For anyone that has read the paper the past week, read the blogs, or even attended Dan Carey's wake or funeral, it is pretty clear that he is held in high regard. It seems pretty obvious that no one of Dan's style of class and integrity will walk into the Clerk's Office to fill Dan's position anytime soon.
Whether the Hartford City Council realizes it or not, it is not only the Mayor that is under a cloud of suspicion. Anyone observing Hartford City Hall from the outside seems very suspect of any action taken now by municipal government. To quickly fill the position of Hartford City Clerk , just for the sake of filling it, would be a huge mistake. If the City Council is serious about doing the right thing for Hartford, inserting another political operative is definitely not the right thing. The position of Hartford City Clerk is a critical position in the smooth operation and credibility of our city. And no, this is not an attempt at comedy, credibility and Hartford can be used in the same sentence, but it starts with cleaning out cronies from City Hall, not putting more in.Realistically, the life expectancy of the Perez Administration is most likely very short. The time is now for the City Council to find the best person possible to fill this position and start the house cleaning while they have the chance. Short of Dan Carey's long lost identical twin walking into City Hall, that is not going to happen easily.
Is there any reason to fill the position within a week after Dan's death? Yes, I know the business of Hartford goes on. But Dan was a person that built a loyal and faithful, and most importantly a very competent staff. Although Dan was at the top of the ladder, the office didn't run itself. Unfortunately, early retirement buyouts have just taken a hit on the clerks office as key peole put in their papers to retire just days before the loss of Dan. But, those retirements are not set in stone. I would venture to say that anyone of them would gladly stay on to honor Dan's memory if asked to help guarantee a smooth transition.Wouldn't it make sense to name an "acting" Clerk while we search for the best possible candidate?
In all the calls and information I get complaining and giving me information about City Hall, I can honestly say that not once have I heard a complaint about Dan Carey or the operation of the Clerk's Office. That in and of itself speaks volumes about the operation of the office, that in the cesspool we know as Hartford City Hall, Dan and his staff were able to stay far away from the stench.
Another big issue that I have though, is the selection process. It seems to me that this would be another big reason to gather information before any appointment as to what has been happening for the last few years in City Hall. With the Grand Jury report having been sealed, we have no way of knowing if potential names mentioned for Carey's replacement have clean hands in the operation of City Government. I am not a gambler, but I think it is a safe bet that information is in that final report that might hurt the chances of some. And what are the qualifications of those mentioned to properly do the job? Any knowledge of real estate transactions and procedures? campaign finance laws and filings? corporate law? This is an appointment for life. An incoming Mayor or Council can not remove the Clerk at will. This is a selection that needs to make sense for the long haul, not just short term because someone wants or needs a job and is a good guy.
Appoint an acting clerk, start an honest and fair selection process and find the best person possible to carry on Dan's legacy. And maybe we should start with people who haven't been key players in City government during some of the most corrupt times in recent history.
2 enablers of corruption wish to be the new Clerk,both of whom were obsequious and fawning to Mayor Perez in their prior positions and I have no reason to believe that either would behave otherwise upon becoming town clerk.One was caught cheating the gas company while employed as a Hartford cop.He now receives hundreds of thousands a year as a investigator for the Hartford Police Department and was figured prominently in the Abe Giles arrest warrant.In addition he has a taint upon him with regard to his sale of a building involving federal funds,in which the federal authorities are alledgedly now investigating. The other corruption enabler was President on the Council and was Mayor Peres's sock puppet,never once in 6 years taking a public position contrary to the Mayor.In addition there are concerns about payment of his r/e taxes,grand jury testimony and possible collaberating witness,and certain other personal baggage.The Council in appointing either of these enablers to the position would be furing Hartford's demise.Lets hope the Council wakes up and chooses someone from the outside, instead of a corruption enabler.
ReplyDeleteKevin: Good post, but I suspect the Council's ability to manage an employment situation might be as disastrous as their ability to manage the financial situation we are faced with.
ReplyDeleteJust for starters - no opportunity for resumes until people scream about it, and then for just one week; no meaningful review of those resumes; no advertising for the position; no interviews; no job application to work off of; no list of required skill sets; no contact with the CT Town Clerk's Assoc. for resumes, ideas and/or temp employees to keep the dept. running while they seek a qualified candidate; absolutely no open process and/or debate with stakeholders as to whom is best qualified...
But somehow they come to a reasoned decision about an extremely important City position within an hour of the resume deadline? And I'm supposed to believe they did their job well?
This is exactly why people laugh at Hartford and dismiss it as a lost cause.
If it's true the decision was effectively made at Friday's caucus of the democratic councilmembers, they have let down this City at a crucial and opportune time when it needs effective leadership the most.