History
NB New Briefs: Urban Farming Ordinance Proposed…First Week Yields 1,523 Early Votes…Iwo Jima Foundation Honors Marine Who Filmed Raising of Flag
Urban Farming: Ordinance Will Allow Reuse of Industrial and Retail Space for Indoor Growing By John McNamara – nbpoliticus.com Except for backyard gardening and a few greenhouses, raising crops for food and horticulture on a large scale is not an option in densely populated New Britain. But a proposed change to the city’s zoning ordinances […]
New Britain Remembers 9/11
“More than 2,700 lives were lost in New York City on 9/11. Since then, more than 8,000 first responders and survivors suffering from illnesses related to toxic exposure — like lung cancer, blood cancer or respiratory illnesses — have died.” By John McNamara NBPoliticus A full contingent of New Britain’s first responders appeared at Central […]
Stanley’s 183-Year Legacy Ends: Cost-Cutting and Closures
By John McNamara News of the end of the line for making Stanley tools in New Britain came early on February 26. By the afternoon Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) officially announced the closing of its Myrtle Street facility where up to 300 workers will lose their jobs later this year. The dominance of the […]
A Tale of Two Democratic Conventions
Finding A Common Thread of Racial and Social Justice in 1988 and 2024 By John McNamara The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) that nominated Kamala Harris for President last week brought many comparisons to conventions past. Not many delegates, however, were looking back. Delays in getting to the convention on chartered busses and through TSA-type […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Black Ministers Mark Anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation On New Year’s Day
By John McNamara The first day of 2024 marked the anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation 161 years ago by President Lincoln. The Proclamation signed at the start of 1863 freed more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the secessionist Southern states during the bloodiest year of the Civil War. New Britain’s […]
11-22-63: That Day Frozen In Time
by John McNamara It is a November 22nd when many Baby Boomers are going to tell you where they were 60 years ago. At age 13, I was in Mrs. Sonigan’s 7th grade speech class when the class abruptly ended at Pickering Junior High near Wyoma Square in Lynn, Massachusetts. This was just one year […]