HARTFORD'S RISING STAR

Thank you CT News Junkie. I'm flattered

CT News Junkie's Heath Fahle's Op-ed column 7/19/2013

NOT A HOMICIDE

 

 

FROM THE HARTFORD POLICE:

 

Hartford Police Officers were dispatched to the Bushnell Park pond at approximately 1030pm on a report of an unresponsive person. Officers located the 63 year old male and initiated CPR and emergency medical treatment. He was transported to Hartford Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The two people who initially found the man reported he was discovered lying face down on the rock skirt wall of the Bushnell Park Pond. He was in contact with the water. Major Crimes Detectives conducted the investigation.

 

Deceased: Ben Melendez, 63,  Hartford, CT

 

An autopsy was performed on  7/19/13. The OCME has reported the death as:

Cause of Death:                Drowning

Manner of Death:            Accidental

WHAT DOES JARED KNOW?

That is the question everyone is asking me when they see the special treatment Jared Kupiec, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Segarra is receiving. The $36,000 severance deal  has already been paid to Kupiec .Kupiec was also paid for  the July 4th holiday as well as Labor Day even though he had left June 21, 2013, well before either holiday occurred.

Now, City Hall sources have confirmed that Kupiec's health insurance costs are still being paid by the  City, or should I say by the taxpayers , apparently through the end of September

In addition , an FOI request to Maribel Laluz , Segarra's spokesperson, for Kupiec's  City cell phone records has gone unanswered so far. Is that a surprise to anyone?

It appears that Kupiec's arrest on the charges for the car theft is expected any day now. Sources are telling me probably after 5PM tomorrow to avoid media scrutiny.

COLTS PARK POOL VANDALIZED

During some of the hottest weather we have seen in a long time, the Colts Park pool may need to be closed after being vandalized overnight.  Chain link fence was ripped down and the vandals gained access to the pool area. entry was then gained to the building, apparently by the use of a key.

According to police sources, the number of people with keys to the building can't be determined but it may number over 200 people. Apparently the same key is used for all City pool facilities and the locks aren't changed when keys or lost or stolen or even after employees quit and don't return their keys.

Sounds like the same thing with Kupiec and the car keys, No accountability.

Graffiti left at the scene showed the initials T.H.P. which are the initials for another one of Hartford's social groups for young men, some call them gangs. T.H.P. is the "the hut project" which I am told is the social group for the housing project at 60 Wadsworth street.
60 Wadsworth Street was also the scene for gunshots fired last night.

Maybe it is time for  a comp time detail to cool this area down, how about it Ken?

Also, apparently there are IP cameras  around the pool that are recorded somewhere off site. Probably at MHIS. IP camera are different than regular analog security cameras as they use internet protocol (IP) and can be viewed off site via the internet. Why aren't theses cameras being watched in the Dispatch Center where someone could notice activity after hours instead of watching Judge Judy or Jeopardy on the big screen televisions mounted in the 911 Center

Hopefully someone would notice the kids throwing garbage into the pool at 11:00PM or see motion detector lights coming on to draw their attention.

Again, it is called management which we know there is very little of happening right now.

SUSPICIOUS DEATH IN BUSHNELL PARK

The Hartford Police Department was dispatched to the Bushnell Park pond at approximately 1030pm Tuesday on a report of an unresponsive person. Officers located a 63 year old male and initiated CPR and emergency medical treatment. He was transported to Hartford Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The two people who initially found the man reported he was discovered lying face down on the rock skirt wall of the Bushnell Park Pond. He was in contact with the water.  

Major Crimes Division detectives are investigating the suspicious death cautiously, as cause of death could not be immediately determined. That determination will be based out of the OCME following an autopsy. Identification has been made, but release is pending next of kin notification. I will release any details or changes as they become available. Please Help: ANY OF THE MANY RESIDENTS OR BUSINESSES WHO MAY HAVE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF THE BUSHNELL PARK POND ARE ASKED TO CONTACT SERGEANT WEAVER AT (860) 757-4214.

THE RETURN OF "ONE HARTFORD"

Before there was "WE THE PEOPLE" there was "ONE HARTFORD". The show was a weekly program with myself, Hyacinth Yennie, Stan McCauley, Gerry Pleasant and Bishop John Selders.

