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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

ARE WE READY TO TAKE OUR CITY BACK ?


Since beginning this blog, I have put my thoughts together on numerous issues and shared them with anyone having enough free time to read them. Some serious, some lighthearted, some tongue-in-cheek, but none as important as the thoughts I'm trying to put together here. I keep wondering how President Lincoln felt as he sat down and wrote the Gettysburg Address, did he realize how he would affect the history of our country? Did he think his thoughts penned on a piece paper would become one of the most quoted speeches in history?

As I think about President Lincoln's thoughts, several words keep repeating over and over, "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth". And then I think back to our city, a city that many of us, no, probably the majority of us, still love and still believe in. With all of its flaws, all of its imperfections and what many see now as a total lack of leadership, we still believe. Maybe part of this comes from being a Red Sox fan, but just when you think things can't get any worse, that rally spirit kicks in and you decide to fight back and turn a loss into a win. I for one am not ready to give up on Hartford, its people, or its potential. I am tired though of corruption, criminal investigations, back door deals, two-faced politicians,self serving people ready to feed at the trough funded by us and people who have a definition of transparency not found in any dictionary I've ever read.

The time for us as a city to say "enough is enough" has arrived. Although many are posturing to run for Mayor, most are going to hopefully have to answer some tough questions about their past performances when they had a chance to make a difference and chose instead to support business as usual at City Hall. Those that publicly said they support transparency and don't support backroom deals, yet quickly walk through the door into the backroom and slam it in the public's face, hoping that no one will notice. Those that speak out in favor of Democracy, yet do the opposite and ignore the "democratic process" by slamming their deals through because "they are the Democrats and they have the majority".

Hartford has suffered for over eight years now under this type of government. Not only implemented by a "strong Mayor" but aided and abetted by a City Council, less one councilman, who allowed the reign of terror at City Hall to exist. People that are in fear of their careers if they speak out, people that have allowed corruption to exist because they feared the repercussions if they spoke out. Council people that have been beaten down so bad they now argue about subpoenas to get public documents. The list could go on and on but anyone familiar with Hartford gets the point. So let me get to my point.

A little over 3 years ago I received a call from someone I knew of, but didn't really know personally. J. Stan McCauley called me and said he was considering a run for Mayor in 2007, he noticed at the time I was on the Republican Town Committee, and he wanted to know what I thought. After catching my breath again from the laughing spell that anyone thought they could get elected as a Republican ( just kidding, I wasn't that rude, but I think I did tell him he was crazy)I asked him to give me a day or two to think about it. After sitting down and talking to him, I liked what he had to say, he had a very calm and reassuring demeanor, actually put a lot of thought into his vision for Hartford, and just seemed like a decent guy and a potential leader. Unfortunately, 2007 wasn't Stan's year to begin leading the city. Even after a loss to a Mayor under investigation for corruption allegations, facing potential arrests which would soon become a reality, Stan didn't give up. Stan's message didn't change, he didn't drop out of sight, and he didn't give up on Hartford. If anything, his commitment seemed to grow stronger. He has persevered, and unlike many in positions of power in Hartford, he has worked tirelessly to move his vision of "1 Hartford" forward. A city that thrives and moves forward unified, rather than a city that stumbles and fails by those that try to divide it for their own gain.

On Monday, October 5, 2009 at 3:00PM on the steps of Hartford City Hall, J. Stan McCauley will announce his second candidacy for the Office of Mayor of the City of Hartford. This time will hopefully be much different as a new era of leadership in Hartford begins. No more corruption, no more shutting the public out, no more backroom deals. But rather, people willing to roll up their sleeves and do the backbreaking work to take back our city from the politicians who have nearly run it into the ground. People that are willing to step up and do the right thing for all the right reasons, forgetting about how it will benefit them personally, but rather thinking only about what is best for the City we love. We can do it, but it is not going to happen without the good people of Hartford stepping up and making a bold and clear statement,"Enough is enough and we are taking our city back". The clean sweep of Hartford City Government begins now and we need every one's help. I understand that many are afraid to speak out under this administration, but the opportunity to change is in your hands. Are you willing to accept politics as usual or are you willing to be part of the solution? Please join us as we start the clean sweep and begin to restore Hartford to what it once was and what we know it can be once again. A city that once again will be the destination for people from across the region to visit as an entertainment destination, not a city to be feared for violent crime. A city that understands what true economic development means and realizes that small business is the engine that drives successful cities, not a city that taxes small business out of existence due to out of control spending. A city that has a respectful relationship with our Governor and state officials, realizing that the majority of our budget is funded through the State of Connecticut's coffers. A city where the Mayor and city officials spend the majority of their time making Hartford a better place, not spending time testifying before Grand Jury hearings and attending court proceedings. A city where every idea and every thought is valued, not shouted down and dissenters "squashed like bugs".

