Headlines
Lopes Wins, In A Setback for Republicans
Press Pool Story Democratic State Representative Rick Lopes (D-24) prevailed solidly against his Republican opponent, Ald. James Sanders (R-AL) by a nearly two to one margin. Lopes’ defeat of Sanders was a major setback for local Republicans, who had hoped that they may prevail in the 24th Assembly District. Local Republicans had reportedly put considerable […]
Movements Uniting – Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Against Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and Hate Working Together
Press Pool Story Students protested on the CCSU campus on November 9th, the day after the November 8th elections, to “Take a Stand” for immigrant rights and against discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and hate. The demonstration was the beginning of what organizers plan as a coming together of movements concerned about the future, in the […]
Gerratana Wins Big Over Two Opponents
Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6) won a big victory for re-election on November 8th over two opponents. Sen. Gerratana thanked supporters on election night, and described problems encountered by people in New Britain.
League of Women Voters to Hold Forum on Watershed Mining Proposal
News Brief The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is holding a forum to discuss the proposal of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) to allow mining on New Britain’s drinking watershed land. The League of Women Voters said, in a statement that, “The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is presenting a forum on the […]
Voters Reject Two of Three Republican City Charter Proposals
Press Pool Story New Britain voters rejected two out of three changes to the City Charter that were proposed by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and the Republican-Dominated City Council. The two charter proposals that were defeated would have extended the term of office of city’s mayor and tax collector from two to four years. City […]
Rep. Bobby Sanchez Wins Re-Election in the 25th
Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) easily won re-election on November 8th. Rep. Sanchez reflected on the moment and thanked the people of his district.
City Bureaucracy Under Stewart to Grow Again While Concerns Rise Over Weakening of Human Rights and Opportunities
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) that, once again, increases the number of city departments, while placing the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created “Human Resources Department”. The City’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission have historically provided oversight […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain
Democratic candidates all prevailed in New Britain on Tuesday’s election. Voters handily re-elected Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) and Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), and voters sided with Democrats’ position on two of the three Charter revision referendum questions on the ballot.
Election Day Arrives – Top Democrats Support New Britain Campaign Efforts
Press Pool Story Local Democratic campaign efforts were given a push on the last weekend before the November 8th elections with support from top Democratic elected officials. On Saturday New Britain Democrats held a Get-Out-The-Vote Breakfast at Cafe Beauregard on Main Street, where they were rallied with speeches from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), State Attorney […]
New Britain Independent Rededicated as the New Britain Progressive
Editorial Message The New Britain Independent has been renamed the New Britain Progressive, as New Britain’s not-for-profit community newspaper organization has decided to redouble its efforts at achieving its core mission – to tell the truth that is so often left out of or falsely reported in the for-profit newspapers and to share news and information […]
Senator Terry Gerratana Eliminates Car Taxes
By Robert Berriault As a resident of New Britain, I encourage New Britain families to show their support for State Senator Terry Gerratana, who has fought to cut taxes for hardworking families in New Britain. Recently, Terry lessened our tax burden by phasing out property tax on motor vehicles. The new law will save Connecticut […]
Democrats Oppose Charter Changes, Urging ‘No Pay Hikes’ for Elected Officials ‘on Off Years’
Press Pool Story New Britain Democrats are urging a ‘no’ vote on City Charter changes proposed by city’s Republican mayor, Erin Stewart, and the Republican-dominated City Council. Democrats are objecting to the proposals that, if approved, would create a four-year mayoral term and change the way the mayor and other municipal officials can raise their salaries. […]
Community Organizations to Hold Voter Engagement Day
News Brief Several community organizations are holding a Voter Engagement Day on Thursday, November 3rd to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. The New Britain Branch NAACP#2006, Pride of CT Elk Lodge #1437, Spottswood Political Action Committee and New Britain Black Democratic Club are jointly hosting the event. In encouraging people to attend the event, the New […]
“Sinister Scenes” Haunted House at New Britain Youth Theater
News Brief New Britain Youth Theater is planning a Haunted House, with some theatrical twists, for Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. New Britain Youth Theater’s Haunted House will depict “sinister scenes from seasons past.” On short guided tours, past some of the theater’s most freakish and bizarre set pieces and props, visitors will […]
New Britain Museum of American Art’s After Dark Halloween Bash
News Brief NBMAA will host its 10th annual Halloween bash, Museum After Dark, this Friday October 28th! New Britain, Conn., October 17, 2016—Dare to scare at Connecticut’s most spooktacular party of the year: New Britain Museum of American Art’s Museum After Dark: 10th Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28, starting at 8 p.m. Haunt the […]
Wave Of New Voters Includes New Britain: 4,154 Added Since June; Registration Deadline Nov. 1
By John McNamara A wave of new voter registrations statewide may push New Britain enrollment past 30,000 for Election Day on November 8th. One week prior to the November 1st deadline, there are 29,100 eligible to vote according to Democratic Registrar of Voters Juan Verdu’s office. In addition, unregistered voters may go to City Hall […]
New Britain in a “water supply alert”.
New Britain is in a “water supply alert” according to a report given by New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh. Bligh gave this report at the September 13th meeting of the New Britain Board of Water Commissioners. Bligh also reported that the New Britain reservoirs were at “52.9% capacity as of August 31, […]
NAACP Declares “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”
News Brief State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven, West Haven) offered a call for understanding for African American youth, who rail with passion against discrimination, in his inspiring keynote speech at the 2016 New Britain NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. The theme for the celebration was, “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”. Winfield pointed out that […]
Legislators Announce $2.5 million for Non-Profit Facility
The State Bond Commission has approved $2,575,169 in funding for Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). The funding is for renovations of its facility on 26 Russel Street in New Britain which houses the Central CT Winter Shelter and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Team Time Social Club. New Britain’s state legislators, State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain), Peter […]
Forum Challenges Mining on Drinking Water Land
News Brief The environmental group, Protect Our Watersheds Connecticut, held a public forum for a crowded room of concerned residents about the proposal by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and the Tilcon corporation to mine rock on city drinking watershed land. The forum was held on Thursday, September 22nd at the New Britain Public Library. […]