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Monday, January 25, 2016

FINALLY , A PASSING GRADE FOR HARTFORD'S PLOWING EFFORTS

Hartford has traditionally been a snowplowing disaster.. It was so bad that during a Mayoral debate last summer , former Mayor Pedro Segarra blamed Hartford's dismal efforts on our suburban neighbors coming into Hartford and sweeping snow off their cars, blocking Hartford's streets.

Now I know Saturday's storm was small by many standards, but there was  so much different in the DPW efforts to clear Hartford's streets. I usually drive around once the snow stops to see what is going on in the City. I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of every street I drove down Sunday.

One of the big barometers I gauge by is how the streets are open. Typically, the streets are rarely plowed "curb to curb" meaning that the right lanes are usually left with a pile of snow taking up half of the travel lane Farmington Avenue is usually choked down to one open lane in each direction, bringing rush hour traffic to an impassable mess. Sunday morning the street  was open wide and the curbs were visible on  each side
Farmington Avenue in front of Saint Joseph's Cathedral, plowed curb to curb
 
New Park Avenue and just about every other street I drove down was plowed well and passable. For the first time I can recall, I couldn't tell where Hartford ended and West Hartford began. Usually I can tell when I have crossed into west Hartford because the plowing of their streets are pristine
New Park Avenue near Park Street looking South,. you can actually see the road
 
Therre just seemed to be a lot more co-ordination this time in the plowing efforts. It was comical though the numerous instructions being given to plow drivers over the DPW radio to plow Elm Street and be sure to put "plenty of material" down so that when the Mayor would look out the window of his home, he would see the results of their efforts. It might surprise them to know that I doubt the Mayor was sitting at home monitoring their efforts I think he was most likely out viewing their efforts first hand from every corner of the City. Its called management
 
I hope these efforts were not a one time occurrence and the next storm will show we do know how to do it right. We all have frequently bashed the DPW efforts over snow removal, but I think it is also important to let them know we appreciate it when they do it right.
 

DUPED AGAIN

 
Columbus and State Street intersection, The former Channel 3 "Broadcast House" site. Now a vacant lot for several years
Photo from the Hartford Courant article below
 
 
When are we going to stop falling for every developer that walks through the doors at City Hall with a fancy set of artists rendering

The Hartford Courant story below is about a property and its delusional development that I have written about here a few times previously. You can read the Courants story here :http://www.courant.com/real-estate/property-line/hc-constitution-plaza-new-tower-20160125-story.html

Maybe we could at least have local artists design a "Welcome to Hartford " mural for the exposed walls of the vacant lot

Saturday, January 23, 2016

LUKE'S LEMONADE STAND


It is often said that when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. Luke Bronin ha been working tirelessly to make lemonade out of the truckload of lemons that Pedro Segarra left behind for him in the Mayor's Office when he took over January 1st..

It is unfortunate that in the first two weeks into his new term as Mayor, Luke Bronin had to focus on saving a team instead of building his own team. By most accounts, Luke tackled the problem head on  and brought the problem to a successful resolution, at least for the immediate future I know it took a lot of work and many people working together. If it shows anything at all, I think it shows that unlike his predecessor who was always right, (or at least Pedro thought so), Bronin listened to advice and came up with a workable solution.

Is it a solution that has satisfied everyone? Of course not. But what were the alternatives? Most likely  lengthy, prolonged and expensive litigation if any other course was taken. To those still challenging the Stadium, what would you propose as an alternative. And what  would the costs of those alternatives be just in attorney fees and potential legal settlements?Probably much more than the estimated $5million share for taxpayers now.  Litigation that would not be quick and would drag on for  years.

All that time , Hartford would still be shouldering the costs of the debt on the project. There was no way we could just walk away. It was a bad , poorly conceived plan from the start, but at this point we are stuck with it.

As Mayor Bronin clearly stated, twice, during his announcement, this was not a "Mission Accomplished" chest thumping moment for Hartford. This was making the best of a bad situation without making it worse. Despite the "Done Deal" announced by Pedro Segarra, this deal was and is far from done.

The stadium deal needs strong , professional supervision to keep this project on track . Supervision that actually understands large scale Construction management and people that are not afraid to ask questions and keep the public informed. Sitting behind a dais once a month and giving defensive sound bites to the media is not suitable management.  The taxpayers of Hartford need to be reassured that someone is watching their backs on this project.

That clearly has not happened to this point and to maintain the public trust and confidence it needs to happen now, and soon.If the Stadium Authority members will not voluntarily resign, the Council needs to move to rescind their appointments

In the meantime, hopefully Mayor Bronin can shut down the lemonade stand and start focusing on the necessary business at hand. Somehow, I think the lemons will keep coming as more of the Segarra years are unraveled.

