[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6604587,"mediaKeyId","2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0","parentId",2987571,"title","Retired fire chief urges city to 'fill the vacuum' of violence; praises council resolution on indigenous inclusion","audioSeconds",375,"startMs",459000,"endMs",834000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0&start=459&end=834","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0/thumbnail_459000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604587/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Retired-fire-chief-urges-city-to-fill-the-vacuum-of-violence-praises-council-resolution-on-indigenous-inclusion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604587-1c592117b3d974bbf7b0e5825e60b374/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204300&Signature=icxHRvhZr1qTIWlB-vutV1OuQzRza5zc6CVSiabFQUIJXFV2exGQf0k~nO4jbP-ApSsMyScQfGsgzuRRWCJtheqBB6rcVcQiOvS9sDgUIy74HY6yc0wFLFKoKcb1Kv0Iz8DaWOhSEs5Ak-wxeWeyl9F31gdSNeBCX2f0bv8CpTIImPpxoM8aiBha6MysKgEDctnVCt~J78ZmcWLx0hNMTKo848CocEvjVkUFEmRcB9gT3Epek6nzpuI1FNT8aPIrkcXKqb6eQerQhu2sMlLeWDWGDSYegEsIw-EzA5IrGJSPhCSnMKtXrWOYftoPdkxbpPYOGys9hMFoPBo4AI3Mhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hartford, CN","date","2025-04-14T23:22:43.453Z","article","Retired Hartford Fire Department Chief Charles Steele told the council that addressing an \"intergenerational\" culture of violence requires active, sustained efforts and praised a recently passed city resolution that he said aims to include indigenous voices in local initiatives.

\"Throughout the past couple of months, I've had the privilege of making my presence known in these chambers in an attempt to address what I believe is the greatest challenge facing the city of Hartford, our culture or violence,\" Steele said. He described how his lifelong ties to Hartford and professional experience as a firefighter shaped his view that trauma can be \"holistic\" and pass between generations.

Steele said that civic action is required to prevent a \"vacuum\" that will otherwise be filled by more violence. He praised a council resolution that, as he quoted it, resolves that \"the city of Hartford will seek to provide opportunities for native residents to reconnect with their cultural practices and ensure that indigenous voices are included in initiatives affecting their communities.\" He called the resolution \"a huge step in the right direction when it comes to creating a new Hartford, Connecticut, the city of peace.\"

Steele spoke alongside colleagues Charmaine Craig and Sean Razi and framed the resolution as part of broader, non-policing efforts to build peace through community and cultural work. His remarks were part of the meeting's public-comment period; the council did not take action on his remarks during that time.

Speakers did not enumerate specific implementation steps during public comment; Steele framed the resolution's recognition and inclusion of indigenous voices as one piece of a larger effort he and allies are advocating to reduce violence.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hartford Public Comment April 14th, 2025 Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Retired Hartford Fire Department Chief Charles Steele called on the city to address an \"intergenerational culture of violence\" and praised a council resolution directing outreach to indigenous residents, saying cultural reconnection is a \"huge step\" toward peace.","taxTitle","Hartford City, Hartford County, Connecticut","taxId",5895,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604594,"Supporters urge council to approve honorary Lewis Street naming for Samuel C. Hamilton and Sanford J. Cloud",1222,2274000,3496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0&start=2274&end=3496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0/thumbnail_2274000.jpg","/articles/6604594/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Supporters-urge-council-to-approve-honorary-Lewis-Street-naming-for-Samuel-C-Hamilton-and-Sanford-J-Cloud","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604594-d3d11868164b11c25cc5915e05a7a8ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204300&Signature=VKGLW-3giVVtbVRZ6oevU~4oUrRhLRf-mBnmgrOqwVLVvD31r3TqI52J24QRi-JSFkOtUzKWWsqAez8-UDpcIGRgkq~-yw-nWnCD0c8WwR~yNNN6MiW2DP-VtJvOkr-tpfryGtzZaKLcjROZHZReAyQCBCc9O5WCp~HEP0ZtjJUUv0GN9duvq77Uho~hcEcqHE-UXscpXaxGdyPv~UzUaEq5UxBNAuR1cjvRj2WHAfTgy6SkNaAUXNAb8pCMK6kfu53Vdr-5bNZXUQLjbq3qQGoOZviGkf9aV8d4q8eznC19oZ-7W2vb5C60fh0dT6WkxpgZhS1IkRWkwdgCzKGXtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Hartford Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and others urged the City Council to approve a resolution to place honorary name signage on Lewis Street recognizing Samuel C. Hamilton and Sanford J. Cloud.

