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Sunday, June 7, 2015

LIKE HIM OR NOT, THE MAN CAN PREACH

As of Friday, I wasn't sure if I was going to attend the Sharpton Rally.  I don't always care for his messages. Right now in Hartford, I wish we had leaders that were respected enough to unify and guide our community so that we didn't have the need for outsiders to come here. Since we don't have those leaders in place currently I guess we need to take what we can get for help.

The lack of those leaders at the initial kickoff from Mount Moriah Church was noticeable. Councilman Kyle Anderson was inside the Church, as was Mayoral candidate Judge Bob Killian and his wife Candace, Congressman Larson was there also as well as many other community leaders. But no Mayor, no Council President, no Council Majority Leader, or even the Council Minority leader.  The Rally started with a lot of energy as the community gathered to try to bring peace to our City

A singer identified only by his first name , Cedric, was called up to the altar to lead the group in song and he sang accapella a religious song that was very inspiring and made me realize the untapped talent we have among us. From there the group moved to  Barbour Street, less than a block away from a recent homicide scene and about two blocks from where a young man was shot in the face last week.

As usual , the posers in our Community made themselves apparent.  The lead of the march was quickly filled with the late arrival politicians trying to show themselves as leaders by being in the front of the crowd for the media cameras.

The back of the group was also important to note as the people that were there for the right reasons, to support a community in fear and grieving.  Congressman Larson and Judge Killian as well as several ministers,  Reverend Paul Ritter and others,  brought up the rear. I guess their leadership is already known so they don't have to pose for the cameras like the front of the pack.

 The march proceeded through some of Hartford's more dangerous streets, Barbour Street, Martin Street, Garden Street and eventually ended on Albany Avenue at  Shiloh Baptist  Church. As we proceeded south on Garden Street I couldn't help but think how many vigils I have attended on Garden Street in the single block between Mather and Albany for homicide victims. Far too many.

Once inside a fully packed Shiloh, the preaching began by the ministers in attendance. Reverend Henry Brown, who has been on the forefront of Hartford's violence problems for over a decade was exceptional  in his words. Al Sharpton eventually came up to the pulpit and gave his words to the community in attendance. His words were not without conflict, especially when he made a plea for donations to his America Action Network . Probably not the best timing, but Sharpton is not only a minister but also a politician and politics requires money.

One person claiming to be a pastor headed for the main aisle and began shouting "How dare you?" at Sharpton. And while his point was valid, I think his timing was more for the theatrics of the event. I have never seen him out in the community advocating for Hartford's poor and impoverished nor have I ever seen him at a vigil for a homicide victim to support their families But at least he got his few seconds of fame. Sharpton's rebuke of him was also quick and severe, I think he will hopefully find a more suitable way to deliver his message next time.

Sharpton definitely knows how to preach and he brought the gathering to their feet to cheer and applaud his words numerous times, as well as leading the group in song with the Shiloh choir throughout the event. In the end, I think most people left with a sense of hope for Hartford's turnaround. We will see .

 We also need to keep an eye out for the promised memorial and see how that moves along. All of the cash raised was promised to build that memorial with the names of homicide victims on it. With over 300 homicide victims in the last several years, that should be a good size memorial.

 The video below is part of Sharpton's remarks. I apologize for the quality and the layout. I just upgrade to the I-phone 6 plus Friday and I still haven't got the hang of it yet, but the audio is good

Friday, June 5, 2015

JUDGE KILLIAN OFFERS POLICE STAFFING SUGGESTIONS

Right about now we need solutions and suggestions, not attention grabbing stunts. One of those doing that is Mayoral candidate Bob Killian. Killian is stepping up and trying to identify potential solutions that will have a positive impact on Hartford's future. His thoughts are driven by common sense, and after reading his ideas, it makes it clearer and clearer to me every day why Bob Killian is the right choice for Hartford , when we need solid leadership the most.



Wednesday, June 3, 2015

A MISSED OPPORTUNITY, HARTFORD FIRE BLOWS IT

Monday evening during torrential rains throughout the region, a call came into the Hartford Dispatch Center reporting a meowing cat stuck in a storm drain on Nahum Drive. A dispatcher apparently dispatched a fire assignment to check put the situation.Almost immediately after the engine and District Chief were dispatched , the District Chief cancelled the action. Apparently unlike almost every other agency across the Country, according to the District Chief, "Hartford doesn't do cats".

Fortunately, a dispatcher didn't take the Hartford Fire Departments District Chiefs word as the final answer. The Dispatcher decided to try the Hartford Police to show some compassion for a creature in distress. She made the correct call. Sergeant Winston Brooks , who was the HPD street supervisor at the timer was called. Brooks has had his own unwarranted attention recently regarding not letting civilians into the Hartford Animal Shelter. Brooks was recently villainized on a Facebook page over his efforts to protect the City from unnecessary liability He would not allow civilians trying to have unsupervised access to the animal shelter

It seems minor, but imagine the law suits if HPD allowed someone unrestricted access and they were to be bit or mauled by a dangerous animal? These aren't all lovable puppies in the Shelter. So back to the cat, or as it eventually turned out, the kitten.

Brooks and several other HPD Officers responded to 73 Nahum Drive. Sure enough, the sounds of the cat in distress were clearly coming from the storm drain. HFD still refused to respond, the MDC was also less than responsive. Brooks and the HPD officers refused to allow the kitten to drown.

