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Thursday, September 8, 2016

THE PASSING OF AN ERA AT HPD

Hartford Police Chief James Rovella today announced the passing of one of the longest serving officers in recent HPD history. Officer Patrick J. Sullivan, known to his co-workers and friends as "PJ" retired recently after serving HPD and the people of Hartford for over 36 years.

PJ retired as Hartford Police badge number 1 several months ago, having served in the Patrol division and most recently in the Traffic Division. PJ also served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps I will post more details as they are made available.

PJ's wake is scheduled for Monday at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road in Wethersfield from 4:00PM to 7:00PM and the funeral will be held Tuesday , September 13th, at 10:00am at Saint Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Avenue in Hartford followed by burial in Marlborough Cemetery in Marlborough.

My condolences to the Sullivan and sincere thanks for PJ's service to our Country and our City

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

SENATOR COLEMAN FIGHTS BACK

Hartford Democrats are battling.

Hartford Councilman John Gale informed members of the Hartford Democratic Town Committee by e-mail today , that he and Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings are  being sued by State Senator Eric Coleman
Here is Gale's e-mail:
       On August 10, 2016, I was sued by State Senator Eric D. Coleman when a state marshal left papers at my home.
2.      The law suit was filed in court last Friday, September 2, 2016.
3.      The suit against me arises from events surrounding the Democratic party primary election contest of August 12, 2014 between Shawn Wooden and Eric Coleman.
4.      Prior to that primary, on or about July 17, 2014, I filed a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC).  
5.      My complaint to the SEEC was that Senator Coleman used public funds to further his success in that primary election when he had the legislature pay for two district-wide mailers, one on July 11, 2014 and one on July 14, 2014.
6.      The SEEC determined (wrongly in my mind) that the mailers did not offend the normal scope of constituent mailers so as to merit additional scrutiny. 
7.      Senator Coleman now alleges that he suffered “insult, damage to reputation, intimidation, abuse, shock, embarrassment, humiliation, mental anguish and emotional pain and suffering” as a result of my filing this complaint with the SEEC.
8.      He is seeking economic and non-economic damages in excess of $15,000, including punitive, double and treble damages. 
9.      The counts against me sound in vexatious suit and malicious prosecution.
         He has also sued Cynthia Jennings.  She filed the same complaint as I did with the SEEC.
1      A copy of the law suit is attached.    


John Q. Gale

Here is the actual lawsuit filed:

3 HPD DUI CHECKPOINTS THIS WEEK

HARTFORD POLICE TO CONDUCT DUI ENFORCEMENT CHECKPOINT
(Hartford, CT.) – The Hartford Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Enforcement Checkpoint onThursday, September 8, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., in the 200 Block of New Britain Avenue.

HARTFORD POLICE TO CONDUCT DUI ENFORCEMENT CHECKPOINT
(Hartford, CT.) – The Hartford Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Enforcement Checkpoint onFriday, September 9, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., in the 800 Block of Asylum Avenue.

HARTFORD POLICE TO CONDUCT DUI ENFORCEMENT CHECKPOINT
(Hartford, CT.) – The Hartford Police Department Traffic Division will conduct a DUI Enforcement Checkpoint onSaturday, September 10, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., on Jennings Road near Interstate 91 South.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

DPW WORKER ARRESTED ON GUN CHARGES AFTER JULY 9, 2016 SHOOTING

On July 9, 2016, at 6:13pm, Hartford Police Department patrol officers and members of the Hartford Shooting Task Force responded to the Blue Five Corners convenience store, located at 214 Westland Street, in response to a shooting. Upon arrival it was determined that a shooting had occurred in the parking lot outside. The Detectives were able to view and retrieve video surveillance footage of the incident. Furthermore shell casings were also recovered from the parking lot. The video footage depicts a shooting suspect, later identified as Stacy Asberry, in an exchange of gunfire with a 2nd suspect (not yet charged).

The Detectives began further investigating the incident including witness interviews, extensive video analysis, and social media research. This resulted in Stacy Asberry becoming positively identified as the one of the two shooters.

