550 MAIN STREET

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

Mayor Perez’s State of the City Address

March 14, 2005

*PRESIDENT LAFONTAINE, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL--- CITIZENS OF HARTFORD

*IT IS MY PLEASURE TO COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT

*TO TELL YOU THE STATE OF OUR CITY IS STRONG

*AND TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE IT STRONGER.

*LAST YEAR, I CAME BEFORE YOU TO TALK ABOUT HOW DUTCH SETTLERS BUILT A FORT WHERE HARTFORD NOW STANDS.

*THEY CALLED IT THE HOUSE OF HOPE. HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY HAVE BEEN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CITY SINCE THEN.

*THREE YEARS AGO, WE BEGAN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING OUR HOUSE OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY,

*WITH THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW CITY CHARTER.

*WE CONTINUE OUR REBUILDING BY CREATING

1.            A NEW BOARD OF EDUCATION

2.            A NEW ADMINISTRATION

3.            AND A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MOVE HARTFORD INTO A NEW CENTURY

*THAT REBUILDING IS NOW FLOURISHING INTO A NEW AGENDA FOR REINVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT CITY.

I PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT - - THE INITIAL DIVIDENDS OF THAT REINVESTMENT AND

*I WILL DEMONSTRATE HOW THE INTEREST FROM THAT INVESTMENT WILL PAY OFF INTO A PROFITABLE FUTURE

1.            FOR OUR RESIDENTS

2.            OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

3.            OUR CAPITOL REGION

4.            AND OUR STATE.

*RIGHT NOW--- HARTFORD IS A TALE OF 2 CITIES.

*ON ONE SIDE, WE ARE NEW ENGLAND’S RISING STAR--- WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT AND NEW FOUND HOPE FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

*WE ARE FORGING AHEAD WITH OUR SCHOOLS AND REDEVELOPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

*BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, THERE ARE RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT YET FEEL PART OF THIS NEW HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY. 

*WE MUST CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO BECOME SELF RELIANT--- AND MOVE FROM THE “HAVE NOT” COLUMN TO THOSE WHO FEEL THAT IF THEY WORK HARD -- THEY WILL HAVE JOBS, HOMES, AND A BRIGHT ECONOMIC FUTURE, FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

*UNDER MY LEADERSHIP--- WE’VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN AREAS OF

1.            PUBLIC SAFETY

2.            EDUCATION

3.            NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND

4.            HOMEOWNERSHIP

*TONIGHT, I WILL OUTLINE SEVERAL AMBITIOUS PLANS DESIGNED TO BRING THE BENEFITS OF OUR RISING STAR TO ALL OUR RESIDENTS.

*FIRST--- LET ME TURN TO THE MAJOR STRIDES FORWARD WE’VE MADE AS A COMMUNITY:

*I KNOW OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY WITH THE RECENT WAVE OF VIOLENCE---

*INCLUDING THE TRAGIC LOSS OF 2 YOUNG LIVES--- …

*BUT I COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT---

AS YOUR MAYOR--- AND AS A PARENT---

*AND I SAY WITH CONFIDENCE AND REASSURANCE--- THAT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN TURNING THINGS AROUND--- AND MAKING OUR CITY SAFER.

1.            HOMICIDES ARE DOWN 61%--- THE LOWEST SINCE 1992

2.            ALL CRIME ACROSS THE CITY IS DOWN 16 %.

*IN SPITE OF THIS PROGRESS--- ONE DEATH--- IS ONE TOO MANY.

*WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR CHILDREN TO TURN TO GUNS, KNIVES, AND VIOLENCE TO SOLVE THEIR DISPUTES.

*RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH ALL OF US.

*PARENTS MUST TAKE A STAND--- NO MATTER HOW OVERWHELMED THEY FEEL.

*THE LOVE, CARING, AND INVOLVEMENT OF A PARENT OR RESPONSIBLE ADULT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED BY SCHOOLS OR BY GOVERNMENT.

*TOUGH LOVE CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT PATH AND A WRONG TURN THAT CAN NEVER BE UNDONE.

*I KNOW PARENTS ALSO NEED SUPPORT.

