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| Eddie Alberto Perez is now serving his third term as Mayor of Hartford. Because of his passion for education and providing opportunities to Hartford's young people, Mayor Perez also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Education. He firmly believes that an educated workforce leads to stronger neighborhood economic development and jobs and will make Hartford even more competitive in today's global economy. His vision and insight does not go unnoticed. Mayor Perez is recognized as a national leader and is one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Hispanic Leaders" according to Hispanic Business Magazine. | |||
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| Mayor Perez lives the American Dream everyday and wants to make that dream a reality for all residents of the Capital City. Mr. Perez has not only made history by being the City’s first Latino Mayor, but the first Latino Mayor of a Capital City, and Hartford’s first strong mayor in more than 50 years. By changing the City Charter in 2002, he is now the CEO of Hartford. By reducing crime to historic lows, raising the expectations of public school education, increasing homeownership, and creating more neighborhood economic development, Mayor Perez wants to improve the quality of life for the residents of the city that was called the “House of Hope” by its Dutch founders. | |||
| '''Eduardo Alberto Perez''' (born 1957) is an ] politician and the present ] of ], ]. Prior to entering politics, Perez worked a variety of jobs ranging from ] during his youth to a ] as he matured. In 2007, Perez was brought before a ] on unresolved charges of ]. | |||
| ==Youth== | |||
| Born in Corozal, Puerto Rico, Mr. Perez arrived in Hartford in 1969 at the age of 12 with his family (Mama Felicita, brothers William, Orlando, Wilfredo, Moises, Nelson, Ruben, Noel, and his sister Jeanette). He graduated from Hartford Public High School and later earned an Associate’s Degree from Capital Community Technical College. Along the way, his affiliations included the youth group at Sacred Heart Church. Father Tom Goekler and “Big Brother” David Lowery became father figures to the future Mayor, instilling in him the passion for community service and the commitment to change any social or economic injustice confronting people. | |||
| Perez was born in ] to a ] family who would later emigrate to the ] in search of a better life for their children. Perez grew up in the North End of Hartford and quickly began to associate with the ], an organized crime syndicate which supported Puerto Rican nationalism and was especially involved with the then fledgling ]. He would continue to participate in the gang after graduating ] in 1976 and is considered in some circles to have been a founding member of the Ghetto Brothers in ] due to Perez's close ties with other ] street gangs in ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Career== | |||
| After spending many successful years as a community organizer, Mr. Perez earned his degree in economics at Trinity College (while working there full time). He then spearheaded the completion of the Learning Corridor--- recognized as a national model for comprehensive community revitalization. | |||
| After having been arrested and later acquitted in the late 1970s as an accessory on various charges, Perez began to engage in community service in order to encourage loyalty to his gang from the local community. Perez's programme was successful, and in 1986 began to take courses from ] located in the ] of Hartford. | |||
| In the late 1980s, Perez began working as a ] at ] while taking classes at the college as a part of Trinity's community outreach programme. He would ultimately finish his ] degree twelve years after he began to study at the college. In 1989, Trinity appointed Perez as Director of Community Relations in order to establish better relations with the local community. Despite serving in this post for several years, Trinity is still viewed as having some of the worst ] relations in the nation. <ref></ref> | |||
| First elected Mayor in 2001, Mr. Perez then accomplished something that had eluded his predecessors--- Charter Revision. The residents of Hartford look to Eddie Perez as the person they trust to lead the city on the path to economic recovery and financial stability. Along that road of revitalization, Mayor Perez has reached out and inspired people of all races and backgrounds. | |||
| In 1999, Perez became the President of the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, an organization sponsored by Trinity College and ]. The organization ultimately absorbed nearly a quarter of Trinity's endowment and over a hundred-million dollars from the Hospital in an ] programme that has been described as an "absolute failure" by the ]. | |||