Reginald Austin Jr., identified as president of the Hartford Alumni Chapter, told the council that Samuel C. Hamilton \"not only was a pillar of the Hartford community but he also worked at headco for over 30 years\" and asked that Hamilton's name be honored. Austin also cited Sanford J. Cloud as \"one of the few minorities to have owned a building and continue to this day to own a building on Lewis Street.\" He said the honorary naming would give overdue recognition to leaders who have invested in the local economy.

Other chapter members and supporters spoke in favor of the resolution, describing it as a chance to \"affirm a legacy\" and to make those stories visible to future generations. A Kappa Alpha Psi board member said the men exemplify the chapter's founding principle, \"achievement in every field of human endeavor,\" and urged the council to approve the measure.

Speakers said the request was for honorary signage and not a legal renaming; they framed the measure as a symbolic recognition of longtime local service and business ownership. The council did not act during the public comment period; supporters urged that the resolution be placed on a future agenda for formal consideration.

If approved, the honorary signs would be installed on Lewis Street and would commemorate the civic and business contributions of Samuel C. Hamilton and Sanford J. Cloud.","Members of the Hartford Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and other residents urged the council to superimpose the names of Samuel C. Hamilton and Sanford J. Cloud on Lewis Street to honor long-serving community leaders and business owners.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604599,"Controversy over proposed Christian flag at Hartford City Hall raises legal and civic concerns",2042,1112000,3154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0&start=1112&end=3154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0/thumbnail_1112000.jpg","/articles/6604599/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Controversy-over-proposed-Christian-flag-at-Hartford-City-Hall-raises-legal-and-civic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604599-182327886a9c896a127346892a507652/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204300&Signature=ASJTLEFpmKc4-SigQTMqB-8LnXHsaDrv3pEfB0JOYnZqTHayfkrqwe8OrJHbC72ng7hjP8Xk~tPqvpYPJKtCETUgyly50xrESY3VRwRYKSqasoIz5j0lCbAPl-gljcOfG-qLqUYnsmGD7rao5UTdKTPe4aqe1lrOaGyPT8Mi1TMVAeNb8ZkNDf7JUHSqyW-aJh8-Wt2G6y4vBrgh8JF2fRwJ5G2Kr0E1nVVjPqNimopRLVr6RK36Hcz34Ip8LsQT3HP6IkmWcTAm3KONeGF~UtkcB1xSLb6Se1YVQo7RFjSum7vv6Ucl-NSAxeNm-l5sUivjchucqU-TfB4eg77spA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at a Hartford City Council meeting included sharply divided views on a resolution that would allow the Christian flag to be flown at City Hall in recognition of service by faith-based organizations.

Jonathan Adekonis, a Hartford resident who described himself as raised in the Christian tradition, said he opposed flying a flag for one faith at city property. \"The city is served by more people than just the Christian faith,\" Adekonis said, adding that the gesture \"suggests that one community's good works are more important than others.\"

Bishop Torres urged the council to permit the flag-raising. He cited the city municipal code permitting flags to be displayed \"in conjunction with official events or ceremonies as announced by council resolution,\" and argued that Supreme Court precedent on government speech means the city may express recognition without violating the Establishment Clause. \"The city's proposed flying of the Christian flag will not amount to an establishment clause violation,\" Torres said.

Other commenters warned of legal and practical risks. Sarah Labry said flying a flag of a particular faith at City Hall could prompt litigation and divert city resources. \"I do believe that it is a violation of the establishment clause and that flying the flag over City Hall runs the risk of potential legal challenge,\" Labry said. William Moffett expressed concern about how the symbol might be perceived amid national trends of religious nationalism and urged the council to prioritize budgets that address basic needs over symbolic gestures.

Bishop Torres referenced Hartford municipal code, chapter 2, article 1, section 2-13(f)(2), and invoked federal case law generally when urging approval. Opponents pointed to the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and the possibility that litigation, if filed, could require the city to defend the action and incur legal costs.

No council vote occurred during the public-comment period. Commenters asked the council to weigh legal risk and the city's role in recognizing community service, and several urged the council to consider alternatives such as nonexclusive recognition or investments in programs over symbolic actions.