*COMMUNITY LEADERS AND CLERGY MUST SPEAK OUT AND GET ENGAGED IN ORDER TO REINFORCE

1.            HOPE

2.            OPPORTUNITY

3.            AND THE FACT THAT THE EASY CHOICE IS NOT NECESSARILY THE RIGHT CHOICE.

*I, AS MAYOR WAS ELECTED TO LEAD-- AND LEAD I WILL.

*8 MONTHS AGO, I APPOINTED PATRICK HARNETT AS CHIEF OF THE HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

1.           TODAY, THERE ARE NOW MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET.

2.           160 NEW OFFICERS HAVE BEEN HIRED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS UNDER MY LEADERSHIP AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT.

3.            46 MORE RECRUITS WILL HIT THE STREETS IN JUNE AFTER GRADUATING FROM 3 DIFFERENT ACADEMIES.

4.           BY END OF THE YEAR, 75 NEW OFFICERS COULD BE PART OF OUR RANK AND FILE.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE WITH THE NEW NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING PLAN THAT

TOOK EFFECT LAST MONTH .  

THIS PLAN IS BEING EMBRACED BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HPD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY--THE RESIDENTS OF THIS GREAT CITY---

*WE MUST GIVE IT A CHANCE TO WORK.

*I WANT THANK THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY WHO ARE TAKING BACK YOUR STREETS AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS

1.            BY PROVIDING OFFICERS WITH LEADS-- THAT HAVE HELPED THEM COMBAT CRIME

*I WOULD LIKE THE CHIEF TO STAND ALONG WITH---

1.            ASSISTANT CHIEF LESTER MCKOY

2.            AND DEPUTY CHIEF DARYL ROBERTS

3.            ALONG WITH CHIEF FALLON CHIEF ROBERTS PUT TOGETHER THE PLAN AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND SUCCESS.

*BUT SIMPLY ARRESTING MORE PEOPLE--- ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN--- IS NOT THE FINAL ANSWER.

*TOGETHER, WE MUST SAVE OUR CHILDREN BEFORE THEY MAKE THAT WRONG TURN.

*WE ALL AGREE EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO OPPORTUNITY--- NOW WE MUST START EARLY.

*LAST YEAR, I ASKED A GROUP OF EXPERTS IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO HELP ME CHART A NEW COURSE TO STRENGTHEN OUR POLICIES AND SERVICES TO OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS—FROM BIRTH TO 8 YRS OLD.

*AT THE HEART OF MY“PASSPORT TO SUCCESS”INTIATIVE IS A COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING A CHILD’S MIND AND AMBITION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

*WE ARE MISSING THE BOAT OF OPPORTUNITY WHEN WE WAIT UNTIL CHILDREN ARE IN KINDERGARTEN TO PROMOTE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND LEARNING.

*CURRENTLY WE WAIT UNTIL KINDERGARTEN TO BEGIN TO REMEDIATE RATHER THAN EDUCATE.

*AND FOR TOO MANY OF OUR OF KIDS WE CONTINUE TO PLAY CATCH UP UNTIL THEY DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AND GRADUATE INTO THE FAILING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

*ACROSS OUR CITY, ACROSS OUR STATE AND ACROSS OUR NATION, WE KNOW THAT WAITING IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY --- TO DO IT EARLY AND DO IT RIGHT.

*A DETAILED PLAN OF MY VISION FOR HARTFORD’S YOUNGEST CHILDREN WILL BE UNVEILED WITHIN 45 DAYS.

*BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE TONIGHT.

*I PLAN TO ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF A CABINET FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHICH WILL INCLUDE--

1.           CITY AND STATE GOVERNMENT, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND THE COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES WORKING TOGETHER TO PUT CHILDREN FIRST.

2.            THE CABINET WILL HELP HOLD ALL OF US ACCOUNTABLE FOR A CHILD’S PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT—BEGINNING AT THEIR BIRTH.

3.           IT WILL ALSO FORGE A STRONGER BOND AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MY OFFICE AND SUPT. OF SCHOOLS.

4.           THE CABINET WOULD ADVISE ME AND OTHER MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN SETTING POLICIES THAT AFFECT YOUNG CHILDREN.