We have decided to resurrect the program on a monthly basis to discuss issues facing Hartford. Here is the first program where we discuss Charter Revision and other current issues.

ANOTHER "SAVE THE DATE"

DON'T QUIT THOSE DAY JOBS

Save the date for this Saturday as the four local television stations hold their annual Softball Challenge games at Millwoods park in Wethersfield This year the games and any donations  will benefit the Channel 3 Kids Camp

For more on the camp or how to donate, click here

KUPIEC PAID OVER $36,000 ON EXIT

Today I posted earlier that City records show Segarra's former Chief of Staff  Jared Kupiec will be on the City's payroll through  September 27, 2013.

Apparently the City provided additional documents to the Courant's Jenna Carlesso after she inquired further. Those documents apparently show that Kupiec received a lump sum payment upon leaving City Hall. The payment was signed off on by someone "unidentified " for Mayor Segarra on June 21, 2013 for $36,380.37.

It is also interesting that they prepaid Kupiec for the July 4th holiday and Labor Day, even though he was already gone by those dates. The $884.00 for holiday pay is relatively small considering the rest of the payout. I wonder if they deducted the furlough days he was supposed to give back as part of that "shared sacrifice" thing.

 I'm becoming more and more skeptical of this Segarra makeover by the minute. Can the announcement for the promotion of Assistant Chief Waller be far off?

Jenna Carlesso's article can be viewed here

Kupiec Payout Calc. Sheet0001

THE RIGHT IDEA DURING THIS DANGEROUS HEAT

During this extended heat please be sure to pay close attention to your pets and make sure that they are getting plenty of water and not being left out in the heat . Also, be sure to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, that may not have air conditioning . Just take a moment to check in and make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids.

It is only common sense, but I am sure we will read a story about someone leaving their pets in a vehicle while shopping or something crazy.


The City of Hartford has cooling centers available but the latest they are open is 4:30PM, I'm not sure why, that is still the heat of the day, but it is probably better than nothing.

UPDATE: A reader made a great comment, think about your pets paws as you walk them outside on hot asphalt or concrete and try to stick to the grass surfaces or mulched paths

Hartford Cooling Centers:

•                    North End Senior Center, 80 Coventry Street, 8:30am-5:00pm

•                    South End Wellness Center, 830 Maple Avenue, 8:30am-4:30pm

•                    Parkville Senior Center, 11 New Park Avenue, 8:30am-3:30pm

•                    Hispanic Health Council, 175 Main Street, 8:30am-4:30pm

 

All Hartford Public Library buildings are available also during normal operating hours

HPD ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP

KUNTA SOYINI

QUAN SOYINI

 

WANTED FOR MURDER- HAND GUN HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED

 

On the morning of July 10, 2013 Hartford Police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Thirman L. Milner Elementary School on a report of a person shot. The victim, Chimar Gordon was found lying in the parking lot suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.

The homicide detectives in the Major Crimes Division were assigned the investigation. Following thorough investigative steps, detectives were able to identify 2 suspects. On July 16, 2013 MCD detectives obtained two arrest warrants- detailed below: 

Kunta Soyini  (9/8/78) of 55 Evergreen Ave. Hartford, CT

Murder                                                                53a-54a

Carrying Dangerous Weapon                      53a-206

$1,000,000 Bond 

Quan Soyini (2/22/76) of 343 East Center Street in Manchester, CT

Murder                                                                53a-54a

Conspiracy to Commit                                    53a-48

Aiding and Abetting                                        53a-8

$1,000,000 Bond

 

Multiple law enforcement agencies are actively looking for these two suspects. We are seeking the public’s help in locating these individuals. If you have information on their whereabouts, please do not approach, call law enforcement. Specific tips can be sent to HPD Lt. Brian Foley at 860-757-4463 or Crime Stoppers 860-722-TIPS.

 

Thank you

MORE BAD NEWS FOR APONTE

As an Ethics complaint referred to Hartford's Ethics Commission by the Internal Audit Commission is pending,it appears that there may be more ethical clouds on the horizon for Hartford Councilman Alexander Aponte.

