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Sunday, June 8, 2014

OUT OF HIS LEAGUE, SOME SAY OUT OF HIS MIND

Let me say up front, there hasn't been a lot that Mayor Segarra hasn't done that I have believed in and wanted to support. As much as I sit here writing this and want to believe in the Rockcat's deal it is just not adding ,up to me. Hartford needs a solid homerun, more likely a grand slam homerun.But we have come to expect the balk instead.

Would anyone go out and buy a brand new Mercedes, fully financed at a high interest rate, when you honestly know the best you could probably afford was the used Hyundai. It sure does make a good show if you went for the new Mercedes, even if you know you can't afford it, but for the short term people might be bluffed into thinking you are doing something right until it is repossessed out of your driveway some night when you default on the payments

Like I said before, Hartford does need some big hits, I think the last large economic development project in Hartford was Walmart Plaza, quite a few years ago. The convention Center and Adrian's Landing were State Projects.

I have so many issues with the project, but I really do want to believe. The first being the issue of how this all started. We really don't appreciate it when Windsor, Bloomfield or Rocky Hill poach our businesses. Do we really want to get into poaching wars with our neighbors. We rellay didn't appreciate losing ING or Met Life to the suburbs. I'll give Rocky Hill a pass on poaching WFSB3 because they really weren't poached as much as they were pushed by a former Mayor and his Chief of Staff.

But back to the Rockcat's. There weren't any other teams that Hartford could have approached to lure to Hartford?  And what type of business plan is behind the Rockcats. It just confuses me why the teams owners would leave a  City that from all appearances has treated them well, and $100,000.00 in annual rent seems like a bargains for what New Britain provides in return.Why would you leave that and go to Hartford to pay, in the beginning, $500,00.00 a year in rent. Not to mention essentially doubling your tax bill for every piece of equipment, every computer, every piece of training equipment, anything owned by the team will now come under Hartford's highest mill rate in the State, almost double the Hardware City's.

That high mill rate has been a deterrent to economic development in Hartford, and if a poaching war begins, it will be a definite advantage to any town trying to lure Hartford companies away. "Come to our Town and we can help cut your tax bill in half" . Business is about the bottom line and increasing profits , and most smart business owners would most likely be willing to listen that pitch. And as we can see from the Solomon family, the days of corporate loyalty and keeping your word to your hometown mean nothing.

The other major factor about this is the major question looming in most Hartford's residents minds is "will this work?" and "who will pay when it doesn't?". As I am here writing this I am listening to the Hartford Police Radio and hearing the almost constant calls for guns, spot shotter activations, and the number of calls being dispatched for assaults, fights and other serious matters. Wait until the summer actually starts and the warm weather arrives

 Yet as this plan is being shoved down our throats by Segarra, it is hard to conceive that a City as broke as Hartford, a city that has cut Police classes, a City that has sold off assets and forced people out of their homes by selling tax liens. A city that has a hard time repairing potholes because of a lack of funds, a city that has had school ceilings collapse on students because they haven't allocated funds for repairs. It just doesn't make sense to me but I really do want to believe.

I also take Governor Malloy on his word that he is keeping out of this, I doubt he want's to see two cities battling. I do have to be a little suspicious that two of the City assets that Segarra and Council President Shawn Wooden just sold to the State of CT,  will almost be touching the sidewalks surrounding the stadium, The Morgan Street Garage and the Church Street Garage. What did they disclose to the state about the possibility of a Stadium locating within feet of the garages, and could we have sweetened the deal if the State knew?

As much as the State claims they are staying hands off on the deal, I fully expect UCONN to announce that they are buying in to the plan,.Any day now I bet we hear that this will also be the new home of UCONN baseball. At least it would make a little more sense than putting the full burden of the backs of Hartford's taxpayers, spread the wealth statewide.

And the 600 jobs? That figure comes out of the same consultant report that states the average median income for Hartford residents is $78,097.00. I think it is a lot close to $18,000.00. If Segarra is going to use "regional" numbers to justify this project as a regional attraction, then fund it and sell it that way. Let the suburbs buy into the wealth of Hartford. And to all those suburbanites that are touting this program as such a great idea, we have many vacant homes in Hartford awaiting your arrival. Come join us , we will gladly tax your vehicles at 78 mills to offset this latest corporate welfare.

Or if you still think it such a good idea, please ask your neighbors and local leaders to join us and buy into the program, so what if it raises your local taxes an outrageous amount to pay the $4.5 million per year debt service interest on the bond. Like you have written in your editorials and letters it is great for Hartford. I really want to believe that is true. And to my suburban neighbors, if you really want to share the wealth of Hartford and tell us what is best for us, we can even arrange for the suburbs to share a homeless shelter or two and maybe even a methadone clinic.

It is all about sharing the ambiance and what is best for Hartford.

I really do want to believe. As much as I like the evenings at Rockcat's Stadium, I wouldn't mind going to a game in Hartford. And just for the record, anytime I have gone to a game in New Britain, we have either tailgated on Franklin Giant grinders we brought or had our fill of Hot Dogs inside the stadium. And to the best of my recollection I don't recall ever renting a hotel room to stay overnight in New Britain and neither has anyone I've ever heard of, but I guess the Consultants know better. For what we are probably paying them for thier report, I sure hope they know what they are talking about.

