HARTFORD — The state recovered more than $7 million in unpaid wages for workers during the fiscal year that ended June. 30.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced the news today that state Department of Labor’s Division of Wage and Workplace Standards recovered $7,026,173.69 in legally due wages for employees during the past fiscal year. This amount included $3,177,182 recovered by wage enforcement staff responding to complaints that owed wages had not been paid.

The division also recovered $1,887,365 by enforcing the state’s prevailing wage laws and returned $1,811,911 to workers who were not paid for overtime or the minimum wage. An additional $149,714 was recouped in back pay owed to service workers hired by private contractors.
“We have a responsibility to protect the workers of Connecticut and ensure that they are paid for the jobs they do,” Rell said. “Each and every employee should receive the wages they rightfully earn. Whether the issue is unpaid overtime or a dispute over worker’s compensation, the state is ready to help resolve the problem.”

Rell in a press release urged the business community to take advantage of our extensive outreach efforts, including the easily accessible compliance materials aat the Labor Department’s web site at www.ct.gov/dol for more information under the Division of Wage and Workplace Standards.

In addition, a total of 168 stop work orders were issued to employers in the state who did not comply with Worker’s Compensation requirements. Following on-site investigations, the division required these companies to cease work on a construction project until certain workplace regulations were met.

In some cases, the division determined that employers misrepresented employees as independent contractors or provided incomplete information regarding the number of their employees with the idea of paying lower insurance premiums – a practice that causes an economic disadvantage to other companies.

According to Gary K. Pechie, Director of the Division of Wage and Workplace Standards, the division also handled more than 25,000 telephone and written inquiries during the past fiscal year and provided outreach services to businesses and schools, especially in the area of regulations related to the employment of youth.

“We consider the enforcement of child labor laws – in order to keep our young workers safe – to be one of our core missions,” Pechie noted. “Overall, with more than 160 laws pertaining to the protection of workers’ rights, often a law is not fully understood. In these cases, education and information is just as vital as enforcement activities.”

Updated Sept. 3, 2010 8:02 p.m.

HARTFORD — Angel Morales’s lawyer earlier today in Hartford Superior Court filed a motion to withdraw from his lawsuit over last month’s primary election recount, which he lost by six votes.

This move comes as Morales is fending off allegations of  inappropriate conduct with a person under 21, a source said.

Attorney Robert F. Ludgin filed a motion to withdraw and a withdrawal of action with Hartford Superior Court.  But until Judge Edward Domnarski rules on the matter, Ludgin is still Morales’ lawyer.

When contacted today, Morales said the person in question is not a minor. He is 19-years-old. In addition, Ludgin did not withdraw because of any allegations. It’s for other reasons, Morales said.

The Hartford Guardian left a message for Ludgin at his office. And Morales said Ludgin would be happy to talk about his pending lawsuit.

In the meanwhile, he has no reason to be concerned about recent allegations, he said.

“I’m expecting no arrest,” Morales said to The Hartford Guardian. “There was no sexual contact.  I’m not concerned.”

Morales said he has  hired Attorney William Gerace for the recent allegations.

On Aug. 25, Ludgin filed  a lawsuit against the city of Hartford, the Registrar of Voters, Olga vazquez, the town clerk John Bazzano and Roldan. The suit claimed  impropriety over absentee ballots in the Aug. 10 primary election.

The lawsuit was against the city and state Rep. Kelvin Roldan, who was declared the winner the 4th House District primary race last month. Roldan won by six votes, a decrease from his 9-point lead on Aug. 10.

The allegations against Morales come after Morales won two victories in Court. Defendants tried to get his lawsuit dismissed twice.

HARTFORD – The city yesterday unveiled new anti-graffiti public service announcements created by Hartford students.

The students completed their summer internship with the Mayor’s Office and the city’s Office for Youth Services, a partnership with Capital Workforce Partners, the Greater Hartford Urban League and the Connecticut Puerto Rican Forum.

At a news conference yesterday, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra praised their creativity and the mentorship of the Communications and Constituent Services divisions.

“These public service announcements speak to the heart of many matters.  Our youth need to have a positive outlet and need to have a voice in our community.  Their message is being heard in regards to quality of life issues,” Segarra said in a press release.  “I’m proud that Hartford’s young people are expressing themselves and that they have internship opportunities like this in which to excel.  I’m also proud that we continue to find new ways of addressing the cleanliness and beautification of our great City.”

The two PSA’s are called “How Does It Feel” and “Do the Crime, Do the Time.”  They can be seen on Channels 5, 95, and 96 on Hartford Public Access Television.  Channel 96, Government Cable Access TV, streams live on www.hartford.gov.

