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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
WRONG MARIBEL
I think we all know that political spokespeople have an agenda and a message to get out. In most cases facts don't really matter because how many people actually take the time to check the facts?
Mayor Segarra's spokesperson , Maribel LaLuz was on the Sunday morning talk show Capitol Report. Normally I like the program with Tom Dudchik, Tom regularly links to 'We the People" from his website, CT Capitol Report. I was somewhat surprised by LaLuz's comment that 67% of small businesses are owned by immigrants, that just seemed like a large number.
We know that much of the information that comes out of the Segarra Administration is untrue or delusional, so I google "what percentage of small businesses are started by immigrants".
Up popped the report below from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) it clearly states that "Immigrant entrepreneurs start 17% of all new businesses and represent 13% of all business owners". They also represent 12% of business income generated in the United States.
.
A far cry from the 67% LaLuz claims. She was only off by 60%, but then again the Segarra Administration seems to have a problem with "real numbers".
I hope Shawn Wooden returns soon.
Skip right to page 1 of the report below for the factual numbers
Mayor Segarra's spokesperson , Maribel LaLuz was on the Sunday morning talk show Capitol Report. Normally I like the program with Tom Dudchik, Tom regularly links to 'We the People" from his website, CT Capitol Report. I was somewhat surprised by LaLuz's comment that 67% of small businesses are owned by immigrants, that just seemed like a large number.
We know that much of the information that comes out of the Segarra Administration is untrue or delusional, so I google "what percentage of small businesses are started by immigrants".
Up popped the report below from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) it clearly states that "Immigrant entrepreneurs start 17% of all new businesses and represent 13% of all business owners". They also represent 12% of business income generated in the United States.
.
A far cry from the 67% LaLuz claims. She was only off by 60%, but then again the Segarra Administration seems to have a problem with "real numbers".
I hope Shawn Wooden returns soon.
Skip right to page 1 of the report below for the factual numbers
Saturday, January 25, 2014
IRISH EYES WILL BE SMILING
Tomorrow from 1:00 to 5:00PM at the Arch Street Tavern, the Hartford Parade Committee will be hosting a fundraiser to offset the cost of this years Parade. the details are below.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
LET'S BE CLEAR
I understand that, but these are public employee's being paid for by taxpayer dollars. I also have the highest regard for both agencies and just want to remind everyone that reads this blog that for the handful of problem officers and firefighters, there are hundreds more on the job that are outstanding public servants.
Those outstanding servants are out there today in subfreezing temperatures patrolling our streets and if called upon going into burning structures under the worst of conditions.
The one thing that will help build public trust and confidence in both agencies is how they handle their problems. To ignore the problem and pretend it isn't happening will only lead to more problems and closer scrutiny from residents and others.
Since taking over HPD, Chief Rovella has confronted problems head on from the start. I am sure he probably wasn't happy when I called him for comment yesterday on Detective Johnson and Officer Smith, but he was upfront and honest and there was no indication of any cover up or misinformation. That is why the community seems to be more involved in their relationship with HPD. They trust the guy.
The comments at Community meetings seem to be less and less about bad interactions with HPD Officers , but more often about positive stories and successful interactions with the men and women of HPD.
That is what happens when you are transparent. The community partners notice and relationships are strengthened. It is not always easy to sit back and take the punch in the gut that you know is coming, but it sure looks a lot better than being involved in a cover up or losing the public trust when the information finally comes out.
Police Officer's I have spoke with aren't happy about negative information coming out, but almost all of them end that statement by saying Chief Rovella is fair and evenhanded with discipline and they are happy that he is addressing problems and cleaning house. In the past many of these problems were well known but it was just easier to move the problems around. Vice and Narcotics to Major Crimes and then to the pistol permit area. The behavior doesn't change if the problem isn't removed, kind of like a cancer
HFD might consider following the leadership style of Chief Rovella, taking action might hurt for a bit, but it is a lot better than addressing the problem when something tragic or much larger happens because the bad behavior was allowed. It also sets the tone for the rest of the organization.
