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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

THE ENGINE 14 EXORCISMS

HARTFORD CIRCUS FIRE
 
 
Rally, I don't make this stuff up.

The e-mail below was sent by Captain William Pond of the Hartford Fire Department to Chief Huertas. Apparently Pond took exception  with several framed pictures of a victim of the Hartford Circus fire Eleanor Cook, known as Little Miss 1565 for years.

The best-known victim of the circus fire was a young blonde girl wearing a white dress. She is known only as "Little Miss 1565", named after the number assigned to her body at the city's makeshift morgue. Oddly well preserved even after her death, her face has become arguably the most familiar image of the fire.

Her true identity has been a topic of debate and frustration in the Hartford area since the fire occurred. She was buried without a name in Hartford's Northwood cemetery, where a victims' memorial also stands. Two police investigators, Sergeant's. Thomas Barber and Edward Lowe, photographed her and took fingerprints, footprints, and dental charts. Despite massive publicity and repeated displays of the famous photograph in nationwide magazines, she was never claimed. Barber and Lowe spent the rest of their lives trying to identify her. They decorated her grave with flowers each Christmas, Memorial Day, and July 6.. After their deaths, a local flower company continued to decorate the grave. In 1991, the body was declared to be that of Eleanor Emily Cook, despite the fact that her aunt and uncle had examined the body and it did not fit the description they provided. The Connecticut State Police forensics unit compared hair samples and determined they were probably from the same person. The body was exhumed in 1991 and buried next to her brother, Edward, who had also died in the fire. Apparently Captain Pond took exception with photos  that were supposed to be used after the fire to identify victims, the photos had been posted inside engine 14 for their historic value since the house had been built. The historic value of the pictures is indisputable.

Despite the historic value, Pond for some reason felt he needed to destroy the pictures to bring peace to Cook's soul. According to his e-mail he took the pictures home and burned the pictures in his fireplace as he prayed for the "poor girls" soul. It is unknown as to what authority Pond felt he had to destroy property of the Hartford Fire Department, property of such historic value. This needs to be investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken immediately.

Pictures or property of such a historic value that are destroyed   have removed a part of Hartford's history that can never be replaced. This is inexcusable and probably criminal as well

THE E-MAIL



From: "Pond, William"
Date:01/15/2015 8:25 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: "Huertas, Carlos M."
Subject:

Chief Huertas
I received your voice mail and will respond to it in writing. When originally assigned to engine 14 in the summer of 1990 I objected to the naked deceased pictures of Eleanor Cook displayed in the hallway. I objected verbally to every house Captain through my career where my efforts proved fruitless. My first order of business as house Captain was to remove them from display.
I was afraid after retirement they would be placed back on the wall where this poor girls soul would never rest. I removed them today and at my home prayed for peace for Eleanor and burned them in my fireplace. I hope you understand and also the Cook family had no knowledge that there loved one was publicly displayed in this horrific manor.
Respectfully Submitted
William Pond


Portions of this posting obtained through Wikipedia

WALLER AGAIN

The Hartford Courant ran a story this morning detailing the latest complaint against the Hartford Fire Department  and former acting Assistant Chief Terry Waller. The complaint was made by Captain Luis Ocasio who apparently felt his career was being threatened by Waller if he didn't lie at a hearing before the Connecticut Department of Health to cover for another firefighter .


Here is Captain Ocasio's complaint below


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

GOING VIRAL

That is how the Springfield Republican has described the story of the Connecticut Legislator parking illegally in a handicap space. In a story posted tonight they described that as the response on their website masslive.com , you can view that story and related video here.

Although I am pretty sure that Representative Mcgee is not happy with the attention. I hope at the very least it has brought attention to the illegal practice of using handicap spaces for a quick convenience for able bodied drivers.

And I loved this line from the article  "A state lawmaker was left with egg on his face – or possibly jelly from a doughnut – after he was caught parking his Beamer in a handicapped parking spot at a Hartford Dunkin' Donuts on Friday."

EXPANDING MY HORIZONS, AND THANK YOU

Last week I posted an entry entitled "Whaddaya know" and it has turned out to be well worthwhile. To those of you who provided information and tips, a sincere Thank you. The parts of the puzzle are coming together.


This morning I received a phone call that I should be in the Hartford Federal Courthouse for 11:00am. No further details. Needless to say, I was at the Federal Courthouse at 11:00am.
I felt a little odd when I approached the Federal Marshal at the metal detector and he asked where I was going. My response surprised him I am sure. "I don't know where I am going, I got a call to be here at 11:00am. I gave him a couple more details as to why and for who I thought I was there and was pointed to a courtroom.. Luckily I wore new socks because they made me take my shoes off also to make it through the metal detector. And no cell phones allowed, leave it in the car


The expected event didn't happen as planned, but apparently lawyers and the US Attorney sometimes work out deals for their clients to surrender, so be patient.I would love to elaborate on the reason for being there , but that will come soon. Be patient.


While I was sitting there in the gallery with NBC Connecticut's Max Reiss, we watched the arraignment of the Finance Director from the Town of Plymouth. Again, not much on details, more procedural than anything else. After the court recessed, The US Attorney handling the case came over to us and introduced himself. I was a little surprised when he asked "Aren't you Kevin Brookman?"  When I answered yes, he replied "I read your blog occasionally" Who doesn't?


He then handed myself and Max the arrest warrant, or whatever the terminology is in FED talk, indictment maybe?


Later when I read it, I thought heads should be rolling today in Plymouth. How does the Finance Director of a little town write almost a million dollars in checks to himself and no one notices. One of the checks was reportedly for $300.000. No one noticed? Who monitors their budget?


The really interesting part to me though was the FBI Agents explanation of how the case began. There apparently was no complaint from the town of Plymouth. The investigation began based on Media reports.


If that is the case and the US Attorney had just told me he reads the blog, the FBI must be crawling all over Hartford City Hall by now. If it works for Plymouth, I am sure it can work for Hartford.. If you ever wondered how to blow a million dollars, read on




Saturday, January 17, 2015

DO COPS HAVE RIGHTS ALSO?

As the debate continues to record every action a Police Officer makes with body cams and dash cams, what measures are being taken to protect the Officer's rights, as well as those of the community.

The video below is a perfect example. Does the officer have a reasonable expectation of privacy while in his cruiser as long as his actions are legal, or should every police officer now plan on showing up on you-tube at some point during his or her career embarrassing themselves on a dash cam video.

And where is the right to privacy line drawn? Is a police officer on his  meal break in his cruiser fair game for public humiliation if he is having a discussion with his wife or partner about their sex life caught on video?

Should these videos be released if they don't involve elements of a crime or a civilian complaint, no matter how funny they are, without the officer's permission?

Imagine what can be recorded on body cameras. Bathroom breaks, phone calls, personal conversations

And I do have a sense of humor , the video is hilarious.