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Thursday, March 25, 2010

COUNCILMAN MATT RITTER TO ANNOUNCE RUN FOR LEGISLATURE




Councilman Matt Ritter will be announcing his run for the State Legislature on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 5:30pm. The announcement will take place at the Noah Webster Elementary School at the corner of Cone and Whitney Street in Hartford's Westend.

Ritter will be challenging Representative Ken Green who currently represents the 1st District which covers portions of Hartford and Bloomfield

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

PEREZ GRAND JURY JUDGE NOMINATED TO SUPREME COURT OPENING

Judge Dennis Eveleigh, who served as the single Grand Juror hearing evidence that led to the arrest of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, has been nominated to fill an upcoming opening on the Supreme Court bench. The opening is being created by the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Christine S. Vertefeuille, who has announced her retirement as of June 1, 2010.

Judge Eveleigh, 62, has served in the Waterbury Judicial District since 1998 as a Superior Court judge.

In addition to Judge Eveleigh, Governor Rell nominated 10 individuals to become Superior Court judges. Those nominations may prove more difficult to fill in light of resistance from politicians concerned about budget constraints.

HERS IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE PRESS RELEASE FROM GOVERNOR RELL AND THE INFORMATION ON THE 10 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE NOMINEES:

Governor Rell Nominates Eveleigh to Supreme Court, 10 to Superior Court


Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is nominating Superior Court Judge Dennis G. Eveleigh of Hamden to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Christine S. Vertefeuille and nominating 10 new judges to fill vacancies on the Superior Court bench.

"Christine Vertefeuille has been a thoughtful and measured jurist during her decade on the Supreme Court bench," Governor Rell said. "The trust we place in justices of the Supreme Court is immense - yet it is a challenge Justice Vertefeuille has risen to meet time and again. Whether dealing with fine points of the law or sweeping issues of justice, she has long given the people of our state the benefit of her reason, her compassion and her knowledge of the statutes. I thank her for her many years of service to the State of Connecticut and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."

Justice Vertefeuille, a graduate of Trinity College, received her law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1975. She was in private practice from 1975 to 1989, when she was appointed to the Superior Court. She was appointed to the Appellate Court in 1999 and made a Justice of the Supreme Court on January 3, 2000. She served as the Administrative Judge of the Appellate System from June 1, 2000 to July 31, 2006.

Judge Eveleigh, 62, has served on the Superior Court in Waterbury since October 1998. A 1969 graduate of Wittenberg University, he obtained his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1972 and worked as an attorney in private practice prior to being nominated to the bench.

"I have every confidence in Judge Eveleigh and I am grateful he is willing to take on the task of serving on our state's highest court," Governor Rell said. "The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of issues that touch all of our lives. Service on the court requires experience, a depth of knowledge and an understanding of the impact that the law can have on everyday life. It also requires a commitment to making the actions and operations of our courts open and transparent to average Connecticut residents. I know that Judge Eveleigh possesses these qualities and shares my commitment to openness - and I believe the Legislature will agree."

The Governor is nominating 10 people to the Superior Court, filling vacancies left by promotion, retirement or other moves. There are currently 20 vacancies on the Superior Court bench, including the opening created by the elevation of Judge Eveleigh.

"These nominees are all people who have already served their communities - and in many cases, the state - with distinction," Governor Rell said. "They have records of service that go beyond the purely professional to include work with charitable and social organizations, educational institutions and other groups. In every case, they have demonstrated the thoughtful, sensitive and informed judgment that is needed for people who we place in such a prominent position of power and decision-making.

"I am proud to nominate these 10 candidates," the Governor said. "These positions need to be filled at this time so that we can ensure the continued efficient progress of business in our court system. All of these nominees are immensely qualified and I look forward to their confirmation by the General Assembly."

The nominees submitted by Governor Rell are:

• Laura Flynn Baldini, 39, of West Hartford (Republican): Currently an attorney in private practice, Baldini is a 1992 graduate of Yale University who obtained her law degree from Seton Hall University in 1996. She worked previously as an attorney at Updike, Kelly & Spellacy from 1998 to 2003 and at Ohrenstein & Brown from 1996 to 1998.

• John L. Carbonneau, 54, of East Lyme (Independent): Carbonneau currently works as an attorney in private practice. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in 1977 and his law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1980. He worked previously as an attorney at Kaplan & Brennan from 1996 to 2000 and at the Connecticut Laborers' Legal Services Fund from 1984 to 1996.