* I PLAN TO MAKE EDUCATION THE CORNERSTONE OF HARTFORD’S RENAISSANCE.

1.            800 MILLION DOLLARS IS BEING INVESTED IN OUR SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

2.            WE ARE SEEING THAT MONEY PAY OFF ALREADY

3.            7 SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

*JUST LAST WEEK WE CELEBRATED CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES AT BURR ELEMENTARY--- WE LOOK FORWARD TO A SIMILAR EVENT LATER THIS MONTH AT NAYLOR.

*BUT THIS IS MORE THAN JUST APPLAUDING CONCRETE AND STEEL. 

*THIS REBIRTH IN EDUCATION IS PROVIDING OUR CHILDREN WITH A BETTER AND SAFER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LEARN.

*THIS WILL ENCOURAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES AND TO:

1.            STAY IN SCHOOL

2.            TO GO TO COLLEGE AND

3.            GRADUATE FROM A 4 YEAR INSTITUTION

4.             AND LAND A JOB THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO HELP SECURE A FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

*WE MUST CONTINUE TO RAISE EXPECTATIONS IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN BY

1.            REVAMPING THE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

2.             BY BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COLLEGES.

3.            BY ENGAGING PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR CHILDREN AND

4.            BY ENCOURAGING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE INTERNSHIPS AND SUMMER JOBS.

* TO SHOW YOU, THAT HIGH EXPECTATIONS DO PAY OFF, I HAVE ASKED THREE OF THOSE HIGH ACHIEVERS TO JOIN US TONIGHT

*FIRST, KLEDIA MYRTOLLI  WILL GRADUATE VALEDICTORIAN OF HER CLASS AT BULKELEY HIGH.

1.           SHE MOVED WITH HER FAMILY FROM ALBANIA 7 YEARS AGO--- UNABLE TO SPEAK ANY ENGLISH.

2.           SHE NOW PLANS ON STUDYING ENDOCRINOLOGY AT EITHER UCONN, HARVARD, YALE, OR M-I-T.

*WE ALSO HAVE, ASAPH SCHWAPP.  ASAPH IS GRADUATING FROM WEAVER WITH 3.5 GPA.

1.            HE’S GOING TO UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ON 4 YEAR FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP.

2.            HE’S THE CITY’S FIRST FOOTBALL PLAYER TO DO SO IN 65 YEARS.

3.            WHILE AT NOTRE DAME HE PLANS TO MAJOR IN FINANCE

* AND OUR THIRD HIGH ACHIEVER IS ORAYAN VELARDE.  ORAYAN IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONORS SOCIETY AT HARTFORD HIGH.

1.            HE PLANS A FUTURE IN AEROSPACE OR ENGINEERING—AND IS WAITING TO HERE BACK FROM PRINCETON, HARVARD, AND M-I-T.

*HARTFORD NEEDS AN EDUCATED WORKFORCE BECAUSE IT IS A CITY OF HIGH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

1.           MORE THAN 106,000 CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS WORK IN HARTFORD

2.           PRIMARILY IN FIELDS OF FINANCE, INSURANCE, EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND GOVERNMENT.

3.           MOST OF THESE JOBS REQUIRE COLLEGE DEGREES--- AND NOT ENOUGH OF OUR RESIDENTS QUALIFY TO FILL THEM.

*AS MAYOR OF HARTFORD--- I HAVE CHALLENGED LOCAL EDUCATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND PHILANTHROPISTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HARTFORD STUDENTS GOING TO A 4-YEAR COLLEGE--- BY 25 PERCENT.  SO THAT IN THE FUTURE HARTFORD RESIDENTS CAN CAPTURE A FAIR SHARE OF THESE HIGH END JOBS.

*BUT FOR THOSE WHO GO TO WORK NOW--- WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO SAVE AND ATTRACT JOBS THAT PAY A LIVING WAGE AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS.

*MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS WORK IN THE SERVICE SECTOR AND ARE ONLY A PAYCHECK AWAY FROM LOSING THEIR HOME AND THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS AND THUS-- THEIR DIGNITY.

*WE MUST FIGHT FOR THEM TOO. 