So keep in mind that we have great men and women serving us in both the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the rest of the City Departments, try not to paint them all with the same broad brush
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
AN UNUSUAL REQUEST
This is going to be a cyptic posting because in all honesty, it is more important to me to see this matter addressed than it is to put specifics out. I can deal with a lot, but I could never deal with the death of a firefighter because I sat back and did nothing
The following comment was posted on the blog earlier tonight;
"Too bad HFD can't add one to the list. The problem child from Engine #14 was at it again the other day. Come to work at 8am sober, go home at 3pm drunk. When will HQ do something about this?
I have confirmed the behavior in question as well as those who were in attendance when it occurred, I am not going to post too much on specifics, but if the need arises I'm not shy.
For several months now I have been receiving calls about an intoxicated firefighter who is in a supervisory capacity. I am not posting this to see anyone lose their job, but I can't sit idly by and potentially see any Hartford Firefighter lose their life in a fire because someone's alcohol addiction has impaired their decision making.
As we have seen in other recent incidents, these issues are or may be common knowledge, but no one steps up and shows any leadership and deals with the issue. I don't personally know the firefighter in question, and he may very well be worth salvaging, To do nothing and wait for something tragic to happen and then sit back and say "Geez, we should have done something after the first time a District Chief had to drive him home drunk" is wrong.
The first priority of this administration is to protect the well being and safety of firefighters under this persons supervision. It is not to coddle to the Union President, who was also allegedly there yesterday and witnessed the behavior.The Firefighters Union should be just as interested in getting help for this individual as well as protecting their other members subjected to this dangerous behavior.
For Chief Huertas, Chief Shapiro or Chief Waller, who all witnessed yesterday from what sources have told me, the incident is a total lack of leadership. Do what you know you need to do and get this individual help. It is no longer a one time incident , it is a pattern of addiction. When a resident on a medical aid call has to ask" Is this guy drunk?" , you have a problem
Address the problem before something tragic happens. Chief Huertas I know you are capable of stepping up and doing what you need to do. Make the tough decisions that leaders have to make
If anyone wants to air their concerns over this matter, you can call me in strict confidence at 860-883-2297. It might be you or one of your fellow firefighters that you are saving.
The following comment was posted on the blog earlier tonight;
"Too bad HFD can't add one to the list. The problem child from Engine #14 was at it again the other day. Come to work at 8am sober, go home at 3pm drunk. When will HQ do something about this?
I have confirmed the behavior in question as well as those who were in attendance when it occurred, I am not going to post too much on specifics, but if the need arises I'm not shy.
For several months now I have been receiving calls about an intoxicated firefighter who is in a supervisory capacity. I am not posting this to see anyone lose their job, but I can't sit idly by and potentially see any Hartford Firefighter lose their life in a fire because someone's alcohol addiction has impaired their decision making.
As we have seen in other recent incidents, these issues are or may be common knowledge, but no one steps up and shows any leadership and deals with the issue. I don't personally know the firefighter in question, and he may very well be worth salvaging, To do nothing and wait for something tragic to happen and then sit back and say "Geez, we should have done something after the first time a District Chief had to drive him home drunk" is wrong.
The first priority of this administration is to protect the well being and safety of firefighters under this persons supervision. It is not to coddle to the Union President, who was also allegedly there yesterday and witnessed the behavior.The Firefighters Union should be just as interested in getting help for this individual as well as protecting their other members subjected to this dangerous behavior.
For Chief Huertas, Chief Shapiro or Chief Waller, who all witnessed yesterday from what sources have told me, the incident is a total lack of leadership. Do what you know you need to do and get this individual help. It is no longer a one time incident , it is a pattern of addiction. When a resident on a medical aid call has to ask" Is this guy drunk?" , you have a problem
Address the problem before something tragic happens. Chief Huertas I know you are capable of stepping up and doing what you need to do. Make the tough decisions that leaders have to make
If anyone wants to air their concerns over this matter, you can call me in strict confidence at 860-883-2297. It might be you or one of your fellow firefighters that you are saving.
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