What’s New on HartfordInfo.org

April 2008

What’s New on HartfordInfo.org is a periodic update announcing recent additions to HartfordInfo.org. Please feel free to forward this message to others. To be added to the distribution list send an email message through our feedback page.

HartfordInfo.org, a program of the Hartford Public Library, is a gateway to information and data on issues important to those who live and work in Hartford and the region.

Translation Work Resumes:

Spanish translation of HartfordInfo.org has resumed thanks to the generosity of the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) with support from the AT&T Foundation. To access HartfordInfo.org in Spanish, go to www.hartfordinfo.org and click on the Espanol link in the upper right corner. Thank you, SAMA! (Visit SAMA’s web site at http://www.samact.org/)

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New Data on HartfordInfo.org:

Voting Data: This spreadsheet shows the percentage of adults who voted in Hartford elections by precinct from 2002 to 2006. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and select Voting Data from the blue Hartford Data Sets box near the center of the home page.

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New Community Programs on HartfordInfo.org:

To view any of these recent programs, go to www.hartfordinfo.org and click on the View Community Programs box on the right side of the page:

Can You Hear Me Now? A Discussion on Hartford's Noise Ordinance
The Property Tax Dilemma: What's the Next Move?
Government Secrecy: Censoring Your Right to Know
Connecticut Promise Zones
The Future of Interstate 84

New Reports on HartfordInfo.org:

Hartford Connecticut: Redeveloping an Urban Gateway - This Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel Report includes recommendations for developing Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “urban gateway” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Cities in Crisis: A Special Analytic Report on High School Graduation - This analysis shows that high school graduation rates are 15 percentage points lower in the nation’s urban schools when compared with those located in the suburbs. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “cities crisis” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
New Sheff vs O'Neill Settlement and Summary - The new Sheff Settlement agreement represents an important step forward in achieving the goal of quality integrated education for all Hartford children. See both a summary of the settlement and the full settlement document by going to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “sheff 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Skirting a Recession?: The Connecticut Economic Outlook: February 2008 - This Connecitcut Center for Economic Analysis Outlook sees a deteriorating state economy, one that will just skirt a formal recession as total output continues to grow at an anemic rate. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “outlook 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Public Attitudes Toward Municipal Services in Hartford, 2008 - The results of a public opinion poll taken in March 2008 for the City of Hartford about attitudes toward various municipal services. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “attitudes” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Hartford's Place in the Global Economy - A presentation by John Shemo, VP of Economic Development at MetroHartford Alliance evaluating Hartford's place in the global economy and presenting strategic objectives for ensuring a prosperous future for the Greater Hartford region. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “economy” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Mayor's Update, Spring 2008 - A quarterly publication designed to share Mayor Perez's primary goals, objectives and accomplishments. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “spring 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Hartford's Options for Tomorrow (HOT) Revenue Enhancement Study - A presentation on the findings of the HOT Revenue Enhancement Study. The goal was to convene stakeholders to identify innovative strategies to generate revenue to support human services in Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “hot” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
State of the City Address 2008 - Mayor Eddie Perez addresses the City Council, reviewing progress of efforts to improve education, crime incidence, neighborhood and economic development, and homeownership. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “address 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Availability of Skilled Workers in Connecticut: 2008 Survey - The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), Capital Workforce Partners and the United Illuminating Company conducted this survey in order to determine the perspectives of Connecticut businesses on the current and future workforce issues facing the state. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “skilled” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

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New Articles on HartfordInfo.org:

Through agreements with the Hartford Courant, the Hartford Business Journal, the Hartford News, and the Hartford Advocate, HartfordInfo.org continues to offer selected articles as permanent additions to the web site. Some recent additions include:

Austin Organ Builds to Its Own Beat - - There’s a 115-year-old company quietly cranking out organ after organ on Woodland Street. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “organ” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Sheff Plan Passes Legislative Committee Test - A key legislative committee recently approved the latest plan to reduce racial isolation in Hartford schools. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “sheff plan” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Wireless on Hold - Hartford's big wireless project has stalled. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “wireless” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
New York Investor Quietly Acquires City Apartments - A New-York based investor has quietly bought up more than 2,000 apartment units in Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “investor” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
State Help For Caregiver Grandparents Uncertain - Raising Delilah - Earlier this year, grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren thought financial help was on the way. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “caregiver” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Cirque It to Hartford – Four-Week Run To Fatten Local Wallets - Cirque du Soleil's four-week run is expected to draw more than 85,000 people and $2 million to Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “cirque” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Proposed Hartford Graduation Requirements Get Mixed Response - A plan to dramatically increase graduation requirements at Hartford public high schools drew a mixed response. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “requirements” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Recognition Overdue For Park Pioneer - Bushnell Park was designed by a man, whose name has long lain in undeserved obscurity. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “park pioneer” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Bonds Could Fund College - A proposal that would allow towns to issue bonds to pay for college scholarships for its public school students was recently aired at the Hartford Public Library. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “bonds fund” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Work Gives Them Hope - Fresh Coat LLC, a Bridgeport-based nonprofit painting and moving company, is an ideal business for ex-convicts. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “work hope” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Anger After King's Death Left Lasting Mark On Hartford's North End - On the night of Thursday, April 4, 1968, more than 150 people learned that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was dead. They left their homes, frustrated and fearful, and made their way through the North End of Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “king's death” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
The Insurance Capital Fights Back – Tax Breaks Sealed Deals On $369M in New Projects - When the two worldwide insurance companies with headquarters in Hartford needed to expand their operations, state and city officials stepped up with attractive tax breaks.Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “tax breaks” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
The Hartford He Came Home To Was A Different City - Benjamin Cruse, Leadership Greater Hartford's director of youth services, is bringing Little League back to the South End after it folded a few years ago. When he recently returned to his hometown, he realized Hartford "wasn't the same as I left it." Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “different hartford” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Connecticut's Income Disparity Shows Rapid Growth - The income gap between Connecticut's richest and poorest families has grown at a faster pace in the last 20 years than any other state. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “income disparity” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Hartford’s Interstate Mistake -Hartford neighborhoods cut off by an elevated stretch of I-84 are pushing hard to reconnect to the city's downtown. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “interstate” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
No Getting Around It – City Bus System Flawed - The author suggests that one of the biggest holes in the existing Hartford bus system is a lack of cross-town routes. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “flawed bus” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
ChampBoat Grand Prix To Return To Hartford - Speed boat racing is set to return to the Connecticut River this summer. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “Champboat” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Hearings Set On Hartford's Strong-Mayor Charter - The city council has decided to hold a series of public hearings to gauge public interest in revising the city's strong-mayor charter. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “hearings” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Knox Still Helping -For 40 years, community groups have gone to the Knox Foundation for help, often when there were no other sources of funds. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “knox” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
A Historical Organization Changes With The Times - The Antiquarian & Landmarks Society has changed its name. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “Landmarks” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Connecticut Court Considers: What Is A Good Education? - Back in 1965, Simon Bernstein had been largely responsible for crafting an article added to the state constitution guaranteeing "free public elementary and secondary schools." Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “good education” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Governor Rell Announces Funding for New YMCA on Albany Avenue in Hartford - Governor M. Jodi Rell announced recently that $1 million to help build a new YMCA on Albany Avenue in North Hartford is expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “new ymca” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Filling the Pipeline - Connecticut lags far behind other states in providing manufacturers with the skilled workers they need, in spite of the fact that thousands of jobs in the state are going begging. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “pipeline" in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

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