Councilperson Deutsch holds a level

Councilperson Larry Deutsch held a Stanley level to demonstrate the need to keep politicians “on the level.” Then, he showed a brass union to call attention to how union jobs are a good fit for the city.

The frequently outspoken elected official said he had been promised five minutes to speak before the crowd of nearly 300, but was later told he would have to sign up and take a one- or three-minute spot like everyone who was not Mayor Segarra or Thom Deller.

Deutsch arrived prepared with hardware props and a list of seven questions:

  • what, exactly, will be the full-time union or living-wage jobs for Hartford residents?
  • will the mayor’s administration and team owners commit to a signed community benefits agreement regarding a fund for school and park improvements, blight remediation, community centers, and more?
  • can there be a binding and secure guarantee for residents and taxpayers for full repayment of all City expenses — from consultants to construction to publicity — if the owners decide to relocate the Rock Cats before the lease is up?
  • how will there be compensation for workers and small businesses that depend on the stadium games if the team leaves before the contract is up?
  • who exactly will pay for police overtime and Department of Public Works sanitation?
  • why haven’t Hartford taxpayers and City Council been asked what they want for downtown and he rest of the city before spending money to plan and put out proposals for a stadium?
  • how will workers losing jobs in New Britain be treated?

Neither Segarra nor Deller had answers to his questions.

Few answers were provided for anyone’s questions.

The public forum, organized by Hartford 2000, had been billed as an “informational meeting,” as a chance for beleaguered City officials to correct “misinformation,” as was stated in a recent H2K board meeting. It was designed specifically so Mayor Segarra could illuminate the details of the stadium proposal, and so the public could get answers to their questions, along with make comments.

Complaints had been waged over so-called misinformation being distributed by the media, yet when that same media demanded answers over the last month, those in power refused to use those multiple, daily opportunities to set the record straight with hard facts, solid data, and substantial detail.

Nothing changed at the forum, except this time the public served as a live audience, receiving information without it being filtered by the media.

Rhetoric of the Media, Rhetoric of the Mayor

Several local media outlets have been framing this issue has pro/con, showing a disconnect from how residents are in actuality responding. When I asked a television reporter why she is oversimplifying the issue, she stared blankly, responding that she wanted people to know why she was approaching them. I tried again, explaining that people at a public forum on one topic are going to know in general why the media approaches them. Why not ask a more complex question? No answer.

The total of comments from Wednesday’s forum can not be divided into for-or-against.

There were fewer than a handful of people who said they were 100% in favor of the mayor’s proposal as it stands. The few willing to give a rousing endorsement included Mayor Segarra’s husband, a City of Hartford employee, an absentee landlord, and the president of a local softball league.

After that, it got more complicated. A number thought there could be potential here, but had all kinds of (still unanswered) questions and stipulations; an even larger number indicated that the relationship of trust between public and City officials had been seriously damaged.

Nobody stated, absolutely, that a baseball stadium would be terrible.

This evening presented another opportunity for Segarra and Deller (no other City officials were part of the panel) to sell the dream, to satisfy residents’ concerns.

Instead, when resident-after-resident provided criticism of the deal and the way it went down, Deller responded with defensiveness, could not provide basic information such as the website where documents could be found, and ultimately blew the opportunity.

Segarra cranked up the rhetoric, deploying fallacies instead of facts. He repeatedly referred to himself as having “optimism.” Even after it was evident that few were jumping on board the fast-tracked stadium proposal as it stands, he continued to push the plan with no new angle.

On the Record

Ted Carroll moderated the forum, commenting that “how we make this decision may be even more important” than the decision itself.

Segarra said he was “very conscious” of jobs and taxes. He played up the idea that the stadium would reconnect downtown to the north neighborhoods, omitted details of precisely how that would occur.

He said that while he knows there is plenty to do in Hartford, others do not believe that is so and having more options for entertainment is good.

Without providing any specific names or examples, Segarra said that the stadium proposal “has sparked incredible interest from the private sector.”

“Collaboration is key here,” Segarra said.

Deller stepped up next: “in order to have growth you have to have a clear statement of where you want to go.”

He did not say what happened to the clear statement developed during the Downtown North Plan process.

Another rhetorical move was to repeat versions of the phrase posted on the bottom of the City’s slide show: “the ballpark is the spark.” A stadium sounds big and unwieldy, while ballpark has a smaller, familiar feel. Those favoring this proposal have been trying to use “ballpark” instead of “stadium.” As for “spark,” that was repeated a few times during the forum.

Deller said “several months back we were approached by the Rock Cats.”

Those secret meetings with the Rock Cats began in November 2012 and only came to light last month.

Deller cited Dayton, Ohio as an example of a place that has had success turning a blighted area into a minor league stadium.

Providing no specifics, he said “whatever we can get to grow jobs” would be welcome.

The slide show provided a vague breakdown of stadium costs, only listing three categories: hard costs ($41.3M), soft costs ($10.3M), and others ($8.4M).

