Hartford mayor to submit resignation on Friday

[The Northerner]

HARTFORD, Conn. — The mayor said on Tuesday that he will submit his resignation on Friday, a week after he was convicted on five corruption charges, and would stay in office long enough to ensure an easy transition.

Mayor Eddie Perez had said last week after being convicted of extortion, accepting a bribe and other counts that he would step down. He announced on Tuesday that his resignation will take effect when he and City Council agree on a date "to allow for a smooth transition."

"It is time to move the city forward," he said in a statement. "I am truly sorry for the mistakes I have made that have harmed the city that I love."

Councilman Matthew D. Ritter said he expects Perez's resignation will take effect next week, allowing the acting mayor-in-waiting to shut his law firm and get ready to take over.

If Perez tries to delay his resignation, the council can remove him, but that process takes at least one month, Ritter said. He does not believe it will be necessary.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hhj0XkJYDAqA_roYYBVferP19PjQD9GGDEQ00

[brendan120678]

1. Not soon enough, in my opinion.

I wish he had done so as soon as he was indicted.

[SoCalDem]

2. Exactly.. if not when indicted, surely the instant he was convicted... n/t

[Common Sense Party]

3. Sounds like another Repuke criminal.

Is he?

[joeybee12]

4. Dem...Hartford always elects Dems...n/t

[Common Sense Party]

5. With all those rich bankers and insurance executives nearby?

I guess they all live in the tony suburbs.

[joeybee12]

6. You are exactly right...Hartford is a desolate urban area...they always

try to attract new business, residents, but it has never really caught on like Boston and Philly and other eastern cities in attracting people to live in the actual city.

[CTyankee]

7. Hartford is SO boring. And it's too bad, but it just never had oomph

and was just the business enclave of insurance companies. It can't be the culture capital of the state because New Haven has that honor, and rightfully so. Stamford is another business enclave and poor Bridgeport is just a rundown rust belt town. The good people of those cities try hard and I like them, but I think it is a losing battle trying to attract people to gentrify them.

It makes me all the angrier at people like Eddie Perez, Joe Ganim (fmr B'port mayor who served time in federal prison)and Phil Giordano (child molesting former mayor of Waterbury). I like Dan Malloy (Stamford mayor who is running for governor). Unfortunately, we have an incompetent, corrupt mayor for life here in New Haven but the city has strengths that will outlast him.

[madinmaryland]

8. Hartford has been desolate since the insurance co's fled in the 1980's.

The Russian Lady was a great bar that got some pretty good bands back in the early 1980's. Have no idea if it is still there.