*MORE THAN 120 WORKERS FROM HARTFORD ARE BACK ON THE JOB, NOW THAT THE HILTON HARTFORD IS OPEN AGAIN

*AND ALMOST 100 MORE JOBS WERE CREATED AS A RESULT.

*SOME PEOPLE DOUBTED ME WHEN I SAID “NO” TO A QUICK FIX--- AND FOUGHT TO SAVE UNION JOBS.

*I’D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE RETURNING EMPLOYEES OF THE NEW HARTFORD HILTON--

1.            JUANETTA (JUNITA) BRYCE--- VICE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 217.

2.            NADINE MULLINGS-GENTLES.

3.            JUAN RAMOS.

*THERE IS MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO ON THE JOB-FRONT, AS DOWNTOWN PROJECTS BECOME A REALITY.

1.           THE CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER OPENS IN JUNE

2.           THE MARRIOT HOTEL OPENS IN JULY

3.           MEANTIME, NEW APARTMENTS AND RETAIL SPACES ARE BEING COMPLETED OR BUILT--- AS WE SPEAK.

*EXISTING BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES THEY HAVE MADE DURING THIS DIFFICULT TRANSITION PERIOD.

*I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR ENDURANCE AND PERSISTENCE WILL PAY OFF.

*CRANES IN THE SKY ARE BEING REPLACED WITH A NEW HARTFORD SKYLINE.

*OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE EXPERIENCING A RENAISSANCE AS WELL.

1.            A RETAIL SHOPPING CENTER WILL OPEN THIS SPRING AT THE CORNER OF MAIN AND PAVILION--- THAT’S IN THE CLAY ARSENAL NEIGHBORHOOD ON LAND THAT HAS NOT SEEN POSITIVE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

2.            ACROSS THE CITY IN THE BEHIND THE ROCKS NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CHARTER OAK PLACE MARKET--- WHICH INCLUDES WALMART--- IS NOW OPEN-- AND HAS PROVIDED HUNDREDS OF JOBS TO HARTFORD RESIDENTS.

*NOT ONLY DO WE WANT PEOPLE TO LEARN AND WORK HERE--- WE ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO BUY HOMES IN HARTFORD.

1.            HOMEOWNERSHIP HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS

2.            800 NEW HOMEOWNERS IN CITY SINCE 2002 AND

3.            HARTFORD HAS ALSO OUTPACED THE REGION IN THE GROWTH OF HOME VALUES BY 25%.

*FROM GOODWIN ESTATES IN THE WEST END---TO ST. MONICA’S HOUSING IN THE NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD--- TO RICE HEIGHTS IN BEHIND THE ROCKS NEIGHBORHOOD.

*DESPITE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY--HUGE CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD.

*THE BIGGEST IS M-O-N-E-Y-- THAT’S RIGHT –MONEY,  -- TAXES, GRANTS AND REVENUE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

*LAST MONTH, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HIT EVERY HARTFORD RESIDENT BELOW THE BELT BY PROPOSING TO ELIMINATE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS PROGRAM AS WE KNOW IT.

*A 40% REDUCTION IN CDBG GRANT MONEY --- MEANS WE HAVE ALMOST $2 MILLION DOLLARS LESS TO SPEND ON OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR CHANCES AT BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.

*THIS MONEY HELPS FUND 65 PROGRAMS IN HARTFORD THAT BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS.

THE YOUNG --THE ELDERLY, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN --- BENEFITS FROM CDBG.

*COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS HELPS BUILD ROADS, SIDEWALKS, AND HANDICAP RAMPS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

*THESE FUNDS HAVE PURCHASED TWO-THIRDS OF OUR FIRE TRUCKS--- THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELAND SECURITY--- FOR HARTFORD AND THE REGION.

*THIS MONEY ALSO GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR TUTORING PROGRAMS.

*IT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE BUY HOMES.

*WE’VE ALREADY LOST $600 THOUSAND IN FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE PAST 3 YEARS.

*WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY MORE--- BUT THAT’S THE REALITY WE FACE.

*AND JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT THINGS COULDN’T GET WORSE--- THE STATE WANTS TO HOLD BACK MONEY---

*BY NOT MEETING ITS FULL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO TOWNS AND CITIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY --EDUCATION --THE STATE IS PROPOSING ONLY A 2% INCREASE IN FUNDING TO OUR CITY.

