Despite Economy, West Hartford's Blue Back Gamble Pays Off

[Raucous]

Raucous wrote:

<quoted text>
You talk to 40 merchants each day? So are you a delivery person or a mail carrier?

Ah, I'm guessing now that dpw stands for dept of public works. And if so, how would you talk to 40 merchants a day? That's a lot of conversations. If you talked to each of them for only 5 minutes at a time, that's more than an hour and a half a day.

[stuckintraffic]

Whiting wrote:

<quoted text>
Great post, was that an attempt at humor?

yes grandma

[Hooray West Hartford]

I am so glad this has been a success so far! It's great to shop in your community, WALK to stores, use your wonderful public Library, vote at town hall (and pay taxes there :)), and know your neighbors. The nay-sayers were just scared of change. It has enriched the atmosphere of WH and made it a great destination for locals and out of towners alike. Proud to live here and see it happen!

[The Rev]

Raucous wrote:

<quoted text>
Gay friendly? I guess it would be, but I can't speak for the gay community. My family and I love it there and I see no reason why folks who are gay would find it any less appealing.

GAY FRIENDLY ?! Oh no - we can't have this. The next thing you know BBSq will end up on one of those lists of hot pick-up spots. Forget about bringing the wife and children around. It will become just like Provincetown.NO NO NO

[Raucous]

The Rev wrote:

<quoted text>
GAY FRIENDLY ?! Oh no - we can't have this. The next thing you know BBSq will end up on one of those lists of hot pick-up spots. Forget about bringing the wife and children around. It will become just like Provincetown.NO NO NO

I trust you are kidding...

[dpw]

Raucous wrote:

<quoted text>
You talk to 40 merchants each day? So are you a delivery person or a mail carrier?

Take a wild guess what DPW stands for!

[dpw]

Raucous wrote:

<quoted text>
Ah, I'm guessing now that dpw stands for dept of public works. And if so, how would you talk to 40 merchants a day? That's a lot of conversations. If you talked to each of them for only 5 minutes at a time, that's more than an hour and a half a day.

I walk by stores everyday. owners come out and say hi, have a quick chat and im on my way. If everyone in the center that works there had a chance to meet everyone else it would be that much better. Whats wrong with getting to know the people you serve? I enjoy getting feedback from my work. its good work if I do say so myself!!!!

[wantabee]

its ok DPW,the few who think they know whats good for them have no clue and have to attack the findings of others.This whole BBS sounds like it was doomed before it broke ground.Real estate agents must of been standing in line for this then now they are somewhere else tring to ruin another city with thier whats good for taxpayer crap.I read some stuff from the city on the city web site even that is warning taxpayers things suck.Its hard for some to just admit perfect planning prevents piss poor performances.The minority should of had a voice on this one now they have a mess to fix if they decide to stay.

[WH Resident]

wantabee wrote:

its ok DPW,the few who think they know whats good for them have no clue and have to attack the findings of others.This whole BBS sounds like it was doomed before it broke ground.Real estate agents must of been standing in line for this then now they are somewhere else tring to ruin another city with thier whats good for taxpayer crap.I read some stuff from the city on the city web site even that is warning taxpayers things ****.Its hard for some to just admit perfect planning prevents piss poor performances.The minority should of had a voice on this one now they have a mess to fix if they decide to stay.

Is there anyone out there who could translate this into English??

[Knocka Joe]

HC Here wrote:

<quoted text>
BEfore you go ragging on her for having a nice lifestyle, did you determine if these people WORKED, SAVED, AND INVESTED to get where they are. If a couple million just fell into their lap (as has happened with so many Kennedys and Kerrys), I would call for them to donate a chunk of it and give back to the community, If they applied themselves all of their work lives, saved their money, and lived within their means for decades, then there is no call for envy or expectations they "give back".
I hope you are as angry about welfare recipients who give back nothing, or baby mamas who do nothing for the funds they receive.
Another person said the people who work in the stores cannot afford to live in the community SO? Is this required. A lot of policemen and teachers can't afford to live in Greenwich, Darien, or Stamford, and nobody says anything.
DID YOU FIRST ASK: Are those people who work in those stores well-educated and sufficiently dilligent that their contribution tothe workforce merits pay which would entitle them to live in an upscale environment. Standing behind a cash register counting out coins in an amount the register tells you to pay out does not merit the same salary as that of the person who designed the buildings, performs surgery, or creates the marketing plan. Rather than grumble that life is not fair, ask this: "Why do I (or those who work in those stores for below-average wages) lack the skills and desirability the marketplace covets to command a salary which will enable me to live there?"