On the agenda for tomorrow's Internal Audit Commission, Aponte takes front and center once again as agenda item number 1.

a.       Vote on performing a special review, in accordance with a referral, regarding Councilman Aponte’s association with the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) as the Agent for Hispana Vision, LLC which is owned by a principal of SAMA.

 

Does anyone understand "conflict of interest" and what that actually means.

 

Below is the full agenda for tomorrow's meeting, the meetings are open to the public.

Agenda 071713 Final

IS ANYONE AT HARTFORD CITY HALL TELLING THE TRUTH?

I would imagine it is never a good thing for politicians to get caught up in a scandal, but does lying about it make it any easier to deal with.

After the Kupiec Joyride saga. the Mayor's Office was quick to respond that all of Kupiec's City property had been accounted for including his City Cellphone, I-pad and other equipment. I guess they had hoped that we would believe that the only thing they neglected to recover were the spare set of keys to the City vehicle he allegedly eventually stole back, or in the words of Mayor Segarra "took without permission".

Well it appears that  we were misled about the cellphone also because I know one individual that called Kupiec on his City cellphone the morning of the recovery of the stolen City vehicle, almost a week after we had been told he turned the phone in. The following day after a reporter attempted to reach Kupiec for comment, the reporter was met with a greeting that the number was not in service. If the phone was actually re-issued, why would the City then shut it off. Or might it have been that they were actually reacting to being caught in a lie?

We were also told by the Mayor's Office that Kupiec had no special severance package and had only received 1.5 weeks pay when he left. Now in documents I obtained through an FOI request, it appears that there also may be another lie being fed to us.

The document below shows that Kupiec will be paid through September 27, 2013, almost three months after he left his position June 21, 2013.

And don't forget the New's Years eve soiree. Even though Mayor Segarra had told Channel 3 on camera that he had paid back half the cost of the dinner, according to the documents , that was also a lie and the cost was actually paid back a week later when I insisted on seeing the documents.

The old saying that "the coverup is worse than the crime" seems to be very valid with this group.

UPDATE 3:34PM- this was just e-mailed to me regarding Kupiec's pay, I have a hard time believing he didn't take a sick day in 2 1/2 years, and who was responsible for tracking his time, probably something else worth FOI'ing and digging into."According to them, Jared didn't use any of his sick time during his 2 1/2 years with the city. Panagore had the same thing when he left city employ. Segarra recently introduced a proposal to city council to end the "runout" practice.

It might be bad news, but a little truth might be a good thing

Kupiec Pay Report0001

HIS LUCKY DAY

A young man was shot in the area of 83 Bushnell Street early this afternoon. Shot spotter apparently worked and calls for multiple gunshots came in shortly after noon today. Police located the victim who had been shot in the chest. Normally that is not a good thing, but the bullet bounced off the victims sternum, and no serious injuries occurred.

The victim was not totally unscathed though as the Connecticut State Police had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he was promptly taken into custody and turned over to CSP.

The victim had been shot previously in 2010 and survived that shooting also

HARTFORD ANNOUNCES COOLING CENTERS

From the Mayor's Office

 

CITY OF HARTFORD ANNOUNCES COOLING CENTER HOURS

 

--- NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT---

 

(July 15, 2013) With temperatures expected to be in the mid to high 90's this week, City officials have ordered the opening of four cooling centers in the City of Hartford. Members of the Hartford Fire Department’s Special Services Unit will distribute water bottles on site. An air quality alert is also in effect for the Hartford area. Residents are encouraged to take proper precautions and stay out of the heat if possible.

Hartford Cooling Centers:

•                 North End Senior Center, 80 Coventry Street, 8:30am-5:00pm

•                 South End Wellness Center, 830 Maple Avenue, 8:30am-4:30pm

•                 Parkville Senior Center, 11 New Park Avenue, 8:30am-3:30pm

•                 Hispanic Health Council, 175 Main Street, 8:30am-4:30pm

 

The Hartford Public Library is available for residents and visitors.  Below are hours of operation:

•                 Hartford Downtown Public Library, 500 Main Street, 10:00AM to 8:00PM

•                 Albany Library Branch, 1250 Albany Avenue, 12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 Barbour Branch, 281 Barbour Street,  12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 Camp Field Branch, 30 Campfield Avenue, 12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 Mark Twain Branch, 55 Forest Street,  12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 Park Branch, 744 Park Street, 12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 SANDS/Ropkins, 1750 Main Street, 12:30PM to 5:30PM

•                 Goodwin, 460 New Britain Avenue, 12:30PM to 7:30PM

•                 Blue Hills Branch, 649 Blue Hills Avenue,  12:30PM to 7:30PM

 

LEARN CPR AT HARTFORD CITY HALL TOMORROW

Short notice on this, but I just got it tonight.

