The Cool Justice Report

New & Collected Columns & Stories Via Substack

2025-05-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

ICYMI: Post Via The Winsted Citizen Blog: A Word From El Bardo The Legend

2023-05-23T11:46:00.001-07:00

THE ASSASSIN

By LEO CONNELLAN

I am hidden within

who you think I am

--

We Treat Poets, Writers, Authors Right:

The Winsted Citizen

https://winstedcitizen.org/

Our Today’s Poets page is inspired by the late Poet Laureate of Connecticut Leo Connellan aka El Bardo The Legend, who published a column under that banner with The Register Citizen of Torrington 1994-95.

Connellan modeled his offering after that of Marcia Lee Masters, poetry editor of The Chicago Tribune. She was the daughter of "Spoon River Anthology" author Edgar Lee Masters, the trailblazing Midwesterner who also shared a law office with Clarence Darrow. "Let's run a poetry column like Marcia Lee Masters," Connellan said. "We'll get lots of readers."

Connellan compiled original works by acclaimed poets and new voices from throughout the nation. The big hitters included New York Quarterly Editor William Packard, Bollingen Prize winner Fred Chappell, Negative Capability Editor Sue Walker and Fulbright Scholars David B. Axelrod and Diana Der-Hovanessian, as well as Connecticut's own Marilyn Nelson, Franz Douskey, Vivian Shipley and Richard Telford. Promising college and high school students also saw their works published by Connellan.

The Today’s Poets page in The Winsted Citizen has published works by Franz Douskey, Kate Rushin, Jon Andersen, Samuel John Hazo, Ravi ‘I Don’t Play the Sitar’ Shankar, Elizabeth Thomas, Steve Straight, Victoria Nordlund and Sandra Bishop Ebner. The June edition will feature poems by Julia Paul and John Stanizzi. Also, please check out our advertisements featuring authors.

ENOY READ SUBSCRIBE ADVERTISE DONATE

https://winstedcitizen.org/

ICYMI: Post Via The Winsted Citizen Blog: June Edition in Production / Staff Updates / We're going digital in addition to print ... Stay tuned ...

2023-05-22T03:38:00.001-07:00

If it's important to you, it's important to us

Only those who attempt the absurd
will achieve the impossible
~ M. C. Escher

A Note From The Editor & Publisher

Dear Readers, Advertisers, Donors,

Thanks to you, we not only still exist, we are flourishing.

Our June edition – the fifth – is in production and will hit the mail and the street June 2.

As with many startups, a major constant is change. You are seeing new reporters and photographers in each edition.

Our Executive Editor Melanie Ollett has been leading the charge in recent editions, with strong support from Contributing Editor Michelle Manafy. Many readers know Melanie works as a librarian and is looking forward to enjoying the summer with her children; that is precisely what she will be doing as of July 1 while continuing to serve the paper on a limited basis as a contributing editor.

Succeeding Melanie as executive editor in July will be Doug Clement, former senior editor at Connecticut Magazine and longtime editor of The Litchfield County Times. Few people know the region and its people, especially the arts and culture scene, better than Doug.

Doug will be leading the charge into the fall and next year: Litchfield County & Beyond ...

Yes, we plan to be around for a while. You might begin to think of us as Connecticut’s premiere newsmagazine. That’s part of our vision for 2024.

We continue striving to earn your trust. Please continue to let us know how we’re doing and what you want to see in our publication. Remember: It’s Your Paper, We Work For You.

Andy Thibault, Editor & Publisher, May 12, 2023

tntcomm82@cs.com

860-690-0211

WHERE TO GET THE PAPER ON THE STREET https://winstedcitizen.org/where-to-find-the-winsted-citizen/

FOOTNOTE: We're going digital in addition to print. Stay tuned ...

ENOY READ SUBSCRIBE ADVERTISE DONATE

https://winstedcitizen.org/

Las Vegas Publisher Acquires Rights To Louis The Coin Memoir Update

2023-04-02T02:19:00.009-07:00

https://louisthecoinbook.com/

Pub Date: Sometime in 2024

https://histriabooks.com/

The Whole Idea Behind It

Was To Be Like A Tax Collector

ABOUT LOUIS:

Louis the Coin was a genius in metallurgy whose estimated haul from producing counterfeit slot tokens and chips easily exceeded $3 to $4 Million from casinos around the country. Some casinos admitted it, and many, most of which were in Nevada didn't.

He sat at the right hand of New England Mob Boss Raymond Patriarca – one of the most powerful gangsters in U.S. history – with direct access to his family members. Louis was a friend of theirs and talent, not a made man.

Louis was neither your average jeweler nor your average mob associate. He began his criminal career as a teenager and went on to earn a business degree from Providence College. In the years before his death, Louis attended community college in Rhode Island because he loved learning.

His expertise ranged from making jewelry and fixing printing presses to orthotics and of course, counterfeiting slot machine tokens and currency.

Colavecchio could duplicate or create almost anything made out of precious metals or stones. All he needed was a sample. The samples were analyzed professionally for content, weight and availability.

Foxwoods had been booming for about five years when Colavecchio set his sights on Connecticut; Mohegan Sun had just opened.

Colavecchio never talked about his friends – at least to police. But one of the important numbers in his personal phone directory was for Louis “Baby Shacks” Manocchio, then the reputed Mafia boss of Rhode Island. Manocchio lived in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood, where he once operated the Café Verdi restaurant. He was convicted of a mob hit in 1968, but that was overturned by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. In 2015 Manocchio was released from federal prison to a halfway house after serving five years for his role in an extortion plot.

Before Colavecchio could move on the casinos, he needed to do some homework. He also needed some serious equipment. Colavecchio's expert analysis revealed he needed the following: precious metals including copper, zinc and nickel; a 150-ton press from Italy; and laser-cutting tools to cut, shape and create dies to stamp out the coins. The coins were tokens, to be used in Las Vegas, Loughlin, Atlantic City and the Tribal Casinos in Connecticut.

When state police brought a sample of Colavecchio’s product to Foxwoods, the experts did not believe it was counterfeit. Some called it a masterpiece. State police advised the casino to keep track of inventory; the token counts were bound to be off because of the surplus. Meanwhile, the inventories at Atlantic City casinos were multiplying like rabbits.

“We know that he hit Vegas hard,” an investigator said. “But since many of the directors of security there were former FBI agents, they denied it. The problem did not exist. It never happened.”

Evidence mounted. A surveillance team comprised of detectives from Las Vegas, New Jersey and Connecticut waited for Colavecchio to hit New Jersey or Connecticut again. He chose New Jersey. This time he used only $100 tokens. It was easy. There were fewer machines to watch.

Colavecchio was arrested in Atlantic City in late December 1996. The pinch did not make the papers for about a week. In his car, Colavecchio had 750 pounds of counterfeit tokens, a fake police ID, disguises, a handgun, maps of casinos and various casino documents.

The FBI, Secret Service, three state police agencies and Providence police took inventory at Colavecchio’s Providence operation. The government had to rent two storage facilities to store all the loot that was seized.

Everyone took their turn arresting Colavecchio. He hired a former Rhode Island attorney general and a respected New London attorney as his lawyers.

Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun acknowledged finding a total of at least $50,000 in fake tokens. Investigators borrowed microscopes from local high schools to inspect mounds of tokens. It took them weeks just to determine that Colavecchio hit one Mohegan Sun jackpot for $2,000.

Worked out by Connecticut based detectives, Secret Service and prosecutors, Colavecchio ended up in a conference room and getting VIP treatment at Mohegan Sun. His lawyers had worked out a deal. Colavecchio showed law enforcement how he did the job, and promised to help the casino tribes and the state ward off any future raids. They say he was a hero in Providence as well. Colavecchio served a relatively short federal sentence at Fort Dix in New Jersey and did not “rat out” any of his friends.

The New York Times and Providence Journal also reported Louis was hired by the U.S. Mint upon his release from federal prison for the token scheme a couple decades ago. That was because his dies in coins were of better quality than government production. The U.S. government paid Louis about $18,000 as a consultant.

Louis died on July 6, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Cranston, RI. He had gained a compassionate release from federal prison weeks earlier after serving time for counterfeiting $100 bills. He was 78, as noted in his New York Times obituary.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/us/louis-colavecchio-dead.html?searchResultPosition=1

He counted among his friends the detective who arrested him in Connecticut.

The Connecticut State Police Museum, in cooperation with The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, is developing a Louis the Coin exhibit.

DID LOUIS REALLY ... ???

Louis The Coin, The Poem

POEM TEXT

https://tinyurl.com/4h6drkkj

This video was filmed

at the CT State Police Museum

Theme Song,

King Louis de la Provvidenza

Performed by Rick Reyes, Asher Delerme

UPDATED w/ Obit - #SilvioAlbino Calls Him The Shoreline’s Lighthouse: He’s My Lighthouse, Too, And Now There Is Darkness Shattered by His Light … So Long, #JohnCPeterson …

2023-03-19T05:50:00.005-07:00

‘Beware of Straight Lines in the Jungle’

- If there is a heaven, he certainly heeded his own words. Those whom he trained, inspired and counseled look to his light … then, now, always ...

https://www.facebook.com/silvio.albino

OBITUARY

https://www.neilanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=27534868&source=EmSh&mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1a8IIb05SA-qMw68CpzYRMPbNVOmU4hyFAGYp1Et29g2MkqHp2YwqpBWk

John C. Peterson Cracked New London Cover-Up

In Hit-and-Run Death of College Student: Dirty Judicial Officials, Local Cops Never Held Accountable --

State's Attorney 'Lost' Grand Jury Transcripts???

