News
City Spent $25,239 on “Beehive Bridge Festival” in 2024
In a report to the City Council, the city disclosed that it spent $25,239 on the “Beehive Bridge Festival” in September, 2024. The report was in response to a Council petition filed by Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4). In New Britain, Council petitions are a process by which individual Council members can require […]
Council to Consider 25 Year Tax Exemption for Solar Installation at Ellis Street Building
The City Council is set to consider a proposal to exempt a solar installation benefitting 321 Ellis Street. The exemption would allow “zero (0) tax increase resulting from the solar improvements for a period of twenty-five (25) years.” The new exemption would be on top of a 25 year tax reduction approved in 2021, limiting […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain in 2024 Elections
Democrats won by large margins in New Britain in the 2024 elections, as part of wins for Democrats in the major elections in Connecticut, according to unofficial vote totals published by the Secretary of the State. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (D) and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (D), received more votes than Republicans Donald […]
New Britain Voters Support Expanded Absentee Voting
By an unofficial 9,454 to 6,148 New Britain voters have supported a state Constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to expand absentee balloting for voters in the state. Under interpretations of the state Constitution, voters have historicially only been able to vote by absentee ballot if they had certain limited “excuses”, such as illness or […]
Election Day 2024 Arrives!
Election Day 2024 has arrived, with elections today that include choices for President and Vice President, US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, State Representative and Registrars of Voters. For voters who have not yet taken advantage of early voting opportunities or voted by absentee ballot, polls are open on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 6:00pm […]
One More Day of Early Voting; At Least 4900 in New Britain Voted Already
At least 4900 people have voted already in New Britain under Connecticut’s new early voting process, with one more day for people to cast votes early. The general election occurs on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, but voters are permitted under state law to cast their votes before that in early voting days that, this year, […]
Alderwoman Sanchez Condemns “Hate Rhetoric” At NYC Trump Rally
Council Democrats Deride GOP Campaign Of ‘Fear and Division’ NEW BRITAIN – City Alderwoman and Assistant Majority Leader Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) expressed deep indignation over offensive comments made at Donald Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden on Sunday nine days before the November 5th Election. A speaker insulted Puerto Rico, calling it a “floating […]
Dare to Struggle Holds “National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality” Event
The organization, Dare to Struggle held a “National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality” demonstration in New Britain’s Central Park Tuesday. Dare to Struggle says that it, “is working to rebuild the movement against police brutality and the oppression of Black people on solid foundations.” The group says that it is pressing for, No […]
Council Committees Vote Down Proposal on City Naming School Buildings and Oppose Taking Up Self Storage Rules
A proposal by Ald Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R-1) to give the City Council control over the naming of schools, along with city buildings, was voted down Tuesday evening in the Council Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing. In speaking against the proposal, Ald Wilma Barbosa (D-3) asked, about Beloin-Saavedra, “wasn’t her name in the running for […]
New Britain Voter Registration Appears Down Compared to Close 5th CD Election in 2022; Democrats Lower And Republicans Higher
Recent New Britain voter registration figures may show troubling signs for Democrats and opportunity for Republicans in the closely contested Fifth Congressional District race between incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-5) and Republican challenger George Logan. It appears that there could be nearly 2,000 fewer registered voters in New Britain than in 2022. Voter registration […]
Early Voting Set to Begin on Monday, October 21st
Voting in this year’s election is set to begin this coming Monday, October 21st, as Connecticut’s new early voting system will allow voters to cast ballots for two weeks prior to the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election day. The election for President, United States Senate and House of Representatives, state Senate and House of Representatives […]
Council Clerk Takes Office Despite Stewart Veto
Shayne Livingston took office as the New Britain City Council’s Clerk of Committees, despite a veto of a resolution concerning his appointment by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) – a veto with key inaccuracies. The Council voted 8 to 7, on party lines, on a motion to override Stewart’s veto on Wednesday, but the motion required […]
League of Women Voters Informs About Early Voting Opportunity, Advocates “Yes” Votes for No Excuse Absentee Voting
The League of Women Voters of the New Britain Area wants to make sure people in New Britain know about their opportunity to vote in the 2024 election in early voting days – and is advocating a “yes” vote on a ballot question to allow voting by mail for everyone. The general election occurs on […]
Speakers at Forum Overwhelmingly Oppose Metal Detectors in Schools in New Britain
While the New Britain school district said most respondents to its recently completed survey supported metal detectors in schools, many speakers at the forum the school system called on the topic strongly opposed having metal detectors. The Consolidated School System of New Britain said that 87% of survey respondents supported metal detectors in the city’s […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Asks “Do Metal Detectors Make Schools Safer?”
As the New Britain school system is considering using metal/weapon detectors in elementary, middle and high schools, the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition is asking, “do metal detectors make schools safer?” “Metal detectors are often seen as a solution to school violence, but research has questioned their effectiveness in truly keeping students safe,” the Coalition […]
Board of Education Considering Metal Detectors in Schools
The New Britain Board of Education says it, “is considering whether metal/weapons detection technology should be in place in our school buildings,” elementary, middle and high school. The Consolidated School District of New Britain is planning a Community Forum on the question. The school system is also conducting a survey asking parents, “Do you think […]
Council Reconsiders Contracting Award and Refers to Committee
The City Council voted to reconsider an item previously approved that would allow for contracting for, “On- Call Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Building Envelope, Masonry, and Interior Repairs,” of up to $100,000. The Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4) made the motion to reconsider the item, which was approved on a voice vote. The proposed […]
Lt Gov Bysiewicz Joins Local Democrats in Rally Ahead of November Elections
Editor’s Note: Journalism by Dr Frank Gerratana contributed to this article. Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) joined New Britain Democrats Tuesday at Five Churches Brewing in an election rally, as the autumn election season gets underway. Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson welcomed the assembled activists and dignitaries to build excitement for the most active part […]
Stewart Announces She is Not Seeking Reelection
Mayor Erin Stewart (R) announced that she will not seek re-election in 2025, instead saying that she will decide in early 2025 whether to, again, run for governor. Stewart’s announcement comes at a time when she has been embroiled in another scandal involving her father, former Mayor Timothy Stewart (R) who, again, made bigoted comments […]
“Justice for Katherine” Demonstrators Again Call for New Britain Police Officer to be Fired
Editor’s Note: Olivine contributed to the reporting of this article. A year after the New Britain police officer Connor Reinsch struck and killed Katherine Colon with his police car as she was crossing West Main Street, family members were joined by other protesters calling for the firing of Reinsch and criticizing Mayor Erin Stewart (R) […]