If members of City Council have been checking their email and reading social media since the rumors of the stadium began last week, the major opposition to the project vocalized during Monday’s public hearing should have come as no surprise to elected officials.

Seventeen people spoke strongly against the stadium. There were three — two of whom are politicians — on the fence, and one business owner who seemed generally cautious. There were a total of five in favor, two of whom are politicians. Of those supporters, only three were what could be called strong supporters.

Although Segarra talked a good game at last week’s rushed press conference, we have learned that most members of the City Council only found out about this “done deal” at the same time or after the general public did last Monday.

Councilwoman Jennings said something needed to happen for Hartford’s economy to improve, but she had many questions that she wanted answers for. Monday, she asked to have her name removed from the list of those sponsoring the land transfer item.

In another interesting turn, Shawn Wooden, who spoke in favor of the stadium in the capacity as Council President at that press conference on Wednesday has revealed that his firm (Day Pitney) represents the seller of that land: Rensselaer. Monday night, he recused himself from voting on the land transfer item.

The opposition to the stadium is mainly rooted in the City’s budgetary issues, misplaced economic priorities, and lack of transparency.

During public comment, as happens often, time limits were enforced selectively, with State Senator John Fonfara allowed to speak without interruption (he supports the stadium) while a few residents in opposition were cut off (both were opposed).

Here is what people were saying:

Ken Krayeske, Asylum Hill resident:

“It’s no surprise considering that lack of transparency,” why there has been misinformation published and broadcast by the media.

This use of funds “is impudent.”

Christopher Brown, Frog Hollow resident:

In a startling announcement on the sunny Fourth of June

From left field came a stadium surprise that afternoon

With dicey-looking figures and math-matic wiggle room

We saw the latest roadmap to efficient fiscal doom The numbers are inflated optimistic fuzzy math

With details twice as fuzzy as a blurry photograph

The skyward pie of jobs for to diffuse our local wrath

If the goal’s creating jobs then I propose a better path Make jobs that fix the things we use in Hartford every day

Like the long-deferred repair of schools like Clark and MLK

Like the parks and streets and sidewalks that are crumbling away

These are the critical improvements that need capital today Must our cities always kiss-up to the whiter-collared set?

While the needs of people living here you seem to just forget

Seems like fixing up our neighborhoods would be a better bet

Or plowing piles of snow instead of giant mounds of debt Like my tiny local library, under-funded, over full

These lower-cost investments in the things you may find dull

Will be longer-term solutions to our economic lull

These are all more shovel-ready than this steaming load of bull

Justin Eichenlaub, South West neighborhood resident:

“Why should one of the poorest cities in the country become notorious for building the most expensive minor league stadium in the nation?”

This has been an “anti-democratic process.”

Hyancinth Yennie, South West neighborhood resident:

There are many schools that need repairs, like MLK and Kennelly.

If the Rock Cats want a stadium here, let them fund the construction themselves.

Are we able to currently fill the XL Center?

The City Council needs to “think carefully.”

Speaker Who Did Not Identify Self or Address:

“We need to resuscitate” the city and the stadium is the way. But, does not want the City of Hartford alone to fund it.

Kevin Brookman, Asylum Hill resident:

“This thing was just slammed together so quick.”

We all want to see something improve the economy, but “this is not it.”

Hartford has sold off many things in recent years. “What are we going to sell next year when this plan doesn’t work?”

“Our future is not a baseball stadium.”

The “consultant’s report is nonsense.” Where do the numbers for room stays and construction jobs come from?

Aurelia Gale, Downtown resident:

As a small business owner, “I work daily to make sure that Hartford is a better place.”

“We can not afford another failed project.”

“This should serve the people of the city.”

Karen Clark, Upper Albany resident and MLK parent:

Renovations have been promised for MLK for upwards of ten years. “We are being left behind.” The school does what it can to improve, but “every year we have a different fight.”

Another MLK Parent: “Education goes before baseball and football.”

Malachi Davis, MLK parent: “This school needs some serious renovations.”

Acting Chair of North East NRZ:

“Refer back to Hyacinth’s message.”

“Nothing is really being done in my community.”

“How do you hold 18 months’ worth of meetings and consider that transparency?”

Minnie Gonzalez, Parkville resident and State Representative (3rd assembly district):

“Would like to welcome the Rock Cats.”

“We have the right to agree and the right to disagree” because we live in a “democratic system.” [said without sarcasm]

John Fonfara, South End resident and State Senator (first district):

Supports stadium because it is a “great opportunity for City of Hartford.”

The stadium would address the idea that there is nothing to do in Downtown Hartford after 5pm.

Neighborhoods should stop fighting against one another.

Ed Vargas, South End resident and State Representative (6th assembly district):

“I want to support this” but the process was “not transparent.”