| The people who have experienced this American Dream story first hand are members of his family. His wife Maria, and their two children, Eddie Jr. and Cierra, demonstrate their support and commitment, with unflappable love. If Mayor Perez’s effective leadership is the foundation for the City’s future --- a loving family is the foundation for this effective leader | |||
| ==Mayor== | |||
| Perez was elected as the first Latino mayor of Hartford in 2001. Under 2002 changes to the city charter, he became the ] of the City of Hartford. He was re-elected in 2003. Since his tenure as mayor Perez has come under fire for alleged corruption. | |||
| In August 2007, Perez announced that his home had been searched by investigators probing work done on his home by a contractor who had received city business. <ref></ref>. He was re-elected despite the controversy with 49% of the vote.<ref></ref> | |||
| Perez is currently under investigation by a state grand jury for alleged corruption. He received a new bathroom and kitchen in his home at the expense of contractor Carlos Costa, who has done millions of dollars of business with the city of Hartford, but whom was recently declared an unfit contractor by a city auditor. | |||
| The grand jury is also investigating Perez's influence on deals for the purchase of property in downtown, and for no-bid contracts for parking lot management awarded to city political boss Abraham L. Giles. | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Eddie}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Eddie}} | ||
Revision as of 14:11, 21 October 2008
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Eduardo Alberto Perez (born 1957) is an American politician and the present Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut. Prior to entering politics, Perez worked a variety of jobs ranging from organized crime during his youth to a community activist as he matured. In 2007, Perez was brought before a grand jury on unresolved charges of corruption.
Youth
Perez was born in Corozal, Puerto Rico to a Puerto Rican family who would later emigrate to the United States in search of a better life for their children. Perez grew up in the North End of Hartford and quickly began to associate with the Ghetto Brothers, an organized crime syndicate which supported Puerto Rican nationalism and was especially involved with the then fledgling Puerto Rican Socialist Party. He would continue to participate in the gang after graduating Hartford Public High School in 1976 and is considered in some circles to have been a founding member of the Ghetto Brothers in New England due to Perez's close ties with other Latino street gangs in The Bronx.
Career
After having been arrested and later acquitted in the late 1970s as an accessory on various charges, Perez began to engage in community service in order to encourage loyalty to his gang from the local community. Perez's programme was successful, and in 1986 began to take courses from Capital Community Technical College located in the Central Business District of Hartford.
In the late 1980s, Perez began working as a fry cook at Trinity College while taking classes at the college as a part of Trinity's community outreach programme. He would ultimately finish his undergraduate degree twelve years after he began to study at the college. In 1989, Trinity appointed Perez as Director of Community Relations in order to establish better relations with the local community. Despite serving in this post for several years, Trinity is still viewed as having some of the worst town and gown relations in the nation.
In 1999, Perez became the President of the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, an organization sponsored by Trinity College and Hartford Hospital. The organization ultimately absorbed nearly a quarter of Trinity's endowment and over a hundred-million dollars from the Hospital in an urban renewal programme that has been described as an "absolute failure" by the Hartford Courant.
Mayor
Perez was elected as the first Latino mayor of Hartford in 2001. Under 2002 changes to the city charter, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Hartford. He was re-elected in 2003. Since his tenure as mayor Perez has come under fire for alleged corruption.
In August 2007, Perez announced that his home had been searched by investigators probing work done on his home by a contractor who had received city business. . He was re-elected despite the controversy with 49% of the vote.
Perez is currently under investigation by a state grand jury for alleged corruption. He received a new bathroom and kitchen in his home at the expense of contractor Carlos Costa, who has done millions of dollars of business with the city of Hartford, but whom was recently declared an unfit contractor by a city auditor.
The grand jury is also investigating Perez's influence on deals for the purchase of property in downtown, and for no-bid contracts for parking lot management awarded to city political boss Abraham L. Giles.
External links
- CNN.com - From gang leader to strong mayor - Jan. 3, 2004
- CNN.com - From gang leader to strong mayor - Jan. 3, 2004