Patch Op-Ed: A Connecticut Party Wants Modernization Transparency

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The following was composed by A Connecticut Party of West Hartford:

West Hartford needs a plan to look at all the town’s buildings and figure out whether or not we need to keep, repair and improve, or sell any of them. We need to be thoughtful and forward thinking.

Public safety, education, government, and work structures that are tired and outdated need an
honest review as to whether West Hartford, and its residents, need to continue to pour taxpayers’
dollars into maintenance and upkeep, especially if we can find ways to save money and do more
with less.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we can - and need to - be resourceful. We need
to dig deep into our toolbox for clever solutions to difficult problems. Let’s continue to look at
the data and analytics. The West Hartford Town Council has already spent tens of thousands of
dollars on studies to identify these very needs.

West Hartford has a massive Town Hall in a strategic area that is highly desired by commercial
and business developers. West Hartford continues to dump tax dollars, year after year, into a 9-
hole golf course that loses money on an annual basis. We should be looking at an overall,
comprehensive plan to capitalize on the increased property values in our Town. West Hartford
has 5 firehouses along with 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools, that
need modernization. With proper development, we can look for opportunities to generate long-
term windfalls that ultimately will help us strategically plan for the West Hartford’s economic
success for the next 50 years.

The time is now for thoughtful, forward thinking change for all of West Hartford, leadership. A
Connecticut Party of West Hartford and our fellow residents want leadership that leads to action
not just kicking the can down the road. We cannot let party affiliations prevent positive change.
Let’s work together, to make tomorrow better for all West Hartford residents.