I have an “open mind but lots of questions.”

Angel Arce, State Representative (4th assembly district):

Found out about this deal by reading it in the newspaper. “The way it was done, I don’t believe it was done the right way.”

I believe this may be good for Hartford, but there are too many unanswered questions.

“You [City Council] found $60 million for Downtown.” I hope you find money for the rest of my district.

“I’m hoping we’ll see no tax increase. . .no mill rates going up.”

Tim Sullivan, organizer for New England Regional Council of Carpenters (CT):

“We’re going to support construction projects” if area residents are given meaningful employment.

“What other purposes can this building serve?”

“This process needs to be transparent, open.”

Joshua Blanchfield, West End resident: “I’m here to speak on the done deal. I’m sorry, items 8 and 10.”

This project is “great for the Rock Cats corporation,” lousy for our city.

“We need good jobs in Hartford” but the stadium “is not the answer.”

Of all those promised jobs, only 40 direct jobs would actually be within the stadium. How many jobs will be filled by those currently holding them in New Britain?

The projections about hotel stays seem inflated. We’ve been told 400-700 stays in hotels during home games. “Is this happening in New Britain?”

Allison Holst-Grubbe, Parkville resident:

Was going to speak about the money that had been marked for MLK and then stalled on, but Wooden is giving reassurances that Council will be intervening to get those renovations moving. But, there are many other schools that need attention.

“What better way to revitalize than to invest in education?”

Fonfara said that neighborhoods should not be fighting each other. Agrees. Neighborhoods should not have to fight each other for “basic city services” like public education.

Chris Hutchinson, works on Locust Street:

With $62.48 million Hartford could pay for the following in the next two years:

100 new elementary school teachers $16.63 million

1000 Head Start slots for children $15.48 million

2000 Children receiving low income healthcare $10.61 million

1000 Scholarships for university students $19.77 million Or you could substitute $15.48 million for MLK repairs with the 1000 Head Start slots

“I love baseball but not at the cost of hard-working people of Hartford and education.”

John Gale, West End resident: The parcel has been vacant for over forty years. “Nothing has happened” with it. Applauds City Council and the Mayor for this idea.

“You’re not building a stadium; you’re building for tomorrow.”

Wildaliz Bermudez, Asylum Hill resident:

There is “insufficient data to make strong arguments” at this time.

Not all cultures in Hartford are into baseball.

“I want to see something” that is “unique.” A baseball stadium “is not a new idea.”

Because of youths’ reduced attention spans, “baseball is a dying sport.”

The City of Hartford has no plan of conservation. What will the environmental impacts of this be?

Alyssa Peterson, Hartford resident: Does not support authorization of this. Has never seen such a “rushed process.”

Such projects typically receive regional, state, or federal support. “I see none of that here.”

Filing a request for an audit of the Mayor’s Office. Wants to know who knew what when.

The median income of Hartford residents last year was $26,000.

Head of Los Amigos Softball League: “Colt Park has been put to the side,” but we make the best of it, despite that lack of maintenance. We have more than 400 players in the league.

Supports stadium.

“Education is #1, but educating someone in sports is good too.”

Denise Best, Upper Albany resident: “Isn’t it sad that in the middle of a food desert” we’re going to spend money on a stadium?

Joshua King, Barry Square neighborhood resident: Opposed to stadium for three reasons.

“Total lack of transparency.”

Vision for Hartford should be based on those who work and live here. This should not be about creating a “playground” for tourists.

The public financing of a private project is “corporate welfare.”

The alternative uses of money described by Hutchinson “would be investments in people who live here.”

This project is not about economic development. It is someone’s “nebulous” attempt to put Hartford on the map.

JoAnne Bauer, West End resident:

Opposed to “the shortsighted stadium”

“There are decades of data proving” that stadiums “fail to deliver” economic benefits.

Democracy

As expected, there was no vote on the stadium Monday night. Items were referred to the Planning & Economic Development Committee; Operations, Management, Budget and Legislative Affairs Committee; and the Planning & Zoning Commission.

With Jennings removing her name from the resolution and Wooden recusing himself from the land transfer, this is looking less like the unanimously supported project Segarra sold to the press last week. Other councilpersons have since indicated that their votes are not sure bets.

There are folks organizing in different areas of the city to oppose this project. Beyond the seventeen who spoke against the stadium, there are others who have already sent emails to elected officials or were unable to attend Monday’s public hearing.

Wait, What About Groceries?

When we spoke with Rex Fowler of the Hartford Community Loan Fund last week, we learned that while the proposed stadium has not outright eliminated the plan for a grocery store at 1212 Main Street, this development has made things a bit messy for that development. When we spoke, he said he had to verify that the unnamed operator and developer would still be on board. Fowler expected to have more clarity on the grocery store’s future this week.