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2020/07/43-summers-ago-july-5-1977-grand-jury.html

Birth of a Newspaper Followed Community Meeting: Video, Photos

2023-02-07T02:02:00.003-08:00

#CoolJusticeBand @tortmuseum for #TheWinstedCitizen

Linda Ransom, Jen Allen, Matt Dwonszyk, Josh Bruneau,

Jonathan Barber, Kris Jensen, Jeremy Galloway

DIR MELISSA BIRD OPENS PAPERBAGS @tortmuseum

- Savage Frieze PHOTO

AD & CIRC DIR ROSEMARY SCANLON ON THE STREET 2-3-23

- Reynaldo Cruz PHOTO

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2023-01-23T22:56:00.003-08:00

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For Remainder of 2023
PILOT EDITION February 2023 Free

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11 new print issues this year packed with original content.

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Think of us as a regional newspaper

http://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/you-can-think-of-us-as-regional-paper.html

You can think of us as a regional paper #TheWinstedCitizen

2023-01-20T02:30:00.003-08:00

Host Tom Hill III: WATR Waterbury Interview with Ralph Nader, founder, and Andy Thibault, editor & publisher, The Winsted Citizen. Pilot edition February 2023

Editorial cartoonist Englehart,

Advertising Director Scanlon

Featured at The Laurel

Office Manager / Associate Editor, Advertising Director,

Reporter, Editorial Cartoonist Join The Winsted Citizen;

Torrington Daily Goes Weekly

https://www.thelaurelct.com/englehart-draw-winsted/

UPDATED: Managing Editor, Advertising & Circulation Director, Reporter, Editorial Cartoonist Join The Winsted Citizen; Torrington Daily Goes Weekly

2023-01-19T01:34:00.005-08:00

Pilot Edition, February 2023

Managing Editor Melanie Ollett is a librarian, pastor, and freelance writer from New Hartford. She loves hearing about issues that matter to her local community while working as the children's/teen library assistant in New Hartford. She has spent more than 10 years in ministry serving churches in Washington, D.C., Western New York, and Long Island. She holds a B.A. in International Studies from American University, an M.Div from Wesley Theological Seminary, and an MLIS from Queens College. Reach her at melollett@gmail.com

Rosemary Scanlon, Advertising & Circulation Director, is a local real estate agent. A native of Colebrook, CT she has a background in small business. Reach her at: rosemaryscanlon@kw.com realtorrosemary.kw.com @realtorrosemary

Reporter Marie Bonelli's career has focused on in marketing and communications, assisting businesses and nonprofits in brand awareness, business development, and member/donor attraction and retention. She’s inspired to write about the mainstays and newcomers to the area. Marie completed a masters in journalism from Quinnipiac University and has contributed to the Hartford News, Hartford Business Journal, The Litchfield County Times, and a recent documentary for Nutmeg TV on a Torrington soccer player.

Bob Englehart was the award-winning editorial cartoonist and writer for the Hartford Courant for 35 years, leaving in October 2015. Since then, he's been drawing editorial cartoons for Caglecartoonscom and Patreon.com/Englehart. He says, "Drawing editorial cartoons and writing keeps me off of the psychiatrist's couch." His novel, Whoever Steals A Man is available on Amazon.com.

https://www.patreon.com/Englehart

Register Citizen to Publish Weekly
https://www.thelaurelct.com/register-citizen-publish-weekly/

Reporters and Photographers in the Field Hunting and Gathering for Readers of #TheWinstedCitizen at This Time
http://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/reporters-and-photographers-in-field.html

About Reynaldo Cruz Diaz, The Winsted Citizen Reporter & Photographer, via WATR 1320 am, Waterbury, CT, 1-16-23

http://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/about-reynaldo-cruz-diaz-winsted.html

About Reynaldo Cruz Diaz, The Winsted Citizen Reporter & Photographer, via WATR 1320 am, Waterbury, CT, 1-16-23

2023-01-18T19:36:00.002-08:00

Host Tom Hill III: Interview with Ralph Nader, founder, and Andy Thibault, editor & publisher, The Winsted Citizen. Pilot edition February 2023.

- PHOTO by ERICK CUATZO

Cuban sportswriter and photographer Reynaldo Cruz Diaz, 40, seeking political asylum in the U.S., in November told journalism students at the University of New Haven he left a government job after being censored. Diaz fled the country, he said, following a pattern of threats and harassment for his reports on independent sites about long lines and food shortages leading some to eat undesirable shark meat. He said secret police – noted for their polo shirts, Suzuki motorcycles and small satchels carrying guns – were stationed outside his house. His journey – which he said included months being hosted by Mexican and American friends before crossing the Rio Grande River into Texas in January – was featured on WNPR:

https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2022-10-20/in-connecticut-an-undocumented-cuban-baseball-journalist-awaits-word-on-political-asylum

Diaz said he found a 250-foot crossing several feet high but suffered lung damage from the frigid waters: “You have to walk; the current is so strong that if you try to swim it washes you away.” While in detention, he organized prisoners to sit, stand and sleep in two-hour shifts as some pods designed for 15 were filled with 40 people. He said Border Patrol and Texas prison officials appreciated his work as a translator as he speaks Spanish, English and French. Friends he met via sports exchange programs over several years arranged for him to fly to Connecticut from a Texas prison and establish residence near Hartford in February. His attorney Glenn Formica of New Haven, filed for asylum in November.

WFSB TV3: CT '23 w/ Eric Parker, CBS Sunday Show, Aired 1-15-23 #TheWinstedCitizen

http://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/wfsb-tv3-ct-23-w-eric-parker-cbs-sunday.html

WFSB TV3: CT '23 w/ Eric Parker, CBS Sunday Show, Aired 1-15-23 #TheWinstedCitizen

2023-01-15T07:02:00.000-08:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwNa0fwoShI

Reporters and Photographers
in the Field Hunting and Gathering
for Readers of #TheWinstedCitizen at This Time

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/reporters-and-photographers-in-field.html

Reporters and Photographers in the Field Hunting and Gathering for Readers of #TheWinstedCitizen at This Time

2023-01-15T05:19:00.001-08:00

NEWSROOM

Jennifer Almquist, Arts Editor

Matt Caputo, Sports Writer

Douglas P. Clement, Contributing Editor

Rand Richards Cooper

Jack Coraggio

Reynaldo Cruz Diaz

Liz Dupont-Diehl

Nancy Gottfried

Susan Granger

Susan Hansen

Michelle Manafy

Kathy Megan

Erik Ofgang

Serena Piervincenzi

Sam Scott

Andy Thibault, Editor & Publisher

Bob Thiesfield, Photographer

James Valentino, Art Director

---
Ralph Nader, Founder

---

Jennifer Almquist, arts editor, studied photography at NYU and filmmaking at the Sundance Film Institute. She is former owner of the Almquist Gallery in New Preston and an independent writer and photographer. Reach her at: jalmquistphoto@gmail.com

Matt Caputo, sports writer: My journalism career began in 2003 and since then my byline has appeared in The New York Times, New York Daily News, Men’s Journal, Connecticut Magazine, The Hockey News, Bleacher Report, and Maxim. I’m a former editor for SLAM magazine and The Rockaway Wave, a 130-year-old newspaper in Rockaway Beach, New York.

Contributing Editor Douglas P. Clement is the principal of Boardwalk Media + Communications, a digital content, marketing, and branding venture in Connecticut. Previously Senior Editor and Digital Editor of Connecticut Magazine, and Executive Editor of The Litchfield County Times publishing group, he was named national Editor of the Year for North America by a leading journalism industry group in 2005, won the nation’s top award for lifestyle journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism seven times, and has covered arts, culture, design and theater regionally for The New York Times. Reach him at: dpaulclement@gmail.com https://twitter.com/DouglasPClement

Rand Richards Cooper has published in The New Yorker, Harper’s, GQ, Esquire, The Atlantic, and in Best American Food Writing. A longtime contributor to Bon Appétit and a former restaurant critic for the New York Times, Rand lives in Hartford with his family. He is the restaurant critic for the Hartford Courant and is a critic and essayist for Commonweal Magazine.

Reporter Jack Coraggio is a freelance writer, reporter, critic and quizmaster. It even says so on his business card. He also was a reporter for the Litchfield County Times back in the day. Reach him at: jackcoraggio@gmail.com https://twitter.com/JCoraggio

Reynaldo Cruz Diaz aka Rey is a reporter, photographer and baseball historian. Foreign Languages graduate from Cuba seeking asylum in the U.S. Reach him at: reycd321@gmail.com https://twitter.com/reycd321

Reporter Liz Dupont-Diehl has worked throughout Connecticut for nonprofits focusing on workforce development, homelessness, and human services, with a focus on positive systems change. She has also worked as a reporter and opinion writer for the Journal Inquirer, CT News Junkie and other outlets including The Regional Standard of Colchester. She is the Associate Director of the CT Citizen Action Group. Reach her at: ldd001@gmail.com https://twitter.com/lddiehl

Reporter Nancy Gottfried is a former editorial producer and writer at Good Morning America, Today Show, MSNBC, Fox TV, and executive producer at the ABC Radio Networks. She has written extensively for print, most recently the Hartford Courant and Hartford Magazine. Reach her at: nancygottfried@gmail.com

Susan Granger, movie reviewer, is a product of Hollywood. Her natural father, S. Sylvan Simon, was a director and producer at M.G.M. and Columbia Pictures; her adoptive father, Armand Deutsch, produced movies at M.G.M. As a child, Susan appeared in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Margaret O’Brien and Lassie. She attended Mills College in California, studying journalism with Pierre Salinger, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism. During her adult life, Susan has been on radio and television as an anchorwoman and movie/drama critic, syndicating her reviews/articles around the world. She has appeared on American Movie Classics and Turner Classic Movies. In 2017, her book 150 TIMELESS MOVIES was published by Hannacroix Creek Books. She is now the resident movie ‘guru’ at Sacred Heart University’s Community Theater in Fairfield, hosting new THE CENTURY OF CINEMA series. Her website is www.susangranger.com and she’s on Twitter @susangranger.

