HARTFORD – A couple of lawyers, several civil servants and one resident with a criminal record were among the interested persons seeking to fill Mayor Pedro Segarra’s council seat, vacated when he became mayor in June.

Each candidate fir the position gave a five-minute speech at a Democratic Town Committee meeting on Monday at Hartford Public Library.

The meeting was a high-profile push toward transparency in the city’s democratic process under Segarra’s administration. For years, the DTC process has been cloaked in secrecy and filled with cronyism among different ethnic group members, who do little outreach to residents left out of the process. According to a recent Yankee Institute study, many high-profile DTC members are city or state employees and are relatives of someone who works in the public sector.

At yesterday’s meeting of familiar faces in city politics, there were few “new comers.”

Arnaldo Jose Seirra, a local lawyer who self identifies as half Puerto Rican and half Irish, vowed to give Hartford residents “all the fight he has” in him if he were to be selected. Alexander Aponte, another lawyer born in Puerto Rico, distributed his resume and gave a polished yet subdued speech about his abilities to be a councilman. He is a former city staff attorney in Hartford and New Britain.

In contrast, Marita Ayala, an Afro-Latino who moved from Puerto Rico to Hartford in 1968 was unpolished but passionate about her desire to serve the city on the council. And Hartford Police Department employee Naima Shabazz has first-hand experience seeing city’s budget in action. When asked how she would balance the city budget, she said she would ask departments not to spend “left over money” at the end of the fiscal year on matters such as educational trips or furniture “just to spend up the money”  at the end of the fiscal year, so they can get the same amount in their budget the following year.

Then there’s Raul DeJesus, a former mayoral candidate for Hartford. He was 20 in 2007 when he took up that challenge. Now three years later, he wants to “give people access to city hall” as a member of the city council. 

Board of Education Vice Chair David McDonald (at the microphone in the photo) said he has demonstrated his capabilities on the school board, and this experience should prepare him for sitting on the city council.

A Hartford resident and close friend of former Mayor Eddie Perez, Victor Lula, began his five-minute speech by dispelling rumors that he had a criminal background.

“It’s a misdemeanor,  not a felony,” he said as he distributed copies of his criminal background report from the city police department.

The DTC is expected to grade each candidate and make a decision soon, said former Councilman Lou Watkins. 

HARTFORD – In his quest to demonstrate a transparent and new  administration, Mayor Pedro Segarra has announced an open process in selecting candidates to appoint on the city’s Board of Education.

This announcement comes after making another democratic process transparent:  the Democratic Town Committee  selection of candidates to replace his seat on the council since his ascent to mayor after Eddie Perez resigned.

Yesterday, DTC held a meeting, which was advertised in the press–albeit it was in selective media and was sent out late last week.

Segarra is now accepting cover letters and resumes for interested and qualified city residents who are passionate about raising academic standards and expectations for our youth, according to a press release sent out yesterday.  The deadline is Aug. 6.

“As I continue to meet with parents as well as educational and community leaders, it is clear that a dedicated and knowledgeable individual is needed to commit their time, energy, and talents to our children which in turn will help shape the City’s future workforce.  We have made measurable progress in a few short years and we owe it to our students that decisions and policies will continue to be made with their best interest in mind,” Segarra said.

For those who wish to be considered for the vacancy on the Board of Education,  send a cover letter, qualifications and resume to:

Office of the Mayor

Re:  BOE position

City Hall

550 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103

HARTFORD — Pedro Segarra is now Hartford’s mayor.

Yesterday Segarra held a press conference, calling for unity as he readjusted to his transition from being the city council president to the mayor on what is considered a difficult turning point for the city.

“This is a difficult period for the City, but we need to join efforts to overcome our current differences and move our City forward.  There are too many people depending on us to get the job done and we cannot and must not let them down,” he said.  ”These are challenging financial times as well, so it is important to develop a work plan to take-on these issues quickly and effectively.  I look forward to working with the Mayors in our surrounding towns and major cities as we deal with regional efforts.  I will reach out to the Governor to see how the State can continue to assist the City.  I also look forward to the support of the Hartford Delegation to ensure that the City’s voice is heard at the Legislative level as we are limited in our abilities to solve several issues at the local level.”

A native of Puerto Rico and a city  attorney,  Segarra became mayor at 5:01 p.m. on Friday after former mayor Eddie Perez submitted his resignation that was effective at 5 p.m.

Perez resigned one week after a jury found him guilty of extortion and larceny.