Eighth Year Memorial Held for Zoe Dowdell
Zoe Dowdell was killed by New Britain Police on December 14, 2017. His family, friends and organizers from Dare to Struggle organization will be conducting a memorial. Here is Dare to Struggle Press release. WHAT:The event will start with a memorial service including words from family and friends of Zoe Dowdell. There will also be […]
Democratic Socialist Makes History in New Britain
Zohran Mamdani brought an international spotlight to democratic socialism in public office among the “blue wave” across the United States. In New Britain, we shared in that kind of victory here in New Britain on November 4th. New Britain Democrats had a total victory on election night, securing as many seats in as many elected […]
Combating Climate Change in New Britain – Setting the Agenda for the New Mayor and City Council
Recent mayoral campaign focused on issues of affordable housing, taxes, investing in the neighborhoods, and more. One aspect that was rather neglected is what New Britain might do to combat global warming and climate change. One aspect related to global warming that was mentioned in the campaign was the flooding on Allen Street. Global warming […]
Time to open and revisit the New Britain City Charter
On the New Britain November 8, 2022, election ballot appeared the following Charter Question 2: “SHALL THE REMAINDER OF THE CHANGES TO THE CITY CHARTER, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CHARTER REVISION COMMISSIOIN BE APPROVED?” The problem was that most voters did not know what changes the Revision Commission proposed. Most thought there were probably minor […]
Report Raises Questions About Mayoral Candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra’s Record on Special Education
As candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R) is seeking to become mayor of New Britain, she is running on her experience as school board member and president from 2005 until 2017. In her recent campaign leaflet, she list her school board accomplishments, including “supported key program creation & expansion for children with autism.” However, she neglected to […]
Rep Sanchez and Ald Beloin-Saavedra to Debate
Mayoral candidates, Democratic Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) and Republican Alderperson Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) are to face each other in a debate held in New Britain Public Library, on Thursday, October 2nd 6:00-7:30 pm. The last New Britain mayoral candidate debate was held 6 years ago due to mayor Erin Stewart refusal to debate her last […]
Advocacy Group Appeals to Donors to Press to Improve Conditions at Friendship Center Homeless Shelter
Dare to Struggle, an organization dedicated to resist and stop injustice and has been advocating for the homeless in New Britain for the past three years, held a press conference on Monday, September 15, 2025, in front of Thomaston Saving Bank’s branch, downtown New Britain. In its press release the group claimed that the Friendship […]
Expanding access to Fair Rent Commission Announcement
Aldermen Neil Connors (D) and Jerrel Hargreaves (R) announced they have developed new policies to expand access to the Fair Rent Commission. In a July 28 Facebook announcement Alderman Connors issued a statement: “I’m proud to share that Ald. Jerrell Hargraves and I worked together—across the aisle—to expand access to the Fair Rent Commission (FRC) […]
In memory of Brian Keith Albert
Brian Keith Albert (71) passed away in February 2025. He was a life long resident of New Britain and a dedicated community organizer as well as very active in the local NAACP chapter. I had the privilege of serving with him two terms on the Common Council of New Britain where we became close friends. […]
HB 6338 If Approved Will Undermine Tenant Protection
By Aram Ayalon As the Connecticut legislator is making a concerted effort in the 2025 session to address homelessness and shortage of affordable housing, one legislation proposal could undermine this effort. The housing committee of the Connecticut legislator is considering HB 6338 that would allow landlords to request the police to evict individuals whom the […]
Mayor Erin Stewart Pandemic Record – a tale of failed leadership
The Coronavirus pandemic created great challenges to leadership around the world.In order to best meet this crisis local, state, and federal governments all needed to contribute their share to minimize fatalities and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Local towns and cities played a key role during the pandemic. Mayors had the power to set and […]
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 […]
Op-Ed: Tax and Spend Republicans in New Britain
By Aram Ayalon Recently, the New Britain Progressive reported that the city of New Britain is yet again, late in submitting its audit report, this time 6 months late instead of a year late for the 2022 budget – a slight improvement but still adds to the financial woes the city has experienced in the […]
Tributes to Dr. Alton Brooks: Dr. Aram Ayalon
Dear editor, As a former member of the school board and Common Council of New Britain I got to know quite a few of the members who were mentored by Alton Brooks. He was especially instrumental in engaging African Americans in the politics of New Britain and through that giving voice and influence to African […]
Op-Ed – Infrastructure Investment – A Real Proposal or a Campaign Gimmick
By Aram Aylon, In a June 12, 2024, article on the New Britain Progressive my opponent for District 26 state representative is cited as proposing a $200 million investment in municipal infrastructure to address sewer and flooding issues funded by recent state budget surpluses. New Britain has suffered from flooding in certain areas in the […]
Speedbumps and Speedhumps Work – Will New Britain make residents’ Safety a priority?
The Board of Public Works of the city of New Britain issued in June 2023 a policy banning the use of speed bumps and humps on city streets. While the policy statement claims to place “high priority on reducing accidents and injuries and increasing safety on its road network” it claims that, for many communities, […]
New Britain Police Malpractice Settlements Suggests Needed Reform
City council agenda items indicate that the City of New Britain has been settling claims against its police force in a rate that suggests reform is needed. On October 11, 2023, the city of New Britain settled a claim by Mr. Ortiz against detective Linda Glimpse for $3,500 alleging she conducted false arrest in March […]
Demonstrators Call for “Justice for Katherine” in Front of the New Britain Police Headquarters
Following state attorney Maureen Platt report issued on February 24, 2024 exonerating New Britain officer Connor Reinsch from any responsibility driving accident where his vehicle struck and killed Katherine Colon on September 21, 2023; Colon’s family, relatives and friends held a rally on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in front of the New Britain police building. […]
Is spending $2.7 million on a Reception Pavilion at Stanley Golf Course Justified?
The February 28 New Britain Common Council meeting has an agenda item requesting the Common Council to approve funding an installation of a reception pavilion in the New Britain-owned golf course for $2,698,000 by Diversity Construction Group LLC of Wallingford, CT. While a reception pavilion at the golf course would provide a location to host […]
The Renaissance Of The Dual Language Program At Diloreto School
It was 2012 and the major item on the New Britain School Board meeting agenda was the closure of the dual language program at Diloreto school. Superintendent Kelt Cooper with the support of the president of the school board Sharon Saavedra were proposing to replace a popular program that allowed the children of Diloreto K-8 […]