HARTFORD —  Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Wednesday announced that she is continuing to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl, participating in a conference call with federal Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director William Craig Fugate and remaining in close contact with state officials.

Yesterday marked the first day of National Preparedness Month.

The hurricane, which is currently off North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras, has prompted storm warnings for portions of the mid-Atlantic seaboard and storm watches – a lower level of alert – for the East Coast from Virginia toDelaware. If the storm follows its present track it is expected to remain largely offshore and deal a glancing blow, at most, to southern New England – but predictions at this stage are tenuous at best.

“The uncertainty of the hurricane’s course means we will watch the storm every step of the way,”  Rell said. “We are getting a constant stream of information from the Coast Guard, FEMA and our own Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and Department of Environmental Protection. The state is also working closely to keep municipal leaders, first responders and other critical agencies ‘in the loop’ as we learn more about the hurricane’s course.

“In the meantime, even if the storm does not hit us it is likely to create hazardous conditions for boaters, including high winds and waves,” Rell said. “I am strongly encouraging every mariner to check the weather conditions before setting out – especially over the Labor Day weekend, when our waterway tend to be particularly crowded. Be mindful of small craft advisories and wind warnings, which are not only posted at marinas but are available on the Internet and on marine radio VHF Channel 16.”

Additional information on preparedness, including preparing for hurricanes, is available atwww.ct.gov/hurricane.

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HARTFORD — Grandparents this month will have thier day at the Park .

For eight years, the citt has been having its Annual Grandparents Day Family Fair at Bushnell Park near the Carousel. This year, it is slated for Sept. 11 at 3 p.m.

The City celebrates this day in honor of more than 2,000 grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Hartford and more than 18,000 grandparents raising kin in the State of Connecticut, organizers say.

Families can bring a picnic lunch while enjoying this event filled with games, arts and crafts, family relays and other entertainment.  Grandparents and their families will have the opportunity to learn more about special services and programming that are available to them in their community.

“This celebration is a wonderful way to highlight the importance of a strong family foundation and what better place to do it than in our historic parks.  Here families can enjoy each other, the great outdoors, wonderful entertainment and receive important and useful information,” said Mayor Pedro E. Segarra.

“Our Grandparents Day Family Fair has become a wonderful tradition in the City.  In addition to the services we provide to these very important families, it is a great pleasure to be able to provide the Hartford community with such a great opportunity to honor their work and have fun in the process!” stated Carlos Rivera, Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.

This Saturday Hartford celebrates families with three great events at Bushnell Park:  The 8^th Annual Grandparents Day Family Fair by the Carousel, the 15^th Annual Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) Gospel Festival & Fair and The 2010 Discover Hartford Bicycling & Walking Tours.

For more information about this family fair, please contact Milagros Acosta (860) 757-0853.

By Ann-Marie Adams, Staff Writer

HARTFORD —  On the Aug. 10 Democratic Primary election night, Angel Morales was ready to party. Returns from the polls indicated he was a winner in his bid to unseat  4^th House District state Rep. Kelvin Roldan.

Friends congratulated him, ready to celebrate what seemed like a sure victory at 10:20 p.m., he said. But by Aug. 11 at 3:40 p.m. when the ballots were delivered to the secretary of state’s office, Morales discovered the incumbent won.

Did Morales misread the returns, or could he have won the primary that night?

That’s what a judge will sort out after testimonies from both sides.

Today a judge heard arguments from Roldan’s lawyer Christopher Drake, who attempted to get a dismissal on grounds that Morales filed his claim late. And he didn’t file the complaint electronically.

Drake asked the judge to dismiss Morales’ lawsuit. The judge denied that request.

Morales’s lawyer Robert F. Ludgin filed a lawsuit on  Aug. 24 after the city’s Aug. 16 recount. This “unsecured” recount shrank Roldan’s lead from 9 to 6, or 382 to 376,

In his complaint, Morales claims that Registrar of Voters Olga Vasquez and City Clerk John Bazzano “committed serious errors as election officials.” The alleged impropriety included failing to properly secure the absentee ballots.

The hearing will reconvene Wednesday at 10 a.m.

First House District state Rep. Kenneth Green also filed a lawsuit after a recount gave his challenger City Councilman Mathew Ritter a two vote lead. Green’s hearing reconvenes on Tuesday.

By Fae Morgan, Staff Writer

HARTFORD – Hartford Police arrested a local man who allegedly on Friday robbed a tag sale store with a sawed-off shot gun.

Jeffery Aviles

The man, Jerry Aviles, 35, of 38 Burnham St., Hartford, was arrested  and charged with first degree robbery, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, criminal possession of a firearm, fourth degree larceny and first degree burglary.

