We-Ha.com welcomes Letters to the Editor from the public, including endorsements. Letters submitted by political candidates will be considered for publication up to 14 days prior to an election and most will be published within 48 hours of receipt. Letters that contain personal attacks or include profanity of any type will not be published. Rebuttals to letters should be submitted as a separate document, and commenting on letters will no longer be permitted. Please provide your full name and town, as well as your phone number at the end of the letter. Phone numbers will not be published but are required in case verification is needed. Please submit letters to [email protected].

To the Editor:

This Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to celebrate as the first Latino elected to the West Hartford Town Council. As a proud Puerto Rican, this milestone is not just mine. It belongs to every family who came here with hope in their hearts and a dream for their children’s future.

A Journey Rooted in Family and Resilience

My family’s story is like that of so many Puerto Rican families, one of resilience, sacrifice, and determination. My parents came to this country with little more than faith and grit, instilling in me the belief that if you work hard, treat others with respect, and never give up, opportunities will follow.

I still remember my abuela’s stories about leaving the island in search of work. She reminded us that no matter where we live, we carry Puerto Rico with us in our language, our music, and our values. Those values, family, community, and perseverance, are what guide me every day on the Council.

Why Representation Matters

When I raised my hand to take the oath of office, I knew I was stepping into uncharted territory. The first Latino voice at the table in West Hartford government is not just symbolic, it is a promise. A promise that our leadership should reflect the people it serves. A promise that every child walking into our schools should be able to see themselves in positions of leadership.

Representation matters. It ensures that decisions are informed by a diversity of voices and lived experiences. It strengthens our community by making sure no one is left out of the conversation.

Policy Guided by Heritage and Values

My Puerto Rican roots don’t just shape who I am, they shape what I fight for. I know firsthand the struggles of working multiple jobs to pay rent, of navigating schools as English learners, of starting small businesses with little more than determination. That lived experience drives me to:

• Expand affordable housing so that working families, young professionals, and seniors can all find a place in West Hartford.
• Invest in our schools, ensuring every child, whether their first language is English, Spanish, or any other has the resources to thrive.
• Support small businesses, especially immigrant-owned businesses that fuel our economy and enrich the culture of our town.
• Build a welcoming community where no one feels left out because of their heritage, language, or accent.

These aren’t abstract policy goals. They are commitments rooted in the values my parents and grandparents lived every day.

Moving Forward Together

Hispanic Heritage Month is about more than food, music, and tradition, it is about recognizing the lasting contributions Latinos make to our nation and to West Hartford. From entrepreneurs opening restaurants on Park Road, to students performing in Conard and Hall’s cultural showcases, to neighbors gathering at Blue Back Square for community celebrations, our presence is woven into the daily life of this town.

I think of moments like the recent multicultural fair at Smith School, where I saw families of all backgrounds enjoying food from across Latin America while kids danced to salsa and merengue. That is the beauty of West Hartford’s diverse traditions coming together to create something uniquely ours.

My election is a milestone, but it is only the beginning. The true measure of progress will be when more voices from every background take their rightful place in shaping our shared future.

As I serve, I carry my heritage with pride and my community with responsibility. Together, let us continue to build a West Hartford that is inclusive, vibrant, and full of opportunity, a town where every child, regardless of heritage, can dream big and achieve even bigger.

¡Pa’lante siempre! (Always forward!)

Alberto Cortes
Town Councilor, West Hartford

(Alberto Cortes is a Republican candidate running for re-election to the West Hartford Town Council)