Hamden Daily News

‘Theatrical’ Protest on Town Hall

By Sharon Bass

Right before the public hearing on the municipal budget next month, a government-reform group plans to demonstrate against the town administration—which they call irresponsible and oblivious—in front of Memorial Town Hall.

“It’s going to be theatrical,” said Kelly McCarthy of the Hamden Alliance for Responsible Taxation (nee Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief). “It’s not going to be just a group of us standing there holding up signs. It’s going to be different. We’re really trying to grab people’s attention. The purpose of this is not only to bring attention to the fact that there are budget hearings but there are people who are unhappy about the taxes.”

The decision was made during HART’s meeting Wednesday evening, where 19 people showed up. They talked about the upcoming budget hearings and started planning the protest. Both public hearings start at 7 p.m.; the education department’s budget is on April 16, the town’s on April 17. The demonstration is planned for April 17 at 5:30 p.m.

“We’re being led irresponsibly by a town government who really isn’t listening to us. That kind of sums up the whole reason all of us are putting time into an additional community group,” said McCarthy. “Escalating property taxes, negligence and recklessness of our elected officials. We’re not just protesting taxes in general. We know we need property taxes to run the town. The last tax increase was historic and not in a good way. There are taxpayers who are suffering. And this administration seems to be completely oblivious to that fact. And it really is disheartening.”

HART meets again on April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Miller Senior Center. Potluck dinner and a presentation on pension obligation bonds.

Copyright © 2007 Hamden Daily News, reprinted with permission. Originally published on 23 March 2007.

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