News
Dave DeFronzo Advocates for Expanded Mental Health Care for High School Students
Saying, “I believe every high school student, regardless of their income level, should have access to mental health services at their high school,” David DeFronzo, who is running for state representative in the open 26th Assembly District, is pressing for more funding for staffing and other resources for mental health services in high schools in […]
‘Not Just Us’ Speaks Out for the Unhoused
Concerned about what many are calling the criminalization of being homeless in New Britain, the organization Not Just Us focused its New Britain “End Hate Across the State” event on the unhoused in the city. Not Just Us has been holding events across the state, with goals are, “to ensure all individuals live in a […]
Aram Ayalon Announces Qualification for Clean Election Program
Former Democratic City Council leader, Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), who is running for State Representative in the 26th District, has announced that he has qualified for the state’s Citizen Election Program, known commonly as the “Clean Election Program”. “I value the financial support for state candidates,” said Ayalon, “because it minimizes influence by corporations and […]
Council Member Scott Discusses Empowerment at School House Apartments
Third Ward Council member, Ald. Candyce Scott (D-3) discussed local government and empowerment at the School House Apartments on South Main Street at a community meeting last Friday. “It was amazing,” said Ald. Scott. “We had spaghetti, salad, dessert, and I spoke about local politics and shared information and resources about local elected positions. Melvadene […]
New Britain Democrats Donate To Dr. Alton F. Brooks Scholarship Fund
The New Britain Democratic Party Chair Chris Anderson has announced that the New Britain Democrats have made a $250 donation to the Alton Brooks Scholarship, maintained at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, in honor of the revered community leader, Dr. Alton F. Brooks. In a letter to David J. Obedzinski, President and Chief […]
HRA Helping Families into Homes with “Head Start on Housing”
The Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) has been helping families get needed housing, using a first-in-the nation “Head Start on Housing” program. HRA pointed to the case of the mother of an HRA pre-school student, “Maria B.”, who, found herself and her children homeless and having to live in a motel in Newington. […]
Council Discusses Assumption of City Audit Oversight
At a meeting of its Committee on Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services, the New Britain City Council discussed plans for establishing Council oversight of the audit of the city’s finances. At the meeting on Monday, Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) pointed to state law assigns to the local legislative body, the City […]
DeFronzo Calls for State Action to Address Housing Crisis
David DeFronzo, who is running for state representative in the open 26th Assembly District, has announced a series of initiatives for, “the state to play a more direct role in the financing and oversight of affordable housing statewide.” DeFronzo called for urgent action by the state, saying, “We need to address this issue now.” “People […]
Dave DeFronzo Announces Citizen Election Qualification and AFL-CIO and CSU-AAUP Endorsements
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced he has successfully qualified for the state’s Citizen Election Program, known commonly as the “Clean Election Program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. At the same time he has announced endorsements for his candidacy from the Connecticut AFL-CIO and the Connecticut State […]
Council Plans Public Hearing and Meeting on Late City Audits
The New Britain City Council is set to hold a hearing and meeting on the city financial audit reports that were reported to the state late two years in a row by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R). The report for the city budget year that was from July 1, 2022 to June 30, […]
Rev. Brian K. Riley Becomes Pastor of Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Plainville
Rev. Brian K. Riley, a native of New Britain, has been named Pastor Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Plainville, returning to the New Britain area after serving as Pastor of Clinton AME Zion Church in Ansonia for five years. Rev. Riley and his wife, Jill, were formally welcomed to the 122 year old historic African […]
Audit Report Says Stewart City Hall Failed to Fix Problems from Previous Year
The report from firm auditing the city of New Britain’s books found that three findings it identified from the previous year were still not remedied by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R). The audit for the 2023 budget year was completed nearly six months late, according to state law. The six month late report […]
Late For Second Year In A Row, Stewart City Hall Reports Completion Of 2023 Audit
The administration of Mayor Stewart (R) is reporting that the audit for the 2023 budget year, nearly six months late, according to state law, is ready. The six month late report follows another, nearly year-late report from the previous budget year. A report from Stewart administration Finance Director Jonathan M. Perugini to the City Council […]
Stewart Administration Proposes New Self-Storage Zoning Rules
Yet another raft of zoning proposal has been submitted by the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R), including new rules concerning self-storage businesses, proposed against a backdrop of an ongoing dispute between Stewart and former Republican Council member James Sanders, Jr. The new list of zoning proposals were introduced by Council Republican leader, Ald. Robert […]
Community Mourns and Thanks Dr. Alton Brooks, Revered Community Leader
By Tim O’Brien, with contributing research by John McNamara and from an interview with Dr. Brooks by Rev. Brian Riley and photography by Dr. Frank Gerratana People across New Britain and beyond are in mourning because of the passing of Dr. Alton Brooks, the legendary leader, who did so much for so many, organizing, inspiring […]
City of New Britain Discloses Violation in Drinking Water Monitoring
The City of New Britain has disclosed that the State Department of Public Health notified the city that it, “violated drinking water monitoring and/or reporting requirements.” “During summer 2023,” the city disclosed about the violation, “we did not monitor for the presence of synthetic organic chemicals (IOCs) in our reservoirs.” The United States Environmental Protection […]
DeFronzo Proposes “Historic Investment in Municipal Infrastructure Improvements”
State Representative candidate Dave DeFronzo announced that he is calling, “for a $200 million state investment in aging, unsafe and inefficient municipal infrastructure systems across the state,” with his campaign noting, “long delayed sewer improvement projects have led to regularly recurring flood conditions in a residential neighborhood creating public health dangers and property damage.” “With […]
Ayalon Qualifies For Primary For State Representative
Former City Council and Board of Education member, Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) has qualified for an August 13th Democratic primary, challenging for the nomination for State Representative in the 26th Assembly District. Former Mayor and Democratic Registrar of Voters Lucian Pawlak confirmed that Ayalon received enough petition signatures to qualify to run today. Ayalon is […]
Caribbean Heritage Month Celebrated With Flag Raising
By Jessica Angelo-Julien, MBA, JP A handful of Caribbean nationals gathered in Central Park to support the sixth annual flag raising in the City of New Britain. The air was filled with steal pan music reminiscent of disembarkation of an island cruise or on the beach on an exotic island. A moco jumbie, a traditional […]
Tens of Thousands Visit 2024 Little Poland Festival
The Little Poland Festival again drew tens of thousands of people to New Britain to celebrate Polish culture, music and food. Morning rain did nothing to dampen the excitement for the massively popular event in New Britain’s vibrant Little Poland neighborhood. Under sun and blue skies in the afternoon, tens of thousands of people filled […]