Whither Norwalk?

Our most prolific commenter remarks down in another thread that current events in other cities perhaps foreshadow what is in store for Norwalk. Quite possibly. And most of us can hear, if not feel, the cold wind of winter whistling this way and imagine financial frailty. It would be difficult to remain unconcerned about the implications for our public employees who may be facing furloughs or worse in the months to come.

A few miles to the east, a cautionary tale is playing out in Connecticut’s most populous city. Mayor Bill Finch is struggling to figure out how to close a large and growing hole in the city budget. Plans to offer tax relief are on the shelf while Finch tries desperately to keep the lights on and essential services in place in the face of increasingly dire circumstances; none of which are of his making and almost all of which are out of his direct control or even influence.

Finch has an almost impossible situation on his hands. That city is extremely difficult to govern. It is really dependent on Hartford, which is to say the rest of Fairfield County, for revenue to keep the wheels on the buggy financially. Hopefully the core group he has put around him are up to the challenge.

Bridgeport may be headed for the fate that Waterbury endured, the municipal equivalent of receivership. If that happens, the narrowly focused individuals and groups hoping for a Finch failure at any cost may get exactly what they deserve.

Meanwhile, turfie et al continue their campaign to turn Norwalk around. The decision just announced to go ahead with improvements at the SoNo train station is an example of keeping the city’s eye on the ball, and following through on what is strategically important, rather than reacting to concerns – however understandable – about factors beyond the city’s control. If you do not make the investments in infrastructure, the city withers. That means declining tax base, which means less money for salaries; and rising taxes, which means the city becomes less competitive a location for the next round of private investment.

The choice is really between establishing a virtuous cycle or allowing the vicious cycle to take hold and drag the whole thing down. The choice is between Malloy’s Stamford and the inevitable fate shared by Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, and New Haven.

Norwalk needs to look at Waterbury, and look at Stamford, and decide which direction it wants to go. Seems like an obvious choice from up here in the hinterlands.