By Reggie Hales, H.E.Z.B.A. President
Open Letter to the Connecticut Black Community
“It’s Past Time to Be Proactive” Hartford!
Let’s talk here. The attitude is “I’ve Arrived,” because I can spend all my money with the white businesses. They laugh in your face as they take your money. And you continue to be disrespected. And their income goes directly to fund their dreams and desires, while you continue to support leaders that take you and your vote for granted. You support their agenda while they ignore the concerns and desires you have for a forgotten land: North End Hartford.
Part of our problem is POVERTY. But in the eye of the city leaders it’s PROFIT.
We can’t get what we want after 50+ years of waiting. I suggest we just say NO. No to continued progress in other neighborhoods while denying and or road blocking our dreams and desires. We can’t even to this day celebrate our culture. Haven’t you given enough to Hartford? I say make your property tax payment conditional on taxation with true representation.
What does that mean?
The Hartford mayor needs to pause action on all projects in Hartford until there is a top-down review and audit of all City departments.
The City leadership should be on notice that their failure to do justice has brought distrust.
In recent meetings with community stakeholders and business leaders, an agreed-upon list of urgent issues has been developed. We have shared our demands with each other. Now it’s time to state our case.
This paper will co-investigate these issues and provide stern editorial content revealing the dismay of a valued people.
It is time we in the North End of Hartford clearly showcase a developed plan of action as we navigate toward a desired community.
Reggie Hales
President, Hartford Enterprise Zone Business Association (HEZBA)
Publisher, Inquiring News
New England’s Largest African-American Newspaper
