One thing I have found while campaigning for Hartford City Council is that we have a lot of "politicians" that are good at identifying Hartford's problems. The problem with that though is that the solutions to our problems, for the most part, seem to be in short supply. At the candidates forums I keep hearing the catch phrases for Hartford's troubles... "crime and public safety", "economic development", "education" and "jobs".
This may sound self-serving, but we have plenty of "politicians" capable of identifying problems, what we need are leaders to come up with solutions to those problems.
Back in July, I posted here on the blog one of my plans to spur economic development, you can read that posting here.The idea now seems to be gaining some traction. It is only part of the puzzle to turning Hartford around, but I guess others beside just myself see the possibilities
Last Thursday, former Councilperson and now State Representative Matt Ritter called me regarding the plan. I guess Matt sees the merits in the idea and he wanted to let me know he was interested in moving the idea forward. He was meeting with the Metro Hartford Alliance and wanted to gauge their support and he apparently plans to move it forward in next years legislative session..
Ironically, that same afternoon I met with the editorial board of the Hartford Courant and laid out my thoughts to them also. Tom Condon posted an editorial on line tonight which I would imagine will be in the print edition tomorrow. Unfortunately the message of the editorial is about another Hartford business closing its doors in large part because of Hartford's tax burden on its small businesses.
In the editorial, Tom Condon mentions my plan as an idea "worth exploring". It's not the solution to everything, but it is a start.
Here's what Tom wrote; "A way must be found to entice small businesses back to the city. Blogger and city council candidate Kevin Brookman has an idea, one that state Rep. Matthew Ritter has picked up on, that is worth exploring. It is to offer the region's average tax rate to any business that will locate or expand in Hartford. So say the region's average is 35 mills. That's what the business would pay in Hartford, for some period of time."
We need the vision and the ideas for possible solutions, just identifying the problems doesn't change anything.
To read Tom Condon's editorial, click here
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9 comments:
good job Kevin, I have heard you speak at a couple forums and I agree, everyone talks about the problems, but you seem to be the only one with solutions. Keep it up and rest assured, you have my vote as well as anyone else I can convince to vote for you
Kevin,
If you are elected to council, what will be the first thing on your agenda?
concerned citizen,
there are several things I hope to get started ASAP, but the first thing will be to get 4 other members of the Council to work together to begin moving forward. One councilperson can be vocal and draw attention to the issues, but it takes 5 votes to get things done.
Naturally my economic development plan will be a priority and working with Matt Ritter and others to bring jobs and tax relief to Hartford;s businesses and attract new businesses and jobs. Identify cuts in the budget to begin reducing city spending and cut the mill rate. Holding department heads accountable for their actions and hold hearings to get answers if necessary. Public safety is a major issue and I woukd intend to make sure our police department is properly supported and funded, identifying any federal or state grants to make sure that happens while at the same told holding the department administration accountable to the people of Hartford.
There is plenty of work to be done, but I need to get there first. The other major part is listening to the people of Hartford and moving their ideas forward. I don't think that happens often at City Hall where the residents and business people of the City are actually treated as partners and stakeholders
Kevin Brookman's Mil Rate Idea aka the "KB Mil Average" is the best idea for rebuilding Hartford's grand.
When elected Mayor your Idea will get the full support of my office Kevin! It is fresh, forward thinking, and intelligent. These are the kind of ideas that Hartford needs from policy makers on the Court of Common Council.
As you pointed out everyone in this city is very good at problem identification but where are the innovative ideas that Hartford needs to turn the city around.
Perhaps the test for who should serve as the next Council President should be: Who comes up with the best economic development policy that will attract real grand list growth. (Not the illusion of growth that we have seen from the current caretaker administration.)
The company I want to bring to Hartford, Y3K Global Media is not looking for state or city aid, but the company would be very interested in taking advantage of your idea if implemented and they will not be the only one.
Y3K, the company I am attracting will come to Hartford CT and it won't take $290,000,000 to create 300 jobs. They have the capacity the create 2,500 jobs and the cost to the state would be $0.00. That is economic development!
I ask you and your readers to consider the opportunity. Feel free to ask the tough questions and cross examine as you should, but rest assured that Y3K Global Media has a much better chance of lunching in Hartford than Jackson Labs does in Connecticut. But most of all it would mean jobs for Hartford.
Using a very old relationship to move Hartford's people forward. My track record for more than 30 years has been one of action and not words, using relationships to move ideas and initiatives forward. From designing and building the Public Access TV Station for Hartford to a simple 30 second TV ad. Every initiative I have under taken has come to pass and Y3K helping Hartford will be another.
Listen to The Dan Lovallo Show from October 13, 2011 - The interview is with Dr. Yasha Barjona aka Rahni Song, a Hartford native who is the Chairman of Y3K Global Media. The company will come to Hartford if I become Mayor. That is Y3K's stipulation not mine.
When you consider that turning Hartford around will be a collaborative effort by all parties (Mayor, Council, Residents, Faith Community, and our Non and For Profit Businesses), Y3K's view is who you are doing business with is as important as where you do business.
http://youtu.be/h7NJzVa28lg or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7NJzVa28lg&feature=player_embedded
Step one is to control spending...
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So says T. Condon in his column (10/20), and I agree. But, step two should be across the board cuts in commercial property taxes, not a temporary break for new businesses.
In order to cut spending in a significant way, Condon's suggestion that we have too many cops and fire guys should be examined, but for goodness sake the City has oodles of liberal,do-gooder, bureaus with crats with salaries, insurance, and pensions. Unfortunately, the school district is beyond City Hall control. Our teachers just got a new contract with raises in each year.
But, as I said when you first put the idea forth, KEvin, a positive suggestion.
Fair's fair - my small business incubator idea is a way to create jobs and businesses immediately for the residents of Hartford! It would be interesting to see the two fired up together - creating an interesting synchronicity between established and new businesses.
My concept, in general, for a small business incubator in Hartford. http://itsenoughto.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-forty-seven-of-campaign.html?m=0
Kevin, an interesting idea. You'll need the General Assembly to do this, but it has potential. Peter, however, is right. It's only a start. Once this tax break expires these new businesses will be right in the soup unless we've really shown improved fiscal discipline and pushed the mill down.
Kevin is showing real leadership,which is why my wife and I are voting for him in November.
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