,

Dear ,

Our delegates have just returned from the Connecticut Republican State Convention — and a great deal happened.

TOWN COMMITTEE CORNER

Over the course of the convention, Republicans from across Connecticut gathered to debate the future direction of our state and endorse candidates for some of the most important offices on the ballot this November. The decisions made at this convention will directly affect West Hartford voters and the future of Connecticut.

We invite you to join us tonight at 7:00 PM at West Hartford Town Hall, Room #400, where we will provide a full recap of the convention, discuss the endorsement results, and share insight into the candidates who will appear before voters this election season.

Topics will include endorsed candidates for:
• U.S. Congress — First Congressional District
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Treasurer
• Comptroller
• Attorney General
• Secretary of the State

We will also discuss the potential for candidates in the State House 18th, 19th and 20th districts.

This meeting is also critically important for another reason.

In recent weeks, our town has witnessed several deeply troubling hate rallies and demonstrations that have disturbed residents, divided neighbors, and created fear and tension within our community. Republicans in West Hartford believe strongly that hateful intimidation and extremist rhetoric have no place in our town.

Tonight, we will discuss the Republican response to these events and begin an important conversation about constructive, lawful, and community-focused ways we can prevent hate speech, intimidation, and political extremism from terrorizing our neighborhoods and public spaces.

This is not a moment for silence or disengagement. It is a moment for citizens to come together, stay informed, and participate in shaping the future of our community and our state.

If you care about public safety, civil discourse, free speech exercised responsibly, accountable government, and the future direction of Connecticut, your voice matters — and we encourage you to be in the room tonight.

Please join us.

West Hartford Town Hall — Room #400
Tonight at 7:00 PM

We hope to see you there.

TOWN COUNCIL - MINORITY REPORT

The last month has been a bit trying but we have had some successes as well.  The budget approval meeting happened and lots of commitments were made at the last minute.  Your caucus was instrumental in getting a lot of changes made and while the changes weren’t nearly perfect, they were a step in the right direction and in the end, came close to mirroring inflation. 

Some good news came following the budget, all three of us had made remarks about the funding shortfalls from the state and the state heard us.  The state reinstated over two million in funding that was originally not in the budget. We also successfully lobbied the state to not restrict that additional funding in any way.  In other areas, the town has already begun work on revamping permitting fees to be more in alignment with neighboring communities and not be a loss leader for the town.  We also sought a commitment from the town to revamp parking fees and fines.  That process is beginning in the next two or three months (late summer).  The three of us continue to work well with staff and other members of Town Council and we are having success influencing the agenda.  This was goal number one for us when we were sworn in and making great progress on it.

Following the budget, I asked for the three of us to work on ‘wish lists’ of actionable items we can tackle as a caucus.  I invite all of you to give us your ideas as well.  We are going to start looking to get things onto committee agendas and to the floor for debate.

The Town Council agenda has been very quiet since the budget cycle but unfortunately, other things far less pleasant have occurred.  Protests and threats targeting the Jewish community, and the West Farms Mall have been front and center for the last week.  It has placed heavy demands on town staff, the police department, and the Town Council.  By the time you read this, we will have issued a statement condemning the anti-Jewish sentiment and actions and pledging to continue to stand in solidarity with all members of that faith. We did our best to not comment publicly ahead of time so as not to give oxygen to the hate group but issued a statement immediately following their protest at Town Hall this past Saturday.

This is the time of year when state level politics start to take center stage, and I want to congratulate Ryan Fazio on being the nominee for Governor.  I am excited to support him and his efforts to get elected and hope. Through Gayle, I have met him and gotten to know him. He is very focused on the issues like some of the mandates that have been passed in recent years and will be campaigning on reducing them and properly funding the remaining ones.  Cross fingers, hopefully his message reverberates. There is bipartisan frustration with Governor Lamont over this and homeowners and CT residents in general are feeling the squeeze.

That is it for now.  Hopefully, you will get some well-deserved downtime this summer and be able to enjoy the beautiful weather that May and June offer. 

John, Jason and Gayle.

BOARD OF EDUCATION BRIEF

• School Budget was passed late March - approximately 6% year over year increase
• School Budget was rejected by the Town Council
• Adjustments to the School Budget have been delayed because of uncertainty (by the Town) in terms of how to treat the new funding from the State - that came from the recent legislative votes/agreements.  

Ethan and Miriam

CLOSING COMMENTS

This is not a moment for silence or disengagement. It is a moment for citizens to come together, stay informed, and participate in shaping the future of our community and our state.

If you care about public safety, civil discourse, free speech exercised responsibly, accountable government, and the future direction of Connecticut, your voice matters — and we encourage you to be in the room tonight.

Please join us.

West Hartford Town Hall — Room #400
Tonight at 7:00 PM

We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Shawn Daly