I would ask anyone and everyone that is available to attend, please stop by and listen to Stan speak about his ideas for leading Hartford and its people forward. Whether you know Stan McCauley or not, whether you support Stan McCauley yet or not, whether you are registered to vote yet or not, all I ask is that you listen and then make your decision. Are you satisfied with politics as usual in Hartford, or are you ready to support a change?

"All that we're asking, is give Stan a chance" hopefully you sang that like a Beatles tune. I couldn't be completely serious for too long. Remember, Monday at 3:00PM at Hartford City Hall, if you support Stan, great, if you want to hear what he's about, even better, if you want to be a part of the change, excellent.

And remember those famous words by President Lincoln "this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." It begins with you. Thanks

Monday, September 28, 2009

IT IS OFFICIAL- HARTFORD GOVERNMENT IS A FRAUD


After the sudden death of Hartford City Clerk Dan Carey, the Hartford City Council seemed to move at lightning speed to fill the vacancy. Apparently a little too fast for a lot of people. After word began to circulate that an heir apparent had already been chosen without a legitimate selection process,Democratic Council people received numerous phone calls and objections to the flawed process. On Friday, September 18th, the Council Democrats held a caucus with the intention of naming Carey's successor. Due to the uproar from their constituents the Council Democrats emerged from their caucus without naming a successor. Through the Council President, Calixto Torres, it was announced that applications would be accepted for the position of City Clerk through noontime on Friday, September 25, 2009. Although a dozen applications were received from individuals with varying experience and qualifications, apparently no interviews were conducted prior to the naming of Carey's replacement. This was another back room closed door deal hammered out by the Democratic Majority on the Council,without any input from the community and definitely without any consideration of the other candidates who applied.

Hartford is a city that is suffering from a tarnished image brought about by an administration that has faced criminal arrests and accusations of corruption as well as a city that promises to bring cronyism and corruption to new heights. How do you imply any sense of legitimacy when you ask people to spend the time and energy to submit resumes and then totally ignore them for the original choice anyway? How as a Councilperson can you stand and say that new leadership is on the way and a new era of transparency is dawning on the City? This is more of the same old "business as usual" politics that has driven Hartford into the ground. It clearly proves that old adage that "actions speak louder than words". Although this Council seems to try to distance themselves from the Perez Administration, they also endorse his backroom politics every chance they can. We saw it recently when the Council voted to hand out close to $350,000 to political allies and non-profits without any input from the community, no regard as to who was more deserving, and as one Councilman said essentially "we are the Democrat's, we have the majority, so we can do it". Maybe actions true as a Democrat, but definitely not actions of the democratic process or worthy actions of a democracy.

And to those people who submitted resumes and were ignored by this sham process, I for one, as a resident of Hartford, wish to apologize for the Council wasting your time. They had no intention of an open and transparent process, and apparently thought no one would notice, because as you know, according to the "Gospel of Perez" Hartford's voters have a short attention span. And to the members of the Council that say one thing in public, and do the opposite behind closed doors, the day of reckoning is coming when we will hold our elected officials responsible for your deeds.

Municipal elections in 2011 will be here before we know it, now is time to start to take back our City, both through the Mayor's Office and the City Council

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

"HOW TO BUY A COW- HARTFORD STYLE" UPDATE- CRIMINAL PROBE UNDERWAY BY HPD

Last week Channel 3 aired a report in which allegations of bribery were made against the Principal of Batchelder School in Hartford. Principal James Pappas was being accused of offering a payment to the PTO President's business in exchange for the PTO's support of Pappas. Through an FOI request I made to the Board of Education, documents were provided that seemed to outline a pattern of potential criminal conduct. Including larceny, forgery, bribery and fabricating evidence, the statements made by Board of Education employees and obtained through the FOI request seem to paint a troubling picture. After the documents were turned over to Hartford Police Chief Daryl Roberts on Monday, a criminal investigation was begun by the Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Division. An Internal Affairs Investigation apparently has also been started into allegations as to the way the original complaint by the PTO President and his wife to HPD officers was handled.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

CLUB BLU/MANSION/ENTOURAGE FAILS INSPECTIONS AND REMAINS CLOSED

Last week I posted that an agreement had been reached between the State of Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner, the City of Hartford and the owners of the Mansion Nightclub to re-open the club. Apparently that re-opening has been delayed due to Health Department inspection issues and the clubs failure to be granted the proper permits. The Mansion had been closed by the State of Connecticut after several violent incidents occurred in the club.

