Headlines
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 […]
City Council To Establish A Committee On Housing And Homelessness
In response to recent testimonies by people who are homeless or at-risk to becoming homeless and due to substantial increase in the rate of homelessness in New Britain, the city council, under the leadership of the democratic caucus, is voting in its January 10th meeting to add to its ordinance a Committee on Housing and […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: 1-9-24
By Frank and Sharon Chase 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: Back in the mid 90’s, PW Director Joe Carilli wrote to my […]
Shaw Coaches 700th Game for New Britain High School
Coach Darwin Shaw has reach another milestone in his long career coaching for New Britain High School, leading the Boy’s Junior Varsity Basketball team for his 700th game and winning more than three-quarters of those games. Shaw said, All praise belongs to you, God , for allowing me to reach another milestone. I have been […]
New Britain Council President Says, “No Excuse For Domestic Abuse,” After Recent Death
The New Britain City Council’s President Pro Tempore, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) says that, “There is no excuse for domestic abuse in our community,” in a statement expressing, “condolences to the family and friends of Sabrina Finch, who tragically lost her life as a result of domestic abuse.” Ald. Santiago said that domestic abuse, “is […]
New Britain Ranks Low for Tree Canopy Cover: What are the Consequences and What Could be Done?
A 2013 report “New Britain Urban Forest” prepared for the City of New Britain by the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA) found that New Britain has one of the lowest tree canopies comparing to other cities in Connecticut. While Connecticut cities had an average tree canopy of 49% and overall town coverage average of […]
New Britain Council Committee Approves Creation of Audit Committee
The New Britain City Council’s Committee on Administration, Finance and Law has voted to approve a proposal to create a new Council Audit Subcommittee. The Council’s Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), one of the co-sponsors of the proposal said that, “government works best when we have checks and balances between the executive and legislative […]
AmeriCorps and CHC New Britain Hosting MLK Day of Service Donation Drive
The AmeriCorps Healthy Communities program and CHC New Britain are seeking donations for their upcoming MLK Day of Service. Event organizers say that they are accepting donations until January 10, 2024 at CHC New Britain at 85 Lafayette Street or by an Amazon wish list. Event organizers say that the MLK Day of Service, on […]