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Speakers at Forum Overwhelmingly Oppose Metal Detectors in Schools in New Britain
While the New Britain school district said most respondents to its recently completed survey supported metal detectors in schools, many speakers at the forum the school system called on the topic strongly opposed having metal detectors. The Consolidated School System of New Britain said that 87% of survey respondents supported metal detectors in the city’s […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Asks “Do Metal Detectors Make Schools Safer?”
As the New Britain school system is considering using metal/weapon detectors in elementary, middle and high schools, the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is asking, “do metal detectors make schools safer?” “Metal detectors are often seen as a solution to school violence, but research has questioned their effectiveness in truly keeping students safe,” the Coalition […]
Board of Education Considering Metal Detectors in Schools
The New Britain Board of Education says it, “is considering whether metal/weapons detection technology should be in place in our school buildings,” elementary, middle and high school. The Consolidated School District of New Britain is planning a Community Forum on the question. The school system is also conducting a survey asking parents, “Do you think […]
Lt Gov Bysiewicz Joins Local Democrats in Rally Ahead of November Elections
Editor’s Note: Journalism by Dr Frank Gerratana contributed to this article. Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) joined New Britain Democrats Tuesday at Five Churches Brewing in an election rally, as the autumn election season gets underway. Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson welcomed the assembled activists and dignitaries to build excitement for the most active part […]
Stewart Announces She is Not Seeking Reelection
Mayor Erin Stewart (R) announced that she will not seek re-election in 2025, instead saying that she will decide in early 2025 whether to, again, run for governor. Stewart’s announcement comes at a time when she has been embroiled in another scandal involving her father, former Mayor Timothy Stewart (R) who, again, made bigoted comments […]
“Justice for Katherine” Demonstrators Again Call for New Britain Police Officer to be Fired
Editor’s Note: Olivine contributed to the reporting of this article. A year after the New Britain police officer Connor Reinsch struck and killed Katherine Colon with his police car as she was crossing West Main Street, family members were joined by other protesters calling for the firing of Reinsch and criticizing Mayor Erin Stewart (R) […]
Council Resolution Calls on Tim Stewart to be Removed from City Commission
Former Mayor Timothy Stewart (R) is facing a Council resolution calling for his removal from the city School Building Committee in the wake of yet another in a history of bigoted comments he has posted online. Stewart recently posed a racist comment online about Asian Americans, as he took part in a conversation apparently concerning […]
Asian Pacific American Community Speaks Out Against Former Mayor Tim Stewart Racist Comments
Former Mayor Timothy Stewart (R) is once again facing criticism for bigoted comments online, this time directed at Asian Americans. NBC Connecticut News reported today about an online discussion about, “a post about the Trump campaign’s allegations of Haitian immigrants eating house pets in Ohio.” Another person had made a comment that, “I have a […]
Council Democrats Call For Neighborhood Flood Relief Assistance
NEW BRITAIN – Common Council Democrats are proposing a neighborhood flood relief initiative to “provide immediate and direct relief to homeowners whose properties are damaged by storm water and sewage when extreme weather leads to flooding and damages.” A resolution, introduced by Common Council President Francisco Santiago (D-5), Assistant Majority Leader Iris Sanchez (D-3) and […]
CCSU to Host Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence Conference
Central Connecticut State University has announced that it is hosting a conference on Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence to discuss, “how AI can revolutionize and enhance both educational practices and workforce skills development.” “The conference reflects Central’s ongoing initiative to advance Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence education,” CCSU says, “while empowering educators and students to […]
New Britain Public Library Hosting Game Night Social
New Britain Public Library is welcoming the community to a “Game Night Social.” “New to the area and looking to meet new people who like to play board games?” asks the Library. “Have an established gaming group and looking for a new spot to play?” “Join us on the last Thursday of the Month,” the […]
Local Black Residents to Share Life’s Journey in Speakers’ Series
There is to be an Ebenezer D. Bassett Black History Society and Nkonoki-Ward Associate F.A.C.E.S. speaker series at which, event organizers say, Local Black residents have been invited to share their life’s journey or that of a formidable deceased relative from the New Britain community including Ms. Jane Johnson by Cornell Small, September 19, 2024, […]
Council to Consider Award of Contract for Overlook Avenue/McKinley Drive Drainage Project
The City Council will be asked, at its upcoming meeting, to approve a contract award of $2,147,633.75 to Colossale Siteworks Corporation of Berlin for the Overlook Avenue/McKinley Drive Drainage Improvements Phase 2. The project is being funded by the city’s use of $2 million from COVID relief funds that the federal government provided the city. […]
Hole in the Wall Theater to Host Acting Workshop
New Britain’s Hole in the Wall Theater is planning an Acting Workshop, with sessions starting in September and running through December. The Theater says that the workshop is, An opportunity to grow, learn, and exercise the emotional and physical skills of acting. Join us in this lesson where we encourage the development of the many […]
“Rewilding Your Lawn” at the New Britain Public Library
The New Britain Public Library is hosting an activity, “Reclaiming the Green : From Monoculture Lawn to Thriving Wildlife Habitat”, saying, Join regenerative landscape designer Will Hooper for a discussion of how to take sanitized, high-maintenance lawnscapes and transform them into low-maintenance, ecologically diverse landscapes of flowers, pollinators, and native wildlife. Even a few square […]
A Tale of Two Democratic Conventions
Finding A Common Thread of Racial and Social Justice in 1988 and 2024 By John McNamara The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) that nominated Kamala Harris for President last week brought many comparisons to conventions past. Not many delegates, however, were looking back. Delays in getting to the convention on chartered busses and through TSA-type […]
Stewart Administration Proposes $750 Tax Equivalent on Redeveloped Mt. Pleasant Affordable Housing
The administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) is proposing that $750 per unit per year be paid, equivalent to taxes, on Mt. Pleasant housing units, after the redevelopment of the current neighborhood there. Plans call for demolishing the existing Mt. Pleasant neighborhood and replacing it with new construction. The $750 payment proposal was introduced in […]
With Art Access: New Britain Exhibit, Gallery 66 to Spotlighting Artists with Lower Incomes
New Britain’s Gallery 66 is spotlighting artists in the community with lower incomes in the Art Access: New Britain juried exhibit. Exbibit organizers say that the, “show was made possible by an Artists Respond grant received from the Connecticut Office of the Arts by Eddie Hall and is meant to address economic disparity in arts […]
As Democratic National Convention Begins, McNamara Networks with Fellow Municipal Officials
New Britain’s Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) is one of the 74 Connecticut delegates at the Democratic National Convention, which opened today in Chicago, and he says he is using the opportunity to network with fellow Democratic municipal officials from across the nation. “I am looking forward to hearing ideas and ways that […]
DeFronzo Wins Democratic Nomination for State Representative
Democratic former City Council member, Ald David DeFronzo (D-AL) is the Democratic Party nominee for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District, after winning today’s Democratic primary with fellow former Council member, Ald Aram Ayalon (D-3), apparently by a nearly two to one margin. The results were unofficially 484 for DeFronzo to 248 for Ayalon, […]