The club will remain closed at least through the weekend and no new date for opening is available at this time.

Friday, September 18, 2009

HOW TO BUY A COW, HARTFORD STYLE


On April 27, 2009 a check from the City of Hartford in the amount of $500.00 was issued to the Coolest Cow Bakery on New Britain Avenue in Hartford. That part is a fact. Another fact is that the owners of the Coolest Cow Bakery are Epifanio and Yessica Perez. Epifanio Perez is also the PTO President at the Batchelder School, located a few blocks east of the Coolest Cow Bakery, also on New Britain Avenue. From this point on the facts differ, depending on who you believe.

Sometime after April 27, 2009 Yessica Perez received a check for $500.00 made out to the Coolest Cow Bakery from the City of Hartford. Since they had not done any work for the City or provided any services, the Perez's were "in dismay" of the payment. Apparently there was tension at Batchelder Scool between the new Principal, James Pappas and the staff and parents. Norma Castro, a staff member at the school, at the urging of Pappas, asked the Perez's to fill out paperwork so that the Coolest Cow Bakery could become a vendor for the school. Perez apparently perceived a potential conflict of interest in being a vendor and PTO Prsident at the same school. Surprisingly, Principal Pappas, in his written statement,also had thoughts that he "was not 100% sure it would be the right thing to do" to offer money to the Coolest Cow Bakery. When Epifanio was originally asked if he would accept the check and was told it was on the way already, Epifanio told Norma Castro "I did not want any money for what we have given the school". Epi Perez further stated "the check for $500.00 just appeared made out to us". Barbara deJesus, the school secretary, according to Epifanio "kept calling us to cash the check" and they told her they "were concerned about the legality of us receiving the check" And here is the clincher according to Epifanio Perez. On April 16th, Epifanio stated that he was in Batchelder School and was approached by Principal Pappas. He claims that Pappas asked him to help "because the parents are against him (Pappas)". Epifanio states that Pappas said "I had to help him.Remember I gave you $500.00 for your business". Epifanio, in his written statement says " I told him I never asked for any money and I did not want any money. I felt he was trying to bribe us.". From here it gets even more questionable as to the intent of the payment. When the Perez's began looking into and questioning the payment, an invoice from "the Coolest Cow Bakery" was produced. The only problem was the logo created on the invoice was not their logo and the signature identified as that of Epifanio Perez was not his and apparently a forgery. Eventually as part of the investigation conducted by the Board of Education, Norma Castro admitted in her statement that apparently Barbara deJesus had made up the fraudulent invoice and she (Castro) eventually forged the signature on the document(copy of invoice included in PDF file below along with investigation report and statements). Castro says in her statement that she signed Epifanio's signature at his request during a phone conversation, but he strongly denies that he ever authorized her to sign his name.

Principal Pappas's statement seems to concur with Epifanio's statement that he was having a rough time with parents at the school. Pappas wrote that he reminded Perez that "we had already allocated money to his business as part of being involved with the school". Pappas never defined what that involvement was and there is no mention of services or goods being delivered in exchange for the $500.00 payment. There also was never any mention of any agreement requiring future goods or services being delivered in exchange for the $500.00. In reviewing the documents provided through this FOI request, there was no record of the required vendor application forms or W-9Tax forms that are normally required to process a payment. That raises further questions about the accounting practices and safeguards being used to process payments by the Board of Education.

What exactly the $500.00 payment was for or what the expectations were in exchange for the $500.00 were never spelled out in any of the statements, other than Epifanio's statement that he felt he was being bribed.

Investigation Report Part 1:
FOI Batchelder Investigation, Part 1

Investigation Report, Part 2

Foi Batch Elder Investigation Part 2

Batchelder Investigation, Discipline Letters
Foi Batch Elder Investigation Letters

WHY THE RUSH TO FILL DAN CAREY'S SPOT?

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.