Headlines
OIC to Hold Annual Gala June 1st
The Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain (OIC) will hold its Annual Gala on June 1, 2018, celebrating with the theme, “Through trials and tribulations, let the good times roll.” The event supports the programs of the OIC. OIC of New Britain provides services to economically empower people in the community, such youth employment and job training. […]
Council Approves Hiring Freeze, With Republicans Opposing
The City Council has approved a hiring freeze on all city positions except for public safety and temporary seasonal parks and recreation positions. All five Council Republicans in attendance voted against the hiring freeze. The resolution was approved, with nine votes in favor and five in opposition. With the exception of police, fire, emergency dispatch […]
Arch Area NRZ Plans Meetings to Organize “Build A Better Block” Event
The Arch Area Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) has announced two upcoming meetings for neighborhood residents to prepare for the “Build a Better Block” event that is planned for June 2, 2018. The NRZ is planning the Build a Better Block event as a day of activities to, 1. bring the community together, 2. highlight the positive qualities […]
Interfaith Concert for Peace and Unity, Apr 29th.
Rev. Bryan Sirchio and the Spottswood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir will perform at an, “Interfaith Concert for Peace and Unity,” that the community is invited to join on Sunday, April 29, 2018. The concert, “”Many Voices, One Song,” is sponsored by New Britain Area Interfaith Conference (NEWBAIC) and will be held at the First Church of […]
Council Democrats Propose Freeze on Hiring and Promotion
The nine Democrats on the City Council are proposing, “an immediate hiring freeze and promotion freeze on all positions in the City,” citing, “fiscal challenges facing the City.” The proposed Council resolution says that, because of budgetary challenges, “it is necessary and desirable to achieve cost savings by appropriate measures to ensure the funds of the […]
Community Comes Together for North Oak Neighborhood Clean Up
An estimated two hundred neighborhood residents, other community members and elected and other officials volunteered in the North Oak neighborhood clean up on April 21st. The event began with a breakfast for volunteers, provided by Central Connecticut State University. Volunteers then divided into teams who cleaned up trash in different parts of the North Oak […]
North Oak NRZ: Moving the Neighborhood Forward
by Antonio C. Lavoy, Sr. Contributing Columnist The North Oak NRZ‘s newly-elected officers are moving the city of New Britain and Ward 3 forward. President Marie Bachand, along with Vice President-Pablo Rodriguez, Secretary Yvette Ghannam, Public Safety Chair Edgar Lopez, Economic Development Chair Lawrence Sanchez, Human Resources Chair Vicky Ramos, Housing Chair Manuel Sandovar, Jessica Hernandez from […]
“Cinco De Mayo Fiesta” at New Britain Bees Game, May 5th
There will be a “Cinco De Mayo Fiesta” at the New Britain Bees game, which will, of course, be on May 5th. The event will feature music by DJ Chino, of Spectrum Entertainment, and special guest band, Mariachi Corazón de Oro’s. The event will also feature the food of Mofongo Restaurant. The gates for the game […]
Republican Accusations Thrown Out: Merrill Gay Vindicated
The State Elections Enforcement Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by New Britain Republicans against 2017 Democratic Mayoral candidate Merrill Gay, saying, “the facts do not support the allegations.” As the 2017 mayoral election was heating up, Republican Party Chair Anthony Cane filed a complaint with a series accusations that sought to tie Gay with […]
City Council Budget Hearing to Be May 1st
The New Britain City Council has announced that it will hold its annual budget hearing on May 1, 2018. The hearing is to allow the Council to hear people’s opinions on the city budget before the Council makes its decisions. “During the public hearing,” the Council’s press release says, “residents are encouraged to voice their concerns regarding […]
Arch Area NRZ to Hold “Clean Up, Plant Up Party”, May 19th (Delayed to Jun 16th)
Editor’s Note (5/17/2018): The Arch Area NRZ has announced that its “Clean Up, Plant Up” event has been delayed to June 16, 2018 due to the forecast of inclement weather on the planned date of May 19, 2018. The Arch Area Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) has announced that it will hold a “Clean Up, Plant Up […]
North Oak NRZ to Hold Monthly Meeting Apr 19th
The North Oak NRZ will hold its regular meeting on April 19, 2018. The April meeting will be held at the Oak Street Police Substation, which is at 99 Oak Street. The meeting will be held at 7:00pm. The North Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) is a community organization, formed under state law, that is committed to the […]
New Britain Youth Theater Presents “The Gnome” Apr 20th to 22nd
“What do a lemon tree, a dank closet, and a nine-headed dragon have in common?” asks the New Britain Youth Theater (NBYT). “All three are important to the plot of New Britain Youth Theater’s new original comedy “The Gnome”!” “The Gnome” features the talents of nineteen children, ages six to twelve. The family-friendly comedy will […]
Hurricane Maria Relief: Bees and Community Foundation to Host “Community of Caring Night” May 19th
A “Community of Caring Night” will be hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) and New Britain Bees to raise funds to aid people in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and help those displaced by the storm who are in New Britain. The “Community of Caring Night” will take place […]
Stewart Proposes “Huge Tax Increase” Despite Claiming “No Tax Increase”
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s budget includes what is being called a “huge tax increase,” despite her own claims that her budget is a “no tax increase” budget. Stewart’s press release on her budget proposal says that she, “presented to the Common Council a $237.72 million budget for 2018-19 that calls for no tax increase and […]
6th Annual “Hoops for the Homeless” to Be April 28th
The Sixth Annual Hoops for the Homeless benefit basketball tournament will be held on April 28th, 2018. The event’s website says that the event is, a three-on-three basketball tournament started in New Britain to benefit homeless youth. The event is organized by a board of local volunteers. All proceeds from this event are given to […]
Proposal Would Bring Back Department Head Local Residency Requirement
The Council Majority Leader, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5) and Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) have introduced a proposal that would bring back the requirement that city department heads be residents of New Britain. The proposed ordinance (local law) would reinstate the requirement that city department heads be or become residents of New Britain within one year […]
School System Publishes 2018-2019 School Calendar and Looks Ahead to Next School Year
Students and parents may be thinking about the end of school this June, and the beginning of summer vacation, but the school district is already preparing the next school year. As it released its calendar for the 2018-2019 school year, the Consolidated School District of New Britain wants to let people know about upcoming educational strategies that […]
Honoring Martin Luther King’s Work for a Better Future
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored in New Britain in a memorial commemoration to the great leader who was assassinated as he fought for civil rights, equality, economic equity and peace fifty years ago. The commemoration was held by the Mary McLeod Bethune Club, led by President Cheryl Niccolls. Rev. Brian Riley, […]
Ramanauskas Monument Halted
Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), who had been opposing plans for a monument to Lithuanian militant Adolfas Ramanauskas in Walnut Hill Park, received word from the office of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart that the plans will not be moving forward. Ayalon received word on Friday from Stewart ‘s office that Ramanauskas will not be honored with […]