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Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
TIME FOR A ROAD TRIP
Since Hartford no longer "has it", consider visiting our suburban neighbors to the south or the west.
Fireworks and Baseball in New Britain
Monday, June 27, 2016
HARTFORD HAD IT
HARTFORD HAD IT
Hartford used to have a Mounted Police Patrol Unit that was always very popular at the Winterfest Rink and other events throughout the City. Gone under the Bronin budget cuts. Hartford had it.
Riverfest, the JULY 4th Independence Day celebration, which highlighted Hartford's years of cleaning up a dirty river through Riverfront Recapture and the MDC. An event that drew thousands of people into the City to celebrate so much of what Hartford has to offer. An event that had a huge economic impact on Hartford, filling restaurants and other venues for the night. An event that drew people far and beyond just the river.
Spectators were enjoying Hartford from the lawn of the Capitol to the roofs of many parking garages throughout downtown , to the spacious lawns of Samuel and Elizabeth Colts back yard, now known as Colts Park, and just about every street and parking lot from Downtown Hartford to the riverfront. Once again, gone under Bronin's budget cuts. Hartford had it.
The Old State House...gone due to budget cuts.What is next ? Closing Elizabeth Park 's Rose gardens. Let's get rid of all of our positive attractions.
It just seems inconceivable to me that a mayoral candidate that could raise over a million dollars for his own campaign couldn't pick up the phone and raise $100,000 to save an event as beneficial to Hartford as Riverfest.
I don't know if it is all part of the effort to make it look like Hartford has finally hit rock bottom or that we are beyond hope without being able to bust our labor Unions. It just doesn't make sense to me
I don't know if it is all part of the effort to make it look like Hartford has finally hit rock bottom or that we are beyond hope without being able to bust our labor Unions. It just doesn't make sense to me
Saturday, June 25, 2016
BRONIN'S STADIUM AUTHORITY MESSES UP AGAIN
And yes, at his point it is Bronin's Stadium Authority, he owns it, he can no longer blame it on the Segarra Administration. Mayor Bronin has refused to make any changes or hold the Hartford Stadium Authority or others at City Hall accountable. Even one of his catch words throughout the campaign was "accountability", which he promised to bring to City Hall if elected.
Last week the big issue was the lack of insurance on the property. Now it appears that insurance may actually be irrelevant for losses.
According to sources, there is no fire protection operating at the stadium. The sprinklers are not operational and there is no monitored fire alarm functioning for the property. Again, according to sources , there was no notification of this made to Traveler's Insurance and no rider was obtained to cover the City from the lack of fire protection .
The "builders risk policy "would have covered the City during construction, but once Mayor Bronin threw Centerplan and DONO,LLC off the project, that policy was no longer in effect and the City had to scramble to obtain conventional property insurance.
Now you would think Darryl Hill, who is currently the City's Chief Operating Officer (COO) and also a member of the Stadium Authority would have set up a check list of things that needed to be done to protect the City's interests in this $63 million dollar plus project.
But, this being Hartford , and accountability in very low demand insurance and fire protection were never thought of.
At least not thought of by the brain trust at City Hall and the HSA. But at least someone is thinking about protecting Hartford and its residents on this investment.
The Hartford Fire Department and the Hartford Fire Marshall has mandated that a "fire watch" be conducted 24/7 until the Life Safety Fire Alarm systems are operational and on line. This would be done to any private business owner or property owner required to have a fire alarm, so the City of Hartford and the HSA is not, and should not, be exempted.
The fire watch consists of three Hartford firefighters on overtime , a supervisor and two firefighters, around the clock at the Stadium. The cost of the coverage will rise into the thousands of dollars, and it is unclear at this point who will foot the bill. I would think it will eventually be the City of Hartford, since the fire watch was not required while Centerplan was actively involved in construction and the builders risk policy covered them. It was a result of the City's actions (Mayor Bronin's termination of Centerplan ) that created the issue.
Once again, it is inexcusable and unconscionable that such a body (the HSA)of failed members be allowed to remain in place and jeopardize this project even more. What else is there to still come out?
Below is the Hartford Fire Department overtime or Private Duty listing for this week showing the required hours and we are coming up on a holiday period which will increase the hourly rate even more.
Thank you I. Charles Matthews for your continued leadership
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