HARTFORD – The search firm hired by the City of Hartford to help select the next Police Chief will host a forum next week to obtain community feedback.

The public forum will be held at 6 p.m. on April 4 at the Hartford Public Library.

The Strategic Policy Partnership (SPP), a group of public safety and public policy experts who assist police and government agencies with policing strategy development and personnel selection, was selected in January to conduct a nationwide search.

The firm was selected following a review by the Mayor’s Cabinet team, which considered cost, experience, professional qualifications, commitment to community policing, references and expected timeframe.

Anyone who is unable to attend the forum is asked to email their thoughts to hartford@policy-partners.com.

HARTFORD – A rally to call for the arrest of the shooter George Zimmerman and to show solidarity with the family of Trayvon Martin will be held in Hartford on March 31.

The rally on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 10am. at the intersection of Albany Avenue and Main Street in the North End of Hartford.

Martin, 17, died after a fatal shot to his chest on Feb. 26. He was visiting his family in Sanford, Florida and was walking back from a convenience with an Arizona ice tea and a bag of skittles.

Zimmerman has not been arrested or charged for killing Martin, and community members will be gathering to call for the arrest of Zimmerman, and to show solidarity with the family of Trayvon, organizers said.

This event was organized as “a way for community members to express their outrage at this grave injustice.”

Speakers include Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, Minister Cornell Lewis, City Council members Cynthia Jennings and Kyle Anderson. It will also include other community leaders and concerned city and suburban residents.

HARTFORD – The Permanent Commission on the Status of Hartford Women will host their 7th Annual Women’s History Month event on March 29  from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall Atrium.

The PCSHW was formed to study and improve Hartford women’s economic security, health and safety; to promote consideration of qualified women to leadership positions; and to work toward the elimination of gender discrimination. The PCSHW is a bi-partisan group that embodies Hartford’s diversity.

The awards ceremony program will have welcoming remarks and introduction by Mary Mercedes Martinez, Chair and Councilperson Cynthia Renee Jennings.  There will be a Women’s History Month presentation of City Citations by Commissioners Khadija Abdul-Salaam and Sweets S. Wilson. In addition Rosemary Lopez, Senior Administrative Service Coordinator of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women State will present Citations to the following honorees: Yesenia Acosta, Rev. Dr. Shelly Best, Shirley Clements, Syrette Greene, Carol Johnson, Martha S. Kelly, Theresa Nicholson, Paulette Elaine Plummer-Vernon, Iris Hope Rich, Evelyn R. Richardson, and Mary L. Sanders. Closing remarks will be given by Commissioner Marva O. Downes with a reception to follow.

The event is open to the public. For more information, please contact PCSHW Chair Mary Martinez at 860-967-1246 or Luz M. Cruz at 860-757-9781.

HARTFORD — Police may have captured a suspect for five or more street robberies in the city’s Southend.

The suspect, Juan Betancourt, 27, of Hartford, was arrested on Friday and charged attempted robbery, breach of peace, trespassing and interfering with is in police custody.

Police said they have been investigating the rash of robbers on Park Street, Allen Place, Morris Street, Franklin Avenue and Maple Avenue since November 2011. A knife was used in two of the robberies.

The investigation, led by Major Crimes Detective Sherwood and Richter, uncovered a detailed suspect description and surveillance photos.

They gave this report:

On Friday, March 23, 2012, Hartford Police Officers Antuna and Marfella, were in the Park Street area when they observed the suspect attempting to commit another robbery.  They immediately intervened and, following a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended by Officers Antuna and Marfella.

Police anticipate further charges in connection with numerous other street robberies that had been occurring throughout the Southend over the past several months.

Chief Rovella praised the work of all those involved in the investigation, saying “The capture of this menace to our streets is a major accomplishment.  I commend the detectives for their diligence and perseverance, and our community partners for their help in identifying the suspect.”

By Simone Tyrell, Staff Writer

HARTFORD – The Hartford Public Library on Thursday kicked off its “Creating a Vibrant Hartford: Adult Learning as a Pathway to Change” series, a pilot conversation that focuses on adult education and immigration.

The series is a follow up to a low-key meeting held on Feb. 18 to inaugurate a series of community dialogues. Many in attendance were optimistic about the pilot conversation about this form of education with an emphasis on immigration. Organizers said that the series promises to be both “thought provoking and enlightening.”

Participants in Hartford Library's Community Dialogue Series

Director of Community Development and Civic Engagement at the Hartford Public Library Richard Frieder last month pointed out the main theme of the discussion, which was the importance of having a place to conduct a serious and open discussion on adult immigrant education. He said he hopes the series hosted by the library on the issue of adult  immigrant education will be a community building exercise, where people from diverse backgrounds are able to actively participate.

