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To the Editor:

Four years ago, Donald Trump was not president, nor was he on the ballot. Yet the cost of living in West Hartford has continued to climb. That fact alone should remind us that the challenges facing our community are not being dictated from Washington, but rather from right here in West Hartford, shaped by the majority party’s vision for our town.

For years, the Democratic majority has pursued an aggressive agenda of growth and spending. Each year, property taxes have crept higher, leaving many seniors no longer able to afford to stay in the neighborhoods they have called home for decades. At the same time, young families and first-time homebuyers find themselves locked out of West Hartford’s housing market, where affordability has become a distant dream.

I have long supported the idea of smart growth, development that balances progress with fiscal responsibility, growth that strengthens the community while protecting affordability. But what we see today is not smart growth. It is unchecked expansion, fueled by budgets that spend recklessly without considering the long-term impact on residents.

The majority party points to the construction of new housing units and redevelopment projects as proof of progress. But progress means little when it comes at the expense of affordability. West Hartford may be adding units, but seniors are still being forced out, and young families still cannot see a path to building their future here. Development that ignores affordability is not progress, it is a warning sign.

This election is not about Donald Trump. He is not on the ballot. The issues before us are not about national politics but about local leadership. The real questions are:

• Can seniors afford to remain in their homes?
• Can young families realistically buy in West Hartford?
• Can taxpayers trust their leaders to manage a budget responsibly?

The truth is that West Hartford is growing at a rapid pace, but with little concern for who is being left behind. The continued tax increases and reckless spending decisions are making our community less accessible, less affordable, and less balanced.

Yes, investments in schools, infrastructure, and safety are important. But responsible leadership requires more than writing ever-larger budgets and passing the burden onto residents. It requires balance, foresight, and accountability. A beautiful street or new development is no comfort to the family who cannot afford to live here.

This November, voters have a choice. Do we continue down the same path where affordability is sacrificed in the name of unchecked growth, or do we chart a new course? One that puts residents first, focuses on fiscal responsibility, and ensures West Hartford remains a community where seniors can stay, young families can thrive, and the American Dream is still within reach.

West Hartford deserves smart growth, not reckless budgets. This election is not about Washington. It is about West Hartford and about making sure our town remains a place that is truly livable for everyone.

Alberto Cortes
Town Councilor, West Hartford

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