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Friday, May 27, 2016

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE COURTROOM"


I don't think we will be seeing any peanuts or cracker jacks at Dunkin Donut's Park this year, and possibly for some time. Unfortunately we probably won't be seeing any of those related jobs for the Park that were promised to Hartford's residents (please put those home buying plans or college plans on hold until some real jobs come through) Hartford taxpayers are still footing the bill for this colossal mess. But, at least the lawyers will be  kept busy and making money. Luckily very few Hartford contractors got work on the project , so we wont be bankrupting them at least.

I wonder how much longer Dunkin Donuts will honor their agreement and allow their good name to be associated with this mess? Right now, there is no benefit to them or any of the other corporate sponsors that were lined up for the season

STATEMENT: MAYOR BRONIN CALLS THE PERFORMANCE BOND ON DONO BASEBALL STADIUM DEVELOPER 
CENTERPLAN CONSTRUCTION CO.“At this point, the developers have repeatedly missed deadlines 
and, we believe, continue to run over-budget. We have no choice but to bring the surety to 
the table to manage and finance completion of the ballpark.” — Mayor Luke Bronin

Hartford, Conn. (May 27, 2016) — BACKGROUND: Today, Mayor Luke Bronin officially called 
the $47,050,000 performance bond on DoNo baseball stadium developer Centerplan Construction
Company, asserting that they have defaulted on the Design Build Agreement they have with
the City (Click here to read the official letter sent to the surety: . Mayor Bronin also
made the following on-the-record statement regarding today’s action:

“This afternoon, the City formally notified the surety, Arch Insurance Company, that the 
developer has failed to perform their obligations, and that the surety has a duty to make 
sure the project is completed at no further cost to the taxpayer of Hartford. Back in
January, when it became clear that the developers were far behind schedule and millions 
over budget, we brought all parties to the table to finance the gap. That was the right 
thing to do to keep things moving. At this point, however, the developers have repeatedly
missed deadlines and, we believe, continue to run over-budget. We have no choice but to
bring the surety to the table to manage and finance completion of the ballpark. The 
developer has threatened to abandon the job if we call the bond, but to do that would 
be another breach of contract. They have a clear obligation to keep working, and if they
believe that calling the bond wash¹t necessary, they can prove it by finishing the job 
as soon as possible with the resources they’ve been given.”

NBC CONNECTICUT TROUBLESHOOTERS REPORT ON BOE MIAMI TRIP

MAYOR BRONIN: KENEY PARK GOLF COURSE AWARDED RENOVATION OF THE YEAR BY GOLF INC. MAGAZINE

Today, Mayor Luke Bronin announced that Hartford’s Keney Park Golf Course has been awarded “Renovation of the Year 2016” by Golf Inc. magazine.

“Keney Park Golf Course is one of Hartford’s many treasures,” said Mayor Bronin. “The award brings national attention to this beautiful, historic, and newly restored 18-hole course that is already proving to be a destination of choice for golfers throughout Hartford and the Greater Hartford Region. I encourage golfers of all ages — and levels of ability — to come play a round at one of the best courses in the state.”

The 18-hole, par 70 golf course occupies 6,014 yards of Hartford’s historic 700-acre Keney Park, located in the city’s North End. The first nine holes of the Keney Park Golf Course were finished in 1927, and the remaining nine were completed in 1930.

In 2013, the City closed the course after a contractor that had been operating it since 2009 allowed the course to deteriorate, failing to make required capital improvements. The contractor also cut down hundreds of trees without proper permission.

Two judges for Golf Inc., in awarding Keney Park Golf Course this honor, specifically noted that the renovation was grounded in history.

“So much great golf course design has been erased under the guise of ‘renovation improvements,’” said Forrest Richardson, owner of a golf course architecture firm and former winner of a Renovation of the Year project. “The work here is not only grounded in history, but it brings golfers face to face with an era of design that has all but vanished.”

“Excellent restoration and modernization of the infrastructure of this course,” said Oscar Rodriguez, Vice President of Heritage Links, who has a distinguished background in golf construction. “All while embracing the history of the site.”