Susan Hansen is a freelance writer and editor specializing in law and business stories and a new resident of Winsted. Her articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines, including Bloomberg Business Week, American Lawyer, the New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review and Inc.

Michelle Manafy is the editorial director of the not-for-profit Digital Content Next, a membership organization comprised of more than 60 media companies. She has three decades of publishing experience, more than half of which has been focused on the media business. She has written for Inc., Business Insider, MediaPost, and Harvard’s NiemanLab, as well as alt weeklies The SF Weekly and The Village Voice, and is co-author of the Book Standout Virtual Events. Michelle has edited books on a wide range of topics and is a frequent speaker on media business and technology. She holds a BA in journalism from San Francisco State University. Reach her on Twitter at: @michellemanafy

Kathy Megan, a former reporter for Hartford Courant and CT Mirror, was an associate producer with Connecticut Public on a documentary on the Sheff school desegregation case in Hartford. She is freelancing now and also taught journalism. Reach her at: kathy.megan44@gmail.com https://twitter.com/kathymegan

Erik Ofgang is the co-author of “The Good Vices: From Beer to Sex, The Surprising Truth About What’s Actually Good For You," the author of "Buzzed: Where to Enjoy the Best Craft Beverages in New England" and "Gillette Castle: A History." The former senior writer at Connecticut Magazine, his work has appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Thrillist, and Associated Press. He also teaches in WCSU’s MFA in Creative and Professional Writing Program. Reach him at: erikofgang@gmail.com https://twitter.com/erikofgang

Serena Piervincenzi is a senior at The University of New Haven. She is graduating in May with a B.A. in Communications, concentration in Journalism and a minor in Visual Art. She has been a contributing writer for The University of New Haven’s Charger bulletin. She has also been the department head of Media Arts, at Appel Farm Arts camp, teaching youngsters about media. Reach her at: spier3@unh.newhaven.edu

Sam Scott, a sophomore Criminal Justice major at the University of New Haven and an offensive tackle for Charger football, is taking a year off from sports to focus on his studies and career goal of becoming a FBI agent. He also runs a business reselling brand clothing and sneakers. Scott has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the USJ Criminal Justice Club, the University of New Haven Honors College and Alpha Lambda Delta, a certified national honor society that recognizes academic excellence in the first year at a college or university. He also tells bad jokes, a skill diminished by taking the required communication class at UNH. Reach him at: sscot4@unh.newhaven.edu

Andy Thibault, editor and publisher, teaches Basic News Reporting / Writing, Investigative Reporting and Communication at the University of New Haven. He covered the Boston Marathon bombing trial gavel to gavel for the NBC News Investigative Unit, was a research consultant for the HBO series “Allen v Farrow” and was credited with helping to free a woman unjustly imprisoned for first-degree murder in 2013. The Connecticut Council for Freedom of Information cited Thibault in 2014 with the Stephen A. Collins Memorial Freedom of Information Award for “his many contributions to the cause of open and accountable government and a free and vigorous press in Connecticut.” He is the author of two collections of newspaper columns and a history of the Connecticut State Police as well as co-author of a memoir by the master counterfeiter Louis the Coin Colavecchio. Thibault also served as a member of the Litchfield Board of Education and chair of the Connecticut Young Writers Trust, a non-profit which awarded $215,000 in cash to teenage poets and writers over 17 years, sending state champions and parents to the Dublin Writers Festival.

Bob Thiesfield. Born in Queens, NY, Bob spent his early years in Haiti until his family was forced to flee from the regime of Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier. He served in Vietnam and attended the Germain School of Photography in Manhattan on his return. After more than 25 years as a freelance photographer, Thiesfield’s work is represented in corporate and private collections. His company is H. Robert Thiesfield, Photographer, in Rocky Hill. Reach him at: hrthiesfield@gmail.com

Art Director James Valentino is the owner of James Roberts Creative, Newington, for 14 years. UConn graphic design grad. Former Art Director, CT Law Tribune. To see how my solutions get results, visit www.jamesrobertcreative.com and subscribe to my e-Newsletter.

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Ralph Nader, founder. first made headlines as a young lawyer in 1965 with his book “Unsafe at Any Speed,” a scathing indictment that lambasted the auto industry for producing unsafe vehicles. The book led to congressional hearings and the passage of a series of life-saving automobile safety laws in 1966. In his career as consumer advocate, he founded many organizations in diverse areas, including the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted – the first law museum in America. In 2006 he was cited by The Atlantic as one of the one hundred most influential figures in American history.
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https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-winsted-citizen-invites-you-to.html

UPDATED #TheWinstedCitizen Invites You to a Community Meeting * BAND BIOS

2023-01-12T03:33:00.011-08:00

6 PM Tuesday, January 24, 2023

654 Main St., Winsted, CT

The American Museum of Tort Law

Reception w/ Light Refreshments, Live Jazz / R&B: Jen Allen, Matt Dwonszyk, Linda Ransom, Josh Bruneau, Jonathan Barber, Kris Jensen, Jeremy Galloway

Short Presentation and Q&A Follow

The Cool Justice Band

https://www.jenallenmusic.com/

Jen Allen is a pianist, composer, author and educator. She frequently performs in New York, the Northeast US and in venues throughout the world, as the leader of her own groups or as a member of other creative music ensembles.

Notable appearances include the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, Cambridge Festival of the Arts, Greater Hartford Monday Night Jazz Series and Wexford Performing Arts Centre (Ireland). Jen has performed with many notable artists, including Don Braden, Jimmy Greene, Kendrick Oliver, Sarah Caswell, Camille Thurman, Freddie Hendrix, Nat Reeves, Kris Allen, Ike Sturm and Antoinette Montague.

In 2011, Jen was chosen as one of only eight pianists from around the world to participate in the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Workshop at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C, presenting a trio concert and working with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lynne Arriale and Sherrie Maricle.

An active recording artist, Jen is featured on many albums including her debut, Pieces of Myself, Raise Up by collaboratively led Trio 149 as well as many albums as a sideman. Jen composes music for big bands, studio orchestras, string quartet and other smaller ensembles.

She has been commissioned to compose music for several universities and grade schools. She was a member of the prestigious BMI Jazz Composers Workshop in New York City, a colloquium of the foremost up-and-coming writers of large ensemble jazz music today.

In November of 2018 Jen was a composer-in-residence for St. Peter’s Church (NYC) Jazz Lauds and received a commission from Spark and Echo for her piece “Kurinji.” Starting in 2018 Jen has curated and produced a concert series in West Hartford, CT called “Bring It Home” that features musicians from all over the world, including Brazil, Romania and Italy in the company of local Connecticut musicians, all in collaboration with local visual artists.

In 2017, Jen was the music director and arranger for the Litchfield Jazz Festival Orchestra where she arranged seven pieces of music for a 10-piece ensemble. Jen has received degrees in performance and composition from The Hartt School and UMASS Amherst. She is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Trinity College in Hartford where she directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches jazz history and music business. Jen is also Visiting Faculty at Bennington College where she directs the jazz ensemble, teaches jazz arranging and piano lessons.

Jen has also held positions at The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the University of Hartford, and has presented master classes, clinics and served as a guest conductor at schools throughout the U.S. and world. Jen has been a senior teaching artist for Litchfield Performing Arts since 2010. Her first jazz piano method book was published through Alfred's Publishing entitled Sitting In: Jazz Piano (co-authored with Noah Baerman). The book was the recipient of Music Inc.Magazine's Editor's Choice Award 2015.

https://www.mattdwonszyk.com/

Born in Hartford, CT, Matt Dwonszyk started playing the electric bass at age 11. His journey into the world of jazz began at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School where he began playing the upright bass.

He also started attending the Artists Collective after school program playing in the Youth Jazz Orchestra. The Artist Collective, founded by jazz saxophone legend Jackie McLean, propelled Dwonszyk to continue his studies at the The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at The University of Hartford. Dwonszyk quickly developed an exceptionally strong rapport with Professor Nat Reeves and Professor Steve Davis. Reeves instilled a strong sense of swing, conviction and vocabulary upon Dwonszyk while Davis would hire Dwonszyk for gigs at local venues around the Hartford area. This schooling inside and outside of the classroom helped Dwonszyk become one of the top call bassists in Connecticut.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies in 2013, Dwonszyk went on to obtain a Master’s of Music at SUNY Purchase College in New York where he studied with Professor's Todd Coolman, Doug Weiss, John Faddis and John Abercrombie. With the SUNY Purchase Big Band, Dwonszyk performed at the Blue Note featuring Terell Stafford and at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola featuring Steve Turee.

