Headlines
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, […]
Tribute to Dr. Alton Brooks: From the City Council
New Britain City Council leaders, President Pro Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago, Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara and Assistant Majority Leader, Ald. Iris Sanchez, issued a statement mourning the loss of Dr. Alton Brooks. The statement read, It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Alton Brooks, a revered community leader, who […]
Dr. Alton Brooks Homegoing Celebration Details Announced
Rev. Dr. Jonathon D. Counts, Pastor of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church has announced the Homegoing Celebration arrangements Dr. Alton Brooks. Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church added that, “We ask that all resolutions are emailed to the church email and any cards of condolences can be mailed to the church address as well. Please read through the […]
The Allen St. Problem-Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St. Our 20th Presentation to New Britain Officials. June 26, 2024
To: Ward 4 Constituents, Taxpayers, Property Owners, Flooding Victims and New Britain Officials This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhoods’ storm-sewer systems and the Federal-State-City responses. Our concerns must be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our property values have declined by 15%. When the […]
Tributes to Dr. Alton Brooks: Dr. Aram Ayalon
Dear editor, As a former member of the school board and Common Council of New Britain I got to know quite a few of the members who were mentored by Alton Brooks. He was especially instrumental in engaging African Americans in the politics of New Britain and through that giving voice and influence to African […]
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 […]
“Summer Bash!” at New Britain Public Library
The New Britain Public Library is hosting a “Summer Bash!”, saying, Activities for all ages. For children: crafts, planting seeds, tattoos, science try-its, games, and more! Activities for teens and adults. Check out our Makerspace. Everyone welcome! The event is Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Library says that the event is […]
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 […]
The 2023 $4M Bogus Transfer For The Allen St. Project #2
To: Voters in New BritainRe: 2023 $4M Bogus Transfer Time Line.
Not Just Us Holding “End Hate Across the State” Event – Postponed
Editor’s note (6/29/2024): Event organizers have announced that the event is being postponed until July 28, 2024. The organization Not Just Us is hosting “End Hate Across the State” event in New Britain, saying that, “By joining together we have more of a voice to ensure youths of diversity can go from the school to […]
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 […]
Op-Ed – Infrastructure Investment – A Real Proposal or a Campaign Gimmick
By Aram Aylon, In a June 12, 2024, article on the New Britain Progressive my opponent for District 26 state representative is cited as proposing a $200 million investment in municipal infrastructure to address sewer and flooding issues funded by recent state budget surpluses. New Britain has suffered from flooding in certain areas in the […]
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 […]
Allen St. Problem-Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St: Flooding Updates Our 19th Presentation to City Officials. June 12, 2024
To: All Past and Present City Officials and All Current Department DirectorsAll Long Suffering Flood Victims; Taxpayers, Property Owners and Residents This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhoods’ storm-sewer systems and the Federal-State-City responses. Our concerns must be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our […]
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 […]
Mayor’s Mill Rate Increase Will Hike Taxes An Average Of $204 On Single Family Homes
Republicans Falsely Claim A $44 Increase After Double Digit Increases This Year; State Stabilization Funds Add $10 Million To City Revenue For Fiscal Year 2025 By John McNamara The dust is settling on the making of the 2024-2025 municipal budget for the Stewart Administration and the closely-divided Common Council of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. […]