Banner
‘Literacy for Justice’ Program Remembers Rev. King at Memorial Wreath Laying
“The rights he dedicated his life to are under threat” By John McNamara A wintry mix outside forced the organizers of the memorial wreath laying for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inside on Saturday April 12th to mark the anniversary of the assassination of the civil rights leader on April 4, 1968. The “Literacy […]
Stewart Flat-Funds Schools Operating Budget Again
Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has proposed no increase in operating funds for New Britain’s schools for the upcoming budget year that begins in July, making her total city operating allocations for city schools over her twelve years as mayor just 3.48% higher in total – an average increase per year of only 0.29%. Stewart’s latest […]
Racial Justice Coalition Calls Residents to Action for City Emergency Housing and Education Funding
Saying, “New Britain deserves better!” the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is calling city residents to action, in support of city funding for emergency housing and education. Mayor Erin Stewart (R) is set to announce her budget for the upcoming year tomorrow. After that, the Council will consider the budget. “We’re calling on the New […]
Retirement Celebration Honoring Rep Peter Tercyak Held to Benefit Sanchez Mayoral Run
Democrats held an event to honor the service of former New Britain State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26), who announced a year ago that he was retiring at the end of his term, after serving the city in the state House of Representatives for almost twenty-two years. The event, last Thursday, was to benefit the campaign […]
Council Approves Bonding Proposals After Compromise to Take Up Allen Street Drainage Project
The City Council approved a series of bonding proposal for schools, water supply and parks after an amendment removed two proposed park projects as part of a compromise that included agreement to hold a meeting in April to take up bonding for the Allen Street project drainage project. Ald John McNamara (D-4) said that the […]
Council Considering Project to Repair Clean Water Facilities; Adding to City Drinking Water Supply
The New Britain City Council is considering repairs to aging water works facilities the city owns in Bristol, which could allow them to produce up to 23 million gallons of drinking water per day. The New Britain Water Department owns the White Bridge Water Works Facilities, which are located in Bristol. The facilities include buildings […]
Former Alderman Adam Platosz’ Life of Service To City and Community
Funeral services for Former City Alderman Adam Platosz, who died March 12th at the age of 73, drew hundreds of individuals who came to mourn the passing of a public servant and a loyal and generous friend and leader in the city’s Ukrainian American community. Platosz, a longtime member of the Democratic Town Committee, served […]
Democrats Advocate for Infrastructure and Neighborhood Improvements as City Standing Bonding Subcommittee Recommends Park Borrowing With Board of Finance Votes
The City Bonding Subcommittee approved recommending for $6,300,000 in borrowing for parks projects, with members of the Republican-controlled Board of Finance and Taxation tipping the balance in favor. Democrats on the committee had moved to table the proposal, calling for city bonding to include funding for flood control and other neighborhood priorities, but were outvoted […]
Water, Park and School Bonding Proposed; Council Committee Special Meeting Called
The City Council’s Standing Bonding Subcommittee will hold a special meeting this week. On the agenda are three proposals for city capital projects. One proposal is for $145,000,000 in bonding for a major renovation project at Smith Elementary School, a $9,800,000 project at Pulaski School and $2,700,000 at Slade School. The $145,000,000 for the Smith […]
Legislation Call For Clear Language On Charter Referendums
GAE Committee Favors ‘Precise’ Wording On Ballot Questions The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) has acted favorably on a bill that will “establish certain minimum requirements for presenting charter or home rule ordinance amendment ballot questions to voters.’” House Bill 7125, introduced by State Representative Gary Turco (D-27) and supported by New Britain’s […]
Making The New Britain Public Library A ‘Library of Human Connection’
Director Sjöberg Shares Plans To Build Infrastructure For Reading In New Britain by John McNamara Walk into the New Britain Public Library (NBPL) on High Street these days and you will notice physical changes to the main floor. The circulation and reference desks have been merged into one. The main floor’s makeover will include five […]
CCSU Offers Free Health Screenings
Free Community Health Clinic Open To City Residents Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Nursing Department is offering health screenings for New Britain area residents as well as faculty and staff members of the University at the Community Health Education Clinic. The walk-in clinic, located on the ground floor of Nicolaus Copernicus Hall, 180 Paul Manafort, Sr. […]
Legislators and Council and BOE Members to Hold Community Forum
I community forums is being planned by members of the New Britain state legislative delegation, including Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24) and Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), who are to be joined by the City Council Assistant Majority Leader, Ald Iris Sanchez (D-3) and Board of Education Secretary Diana […]
Remote Work Rollbacks Highlight Need to Fight for a Shorter Workweek for All Workers and Families
Whether or not you work at a job that is possible to do remotely, acts increasingly being perpetrated by the greedy who own for a living to roll back the ability of workers who can work remotely to do so show in crystal clear terms that rich people think they own the rest of humanity. […]
Local Attorney Reports Aggressive Immigration Capture in New Britain for Tourist Overstay
Prominent local attorney and community leader, Adrian Baron, reported on social media today that federal agents in New Britain stopped his car and removed a client who had been working to adjust his tourist visa status. “I was giving my client a ride home after court,” said Baron, noting that, “He was not convicted of […]
Ordinance Proposal Seeks to Clarify When Tenants Can Seek Relief for High Rents
A new City Council proposal seeks to clarify when New Britain residents seeking relief from rents can allege that rents are excessive when their landlords have begun eviction proceeding for nonpayment of rent in certain cases. The proposal, introduced by Ald Jerrell Hargraves (R-2) and Ald Neil Connors (D-4) is on the agenda of the […]
150 People Celebrate Swearing-In New NAACP Officers
NAACP State Council President Scot X. Esdaile led a crowd of 150 in celebrating the swearing in of newly elected New Britain NAACP President Jan E. Edwards and other New Britain NAACP officers in a ceremony Tuesday evening. Other newly elected officers included First Vice President, Dr. Violet Jimenez-Sims, Treasurer Samuel Simmons, Assistant Treasure Kim […]
NBRJC to Hold New Britain For All Community Budget Forum
The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is planning a Community Budget Forum on the city budget. The Coalition says, “Please join the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition for a Community Budget Forum as a part of our New Britain for All anti-gentrification campaign.” “We plan to analyze the current city budget, explain how a city […]
Mayor Stewart Goes All In With MAGA In Bid For Statewide Office
By John McNamara Mayor Erin Stewart’s second bid for statewide office formally began on January 28th at an announcement about her exploratory committee. Standing outside her City Hall office with a throng of municipal employees and supporters looking on, the six-term Republican mayor said she needs to raise $350,000 this year to viably contend for […]
CT People’s Survival Program Launches Community Violence Intervention Series in New Britain
The CT People’s Survival Program has announced a three-part Community Violence Intervention Series, noting that it is, “focused on equipping community members with practical skills to interrupt and transform violence.” The CT People’s Survival Program is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC). The organization says that, In collaboration with the […]