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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND THIS OFFENSIVE?



From the start of Eddie Perez's journey down the path to potential prison time, it seems that it is all about Eddie being a victim of racism.

From the day of his first arrest Eddie was singled out because of his race. From the mouth of his taxpayer funded attorney it was pure and simple racism. The Office of the State's Attorney was trying to take down a strong Hispanic Mayor. Not because he was corrupt and committing criminal activities, but because he was a strong Hispanic.

All throughout the journey it has been based on race.

Throughout history ethnic groups have supported "their own". Irish-Catholics have always supported Irish Catholic politicians, hence the Kennedy dynasty so this is nothing new. Hispanic voters at one time took pride in seeing the first Hispanic Mayor elected in Hartford almost 10 years ago. Due largely to the Hispanic vote Perez was re-elected to a third term as Mayor even when it was known that the dark cloud of corruption was looming over his head.

But where do we draw the line. I find it offensive that the racism, or reverse racism, continues right into the courtroom. Would it be tolerated if a defense attorney stated that his white client needed a "white jury" or his black client needed a "black jury". And do white jurors have a different view of what's acceptable in society. Do black juries turn a blind eye to crime? I seriously doubt it, and this is more of the "divide and conquer" mentality that continues to split our society along racial lines.

I seriously wonder if Hispanics, in particular Puerto Ricans, take offense with the way this jury selection is being handled. We keep hearing that Perez can only get a fair trial if the jury were to be stacked with minorities. As a "non-Hispanic" watching this posturing by Perez's defense, it seems that the message appears pretty clear. Do "hispanic" jurors look at corruption and crime differently than the rest of us?

I seriously don't think so and it would seem that potentially it could be the total opposite. I would think that Hispanics, in particular Puerto Ricans, would want to send a clear message of strong punishment to Perez if convicted.

Eddie entered his first term as someone that his community could be proud of. A Puerto Rican former gang member who had seemed to have left his life of crime and changed his life. The "Professor" (his gang street name) could now be a role-model for his community and show that anything was possible for inner-city youth.

If anything, Eddie Perez has been a huge let down to that same community, as well as all of us, that saw him as potential role-model for their youth. Eddie Perez is potentially sending the message to Hartford's youth that jail is inevitable. If Perez as Mayor couldn't avoid crime and jail time, how is a kid growing up in Hartford's neighborhoods supposed to avoid it.

Eddie had so much potential and has apparently chosen to squander it all for counter tops and a steam shower.

It's sad, but to continue the process cloaked in racism is even worse.

Shouldn't the uproar over the "Cuban" juror be directed at the juror who potentially lied, without it being about her ethnicity?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

A SUGGESTION FOR MAYOR-TO-BE SEGARRA


Hopefully in the next couple of months the process of turning Hartford around will begin under a new Administration led by Pedro Segarra.

One of my "faithful" regular readers sent me a great e-mail today with a suggestion that would probably scare the hell out of the Perez Administration as well as all of the non-profits beholding to Eddie Perez for their operations.

Quite simply, the reader directed me to the City of New London's municipal website. There, New London posts their check registers by month showing each and every check issued by the City for each and every department. Imagine what we might find if Hartford was so open and transparent.

They even go so far as requesting that every non-profit receiving funds from the City of New London do the same thing. According to their website ""The City of New London encourages other organizations that receive public funds to join us, in making financial data more accessible to the public."

All I can say is...."Wow". This must be how an administration not overrun with corruption operates.

I would imagine that City Treasurer Kathleen Palm-Devine would find this kind of openness refreshing also. It might answer a lot of questions about where our money is going.

To check out how an honest government operates, click the links below.

And the best part, Mayor-to-be Segarra, this suggestion didn't cost the city anything for a consultant. There are plenty of good people more than willing to see Hartford turn around and return to the direction it was going "pre-Perez".

Click here to view New London's "homepage" which actually provides factual information, not propaganda pictures of their mayor

Click here to view New London's actual check registers, available on their website, no FOI battles required

And thanks again to my "faithful" readers. Keep the suggestions coming, this is definitely a good start that would begin restoring confidence in Hartford's ability to do the right thing once Eddie is gone

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

DAYTRIPPING HARTFORD STYLE


Tomorrow might be a good day for a trip to Hartford and see the best of what Hartford City government has to offer.

