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Monday, April 13, 2015

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Take a look at the mandatory filings that were required to be submitted by Friday for Mayoral candidates. One look will tell you why Hartford is the financial mess that it is.

The long shot candidate, Working Family Party Councilman Joel Cruz claims that he has raised
$4800.00 so far, of which he has spent all but $150.00. He also claims expenses in excess of $9800.00 It kind of sounds like the way the Hartford City Budget is run, where expenses far exceed income.

Good job Councilman Cruz, keep it up and I am sure there will be a spot waiting for you on Hartford's Management and Budget Committee

Here is a link to Steve Goode's story in the Courant.

 The itemized filings from each candidate will be posted here later in the week and you will be able to see for yourself where the support is coming from

A LEADER AND A FOLLOWER

One of those in the picture is a leader that makes us all proud, the other one not so much. One of those in the picture belongs at the rally, the other one needed to get a pass to hang around his neck to be admitted ( photo Shelly Sindland, facebook)

Friday, April 10, 2015

COUNCIL LEADERSHIP WORKING TO BUY OFF REGISTRARS

It just never ends. According to City Hall sources and at least one Councilperson familiar with the situation, a deal is in the works to buy off Hartford's three registrar's to avoid impeachment hearings. The deal to accept the $50,000 payment apparently is being offered until 4:00PM today. Apparently, according to the sources, at least one of the Registrars has accepted the deal

It is unclear why the Council majority is taking the steps for the buy out. It would seem that if the Council felt that they had the probable cause to begin the process, following through with the hearings should not be a problem. Apparently though, the Constitutionality of removing elected is now before a Superior Court Judge and the council is now less confident of their position. This is after the process has potentially cost the taxpayers of Hartford upwards  of $100,000for attorneys fee

Only in Hartford. I guess we are just lucky we have this extra  money to squander.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

GOVERNOR MALLOY ANNOUNCES UCONN PARADE AND RALLY FOR SUNDAY

GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES VICTORY PARADE AND RALLY HONORING UCONN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 12 IN HARTFORD

Parade Kicks Off at 3PM, Followed by Rally at the XL Center

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the Hartford Business Improvement District, the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Sunday, April 12, 2015 to congratulate the UConn Women’s Basketball team for winning the 2015 NCAA Basketball National Championship.

 

The parade begins at 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol building and will be followed by a victory rally on Trumbull Street, directly in front of the XL Center at approximately 3:30 p.m.

 

Parade and rally organizers are relying on private donations to finance the festivities.

 

“The UConn Women’s Basketball team, led by Head Coach Geno Auriemma, has for the third year in a row shown the nation that the spirit and strength of college basketball resides in Connecticut,” Governor Malloy said.  “On Sunday, let’s show the team how proud we are of their success by honoring them with a victory celebration they will remember for a lifetime.”

 

The Governor specifically thanked the Hartford Business Improvement District for once again hosting this event, organizing its sponsors, and giving the residents of Connecticut an opportunity to celebrate another national championship from our state.

 

Organizers continue to rely on private funds to support the parade and the rally.  This event is produced by the Hartford Business Improvement District, in collaboration with the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut, and a number of civic and business organizations.  Businesses may choose from several sponsorship levels ranging from $10,000 to $2,500 or less.  To discuss parade sponsorship opportunities, quickly contact Michael Zaleski at the Hartford Business Improvement District at 860-728-2274 or email mzaleski@hartfordbid.com.

 

The parade route will begin at the State Capitol building on the corner of Trinity Street and Elm Street.  It will then proceed down Elm Street moving alongside Bushnell Park, turn north up Trumbull Street, and end at the XL Center, where the rally will be held.

 

 

MEDIA CREDENTIALS

 

Media credentials will be required to access the press risers (including mult box) on Trumbull Street across from the XL Center, and to enter the XL Center for interviews with the coaches, players and staff following the rally.

 

All requests for media credentials must be made via email by Friday, April 10 by 5:00 p.m.  To request credentials, email Patrick McKenna of the UConn Athletic Communications Office at patrick.mckenna@uconn.edu.

 

Once approved, credentials should be picked up on Sunday, April 12, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the press risers on Trumbull Street, across from the XL Center entrance.  On parade day, the credential pick-up contact is Laura Soll at 860-688-4499 or 860-833-4466, Lsoll@aol.com.

 

For information on media staging on downtown city streets, contact Lt. Chris Mefferd of the Hartford Police at meffc001@hartford.gov.

 

CITY AND HFD FINED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATIONS IN FIREFIGHTER DEATH

Below is the report from the State of Connecticut detailing violations and fines for the City of Hartford's actions that may have been responsible for the line of duty death of firefighter Kevin Bell. The report from the State Police and State Fire Marshall is yet to be released.

Note that the letter is addressed directly to Mayor Pedro Segarra as the responsible party.

Friday, April 3, 2015

SOMETHING IS DRASTiCALLY WRONG HERE

This mornings Courant had a story about the CEO of Traveller's, Jay S. Fishman, and his annual compensation package of $30.29 million for 2014.It must have been a bad year because prior to that he took home almost $44million. Aetna's CEO Mark Bertolini was compensated $36.3million for the year ending 2012.I know Traveller's main product line now is not health insurance, but in the same edition of the Courant was a story about a woman that had to stop taking blood pressure medication because she couldn't afford the cost.You can read that article here. Bertolini has also been in the news lately for actually taking care of his employees and raising their minimum wage pay.

People should not have to make a decision between their mortgage or buying medication when CEO's  are taking home millions of dollars in compensation. It is not just Insurance, but many other commodities people are struggling to pay such as electric bills.

Instead of everyone proclaiming "Obabamcare" as a success, maybe they should talk to the woman not taking her blood pressure medication and asking her opinion if it is working. Do it soon though before her stroke happens and she may be unable to respond or answer anyone. What will it cost us to care for her at that point? Probably far more than the preventative or maintenance cost if she was taking her medication.

No one should have to clip coupons like they are buying a six pack of Pepsi to be able to purchase life saving medications. Especially not while the insurance industry thinks nothing of giving multi million dollar compensation packages.

I have a very generic and widely used medication  I take for type 2 Diabetes. I also have a great pharmacist at CVS that looks for coupons and savings whenever I order the medication ( Thanks Marta). She had encouraged me to sign up for a CVS savings plan that essentially covers most  generic refills for $14.99 for a 3 month supply. The savings card is $12.99 per year.

Last year the card had expired when I refilled and when I picked up the prescription , imagine my surprise when the cashier rang up the refill and told me it was $240.00.She asked if I had Insurance coverage and at the time I told her no, but I had the CVS discount plan. That's when she told me it had expired, did I want to renew it. Definitely yes I answered. Several minutes later I was leaving with my $14.99 refill for 3 months, which just minutes earlier was $240.00. That is one hell of a markup.

It just goes to my point that the system is very broken and needs to be fixed and these compensation packages are immoral when people are struggling like this.