On September 1, 2016 an arrest warrant was submitted to G.A. 14, charging Stacy Asberry with Criminal Attempt Assault 1st Degree, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Carrying a Pistol w/out a Permit, Weapons in a Motor Vehicle, and Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree. The arrest warrant was approved on the same date with a $200,000 cash /surety bond.

On the evening of September 1 , 2016 Asberry agreed to meet with Detectives at 50 Jennings Road and was taken into custody without incident. A debrief interview was conducted of Asberry who refused to cooperate or provide a statement, he was then transported to the PSC for booking and processing procedures. Asberry has 5 previous Hartford arrests.

During the investigative process it was determined that Asberry is currently employed by the City of Hartford as a Department of Public Works employee. As of today, Asberry is on unauthorized, unpaid leave. His status and this incident will be reviewed by the DPW through the proper administrative processes next week.

Monday, August 29, 2016

ANOTHER KICK IN THE TEETH FOR HARTFORD CITY HALL

A long running lawsuit has been decided against the City of Hartford, and it may just push the City one step closer to bankruptcy. . In the case ,Serrano Vs. Gaitor, decided last week, a judgement of $6.25 million dollars was awarded against the City of Hartford. Although no one is commenting on the record for the City, it is believed the City of Hartford intends to appeal the verdict
Here is a 2014 document that outlines some of the issues in the case:

"The City of Hartford has signed a legal agreement to provide relocation assistance to tenants displaced by its code enforcement activity. The agreement is the result of a contempt action filed by Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc. (GHLA), which charged that the City was not fulfilling its responsibilities under state law and a previous class action settlement reached 30 years ago.


Under the agreement, tenants who are ordered by the City to leave their apartments due to unfit conditions will receive a notice from the City of their right to apply for relocation assistance under the Connecticut Uniform Relocation Assistance Act. The assistance may include help finding replacement housing, reasonable moving expenses, temporary housing, and some rental assistance to secure a comparable new apartment. The City has agreed to accept retroactive applications from tenants who have been displaced by City code enforcement activities since April 10, 2012. Tenants who have been ordered to leave their apartments as a result of City of Hartford code enforcement activities should contact the City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services, at (860) 757-4700.

GHLA attorneys Thamar Esperance, David A. Pels, and Cecil J. Thomas represent the class of affected tenants. Tenants’ attorney Cecil J. Thomas said, "We are pleased that tenants who are ordered by the City to leave their apartments will now get the help they need during a stressful and disruptive time in their lives."

Several hundred Hartford families are displaced by the City’s code enforcement activities every year. Landlords are responsible for reimbursing the City for relocation expenditures paid to tenants ordered to leave the landlords’ unfit building. Under the terms of the agreement, GHLA and the City of

Hartford will continue to work together to develop policies and procedures that will ensure the provision of relocation assistance to displaced tenants in accordance with state law.
The parties will return to court on April 7, 2014 so that a judge can decide two remaining issues in the case: whether the City must pay tenants who were not offered relocation assistance the value of their lost and damaged property; and what reports are required to ensure compliance with the Relocation Assistance Act. The case is called Serrano v. Gaitor. "


 




 

WHAT HAPPENED?

 
 
The Ebony Horsewomen had promised the City of Hartford and its residents a major event to take place in Keney Park in a couple weeks. They had promised it to be a huge economic benefit to the City.

Now according to the Ebony Horsewomen's Facebook page, the Connecticut Classic Horse Show has gone the way of Riverfest.

Is this becoming a Hartford tradition to cancel events two weeks before the event?

According to their Facebook page today:

"Dear friends,

Connecticut Classic Horse Show and Ebony Horsewomen, Inc regret to inform you that, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have cancelled the 2016 Connecticut Classic Horse Show. We are disheartened because we know many people were looking forward to this event. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their enthusiasm, support, and help advocating for this event.
We hope to be able to bring the Connecticut Classic Horse Show to Hartford in 2017."

It is unclear at this point what City resources and if any city dollars had been put into the event yet.

Maybe next year.