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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Wednesday, March 3, 2021: Edition #1
Mark Merritt
Chairman, West Hartford Republican Town Committee
Dear ,
Welcome to our inaugural issue of the West Hartford Republican Town Committee, Monthly Newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter because you have been identified as a resident and registered Republican in the town of West Hartford. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed about issues affecting our town and to provide you with access to news and events that may be of interest to you.
In this month's issue, we're excited to announce our platform that we will be introducing to help enhance the resident experience in our town. And you'll learn how you can help us implement the new platform.
You'll also read about some recent issues and future items of note from our Republican representatives on both our Town Council and Board of Education.
There are several ways that you can participate so, read below to see how you can help your town as a fellow Republican.
We hope that you will find this newsletter informative and valuable. We also hope that you will click on the button above and donate to our RTC. Of course, if you have any questions, feedback or if you need additional information, please feel free to contact me at chair@whgop.org.
Take care,
Mark Merritt
The West Hartford RTC Platform
One of the differences you will see in 2021 is how the West Hartford Republican Town Committee (RTC) will be taking a more active role in how we want to help enhance the resident experience here in town.
There are four main pillars to our platform:
- Economic Development
- Safety & Security
- Education
- Fiscal Responsibility.
Economic Development: We want to revitalize the town's Economic Development Team to make it more proactive and less reactive. We want them to seek out organizations that can help us create a "technology zone" with "incubator" organizations that can bring a vibrant and diverse culture to the town.
Safety & Security: We want to help the town support the development of more community-based policing. Since 2013, we have seen non-violent crimes rise dramatically in town in the areas of larceny, burglary, property damage and motor vehicle break-ins. In fact, our crime levels in these areas are above that of the state average and the national average. We also continue to have an issue with aggressive pan handling within our town and are working on solutions to identify scams from those who are truly in need. We also will be supporting ideas to address racial equity and anti-Semitism in town and other ways we can use town facilities in multiple facets to help save resources.
Education: The pandemic has taught us the need to continue with leveraging digital learning in a post-pandemic world. We will explore ideas to help students continue the digital learning experience even after we are back to full-time, in-person learning. We also want to create a curriculum that recognizes a more balanced perspective between liberal and conservative viewpoints for issues and trends without fear of retribution. We also need to address the depreciating condition of our educational facilities and infrastructure.
Fiscal Responsibility: The Democrats in town have been "asleep at the wheel" with their mismanagement of our town budget especially, as it pertains to town employee salaries and bonuses when compared to the private sector. In addition, they have raised property taxes to an unsustainable level in the town. We need to explore a zero based budgeting system for both the Board of Education and the town so that we get back to more sensible spending. We will seek to remove the myth that quality education is dependent on massive spending increases. We need to rescind state issued unfunded mandates and continue to advocate for more state funding for these unfunded mandates that are killing town budgets. We will also provide solutions that will develop and enhance our Grand List so that we can reduce the tax burden on current residents.
Town Council Report
Lee Gold West Hartford Town Council - Minority Leader
As we collectively move towards the spring season, I feel a great deal of optimism. The Town's staff has been administering COVID vaccinations and preparing to coordinate many more, in accordance with the Governor's age specific plan. We must look forward to the days when we can return to some form of normalcy in our lives.
For me, it has been challenging to govern and be part of the Town Council in an entirely virtual format. Rest assured however, my colleagues and I are active and providing a voice for our constituents.
Public safety remains a priority. To that end, we have established the Civilian Police Review Board for the Town. The Board is tasked with providing timely, fair and transparent review of investigations conducted by the West Hartford Police Department into civilian complaints of alleged police misconduct. Many have already shown interest in becoming part of this Board and I thank those willing to give of their time in public service. Additionally, we have been concerned with panhandling that has been prevalent throughout our Town. This is an issue that we will look to address in the immediate future in hopes of finding an appropriate and compassionate response and solution.
We also are entering into budget season discussions. With the ongoing pandemic, we will have tough decisions to make in order to get our Town on track for the next decade and beyond.
I look forward to robust discussions and continue to serve at your pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity.
Board of Education Report
Liz Wilcox West Hartford Board of Education
West Hartford Public Schools continue to be some of the best, not only in the state of Connecticut, but in the nation. Newsweek ranked our high schools in the Top 1%. U.S. News & World Report gave our high schools a Gold medal for Best High Schools. Additionally, six of eleven elementary schools were recognized as Schools of Distinction in Connecticut.
Because of COVID, this year has been like no other. However, West Hartford Public Schools continue to be a model for other districts in terms of our response, planning, and execution of return to school plans. The school year began in a hybrid model, while also offering a full remote option. In the fall, we returned the elementary to full in-person learning and began streaming in the off weeks at the middle and high school levels. Currently, efforts to return everyone to school entirely in person some time before the end of this school year are underway with plans for a March return.
Finally, we continue to work to make sure that every child in West Hartford Public Schools can reach their full potential.
How Do I Get Involved?
Would you like an opportunity to really contribute to the town? We have a few spots still available for membership on the West Hartford Republican Town Committee. Please click on the button below to see how to join our committee.
How Can I Get More Information?
Click on the buttons below to visit our West Hartford Republican Town Committee Website.
