Radiofree West Hartford -- The Crow's Nest by Tom Evers

THE CROW'S NEST

West Hartford Budget Rejected

By Tom Evers

June 10, 2004

West Hartford residents were elated to hear that the $176.4 million dollar budget was overwhelming rejected by referendum voters. The latest tally as of this writing (as reported) is 7,005 against to 1,508 in favor. This signals a fresh start for the Town Council over budget considerations and a sign that the real battles have yet to begin.

The victory came as a result of a grassroots level effort conducted by Phil Meister and the West Hartford Taxpayers Association. Over the last month, the volunteer group rallied and sought signatures outside of Waldbaum's Supermarket and other places. Signs were posted all over town urging voters to reject the large tax increase.

Proponents of the budget were also hard at work. Some West Hartford residents received flyers in their doors urging them to support the budget because the tax increase would be only 9%.

A long time resident - who would only give his name as Myron said, "The flyer was just plain dumb. It's amazing that some people in West Hartford believe that a nine percent tax increase is an "only". They've been raising taxes in this town every year. What's wrong with these people? It's fiscal mis-management."

Now the budget work will have to begin anew and the Council will have to get serious about fiscal responsibility. There is an opportunity for the town to use the money they were provided from the State of Connecticut including the Education Cost Sharing Grant (ECS). This capital could not be touched because of constraints from the Town Charter. Now with the passing of the referendum, all monies can be considered including the $1.8 mil from the ECS.

Democrats have been sounding off bitter and angry. The Hartford Courant reported that Jack Darcey, Board of Education Chairman said that he fears a mass exodus from town because of the neglecting of the schools. From this writers point of few, a few notes to bring Mr. Darcey back to reality:

In the first place, there will be no mass exodus from West Hartford as Mr. Darcey suggests. West Hartford's schools are in fantastic shape and are in no threat from being undermined, not one iota. In fact, West Hartford Schools are among the best in the state by curriculum and structure. It's clear that - once again - Mr. Darcey is exaggerating the issue for his ulterior agenda.

On the other hand, an 8.5% tax increase would have caused some families in lower and middle class brackets to seek housing outside of West Hartford due to the increased tax burden. Notwithstanding, it seems that Mr. Darcey and his rich friends do note care about the plight of the average guy. They do not mind a mil rate of 43, or perhaps even 83 for that matter. Instead of working on behalf of town residents, Mr. Darcey is focused on serving the best interests of the teachers' union by seeking to raise teachers' salaries through increased taxation of West Hartford residents. His effort to negotiate on behalf of the town was deemed a dismal failure.

If you see Mr. Darcey on the street, you may want to ask him to - "Stop whining, and to do his job, or resign." West Hartford would be better served with a more competent leader as Chairman of the Board of Education -- someone who has a vested interest in serving residents, not unions.

Well for now, the Jonathan Harris tax increase has been stopped. Let's see if the Council can buckle down and find some places to make significant cuts. This will be a test to see if the Democrats will look to play politics or do the diligence necessary to make the right things happen.

I'd expect that the Democrats will continue with the same strategy which has been to threaten residents; the usual tactics include: creating fear of reduced public safety, claims of deteriorating schools that hurt children, and intimidating senior citizens with threats of service reduction.

On the other hand, I expect Republicans to guide the discussion and put forward plans that make sense and reduce the tax burden. Republicans like Rob Bouvier and Kevin Connors need to show some leadership and help make things happen. Voters will reject Republicans if their strategy is to only block and obstruct. Republicans, although outvoted (6 to 3), need to be seen as a constructive part of the budget process. They need to roll up their sleeves and propose a budget plan of their own -- one that doesn't rake town residents.

If the Council doesn't make this happen, we could see yet another rejected budget.

That's all for now. Stay tuned, there's much more to come on this issue!