Segarra: American success story

Hartford, Connecticut (WTNH) - He's an American success story -- or rather a Puerto Rican-American success story -- and he now he must restore public trust to government in the Capital City.

Pedro Segarra said, "I want to assure you that any delay in terms of us making this transition is only brought about by us trying to do what is responsible."

In his first news conference Segarra exhibited the calm and reserve that many say is one of his most obvious talents. That like the sense of relief and calm that the state got when Jodi Rell succeeded the scandal plagued Governor John Rowland. Hartford residents will be quick to respond and rally around Segarra.

Deputy State Comptroller Mark Ojakian is fellow long time West End resident and lauds Segarra for being a voice of reason on the council.

"Not only politically but he's also brought a lot of other skills to the West End,” Ojakian said. “He's involved in community clean up, landscape programs. He's truly been a first rate citizen of the City of Hartford."

Segarra arrived here by bus thirty years ago as a teen aged runaway from New York. He lived at the YMCA and eventually went to law school.

He's now faced with closing down the 25 year legal practice he built up himself. Segarra will also become the first openly gay mayor of the city.

Ojakian served with Segarra on the board of the organization that helped establish same-sex marriage in Connecticut.

"Always got the job done,” Ojakian continued. “Always, as I said, had a very calming influence over some of us that were more vocal at times."

City Hall workers and residents need someone steady and everyone says Segarra will be the right person for the corner office on Main Street.

"It is a full time job and it should be a full time job, and I intend to make it a full time job,” Segarra stated. “They can count on us to make sure that all the business is being taken care of."

Pedro Segarra has been on the city council for about four years, but he is not new to city government. He served as Corporation Counsel, the city attorney, during the administrations of Mayor Carrie Saxon Perry and Mayor Mike Peters.

Connecticut will find out Friday when he will become Mayor of Hartford.