• Susan Q. Cobb, 49, of West Hartford (Democrat): An Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut from 1994 to the present, Cobb received her undergraduate degree from Catholic University of America in 1983 and her law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1988. She worked previously for Tyler, Cooper & Alcorn from 1989 to 1994.

• Susan A. Connors, 44, of Old Lyme (Republican): Connors, an attorney with Krevolin, Roth & Connors since 1995, received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Connecticut, graduating with her law degree in 1991.

• John A. Danaher III, 59, of West Hartford (Democrat): Currently the state's Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Danaher is a 1972 graduate of Fairfield University. He received a master's degree from the University of Hartford in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1980. He served more than 20 years as an Assistant United States Attorney and interim United States Attorney; he also worked for Day, Berry & Howard from 1981 to 1986.

• Jane B. Emons, 59, of Woodbridge (Democrat): Emons has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut since 1996 and worked previously in the New Haven State's Attorney's office from 1978 to 1988. She graduated from Kirkland College in 1971, received a master's degree from the University of North Carolina in 1972 and obtained her law degree from Suffolk University in 1977.

• Robert L. Genuario, 57, of Norwalk (Republican): Genuario has been Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), the Governor's budget agency, since 2005. He served previously as state Senator from the 25th District, representing his native Norwalk, from 1991 to 2005. He also served 10 years on the Norwalk Board of Education, from 1981 to 1991, and worked as an attorney in private practice from 1978 to 2005. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Villanova University.

• Brian J. Leslie, 42, of Wallingford (Republican): An Assistant State's Attorney since 2000, Leslie is a 1990 graduate of Fairfield University and received his law degree from Boston College in 1994. He worked previously as an attorney for Farrell, Leslie & Grochowski from 1994 to 2000.

• Kathleen McNamara, 56, of East Hartford (Democrat): A Senior Assistant State's Attorney, McNamara has been with the State's Attorney's office since 1990. A former East Hartford police officer, she obtained her law degree from Western New England School of Law while serving as an officer. She served in the East Hartford department from 1979 to 1990. McNamara obtained her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in 1978.

• David M. Sheridan, 54, of Manchester (Democrat): An attorney with Levy & Droney since 1990, Sheridan graduated from the University of Arizona in 1981 with two undergraduate degrees. He received his law degree from the University of Connecticut in 1985. Before joining Levy & Droney, Sheridan worked for Cohen & Channin from 1985 to 1990.

Monday, March 22, 2010

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION /MDC CLEANWATER PROJECT CONSULTANT ARRESTED FOR PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTE


Another one for the "Only in Hartford "file.

On Tuesday March 18, 2010 Hartford Police conducted a reverse prostitution sting in the South Green-Wethersfield Ave-Colt's Park area. The operation was conducted during the early afternoon in daylight hours due to complaints regarding increased prostitution activity in the Colt's Park area.

Ten men were arrested on charges including patronizing a prostitute as well as other motor vehicle and drug related charges.

To read the Hartford Courant's coverage, click here

One of the individuals arrested was Luis Colon, 62, a resident of Windsor.

Mr. Colon is also a longtime "community organizer", having previously been the director of the New Britain Avenue Merchant's Association, he has also been employed by the "CEDF" Connecticut Community Economic Development Fund.

The interesting part though is that at the time of his arrest, Colon is working for "SAMA", the Spanish American Merchants Association as a consultant. Colon's salary is apparently being paid through a grant from the "MDC", the Metropolitan District Commission as part of the Clean Water's Project. A receptionist at SAMA confirmed in a phone conversation that Colon is in fact working for SAMA as a consultant.

An MDC representative who spoke on the condition of anonymity also confirmed that Colon was employed as a consultant for the Clean Waters Project in conjunction with a grant paid to SAMA. Colon is working out of an MDC Office at 499 Franklin Avenue, only a few blocks from the location where he is accused of attempting to solicit an undercover police officer for sex.

Colon is supposed to be working with neighborhoods to reduce the potential impact of the Clean Waters Project on the quality of life of Hartford residents.

I think that most Hartford residents would feel that prostitution potentially has more of an impact on quality of life issues than the MDC ever could.

On the bright side though,even though the MDC apparently has problems providing jobs to local residents, Colon seems to have no trouble spending his money to support the local economy.....oh yeah, allegedly.

