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Saturday, March 6, 2010

MY RESPONSE TO A COUPLE OF "ANONYMOUS" COMMENTS, RESPONSE #1

The first comment I think is actually a fair question, any one who wasn't at the hearings would probably make the same comment.

Anonymous said...
wasn't rose representing olga as the registrar? i mean, the suit was regarding things olg did/did not do as registrar of voters. so, where is he defending the slate?



The comment is accurate, John Rose as Corporation Counsel is pretty much obligated by the City Charter to represent city officials. He did that in the case of Olga Vazquez. Sometimes it was a little difficult to keep track of who he was representing by his comments before the Judge. At one point he stood and said "the Registrar blew it" and "the City won't be harmed" if Judge Peck vacated the stay . That is all part of his job, as required by the Charter.

The question of if and when he crossed the line and began representing the Giles slate is an entirely different issue. After Rose stated that the Registrar blew it and the city won't be harmed, he seemed to begin arguing for the Giles slate.

Rose continued on and stated that if the Judge lifted the stay that the Giles slate "will be dead, they will be done" and further stated that they would be "murdered at the polls". Does that sound like he is arguing for his client, Olga Vazquez OR advocating for the Giles slate?

It seems pretty clear to me. If the Giles slate felt that their chances were dead and they would be done, that is their problem then and they needed to hire their own attorney if they felt aggrieved, the same as the Kirkley-Bey slate did when they felt Olga Vazquez stepped on their rights.

Whether your question was meant to be sincere or sarcastic, I know there aren't many that understand the issue if you weren't in court to hear it. Regardless, I hope this has offered some clarification to those trying to understand this mess. Hopefully at Monday's Council meeting it might become clearer. If there is a side I'm missing that you think can justify Mr. Rose's arguing for the Giles slate, please feel to post it here.

WFSB COVERS LATEST JOHN ROSE CONTROVERSY

Channel 3's Len Besthoff covered the latest John Rose controversy in the Friday evening broadcasts. My version was reported here yesterday also. In an interesting twist, I asked John Rose for the memo's regarding the meeting, and he turned them over to me also immediately.

To view Len's story, click here

More to come on this after Monday's Council meeting

HARTFORD POLICE SEEK HELP IN LOCATING MISSING MAN



PRESS RELEASE FROM HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Hartford Police Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing Hartford Man

(Hartford) - Detectives of the Hartford Police Department's Juvenile Investigative Division are seeking public assistance in locating a missing Hartford man. Miles Douglas Wiles was last seen by his family on February 19th, 2010, at approximately 5 p.m. as he left his family's residence on foot.

Wiles, shown in the photo below, is described as a 28 year old, 6 ft, 240 lbs, light skin Hispanic male with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a khaki shirt and trousers. Family members indicate to police that it is unlike Wiles to not return home or not be in contact with his family.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Miles Douglas Wiles is asked to contact Hartford Police Detective Ivys Arroyo at 860-757-4236, or Hartford Police Sergeant Matthew Eisele at 860-757-4242. Confidential tips, for cash rewards, may be made by calling Hartford Crime Stoppers at 860-522-TIPS (8477).


As a sidenote, from what sources are telling me, Miles Wiles is the grandson of Hartford politician Abe Giles.

Friday, March 5, 2010

HAS THE HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL FINALLY REACHED ITS LIMIT?

Monday nights Council agenda promises to be full of action.

The meeting starts with the obligatory State of the City address by Mayor Perez. This in and of itself could prove historic as this might be the last State of the City Address by Perez before he heads off to prison, depending how his upcoming trial goes.

Two items added to the agenda also might prove quite interesting.

The relationship between the Council members and Corporation Counsel John Rose has been contentious almost from the start. After several recent incidents, it appears that at least some Councilmembers have decided enough is enough. Councilperson Deutsch had called for a vote of "no confidence" in John Rose. This is more symbolic than anything else. According to the City Charter, the Mayor hires and fires the Corporation Counsel. The Council does have the power to remove Rose, but only after a hearing and a vote that would require seven votes.

If nothing else has been learned, councilmembers this past year realized they need to learn to count their votes. After the unsuccessful overthrow attempt of former Council President Torres, councilpeople quickly learned how to count to seven. Any attempt to remove Rose most likely wouldn't be able to get the seven votes with Councilpeople Torres and Winch almost definitely siding with Perez. Cotto and Airey-Wislon typically do not agree with the majority of the Council when it comes to an "anti" Perez move.

Another surprising twist though is an agenda item introduced by Counciperson Kennedy. Kennedy had requested the Council go into executive session to discuss the role of the Corporation Counsel.

Apparently John Rose, upon hearing of the agenda items, sent a memo to Council President Segarra demanding that any hearings be held in public and be an "open and public hearing and airing". Rose further demands that all actions be conducted with the "sunshine law's" also known as the Freedom of Information laws. I know, I know, I'm thinking the same thing also, but FOI does apply to everyone.

Numerous questions have arisen regarding the actions of the Corporation Counsel and has even forced the City Council to hire outside counsel to advise them in their performance.

The 5th District Town Committee suit over the past couple weeks has also raised issues as to whether Rose was representing the City or the Town Committee slate. The City of Hartford is his client, the Giles slate is not.

This meeting promises to unveil a couple more chapters in Hartford's Theater of the Bizarre beginning with the State of the City Address

Rose to Segarra 3-4-10

Segarra+Reply+to+Rose+4!3!10[1]

Thursday, March 4, 2010

FAIR AND BALANCED



Earlier in the Giles post, I asked readers to be sure to check out Jeff Cohen's blog at WNPR. I have been reminded that Cityline is well worth checking out also by its new proprietor, Steve Goode.

In an effort to keep peace in the neighborhood, please be sure to head to cityline after you finish here. The order you visit WNPR or Cityline is up to you, as long as you start here first.

Here's the link for cityline, just click here

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY MAY BE OVER BUT THE FALLOUT ISN'T

Some days it seems like the City of Hartford is single handedly keeping both the Freedom of Information Commission and the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) in business.

Less than 2 days after the Hartford Democratic Town Committee primary, another SEEC violation complaint has been filed. This complaint, which appears to have merit compared to those filed last week by Hartford's Democratic Town Chair Sean Arena, was filed today with the Commission.

More complaints are currently being prepared according to sources, including complaints related to the use of Prudential Connecticut Realty resources for political mailings by Arena. These corporate resources used by Arena were improper according to Elections Enforcement sources. The resources were also not claimed as a monetary donation or an "in-kind" donation as required by Connecticut law.

Another complaint which has much wider repercussions potentially, is the use of Community Development Block Grant funds and various other government funds awarded to OPMAD (Organized Parents Make a Difference) a non-profit organization. As a non-profit, OPMAD is forbidden from advocating or endorsing or supporting political candidates. Hartford Democratic Town Committee Secretary Kathy Evans and Town Chair Sean Arena apparently used OPMAD's e-mail to circulate political e-mails to support Democratic Board of Education candidates.

A recount of the ballots in the 4th District, Arena's District, will be held Friday at 9:00AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The recount will be conducted under the supervision of the Secretary of the State's office.

SEEC Complaint 3-4-10