On Tuesday, July 20, hundreds of citizens rallied together in an effort to keep MDC’s lands open to public access and recreational use. West Hartford’s City Hall was swarmed with families, environmental activists, athletes, politicians, and nature enthusiasts who all vehemently oppose a recent jury award of $2.9 million against MDC and the implications of such a decision. MDC officials briefly described these implications before opening the floor to public comment. According to the Hartford Courant’s report, MDC’s lawyer, R. Bartley Halloran, said the judgment "changes everything” because it represents the first time MDC was held liable for a recreational injury. The verdict has the potential to increase MDC’s insurance premiums. Perhaps even more startling is the Superior Court’s chilling precedent that may lead other towns and cities to follow in MDC’s footsteps.
As more and more people spoke, a general consensus emerged: the only thing that should be closed is the liability loophole in the state’s Recreational Land Use Liability Statute. Several politicians vowed to work on closing the loophole during the 2011 legislative session including State Rep. David Baram, D-Bloomfield, Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman, West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, and State Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, D-West Hartford.
Dozens of energetic residents also voiced their concerns—many of whom had deep emotional ties to the land. These efforts were not in vain. According to Rick Green from the Courant, MDC’s panel announced there is “no way” the district will deny public access to the popular trails that have become a huge part of West Hartford’s community and economy. Instead, they will wait until next year when the legislature has a chance to address the issue.
Contact your state representative today and question their position on this issue. If one lesson is to be drawn from Tuesday’s public hearing, it’s this: Everyone’s voice matters!
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