Effort to make Coltsville a national park is dash for federal cash

It’s not about the designation. The Coltsville district in Hartford, Conn. was pronounced a National Historical Landmark in 2008, and there are now efforts to have the area designated a National Park. You know, similar to Yellowstone.

Another symptom of the disease if you ask me. Certainly some group in the federal government could review the application and declare – maybe with some sort of Congressional resolution – the area to be a National Park.

There. Done. Make the plaque, design a promotional website and put up signs on I-91 North and South.

But that’s not what those looking for designation are after. You see, this is not about designation, it’s about getting federal funds to pay for and support a local project to rehab the area. With designation comes funding and tax breaks.

And – if like Yellowstone – parking fees of up to $25 per car, and other “use” fees like $50 to have a wedding ceremony in the park. No worries … I’m certain they will offer annual passes.

A symptom of the disease … relying on someone else to pay for projects that nobody has the will or desire to do locally. Obama’s got a stash of cash don’t you know … you just have to apply for it and somehow get it approved.

Look, I have no ax to grind with those looking for Coltsville designation, that is how our current system is set up. The problem I have is with the system itself and the fact that when groups go to the federal government – be them school systems, fire departments, town committees, railroads, city development groups, states, or state-run hospitals – there will always be “winners” and “losers” not based on merit, but rather political power.

The federal government simply has way to much power and control. Bring that power back to the states and the people.

More on Coltsville from WTNH in Hartford.