Dwonszyk would soon become a resident of Brooklyn, NY performing in some of New York's top jazz venues including Smalls, Smoke, Minton’s, Zinc Bar, Birdland and the Jazz Standard.

In 2015, Dwonszyk was accepted into the Bosyie Lowery Jazz Living Residency for his original compositions and was awarded in Down Beat Magazine for his arrangement of the jazz classic, “What A Wonderful World.” In 2018, Dwonszyk went on to record his debut record as a leader, entitled "Wonderful World," featuring the awarded arrangement as well as nine of his original compositions. He continues to perform and record with his group the "Dwonztet."

In 2018, Dwonszyk toured through Russia apart of the Rainy Days Jazz Festival and in 2019 he toured through Canada with the Oleg Butman Trio. His last tour was in 2020 with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead through the West Coast of the U.S.

Dwonszyk has performed at many well known festivals including the NYC Winter Jazz Festival, BRIC Jazz festival, Clifford Brown Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, the Jazz & Colors Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, D.C Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Saskatoon Jazz Festival, Edmonton Jazz Festival, Litchfield Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival, Hartford Baby Grand Jazz Series, New Haven Jazz Festival and the Baikal Jazz Festival in Yakutsk, Siberia.

He has performed with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, David Hazeltine, Anthony Wonsey, Rick Germanson, Hal Galper, Dave Kikoski, Donald Vega, Pete Malinverni, Steve Wilson, Abraham Burton, Javon Jackson, Gary Smulyan, Bill Saxton, Bennie Wallace, Wayne Escoffery, Mike Diruboo, Myron Walden, J.D. Allen, John Farnsworth, Steve Davis, Steve Turre, Joe Farnsworth, Carl Allen, Winard Harper, Herlin Riley, Willie Jones III, Joe Strasser, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Joe Magnarelli, Jeremy Pelt, Jumaane Smith, Wallace Roney, Freddie Hendrix and Duane Eubanks.

When Dwonszyk is not performing, he teaches Jazz Bass at Manchester Community College in Connecticut. He is called into coach ensembles at the University of Hartford Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and also teaches in the summer at Litchfield Jazz Camp and Bennie Wallace’s Back Country Jazz Program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxDYxhzG7Q

A native of New London, Connecticut, jazz vocalist Linda Ransom moved to Atlanta where she lived for over 20 years.

In Atlanta, her career spanned a variety of talents - she was a Director at Kid's Choice Early Childcare and the Director of the summer program for The Love of My Child Foundation.

Ransom started singing professionally in the 60s, with The Peter Deutchen Orchestra and the Artie Lee Orchestra of New York. She has recorded three albums throughout her career. She now resides in Hartford and performs with her own group, as well as with with Larry Willis, Steve Davis, and Ed Fast among others. Ransom has performed in around the United States and Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean.

While she considers herself a jazz vocalist, Ransom is known for her versions of Aretha Franklin compositions as well as soothing audiences with a Judy Garland-like approach. Whatever the occasion or song, Ransom masterfully floats through her performances all the while keeping the audience totally engaged.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESn3laFn6mI

Joshua Bruneau was born in Waterbury Center, Vermont. While growing up, Josh was frequently found on the baseball field.

After seeing a Time Life commercial, he was instantly drawn to classical music. Josh asked for classical tapes and records by composers like Bach, Mozart, and Chopin. His life took a dramatic turn when he was introduced to the trumpet and subsequently, jazz.

Josh began to study the art of music and taking trumpet lessons when he 10 years old. These formative years proved very important as Josh discovered many recordings of musicians such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. He immediately fell in love with these musicians and made a conscious decision to try to emulate these people’s playing.

He started forming his own groups and playing locally from a young age. He was soon traveling with a local big band. He honed his skills all through high school at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, Vermont.

In the fall of 2006, Josh began his studies at the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School. Josh was introduced to his two most important mentors, Nat Reeves and Steve Davis. He immediately started gigging around the Hartford area with local musicians and fellow students.

Josh received the opportunity to travel to Ireland with Nat in his freshman year. Ever since, Josh has been playing with his instructors, Nat and Steve, on a regular basis. That same year he played with Nat, Steve, Eric McPherson, Alan Palmer, and Jovan Alexandre opening for Dionne Warwick.

Because of his established relationship with his two mentors, Josh now frequents New York City to perform at world famous Jazz clubs such as Smoke and Smalls. September 2011 he played at the Detroit Jazz festival with another of his great mentors, Curtis Fuller. He has also shared the stage with artists such as Harold Mabern, Mike LeDonne, Eric Alexander, Joe Farnsworth, Carl Allen, John Webber, Ken Fowser, and Larry Willis to name a few. Now with the 2014 release of his debut album as a leader, Bright Idea (Cellar Live), Josh continues to look forward musically and push himself and his colleagues further.

https://downbeat.com/news/detail/jonathan-barber-the-drummer-as-storyteller

New York City-based Jonathan Barber was voted the #1 Up-and-Coming Drummer of 2018 in Modern Drummer. Only 29 years old, he has already recorded and toured worldwide with such artists as Pat Metheny, Nicholas Payton, Buster Williams, Jeremy Pelt, Wallace Roney, Terrace Martin, Jennifer Holiday, Harold Mabern, Steve Davis, Stefon Harris and many more. Barber has also been called on for such significant performances as Jimmy Greene’s Ana Grace Project – with an all-star band comprised of Greene, Kenny Barron, John Patitucci, and Kurt Elling – and back-to-back sold-out concerts with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Erykah Badu at the BAM Opera House.

In addition to his first-call status as a sideman, Barber has recently stepped forth as a composer and leader with his Vision Ahead band, featuring saxophonist Godwin Louis, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, and pianist Taber Gable.

Even with Barber’s history of high-profile gigs and recordings taken into consideration, DownBeat magazine calls Vision Ahead’s self-titled debut album his “greatest accomplishment to date.” Released on Rockwood Music Hall’s largest stage in May 2018, Vision Ahead is a powerful declaration of intent for a band that’s been making waves on the modern jazz scene since its debut performance at Smalls Jazz Club. The group’s blend of classic, swinging jazz with elements of gospel, rock, soul, and fusion is a compelling showcase of Barber’s broad stylistic range as a composer and performer. Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead was featured and headline the 2018 Rainy Days Jazz Festival held in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia.

http://www.themusic-shop.com/kris-jensen.html

Saxophonist and multi-wind artist, composer and arranger Kris Jensen is a versatile musician who has forged a diverse musical career. A veteran sideman to legends for nearly two decades now, Jensen has performed throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Bangkok, Thailand, and Switzerland. Kris is associated with many prominent artists in jazz and rock including the Allman Brothers Band – as well as the individual members’ bands (Gregg Allman and Friends, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern)- trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson, and a host of others.

In 1996, Jensen was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. He has studied Jazz and African-American music at the University of Hartford, where he would later teach under the auspices of jazz saxophone legend Jackie McLean. Jensen continues to carry on the great tradition as both a performer and educator. Recent performances of particular note have included concerts or appearances with jazz legends such as trombonist Curtis Fuller, alto saxophonist Phil Woods, and pianist Larry Willis. He has appeared on New Jersey Public Television with Maynard Ferguson, on “Late Night with David Letterman” with Gregg Allman & Friends, and on stage with The Allman Brothers Band, The Dave Matthews Band, and with Warren Haynes and Govt. Mule.

Jensen keeps an active freelance performing schedule in addition to touring regularly with Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band with whom he can be seen monthly at the famous Iridium jazz club in New York City and at festivals and venues across the U.S. and beyond. He also serves on the music faculties of the Indian Mountain School, The Salisbury School, The Millbrook School, and in Hartford with the Bushnell “Jazzicians” student scholar program.

https://www.jeremygallowayguitar.com/about

Known for his powerful and energetic, yet sensitive and nuanced style, guitarist Jeremy Galloway is on his way to becoming a house-hold name in the Hartford community. He performs in a variety of styles ranging from jazz and blues, to funk and rock, and has played at such venues as Infinity Hall, The Wadsworth Atheneum and the Butler McCook House.

Jeremy finished his master’s degree at the Hartt School of Music in May 2021, where he has studied under virtuosic musicians Nat Reeves, Rich Goldstein, Abraham Burton and many more. Coming out of the academic world as a young and ambitious guitarist and composer, he has only one goal when performing: to make people feel as happy and excited by listening to my music as he feels playing it.

THANK YOU

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY BANK

Reception Entertainment Sponsor

BACKGROUND

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/12/wanted-yesterday-community-news.html

WANTED YESTERDAY: Community News Reporters & Interns* for The Winsted Citizen

2022-12-28T04:20:00.003-08:00

*[with stipends]

https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/news-vacuum-nader-launches-the-winsted-citizen-in-his-hometown

https://www.thelaurelct.com/the-winsted-citizen/

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Nader, Thibault To Announce
Pilot Weekly Paper at Rotary Jan. 3

12-26-22

WINSTED, CT – Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and journalist Andy Thibault will announce the publication of a pilot weekly newspaper during a meeting of the Rotary Club of The Torrington and Winsted Areas at the Greenwoods Country Club Tuesday, Jan. 3, at noon.

