Search This Blog

Friday, April 10, 2015

COUNCIL LEADERSHIP WORKING TO BUY OFF REGISTRARS

It just never ends. According to City Hall sources and at least one Councilperson familiar with the situation, a deal is in the works to buy off Hartford's three registrar's to avoid impeachment hearings. The deal to accept the $50,000 payment apparently is being offered until 4:00PM today. Apparently, according to the sources, at least one of the Registrars has accepted the deal

It is unclear why the Council majority is taking the steps for the buy out. It would seem that if the Council felt that they had the probable cause to begin the process, following through with the hearings should not be a problem. Apparently though, the Constitutionality of removing elected is now before a Superior Court Judge and the council is now less confident of their position. This is after the process has potentially cost the taxpayers of Hartford upwards  of $100,000for attorneys fee

Only in Hartford. I guess we are just lucky we have this extra  money to squander.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

GOVERNOR MALLOY ANNOUNCES UCONN PARADE AND RALLY FOR SUNDAY

GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES VICTORY PARADE AND RALLY HONORING UCONN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 12 IN HARTFORD

Parade Kicks Off at 3PM, Followed by Rally at the XL Center

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the Hartford Business Improvement District, the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Sunday, April 12, 2015 to congratulate the UConn Women’s Basketball team for winning the 2015 NCAA Basketball National Championship.

 

The parade begins at 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol building and will be followed by a victory rally on Trumbull Street, directly in front of the XL Center at approximately 3:30 p.m.

 

Parade and rally organizers are relying on private donations to finance the festivities.

 

“The UConn Women’s Basketball team, led by Head Coach Geno Auriemma, has for the third year in a row shown the nation that the spirit and strength of college basketball resides in Connecticut,” Governor Malloy said.  “On Sunday, let’s show the team how proud we are of their success by honoring them with a victory celebration they will remember for a lifetime.”

 

The Governor specifically thanked the Hartford Business Improvement District for once again hosting this event, organizing its sponsors, and giving the residents of Connecticut an opportunity to celebrate another national championship from our state.

 

Organizers continue to rely on private funds to support the parade and the rally.  This event is produced by the Hartford Business Improvement District, in collaboration with the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut, and a number of civic and business organizations.  Businesses may choose from several sponsorship levels ranging from $10,000 to $2,500 or less.  To discuss parade sponsorship opportunities, quickly contact Michael Zaleski at the Hartford Business Improvement District at 860-728-2274 or email mzaleski@hartfordbid.com.

 

The parade route will begin at the State Capitol building on the corner of Trinity Street and Elm Street.  It will then proceed down Elm Street moving alongside Bushnell Park, turn north up Trumbull Street, and end at the XL Center, where the rally will be held.

 

 

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

 

Media credentials will be required to access the press risers (including mult box) on Trumbull Street across from the XL Center, and to enter the XL Center for interviews with the coaches, players and staff following the rally.

 

All requests for media credentials must be made via email by Friday, April 10 by 5:00 p.m.  To request credentials, email Patrick McKenna of the UConn Athletic Communications Office at patrick.mckenna@uconn.edu.

 

Once approved, credentials should be picked up on Sunday, April 12, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the press risers on Trumbull Street, across from the XL Center entrance.  On parade day, the credential pick-up contact is Laura Soll at 860-688-4499 or 860-833-4466, Lsoll@aol.com.

 

For information on media staging on downtown city streets, contact Lt. Chris Mefferd of the Hartford Police at meffc001@hartford.gov.

 

CITY AND HFD FINED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS IN FIREFIGHTER DEATH

Below is the report from the State of Connecticut detailing violations and fines for the City of Hartford's actions that may have been responsible for the line of duty death of firefighter Kevin Bell. The report from the State Police and State Fire Marshall is yet to be released.

Note that the letter is addressed directly to Mayor Pedro Segarra as the responsible party.

Friday, April 3, 2015

SOMETHING IS DRASTiCALLY WRONG HERE

This mornings Courant had a story about the CEO of Traveller's, Jay S. Fishman, and his annual compensation package of $30.29 million for 2014.It must have been a bad year because prior to that he took home almost $44million. Aetna's CEO Mark Bertolini was compensated $36.3million for the year ending 2012.I know Traveller's main product line now is not health insurance, but in the same edition of the Courant was a story about a woman that had to stop taking blood pressure medication because she couldn't afford the cost.You can read that article here. Bertolini has also been in the news lately for actually taking care of his employees and raising their minimum wage pay.

People should not have to make a decision between their mortgage or buying medication when CEO's  are taking home millions of dollars in compensation. It is not just Insurance, but many other commodities people are struggling to pay such as electric bills.

