Headlines
Council Considers Allowing City Borrowing Services Contract to Change Firms With Former Stewart Chief of Staff
The Republican-dominated City Council is set to consider a resolution that would authorize Republican Mayor Erin E. Stewart to sign a contract moving city borrowing services from one firm employing her former Chief of Staff to the firm to which he has recently moved. The Council resolution says that, “William Blair and Company, the City’s Public […]
New Britain’s Puerto Rican Festival, Celebration and Helping Hurricane Relief
Hundreds of people gathered on front on the Puerto Rican Society of New Britain on September 9, 2017 in celebration of New Britain’s 2017 Puerto Rican Festival. Amongst the live music, food and vendors, people enjoyed company of friends and family on a warm and sunny September day. The Festival is a time when Puerto […]
Did Stewart’s Use of Main Street USA Advertising Violate Campaign Laws?
Questions have arisen about the legality of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart using the recent Main Street USA event for political self-promotion. A state law prohibits a candidate for public office from using public funds to promote themselves on, among other things, newspaper ads and billboards, within a year of an election. The questions about whether […]
New Britain Youth Theater Wins Recognition and Plans Auditions for New Season
The New Britain Youth Theater (NBYT), which begins its eighth season this month with auditions for a December production of “Annie Jr.,” has also announced that it has been named “Best Children’s Theater” by Connecticut Magazine. In its September edition, Connecticut Magazine says that, After putting on three shows in its inaugural season in 2010-11, […]
Did Stewart Get A Prohibited Campaign Freebie In Mailing Of Car Tax Bills?
By John McNamara Contributing Columnist New Britain motor vehicle owners finally got their bills on September 1 along with a glowing missive from Mayor Erin Stewart that makes the case for her re-election. The city held up auto tax notices this year, blaming the state budget impasse for the two month delay. Uncertain was whether […]
Hurricane Relief Drive: New Britain’s Own George Springer Calls for New Britain to “Pack the Truck”
Houston Astros All-Star and New Britain native, George Springer, together with the New Britain Bees, Siracusa Moving and Storage, Premier Limousine and others, are calling for New Britain to join together for a “Pack the Truck” drive to collect needed supplies to help people affected by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The “Pack the Truck” […]
Proposed 23% Mayoral Pay Increase Re-Emerges As Issue in Debate on School System Salaries
The proposal promoted by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart to increase the mayor’s salary by 23% was thrust again into attention by the recent controversy among city Republicans about the salary levels of three school system staff members. In a recent article and editorial in the New Britain City Journal, Republican elected officials allied with Stewart […]
New School Year Brings New Associate and Assistant Principals Appointments
The new school year has also brought several new associate and assistant principal appointments to be a part of the leadership of the New Britain Schools. In New Britain High School, Antoine Billy has been named Associate Principal. An educator since 2013, Billy holds two Bachelor’s Degrees, one in Religious Education from New York Southeast Religious […]
Republican Partisan Gambit Raises Meeting Legality Questions
The attempt by members of the City Council elected as Republicans to claim different party affiliations than they were elected as has raised the question of whether the Republican Party’s caucus on the City Council may have been holding unlawful meetings. State law requires that meetings of a majority of City Council members must be […]
23 Students Graduate After Summer School
Twenty-three students received their high school diplomas on August 17, 2017 after completing summer school studies. “I know many of you displayed perseverance and grit to get here,” said New Britain High School Principal Joseph Pinchera, speaking at the graduation ceremony. “It would’ve been easy for you to give up, but you didn’t. As you […]
Scenes from the 37th Annual Dożynki Festival
The 37th annual Dożynki Festival began on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Falcon Field in New Britain. Food, music, dancing and community celebration at the Festival continue through Sunday, the 27th. Dożynki is the traditional Polish harvest celebration, giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. The festival began with the celebration of Mass on Saturday morning, followed […]
School District to Have Staff on School Buses for Preschool Kids as School Begins Monday, Aug 28th
“The safety of our little ones is one of our highest priorities,” said Superintendent Nancy Sarra, as the school district announced that it is assigning twenty-one central office staff to ride school buses on Monday and Tuesday of the first week of school to ensure that preschool children arrive safety at school and back with […]
Talisha Foy Named Principal of Northend school
Talisha Foy, an educator at the Waterbury Public Schools since 2006, has been named as the Principal of the Northend Elementary School. “I am extremely excited about becoming a part of the CSDNB family and look forward to working closely with the wonderful students, families and staff at Northend Elementary School,” said Foy. Foy assumes the […]
North-Oak NRZ to Meet Aug 28th
The North-Oak NRZ will hold its monthly meeting on August 28, 2017. The meeting will be at 7:00pm at the North Oak Police Substation at the corner of Oak and West Streets. The North-Oak NRZ (which stands for Neighborhood Revitalization Zone) was formed in 2001. Its purpose is to plan and advocate for the social […]
Art Fights Hate – ‘The Laramie Project’ Opens at the Hole in the Wall Theater Sept 22nd
The Hole in the Wall Theater and Director Dennis Hull are presenting ‘The Laramie Project’, by Moises Kaufman and members of Tectonic Theater Company, opening September 22nd. The Laramie Project is set in Laramie, Wyoming after the fatal beating of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. The Tectonic Theater Company’s website describes the history of the play. […]
Democratic and Republican City Election Candidates for 2017
With Autumn just around the corner, election season will be coming into full swing. The Democratic Party and the Republican Party have both put forward their slates for the city elections on November 7th. For Mayor, the candidates are: Democratic Republican Merril Gay Erin Stewart For Town and City Clerk, the two parties have nominated […]
Jr. Hurricanes Announce 2017’s Week 1 Games
New Britain Hurricanes Youth Football & Cheerleading has announced that the 2017 Jr. Hurricanes season will begin the weekend of August 26th and 27th. The Jr Canes will play at their home field, Chesley Park. The schedule for August 26th will be: 9:30am: Flag & Tiny Cheer 1:00pm: Jr Canes 9u vs Park City 3:00pm: […]
Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus Endorses Merrill Gay for Mayor and Entire New Britain Democratic Slate
The Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus (CHDC), a statewide coalition of Hispanic/Latino elected and appointed officials, community leaders, clergy, and business leaders, has endorsed Democrat Merrill Gay’s candidacy for Mayor of New Britain, as well as the entire Democratic slate in this year’s New Britain elections. “Our caucus typically only endorses Hispanic candidates,” said CHDC president […]
Latin Festival Celebrated in Walnut Hill Park
People gathered for food, music and prayer at the 2017 Latin Festival in Walnut Hill Park August 19th. The Festival was organized by the New Britain Latino Coalition and Kohoe Centers. The event featured live music and different vendors and tables connecting people with different services and resources available to them. Sunny and warm late […]
Merrill Gay and other Democrats Call for Unity Against Trump’s Support of White Supremacists
Democratic Mayoral Candidate, Merrill Gay, the New Britain Democratic Party and local Democratic slate are calling for unity in New Britain against Republican President Donald Trump’s support for white supremacists. Gay, Democratic Town Committee Chair Bill Shortell and other Democratic candidates are calling on local Republicans who have supported Trump to do so as well. “Last […]