Recently, the City has been questioned about stadium-related spending that has already taken place.

“Everyone debates numbers,” Deller said, as side conversations began happening around the room. Under breath, and louder, remarks from the public indicated that these explanations had not satisfied the questions residents had in mind.

And that was that. No new information provided. No light shed on the proposal.


Public Q&A

This list includes every person who spoke at Wednesday night’s forum. There are a couple individuals whose names are not here; I apologize for missing those, but I prioritized capturing the tone and sentiments expressed as to create as complete of a picture of the forum as possible.

Carol, Hartford resident: “I do have a lot of questions.”

“You’re doing this for the people coming in from the suburbs. Why do we have to keep paying for them?”

Carol presented a metaphor of Hartford being used as a toilet for suburbanites to use, but then not bother even paying for the toilet paper when they are done with their business.

Steven Kleinman, West End neighborhood resident: “I think it could do a lot for Hartford” but there’s a lot of risk involved. It is not the government’s job to get involved in private enterprise.

Franklin Perry, Sr.: Not for or against “until I get additional info from both parties [New Britain and Hartford].”

Daniel Parrish, Blue Hills neighborhood resident: Says “vote no.” There is nothing in the proposal that benefits “Hartford citizens and taxpayers.”

The $60M would impose on taxpayers. This venture should be 100% private funded.

He called for a grocery store in Downtown North instead.

MAYOR SEGARRA: Remarks on the possibility of a public-private partnership, but gives no specifics on what the ratio of input would be from both parties.

Says “I’m very open to the idea of a market.”

Public comment: “Would like to congratulate City on” keeping these plans a secret for seventeen months. Notes that his tax bill arrived on Tuesday. Says he likes the idea but does not want any impact on his taxes.

Christopher Brown, Frog Hollow neighborhood resident: “If billionaires want to build ballparks, let them” do it with their own money.

“Why is it that a needy, 50-something-year-old panhandler gets arrested, but when panhandlers like the Solomons come begging the Mayor’s Office trips over itself to go into debt to please them?”

He pointed out that the Park Street branch (in Frog Hollow) of the Hartford Public Library has been passed over for renovations, year-after-year, even as recently as a few weeks prior to this meeting.

“Why should I trust you with our money?”

MAYOR SEGARRA: Refers to himself as “optimistic,” again. Says that he is willing to move forward on “Parkville Branch.”

Nina: How much money will the Rock Cats’ owners be getting from the City? Why wasn’t the public-private partnership presented sooner?

MAYOR SEGARRA: Does not answer her questions. Says “team bears loss.”

Ebony Murphy-Root, Asylum Hill neighborhood resident: “I am optimistic about democracy.”

“How do you know you’ve done due diligence?”

“Who is willing to be responsible? I’m looking for names.”

Barbara Cohen, Wethersfield resident: Concerned about the “lack of transparency.”

MAYOR SEGARRA: Says that the secret meetings were not something he’s “pleased at or proud of” but that is the way those kind of deals are done.

Elisha Barrows, Hartford resident and Housing Code Enforcement Inspector for the City of Hartford: Says she is “100% supportive of baseball stadium.”

“Hartford needs a boost.”

Says she wishes “we could have scattered factory outlets on downtown.”

Tina, owns property in Hartford but does not live here: “I praise the mayor for taking this endeavor.”

Jamil Ragland, Hartford resident: “I live in the North End.” His family lives there. He walks around the city, including Park Street, Broad Street, and in his neighborhood regularly. “I wonder where is the space for my neighbors” in this stadium proposal. He does not see neighbors at the movies on Front Street or at Connecticut Science Center or the Wadsworth Atheneum. Wonders if he attends a game at this stadium, “will I see anyone that I know?”

Alan Looper, Hartford resident: Expresses favorable views toward the stadium. Ends with “Let’s bring the NHL back!”

Wendy: Has there been any research done about how many jobs there will be, full-time and part-time? Asks mayor why he has not taken her offer of a free history tour.

MAYOR SEGARRA: Does not answer jobs question. Defends his love of history and explains why he has not been on those tours. Ted Carroll cuts off the mayor to refocus the conversation.

Larry Williams, Hartford resident: “What’s in it for me?”

Says he was around when the civic center was built and “everything was painted real rosy.”

“What happens if this doesn’t work? Do you have an exit plan?”

Says he’s glad that the room is full.

Terry Outlaw, East Hartford resident: Says that from when he lived in Hartford, he saw a lot that happened and “a lot that hasn’t happened.” From perspective as an electrical contractor, asks if the RFP requires everyone involved to be Hartford residents and if this will include internships for Hartford residents. Will Hartford residents see direct economic benefit?

JOSH SOLOMON, owner of Rock Cats: Is brought up to the mic. Says “yes, we have intern programs.” Names ones having to do with accounting and office work. Does not mention internships in the trades. Says there will not be baseball interns.

