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Ronald Davis Presented CT NAACP President’s Award; Watson, Sanchez, Hayes and Nixon-Moore Named 100 Most Influential Blacks
The Connecticut NAACP held its annual awards ceremonies honoring its 2024 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut on Saturday evening. At the ceremonies, special honors were presented to the New Britain NAACP’s longtime President Ronald P. Davis. Scot X. Esdaile, President of the Connecticut NAACP, presented Davis with the Connecticut NAACP’s President’s Award for his twenty-five […]
Stewart Administration Proposes New Self-Storage Zoning Rules
Yet another raft of zoning proposal has been submitted by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R), including new rules concerning self-storage businesses, proposed against a backdrop of an ongoing dispute between Stewart and former Republican Council member James Sanders, Jr. The new list of zoning proposals were introduced by Council Republican leader, Ald. Robert […]
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 […]
New Britain Celebrates Juneteenth
New Britain celebrated Juneteenth on Wednesday with the city’s 2024 Juneteenth Freedom Festival in downtown New Britain. The event was hosted by the city Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and Mayor Erin Stewart, and includes the raising of the Juneteenth flag in Central Park in front of city hall. The event included a free […]
Happy Juneteenth from the New Britain Progressive
From our families to yours, best wishes in celebration of Juneteenth. Let us celebrate true freedom as we remember the victory over the racist evil of slavery. It is a celebration for African Americans and all others, since the value of equality and justice for all is what defines us as a country and brings […]
City of New Britain Discloses Violation in Drinking Water Monitoring
The City of New Britain has disclosed that the State Department of Public Health notified the city that it, “violated drinking water monitoring and/or reporting requirements.” “During summer 2023,” the city disclosed about the violation, “we did not monitor for the presence of synthetic organic chemicals (IOCs) in our reservoirs.” The United States Environmental Protection […]
Juneteenth Celebrations Begin in New Britain
The celebration of Juneteenth in New Britain began on Saturday with the New Britain Museum of American Art’s 23rd Annual Juneteenth ”Access for All Community Day.” The event at the Museum is the first in the 2024 “Passport to Freedom” celebration in the city. Alongside numerous other community events, such as at the New Britain […]
HRA Celebrates 60 Years Of Community Action
By John McNamara The Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) marked its anniversary at a “60 Years of Success” awards dinner held at Farmington Gardens on Thursday June 13th honoring individuals and partner organizations for their contributions to an organization born in the 1960s at the start of “the War on Poverty” and President […]
DeFronzo Proposes “Historic Investment in Municipal Infrastructure Improvements”
State Representative candidate Dave DeFronzo announced that he is calling, “for a $200 million state investment in aging, unsafe and inefficient municipal infrastructure systems across the state,” with his campaign noting, “long delayed sewer improvement projects have led to regularly recurring flood conditions in a residential neighborhood creating public health dangers and property damage.” “With […]
Ayalon Qualifies For Primary For State Representative
Former City Council and Board of Education member, Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) has qualified for an August 13th Democratic primary, challenging for the nomination for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District. Former Mayor and Democratic Registrar of Voters Lucian Pawlak confirmed that Ayalon received enough petition signatures to qualify to run today. Ayalon is […]
Caribbean Heritage Month Celebrated With Flag Raising
By Jessica Angelo-Julien, MBA, JP A handful of Caribbean nationals gathered in Central Park to support the sixth annual flag raising in the City of New Britain. The air was filled with steal pan music reminiscent of disembarkation of an island cruise or on the beach on an exotic island. A moco jumbie, a traditional […]
Tens of Thousands Visit 2024 Little Poland Festival
The Little Poland Festival again drew tens of thousands of people to New Britain to celebrate Polish culture, music and food. Morning rain did nothing to dampen the excitement for the massively popular event in New Britain’s vibrant Little Poland neighborhood. Under sun and blue skies in the afternoon, tens of thousands of people filled […]
Council Members Chastise City Hall Over Unimplemented $4 Million Allocation for Flooding Improvements
Members of the New Britain City Council chastised city officials over an unimplemented $4 million budget allocation for Allen Street flood control project, calling the actions of the Mayor Erin Stewart (R) and allies an election year trick to placate vocal community members calling for action to address neighborhood flooding. Last September, a month before […]
NBMAA Celebrating Juneteenth With Access for All Community Day
The New Britain Museum of American Art is hosting its 23rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration with an ” Access for All Community Day.” “Join us for this day-long event, featuring artistic performances, music, in-gallery experiences, and of course artmaking,” says the Museum. “Shop from local Black-owned businesses, support independent artists, and grab a bite from regional […]
City Report on Federal COVID Recovery Funding Does Not Show How Much Unspent
A report from the city on its use of federal COVID relief funds so far appears to leave out an important item requested by the City Council — what the balances are of the money provided to the city. The report from the city, provided to Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), does not […]
2024 Little Poland Festival Coming Up
Editor’s Note (6/9/2024): Festival organizers have announced that the, “Little Poland Festival is rain or shine. Come on down! The rain will pass. Official opening is at 12:30.” The 2024 New Britain Little Poland Festival is planned for Sunday, June 9, celebrating the 11th time the widely popular cultural event has been held. “What began […]
DeFronzo, Endorsed With Democratic Slate, Emphasizes Grassroots Campaigning, Ayalon to Primary
Newly endorsed Democratic candidate for the 26th Assembly District, Dave DeFronzo, said that he is emphasizing a grassroots approach to campaigning in his run to succeed retiring State Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26). “I have knocked on over two thousand doors so far,” DeFronzo said, “and the people of this district have said loud and clear […]
DeFronzo Endorsed By Democrats In 26th District For State Representative
Former City Council member, Ald. Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has been endorsed by Democrats for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District, receiving more votes from the Democratic Town Committee than former Council and Board of Education member, Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3). The vote in the Democratic Town Committee was 7 votes for DeFronzo and 4 […]
Some Democratic Council Members Vote With Republicans to Defeat Democrats’ Own Proposal to Eliminate Stewart-Proposed Tax Increase
After the Democratic majority on the New Britain City Council had approved an amendment to the city budget that would have rejected a tax increase proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R), the budget plan was defeated when a number of Democratic Council members voted with Republicans to vote down the budget plan. At least Democratic […]
$4M Transfer Time Line Assigned To The Allen St. Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St. – for City Council Meeting 5-22-24
To: All Past and Present City Officials and All Present Department DirectorsAll Long Suffering Flood Victims; Property Owners and Residents This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and Federal-State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our property […]