Colon's first court appearance was today. Neither Julio Mendoza, the Executive Director of SAMA nor the MDC have returned calls for comment.



HPD- Luis Colon Arrest Log

Friday, March 19, 2010

ANOTHER LOSS FOR JOHN ROSE



The Connecticut Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal submitted by John Rose and the City of Hartford in opposition to the ruling issued by Judge Peck regarding the illegal altering of the petitions handled by Hartford's Democratic Registrar of Voters Olga Vazquez.

VAZQUEZ APPEAL DISMISSAL

Thursday, March 18, 2010

IF I WERE TOWN CHAIR....NOT THAT IT MATTERS

Hartford is at a critical point in whether it once again begins to move forward or continues a slide backwards.

We have seen the current administration under siege for several years now under rumors of corruption. Rumors that over the last year or so went from rumors to valid criminal allegations and eventually to criminal arrests based on sufficient probable cause. We have seen businesses boarding up and moving out of Hartford due to out of control spending and some of the highest tax rates in the state.

A budget that has increased over $125 million in eight years, a mil rate that has doubled and a staff in the Mayor's Office that far exceeds the 5 individuals allowed by Hartford's City Charter. A rainy day fund that has disappeared from almost $40 million, if not more when Perez became Mayor to potentially a budget "gap" of over $70 million today.

Yet ground zero for all of this political mess, known as the Hartford Democratic Town Committee, continues to spiral out of control.

The last few weeks have proven to me that whoever is claiming to be in control, no one is control and the Town Committee is a complete and total mess. In light of the recent election for a Chairperson, I have to say I was extremely disappointed by the behavior on both sides. It is tough to write that because I have the highest respect for Jean Holloway and her commitment to Hartford and its future.

One of the first lessons I learned was that to succeed you have to realize that you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.

If I was going to talk about change and reform, I'm not sure I would choose to select the same person chosen as the Vice Chair to be the symbol of "change and reform", someone that has been embroiled in a scandal of his own in which he has pocketed tens of thousands of dollars. I'm not sure that I would choose someone to run on a Town Committee slate that was convicted of violating the public trust by running a scam right out of a courthouse.Reform may be difficult, it might not always prove popular, but is more than just a word you throw about.

I posted earlier this week about potential repercussions from this chaos surrounding the Town Committee. One of the major problems is that we may potentially be closing the door on any influence at the State level if we do not have legitimate delegates to the State convention. Governors and other politicians usually tend to have long memories when it comes to remembering where there support came from. Not being able to commit delegates to a candidate because of local political squabbles is not only borderline insanity, it is inexcusable.

Whether I was the "losing" Chairperson candidate or the "winning" Chairperson candidate, it seems that the direction should be clear. Neither candidates position is "rock solid" clear and it could go either way. It could be a long road as it winds its way through dispute hearings and eventually court hearings and who knows what else.

It is time for the "winners" and the "losers" to put aside personalities, egos and whatever other differences are creating this chaos. It's a gamble for both sides, but the time has come to show that Hartford does actually have people capable of leadership. Both sides need to agree to call for a special meeting called for the purpose of electing a legitimate Chairperson. It needs to be called at the earliest possible date allowed by law.

Since both sides have shown their obvious lack of trust in each other and also their inability to respect differing opinions, I also think a neutral Chair for the meeting needs to assigned, and most likely a parliamentarian supplied by Democratic State Central that both sides can agree on.

It's not rocket science, but it is common sense, something this City seems to be lacking.

Please act like adults and show that Hartford does have leadership potential. And for change to happen, people have to step up and vote for what they feel is right, not what they have been told to do or repeating the way it has always been.

Like I said, if I were Chair, not that anyone cares.

TIME FOR HARTFORD CITY UNION GIVEBACKS...AGAIN

Apparently the leaders of all of Hartford's City Labor unions have been summoned to a 4:00PM meeting today at Hartford City Hall.

Due to the City of Hartford's poor budget outlook, Mayor Perez is calling on the unions to once again do their part in closing the budget "gap".

This might be a harder sell to the unions this year considering last years givebacks seemed to go right out the back door of City Hall through ESI bonuses to the Mayor's cronies and trips on the backs of laid off city employees.

These should be some interesting negotiations.

Maybe Perez can lead by example and start by cutting positions in his office.