Councilperson Cynthia Jennings: “We have no more rainy day fund” in the City of Hartford. “It is critical that we come up with income streams.” Expresses conditional support, if 100% of the hiring is of Hartford residents. The Council will commit only if there are no tax increases and if this is an income stream that supports our tax base and builds Hartford businesses. “We must protect the rights of our people to work.”

Tina Franklin, Hartford resident: “We have to foster a culture of trust.”

Mike, Wethersfield resident: “I’d love to see baseball back in Hartford,” but he has many questions.

He questions the hotel room numbers in the report released by the City of Hartford.

He says City spells out plan for 2700 parking spots. Right now on an average night, 600 paid parking spots are used in New Britain for Rock Cats’ games.

He describes self as a Rock Cats’ fan who goes to games often. Says that they have only begun asking for his zip code in recent weeks. Says that Solomon has no idea where fans are coming from, but asserts that except for a few fanatics, people are not traveling long distances (that would account for hotel rooms) to watch minor league baseball.

Says that baseball attendance has been dropping.

THOM DELLER: Can’t recall which website had info with the numbers in question.

Garrett, Downtown Hartford resident: Advises the mayor: “don’t announce it as a ‘done deal’ until we have a public comment.”

Thinks this has potential to be catalyst for development. Made comments vaguely in support of regionalism.

Pedro Mercado, President of Los Amigos Softball League: in favor. Says “sports is always positive.”

Anne Goshdigian, Hartford resident: “Don’t want one cent” of taxpayer money “spent on speculative venture.”

Why are we talking about the median income for the metro Hartford area instead of the median income for Hartford?

Residents need affordable housing.

“I would love to see the stadium” if Solomon or corporate sponsors contributed.

And then she sang.

Charlie Ortiz, West End resident and husband of Mayor Segarra: says he supports the proposal as a resident and business owner. Does not mention his relationship to the mayor.

Kevin Brookman, Asylum Hill resident: “We want to see something succeed.”

“Your salesmanship on this deal has been awful.”

Says all of the language that the City has been using is “we think, we believe, we hope.”

“Why weren’t these [reports/data] already put on your website?”

“Please stop dividing our city, [Solomon]. Go to a lender and assume the risk for yourself.”

MAYOR SEGARRA: Mentions optimism again.

Frank Piscitello, West End resident: “I’m for the stadium.” Says he sees it as a “spark.” Noted all the companies Hartford used to have.

Fernando, Frog Hollow resident: “Public-private partnerships are very successful all over the world if done right.”

Says we need to be having more public forums like this.

“I am in favor of more development. . .. I am in favor of the market.”

Would support the stadium “if done the right way.”

Mark, West End resident: He calls it an “understatement” to say that there have been failed real estate deals in Hartford.

“I don’t believe there’s anyone here who wouldn’t want a baseball team in Hartford,” but wonders if this is the right time to be making that move. Reminds of time when businesses were kicked out of the civic center. Asked, after that happened, what has come back?

Said that this conversation should have taken place six months ago.

Resident: What we need is affordable housing and a market. We need something with full-time, 365 day/year jobs. Slammed Segarra and Deller for including a skybox in the agreement.

Councilperson Larry Deutsch: Asked if there was a legal guarantee in place so that if the team leaves “we don’t get left holding the bag.”

Mentioned the word “referendum.”

Evelyn Richardson, North East neighborhood resident: Said that she was trying to, “from a business standpoint,” wrap head around why Segarra didn’t want the grocery store to drive economic development. Mentioned that she lives in a “food desert.”

Wants a community benefits agreement and living wage jobs.

Said Josh Solomon told her that the $60M was an inflated price.

Derek, Hartford resident: “My bit of grief is I’m tired of being sold pipe dreams about jobs.”

“I’ve been unemployed for three years.”

“How did you come up with the median income [$89,000]?”

“Who will reinforce those [jobs] numbers?”

“Who much money will the Minnesota Twins be putting in this project for Hartford?”

“We’re the ones that voted y’all in.”

“I’m still here waitin’ for my job. Lemme know what’s up.”

MAYOR SEGARRA: Makes remarks as people are getting up to leave.

Next

  • July 21: Public hearing at City Council meeting
  • August 1: RFP bids open
  • August 12: primary
  • August 18: Contract awarded

 Bonus: A Quick Guide to Logical Fallacies

  • argumentum ad nauseam: repeating argument infinitely without providing new evidence. Ex: “optimism,” “spark,” “vision,” “jobs”
  • straw man: a sham of an argument that nobody is actually making; therefore, it’s easy to put down an argument that does not exist. Ex: “Hartford should or should not have a stadium.” Evidence shows that the vast majority of those willing to participate in civic discussion have questions and caveats. Nobody has actually come out saying “a baseball stadium in any location, no matter how it is funded, is completely a bad idea.”
  • generalizations: stereotypes. Ex: When a resident asks a question or presents a critique, hearing mayor respond with “I know there are people in this room who won’t agree with me on anything.”