MAYOR
SEGARRA ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF
STAFF
--- NEWS AND
COMMUNITY STATEMENT---
(November 26, 2013) Today, Mayor Segarra announced two
staffing appointments: Henry Burgos as Director of Human Resources and Labor
Relations and Kennard Ray as Deputy Chief of Staff. They begin work with the
City on December 2.
Mr. Burgos, a Hartford native, joins the administration after
serving as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Capital Community
College. Burgos also served 10 years as the Principal Human Resources Specialist
for the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, overseeing
labor relations for the agency’s 4,000 employees. Burgos holds a Masters in
Science from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated cum laude from
the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.
“Henry is an extremely qualified professional and public
servant,” commented Mayor Segarra. “As we continue to improve our processes and
procedures citywide, I look forward to working with Henry and his staff to
develop a new approach to human resources management that positions the City to
recruit and retain a talented, diverse workforce. Throughout our search, we
talked to staff and identified a need to transform and modernize the department.
Henry brings the skills and perspective necessary to help us realize that goal.
”
Mr. Ray, also a Hartford native, joins the Mayor’s Office
after serving as the Political and Legislative Director for the Connecticut
Working Families Party, where he lead regional organizing efforts in support of
public education, voter outreach and minimum wage increase. Mr. Ray will work
with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff as a liaison to City Council, community
organizations and residents. He will lead project management, policy
development, and day-to-day community relations through the Office of
Constituent Services.
A Deputy Chief of Staff? Can anyone point out to me where that position is in the Hartford City Charter as an authorized position in the Office of the Mayor?
But wait, it gets worse, much, much worse.
Kennard Ray is a convicted felon. And before all the comments start about "second Chances" I'm not saying a convicted felon for a "mistake" one time when he was young. I am talking about an extensive arrest record dating back to at least 1998 for gun charges, drug dealing, interfering with police and at least a few years served behind bars during his adult life.
We have enough problems with guns on our streets, never mind bringing those people committing the gun crimes into the Mayor's Office.
And how did this selection get through, does no one on the Mayor's Staff know how to use Google or even check his name in the Judicial website. Those in the Mayor's Office can't get out of their own way and this seems as another example of how they go out of their way to embarrass Mayor Segarra almost daily. Note to City Staff, : he does a fine job of embarrassing himself, he doesn't need your help.