Might I suggest a nice breakfast at Ashlee's at 221 Main Street, then head up Buckingham Street and find a parking spot in the shadows of the Connecticut State Capitol and the statue of Lafayette. Procure a parking spot using one of the Hartford Parking Authority's high-tech kiosks. Then walk one block south to 101 Lafayette Street, Superior Court, GA14. Spend a couple hours watching jury selection in the corruption trial of Hartford's Mayor, the honorable Eddie A. Perez.

A couple of helpful jury selection watching tips. Be sure to feed the meters, the maximum time is two hours and the parking controllers can sense that to the second it seems. Expired vehicles are promptly ticketed. When entering the courthouse, please leave all weapons and dangerous instruments in your vehicle.

In addition, as Helen Ubinas learned the hard way ( I think she is out of lock-up now) texting and twittering (or is it tweeting) is not allowed and you will be dealt with appropriately by the Judicial Marshalls. Please be sure to put your cellphones on vibrate.

Then maybe back down to Main Street during the lunchtime recess. Maybe try the Hook and Ladder Restaurant right next to Ashlee's, where your morning began.

If you have time, be sure to visit Hartford City Hall on your day trip of corruption and incompetence. Be sure to stop by the second floor, the home to the Perez "leadership team". Out of respect though for people that are actually trying to work in City Hall, please keep your laughter to a minimum when you see the word "honorable" on the door to the Office of the Mayor.

By this time, it should be getting close to 2:00PM so head back up to the Lafayette Statue and procure another kiosk funded parking space. This time head north to 18-20 Trinity Street, home of the Freedom of Information Commission. The entrance is near the back side of the Bushnell Theater by the loading dock.

Shortly after 2:00PM Hartford's Corporation Counsel and Perez confidant John Rose will be making a command performance. Not the command type for the Queen of England, but he is being commanded to be there by the FOI Commission. John Rose will be attempting to explain why he shouldn't be fined the largest possible fine passed down by the FOI Commission.

And then if you want to watch something good happening, in all seriousness, stop by City Hall for the 5:00PM swearing in of Hartford's new Fire Chief Ed Casares. Hopefully Chief Casares will bring some integrity back to the Chief's Office, unlike his predecessor, but I'll keep you in suspense on those details about Chief Teale until another day. You might want to get your eyes checked to be able to read that posting clearly :) Tell the eye doctor Charlie Bribe sent you.

PEREZ TRIAL: STATE MOVES TO REMOVE JUROR #2, THE BONDSMAN


In a motion filed today in court with Judge Dewey, Assistant States Attorney Chris Alexy has asked her to reconsider her acceptance of juror # 2, the bondsman.

During yesterdays jury selection, a Hispanic male was interviewed by both sides and answered numerous questions. Among those questions regarding his occupation, he replied that one of his jobs was working as a bondsman in the Hartford and New Britain courts.

In order for a juror to be selected, both sides need to agree. They do have a limited number of challenges and can ask for a juror to be "excused".

In yesterdays selection, the state asked for the "bondsman" juror to be excused. Perez, through his attorney, Hubert Santos, objected. Santos used a "Batson" challenge to question the State's vote to excuse the juror.

A Batson challenge is the result of a court case that eventually was decided by the US Supreme Court. In Batson v Kentucky, the case essentially was the result of a claim of purposeful discrimination on the part of the prosecutors in a case to exclude potential jurors based on race.

As I sat in the courtroom yesterday, I thought that the bail bond issue would be a deal breaker for the defense. Furthermore, he stated that his father and uncle were retired police officers. I was surprised when they "accepted" him.

When the state voted to "excuse" him I was also surprised, but their arguments about the bondsman issue seemed valid, and I never heard them mention race. The State's challenge, as noted in their motion, appeared to be race neutral.

On the other hand, Santos's questions to two white females this afternoon seemed much different than questions he was asking to other potential jurors. It is very interesting to watch the so called "justice system" grinding along. Boring, but interesting.

The entire motion is below for your reading pleasure.

Perez Batson Challenge

Monday, April 12, 2010

WFSB WEIGHS IN ON PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX COLLAPSE




WFSB, Channel 3's Hartford Bureau Chief Len Besthoff covered the impending demolition today. Here is his report and some more information about the "preservation" of Hartford's history

click here for Len's report