State of the City Address

 

"Shut em Down" State of the City Address

Council President, Members of City Council, Mayor: friends and colleagues and those who are watching and listening.

Today, I intend to speak candidly to the men and women, and young people of Hartford. Today, I will provide a clear vision of how the City of Hartford and the City Court of Common Council has failed to address the plight of the dislocated worker residing in the City of Hartford. The City of Hartford is under siege. Ten years ago we were in the middle of one of the most corrupt political City Council systems ever created by City Leaders, and community organizations.

 Realism has evolved as the voice of the common folk-for them by them and about them. Many people were given the wrong impression about elected officials; currently I have yet to identify any elected official that has focused on the essential fundamentals which include but are not limited to: jobs, education, and quality of life. This state of the city address is no different than ones given by former Mayors in previous years. However, I am not a Mayor, I am only a registered voter. So tell me how can Hartford become one of the best capital cities when thousands of residents are standing in the unemployment line? 

Mayor Pedro Segarra declared in his State of the City Address, “What I want, and I know you want, is for Hartford to be one of the best capital cities in America. Let me say it again, I want Hartford to be one of the best capital cities in America. ("Ahora en espanol-estamos listos para ser la major cudidad captalina de los Estados Unidos.") 

America’s best capital cities are where people feel safe, where people can find good jobs. The best capital cities attract entrepreneurs; they leverage technology and serve as the economic engine for the region. The best Capital cities have a strong school system and educational intuitions for all its residents”. “America’s best capital cities have a quality of life you simply can’t find in the suburbs including nightlife, restaurants, arts, culture, and historic institutions known throughout the world.” Hartford has none of this.

 

Hartford: Jobs and Economic Development

Many residents living in Hartford are currently “Robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Mayor Segarra confirmed in his state address that “Fast Money can certainly seem like a good option when you have no money.” We both know that crime is a complicated issue impacted by the lack of employment opportunities. Mr. Mayor where do you stand when it comes to the plight of dislocated workers? The breakdown in traditional values and the dehumanization of the new urban poor is one of the root causes of poverty.  The war on drugs has turned men and women into monsters. Let’s focus on situations where villains are easy to spot: let’s take closer look at the Court of common council. 

 For ex: John-John wasn’t always a crazed dope fiend, and he won’t always be a crazed drug addict.

Hartford: Housing Market

Hartford has created new housing programs to eliminate blight in some neighborhoods, and to help homeowners fix their housing; this information is definite and suited to the matter of fact. Let’s talk about low income housing and the residents that live in buildings that are not properly maintained by landlords, as a result people are forced to live in contagious buildings.

Hartford: Education

whispering...Common Core testing versus reading, writing and arithmetic?? That's all I have to say about that!!

Shit I must say...

First, Let me indicate why I am writing, For the last four years, I have contacted the Mayor of Hartford office about restoring the Waverly - Keney Park playscape. Yet, my request has fallen on deaf and mute ears. Yes, yes, Keney Park as a whole is currently undergoing substantial maintenance work, including tree removal, underbrush clearing and trash pickup. This is part of the Mayor's comprehensive plan to improve the attractiveness of the City’s parks, increase their use by City residents, and enhance their ecological value.

 

 "Last summer I watched the Mayor dedicate a brand new playscape in Elizabeth Park to remember a (previous) Hartford resident who also was a Sandy Hook shooting victim.  Pay close attention to what I am saying! Did the Mayor forget to build a playscape in North or South Hartford to remember all the children who died as a direct result of gun violence. When was the last time the Mayor, Governor or any State Representative supported Mothers United against Violence?  I'll wait for your answer. If you said that's not where they do that at in the City of Hartford, you have answered correctly.

Hartford:  Hunger and Homicide

The Mayor's  March 10 state of the city address did not mention the word poverty once, even though Hartford annually has one of the highest poverty rates in the United States. The lack of economic opportunity in low income communities of color is the primary code of gun violence in the city. If Black and Latino men can’t find jobs they often turn to street economy (Hustling) where violence is an occupational hazard. We have a lot of adults that have not completed high school, adults who have criminal histories, and young mothers who are entering the workforce.

 Good jobs are hard to come by, a lot of our young mothers and adults need more than school. The reality is Hartford has a number of individuals who do not meet the qualifications of the jobs that are available. Hartford’s summer youth employment program provides teenagers access to professional work experiences, a chance to earn money, learn some responsibility.

Providing basic needs to those residents who struggle to make ends meet is not a primary concern of any elected official in the State of Connecticut. What social service agency is currently distributing food, clothes, furniture, fuel, shelter, disaster aid and utility assistance for residents occupying North Hartford? None of them, they either ran out of funding or are waiting for funding to be granted, however you can add your name to a waiting list or fill out a survey to determine if you are eligible to be considered poor.

Hartford:  Public Safety

Crime and public safety are fundamental to the City of Hartford’s development; this single issue affects the quality of life. I won’t mince my words, Sandy Hook was not the only community affected by gun violence. I too want to acknowledge the members of our public safety teams: The Hartford Police Department and its shooting task Force, The Hartford Fire Department. You were correct when you stated “Hartford Police Cannot do it alone.” No one expects them to do it alone, we as citizens of Hartford expect them to do the job they get paid for.

Hartford is not a safer city today than it was 10 years ago, the streets in North Hartford are not well lit or clean, and how can you expect a community to take responsibility and pride in a neighborhood where public safety is compromised. You will never engage communities especially our young people, if they are fearful of the Hartford Police and the have every right to be.

Mr. Mayor have you ever been questioned in a traffic stop, have you ever been singled out by a police officer that is prejudice. Have you ever called the Hartford Fire Department for medical assistance, only to find that when the firefighters arrived that they are totally intoxicated, and they lack the support or the equipment to provide life saving techniques? The Hartford Police has not provided any line of defense since the early 1980’s. City officials state they will not compromise or gamble with lives of our young people. The summer has just begun, it is currently drive by season in Hartford. 

Who will protect the children living in urban districts?

The Stronger Cities Stronger Communities grant is meant to trigger innovation in urban areas and the city of Hartford has decided to invest it back into two of the most important resources – people and ideas (non-profits).  The City of Hartford will invest almost one million dollars to those groups who submit proposals. Yet, they won't invest any money to restore North Hartford's economic citizenship.

This state of address was sponsored and endorsed by the impoverished and disenfranchised residents living in North Hartford.

Martha Hood PhD