Greeditarian Democrats Are At Fault for Trump Winning
By Tim O’Brien I think it was on the order of two decades ago that I predicted to Democratic Party leaders and activists that, if the Democratic Party did not start opposing free trade instead of embracing it, that, eventually, an ultranationalist Republican would rise up and win the presidency by doing so. Few in […]
An Open Letter Honoring Dr. Alton Brooks
To the family of Dr. Alton F. Brooks, My deepest condolences to you in this sad time. As we come together to remember and honor the life of Dr. Alton F. Brooks, I know you know how much he meant to so many people – and I hope you feel the embrace of that love, […]
Community Mourns and Thanks Dr. Alton Brooks, Revered Community Leader
By Tim O’Brien, with contributing research by John McNamara and from an interview with Dr. Brooks by Rev. Brian Riley and photography by Dr. Frank Gerratana People across New Britain and beyond are in mourning because of the passing of Dr. Alton Brooks, the legendary leader, who did so much for so many, organizing, inspiring […]
Why Are Two Slates of Good Democrats Asking Me to Choose Between Them?
By Tim O’Brien On many levels, I am glad that former Mayor, Senator and state Commissioner Don DeFronzo, with support and editing by John McNamara, penned the important history of the 1989 mayoral election. Watershed, serialized in the New Britain Progressive and NB Politicus, tells the story of how a conservative but politically deft political […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]
Rev. Brian Riley to be Guest Preacher at 2024 Emancipation Proclamation Day Services, Pastor Gervais Barger Peace to be Named Person of the Year
Rev. Brian Riley to be Guest Preacher at New Britain’s 2024 Emancipation Proclamation Day Services, where Pastor Gervais Barger is to be Named Person of the Year. The Emancipation Proclamation Service, in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, is to be held on January 1, 2024 at 2:00pm at Peace Missionary Ministries. Organizers for the upcoming […]
Opinion: Candyce Scott Would Bring Conscience and Work Ethic to Council
Dear Friends, While I do not live in Ward 3 — I live in Ward 1, where I will be voting for Richard Lacouriere and Nate Simpson — my street is a Ward line and Ward 3 is across the street from me. So I would offer to my neighbors how happy I am for […]
Opinion: By Electing John McNamara, Ward 4 Can Have a Truly Good Person Representing Them
Dear Friends, I feel very comfortable in saying that there are many people, across party and political divides, who would agree with me that Mr. John McNamara is decent and good-hearted human being. He genuine, caring, honorable and devoted. John has among the strongest of convictions of people I know, I yet I do not […]
No Labels?
The New Britain Progressive, a publication of the New Britain Independent Newspaper, Inc. is free to read and community supported. http://newbritainprogressive.com Please feel free to help the New Britain Progressive with a donation and you are invited to purchase advertisements in the New Britain Progressive. Click here to sign up for the e-mail edition of […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments.
Voter Suppression in New Britain?
By Tim O’Brien. When I was an elected official, I tried to stand up against cases of injustice. The way I looked at it, is that if I had
Heartbroken About NRZ
People who know me well as a person, know my values and have worked alongside me know why I would be so heartbroken right now.
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’BrienColumnist Editor’s note: The following commentary was originally published on January 20, 2014 on Tim O’Brien’s blog. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, as a leader, […]
New Britain’s Nastiest Politician Costs Taxpayers $9,500
By Tim O’Brien Columnist During a failed attempt at running for state representative, one of Ald. Lou Salvio’s own election flyers misspelled his name as “Salvo”. For a man who has repeatedly shown himself to be the nastiest politician in New Britain, the moniker “Salvo” has stuck – and for all the wrong reasons. Salvio’s […]
The Dedicated Leadership of the North-Oak NRZ
By Tim O’BrienColumnist The North-Oak neighborhood is home to a lot of good, generous, sincere people – people who work together for the good of everyone. The neighborhood has been blessed for years by the leadership of the North-Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) and the core dedicated community activists who volunteer their time in it. […]
Black Democratic Club Continues Voter Empowerment
By Tim O’Brien Columnist New Britain has a great need for dedicated advocates for voter empowerment. Our community has a very real history of voter suppression by those charged with operating our election process. That is why it is more important than ever that New Britain’s people remain highly organized to fight for their rights and […]
Improving Equality and Justice in New Britain, Starting with Voting Rights
By Tim O’Brien Columnist As New Britain joined people nationwide in mourning the lives lost in senseless violent acts, the Black Ministerial Alliance of New Britain led the way in bringing people in the community together in a “Community Prayer for Peace Service for those who lost their lives at the hands of Law Enforcement […]
Larger Action Needed on Housing and Homelessness
It is always welcome news when housing is made available for those who can least afford it. The recent news about new housing opportunities going up on North Street is certainly movement in the right direction, and the people of good conscience who labor to help others deserve credit for their work. But, it is […]