This pilot edition is designed to ascertain the level of community support needed to make it a regular weekly publication.
The Winsted Citizen will serve the communities of Winsted, Hartland, Riverton, Colebrook, Norfolk and New Hartford. Publication is expected in early 2023.

Nader first made headlines as a young lawyer in 1965 with his book “Unsafe at Any Speed,” a scathing indictment that lambasted the auto industry for producing unsafe vehicles. The book led to congressional hearings and the passage of a series of life-saving automobile safety laws in 1966.

In his career as consumer advocate he founded many organizations in diverse areas, including the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted – the first law museum in America. In 2006 he was cited by The Atlantic as one of the one hundred most influential figures in American history.

“I’m just helping get The Winsted Citizen started,” Nader said. “The paper will have editorial independence in service of the community.”

Thibault, a veteran journalist and private investigator, teaches news basic reporting / writing, investigative reporting and communication at the University of New Haven. He was a research consultant for the HBO series #AllenVFarrow and was credited with helping to free a woman unjustly imprisoned for first degree murder.

The Connecticut Council for Freedom of Information cited Thibault in 2014 with the Stephen A. Collins Memorial Freedom of Information Award for “his many contributions to the cause of open and accountable government and a free and vigorous press in Connecticut.” He has coordinated a speakers program at the University of St. Joseph since 2017 and served on the University’s Digital Media and Communication Advisory Board since 2020.

Thibault will serve The Winsted Citizen as editor and publisher. He has begun recruiting editorial and business staff while meeting with readers.

“If it’s important to you, it’s important to us,” Thibault said. “You can tell the health of the community by the health of its newspaper. We are here to serve a useful purpose for readers, educators, workers, businesses and the community at large.”

Greenwoods Country Club is at 300 Torringford St., Winsted.

In 40 Seconds, The Reporter’s Reason for Existence …via @NEWSLarryHenry

2022-12-06T12:57:00.011-08:00

Larry Henry is a veteran print and broadcast journalist who spent more than 16 years in Nevada, including serving as legislative reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal and as political editor at the Las Vegas Sun. He's also written about popular culture for the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. As a broadcast journalist, he worked as managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Arkansas, where he now lives and where casino growth is a hot topic. A Marine Corps veteran and LSU graduate, he is also an avid movie fan, especially of classic film noir from the 1940s and ’50s. Henry spoke last month with journalism students at the University of New Haven about the reporting life and the careers of two fallen investigative reporters, Jeff German and Ned Day.

Larry Henry story on Jeff German and Ned Day

https://tinyurl.com/37fxmadh

Ned Day was wired to sources

The Mob came after Ned. They blew up his car ...

Day told a friend it was the best day of his life

Mob on the Run, documentary by Ned Day

https://youtu.be/TYYKOC35sHU

Jeff German paid the ultimate price

NIGHTLINE SEGMENT:

https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/las-vegas-public-administrator-trial-allegedly-stabbing-journalist-92178220

Murder and Loathing in Las Vegas

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a42008231/robert-telles-jeff-german-las-vegas-murders/

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

DEFINITION, via IRE

Journalists have for many years debated the specific meaning of the term “investigative journalism.” IRE defines it as “the reporting, through one’s own initiative and work product, of matters of importance to readers, viewers or listeners. In many cases, the subjects of the reporting wish the matters under scrutiny to remain undisclosed.” Over the years, journalists have expanded the definition to include analyzing and revealing the breakdown of social or justice systems and documenting the consequences.

Others have proposed a broader definition, suggesting that every journalist is an investigative journalist because they all ask questions and read documents, but the broader definition ignores the more rigorous requirements of credible investigative journalism. Every journalist can be an investigator, even if only for one story, if the journalist is willing to put in the time. Investigative journalists ask more questions, go through more documents and data, and spend more time thinking about and producing a story than daily reporters do. Investigative journalism also demands the curiosity and desire to know the story behind the story – that is, to understand the circumstances of a situation and the real goals of a politician or businessperson.

Investigative journalists also spend more thought and time on deciding on what is worthy of coverage. Instead of simply attending a city council meeting and filing a brief deadline story, an investigative reporter will often read council and staff reports, audits and city contracts, and minutes of previous meetings, and collect and analyze city databases to find out if there is favoritism or misdeeds in how the city is being run.

An investigative journalist wants to know how the world works – or fails to work – and takes the time to study it closely. But persistence and study must always be accompanied by a healthy skepticism, stopping short of cynicism. Investigative reporting must be accompanied by an outrage that expresses itself through the journalists’ creed of accompanying the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. Those traits of a good investigative reporter – curiosity, persistence, skepticism, a sense of outrage – lead to important exposes not because of luck but because chance favors those who have done the deeper research and interviews. If a reporter has these traits, than much of the rest can be learned.

UPDATED: Reception Thursday for Thiesfield Exhibit @USJCT

2022-11-24T10:48:00.004-08:00

Info via USJCT calendar:

The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford is pleased to present "Visual Thoughts" Images of Current Events, an exhibition featuring the work of freelance photographer and digital artist H. Robert Thiesfield, on view until the end of the year. The artist will be available to discuss his social commentary images on December 8, 2022, from 5-6 p.m. in McGovern Hall.

Thiesfield has been viewing life through a unique lens. Born in Queens, New York, Robert spent his early years in Haiti until his family was forced to flee from the island nation’s violent and oppressive regime of Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier. He served in Vietnam and attended the Germain School of Photography in Manhattan on his return. After more than 25 years as a freelance photographer, Thiesfield’s work is represented in corporate and private collections. His company is H. Robert Thiesfield, Photographer, located in Rocky Hill.

Thiesfield also is participating in the “Perspectives of Heritage” group exhibition at Workspace Gallery, Manchester and an ongoing project called “Connecticut Towns.”

https://thiesfield.com/

Via USJCT Instagram:
Check out art by #RobertThiesfield on display in the McGovern Lounge. Images of current events will be available for viewing through December. #usjct #visualthoughts

Selected Flashbacks,

BOB THIESFIELD PHOTO GALLERIES:

Speaker Series,

University of St. Joseph, W. Hartford, CT

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/01/selected-flashbacks-bob-thiesfield.html

A Walk Is As Good As A Hit – The "Ball Four" of Mob Stories / Latest Louis the Coin Book Review on Amazon:

2022-05-10T03:48:00.005-07:00

This book is written as someone would tell you face-to-face … it is descriptive, raw, funny and gives a great feeling about "family" life. Along with "The Sopranos," this is the latest in the annals of mob stories, letting us develop sympathy and longing for very colorful and tough people.
https://tinyurl.com/mk8cw4mp

https://www.npr.org/2012/04/26/151457344/ball-four-the-book-that-changed-baseball

https://louisthecoinbook.com/

NEW / COMPLETE OBITUARY for Bonnie Jean Jackson Cook, Known Widely as Bonnie Foreshaw / She Leaves a Vacant Place in Hearts /2015 Library Audio- Bonnie, In Her Own Words: I Knew I Wasn’t Getting a Fair Trial…

2022-05-06T08:09:00.028-07:00

INFO VIA FAMILY

HOME GOING CELEBRATION

FOR BONNIE JEAN JACKSON COOK

Sunrise: August 25, 1947

Sunset: April 28, 2022

Saturday, May 14, 2022, 11a.m. New Hope A.M.E. Church

233 Pataula Park Road

Georgetown, Georgia 39851

Keith McIntyre, Pastor

A Time To Be Born

Bonnie Jean Jackson was born on Aug. 25, 1947, in Ft. Gaines, Georgia, to the late Charles B. Jackson and Novella George.

A Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven

When she was 6 years old her family moved to Miami, Florida. Bonnie was educated through the Miami Dade County Public School System. She graduated from Booker T. Washington Senior School. She accepted Christ in her life at an earlier age.

A Time To Love

Bonnie was married to Howard Allen Cook (he preceded her in death). She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt.

A Time For Celebration

Bonnie was embraced with a lot of friends throughout her life journey who provided much love and care. She was wrongfully convicted and spent [27 ½] years in York Correctional Facility. While serving her time she met Ms. Wally Lamb and Mr. Andy Thibault at a writing class. They held a special place in her heart. They helped her with her writing skills which helped her to express herself during her ordeal. They were instrumental in helping her obtain her freedom and start a new journey towards a successful life. She was successful in writing and publishing several books. She spent the rest of her life helping and mentoring others.

A Time To Embrace

She leaves a vacant place in the hearts of those who loved her two daughters: Sylvia Robinson of Manchester, CT and Debrasharme Jackson-Smart (Benjamin) of Miami, Florida; two sons: Mark Cook of Manchester, CT and Derrick Antonio Jackson of Boston, MA., two brothers: Will Davis (Tawana) of Atlanta, GA and Prest George of Miami, FL; one sister: Martha Brown of Opa Locka, FL., one brother-in-law: Oscar Mathis. Several of her siblings preceded her in death: Annette George Mathis and Shirley Maxwell. She leaves to mourn six grandchildren: Nikea Green, Jauchswann Green, DyNovia Randle, Jamalli Wilson, Lourdes Cook and Mila Cook; eight great grandchildren: Deionte Randle, Quinton Nelson, Saniyya Florence, Serenity Randle, Jauchswann Green, Jr., Jauch Green, Xavier Fort, Xzarion Ortiz and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and sorrowing friends.