*THIS WILL NOT HELP US MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF OUR CITY--- ESPECIALLY THE NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN.

* LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-- YOU KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING --THE HIGHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ARE TRYING TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGETS ON THE BACKS OF CITIES AND TOWNS.

*MY ADMINISTRATION HAS FACED LARGE BUDGET GAPS YEAR AFTER YEAR---

*AND WE STILL FOUND A WAY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET--- AND REMAIN FISCALLY SOUND.

1.           THE CITY’S OUTSTANDING DEBT IS NOW STABLE

2.           WE HAVE A “GOOD” BOND RATING

3.           AND WE HAVE SEVERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY.

*BUT THIS TIME AROUND--- THE COMPOUNDING FINANCIAL SLASHING ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS WILL REALLY HURT.

*NO ONE WANTS TO RAISE TAXES.

*AND NO ONE WANTS TO CUT SERVICES.

*BUT TOUGH DECISIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE HERE IN THIS VERY ROOM.

*AND WITHOUT MORE HELP FROM THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT COULD MEAN:

1.            CUTS IN EDUCATION, FIRE AND YOUTH SERVICES,

2.             IT COULD MEAN --NO NEW HIRES OR IN SOME CASES-- LAYOFFS

3.            AND WE WILL STILL HAVE TO INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

*HARTFORD’S VOICE IS GROWING ON THE NATIONAL POLITICAL STAGE.

*I INTEND TO USE THAT VOICE TO FIGHT THESE UNFAIR CUTS AT ALL LEVELS

*OUR GOALS MUST REMAIN AMBITIOUS--- OUR STANDARDS HIGH AND INCLUSIVE IN ORDER TO BUILD ONE HARTFORD.

*WE MUST WORK TO SERVE ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS--- ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NEED THE MOST HELP.

*I HAVE SET UP A COMMISSION TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

*THE CO-CHAIRS ARE ARCHBISHOP HENRY MANSELL AND SUSAN ROTTNER, PRESIDENT OF BANK OF AMERICA, CT.

*OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS IN HARTFORD

1.            ACCESS TO SAFE, DECENT, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

2.            ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND EMPLOYMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN ORDER TO GET THEM OFF THE STREETS AND FROM UNDER BRIDGES INTO PLACES THEY CAN CALL HOME.

3.            WE WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS IN 10 YEARS BUT WE MUST BEGIN RIGHT NOW.

*WE CANNOT ALLOW THE GAP BETWEEN THE “HAVES AND THE HAVE NOT” TO GROW.

*WE MUST ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF “BOTH” HARTFORDS, IN ORDER TO CREATE-- ONE HARTFORD.

*IF OUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO GET THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE--- THEY MUST BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

*THE MAJORITY OF CONNECTICUT JOBS REQUIRE COMPUTER PROFICIENCY.

1.            BY 2010, JOBS IN THE COMPUTER AND MATH FIELDS WILL GROW BY 67%.

2.            HIGH TECH JOBS PAY $36,000 MORE THAN OTHER PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS.

3.            WE HAVE TO PREPARE HARTFORD’S CHILDREN SO THAT THEY CAN COMPETE FOR THESE JOBS.

*IN SUBURBAN CONNECTICUT--- MOST CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET AT HOME.

*IN HARTFORD--- WE HAVE OPENED THE DOORS TO OUR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER OR INTERNET ACCESS.

*BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH.

1.            LESS THAN ONE THIRD OF HARTFORD HOUSEHOLDS ARE CONNECTED TO THE WEB.

2.            83% OF FAMILIES THAT MAKE LESS THAN $15,000 A YEAR DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER AT HOME OR ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

3.            HARTFORD FAMILIES WHO ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FACE A BLEAK ECONOMIC FUTURE.

*IT IS TIME THAT THE CITY OF HARTFORD FULLY COMMITS ITSELF TO BUILDING A TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT BRINGS ALL RESIDENTS INTO THE 21^ST CENTURY.

*AS I SAID EARLIER, WE ARE INVESTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE REHABILITATION OF OUR SCHOOLS.