Friday, January 22, 2016

PARKING BAN DECLARED FOR HARTFORD STREETS

SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M.: MAYOR BRONIN DECLARES SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING BAN

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(January 22, 2016) Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has declared a snow emergency parking ban for the City of Hartford, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016 and ending at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2016. All Hartford District Public Schools will be closed and lots will be available for parking, however, cars must be moved by noon on Sunday.

“Latest forecasts are predicting up to six inches of snow in the city, and your cooperation with the parking ban will allow our DPW team to get the streets clear and back to normal as quickly as possible," said Bronin.  "Once a storm reaches four inches of accumulation, it's important that our crews are able to plow to the curb and avoid any damage to cars.  I urge residents to take necessary steps to help us secure safe emergency access routes and get the streets cleared quickly."

During a snow emergency parking ban, all on-street parking is prohibited throughout the City of Hartford. Any vehicles not removed from City streets by the start of the parking ban will be ticketed and towed. Residents without access to off-street parking should move their vehicles to one of the following authorized parking areas before the start of the parking ban:

·         Colt Park – Warwarme Street Lot                 
·         Dillon Stadium – Curcombe Street Lot     
·         Elizabeth Park – Asylum Street                  
·         Elizabeth Park – Prospect Avenue            
·         Goodwin Park – Hubbard Avenue            
·         Goodwin Park – Maple Ave. Golf Course                     
·         Keney Park – Woodland Street            
·         Keney Park – Ridgefield Street             
·         Pope Park –Park Terrace Lot   
·         2 Holcomb Street Lot
·         80 Coventry Lot
·         KDA Center Lot – Naugatuck Street            
·         All Hartford District School Parking Lots. For a complete list, visit www.hartfordschools.org/schools and select “District.”

Residents should remove their vehicles from the lots promptly following the end of the parking ban. Residents whose vehicles are towed during the parking ban should contact the Hartford Police Department at (860) 757-4000. The cost for retrieving a towed vehicle is $93.59. An additional $99.00 ticket will be issued, which owners are responsible for paying before the answer date. Please visit http://www.hartford.gov/snow-parking for a list of snow emergency parking locations, and for information regarding towed vehicles. 
 

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR: BRINGING COMMON SENSE, BUSINESS SENSE TO HARTFORD CITY HALL

We don't need any more politicians inside City Hall. I have said for a while now we need people with common sense and business experience from the private sector to get Hartford back on track. We also need people that don't require a learning curve to get  up to speed when they move to Hartford from another State. We need people that have a realistic understanding of sound business concepts. Realistic expectations of Customer Service goals. Someone that can look at overinflated salaries that are so far out of whack with the private sector.

I think Mayor Bronin has found that person right here in our midst.

MAYOR BRONIN ANNOUNCES NOMINATION OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

— NEWS AND COMMUNITY STATEMENT—

(Jan 22, 2016) Today, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced his intention to nominate Bonnie J. Malley as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford.

Ms. Malley currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Phoenix Companies, Inc., where she is responsible for all financial management and oversight as well as investor relations.  

“I am thrilled to nominate Bonnie to serve as Chief Operating Officer,” Mayor Bronin said.  “Bonnie’s extensive leadership experience, including as Chief Financial Officer for a major Hartford-based public company, will be a huge asset to the City of Hartford.  As chair of my transition’s Financial Review and Audit Committee and as a member of the Personnel Committee, Bonnie has already been a critical member of my team.  She is a dedicated resident of Hartford, and she will be a tremendous addition to the team we’re building at City Hall.”

"I am honored to be nominated to serve in Mayor Bronin's Administration at such a critical time for Hartford,” Malley said. “If confirmed by Council, I will work tirelessly to help our city address the current challenges and realize our potential."

Before becoming Phoenix’s Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Malley served as the company’s Chief Administrative Officer and was responsible for Human Resources, IT and other administrative functions.  A proud resident of Hartford, Ms. Malley is a member of the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts’ board of trustees, and serves on the board of directors for the MetroHartford Alliance, the Connecticut Forum and the iQuilt Partnership, among others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western New England College.

Ms. Malley’s nomination is subject to approval by the City Council. She intends to leave Phoenix once the company’s previously announced merger with Nassau Reinsurance Group Holdings is complete. 

ASK MAYOR BRONIN: GET YOUR YARD GOAT ANSWERS

MONDAY: MAYOR BRONIN TO HOST TOWN HALL ON DUNKIN’ DONUTS STADIUM AGREEMENT

— MEDIA ADVISORY—

(Jan 22, 2016) Monday, January 25, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin will host a town hall on the Hartford Stadium Project. Earlier this week, Mayor Bronin announced that the City has received financial commitments from both the team and the developer to help fund a significant portion of the $10.3 million shortfall in the construction of the new Dunkin’ Donuts Park.

The event is an opportunity for Mayor Bronin to answer any questions residents may have about the agreement.

--

WHO: Mayor Bronin
WHAT: Town Hall on Hartford Stadium Project
WHEN: Monday, January 25, 2016; 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hartford Public Library, Atrium, 500 Main Street, Hartford