The program was made possible by a grant from Everyday Democracy, a public interest group, based in East Hartford. Carolyne Miller Abdullah, Director of Community Assistance and Sarah Eisele-Dyrli, Research and Education Officer facilitated the pilot conversation, which were limited in its outreach.

Organizers said the two major goals for this program were to develop community brokers, which is a  person who works one on one with new immigrants to get them settled and to encourage Community Development, where immigrant and nonimmigrant populations come together and engage about important issues throughout the community.

For more information or to sign up, call 860-695-6365 or email:
hartfordlistens@hplct.org

What is a Community Dialogue and how does it work?
• It’s a series of small group discussions in April and May focusing on Adult Learning as a Pathway to Change
• Dialogues are guided by trained facilitators from the community
• This is not just talk. The dialogues lead to an action agenda.

Why should you participate?
• To partner with neighbors, friends, and community leaders
• To take an active role in identifying needs and actions
• To strengthen your community
• To create better opportunities for Hartford residents and new arrivals.

By participating you will:
• Find out where to turn for your learning needs
• Advocate for your rights and develop leadership skills
• Meet your neighbors and make new friends.

What will happen at the Kick-Off event on March 22?
• Learn more about the community dialogue and how you can get involved
• Get a chance to participate in a mini-dialogue
• Hear from Mayor Segarra and other community leaders
• Free refreshments will be served!

What’s next? 
• Come join us! Get your questions answered or sign up for the Kick-Off Event or for the Dialogues! 
Call 860-695-6365 or email hartfordlistens@hplct.org.

HARTFORD—More than 35 community partners are expected at the Community Renewal Team  13th Annual Community Resource Fair to help residents with energy assistance, health screens, Food Stamps and other services on March 22.

The theme for the event is health & wellness in observance of March being “National Nutrition Month” as set by is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The event will be from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at 555 Windsor Street, Hartford.

Visitors to the far will be able to make appointments for energy assistance; receive certain health screenings; and apply for SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid and HUSKY insurance.

Early Care and Education specialists will be on hand to help parents fill out applications for the Head Start (preschool) program as well as extended day programs. Health professionals will be providing free dental health screening as well lessons for self-led breast examinations.

Other partners will provide information on child support, special education services, parent advocacy, affordable housing, domestic violence prevention, mental and medical health clinics and more.

Sovereign Bank representatives will be providing offers for those looking to open bank accounts.

Raffles and door prizes will be offered throughout the day, as well as free pictures with the Easter Bunny.

For more information please check www.crtct.org or call (860) 560-5453.

HARTFORD — Hartford Police have identified suspects in the March murder of 22-year-old Justin Pereira.

Pereira was stabbed to death on March 13 at 425 Zion St.

The arrest warrant is for Alex Salgado and Carlos Salgado, each charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Alex Salgado, 21, of 205 Jefferson St., Hartford, is described as a 6’3″ tall, 160 lbs Hispanic male with brown eyes and short, straight brown hair.

Carlos Salgado, DOB 8/22/1989, is described as a 5’6″ tall, 140 lbs, Hispanic male with short brown hair and brown eyes.

A judge set bond for more than $1  million. Both men have yet to be arrested. Police is asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Alex and Carlos Salgado are asked to contact Major Crimes Division Sergeant Brandon O’Brien at 860‐757‐4089, email at obrib001@hartford.gov, or call Hartford Crime Stoppers at 860‐722‐TIPS (8477).

By Ann-Marie Adams, Staff Writer

HARTFORD –  They thought the issue was dead. They thought they buried it under former Mayor Eddie Perez’s administration.

But during Hartford’s city council meeting on Monday, Parkville residents confronted a resolution that returned from the grave. The resolution was to authorize sale of city-owned land at 126 and 130 New Park Ave and 8 and 161 Francis Ave. There are already seven gas stations in the area.

After months of wrangling among council members, Mayor Pedro Segarra introduced the resolution to the council so that Stop and Shop could purchase those properties.

An approval of this resolution would have had Hayes Properties, LLC closer to its quest to add a gas station as another revenue stream for its client, the only full-scaled supermarket in the city, developers said. The supermarket, which has been in the city for 18 years, wanted to be competitive.

Segarra approved it. The economic development commission approved it. And developers spent lots of money on the plan to please residents, lawyers for Stop and Shop said.

But Parkville residents didn’t approve it. Apparently, developers began talks with city officials more than a year ago, not residents.

Word got out.

“We buried this proposal in the grave and now it has returned,” said State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) of the Third Assembly District. “The residents are clear about this. No more gas stations.”

The Parkville area is encircled by Prospect Avenue, Park Street and New Park Avenue. Currently the area, which abuts West Hartford, has seven gas stations: three along New Park Avenue, two on Sisson Avenue and two just across the West Hartford and Hartford border, but on city property.

View Larger Map

Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings offered her reason for voting down the resolution.