VERY FRUSTRATING

 

I was so upset this evening. We have some real beautiful parks in Hartford  and I'm not sure people appreciate them enough . I was driving near the arch in Bushnell Park tonight, and I saw a Ford explorer in the Park buried up to its axles in mud tearing up the lawn as it tried to get out pulled by a Friendly's wrecker . An HPD Officer , Car 65, sat in his car, also parked by the Arch, and to the best of my knowledge  doing nothing. Not even call it in for another car to come take care of it

Fortunately I had the cell number for Deputy Chief Rodriguez who  I contacted and he called it in and had an officer there within a couple minutes to document the damage and get the vehicle owners information and insurance information so we aren't on the hook for a large amount of damage to the park.

 Hopefully the vehicle owner had insurance to cover their ignorance driving into the water logged park.

Icing on the cake was the police officer who sat by and watched it all and did nothing, threatened to give me a ticket for parking on the sidewalk while I waited for a real cop to show up and do his job. Only in Hartford.  I was incredulous when I asked him if he was serious. He sat and watched a car tear up the park for probably close to a half hour and did nothing, but he was going to give me a ticket for pulling off onto the sidewalk,

Thank you Chief Rodriguez and Officer Murtha, Shame on you Officer Bustamante.

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Facebook sometimes serves a purpose,other than wasting time. Today I found a posting that intrigued me. It was called "thoughts of an old farmer"

One of the old farmers thoughts was this:

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'

It immediately struck me as something that might benefit our Mayor and those at City Hall.

I'll be posting them daily as I can.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Last night just about every network broke into programming to announce the verdict in the Zimmerman Trial. This morning you can't watch television or go on the Internet or social media without Zimmerman or Trayvan Martin being prominently mentioned. Comment after comment on Facebook , everyone has an opinion regarding the trial and most are more than willing to voice it, some making sense, others acting like fools.

No matter what your opinion or what you think of the verdict, bottom line is it was a tragedy, a young man is dead, and that is not going to change.

One commenter on a national news channel made the point  that the killing couldn't be a racist act because Zimmerman is technically Hispanic and it was shown that he had black friends. I am not going to that into that aspect, it is just crazy to think that anyone is immune to racist acts  because of their race.

But here is the reason for my posting. Everyone is familiar with the names Trayvan and Zimmerman, it is the national buzz words today. But who can name a recent homicide victim for me that has been gunned down on our streets. When was the last time you heard anyone speak the name Shane Oliver or Javar Preston.

 These are just two of Hartford's homicide, both young black men,just two of the hundreds killed in Hartford over the last ten years, victims whose lives were taken early by violence. They may have not been shot in a gated community by a white guy, but do their deaths deserve any less attention.  Do you think CNN will break in when Shane Oliver's killers verdict is announced?

The only person I have heard mention Shane is his  father , Pastor Sam Saylor at a vigil. I remember his passionate pleas  the days after the murder. "His name was Shane" Saylor preached as he implored the crowd to remember his murdered son.

Are Hartford's homicides and the hundreds of young black men gunned down every year across our country any less significant because of the race of the shooter? Or maybe we have become desensitized because the general consensus is usually that if they are out on the streets at night, they must be up to no good.

Both of Hartford's homicides this week occurred in broad daylight. Both young men, under 25 I am told, at least one had a young child. One fatally shot on the grounds of an elementary school, the other close to the campus of Trinity College.

I only wish that all of the people that take the time to post on Facebook realize the travesty that is going on in their own neighborhoods and take the same interest in making a difference here. Take the time and try to mentor a young person. Take the time to go to a Council meeting and demand safer streets. Take the time to make a difference  and use your voices where they are needed, right here at home.

"His name was Shane" if nothing else remember that