On May 1, 2016, Keney Park Golf Course officially re-opened to the public for the first time in three years. Currently, the course is open from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm, seven days a week.

  *   Click here to read the story in Golf Inc. magazine: http://bit.ly/1VjNzwX.
  *   Click here for photos of Keney Park Golf Course: http://bit.ly/1TC482p.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

WHAT DID THEY SAY?

The raw, unedited video below is of the Hartford Stadium Authority's meeting earlier today. During that meeting the members voted unanimously to "call the bond" on the Dunkin Donuts Park stadium

Many of you have called me to ask me what happened, so here it is.

MORE POSITIVE NEWS FOR HFD

It seems like just a few short weeks ago the Hartford Fire Department was headed for a major meltdown.At least 85 to 90 high ranking and experienced firefighters were expected to be heading for retirement.

Many of those were expected to leave over  uncertainty and misinformation or bad information that was  swirling about over their futures and their pensions due to budget problems.

Now it seems that eventually accurate information was put out and those pension fears have been calmed.

According to a HFD source, at least 34 or more of those retirees have rescinded their planned retirements. Those that have already officially retired area ble to come back under a grace  period.

Of the 8 Deputy Chiefs who were expected to retire, now only 2 are actually taking retirement, and reportedly only one Captain is leaving.

Overall , great news for HFD   and Hartford's residents.

Communicating makes a huge difference

ISN'T THIS CONVENIENT ?

Geez, I wonder how these things happen? Coincidence?  I think not. The following statement was issued today by Hartford's Superintendent of Schools. I wonder if she just completed a BASIC management course and suddenly decided how to identify waste. Did she suddenly get a revelation from that little devil on her shoulder, whispering in her ear.

Since I am not a  considered a legitimate journalist according to Kelvin Roldan and Pedro Zayas from the Hartford Schools, I doubt it had anything to do with my FOI requests that exposed the almost $70,000-.00 junket  during a dire budget crisis, that involved  sending over 30 employees to Miami to pick up an award.

Quite possibly it occurred because a "legitimate" journalist from NBC Connecticut's Troubleshooters,my mentor, Len Besthoff, was made aware of the trip and reckless spending by "We the People" and is featuring the story on the Nightly news tonight on Channel 30..

Whatever the reason, however change takes place, it is a good thing,. and this is definitely not the end of it yet. The lid is about to come off the operations at the Hartford Schools, and this is only happening with your help and information. Once again a heartfelt thank you for doing the right thing.

The statement from the Superintendent is below


Dear Employees of the Hartford Public Schools,

Our decentralized professional development approach that is inherent in the operation of a Portfolio District has recently raised concerns. More to the point, what was an opportunity for celebration in receiving the Magnet Schools of America Donna Grady-Creer District Award for Magnet Sustainability, has instead revealed a flaw in our travel approval process. We are honored to receive this award and, clearly, the Hartford Public Schools needed presence at the event.

In addition to receiving this prestigious distinction, 11 of our schools also received awards, while our staff successfully submitted four presentations. This is important because it positions the district for revenue opportunities as a recognized leader in educational innovation. However, it is also clear that there was no need for such a large presence. Over the last few months I have consistently been clear about our need to face the reality of our budget and the city’s fiscal crisis.

As such, effective immediately, I am ordering a moratorium on all out-of-state travel that is non-essential and that would require payment, in whole or in part, by the Hartford Public Schools budget. This moratorium shall apply to all travel expenses not already incurred as of today, May 26, 2016. Essential travel is limited to the following: travel that is necessary to maintain academic accreditation; required professional development in support of the core academic program of our schools and the district; or required travel by a granting institution necessary to maintain funding. In all cases, travel will be reviewed and approved by the Chief School Improvement Officer and the Chief of Staff. All pre-approved travel is immediately placed under review.

In addition, I have ordered that all policies and procedures related to participation in conferences and other activities that require out-of-state travel to be immediately reviewed and that new processes be put in place.

Once again, I am asking for your diligent attention and compliance with this directive.

Sincerely,

Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Ed.D.
Superintendent