A Time To Die

When I have gone the last mile of the way, I will rest at the close of the day. On Thursday morning, April 28, 2022, Bonnie transitioned from her earthly vessel and passed on to claim her “everlasting life.”

A TIME TO BE RECEIVED BY THE LORD

SAFELY HOME

I am home in Heaven, dear ones; All’s so happy, all’s so bright

There’s perfect joy and beauty; In this everlasting light

All the pain and grief is over; every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever; Safely home in Heaven at last;

Did you wonder I so calmly trod the Valley of the Shade?

Old! But Jesus’ love illumined every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread;

And Jesus’ arm to lean on, could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still;

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, pray t trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idle stand;

Do your work while life remainth, you shall rest in Jesus’ hand.

When that work is all complete, He will gently call you home;

Oh, the rapture of the morning? Oh, the joy to see you come!

ORDER OF SERVICE

A graveside memorial service will be held at New Hope A.M.E. Church

233 Pataula Park Road

Georgetown, Georgia 39851

Officiating: Rev. Keith McIntyre, Pastor

PROCESSIONAL / EARTH’S FINAL GLANCE

Invocation

Scripture Readings:

Old Testament / New Testament

Reflections by Family

PLEASE LIMIT RESPONSE TO 2 MINUTES

Acknowledgements

The Staff of Hopkins Mortuary

COMMITTAL SENTENCES/ CLOSING PRAYER

RECESSIONAL

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Onassis George, Quinton Nelson, Andy Thibault, Jamalli Wilson, Mark Cook, Jauchswann Green.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We express our sincere thanks, gratitude and appreciation to all of our family, friends and members of the various congregations. It was healing knowing that you all were here for us. Thank God for you and may His blessings be with you forever.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mr. Andy Thibault, for all your love, help, and understanding throughout this entire process. But most of all thank you for the help you gave our mother which help to enjoy and taste FREEDOM.

Ms. Natalie Molden; thank you for everything you did in assisting us with the funeral arrangements. Your generosity will not be forgotten, God Bless.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO:

Hopkins Mortuary 1318 W. Jackson Street Thomasville, Georgia 31792

Hopkins Mortuary, GA

https://www.hopkinsmortuary.com/listings

Bonnie Foreshaw, in her own words:

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Bonnie Foreshaw starts around the 20-minute mark ...

HIGHLIGHTS:

I took writing as a way to help deal w/ the reality of being incarcerated

Writing was therapeutic for me … it helped purge me of the secrets …

Our family & our culture was something that women didn’t talk about ...

Saturday & Sunday you’re running for your life or you’re getting battered

I left home to take a friend home and never got back for like 27 years …

It took me at least 5 years to come to terms with being incarcerated

While I was there I was sexually abused …

I knew I wasn’t getting a fair trial

No one answers any of my questions …
My coming home was so surreal

[After 3 years as a hospice volunteer] I began to suffer from burnout

I was released without anything except a piece of paper

I went to DMV 6 times to get ID

The system isn’t set up for us to be successful …

It’s set up for us to fail

Inmates are the modern-day commodity

I feel for the ladies left behind…mold, mildew, the deterioration of the buildings…They are breathing mold…

It’s not a place where you rehabilitate unless you take it upon yourself

The Buddhist monks used to come – and DOC would lock us up…

They would do anything to keep the outside from coming in and seeing how we was actually living …

The mildew is so well known…[guards] don’t even want to work there …

I know in this world you can’t make it by yourself

Faith kept me going

I was surrounded by good women

Wally Lamb came in because…the suicide rate was high…

He helped the women to be more realistic…instead of taking that way out

On the accidental & fatal shooting of Joyce Amos:

It’s something I live with every day

It was harder for me to forgive myself than it was for me to ask for forgiveness

It’s just that recently, before I came home, that I gave myself permission to forgive myself for what I did because it wasn’t no intentions on my behalf … that’s what gives me the motivation to help others less fortunate than me …

State of Connecticut's Dirty Hands

https://www.middletownpress.com/opinion/article/COOL-JUSTICE-State-s-dirty-hands-in-Hartford-11844668.php

The Blue Note

https://www.scribd.com/doc/147874099/The-Blue-Note

Bonnie featured at the Greenwich Film Festival Screening Of Documentary by Ondi Timoner https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/greenwich/events/yale-grad-screens-documentary-on-battered-woman-at-greenwich-film-festival/664791/

Selected Highlights, The #ColorofJustice @USJCT

2022-04-25T04:03:00.001-07:00

Reception Medley, 4-19-22,

Including Warmup ...

STRANGE FRUIT
https://anchor.fm/andy-thibault/episodes/Linda-Ransom--STRANGE-FRUIT-The-Jen-Allen--Matt-Dwonszyk-Ensemble--aka-The-Cool-Justice-Band-The-ColorofJustice-Part-2-USJCT-e1hib5r

FREEDOM
https://anchor.fm/andy-thibault/episodes/FREEDOM--The-Color-of-Justice--Part-2--USJCT-4-19-22-e1hfbd4

STAND BY ME

https://anchor.fm/andy-thibault/episodes/Stand-By-Me-The-ColorofJustice-Part-2-USJCT-e1hi953

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY,

Ken Barone, of the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, The #ColorofJustice @USJCT:
“What we have found consistently, over seven studies, looking at 32 agencies, is that we have found no evidence that Black or Hispanic motorists are more likely to be driving around with equipment or administrative offenses compared their white counterparts. But police are significantly more likely to look for those violations in areas where Black and and Hispanic motorists are more likely to be traveling.”

DELIBERATE INDIFFERENCE

Many Hartford cops had a virtual blank check for beatdowns, and when there was trouble – as in a modicum of court accountability – the legal department helped the culprits disappear ... https://anchor.fm/andy-thibault/episodes/Many-Hartford-cops-had-a-virtual-blank-check-for-beatdowns--and-when-there-was-trouble-e1hg3m4

SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE

https://anchor.fm/andy-thibault/episodes/Tiana-Hercules-Something-Has-To-Change-e1hkmtj

BACKGROUND

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/02/official-announcement-via-usjct-2022.html

#ColorofJustice Speaker Series @USJCT FINALE Apr 19 Live Jazz/ Blues/Latin/Fusion Reception 6:15 PM

2022-04-15T08:05:00.005-07:00

ICYMI

In performance @USJCT Apr 12 Reception #ColorofJustice Speaker Series:

Jen Allen / Matt Dwonszyk

-Bob Thiesfield Video

RETURNING Apr 19, 6:15 pm

w/ FULL ENSEMBLE

Crystal Room, Mercy Hall Capacity: 116
Fewer Than 50 Seats Remain Open

REGISTER NOW

https://app.mobilecause.com/form/zU77tw?vid=retec

The April 19 event kicks off at 6:15 p.m. in Mercy Hall. Music will be performed by vocalist Linda Ransom, along with Rick Reyes (guitar/vocals), Asher Delerme (percussion), Josh Bruneau (trumpet), Matt Dwonszyk (bass) and Jen Allen (piano). The speaking portion is set to begin at 7 p.m.

SET LIST NOTED:

BACKGOUND, Bios / Complete Lineup

Of Speakers / Performers... [via links]

https://tinyurl.com/yc6w6d2m

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/02/official-announcement-via-usjct-2022.html

THANK YOU SPONSORS, Live Jazz Receptions April 12 & 19 @USJCT The Color of Justice :

2022-04-03T05:03:00.002-07:00

Ken Slater, Halloran Sage

Philip Russell, law office of Philip Russell

Leander Dolphin, Shipman & Goodwin

A. Paul Spinella, Spinella & Associates

Jim Bergenn, Shipman & Goodwin

Draft SET LIST, April 19

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/03/strange-fruit.html

RESERVE NOW,
Seating Limited

https://app.mobilecause.com/form/zU77tw?vid=r3zsy

Strange Fruit

2022-03-30T04:14:00.001-07:00

Strange Fruit

Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

In 1999, Time magazine named "Strange Fruit" the "song of the century"

https://www.npr.org/2012/09/05/158933012/the-strange-story-of-the-man-behind-strange-fruit

MEET LINDA RANSOM:

See Linda April 19 at the University of St. Joseph in W. Hartford, CT with the Jen Allen / Matt Dwonszyk Ensemble. Set list includes Billy Holiday’s Strange Fruit, Richie Havens’ FREEDOM, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin On …
https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/03/meet-linda-ransom-they-say-her-voice-is.html
The song “is going to be relevant until cops start getting convicted for murdering Black people,” Michael Meeropol, one of Abel Meeropol’s sons, told “CBS This Morning” before Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was convicted of murdering Mr. Floyd
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/25/arts/music/strange-fruit-united-states-v-billie-holiday.html

MEET LINDA RANSOM: They say her voice is like butter ...

2022-03-26T06:08:00.004-07:00

Chill with Linda Now & at the University of St. Joseph April 19

Linda has performed in London, Paris and in New York at venues including The Blue Note, Smalls and Tavern on the Green. Linda performed in the spring of 2019 in a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in Middletown, CT. She also is fond of Gladys Knight.

See Linda April 19 at the University of St. Joseph in W. Hartford, CT with the Jen Allen / Matt Dwonszyk Ensemble. Set list includes Billy Holiday’s Strange Fruit, Richie Havens' FREEDOM, Marvin Gaye's What's Goin On ...

