Follow our new Twitter account – @NB_Progressive
The New Britain Independent is changing its name to the New Britain Progressive – @NB_Progressive. Future Twitter posts will be to our new account. Come follow us at @NB_Progressive.
Senator Terry Gerratana Eliminates Car Taxes
By Robert Berriault As a resident of New Britain, I encourage New Britain families to show their support for State Senator Terry Gerratana, who has fought to cut taxes for hardworking families in New Britain. Recently, Terry lessened our tax burden by phasing out property tax on motor vehicles. The new law will save Connecticut […]
Democrats Oppose Charter Changes, Urging ‘No Pay Hikes’ for Elected Officials ‘on Off Years’
Press Pool Story New Britain Democrats are urging a ‘no’ vote on City Charter changes proposed by city’s Republican mayor, Erin Stewart, and the Republican-dominated City Council. Democrats are objecting to the proposals that, if approved, would create a four-year mayoral term and change the way the mayor and other municipal officials can raise their salaries. […]
Community Organizations to Hold Voter Engagement Day
News Brief Several community organizations are holding a Voter Engagement Day on Thursday, November 3rd to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. The New Britain Branch NAACP#2006, Pride of CT Elk Lodge #1437, Spottswood Political Action Committee and New Britain Black Democratic Club are jointly hosting the event. In encouraging people to attend the event, the New […]
Forum Held in Opposition to Watershed Mining and Mining Effects on Neighborhoods
Press Pool Story Protect Our Watersheds CT hosted a forum at which residents who live in vicinity of the Tilcon open-pit rock quarry express concerns about, “noise from the mining operation, tremors from the blasts, cracks in the walls,” as well as concerns about, “dust hanging in the air,” and “chemical residues.” Residents were invited to […]
Free Health Consultations and Screenings Offered in Downtown New Britain
News Brief In observance of National Primary Care Week, the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network and the UConn Health Center for Public Health and Health Policy will hold free health consultations and screenings. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 26th, from 1:30pm to 4pm in the Community Room in the New Britain […]
Alderman Questions Stewart on Well Sale in Light of Water Supply Alert
By Emmanuel (Manny) Sanchez In both a press release and an NBC interview roughly two weeks ago, Mayor Erin Stewart stated we are in a “first water alert”. But all facts and statistics show that we’ve been in one since May. I was also informed that the City was at 39.72% capacity when that press release […]
“Sinister Scenes” Haunted House at New Britain Youth Theater
News Brief New Britain Youth Theater is planning a Haunted House, with some theatrical twists, for Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. New Britain Youth Theater’s Haunted House will depict “sinister scenes from seasons past.” On short guided tours, past some of the theater’s most freakish and bizarre set pieces and props, visitors will […]
New Britain Museum of American Art’s After Dark Halloween Bash
News Brief NBMAA will host its 10th annual Halloween bash, Museum After Dark, this Friday October 28th! New Britain, Conn., October 17, 2016—Dare to scare at Connecticut’s most spooktacular party of the year: New Britain Museum of American Art’s Museum After Dark: 10th Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28, starting at 8 p.m. Haunt the […]
Rana Plaza: Shaheena*
I woke up in my grave before I died. Not once, but time and darkening time again. I’d heard the floor explode and then the space that was the room changed places with the wall. I was drowned in brick, was gripped, was turned to dust, became a mote of broken plaster, became the blinded […]
Stewart Admits to Water Supply Alert
Press pool story Just one day after the New Britain Independent broke the news that New Britain is in a “water supply alert” due to low capacity in the city’s reservoirs, Erin Stewart, the city’s mayor, has admitted to the alert condition. As the Independent reported, New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh […]
Stewart Conservation Commissioner Accused of Abuse of Power
By Robert Berriault Mayor Stewart’s Conservation Commissioner Ken Hass had threatened members of the community by threatening to expose private information that the city possesses on them, including their allegedly nonpublic criminal and civil records, in an attempt to embarrass them publicly, in retaliation for publicly stating their opposition to the Tilcon deal. At 9:21 […]
‘Eight to the Bar’ Kicks Off First Friday at the New Britain Museum of American Art
The fall season of First Friday kicked off at the New Britain Museum of American Art on October 7th. The event featured a variety of activities from live musicians to local bites and beverages. This month, the Museum featured a performance by highly acclaimed jazz band Eight to the Bar, named “Best Live Band” by […]
New Britain in a “water supply alert”.
New Britain is in a “water supply alert” according to a report given by New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh. Bligh gave this report at the September 13th meeting of the New Britain Board of Water Commissioners. Bligh also reported that the New Britain reservoirs were at “52.9% capacity as of August 31, […]
NAACP Declares “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”
News Brief State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven, West Haven) offered a call for understanding for African American youth, who rail with passion against discrimination, in his inspiring keynote speech at the 2016 New Britain NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. The theme for the celebration was, “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”. Winfield pointed out that […]
Legislators Announce $2.5 million for Non-Profit Facility
The State Bond Commission has approved $2,575,169 in funding for Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). The funding is for renovations of its facility on 26 Russel Street in New Britain which houses the Central CT Winter Shelter and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Team Time Social Club. New Britain’s state legislators, State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain), Peter […]
Forum Challenges Mining on Drinking Water Land
News Brief The environmental group, Protect Our Watersheds Connecticut, held a public forum for a crowded room of concerned residents about the proposal by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and the Tilcon corporation to mine rock on city drinking watershed land. The forum was held on Thursday, September 22nd at the New Britain Public Library. […]
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner to Honor 25 Influential African Americans
News Brief The NAACP New Britain Branch will present its 25 Most Influential Blacks in New Britain Award at its 2016 Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, October 8, 2016. The Freedom Fund Dinner is held annually to increase NAACP membership and advance the mission of the NAACP to advocate and organize for justice and equality. With the theme […]
New Britain’s Own Sen. Terry Gerratana and Rep. Bobby Sanchez Honored as “Children’s Champions”
Sen. Gerratana, and Rep. Sanchez have been named 2016 Children’s Champions by the CT Early Childhood Alliance. The Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety, and economic security or chldren ages birth to eight. Every year, the Alliance recognizes legislators who worked closely with early childhood […]
NAACP Harmony Classic this Weekend
The Connecticut NAACP is hosting its Harmony Classic at Central Connecticut State University this weekend. The Harmony Classic is a combination of civic engagement and football. The Harmony Classic football game is between CCSU and Bowie State University on Saturday, September 17th at CCSU’s Arute Field. The game will begin at 3:00 pm and the […]