Tax bills for my business. For those who follow this blog, you are well aware that when I use documents I double and triple check their authenticity.

One of the reasons for numerous FOI requests is to get the original documents right from the source. I have many good sources that send me numerous documents, but before I will use them , I verify that they are accurate. I will typically not use a document from a "single source". I make it a point to verify it.

Well, apparently the spineless, I mean "anonymous", source who sent the Courant the bills, never bothered to verify if they were accurate. They are not accurate. In their haste, they failed to check and realize that the bills were being sent to an address I have not had an office at for several years. When I contacted the Assessors Office, I spoke with a person who was more than accommodating. Unlike the Democratic Registrar, this person was actually a credit to the City and understood customer service.

She asked for my number and said she would look into it. Being the City of Hartford, I thought "ok, I won't hold my breath waiting for that call, this will be a battle".If my phone log is accurate, within seven minutes she called back and the issue was on the way to being resolved.

She had verified that the building had been sold, my business had apparently not been there and subject to the taxes in question. She further apologized for the mistake and vowed to work with me to rectify it. She advised me what she would need to reverse the bills and within minutes, it seemed to be worked out.

She apologized a couple more times and explained that due to the lack of staff, returned mail just goes into boxes and no one researches it. She said they used to but just can't anymore. I appreciated her apologies, but told her it's not her fault. She was definitely a breath of fresh air when it came to someone on the city level being helpful.I will admit there were probably mistakes on both sides, but unlike the Arena's, nothing even remotely criminal.

To those who wish to sling mud and discredit me, I called the Assessor within minutes after Steve Goode made me aware of it. Has Sean or Ralph Arena contacted the New Canaan Assesor to clear up their problem. I would bet they haven't. I have given Sean Arena the opportunity to present his side, so far the call hasn't been returned.

Some people might question why I would keep pushing on issues like this and is it making any change. Anyone who knows me knows I'm pretty mellow, but once you get the "Irish" up, watch out. The Perez Administration and others involved in city politics have tried to silence me and discredit me, but rest assured, I will live in a cardboard box in Bushnell Park before anyone forces me out of Hartford or into silence.

And for those who tell me to "get a life", this is a large part of my life, but not the only part. And just a word of advice, contact the last person who told me to "get a life" and ask how that worked out for her.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

EDDIE- ORDER THE DUMPSTERS, ABE IS REMODELING



Photo of Abe Gile's warehouse at 740 Windsor Street. Abe , just a thought but the word is B-I-L-L-I-A-R-D-S for the banner. You might try getting a refund for the banner


For those not familiar with the Grand Jury investigation into our leader, Mayor Eddie A. Perez, the above building was apparently a topic of much testimony and investigation.

During the investigation by State investigators, documents were uncovered to show that a plan was devised to order large construction dumpsters so political operative and alleged Perez co-conspirator Abe Giles could clean out the above warehouse. The city initially paid for the dumpsters and after the investigation began, invoices were created for Giles to pay back the city for the dumpster bills.

Now that Giles is renovating for the "Windsor Street Recreation Center and Billiards Parlor" the dumpsters will probably be needed again.

The only problem at this point is that Giles will have to pay the delinquent property taxes on the property before any building permits can be issued for renovations.

Oh wait, now that I think about it, the Mayor never bothered with permits for his kitchen and bathroom renovations, so why should Abe?

WHEN THEY ASK FOR PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, CALL THE POLICE.... OR..... OLGA, OLGA, OLGA... HAVE YOU TOTALLY LOST YOUR MIND?

Over the last several days I have received numerous calls questioning actions by the Democratic Registrar of Voters Olga Vazquez in removing voters from the voting lists.I will admit that most of the callers appear to be politically motivated since Vazquez's actions, according to the callers, is cutting down on members to the Democratic Town Committee.

Apparently though, according to the callers, this is not a citywide purging of voters. Rather, it seems to be selective to decrease the number of delegates in specific districts that are less than "accepting" of the current Hartford "leadership".

In an effort to prove or disprove these allegations, I went to the Registrar of Voters Office to obtain the list of purged or "inactive " voters for the last few months. Although the employees at the front desk in the Registrar's Office were very accommodating. their boss Olga Vasquez was a totally different story. Once employee even went so far as to tell me that they had received a 14 page report that very morning covering what I was looking for, so it wouldn't be a problem.

Then Vazquez emerged from her office and demanded to know what I wanted and why did I want it. I repeated my request and Vazquez stopped for a minute and the "deer in the headlights " look overcame her. She then thought for a minute and replied that I needed to put the request in writing.

(Recently, Vazquez was ordered by the FOI Commission to attend an FOI Training session as the result of a seetlement of a complaint against her. I had hoped the training would be beneficial, but apparently not. Hopefully the next time a $1000.00fine will get her attention)

OK, no problem Olga. I took out my Blackberry, hit compose e-mail and asked for her e-mail address so I could send her the request. Apparently she became more agitated when I asked her when the report would be ready since her staffers had just told me it was done that morning.

She began saying that she didn't work for me and she didn't just sit around waiting for my requests. I guess that is fair since she must be extremely busy hitting the delete key on her keyboard as she purges voters en-masse in the non Perez kool-aid drinking districts.

As she stormed back toward her office, I mentioned to one of the staffers "I guess they don't teach customer service to our elected officials". Vazquez heard my comment and quickly returned asking "what did you say? what did you say?". I repeated the comment and added, "your customer service is terrible". She then began saying "do you want to be escorted out of here? I'm calling the police"

She fumbled with the phone but seemed to be making little progress. I offered to call the City Hall police officer, Officer DiScenzo, myself, but I got his voice mail.

Rather than waste time, I had to make a stop in the Council Offices, I told Vazquez to send the officers to the Council Offices if they wanted to speak with me. I never thought she would be insecure or ignorant enough to call the police and waste their time.

Well, she did. A few minutes later an officer walked into the Council office looking for me. He asked for my version and I told him exactly what is written above. He then related that he asked Vazquez if I threatened her and she said no. He asked her if I was using obscene language and she said no. Apparently Vazquez told the officer that she felt I was harassing her.

At one point someone in the Council office even handed the Police Officer a copy of the FOI law and he read it. He then stated to no one in particular, "it says right here that he has the right to walk in and ask for public documents". The officer didn't even have to study the statute, he got it right away. (maybe he can get a job in the Corporation Counsel office)

Excuse me Olga, but you ran for the position, now do your job. A resident and citizen requesting public documents is not harassment it is you fulfilling your obligation under the law.

As the old saying says "where there is smoke there is fire". If the Democratic Registrar's reaction to my request for public documents is any indication, I think we might have a five-alarm fire here.

I'll keep you posted as to where this goes.

And a note to Chief Roberts: your officers were extremely professional. The first officer to respond, Officer Ortolazo and his "backup" who's name I didn't get are a credit to your department. It's just sad their time was wasted on something like this
(and yes, the Chief does read this blog)