But, first:

CT Chief Justice Robinson

Kicks Off 2022 USJ Speaker Series

With Implicit Bias Presentation

https://www.usj.edu/uncategorized/ct-chief-justice-robinson-kicks-off-2022-usj-speaker-series-with-implicit-bias-presentation/?fbclid=IwAR1BzCZ65ygXmS9sSpN0_CLcJbkIgw8zXnvIG_gdJQvYzgtT9It7WreQ84M

COMPLETE

LINEUP, bios / photos ...

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/02/official-announcement-via-usjct-2022.html

AUDIO via friends of ours @VegasNvrSleeps: They totally dig #YouThoughtItWasMore

2022-02-20T07:05:00.010-08:00

Louis the Coin the Book

https://louisthecoinbook.com/

Amazon

https://tinyurl.com/mk8cw4mp

B&N:

https://tinyurl.com/2p8sb6ks

Louis the Coin’s Place in History

https://tinyurl.com/ycksjt4y

King Louis de la Provvidenza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoZWH-86-NI

Screenplay by @JackChaucer

Louis the Coin -- The Poem

Poet Ravi Shankar's Homage
To World's Greatest Counterfeiter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7fIGUKfyc&t=10s

Updated, bio notes on presenters: OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT via @USJCT: 2022 Speaker Series, #TheColorofJustice

2022-02-20T06:48:00.004-08:00

The University of Saint Joseph presents the 2022 Speaker Series, “The Color of Justice,” starting on April 12 with Connecticut State Supreme Court Justice Richard Robinson discussing implicit bias. Joining the chief justice will be journalist Karen Florin of The Day of New London and attorney James Bergenn, Partner with the Hartford law firm Shipman & Goodwin. Florin, a reporter for 25 years, focused most recently on the court system. She was a longtime member, and co-chair, of Connecticut's Judicial-Media Committee. Attorney James Bergenn, is an experienced trial attorney with a record of handling high stakes criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts, in and outside of Connecticut was recognized as a 2021 Connecticut Super Lawyer.

The public is invited to attend this free event in the University's Crystal Room located in Mercy Hall, beginning with a reception at 6:15 p.m. followed by the guest speakers at 7 p.m.

USJ President Rhona Free said, “USJ’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Restorative Justice program is unique in providing students with knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, and the judicial systems but also the theories and practice of restorative justice. Bringing experts, like the speakers in this series, to campus reflects the university’s commitment to ensuring that students hear from people who have been most directly affected by and who play important roles in the criminal justice system.”

A second session is planned for April 19 and will feature case histories showing the treatment of people of color by the justice system. Panelists will be Ken Barone, manager of the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project; State Senator Gary Winfield; Bloomfield High School state champion football coach Tylon Outlaw; Hartford City Councilor Tiana Hercules; Assistant to State Police Commissioner/Former Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley; and Hartford civil rights attorney Ken Krayeske. Moderator Andy Thibault is the Speaker Series coordinator and a member of the University’s Digital Media and Communication Advisory Board. The public is invited to attend this free event on April 19 in the University's Crystal Room in Mercy Hall, beginning with a reception at 6:15 p.m. followed by the guest speakers at 7 p.m.

https://app.mobilecause.com/form/zU77tw?vid=q1u2u

These in-person events are free and open to the public. Seats will be limited, and masks will be required. Registration is required: www.usj.edu/colorofjustice
#university #events

Reception Ensembles

https://cooljustice.blogspot.com/2022/02/jen-allen-matt-dwonszyk-jazz-duo-making.html

About #TheColorofJustice Speaker Series Presenters @USJCT

CT State Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson

The Honorable Richard A. Robinson was born December 10, 1957 in Stamford, Connecticut. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut in 1979 and a Juris Doctor degree from West Virginia University School of Law in 1984. He was admitted to the West Virginia Bar and the Connecticut Bar, and is a member of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia and the U.S. District Court, Connecticut.

From 1985 - 1988, Justice Robinson was Staff Counsel for the City of Stamford Law Department. In 1988, he became Assistant Corporation Counsel in Stamford where he remained until his appointment as a Judge of the Superior Court in 2000. He remained a Superior Court Judge for the next seven years during which time he served as Presiding Judge (Civil) for the New Britain Judicial District (May 2003 - September 2006); Presiding Judge (Civil) and Assistant Administrative Judge for the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District (September 2006 - September 2007); and Presiding Judge (Civil) for the Stamford Judicial District (September 2007 - December 2007). He was appointed as a Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court on December 10, 2007, a Justice of the Supreme Court on December 19, 2013 and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on May 3, 2018.

Justice Robinson’s career is complemented by an array of public and judicial service. He served as President of the Stamford Branch of the NAACP (1988-1990); General Counsel for the Connecticut Conference of the NAACP (1988 - 2000); President of the Assistant Corporation Counsel’s Union (AFSCME) (1989 - 2000); Commissioner of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (1997 - 2000); Chair of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (1999 - 2000); New Haven Inn of Court member (2002 - present); Judicial Education Curriculum Committee member (2002 - 2014); Judicial Education Committee member (2003 - 2014); Faculty at several Judicial Institutes as well as spring and fall lectures (2003 - present); Civil Commission member (2005 - 2014); Court Annexed Mediator (2005 - 2014); Lawyers Assistance Advisory Board member (2007 - present); Bench-Bar Foreclosure Committee (2007 - 2014); Legal Internship Committee (2013 - 2017); Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Competency (2009-present); Chairperson of the Rules Committee (2017- present); Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Diversity Award (2010); Connecticut Bar Association's Henry J. Naruk Judiciary Award for Integrity (2017); NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut; Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Fellows, Life Fellow; Discovering Amistad National Advisory Board; Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities’ Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership (2018); Ebony Magazine Power 100 Award (2018); Quinnipiac School of Law Black Student Association Thurgood Marshall Award (2019); ABOTA Judicial Excellence Award (2019); Connecticut Bar Foundation Distinguished Service Award (2020); National Board of Directors of the Conference of Chief Justices (2019 - present); Conference of Chief Justices Civil Justice Board of Directors (2020 - present); National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts’ Response to Mental Illness (2020 - present).

Karen Florin is the engagement editor for The Day Publishing of New London. In her current position, she focuses on the independent news company’s digital strategy and long-term sustainability. She writes a weekly news column, organizes events, hosts a podcast called “The Storyline,” and raises funds for special projects. Florin was a reporter for 25 years, focusing most recently on the court system. She was a longtime member, and co-chair, of Connecticut’s Judicial-Media Committee. In 2018, she was named Journalist of the Year by the New England Newspaper Association. She cherishes the Liberty Bell award bestowed on her by The New London County Bar Association in 2019.
She lives in Old Lyme with her husband Robert.

Jim Bergenn's practice is comprised of complex criminal and civil litigation, including white collar crime and government investigations, personal injury and wrongful death cases, and other trials involving significant consequences. With more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer and instructor, he is called upon regularly to use his trial skills, and experience with investigations and experts, in many different kinds of contested cases.

Jim’s wide range of criminal cases includes representing targets of investigations, criminal defendants, grand jury and other witnesses, and crime victims. Because he handles personal injuries, he often helps victims during or after criminal cases are completed, to obtain the correct compensation for their harm. He works in cases prosecuted by all the various federal, state and local authorities, such as the US Attorney’s Office, The Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, State and Federal Grand Juries, the FBI, the State Police, the SEC, the DEA, the ATF, the DOD, the IRS, the FDA, the FTC, the Office of Inspector General for various Federal Agencies, state regulators such as the Attorney General, the DEP, the DOH, the DMR, the DCF, and the Office of Consumer Protection, and local police.

As an experienced Personal Injury attorney, he represents people involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrians (including DUI cases), products and premises liability matters (including defective lithium ion batteries in laptops, I-Phones, and E-cigarettes that caused burn injuries), construction accidents, drownings, nursing home negligence, boating accidents, wrongful imprisonment environmental hazards and medical malpractice. He handles sexual assault cases for both adult and children victims. The injury cases he has prosecuted include death, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s), burns, RSD, paralysis, blindness and Legionnaires' disease. sexual abuse, and cases. He was involved in cases arising out of the 9/11 attacks.

Ty Outlaw coached Bloomfield High School – where he works as a tutor – to state championships in football in 2015 and 2018.

At Missouri State College, he was the top tackler in his conference and an honorable mention All American National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics [NAIA] cornerback. He also played several years professionally in the Arena Football League.

On Dec. 17, 2004, the coach had gone to a Hartford restaurant for a business meeting. Upon leaving he spoke with friends he recognized in a taxi and responded to a driver who had called out to him.

The driver was an undercover Hartford detective in an unmarked car who yelled at the coach, "Hey motherfucker." Perceiving this to be an informal urban pleasantry, he responded in kind.

The plain clothes detective, Troy Gordon, did not identify himself as a police officer. He did, however, park and ultimately charge at the coach, kicking him in the stomach. As the coach was able to block a second kick with his hands, he was struck in the head from behind with a police baton by another officer.

He fell to the ground, yelling for help. On his back he curled into a fetal position as he was repeatedly struck in the head, arms and legs with a baton and kicked in the back and stomach. As he tried to cover his face, officer Michael Allen hit him in the right knee with the baton, breaking his kneecap.

Among the eyewitnesses, a ballroom dance instructor described the scene this way: "A crowd of people 10 converged on what looked to be one person ... seemed to be multiple people, five or six, again, beating somebody up pretty badly, kicking, throwing punches … it was pretty brutal.”