Instead of everyone proclaiming "Obabamcare" as a success, maybe they should talk to the woman not taking her blood pressure medication and asking her opinion if it is working. Do it soon though before her stroke happens and she may be unable to respond or answer anyone. What will it cost us to care for her at that point? Probably far more than the preventative or maintenance cost if she was taking her medication.

No one should have to clip coupons like they are buying a six pack of Pepsi to be able to purchase life saving medications. Especially not while the insurance industry thinks nothing of giving multi million dollar compensation packages.

I have a very generic and widely used medication  I take for type 2 Diabetes. I also have a great pharmacist at CVS that looks for coupons and savings whenever I order the medication ( Thanks Marta). She had encouraged me to sign up for a CVS savings plan that essentially covers most  generic refills for $14.99 for a 3 month supply. The savings card is $12.99 per year.

Last year the card had expired when I refilled and when I picked up the prescription , imagine my surprise when the cashier rang up the refill and told me it was $240.00.She asked if I had Insurance coverage and at the time I told her no, but I had the CVS discount plan. That's when she told me it had expired, did I want to renew it. Definitely yes I answered. Several minutes later I was leaving with my $14.99 refill for 3 months, which just minutes earlier was $240.00. That is one hell of a markup.

It just goes to my point that the system is very broken and needs to be fixed and these compensation packages are immoral when people are struggling like this.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Here is a media release that I received this morning from Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley.

The picture says all that is needed. This is what Hartford Police Officers encounter out on the streets on a regular basis.  It is easy to understand why a Police Officer may not be all warm and fuzzy encountering residents knowing that this is what he or she may encounter. This encounter could have ended much differently, especially with the accused under the influence of Cocaine or PCP

Foley's words:

This is why we are careful and cautious when we approach people. The officer could not know if the person was hiding a weapon just by looking at him. The officer could not tell that the person with the rifle slung around his neck, hidden under his puffy jacket was a convicted felon just by looking at him. The officer could not have know that the person was on probation for armed robbery just by walking up to him. Just a regular HPD Patrol Officer investigating a minor motor vehicle complaint.

On April1 2015, a Hartford Police Department patrol officer was canvassing the area of Martin Street and Judson Street on a report of an erratic driver. The Officer pulled into the rear lot of 131 Martin Street and saw a car matching the description, backed into a parking spot, occupied by a male and a female. The Officer exited his vehicle and approached. The passenger, identified as Kevin Barco 29 of Hartford (Convicted Felon), was found to have an active arrest warrant and placed under arrest. During the pat down the Officer found the that Barco had a .22 caliber rifle slung around his neck. The modified rifle had the stock removed and was concealed by a heavy jacket. The Officer recovered the firearm and secured Barco. A second Officer who arrived on scene asked the female operator, identified as Geneveive Gallo 25, of East Hartford, to exit the vehicle and as she did a small bag containing crack cocaine fell from her clothing. Barco who is currently on probation for Robbery in the First Degree with a Firearm, was arrested on his outstanding warrant and additional firearms charges. Gallo was arrested on a narcotics charge. Both parties were debriefed by Shooting Task Force Detectives who were on scene.

Arrested 1) Kevin Barco DOB 4/7/84 131 Martin Street Hartford, CT.
Charges: Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of Ammunition, and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. (Outstanding Warrant for Failure to Appear)

Arrested 2) Genevieve Gallo DOB 8/21/89 38 Crosby Street East Hartford, CT.
Charge: Possession of Narcotics

Evidence: (1) ISSC .22 Caliber sporting Rifle, containing 10 live .22 caliber ammunition rounds, and (1) plastic bag containing a
white powder substance (Cocaine).


Deputy Chief Brian J. Foley
Chief of Detectives, Investigative Services Bureau
Hartford Police Department

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

GOOD LUCK SHELLY

I received several calls today from people asking why a respected reporter would suddenly take on the chore of being the spokesperson for the Segarra campaign. The short answer is that the position of Captain of the Titanic wasn't available, although that might be the easier job. And the other side is that everyone needs a job. Shelly has mortgage payments and the same bills all of us have, and I would imagine that for the impossible task of making Segarra look competent, she will be paid very well.

Apparently  the plan to regroup the Segarra campaign was hatched in Pedro's think tank in a meeting with Segarrra, a couple of his staffers and also reportedly former Councilman John Kennelly. One staffer, Maribel Laluz left for Denver shortly after the meeting. The reason for that trip is unknown, Speculation among many is a possible job interview?

Any way, as I wish Shelly luck in her new position, I really hope she isn't too successful though.  It is almost fun to see what Segarra will do next as he and his campaign continue to implode , if the damage he is doing to our City wasn't so tragic.