West Hartford Business And Libraries Suffer From Economic Woes

Published Aug. 22, 2009 at 11:56 a.m.

Tax collection is higher than expected: The Revenue Collection Office reported that, despite the struggling economy, tax collection exceeded the 99% collection rate by 0.1% for fiscal year 2008-2009. - WH Town Manager Council Briefs August 21, 2009

Even though tax collections are up and we seem to be muddling though this poor economy in our town, we are still seeing store closings in The Center. The last casualties were Zachers Photo Shop and Mimi's Maternity. We haven't heard a peep from Robert Rowlson, West Hartford's Business and Community Development Officer.



Meanwhile, people are beginning to fret about the impending "NO leaf collection" season and the Mayor and Town Manager are also having to deal with the harsh reality and associated problems of NO State money coming from Hartford while the State budget is still at an impasse. It looks like our libraries might be negatively impacted in the process.

Rep. David McCluskey (D), took an opportunity at a recent rally at Bishop's Corner to complain about the Governor's stance on the budget - but did not mention where else State government should make cuts in order to close the 8 billion dollar State budget deficit. It appears that he and other State lawmakers would just rather have Governor Rell approve of raising State taxes on everyone, in the middle of one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression.

Memo to Rep. McCluskey: Our State legislature has made business operation costly and difficult in CT. You and your legislative colleagues cannot continue to tax and spend, especially now. Cuts in Library services ARE in part the fault of the legislature YOU belong to. It is NOT just the Governor's fault. The unfunded mandates, spending programs and Union benefits that YOU supported are coming to haunt our Towns and taxpayers. The question remains: What are YOU proposing in order to bring business back to Connecticut and to make government less expensive? We cannot sustain the levels of spending that you prefer, especially in this economy (which by many accounts is bound to get worse).


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