It’s official Cotto for Council!!

Months and months of persuasion from members of various left leaning political org’s have succeeded. I sought and acquired the endorsement of the Connecticut Working Families Party for a seat on the Hartford City Council. The WFP is a coalition of community organizations, labor unions, and neighborhood activists who have come together under the belief that government has ignored the issues that matter most to working and middle class families in the state. This basic principal, combined with my support for a multi party electoral system, made this collaboration a natural.

My passions? I’m glad you asked. I’m a vocal advocate for access to the arts by city residents. The overwhelming populace of the city is culturally deprived and city leaders do little to remedy that. The arts are not a priority to city hall. Mention this to them and they will try to point out countless arts and crafts programs at schools and in the rec centers…big woop. The city’s Arts and Cultural Commission is not active and hasn’t met in years. The City’s office of Cultural Affairs represents less than half time responsibilities for one person. The budget for this office is @ $20,000. For those who rationalize that the city gives only what it is capable of, I point you to the latest results from the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s Lets Go Arts! fund raising campaign. The number one contributor to the campaign was the City of Hartford for $300,000. I would love to see a breakdown of how much of that money directly affects city residents.

As an employee of the City of Hartford’s Recreation and Youth Services Division, I believe (like many people) that Parks and Recreation should be it’s own department again. Over 10 years ago, John O’ Connell spearheaded a move which disbanded the Department of Parks and Recreation and made it a division under Health and Human Services. [note: Mr. O'Connell is running again for city council with the Republican party] The city’s park staff is in daily contact with more residents of the city than most department’s of the city. They deal day to day with the most crucial members of our society…our children. Prioritizing this department and giving it the resources it needs can go a long way in making Hartford an even greater city.

I start getting my message out today. The WFP has put together a slate (with myself, Urania Petit, and Larry Deutch) which has strengths in a host of different issues and our hope is to convince enough people to vote for the entire slate for city council. I believe with this crew we can and I have roughly three months to convince you. So, on your mark, get set, ….