Kara and I were honored to be emcees for the Hartford Mayoral Ball, celebrating the inauguration of Mayor Pedro Segarra.  It was a sellout crowd of about 900 people from all over the state and beyond at the Connecticut Convention Center at Adriaen’s Landing. 

On an historical note, Mayor Segarra was accompanied by his husband, Charlie Ortiz.   We’re told Segarra is the first legally married gay mayor in the United States.

The mood was upbeat as people looked forward to a big change in attitude at city hall.     Mayor Segarra was telling attendees about his pro-business stance and urging people to invest in Hartford.  My brother-in-law Stuart Sundlun, who works in private equity in Manhattan, came in to learn more about the capital city and investment possibilities.     Developers, commercial property owners, and mom and pop merchants at the ball all seemed to be in agreement that the Segarra administration is the beginning of a new era.   “Come build something downtown,” the mayor said, an obvious reference to the copious vacant acreage and empty buildings that are a long overdue for a new purpose.

Lt.  Governor Nancy Wyman was there, as governor because Governor Malloy is out of state, and she was joined by other dignitaries, members of HPD and HFD and civic leaders.   

The WFSB table included my news director, Dana Neves, Hartford bureau chief Len Besthoff, reporter Jill Konopka, and photographers Brian Elba and Mike Kopelman. 

WDRC’s (and Channel 3 alum) Brad Davis and HFD Captain Terry Waller

West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka and Erik Szyluk

WFSB’s Dana Neves, Len Besthoff and Mike Kopelman

MaryEllen Fillo of the Hartford Courant

Arnold and Nadine West

Kara Sundlun, yours truly and India Liddell

Kara Sundlun and Ashley Szyluk

Brian Elba and Jill Konopka

Shawn Wooden

Steve Bonafonte

Erik Szyluk and Stuart Sundlun

John Bazzano and Al Marotta

Mayor’s picture courtesy of the Hartford Courant.  The courant also has more ball pictures here:  http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-pictures-mayor-pedro-segarras-inaugural-ball-20120121,0,5773582.photogallery