“Hartford is a environmental risk zone. The ashmatic rate for children is 15 percent. For elderly, it is increasing. I just want you to know why I will vote the way I do,” she said to the attorneys standing before the council.

She also added that there was no way to monitor chemicals that emit from gas pumps.

She’s right about gas pollution.  According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, gasoline fumes are sometimes evident at gas pumps and the pavement has spillage that add to factors that can lead to health problems for residents, who live within 300 feet of gas stations.

De Jesús offered another explanation after the vote was tallied and the neighborhood’s victory was evident.

“Not all economic development projects will benefit the community. Stop and Shop is going after a trend. We think long term.” said the freshman councilmember, who heeded the call to have the resolution tabled, rather than postponed indefinitely.

That move by De Jesus was to counter Councilman President Shawn Wooden’s motion to postpone the resolution. De Jesús asked for a clarification on what it meant to postpone the matter. So did Jennings.

The legal phrase (postponed indefinitely) in this context means that any councilmember could put the issue back on the agenda.

Because the issue was tabled, it means the mayor would have to reintroduce the item.

By a seven to two vote, De Jesús’s motion to table the resolution prevailed over Wooden and Aponte’s.

The nuanced legislative maneuvering came after Segarra’s state of the city address in which he echoed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s call for “shared sacrifice” as the city faces a $56.2 million deficit. Before the mayoral election in November, the city had a $2 million surplus.

In other matters, the council members voted to enter executive session to discuss a potential resolution for former Hartford Police Rhashim Campbell’s lawsuit against the city. In 2010, Campbell was charge for beating a man in police custody in 2009. He was acquitted.

Gas Station in and near Parkville

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Sisson Avenue Shell

1620 Park Street, Hartford, CT

Shell

456 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, CT

BJ’s Wholesale Club

507 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, C

Cumberland Farms

141 Park Road, West Hartford, CT

Sidebar West Hartford

986 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT

Gary’s Mobil

465 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, CT

7-Eleven

By Molly Callahan, Staff Writer

HARTFORD—State Rep. Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) announced his re-election bid for the 1^st Assembly District seat Wednesday night.

Ritter kicked off his re-election campaign for what would be his second term in a packed Damon’s Tavern on Prospect Ave., where around 100 people came to celebrate and show their support.

“It’s a powerful and rare moment when you can look at everyone in the eye and say, ‘but for you I wouldn’t be here,’” Ritter said in a speech.

The incumbent also said he was looking forward to working on his long-term goals such as the Hartford public school system, specifically funding for pre-school education. In his first term, Ritter oversaw funding for 500 pre-school students. An amount that was “merely a drop in the bucket,” he said.

“People are excited about education,” said Greg Davis, Hartford Public Library Board of Directors president and a volunteer on Ritter’s campaign. “It hits home for a lot of people.”

Another issue Ritter addressed, and said he would continue to address should he be re-elected, is the economy of the city. Ritter said he’s been working on bipartisan legislation that would create income tax credit for working citizens, serving as incentive for people to find jobs.

He also touched on minimum wage, and said his plan is not only to raise it, but to index the wage, so “25 years from now we’re not at the whim of who is in office.”

Mayor Pedro Segarra, who came to show his support, said he thinks Ritter is “an incredible asset to the city and the delegation.”

“I’m awed at how quickly he became seasoned,” Segarra said, referring to Ritter’s comparatively short time in office. “He slid right in, with no learning curve.”

State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) of the 3^rd Assembly District, echoed the mayor’s sentiment. “It doesn’t matter that I’ve been here 16 years and he for two; we learn from each other,” she said.

Ritter, however, was mindful of being a freshman legislator in a senior-leaden place.

“You have to work hard for what you want,” he said. “When you represent Hartford, you start fighting right away.”

HARTFORD — City teens seeking a summer job can look to the Center For Latino Progress for help with filling out online application for this year’s summer jobs and learning program.

The Center, located at 95 Park Street, will have staff and volunteers helping youth assisting in-school-youth between the ages of 14 to 19 who are from Hartford.

The youth would be applying for programs designed to enhance employability skills and assists with any academic deficiencies while embracing their cultural diversity.

Youth may be earning $8.25 an hour or stipend depending on the summer job program and their eligibility.  The programs will run from July 1 through August 31.

They may be placed in employment in the public and/or private non-profit sectors and/or require community service.  Curriculum components include workshops in career counseling, life skills, leadership development, diversity management, computer basics, language, analytical skills, and math.

Through programming and placements, youth reinforce their ability to demonstrate basic personal and work-related responsibility, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills development, and an understanding of available careers and labor market information in a particular target industry and career path.

Through community service youth are encourage to share their knowledge, become active members of society and at the conclusion of programs, each youth would have a portfolio of their work.

The Center offers the program in partnership with Capital Workforce Partners.