November 1, 2007

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As I prepare to leave my post with the City of Hartford, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for having worked with so many wonderful people. I can say with certainty (having worked for several mayors over 25 years!) that Mayor Perez has been the best.  His thoughtful and deliberate style, and his confidence in the work performed by Development Services, has made my tenure with the City productive and enjoyable.

I also want to thank the exceptional staff at Development Services for making my job less stressful than it might have been otherwise.  Mark McGovern, as Acting Director, will supply the energy and leadership needed to advance the agenda as he works with the 80 men and women of our Department who dedicate themselves to improving the environment for better neighborhoods.  I want to thank Development Services staff and express appreciation for the support we have received from our friends in allied city departments for their commitment to carrying out the Mayor’s community development mission.

I also want to thank our “external” partners for the guidance and support they have offered.  Oz and his team of professionals at the Metro Hartford Alliance have joined hands with the Mayor and our department on numerous occasions to build support for important initiatives we advance. Hartford 2000’s role as convenor for the critical planning and advocacy work accomplished at the NRZ level has also been critical to the progress we have made and need to continue making.  I thank Bernadine for her leadership and occasional “tough love” stance in getting us to pay sufficient attention to important neighborhood issues.

Finally, let me thank the members of the boards and commissions we serve who make the most selfless contributions to the welfare of city residents.  Eddie Casaras, Chairman of the reinvigorated Hartford Rede­velopment Agency; Chairwoman Sandra Bobowski of our Planning and Zoning Commission; and, Chairman Greg Secord of the Historic Preservation Commission, all have helped to move the revitalization agenda forward for our neighborhoods.  As staff we appreciate everything our boards and commissions do to make Hartford a better place to live and work.

As I assume new responsibilities and take on new challenges in Boston, I will keep in mind the friendships made in Hartford.  I will remember with fondness the collaborations we have fostered with the many commu­nity groups and NRZs.  These organizations have been critical to our success in identifying resources and strategies for neighborhood renewal; their steadfastness keeps all of us who care about city development focused and energized.

Thank you all so very much for making my tenure here so special. I will miss Hartford, but leave knowing that the leadership and commitment are in place to continue the forward momentum.

Sincerely,

John F. Palmieri