News
Democrats Endorse Lopes for Re-Election
Democratic State Representative Rick Lopes (D-24) was unanimously endorsed by Democrats for re-election for a fourth term in the State House of Representatives. “I’m humbled and honored to continue to serve the 24th district in the state legislature,” said Lopes. “I will continue to fight for issues important to the people of Connecticut.” Lopes was […]
Glassman Wins Congressional Endorsement, While Sanchez and Hayes Qualify to Primary
New Britain delegates provided votes to help secure New Britain native Mary Glassman’s win in the Democratic endorsement for the Fifth Congressional District, while New Britain Alderman Manny Sanchez (D-AL) and Jahana Hayes of Waterbury won enough delegates to compete in a primary for the position. On the first ballot at the Fifth District Congressional nominating convention, […]
Council Votes to Cancel Ramanauskas Monument, But Republicans Oppose
The City Council has approved a resolution to revoke approval of the placement of a monument to Adolfas Ramanauskas on city parkland, but all five Council Republicans present voted in opposition of the revocation resolution. Concern was sparked about the planned monument to Ramanauskas when news about it began filtering into New Britain in 2018 from […]
Proposal to Sell 15 Acres of Watershed Land for $276,000
A resolution has been proposed by Ald. Jamie Giantonio (R-1) and Ald. Daniel Salerno (R-AL) to authorize Republican Mayor Erin Stewart to sell fifteen acres of Class 3 watershed land owned by the city of New Britain in Burlington. The resolution says that Stewart has already authorized the sale for $276,000 to the Town of Burlington. The fifteen acres on Covey […]
Gubernatorial Candidate Ganim to Hold “Meet and Greet” in New Britain
New Britain supporters of Joe Ganim’s candidacy for governor have announced that the Bridgeport Mayor will have a “Meet and Greet” event in New Britain. “Come out tomorrow and find out why people are supporting JOE, why he has raised more money than other candidates, why did the people reelected him to the City of Bridgeport, and […]
Stewart Vetoes Hiring Freeze Resolution
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart has vetoed a resolution approved by the City Council to institute a hiring freeze all city positions except for public safety and temporary seasonal parks and recreation positions. The resolution had been introduced by all nine Council Democrats and all five Council Council Republicans in attendance voted against the hiring freeze. With the […]
Council Resolution Would Officially Cancel Ramanauskas Monument
Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) has introduced a City Council Resolution to cancel, “any agreement between the mayor of the City of New Britain and the Lithuanian government regarding the monument for [Adolfas] Ramanauskas and the vote by the Parks and Recreation Commission from December 15, 2017, approving this monument.” The resolution says that, “the agreement […]
Possible $11 Million Long-Term Deficit Apparently in Stewart’s Budget Proposal
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart proposed budget appears to cover a possible $11 million long-term deficit with non-recurring budget items that may leave a sizable shortfall in future years’ city budgets. Stewart’s budget proposal has already been criticized for increasing property taxes, despite her claim of “no tax increase”, as well as for freezing the city’s annual […]
New Britain Ald. Manny Sanchez Announces Candidacy for Congress
Democratic New Britain Alderman Emmanuel “Manny” Sanchez (D-AL) has announced that he is running as a candidate in for the Fifth Congressional District, saying, “This is a pivotal moment in our state and our country. We need leaders who are willing to champion issues that matter most to working families.” “I have earned their support […]
Community Activists Organizing for City Budget Hearing
Community activists are organizing city residents to turn out and make their views known at today’s hearing on Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s proposed budget. Stewart’s proposal has been criticized for increasing property taxes despite her claim of “no tax increase”, as well as for freezing the city’s annual education allocation and continuing to rely on increased city […]
Sun Shines on Little Poland for 2018 Festival
The morning’s rain broke and blue skies and sun came out to greet the thousands of people who gathered for the 2018 Little Poland Festival on April 29, 2018. The Festival, which has been held annually each spring since 2011 continued the successful attendance that it has grown to in just a few years. New Britain’s […]
Monument Dedicated to Honor 65th Infantry Borinqueneers
New Britain is now home to the largest monument on the U.S. mainland to the highly decorated 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers. The new monument, at the corner of Washington and Beaver Streets, prominently graces the main route from the north into the city’s center. Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Frank Gerratana photo. The dedication ceremony was held on April […]
Council Approves Hiring Freeze, With Republicans Opposing
The City Council has approved a hiring freeze on all city positions except for public safety and temporary seasonal parks and recreation positions. All five Council Republicans in attendance voted against the hiring freeze. The resolution was approved, with nine votes in favor and five in opposition. With the exception of police, fire, emergency dispatch […]
Council Democrats Propose Freeze on Hiring and Promotion
The nine Democrats on the City Council are proposing, “an immediate hiring freeze and promotion freeze on all positions in the City,” citing, “fiscal challenges facing the City.” The proposed Council resolution says that, because of budgetary challenges, “it is necessary and desirable to achieve cost savings by appropriate measures to ensure the funds of the […]
Community Comes Together for North Oak Neighborhood Clean Up
An estimated two hundred neighborhood residents, other community members and elected and other officials volunteered in the North Oak neighborhood clean up on April 21st. The event began with a breakfast for volunteers, provided by Central Connecticut State University. Volunteers then divided into teams who cleaned up trash in different parts of the North Oak […]
Republican Accusations Thrown Out: Merrill Gay Vindicated
The State Elections Enforcement Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by New Britain Republicans against 2017 Democratic Mayoral candidate Merrill Gay, saying, “the facts do not support the allegations.” As the 2017 mayoral election was heating up, Republican Party Chair Anthony Cane filed a complaint with a series accusations that sought to tie Gay with […]
City Council Budget Hearing to Be May 1st
The New Britain City Council has announced that it will hold its annual budget hearing on May 1, 2018. The hearing is to allow the Council to hear people’s opinions on the city budget before the Council makes its decisions. “During the public hearing,” the Council’s press release says, “residents are encouraged to voice their concerns regarding […]
Stewart Proposes “Huge Tax Increase” Despite Claiming “No Tax Increase”
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s budget includes what is being called a “huge tax increase,” despite her own claims that her budget is a “no tax increase” budget. Stewart’s press release on her budget proposal says that she, “presented to the Common Council a $237.72 million budget for 2018-19 that calls for no tax increase and […]
Firefighters on the Scene at the April 8th Arch Street Fire
By Antonio C. Lavoy, Sr. Video Journalist
Proposal Would Bring Back Department Head Local Residency Requirement
The Council Majority Leader, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5) and Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) have introduced a proposal that would bring back the requirement that city department heads be residents of New Britain. The proposed ordinance (local law) would reinstate the requirement that city department heads be or become residents of New Britain within one year […]