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Will the council go left?

Mike McGarry

November 24, 2011

In these days of need for investors, will the city of Hartford get the reputation for being anti-business, anti-growth and anti-job? Remember the late 80's and early '90's when Hartford had the reputation as Berkeley East? Back then people for a change had power, with Mayor Perry, and investors (and many middle class residents) had enough and left Hartford.

Are we facing a similiar situation with a potential alliance of a few democrats and the working families party? Despite the current charter, the council has lots of power, enough to force the Mayor into lots of decisions he might not want to make. For example, what if the one vote needed, Doctor Deutsch, demanded that (for his support) the administration made the old YMCA the homeless shelter he pines for?

What if the three working families votes were in direct conflict of interest - union contracts - and forced their hand? What would the administration do then?

So, if the battle for control of the council comes down to Kennedy vs. Wooden and Wooden wins with himself, another Democrat and the three Working Families votes. What will Wooden owe the left? On every vote that counts - the budget, appointments, potential tax breaks for investors, would Wooden have to bow to his majority support - three of the left?

So, the question is, who is most qualified to lead the council and the office of management and buget committee? What assets does a corporate law partner bring that trumps the long experience of a current councilman?

We have been told that Shawn Wooden claims that his ties to the Governor and Washington make up for time in grade. Interesting opinion but since our only true hope for the future is private investment, can Wooden bring that to the table? And can the Democratic caucus call the shots?