Wow. Would'nt you b surprised to discover that it is the welfare moms and baby mamas that give the Hamills their luxury lifestyle. Who do you think is the owner of Squire Village in Manchester? The most Section 8 apartments east of the river? Those state checks sure buy the best gravlox money can buy...and it ain't green.

[Raucous]

Knocka Joe wrote:

<quoted text>
Wow. Would'nt you b surprised to discover that it is the welfare moms and baby mamas that give the Hamills their luxury lifestyle. Who do you think is the owner of Squire Village in Manchester? The most Section 8 apartments east of the river? Those state checks sure buy the best gravlox money can buy...and it ain't green.

But what is your point? Are you saying they own an apartment complex? Ok, fine. And the residents are section 8 participants, ok also fine. What is the problem? So the Hammills are businesspeople who own apartments. You haven't suggested they are doing anything wrong, you just discovered a source of their income.

[stuckintraffic]

love bbs wrote:

I love Blue Back Square and all of west hartford!

you love pp's

[Whiting]

stuckintraffic wrote:

<quoted text>yes grandma

don't quit your day job

[info4mjs]

If it is successful, why have the residents not seen any tax abatements...like they were promised!

[Gang of 1]

info4mjs wrote:

If it is successful, why have the residents not seen any tax abatements...like they were promised!

Tax abatements, what's that?
We don't even have the necessary funds (from property tax's) to maintian our services never mind continue with raises and benefits for all employees (police, firemen, teachers, para's, etc.).
I asked on another forum what has the Town offered as the terms of the new Teachers Union contract that was recently rejected and as we are told is in the arbitration phase?
We pay the bill Mr Mayor, why can't we be told thru the media and at the Council and school board meetings what the Union is demanding this time around for the next 3 years.
Please join me in demanding that this be an open process before the next Tax bill is due.

[Raucous]

...it's on a "Need to know" basis - and U don't need to know.
I can't be expected to educate the whole world!

[Gang of 1]

Raucous wrote:

...it's on a "Need to know" basis - and U don't need to know.
I can't be expected to educate the whole world!

Now that's hilarious Raucous, you educating the world. I think it's U don't need to know, not me. Knowledge makes one smarter & that leaves you out.

[Callit]

You people are insane! Why would you object to an upscale option for your town? Don't you realize this makes WH more desirable, a better place to live? If you want to live in a community that NO ONE wants to invest in, move to Hartford.

[CHANGE IS NEEDED]

Enough please wrote:

My god, a condo in Blueback at 1.3 million for this nice older couple to enjoy all that Blueback has to offer. No wonder come tax time the old and young are at odds. I would sure like to see their property tax bill, by my calculation 70% of 1.3 million is 910,000 at a 35 mill rate that's a tax bill of just over $31,500 as well as all the others. I sure hope their grand kids attend the West Hartford schools they help fund.
Hey Mayor, this was all new money (Blueback, condo's, new business, etc.) called grand list growth and yet we still have tax increases imposed on property owners in excess of 5%, where did it all go?
How much of the tax burden are you and your out of control council going to be shifting from business to the residential property owner in the future. We still have 4 years of property revaluation phase in to deal with. How about another valuation to shift back some of the burden to the business owners if all is going so well for them?
WARNING - watch the next 3 to 4 years and what happens over these property tax issues. Don't say you were not warned.

You are so right and yet our Mayor and Council don't get it. Tax and spend on all this grandor at the expense of the hard working middle class. Our Democratic controlled Town Council & Mayor should be shown the door. Most of us that have lived here for some time (30 years for me) are disgusted to see what has been done in the past couple of years when money is tight. Oh that's right, all we have done is with free money via grants, BULL. Remember the Democrats (mostly) created this local mess and ever increasing Tax's with lavish pay and benefit packages (public employees) the likes of which are very hard to find anywhere in the private sector and even more difficult to undo.
PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE and hopefully replace this Democratically controlled Council and School Board NOW.

[Lifeisnotnice]

Just wait until the inner city kids show up. That will be the end of BBS. Mark my words it's just a matter of time.