The council did not respond during public comment; the issue may appear on a future agenda for formal consideration.","Public commenters both urged and warned against a council resolution to fly a Christian flag at City Hall: supporters cited local municipal code and the government-speech doctrine, while opponents cautioned about establishment-clause challenges, the cost of litigation and civic inclusivity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6604604,"Former Blue Hills Civic Association staff, neighbors demand transparency after abrupt layoffs",2648,898000,3546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0&start=898&end=3546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987571-5e16329af1a2a6bc2e4a62a0a1fa2de0/thumbnail_898000.jpg","/articles/6604604/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Former-Blue-Hills-Civic-Association-staff-neighbors-demand-transparency-after-abrupt-layoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604604-168e2a39ae7c7d038d80fbbe658288d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204300&Signature=QaYqxag-jUz2ZhSL7uOAfDmNRRYOPisKHGrkPPBoDKn8AtLXTD98bwnKPKWsa~sB8yAM4lae7zukQtV7DZVwLRsQKeead-mef~BIE3eX3NhI2moWXGOpzZokcmqOgkC4VIxevM4hXiLjbDUxIporDzEvumqIEmbkbvgG7mNSaqvnYeM7szgk-3kHDwv04BzRczTJW3LWgX33AWBHMkmqfbzpFokG1~wrBbt7iSAlMhpB11-YPiJFVABgEs8F8d4uHCmyqqXFJJwcY0Mza16yQzTfDLzZjeHJKOwh0Na1~U0jfLvcmsVBgZznhEDLynAOt-lndB9gT10ZEg9Z6e5cJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of former employees, neighborhood leaders and parents told the Hartford City Council that the abrupt termination of roughly 30 Blue Hills Civic Association staff has left youth programs and summer services in jeopardy.

Alyssa Peterson, a homeowner in Grandview Terrace and representative of the Parent Power Group, said the layoffs were sudden and widespread. \"Recently approximately 30 employees from Blue Hills Civic Association were abruptly terminated. No warning, no transition plan, no opportunity to prepare, just a notice of, effective immediately,\" Peterson said during public comment. She asked the council to push for mediation and for an interim board to restore services.

The terminations drew similar concerns from Carrie K. Allen, who said she represents parents connected to Blue Hills programs. \"These were mentors, program coordinators, youth advocates, people who were deeply embedded in the lives of our children in Hartford,\" Allen said. She urged the council to hold a public hearing or review to determine why the layoffs happened and whether the city could step in to bridge service gaps before summer.

Community organizer Kelvin X. Lovejoy pressed elected officials for an independent investigation and an audit of public funds dispersed to BHCA. \"We must ask, what's really going on? This is why we're here tonight, to take action and to demand action,\" Lovejoy told the council, saying programs at BHCA had been funded by city, state and federal dollars and asserting that salaries and program funding had previously been in place.

Former employees who spoke said they and the young people they served were left without clear alternatives. Sherrell Banks, who said she was terminated on April 8, called the situation \"unacceptable\" and demanded transparency and action from public officials and funders.

Speakers also raised specific financial allegations circulating in the community. Alyssa Peterson referenced a reported $5,000,000 ARPA grant secured by state Sen. Doug McCrory in May 2024 and alleged prior concerns including a reported $300,000 cyber hack at Webster Bank and questions about past Section 8 payments. Peterson framed those claims as reasons to pursue immediate mediation and clarity rather than litigation.

Neighborhood representatives warned that gaps in staffing and programming could leave summer employment, youth workforce training and existing violence-interruption work unfilled. Victoria Fennell, speaking for the Blue Hills neighborhood, asked, \"What happens to the summer youth employment program that is now in jeopardy?\" and urged the council to ensure services for Weaver High School students and others continue.

Several speakers asked the council to use its convening power with funders, the Hartford Foundation and other partners to stabilize programming and reconstitute leadership if the board cannot restore operations quickly.

The public comment period closed without council action on the matter; speakers asked that the council respond with a public hearing, an independent audit of funds, and rapid interim steps to protect youth services.

If the council places the issue on a future agenda, speakers asked that staff report on program continuity, funding sources and any referral of terminated employees to alternative city-supported programs.","About 30 staff at the Blue Hills Civic Association were terminated without notice, speakers told the Hartford City Council during public comment, prompting calls for an independent audit, mediation, and a city role in ensuring summer programs and youth services continue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Retired fire chief urges city to 'fill the vacuum' of violence; praises council resolution on indigenous inclusion

Supporters urge council to approve honorary Lewis Street naming for Samuel C. Hamilton and Sanford J. Cloud

Controversy over proposed Christian flag at Hartford City Hall raises legal and civic concerns

Former Blue Hills Civic Association staff, neighbors demand transparency after abrupt layoffs