Headlines
“Unity in the Community” Brings People Together
The annual Unity in the Community Cookout was celebrated at A.W. Stanley Park on Saturday, September 23, 2017. The event is a celebration of African American culture and community, organized to bring people together in fellowship and friendship. Under clear skies and weather that could have been in the middle August, people of all ages […]
Reportedly False Attempt to Bury Article on Stewart Tax Mailing Elections Complaint
Democratic City Council candidate Bobby Berriault reports that someone falsely used his identity in an attempt to have Facebook remove a New Britain Progressive article about an elections complaint filed against Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. This New Britain Progressive article reports that a formal complaint has been filed against Stewart with the State Elections Enforcement Commission […]
Complaint Against Stewart Filed Over “obvious campaign promotion in car tax bills”
A formal complaint has been filed against Republican Mayor Erin Stewart with the State Elections Enforcement Commission by Democratic Chair Bill Shortell, according the city Democrats. Shortell says that he filed the complaint in response to a brochure included in motor vehicle tax bills. The brochure, Democrats say, “included statements promoting Stewart’s candidacy under her […]
4-H Program for Kids at Hungerford Park Runs from Oct to Jun
There will be a 4-H program for kids at the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park. The program will be on the third Tuesday of each month, from October to June. The programs run from 3:45pm to 4:45pm. “Does your child love animals and nature?” asks the Museum. “Do you want to get them […]
Unity in the Community Cookout Sep 23rd
The annual Unity in the Community Cookout will be Saturday, September 23, 2017. The event is a celebration of African American culture and community, organized to bring people together in fellowship and friendship. Unity in the Community will have activities for all ages, and the public is invited. It will be from 11:00am to 4:00pm and […]
St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 2018 Dionysos Festival to Be May 18th, 19th and 20th
The Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church has announced that it will hold its 2018 Dionysos Festival on May 18th, 19th and 20th of 2018. “THIS YEAR (2018) our Annual Dionysos Festival will be held on the week AFTER Mother’s Day and the week BEFORE Memorial Day,” the congregation said on its website. The Festival is a three-day […]
Berriault Calls for Change in Leadership Because of Taxes and Spending
By Bobby Berriault After two terms of Mayor Erin Stewart, I say it’s time for a change in leadership. In her two terms of office, Republican Mayor Stewart raised our property taxes by 19% or $19,231,280! Our mill rate is currently at 50.5 mills, making it the fourth most expensive of any town in the State […]
Students Organize for Immigrant Rights and Rally Sept 14th
The student organization, CHANGE, will hold a rally at CCSU Thursday, September 14, 2017, “in support of the immigrant population and their families at this university and around the country.” The rally comes at a time when immigrant communities have come under powerful attack by Republican President Donald Trump and his allies. Trump has recently […]
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 […]