*FOR A FRACTION OF THAT AMOUNT--- WE CAN PROVIDE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY--- AND SIGNIFICANTLY BRIGHTEN THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

*I AM PROPOSING THAT HARTFORD TAKES 3 IMPORTANT STEPS TO NARROW THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN OUR CITY:

1.     FIRST WE SHOULD BUILD A WIRELESS INTERNET NETWORK THAT COVERS THE CITY OF HARTFORD AND PROVIDES FREE INTERNET ACCESS TO OUR RESIDENTS.

2.     SECOND WE SHOULD STEP UP OUR EFFORTS TO PUT MORE COMPUTERS--- AT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED PRICES--- INTO HARTFORD HOUSEHOLDS.

3.     AND THIRD, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT OUR LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS BECOME THE CENTER OF COMMUNITY LEARNING.

*THIS WILL TAKE A COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES, CAREFUL PLANNING, AND SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS.

*HOWEVER, I PLEDGE TO START TOMORROW ON AN EFFORT THAT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN HARTFORD WITHIN THE NEXT 5 YEARS—

*THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY STEPS WE WILL TAKE OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES:

*WE MUST INCORPORATE HIGH TECH SYSTEMS INTO THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS EVERYDAY.

*CITY DEPARTMENTS ARE ALWAYS BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS-- AND TO INCREASE THEIR EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

* IF WE WANT THEM TO SUCCEED, WE MUST GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE IN THE FACE OF BUDGETARY REALITIES.

*I AM ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT--- WHICH WILL CREATE A MASTER TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR THE CITY---

* A PLAN THAT WILL INTEGRATE SERVICE REQUESTS AND WORK ORDERS---

* A PLAN THAT ESTABLISHES A 3-1-1 CALL CENTER.

*FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH 3-1-1--- IT WILL MEAN:

1.           THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE NUMBER TO CALL FOR ALL NON-EMERGENCY QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR SERVICE.

2.           CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT

3.           AND THEY’LL BE ABLE TO HANDLE 99% OF THE INQUIRIES---WITHOUT HAVING TO TRANSFER THE CALL TO ANOTHER PERSON, OR WORSE, TO AN ANSWERING MACHINE.

*CITIES HAVE DONE THIS WITH GREAT SUCCESS, --- HARTFORD CAN DO THE SAME.

*OTHER CITIES HAVE SEEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SAVED THROUGH GREATER EFFICIENCY AND INCREASED REVENUE COLLECTION.

* IN HARTFORD, DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON SERVICE.

*CITIZENS WILL HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED QUICKLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.

*AS WE PUSH THE ENVELOPE OF TECHNOLOGY WE MUST HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

*I PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS-- AT

1.            PARK STREET AT MAIN STREETS

2.            AND AT ALBANY AVENUE AND WOODLAND STREET.

*THESE ARE JUST 2 AREAS THAT ARE FERTILE GROUND FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--- INSTEAD OF EMPTY LOTS OF DESPAIR.

*ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS -- I SEE IT EVERYDAY.

*I KNOW THESE GOALS ARE LOFTY.

*BUT WE MUST DREAM BIG AND NOT THINK SMALL.

*WE MUST FACE CURRENT CHALLENGES--- HEAD ON---

*SO THAT WE CAN FORGE AHEAD IN THE FUTURE.

*HARTFORD CANNOT BE A TALE OF 2 CITIES.

*IT MUST BE ONE--- IT MUST BE WHOLE.

*IN THE WORDS OF DR. KING---

*”WE ARE CAUGHT IN AN INESCAPABLE NETWORK OF MUTUALITY, TIED IN A SINGLE GARMENT OF DESTINY.  WHATEVER AFFECTS ONE DIRECTLY, AFFECTS ALL INDIRECTLY.”

*WE ARE NOW NEW ENGLAND’S RISING STAR--- LET US SHINE THE LIGHT THAT CAN COME FROM OUR STAR ON --ONE HARTFORD --- A HARTFORD WHERE HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY HAS SERVED SO MANY AND SO WELL.

*THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE MY CITY AND FELLOW CITIZENS.

*GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND THE CITY OF HARTFORD.