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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

SOME COLD WEATHER TIPS

This cold weather seems to be here for a while. Until the weather breaks, try to remember a few things.

Number one is protect your pets, try to avoid prolonged exposure to these extreme cold temperatures as well as avoid extended exposure of their paws to the subfreezing ground and chemicals and salt put down for the ice.

Try to keep areas around pipes open allowing the heat to circulate. In many cases it helps to open the doors under kitchen cabinets around sinks and under bathroom vanities to allow heat to reach pipes and keep them from freezing.Pipes on outside walls are especially vulnerable to freezing,

Make sure your outside water faucets are turned off in your basement. Once they are turned off, open the faucet outside to let any standing water drain out to avoid freezing and splitting of the pipes

In case of a "worst case scenario" , familiarize yourself with the location of your water shutoff. In case a pipe should burst, shut off the valve from the street, normally in your basement near the water meter, to stop the water flow and avoid additional damage.

DO NOT ever use your oven or a grill to add additional heat to your home. It is dangerous and electric appliances can over heat and gas appliances and grills produce carbon monoxide. If you feel nauseous or have a headache move outside to an area with fresh air and notify the fire department. They can check for the presence of Carbon Monoxide and check the CO levels inside your home. Consider purchasing a battery operated CO Detector for everyday protection in your home. They are relatively inexpensive and a variety of models are available in Home Improvement stores.

Avoid the use of electric space heaters. Of you do use a heater, make sure it has the automatic shut off if the hater is knocked over, Don't ever leave a space heater unattended and don't use an extension cord to plug it in, The extension cord can over heat and cause a fire. Keep areas around your furnace or boiler clear to avoid fires from unsafely stored items, your furnace is working overtime and generating more heat than usual.

Check on your elderly neighbors. Make sure they are staying warm and have items they need such as medications and food. They may not want to venture outside in the cold and a little neighborly kindness can be very helpful.

And don't forget your car. If you haven't checked the protection level of your antifreeze, have your mechanic test it and make sure your radiator is protected in these low temperatures to avoid freezing and damage to your engine.

An finally, keeps those sidewalks and fire hydrants clear when we do get snow

Monday, January 1, 2018

A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL

There has to be a special place reserved in Hell for anyone that would leave a dog tied outside in this weather to eventually freeze to death. What kind of person would do that? Even to leave the dog in a basement would be more protection than leaving the dog outside with just an old sweatshirt to lay on as  protection from the cold.

No excuse for this treatment.










Saturday, December 23, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIEF



One of the few shining lights in Hartford Government is celebrating a birthday today, in between supervising operations on our City's streets during an ice event.

Happy Birthday Reggie Freeman. Enjoy your day with your beautiful family, you deserve it.

And from what I am told , next year will be a milestone birthday for the Chief ( and no it is not 50)

Happy Birthday Reggie, and best wishes and good health for many more

Friday, December 22, 2017

YOUR MOVE, MR. MAYOR



Well, Mayor Bronin, the next move is yours. I have been critical of your leadership, or more appropriately , lack of leadership. Now here is an opportunity to show that you do actually know how to lead.

Accountability is something that has clearly been lacking in your Administration, so here is an opportunity to show that you can do what is right and even hold your lawyer buddy Sean Fitzpatrick accountable to the people of Hartford..

From my posting yesterday, I don't think there is much doubt that Hartford's Economic Development Director is violating the City's residency policy  by claiming to live at a woman's social club on Woodland Street.

Fitzpatrick even swore to it in the Residency form below, that I obtained last night .Clearly  the form states that any false information WILL result in immediate disqualification or dismissal. Not "may"  but WILL result.

Let's see, Mayor Bronin, if you are actually capable of providing the leadership your position requires. The voters are waiting to see what you are made of.

Here is a link to Fitzpatrick's actual $644,000 Simsbury  residence, yet he claims to live in a social club without even a full bathroom listed.
http://www.propertyrecordcards.com/PropertyResults.aspx?towncode=128&uniqueid=32142951

Thursday, December 21, 2017

HARTFORD AUDITORS: XL CENTER OWES HPD OVER $700,000 IN PAST DUE POLICE SERVICES BILLS

Hartford's City Auditors have uncovered that the XL Center owes the Hartford Police Department and the City of Hartford over $700,000 in past due bills dating back to 2016 for private duty police services.

The full audit report  released today is below.

There is no excuse for this and the CRDA, which manages the XL Center should be required to pay their bill immediately if they plan on continuing with events that require a Police presence. The Capital Regional Development Authority (“CRDA”), a quasi-public agency of the State of Connecticut, has operational responsibility for the XL Center.

I also wonder how Mayor Bronin can honestly sit and urge the HPD Union for givebacks to close a budget deficit, when we are bleeding large amounts like this. It is called management Luke and as the Mayor, it all falls back on you

I wonder how many Animal Control Officers the City could hire with $700,000?

HARTFORD'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND THE PRIVATE WOMEN'S SOCIAL CLUB


Sean Fitzpatrick

The Town and County Club, according to their website, is " a private women’s city club located in Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood. The historic twenty-seven room mansion hosts member dining, events, socializing and networking".

No where on their website does it list apartments or private living quarters, yet Hartford's Economic Development Director lists it as his residence and even has 2 cars registered and taxed there.

Hartford Department heads are required by City Charter to reside in the City, and it most likely appears that Fitzpatrick is using the address to appear as though he is complying with the City code.

Fitzpatrick, according to sources maintains his primary residence in Simsbury. That residence is apparently a real house, not a social club where his wife, is apparently also the Vice President of Personnel according to the website.

Also fromthe Town and County website, the Executive Committee listing;

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEE
 President - Mary Beth Murphy
 Vice President, Operations - Lynn Erie
 Vice President, Personnel - Candace Fitzpatrick
 Recording Secretary - Sarah Riley
 Treasurer/Finance - Susan Barnes


The website also describes the Fitzpatrick's Hartford compliance residence as  "Situated on a semi-wooded lot with beautiful lawns and gardens, the house was designed by architects Melvin Hapgood and Edward Hapgood with stunning interiors that are beautifully maintained today with period furnishings. The various rooms include parlors, dining room, library, art gallery, conference rooms and ballroom.
Each venue offers a unique setting for member events such art shows, film groups, speaker series and culinary experiences as well as private events for members and guests.

For more information about Casa de Fitzpatrick or to book your next event in the Fitzpatrick's Hartford Living room, click here https://towncounty.com/about

The City of Hartford Assesors website lists the property as the following:This property contains 1.780 acres of land mainly classified as HALL - CLUB with a(n) SOCIAL HALL style building, built about 1895 , having Brick exterior and Asphalt roof cover, with unit(s), total room(s), total bedroom(s), total bath(s), 0 total half bath(s), 0 total 3/4 bath(s). 

It must be somewhat difficult for Fitzpatrick and his wife to get  good nights sleep at 22 Woodland since the property description  lists (0) total bedrooms

Maybe it is time to get Sara Bronin and her Zoning Enforcement officers to verify this residence and the buildings usage.

Another fraud perpetrated on the residents of Hartford for the sake of a salary by the Bronin Cast of Characters.

Calls to reach Sean Fitzpatrick for comment have been unsuccessful