Headlines
Ayalon Announces Education Platform in State Legislative Campaign
Former City Council member Aram Ayalon (D-3) has announced an series of priorities for education, as part of his campaign for state representative. Ayalon is running for state legislature in the 26th Assembly District. Another former Council member, Dave DeFronzo (D-AL), has also announced that he is seeking the seat. Ayalon, who is a retired CCSU education […]
New Britain Chooses to Have Only One Location for Early Voting for Primary
The city of New Britain has chosen to have only one polling location for early voting under the new law that allows people to vote before election day, at least for the August 13th primary. The office Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (D) says that, “Early Voting allows you to vote in person safely […]
State Increasing Education Aid by $8.6 Million Amid Low Schools Funding by Stewart
The State Educational Cost Sharing Grant for New Britain schools is to increase by an estimated $8,647,194, providing an apparent lifeline for the city’s school system, amid continuing low local funding for education under Mayor Erin Stewart (R). The grant, already at $107,212,343 in the current state budget year, is set to increase to an […]
City Council Majority Leader McNamara Announces Ward 4 Constituent Meeting
City Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), has announced a meeting for residents of Ward 4, to be hosted together with Ald. Neil Connors (D-4). McNamara said that, “Meeting regularly in the ward is a good way to get feedback from citizens on issues that city government can address.” McNamara held his first constituent […]
Connecticut Theatre Company Presenting “Nine”
The Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain is performing the play “Nine”, which opens on May 17, 2024 and continues through June 2nd. The Theatre says that, Nine is the story of a celebrated film director Guido Contini and his attempts to come up with a plot for his next film as he is pursued […]
City Council Meetings Called To Approve Budget
Two meetings of the New Britain City Council have been called for the Council to consider approving a city budget for upcoming budget year. Council President Pro-Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) and Mayor Erin Stewart (R) have each issued a “warrant” calling special meetings of the Council. The one called by Ald. Santiago is to […]
Council Gets Public Report on Developer Tax Breaks Despite Mayor’s Veto – Republicans Vote Down Further Review
Despite a veto by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) of local legislation to require public reporting of tax breaks for developers, City Council members devised a way to get them reported, anyway. But in a tie 7 to 7 vote, Council Republicans voted down an attempt by Council Democrats to refer the report to […]
Allen St. Problem-Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St: Flooding Updates City Council Meeting 5-8-24
To: -All Past and Present City Officials and All Present Department Directors -All Long Suffering Flood Victims; Property Owners and Residents This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and Federal-State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our […]
Ayalon Proposes Property Tax and Rent Caps
Former New Britain City Council member Aram Ayalon (D-3), as part of his campaign for state representative, announced two proposals as a, “policy platform for affordable housing,” one on property taxes and the other on rents. “Far too many of our neighbors,” Ayalon said, “especially those on lower or fixed incomes are struggling to keep […]
The Furniture Of The Poor
By Bill Shortell I live in a beautiful apartment in a big building with 36 units. It’s in my price range and I have no plans to move, although it’s going downhill. The landlord has made superficial improvements and uses that as an excuse to jack the rents up to “market rate,” i.e. more than […]
Stewart Vetoes Transparency Ordinances For Developer Tax Breaks And City Purchasing
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has vetoed two new ordinance proposals approved by the City Council that would have provided that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda. One proposed ordinance approved by the Council and vetoed by Stewart would have required that […]
Opinion: Reader Questions CCSU Decisions on Student Protests on Gaza
By Lily Mercado, CCSU IJC President Author’s Note: Article Originally Denied by The Recorder As a pretext, it should be known that this article was originally submitted to CCSU’s school newspaper, The Recorder, on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, and denied publication. On Friday, April 26th, Managing Editor emailed me stating, “We’ve come to a mutual […]
Opinion: The Allen St. Problem/Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St.
Dear Neighbors and Taxpayers, After our State Legislator’s Toured Allen St., it looks like the present administration may be worried about the political fallout. We may be stealing their thunder. We don’t really care who gets the credit, stop the flooding now. We always made it clear to everybody, the Allen St. storm-sewer issue is […]
Biden Delegates Chosen Include New Britain Council Leader
Delegates to represent Connecticut at this summer’s Democratic National Convention were chosen on Wednesday, including a New Britain City Council member. Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) was elected as one of the eight delegates representing the 5th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention. All of the delegates are pledged to President Joe […]
Council Refers Report on Unimplemented $4 Million For Flood Control to Committee for Review
The City Council has voted to examine in committee a report from New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini that appeared to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” Council Majority […]
CCSU “Empty Bowls 2024” to be at Smalley School
CCSU says that its, “Ceramics and Management and Organization students present Empty Bowls 2024.” ““Empty Bowls” is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level,” CCSU says. “Proceeds from this event will benefit the Friendship Service Center in New Britain.” At the event, organizers say, “A basic […]
New Britain Council Democrats Criticize Stewart Veto of Public Reports on Land Deals
Mayor Stewart, in Veto Message, Calls Use of Word “Transparency” Political, While Belittling Council Democrats Council Democrats are strongly criticizing the veto by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) of city legislation to provide for public reports to the City Council on final land deals, calling the mayor’s act, “a striking blow against the principles […]
Allen St. Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St: Flooding Updates City Council Meetings 4-23 and 4-24-24.
To: All Past and Present City Officials and All Department Directors All Long Suffering Flood Victims; Property Owners and Residents This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and Federal-State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our property […]
Happy Passover From the New Britain Progressive
Chag Pesach Sameach from the New Britain Progressive and best wishes for a joyous Passover to Jewish families in New Britain and everywhere. And the New Britain Progressive wishes bright future of equality for everyone, free of all forms of oppression.
Resolution Allocating $4 Million for Flood Control Deemed Deficient by Finance Department
New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini appears to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” The Council unanimously approved $4 million last September for improvements to address flooding experienced by residents of […]