Headlines
Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign
The Municipal Campaign That Changed New Britain Politics For A Generation Introduction to Part 3 In 1989, Donald DeFronzo became New Britain’s 34th Mayor ending the late William (Billy Mac) McNamara’s six terms as the city’s top elected official, a modern-day record not matched until last November when Mayor Erin Stewart won a sixth, two-year […]
Slates Contest Over “Future of the Democratic Party” in New Britain Primary Election
Competing slates for the New Britain Democratic Party’s governing Town Committee are offering different visions on the future of the Party to Democratic voters ahead of the March 5th primary election. The election is to be held in two of the city’s five wards for who is to represent Democratic voters on the Democratic Town […]
New Sex Education Program Will Tackle High Teenage Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections in New Britain
New Britain has the second highest teenage pregnancy in Connecticut according to the Connecticut Department of Health, with 24.3 pregnant teens per 1000 women ages 15-19 and is also 8th in the state in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). In the October 16, 2023 New Britain school Board Curriculum Committee meeting, Lara Bohike, the District 6-12 […]
Alton Brooks-The Voice of a Visionary
Interview with Mr. Alton Brooks-102 years old 1/13/2024 By Rev. Brian K. Riley Mr. Alton Brooks (102 years old) is a longtime community activist, friend to many, and a mentor to countless individuals. Mr. Brooks has a well-rounded foundation that includes spirituality, social justice and political activism and empowerment of people in the community. Mr. […]
Constituent Meeting To Be Held In Ward 4 By Ald. McNamara
Ward 4 City Council member, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), who is the Council’s Majority Leader has announced that he, “will host his first neighborhood meeting of the term to hear from residents and to provide an update on the city budget process and efforts to improve stormwater and sewer mains.” “I encourage citizens to join […]
Democratic Voters to Decide Party Committee Members in Wards 1 and 3
Democratic voters will decide who will represent them on the Democratic Party’s governing Town Committee in a party primary election in Wards 1 and 3. Ward 1 includes the West End, Willow Brook and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods and Ward 3 is located in the center of the city. Candidates on two opposing slates in each […]
Council to Take Up Proposal to Create Housing and Homelessness Committee
The City Council’s Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing is to take up a proposal to create a new Council Committee on Housing and Homelessness. “Unaffordable housing and homelessness has had a pervasive impact on our community,” a statement from the Council’s President Pro-Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5), said, adding that the new committee would, […]
Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign (Part 2)
The Municipal Election That Changed New Britain Politics For A Generation Introduction In 1989, Donald DeFronzo became New Britain’s 34th Mayor ending the late William (Billy Mac) McNamara’s six terms as the city’s top elected official, a modern-day record not matched until last November when Mayor Erin Stewart won a sixth, two-year term. “During the […]
Democrats May Have Primaries for Party Governing Committee in Two Wards
In two of the five wards of the city, Democrats may have primaries for who will serve on the Democratic Party’s governing Town Committee. The potentially contested wards are Ward 1, which includes the West End, Willow Brook and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods, and Ward 3, located in the center of the city. Unlike the city’s […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 1-24-24
An open message to city officials. By Frank and Sharon Chase To: City OfficialsDate: January 23, 2024From: Frank and Sharon Chase Dear Elected and Appointed City Officials: These “vital details” will help you better understand our focused efforts to correct the ongoing flooding in our neighborhoods. The neglect and mismanagement (dereliction of duty) we have uncovered has […]
Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign (Part I)
The Municipal Election That Changed New Britain Politics For A Generation Introduction: In 1989, Donald DeFronzo became New Britain’s 34th Mayor ending the late William (Billy Mac) McNamara’s six terms as the city’s top elected official, a modern-day record not matched until last November when Mayor Erin Stewart won a sixth, two-year term. “During the […]
DiLoreto’s Spanish magnet programs are holding Annual Lottery
Consolidated School District of New Britain is holding its annual lottery for incoming Kindergarteners to enroll in two programs – (1) the Diloreto Elementary/Middle school program which has a Spanish Language Development program and (2) “Dos en Uno” Dual Language program. The Spanish Language Development program provides Spanish as a separate world language class and […]
Students’ Art, Music and Essays Commemorate MLK Day in New Britain
“America has not reached greatness yet because we are all not great together.” –Bishop Rha-Sheen Brown, Right Now Ministries by John McNamara On the 38th anniversary of the national holiday for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 95th anniversary of his birth, New Britain held its commemorative program Monday (January 15) featuring music, […]
Engineering Report Confirms Residents’ Concerns About Effects of Neighborhood Flooding
A professional engineer has reported that the effects of repeated flooding, “can be structurally compromising,” of a home in the neighborhood to the southwest of CCSU that includes, Newbury, Hampton, Allen, Brighton and Stewart streets and Eton Place and Roxbury Road. Residents in the neighborhood have been seeking action by the city to address long-standing […]
Ten New Britain Schools Need Major Renovations in 10 Years – A New Report Suggests
On the January 8th 2024 Consolidated School District of New Britain Board meeting, the board heard a report titled “Facility Condition Assessment & Energy Audit” prepared by Bureau Veritas. In the current buildings’ conditions only Holmes Elementary was not classified as “well maintained” but as in “functional conditions.” Holmes Elementary School was original constructed in […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: 1-16-24
By Frank and Sharon Chase The following is a recent message sent to city officials. This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewage systems and city-state responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. When the flooding water recedes we are forgotten by our city officials. To our […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]
Op-Ed: Council Democrats Address Stormwater, Audit and Shelter For Unhoused Issues
Hearing From Citizens Will Be Essential During City Budget Process Two months into a new term the new Democratic majority on the Common Council is working on key issues raised in last year’s municipal election and in responding to public concerns on housing and shelter for the unhoused, stormwater infrastructure and the status of the […]
Protesters Advocate for Palestinians, U.S. Money to Support Local Services Instead of War
Protesters gathered in downtown New Britain Thursday to call for a cease-fire in Gaza and an end United States funding for the ongoing war. Protesters chanted, “money for jobs and education, not for guns and occupation.” City Council member, Ald. Nate Simpson (D-1) thanked people for, “rallying today for nothing but peace.” He said that, […]
New Britain City Council Invites Public to Discussion on Homelessness
The New Britain City Council says that it, “is excited to invite residents, community leaders, business partners and collaborators to a vital discussion aimed at addressing the pressing issue of homelessness within our community.” The Council’s President Pro Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5), and the Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), issued a public statement […]