Mayor Eddie Perez surrenders to State Police under cloud of speculation

Conversations with the Candidates - Mayor Eddie A. Perez, 2007

The big news story today in Hartford was of course that of City of Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez surrendering himself to the State Police earlier this morning as he faces charges of bribery and corruption. There is already much being said by many others, so I will bow out of the discussion for the most part as unintelligent comments should be saved for the Courant's comment forums obviously. For my part, just thought I would share this video I directed two years ago when the Mayor was running for re-election. This was from a series of interviews held by Hartford 2000, the organization of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones, with the six mayoral candidates in 2007.

Here are a few links of interest on this story:
The Hartford Courant's timeline of events
Urban Compass' report from today's press conference at City Hall
John Dankowsky blogs about interviewing Mayor Perez hours before his decision

Quick comment from me about why I'm keeping my distance after the jump...
I've known Mayor Perez for several years now, working with him as his 'cameraguy' when I was employed at Hartford Public Access Television. Since he began his campaign in August 2001 to when I left the job in 2008, I would work with him at least once a week. That isn't to say I've always (ok, ever) agreed with the Mayor, his administration, or his tactics. In fact, we once exchanged some very heated words regarding some political decisions he had made. I learned a lot about politics because of my work with Mayor Perez and the rest of city council and learned, I don't care for the underside of politics. To that end, I actually never witnessed the dark side that comes out in the news articles.

But I also had the opportunity to know Eddie Perez, the guy that was your 'papi' when the politics were put aside. And I actually grew to like him over the years. His wife is also a very vivacious individual. Personally, it hurts to see this type of thing happen, just like it had hurt to see certain decisions that were made. What is more frustrating is what we will see and read: those that are ready to tear him down and gloat. There are three entities being demolished: The office of the Mayor, the community man, and the city of Hartford. This is how they are attacking. Frankly, I feel for all of them.

And because of that, I don't really have any condemning words, as some would expect. I know, it's weird for me not to. Maybe it's part of the Hope wave of Obama that I think it's time to rethink things; maybe it's because I hate his enemies more. At this point, I'll think of the man I've gotten to know and hope that he and his wife can make it through this. As for the law, that is what it is and it will judge. As for the haters on the forums, go fuck yourselves because one finger pointing at us doesn't out weigh the four pointing back at you.