Walter Harrison, the President of the University of Hartford,who is typically a cheerleader for Hartford, had an editorial in today's Courant. He raised some serious questions that the Hartford City Council needs to take seriously before they rubber stamp this deal. Unfortunately I am not sure that is going to happen since the Public Hearing is apparently scheduled for July 21, 2014 and the items for approval are on tomorrow nights Council Agenda. They will probably get referred to committee which would slow the process down for residents and taxpayers to actually voice their opinions, but this is Hartford so anything could happen http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-op-harrison-pedro-swings-fences-with-rock-cats--20140606,0,2360532.story

But I guess according to the consultants, 23,700 people will use Hartford hotels for "annual room nights". I have a gut feeling that benefit will go across the bridge to East Hartford, but maybe we can close the bridges on game night. That would make about as much sense as the numbers in this report. I want to believe.

Their report will affect the financial health of Hartford and its residents for decades to come.Hopefully the State of Connecticut will be willing to buy this asset like it did the garages when the stadium is unable to attract visitors

Ok, time to wrap this up. My heels are getting sore from clicking them together and repeating "I Believe, I Believe" for almost a week now

CONSULTANT'S REPORT:

Following the lead of our Honorable Mayor, Pedro Segarra, I want to state that I followed his lead and poached the Consultants report from Steve Goode's article in the Hartford Courant. Actually someone approached me and asked me to post it so it wouldn't end up on a Springfield Blog first, I am only trying to keep it in Connecticut

Friday, June 6, 2014

THE TIME HAS COME

Have you ever wondered why the nonsense that Hartford is known for doesn't occur in other towns? Do you wonder why budgets, property acquisitions and projects that effect taxpayers  in suburban towns are properly vetted by their taxpayers?

The answer is  somewhat simple.

Most suburban towns with responsible management are held accountable by the  voice  and accountability brought about by organized tax payer groups. Hartford has no citywide Taxpayers organization that is willing to fight for Hartford residents and raise the important issues.

That is about to change.

Several people I know and respect have stepped forward and we have started to meet to put an organization together. Like I said, these are people I respect, not political prostitutes, we already have enough of that. These are people that truly love Hartford and aren't stepping forward to get the latest contract or see the taxpayers as people feeding them at the trough of City Hall. They don't have their hands out, we just want to be the great City we know it can be with proper leadership being held accountable to the people that put them there, us... the voters

The NRZ's are too connected to City Hall through funding and staffing , and standing up for taxpayers and keeping City Hall accountable was never their mission. The political monopoly of Democrats in Hartford doesn't contribute positively to the situation either. Something needs to change.

If you read this and are interesting in getting involved as we build this from the ground up, please let me know by e-mail or phone. Our initial discussions are leaning toward dividing into three Districts;North, South and Central to keep the areas organized and manageable. we are looking for both residents and business owners, especially small business owners, to become involved

There is much work to be done to bring accountability and sensible government back to Hartford. If you have the time or the desire, or hopefully both, let me know to be included in the planning meetings.

Thanks

MORE ON A JOB WELL DONE BY HPD

At least two individuals should have found a better use for their time Sunday afternoon.

From HPD:

On the listed date and time Patrol Units were dispatched to the New View Chinese Restaurant for an armed
robbery of the business. STF Units responded with Patrol Units. Dispatch gave a description of two
suspects and advised the victim / complainant followed suspects east on New Britain Avenue to White
Street. STF Units observed two suspects matching the description walking on Kelsey Street. As Officers
exited their unmarked vehicles, the two suspects immediately fled through rear yards. As suspect #1 scaled
a fence, the listed firearm fell out of his waistband. Suspect #1 scaled several more fences as he ran through
yards and circled back towards Kelsey Street and was eventually apprehended by Sgt. Mooney and
Detectives Blumes and Rostkowski.

What the robbers didn't consider was the heavy Police presence assigned to the City, Particularly the Park Street and Frog Hollow area. Once the report of the armed robbery came in, the area was swarmed by Patrol Officers, Condition Units, CSO;'s and Shooting Task Force Officers. Not good odds for an easy escape after  committing an armed robbery.

Both suspects were promptly tracked down and apprehended.

More from HPD:

Suspect #2 circled a house on Kelsey Street and was apprehended in the driveway of 11 Kelsey Street by
Detective Corvino and Captain Alderucci (DOC).
Recovered was $211.00 in U.S. currency and an iphone 5 taken during the robbery. Also recovered was
clothing, gloves and a mask used during the robbery.
The victim positively identified both suspects as the persons who committed the robbery. The victim stated
suspect #1 pressed the firearm against his head during the robbery. Video surveillance did capture the
robbery.
Both suspects were transported to MCD for de-brief. One suspect did confess to the robbery.
Suspect / Arrest #1: Jorge Guzman, M/H/32 (02/04/1982), of 78 Abbotsford Avenue, West Hartford, CT.
Charges: Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1st Degree, Larceny 2nd Degree, Carrying a
Pistol w/o a Permit, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Theft of Firearm, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree and
Interfering w/ Police.
Suspect / Arrest #2: Emmanuel Velez, M/H/19 (02/21/1995), of 17 Buckingham Street, Newington, CT.
Charges: Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 1st Degree, Larceny 2nd Degree and
Interfering w/ Police.
Firearm Seized: Smith & Wesson .380 Caliber Handgun, color black, s/n RAE2296 w/ magazine containing
(4) .380 caliber rounds of ammunition with (1) chambered round.
The firearm was listed in NCIC as stolen out of West Springfield, Massachusetts.

