Rep. Bobby Sanchez Wins Re-Election in the 25th
Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) easily won re-election on November 8th. Rep. Sanchez reflected on the moment and thanked the people of his district.
City Bureaucracy Under Stewart to Grow Again While Concerns Rise Over Weakening of Human Rights and Opportunities
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) that, once again, increases the number of city departments, while placing the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created “Human Resources Department”. The City’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission have historically provided oversight […]
Lenovo Donates Computers and Tablets to NBHS Academy of Finance Program
Karen Ondrick, Chief Connector, Community Partnerships at Lenovo was in attendance as New Britain High School Academy of Finance (AOF) launched the AOF/Lenovo Scholar Network on November 2. Now in its third year, the Lenovo Scholar Network pairs the Fortune 500 technology company with the National Academy of Finance (NAF) to help provide high school students […]
Work Begins on Teen “Romeo and Juliet” at New Britain Youth Theater
Preparation for a production of William Shakespeare’s teen tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, begins at New Britain Youth Theater in November. Set in 1967 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” the play will be performed outdoors at the New Britain Museum of American Art in June 2017. For teens planning to audition […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain
Democratic candidates all prevailed in New Britain on Tuesday’s election. Voters handily re-elected Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) and Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), and voters sided with Democrats’ position on two of the three Charter revision referendum questions on the ballot.
Election Day Arrives – Top Democrats Support New Britain Campaign Efforts
Press Pool Story Local Democratic campaign efforts were given a push on the last weekend before the November 8th elections with support from top Democratic elected officials. On Saturday New Britain Democrats held a Get-Out-The-Vote Breakfast at Cafe Beauregard on Main Street, where they were rallied with speeches from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), State Attorney […]
New Britain Independent Rededicated as the New Britain Progressive
Editorial Message The New Britain Independent has been renamed the New Britain Progressive, as New Britain’s not-for-profit community newspaper organization has decided to redouble its efforts at achieving its core mission – to tell the truth that is so often left out of or falsely reported in the for-profit newspapers and to share news and information […]
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 […]