Police said Aviles  entered the Tag Sale Store at 129 Zion St. and demanded money. He stole $260 in cash, four laptop computers and then fled.

The owner of the store then flagged down Officer Nicholas Trigila, who saw Aviles as he fled on foot. Trigila called for back up and they circled the area, police said.

Police recovered the sawed-off shot gun, 22 rounds of ammunition and four laptops on Zion Street just south of the business. And they found Aviles hiding in the bushes at the corner of Curtiss and Zion streets, police said.

ENFIELD —  A Hartford police officer who was arrested for domestic violence in July was denied a special program that would dismissed his charges.

Police officer Christopher White was accused of assaulting his ex-wife and her boyfriend. Police said White also threatened to his ex.
Enfield Superior Court Judge Richard Dyer o Thursday denied White’s petition for the Family Violence Education Program because of a “wide chasm between the accounts of the parties and the police report.”

Read more here.

By Evan Lawrence, Staff Writer

HARTFORD – The crowd at Sully’s Pub is anxious and ready for more. The musicians take the stage and set up their instruments.

Toft Willingham begins on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Van Gordon Martin on lead guitar and vocals, and Jesse Shaternick on the bass. Ian Miller set up his drum set (with no symbols save for his high-hat), while Kory Stanbury gets ready on saxophone and Bryan House on trombone.

Spiritual Rez Jams

Individually, they are all incredibly talented Berklee musicians, but at this moment they are Spritual Rez, an up-and-coming reggae horn funk band playing in Hartford on Friday.

The band formed eight years ago out of Boston and has been performing around the United States since then. This particular tour celebrates their new album “The Nexus,” which anyone who enjoys even a hint of reggae should add to their collection. Even those that don’t normally entertain the thought of this genre would be remiss if they did not sample it seeing how many different musical styles can be found in these tracks.

The band is categorized as reggae but there are hints of funk, heavy rock, rhythm and blues, and more, probably due to the bands numerous influences.

“We all grew up listening to roots reggae, but we are all into other stuff as well.” says lead guitarist Van. “Just today we were listened to Bach, Pantera, Cat Stevens, and even rap!” adds lead singer Toft. The two comprise the writing duo for the band, and compose all of the songs the band plays.

When asked about their writing process, Van states that “No song is ever written the same.” Sometimes they begin with lyrics, sometimes music, and other times they will start a song and the band takes off with it until its finished and sound completely different. But no matter how they get there they always deliver.

Spiritual Rez Jams at Sully's

“Every time we sit down to write a song- we write a song.” says Toft. However writing is only half the battle. To truly listen to Spiritual Rez, one has to see them live; just ask anyone in the crowd at Sully’s. Not one person in the diverse crowd was standing still.

From the 21 year olds to the middle aged, everyone there was at least swaying in rhythm with the music. The set began with Toft’s masterful crowd work, prompting the crowd to give a “primal scream” and the energy never faded from there.

For two, hourlong sets the band performed what could only be described as organized musical chaos, practically never taking a break and always entertaining. There were songs from “The Nexus,” jam-style musical interludes, and solos from each musician where each one got a chance to showcase their talents. All-in-all, Spiritual Rez delivers on both their album and their live performances.

In the near future the band can be found at Backwoods Pondfest in New York on Sept. 11 or at Paradise Rock Club in Boston on Sept. 17. But until them the band is just “tremendously thankful to play music for a living.

Updated: Aug. 27. 2010.

HARTFORD — As The Hartford Guardian indicated, a recount would not suffice for an election so close in the city’s 1st House District primary, where the incumbent won by two votes on election day.

After a recount, the registrar of voters in Hartford and Bloomfield announced City Councilman Matt Ritter the winner by two votes. The 15-year incumbent, through his attorney Steven L. Seligman, said not so fast.

After examining the ballots, state Rep. Kenneth Green on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court, challenging the vote recount. Green names Ritter and Hartford and Bloomfield’s Democratic registrar of voters as defendants. But Ritter was not accused of any impropriety. The city and town registrars of voters were.

The recount is reminiscent of another recount about 20 years ago when then State Rep. Thirman Milner, a candidate for Hartford mayor, challenged then five-year incumbent George Athanson, his Democratic primary opponent’s victory when it was discovered that ballots of comatose patients were counted.

Green in his lawsuit challenges the legitimacy of an absentee ballot of a person who died on election day.

Ritter’s lawyer Daniel J. Krisch said Green’s challenge is baseless because a military personnel who mailed a ballot in before he dies is considered legitimate. Besides, he said, Green has a high burden of proof to meet in his challenge.

On Friday, the court will decide whether to approve the re-count result or order a new election.