A federal court determined police accounts of the incident were not credible – also finding the coach’s account “more credible.”

U.S. District Judge Janet Arterton sounded a warning a year before the unprovoked attack in an unrelated case, stating:

" ... Hartford had a policy or pervasive pattern of deliberate indifference to the possibility that its officers were prone to use excessive force, as demonstrated principally by Hartford's failure to reasonably investigate complaints and the absence of punitive consequences for any accused officer, that such policy or pattern may have emboldened or implanted a sense of impunity in its officers, resulting in the challenged first offense by this defendant, and that the offense would not have occurred had proper investigation and police discipline procedures been in place."

Meanwhile, the city dragged out litigation with the coach over a modest settlement of $454,197 via jury verdict for about 15 years.

“Most cities want to encourage out-of-town people to patronize local business," said one of the coach's lawyers, Raymond Rigat. “Here, the message seems to be: 'Welcome to Hartford, catch an old fashioned police beat-down, go to the hospital -- it's your problem not ours.' ”

Tiana Hercules is a Hartford resident and proud mother to three children ages 16, 14 and four. Tiana is a licensed criminal defense lawyer and has practiced in the areas of immigration, family law, and civil litigation. Before joining The Sills Law Firm, Tiana was a dedicated member of the Public Defender’s office. Notably, she helped lead an anti-gun violence initiative in Hartford.

Tiana is an active member of her community and has many years of experience as a leader in Hartford. She has served on several non-profit boards including Mutual Housing of Greater Hartford, NINA, Girls for Technology, and the Board of Deacons at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. She currently is an Appointed Commissioner for the Connecticut Commission for Children, Women, Seniors, Equality and Opportunity. In the past, she was employed as a Special Assistant to former Hartford Mayor, Pedro E. Segarra.

Ms. Hercules loves Hartford because it is rich with innovators, leaders, an amazing arts and cultural scene and some of the best eateries in Connecticut. She believes that everyone in Hartford should have equitable access to quality affordable housing, education, health care, food and living wages.

When she is not with her family or serving her community, Tiana enjoys working out at the YMCA, which is one of her favorite places in the city.

She lives by the motto: “Everyone has something of value to contribute,” and uses her voice to help those around her find theirs.

Tiana is excited and honored to join the City Council as a member of the Working Families Party. She believes that everyone should share in Hartford’s prosperity.

About Senator Winfield
Chief Deputy Majority Leader
Chair: Judiciary
Vice Chair: Energy & Technology
Member: Appropriations; Education; Housing; General Law
Originally sworn in on February 28, 2014, Gary Winfield is serving his fifth term as a Connecticut State Senator.

Prior to his time in the state senate, Senator Winfield served an unprecedented three terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives, marked by passage of the state’s repeal of the death penalty, a transgender civil rights bill, education equity and campaign finance reform legislation.

As a state senator, Senator Winfield has been an instrumental leader in helping to reshape conversations surrounding criminal justice, juvenile justice and immigration policy. In 2015, Senator Winfield wrote and championed legislation aimed at reducing police use of force, including requiring the operation of body cameras and cultural competency training for all officers. In years that followed, Senator Winfield helped lead passage of legislation to raise the age at which juvenile arrestees could be tried as adults.
In 2018, after a series of high-profile incidents between residents and law enforcement, Senator Winfield led passage of two distinct pieces of legislation to improve community relationships with law enforcement and fortify trust in the state’s justice system during the 2019 legislative session. The first, House Bill 380, prohibits law enforcement officers from firing at a motor vehicle unless there is an imminent threat to the life of the officer or bystander and requires release of body cam footage after a deadly use of force accident; and Senate Bill 880, which increases prosecutorial transparency by requiring the state to collect, report, and publish information about prosecutors’ decisions on a public website each year.

In 2019, Senator Winfield’s passion for effective policy led him to draft and champion legislation permitting any state legislator to request the preparation of a racial and ethnic impact statement triggering the mandatory production of such statement, making Connecticut the first state in the nation to pass such a law. In addition to racial impact statements, Senator Winfield also engaged in an eight hour debate to protect and strengthen the Connecticut Trust Act, which passed both the House and Senate respectively.

Prior to serving in the Connecticut General Assembly, Senator Winfield voluntarily left both his positions as a field advisor for Alston Power Inc. and as an electrical construction manager for a power plant in Milford to assume the role of a community activist, operating among members of his community for social change.

Originally from the Bronx, Senator Winfield credits his experience of growing up in a tough environment, his father succumbing to drugs and watching his mother struggle as a single mother, as the source of his passion for social justice. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

The senator currently resides in New Haven with his wife Rasheda and their four children, Heaven, Keyari, Gary and Imani.

Info via Hartford Courant: Longtime Hartford police officer turned Fox 61 chief investigator Brian Foley took a new job with the state Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection in 2019.

Foley became an executive assistant to his previous boss James Rovella, the former Hartford Police Chief who now serves as the state public safety commissioner.

He announced his move during an evening broadcast, calling it “a little bittersweet.”

"I've enjoyed my time here over the last year and Fox 61 has been so great to me and they were so brave to go in this new direction in news," Foley said. "However, my heart is in public service and when I signed on here, I had no idea my former boss at the Hartford Police Department would be come the commissioner of the state police."

A 24-year veteran of Hartford police, Foley became the public face of the department as its public information officer and retired a year ago as chief of detectives.

Ken Krayeske lives and practices law in Hartford, Connecticut. Ken is licensed to practice law before the state and federal district courts in Connecticut and United States Appeals Court for the Second Circuit.

In 2019, the Connecticut Law Tribune awarded the Kenneth J. Krayeske Law Offices a "Game Changer" award for winning a $1.3 million settlement in the case of World, Wayne v. CMHC, et al.‍

In 2021, the Law Tribune awarded Krayeske the Giant Slayer award for being lead counsel on a class action lawsuit against the Connecticut Department of Correction to test and treat the prison population for Hepatitis C, which has resulted in at least 860 people being cured of this deadly disease.

The Connecticut Law Tribune recently named Ken to its editorial board. Ken graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2010 and from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1994. Prior to joining the bar, Ken was an award-winning journalist, writing for daily, weekly and monthly newspapers and magazines. He focused on youth journalism, starting Echoes from The Streets Youth Newspaper.

From December 2003 to December 2015, Ken wrote a column called The 40-Year Plan for the local weekly newspaper, the Hartford News.

Ken is fluent in Spanish.

He ran for United States Congress in Connecticut’s First Congressional District with the Connecticut Green Party in 2010, debating Congressman John Larson four times, and winning a little more than one percent of the vote. In July 2012, Connecticut’s only municipal public campaign finance system, the New Haven Democracy Fund, appointed Ken its administrator, a position he held for two years until shortly after he started this law firm.

Prior to starting his own law firm on July 1, 2013, Ken spent five years as a clerk and an associate at the law firm of Brown & Welsh, P.C. in Meriden, Connecticut. Ken and Wildaliz Bermudez married in 2012. They have a young child who deserves their privacy, although he would absolutely love to show you photos of the adorableness that is this little human being. Ken rides his bicycle to work every day: rain, snow, sleet, hail, and prized sunshine. In his spare time, Ken enjoys carpentry, snowboarding and the ocean.

Ken Barone, Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy Associate Director

Since 2012, Ken has managed the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project (CTRP3) on behalf of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at the University of Connecticut. This project works to implement the state of Connecticut’s Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling law. The Alvin W. Penn law requires law enforcement agencies to collect information on traffic stops and report that information to CCSU. Ken is responsible for coordinating data collection and submission from 107 law enforcement agencies. He works with the Connecticut Data Collaborative to make the data available to the public through an online data portal. He has co-authored six statewide reports analyzing municipal and state police data for evidence of discrimination. He has also conducted investigations of significant racial and ethnic disparities identified in 30 municipal police departments throughout Connecticut. Ken is also a certified Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services “Fair and Impartial Police” trainer. He has trained over 800 law enforcement officers since 2014.

Ken’s work extends beyond the state of Connecticut. He also manages the Rhode Island Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act. He has co-authored four statewide reports analyzing municipal and state police data for evidence of discrimination in Rhode Island. He has conducted investigations of significant racial and ethnic disparities identified in 12 municipal police departments in Rhode Island. Ken has consulted with California, and Oregon on the implementation of their statewide traffic stop data collection programs. This includes helping states design electronic data collection systems, develop analytical tools for identifying racial disparities in traffic stop data, and implementing training programs to address implicit bias in policing.

Veteran journalist and private investigator Andy Thibault teaches news reporting / writing and communications at the University of New Haven. Thibault was a research consultant for the HBO series #AllenVFarrow and was credited with helping to free a woman unjustly imprisoned for first degree murder. The Connecticut Council for Freedom of Information cited Thibault in 2014 with the Stephen A. Collins Memorial Freedom of Information Award for “his many contributions to the cause of open and accountable government and a free and vigorous press in Connecticut.” He has coordinated a speakers program at the University of St. Joseph since 2017 and served on the University’s Digital Media and Communication Advisory Board since 2020.

CT Law Trib Story on USJ Speaker Series

https://www.law.com/ctlawtribune/2022/02/15/chief-justice-robinson-to-kick-off-speaker-series-at-university-of-st-joseph/