2015 seems to be the year Hartford voters and the media could be treated to the most fascinating race for mayor in decades. This is only the fourth mayoral election since the city moved to a strong mayor form of government, and we might just see the strongest field of candidates ever.

Mayor Pedro Segarra has been laying out his case for re-election, and we heard from potential candidate John Gale, a West End attorney, but this week we meet the only declared challenger in the race, Luke Bronin. It’s likely other candidates will jump in the race as well. Bronin lives downtown, not far from where Kara and I lived for the first seven years of the century.

Bronin comes to the race with an impressive resume that includes work for the Obama administration, and most recently service as chief legal counsel to Governor Malloy. But back to that strong mayor form of government, which is one reason Bronin is running for the city’s top job.

On Sunday’s Face the State Bronin told me the city needs a stronger leader. Does that mean he thinks Mayor Segarra is a weak leader? Yes. That was one of the many questions asked during our interview. We also talked about Bronin’s vision for the capital city, the minor league baseball stadium that will open five months after the next mayor is inaugurated, and other topics.

By the way, the small group of protestors trying to stop the stadium will find Bronin is not the saviour who will champion their cause, although he does differ with the current mayor on details of the stadium deal.

You can watch the entire interview right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=11063209

Our flashback takes us back to 1974, and the unsuccessful fight to save an historic building. Our state and capital city have poor records of preserving historic architecture, and the loss of a Victorian gem right across from the State Capitol serves a painful reminder of the capital city’s lost treasures, the sites of many of which are nothing more than vacant lots today.

When you see this vintage film and listen to the representative of the YMCA justifying the demolition, you may laugh…and cry. The explanation sounds ridiculous and even moreso 40 years later. Read this related story: https://dennishouse.tv/2012/01/24/what-hartford-might-have-bee/

Watch the YMCA story here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=11063224