These type of incidents happen almost everyday in the City, yet our City Council doesn't seem to realize the need for police presence on our streets and in our neighborhoods. Maybe they might want to ask the shop owner who had the gun barrel to his head for a campaign donation next election and see what the response is

But keep the faith, a police Academy Class is being mentioned for January of 2015, although we heard the same thing for January, March, June and July of this year, and still no class. But fortunately , if it does happen in January, in two years we will finally have some new recruits on the streets of Hartford.

A LITTLE TRANSLATION:

If you are new to reading these reports,

MCD= Major Crimes Division
M/H = Male Hispanic
STF= Shooting Task Force
NCIC-National Crime Information Center, a nationwide database for Law Enforcement Information
CSO- Community Service Officer
CITY COUNCIL- A group of elected officials who are oblivious to what goes on in the streets of Hartford

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

I have had a hectic week so I haven't put out my thoughts yet on the poaching, I mean acquisition, of the New Britain Rockcats by the Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight ( The Segarra Administration). I will take some time over the weekend to put my thoughts out, for whatever they are worth, but here is a start.

Here is a link to Colin McEnroe's column in today's Courant which raises some great points about credibility and the way this has been handled or more accurately mishandled.


Economists, environmentalists criticize Hartford stadium plan


Posted: Sunday, December 13, 1998


HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Government predictions that a stadium for the New England Patriots would be an economic boon to Connecticut are drawing fire from some economists.
In a study for the governor's office, KPMG Peat Marwick estimated a stadium would create some 2,700 jobs in and around Hartford.
But more than a dozen economists interviewed by The Hartford Courant said those assumptions are flawed and have created too rosy, best-case scenario.
The projection was based on assumptions that the stadium would fuel $107 million in direct spending when it opens in 2001 for everything from parking, to tickets, to meals and hotel rooms.
Ninety percent of that spending would not happen in Connecticut without the stadium, the study said, and it would lead to an added $74 million in "indirect" spending and the need for more jobs.
"This resembles more of a wish list than it does a statement of precise impact," Robert Baade, a sports economist at Lake Forest College in Illinois, said of the KPMG study. "I've looked at every single city that had any kind of change in its professional sports industry between 1958 and 1992 ... and we just don't see any kind of impact at all."
The stadium plan also is drawing criticism from environmentalists.
The proposed bill, to be voted on by lawmakers Tuesday, states that environmental and other permits will be granted automatically if applications are not reviewed within 10 business days. And those reviews would be done and decided on by the commissioner of the state agency looking at the applications. State agency commissioners are appointees of the governor.
"It would be impossible to conduct an adequate environmental review of a project of this magnitude within 10 days. The idea to me is ludicrous," said Donald S. Strait, executive director of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. "You can't look at a project like this and make the correct determination in a two-week period."
The fast-track permitting process was defended by a key legislator who is still undecided on the stadium proposal.
House Majority Leader Moira K. Lyons, D-Stamford, said she believes the DEP and other state agencies should be able to meet the 10-day deadline for reviewing applications without taking shortcuts.
A report released by the Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Co. this week estimated the cost of an environmental cleanup on the site at $20 million.

Monday, June 2, 2014

A JOB WELL DONE

This past weekend had the potential to be a very trying one for Public Safety in Hartford.

Luckily, due to the efforts and planning of Chief Rovella and his men and women of the Hartford Police Department, both the Rascal Flatts Concert and the Puerto Rican Day Parade went off with out any major problems. There were some traffic issues in Frog Hollow, but overall the drinking and tailgating was address early on and the word got out that HPD was taking it seriously this summer and the large crowds downtown for the parade were orderly.

Once again, a job well done

TIMES CHANGE, PEOPLE CHANGE

It seems like a few short months ago Mayor Pedro Segarra was opposed to the UConn location downtown .Actually it was.  If I recall correctly so was Council Presidents Shawn Wooden.

I was not surprised though today when I received the press release that tomorrow Segarra will be hosting the ceremony finalizing the development deal for UConn Downtown.

I guess when no one is listening to your opposition you realize you need to cave in and settle.

(June 2, 2014) On Tuesday, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra will host a ceremony on the Alfred E. Burr Memorial Mall, formalizing the creation of UConn’s new Downtown Hartford campus. At the event, state officials including Governor Dannel Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Larry McHugh and UConn President Susan Herbst will sign documents officially formalizing the new campus, which will be housed across Prospect Street from the Burr Mall, in the historic Hartford Times building. The event will immediately follow a Board of Trustees meeting at City Hall in Room 100. The meeting is open to the public.