What could Ritter possibly have to say for a whole three pages on this subject, you’re wondering? Here it is, uncut:
I would like to welcome everyone and thank everyone for being here tonight. I am encouraged by the amount of feedback I have received regarding this matter, because it demonstrates that residents care about the critical issues we will be facing over the coming weeks. These are certainly the types of situations that test our resolve and force us to dig deep for the courage to do what is right, not what is easy; to do what is necessary, not what is politically appealing.
Before I get into my reasons for voting to change our current Council President, I would be remiss if I did not publicly state that I respect our current President and I consider Councilman Torres to be a friend. My reasons for wanting to move Councilman Segarra
into the role of Council President are in no way a condemnation of Councilman Torres but rather, my firm belief that Councilman Segarra has the necessary skills and leadership qualities to help guide this body through what is likely to be a contentious and difficult time. There must also be a recognition that different situations require and call for different leadership skills. Given the fact that our current Council President is admittedly the Mayor’s closest ally on the Council, his public stance and positions on issues
involving the Mayor, whether this is fair or unfair, will be perceived much differently than the positions and actions taken by a more neutral leader. Last Tuesday morning, Mayor Perez was arrested on criminal charges. Even if criminal charges are not proven against the Mayor, there are other possible breaches of the public trust that cannot go unaddressed. Based upon the facts that have been disclosed, there may have been violations of the City’s Code of Ethics and the Freedom of Information Act. Therefore, this body may have to take action based upon these disclosures and again, for the following reasons, Councilman Segarra is the most qualified to lead us during these deliberations.Councilman Segarra has been a prosecutor and was the former Corporation Counsel for the City; and he is the youngest person to ever hold that position. In addition, in light of the allegations made against the Mayor and the possible ethical violations that may have been committed, we may have to hire separate legal counsel. No matter what, this Council will have to sort through a host of legal issues in the coming weeks. Accordingly, in my opinion, Councilman Segarra’s legal background and experience are attributes which make him the person best prepared to lead this body. Some have said that we are acting hastily and our decision will send a message of panic. I disagree. This body would be sending a message of panic if it did nothing – and remain paralyzed by uncertainty. If we leave the status quo intact we will be sending a message that we are unmoved to change despite the overwhelming need to change. In light of the breaches of the public trust that may have been committed, the members of this body
cannot talk like lions and act like lambs. Doing nothing sends a dangerous message of complacency in circumstances that require action and change. As John F. Kennedy once remarked, “there are risks and costs to action, but they are far less than the long range
risks of comfortable inaction.”After last week, the City has changed and we must change with it. The promotion of Councilman Segarra to Council President is the perfect remedy for the situation we face today because it is a demonstration that the Council understands the seriousness of the
allegations and disclosures we have heard over the past week, but that we also are not a body that will act irrationally or in haste and deny the Mayor an opportunity to present his case. Some have asked us to impeach the Mayor and some have urged us to keep the status quo – I believe the former to be premature and the latter to be unacceptable to many Hartford residents. The promotion of Councilman Segarra is a reasoned, rational measure to ensure that the Council President will deal with the Mayor’s office on these
and other issues in a more appropriate manner given the circumstances. As Steve Harris remarked to me this morning, this is about a new vision of government. Some have asked me why should we vote here tonight if we know it will be a divided vote? Why hold a meeting in which disagreement will be so public? Because debate is healthy. Dissention is an essential ingredient to good public policy and it also ensures transparency in government. Perhaps this entire situation we find ourselves in today is due to the fact that we have not had enough dissention. And to those who cling to the foolish notion that silencing critics and stifling open discourse is the way in which a city should be governed, you are on the wrong side of our City’s history. This is the beginning of a new chapter in Hartford’s history.Disagreement is powerful because it can serve as a source of unity. When people can learn to disagree amicably and disagree without being disagreeable, that is the ultimate sign of respect. This body must aim to find more common ground, elevate our debates, and ensure respect for the other side’s motives. The question before us tonight is not whether we will disagree on this vote or in the future – rather, the question should be how will we disagree in the future? Will we settle our differences by yelling and screaming or will we shake hands and acknowledge that no individual, no political party, no political philosophy, has a monopoly on right or good? So, I say to those assembled here this evening and to those watching at home tonight, that this is a difficult vote for me but it is the right vote for me. When I ran for Council in 2007, I was door-knocking on Princeton Street in the south end when an elderly woman invited me in for water on a 95-degree day. I was carrying six different campaign fliers: one for myself, and one for Councilman Torres, Councilman Segarra, Councilman Kennedy, Councilwoman Winch and Councilman Boucher. She thought it was so nice that we all passed around our running mates’ literature, but asked if this sort of teamwork could carry over to the Council if we were elected. I told her that I believed that we all loved Hartford enough to ensure that we governed in a positive manner. I cautioned her however, that just like families, even Democratic allies and running mates disagree from time to time. She acknowledged that in politics there will always be disagreement and that is natural. But she offered me this advice: She said “Young man, when you do disagree with your colleagues, promise me you will do it respectfully and be mindful that no matter how intense the issues may be, that we all have families, loved ones, friends, supporters and constituents and accordingly, we must disagree in a way that fosters respect and admiration from each other.” In that spirit, I respectfully submit to my eight colleagues and to the residents of the City that I am advocating that Councilman Segarra become our new Council President. I do so mindful of the service that our current President has given us these past 13 months.
But if I were to stand here tonight and not vote my conscience and for what I believe to be in the best interests of Hartford, then I do not belong here. I would not be worthy of serving the City in which I was born and raised.
