Market at Hartford 21 Owes Vendors Cash

Jeff Cohen — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:02:21 +0000

The Market at Hartford 21 was open for just six months in downtown Hartford. And as WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, the failed grocery store still owes money to vendors — and the city.

Here’s the story.

Working To Slow Teen Births In Hartford

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:22:28 +0000

Yanisha Claudio And Her Son (Jeff Cohen/WNPR)

Teen birth rates are on the decline nationwide. But as part of a collaboration with the Connecticut Health Investigative Team, WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports that the rate of teen births among Hispanics In Hartford is staggering.

Here’s the story.

Malloy Wants To Develop Greater Hartford, Wean Venues Off State Aid

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:06:56 +0000

It’s been more than a decade since another governor tried to remake the state’s capital city with more than a billion dollars of investment. As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, now Governor Dannel Malloy wants to leave a mark, too.

Here’s the story.

Hartford City Council To Hold Confirmation Hearings For Board Of Education Slots

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Last week, Mayor Pedro Segarra appointed himself and five others to city’s board of education, replacing five appointees of former Mayor Eddie A. Perez.

Today, Council President Shawn Wooden said he plans to hold confirmation hearings. The press release is below.

For Immediate Release

January 23, 2012

Contact: James R. Sargent, 860-471-2244

City Council announces new Board of Education appointment confirmation process that seeks public engagement

Hartford, CT – Council President Shawn T. Wooden announced today a confirmation process for Mayor Pedro E. Segarra’s appointments to the Hartford Board of Education. This thorough yet expedient confirmation process, unprecedented for the City of Hartford, is adapted from the Connecticut General Assembly’s process for confirming executive nominations to state boards and commissions.

“The public wants a local government that is more transparent and accountable. As Council President, I intend to work very hard to make that happen. Confirming the mayor’s appointments to the Board of Education is among the City Council’s most important duties, and we intend to do so in a way that is thorough, engages the public and accomplishes Mayor Segarra’s very legitimate goal of an expeditious confirmation process. We want to give the new Board of Education the opportunity to begin working together in advance of their first meeting on February 21^st,” said Council President Wooden.

A confirmation hearing will be held on Thursday, January 26th at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber. Each appointee will have up to five minutes for an opening statement, and members of the Council will then have up to thirty minutes to ask questions of the appointees. The mayor, also an appointee to the Board of Education, will be granted additional time for his opening statement.

“My colleagues on the City Council and I look forward to hearing Mayor Segarra’s vision for Hartford’s schools, as well as that of the other appointees. We believe that a thorough confirmation process is in the best interest of the children of our city.”

Background information on the candidates will be made available on the city council’s website, along with an opportunity for residents to comment or suggest questions to be asked of the appointees. City residents are encouraged to participate in the process by attending the confirmation hearing and sharing their views with members of the City Council. Hartford Cable Access has also been asked to televise the confirmation hearing to further engage Hartford residents in the process.

Following the January 26th confirmation hearing, a special meeting of the City Council will be held on February 2nd at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of voting on the appointments. Appointees will be considered individually by the Council.

“This is an exciting opportunity to – for the first time – have a confirmation hearing. Working alongside Mayor Segarra, his appointees to the Board of Education and the people of Hartford, we can give our city a more accountable city government and a selection process that ensures thorough screening and public participation. And, as Council President, I look forward to supporting the efforts of the Mayor, the Board of Education, teachers and parents in giving every Hartford kid the opportunity for an excellent education.”

Segarra Appoints Five To Board Of Education, Including Himself

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:56:57 +0000

Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra has appointed five people to serve on the city’s board of education. As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, one of those five is Segarra himself.

Here’s the story.

Lawsuit Alleges State Doesn’t Process Medicaid Applications Fast Enough

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:07:39 +0000

A federal lawsuit filed this week alleges that the state doesn’t have enough people to process Medicaid applications in a timely way. As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, advocates say that means thousands of low-income residents are left without access to healthcare.

Here’s the story.

Malloy: NHL Could Come To Hartford. And Lightning Could Strike, Too.

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:41:47 +0000

Back in November, Howard Baldwin made a splash when he proposed revamping Hartford’s XL Center and luring an NHL team. But as WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, Governor Dannel Malloy says the NHL isn’t coming anytime soon.

Here’s the story.

In Perez Appeal, Is One Trial Fair For Two Crimes?

Jeff Cohen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:27:59 +0000

Perez Sentencing (Chion Wolf/WNPR)

Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez says the two cases against him never should have been combined into one trial. As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, that argument is the crux of his criminal appeal.

Here’s the story.

Two Storm Panel Finishes Its Work

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:28:46 +0000

A review panel created by Governor Dannel Malloy is calling on utilities to improve their planning and staffing for major storms. But as WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, the end of the panel could the beginning of public debate.

Here’s the story.

State Agency Wants Power Generator Phased Out

Jeff Cohen — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:01:12 +0000

A state environmental watchdog says that eight jet-fuel burning generators in Hartford should be phased out. As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, the state’s Council On Environmental Quality only wants the generators used in emergencies.

Here’s the story.