Officer Holly Donahue, clearly an animal lover as a HPD k-9 Officer was on her way home from what am I am told. Officer Donahue is also a member of the HPD Dive Team and she heard the radio conversations about the rescue effort. She immediately responded back into the City, donned her dry suit ( like a wet suit  but it is sealed instead of letting water in) She offered to be lowered down into the storm drain on a rope and attempt to coax the kitten out for the rescue.

This was also as the rain continued and flash flood warnings were in place throughout the state. Probably not the safest thing to do or the best place to be, but HFD still refused to assist. Besides, Mike and Molly was on TV and who wants to go outside in a rain  storm just to rescue a kitten in distress. The cops are on the streets all the time anyway, so they are used to it.

The rescue attempt was successful, the 8 month old kitten probably used up one of its 9 lives but it lived to see another day thanks to Officer Donahue, Sergeant Brooks and all the other HPD personnel involved. Shame on HFD for turning their backs on a creature in distress. Where is the Facebook page about that?

Sunday, May 31, 2015

KILLIAN INTERVIEW FROM CPBN

When I first started this blog, my main goal was to bring about change in Hartford. To a large degree, I think I have accomplished some of that. As part of that goal, I think a change in leadership is needed to bring about more of that needed change. Some of you may agree with me, some of you unfortunately may not, but regardless I am going to try to educate as many people as possible why I have made the choices I have made.

If you agree, hopefully you will learn why I think Bob Killian is the right choice for Hartford, and maybe you will learn something that will help affirm that choice or persuade you to consider changing your support to Bob from someone else, If you don't want to be educated, there is a red "X" in the upper right corner, click on that. In the meantime for those that want to be educated voters, please tolerate me and see if you agree me that Bob is the best choice for Hartford.

This is an interesting interview and mostly questions you will never hear at any debate, but I think it gives a little more insight into who Bob Killian really is. I do have to do something about that Yankee's support though.

 Media Lab interns at the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network interviewed Hartford Mayoral Candidates as a part of our (I)NTERVIEW series. Watch as these political candidates reveal personal tidbits about their favorite hobbies, their biggest inspirations, and their reason for wanting to become mayor.

I found the link to this video on Bob's website, killianformayor.com

Thanks again for your  indulgence


indulgence

ARREST WARRANT FOR PASTOR'S SHOOTING SUSPECT

The Hartford Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for last Sunday's double shooting, including the assault on a pastor.  Aaron Taylor, 12/17/89, of Windsor CT has an active arrest warrant for a shooting that occurred at 932 Capital Avenue on 05/24/2015. This incident was documented under HPD case number 15-15639. He is currently charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Assault in the First Degree. The warrant carries a 1.2 million dollar judge set bond. Use caution when dealing with Taylor as the firearm in this incident has NOT been recovered. Taylor operated a black Nissan Maxima in this incident although the marker plate is not known at this time. Taylor is also a suspect in other crimes. CT Inmate # 350467

Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to contact Law Enforcement

Saturday, May 30, 2015

ARE YOU SERIOUS? HAS SEGARRA LOST HIS MIND OR JUST OUT OF TOUCH

That might be a harsh headline, but it is exactly what came to my mind Saturday morning. ( Actually , I wonder quite frequently if Pedro has lost his mind)

After a shooting on Barbour Strreet Saturday morning, Segarra was quick to arrive on the scene to begin comforting the neighborhood. What a leader, where did he find the time to take a training course on how leaders are supposed to act? And I think that is exactly what most people observing Segarra's behavior are thinking, it's an ACT. An election year act when he has realized that he is fading quickly and his job hopes as Mayor of Hartford are shrinking quicker than the support for his baseball endeavors.

I am convinced he has lost his mind , or at least his grasp on reality when I read a media quote attributed to our delusional Mayor:" Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, who was comforting the Barbour Street families, said the area is usually quiet.

Is there another Barbour Street in Hartford I am not familiar with?
Usually quiet? Someone might want to remind our poor Mayor that the crime scene tape had just barely been taken down from the previous homicide on Barbour Street The scene where a 23 year old man lost his life earlier in the week, where a vigil for him will be held at 4:00PM this afternoon.

Mayor Segarra, homicide vigils don't occur in neighborhoods that are "usually" quiet. And there have been far too many vigils on Barbour Street for it to be classified as "usually" quiet. There has been far too much gunfire  and crime on Barbour Street  for it  to be classified by anyone of sound mind as "usually " quiet

Mayor Segarra, if Barbour Street is your version of  "usually" quiet our City is most definitely doomed under your  so called "leadership" Oh and those residents you were busy comforting, honestly, how did they react when you told them their neighborhood was "usually" quiet? Did they openly laugh or did they wait until you left their "usually" quiet neighborhood?

And I noticed in the photograph of you "comforting " the neighbors in their "usually" quiet neighborhood, you were alone. It might be a good idea to have the bobblehead Council members pre-program Barbour Street in their GPS. Maybe they can then find it quickly to accompany  you on your next "leadership" tour after the next homicide or shooting in the "usually" quiet Barbour Street area. I doubt it is an area  that any of you regularly visit without the  camera opportunities.

Everything is good in Segarraland