Go for it. Please get involved in Hartford politics.
Here's my perspective. I'm a 26 year-old white man who's lived in the West End for 4 years. I think Hartford's great. I think it's really poised to take off, but I'm totally perplexed when hear opposition to Front Street ... that Winch thinks "Front Street doesn't invite me." What does that mean?!
Does it mean that most of her constituents can't afford to shop there? I well imagine that might be the case for a lot of Hartford's residents. But how is Hartford supposed to expand its tax base--how can it pay for itself, its schools, its police--if nobody comes here? Of course it's for out of towners--out of towners that come into Hartford to spend money. And maybe, one day, out of towners who say, hey, Hartford is a beautiful city, steeped in history, arts and culture, convenient to shopping, and safe. We should move here.
I know from earlier posts, HartfordTycoon, that you're from the city's North End, and so it's especially important from my perspective to hear yours. Where are these community leaders coming from? How is this all supposed to work? What do you think the solution is? I feel like we need leaders in this city who understand business and economics, who can relate to professionals--both those who run the city's companies and those who could be attracted to living here--but that somebody also has to understand the community. I know a lot more about the former than the latter (though I have some ideas).
Anyway, enough rambling. I think it would be great, though, to start a thread about solving some of this city's toughest issues, and the perspectives from folks from different backgrounds.
Let me give you an example. I helped coach a debate team at Hartford Public a few years ago. The kids I worked with were great. Now, they were also self-selected--they didn't have to be there--I grant you, but they really tried their best. Anyway, we hosted a debate where kids from all over the region came to compete. My team showed up in street clothes while everybody else was wearing a suit. I said, "what are you doing?!!" (I worried it was because those clothes were too expensive. But now I realize that so much else--from sneakers to jerseys--are equally if not more expensive than a nice pair of trousers and a blazer from JCPenny or Sears.) Their response: "we're going to scare these guys; they're on our turf!" "Are you kidding?" I said. "You are on theirs! They may not be comfortable walking around Hartford at night, but they sure has heck are comfortable with debating you. Especially when it looks like you're totally unprepared."
I realized that such a small thing makes a huge difference--these kids just hadn't grown up in a business culture. I had watched my dad put on a suit every morning, my whole life. How do you teach that? Throw all the money you want at a school, the teacher doesn't dress the kid every morning.
... Unless you have uniforms.
Anyway, too much for this thread, I know, but important stuff, and I'd love to hear HartfordTycoon's perspective.