Debunking Erin Stewart Legacy
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, mayor Stewart announced she will not seek a 7th term as mayor of New Britain (CT Mirror, Sep 26, 2024). In her speech, as reported in the Hartford Courant, she cited a theme that she has repeated over and over in every state of the city speech, that she has turned around a city that was on the brink of bankruptcy to become fiscally strong and vibrant. The actual numbers, however, tell a different story. As of 2024, the city of New Britain has one of the highest budget debts in the history of the city and its bond rating (A-) is one of the lowest among Connecticut cities. According to S&P Global Ratings Website, New Britain has $354 million in total debt outstanding which is $85 million more than the city’s yearly budget of $269 million. Mayor Stewart is leaving the city with a record debt that the taxpayers will have to pay for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the city has been late two years in a row in submitted its fiscal auditory reports and has been cited by the state.
Mayor Stewart’s record in funding education is a further testimony to her failed leadership. While providing regular increases to all city departments, she failed to provide much needed additional funding to New Britain schools. Under her administration, According to EdSight, CT Gov website, New Britain school District has the third lowest per pupil funding among cities in Connecticut.
Erin Stewart is also leaving a city that has failed to address environmental issues that seem to put the city at risk given climate change. The mayor failed to address flooding issues that were known for decades and chose instead to prioritized glitzy projects such as the beehive bridge and golf course improvements while neglecting infrastructure improvements. Furthermore, the tree canopy in New Britain which was already deficient at 32% coverage according a 2013 “New Britain Urban Forest” report has been further diminished due to various developments and a lack of sufficient tree replacement plan. This further puts the city at risk of low air quality and more flooding. In addition, the Stewart administration failed to keep roads safe as speeding and unsafe road conditions remain the number one complaint among city residents. The Stewart administration consistently refused to install speedbumps and other effective measures to enhance pedestrian safety.
Finally, the Stewart administration has developed an elaborate system of Nepotism. Through her six terms, several city employees became also city council members creating a classical conflict of interest situations. Mayor Stewart appointed friends and relatives to serve in key city positions including her own husband who serves in a leadership position in the Public Works department and her father, former mayor Tim Stewart, who until very recently, chaired the building committee.
One thing mayor Stewart perfected is to keep repeating the myth about her financial excellence and by this misleading the public.
Aram Ayalon
Former New Britain City council member & minority leader
