dumplingboy199 t1_jb73759 wrote on March 6, 2023 at 10:47 PM

I personally would LOVE to hear the arguments why people don’t want to merge Hartford and West Hartford. Let’s do it

thegapalo t1_jb7r58m wrote on March 7, 2023 at 1:46 AM

Although the article mentions how Hartford splintered into different municipalities (including West Hartford) in the 1800's, the article mentions the real issue with so many municipalities is in the rural areas of Connecticut, where offices are going vacant because no one is filling low salary positions. . . Which doesn't characterize West Hartford. . .So I guess I would start that arguing from the premise that West Hartford needs to be absorbed because it can't govern itself?

Furthermore, areas that have worked, such as the New Jersey towns mentioned, were of similar size and demographics, and merging was a true merging. I think the extreme argument is that combining Hartford and West Hartford would be akin to gerrymandering, with Hartford's population and priorities overpowering West Hartford's, it would be placing Hartford in charge of West Hartford.

Which, if West Hartford was unable to govern itself, would probably be a reason for West Hartford to be absorbed. But West Hartford and its residents have the resources and the right to prioritize their community. Building Blue Back Square, revitalizing the Prospect Park Plaza area are things West Hartford can handle, and should. Where would these projects rank on a priority list if a part of Hartford? If West Hartford can afford and has the resources to deal with it, why waste Hartford's time and energy on something it doesn't have time for?

MaoWasaLoser t1_jba41e4 wrote on March 7, 2023 at 3:53 PM

West Hartford is a thriving, nice town and Hartford isn't. Why would residents of West Hartford want to merge into Hartford?

mynameisnotshamus t1_jb9bzjz wrote on March 7, 2023 at 12:10 PM

West Hartford is rich and white. Hartford is not.

LawyersGunsandMoneys t1_jbd0pcp wrote on March 8, 2023 at 3:51 AM

West Hartford couldn’t exist without Hartford. But by being a separate municipality it is able to reap the benefits of being close to Hartford, without having to worry about anything that happens in Hartford, or pay for any Hartford services.

mynameisnotshamus t1_jbesd0t wrote on March 8, 2023 at 3:13 PM

My comment was meant as a joke, but how could West Hartford not exist without Hartford just as any other town could exist without Hartford?

LawyersGunsandMoneys t1_jbf55t6 wrote on March 8, 2023 at 4:37 PM

I just think that the nicer suburban towns depend on their neighboring cities for their prosperity and standard of living. I feel like there should be some mechanism to ensure that they pay their fair share, rather than walling themselves off administratively.

mynameisnotshamus t1_jbf7k2b wrote on March 8, 2023 at 4:52 PM

I just don’t know how they depend on Hartford. Employment - sure many work in Hartford, but many don’t. Pay their fair share of what? Many people work in a town or city that they don’t live in. Would this fair share apply to everyone then? That’d get messy quickly.