News
NAACP Calls Rally to Oppose Discrimination in City Hall, May 9th
Saying, “Enough is Enough,” the NAACP New Britain Branch is calling for a rally to oppose discrimination in the city government and call for greater action to address racial bias. “We urge NAACP members and other concerned members of the public to join us at Central Park on Tuesday May 9, 2017 at 6:30 P.M. […]
Democratic Legislators Announce Approval of Funding for New Columbus Commons Housing Construction
New Britain state legislators announced the approval of funding for a mixed-use development on the site of New Britain’s old police station. Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain), Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain), Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain), Representative Rick Lopes (D-New Britain) announced the new building, which will be called “Columbus Commons.” Senator Gerratana, in announcing […]
Democrat Merrill Gay Announces Candidacy for Mayor
One hundred and fifty supporters thronged the Pride of Connecticut Elks lodge on Elm Street to cheer on Democratic Board of Education member Merrill Gay, as he announced his candidacy for Mayor. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Ald. Shirley Black (D-3), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26), Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), […]
Amid Growing Questions and a Democratic Resolution, Stewart and Council Republicans Abandon Patton Brook Sale
In the wake of mounting questions about why Republican Mayor Erin Stewart sold the Patton Brook Well while the city knew it was facing significant drought conditions, and a City Council resolution, originally offered by the three Democratic Council members, to revoke the sale, the Republican mayor and the Council’s Republicans are abandoning her plan to sell […]
Stewart Proposes Freeze on City Education Support, Increase in City Hall Spending
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st would freeze city support for New Britain’s schools while increasing overall city spending and pushing taxpayer debt into the future. Stewart’s General Fund budget proposal would increase city General Fund spending by $2,167,486 to a total of $241,537,535. Funding for the New Britain school […]
Did Facebook Censor Based on an “Apparent forged court order”?
Facebook told the New Britain Progressive that it had removed from Facebook a post of a Progressive-published opinion piece four days after someone asked Google to “deindex” that same opinion piece. The request to Google was labeled a “Court Order Complaint”, using what UCLA School of Law Professor Eugene Volokh called an “Apparent forged court order” in […]
Berriault Announces $3,042 in Campaign Contributions
News Brief Democratic City Council candidate Bobby Berriault has announced that has successfully raised a total of $3,042 in the first campaign reporting period of 2017. Berriault said, “I am deeply humbled to have so much support from so many members of our community from all walks of life; teachers, doctors, students, retail workers, state workers, […]
Column on Washington Post Site About “Apparent forged court order” Concerning New Britain
“Apparent forged court order for the benefit of a New Britain (Conn.) volunteer city commissioner” is the headline of a column by UCLA School of Law Professor Eugene Volokh, published on the editorially independent “The Volokh Conspiracy” portion of the Washington Post. Volokh’s column discusses a request to Google to “deindex” an opinion piece by Bobby Berriault […]
Gerratana Announces Arts Funding For New Britain
Press Pool Article “Our local arts organizations are vital to the health and growth of our communities,” said Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain), announcing grants that will be awarded to local arts organizations. Three New Britain organizations, the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the New Britain Museum of American Art and the New Britain Youth Theater are to […]
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland Opens on Broad Street
Press Pool Article Polish Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Piotr Wilczek, was in New Britain to officially open the new Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland at 55 Broad Street in New Britain. Mr. Darek Barcikowski has been named as the Honorary Consul. “It’s great that we’ll have a Polish Consulate in New Britain!” said Rep. […]
23% Increase in Mayor’s Salary Proposed
The Republican-dominated City Council is considering a proposal that would increase the salary of the city’s mayor by 23%, up to $108,016. Currently Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s salary is $87,634, an amount that is more than twice the 2015 New Britain median household income of $40,457. The proposed mayoral salary of $108,016 would be 267% of what the […]
“Building Sustainable Social Movements in the Twenty-first Century” – CCSU Africana Studies Annual Conference
Press Pool This from the Center for Africana Studies: “Building Sustainable Social Movements in the Twenty-first Century.” The Arab Spring. Black Lives Matter. Occupy Wall Street. Code Pink. The Women’s March. These social actions represent a growing sense of disenchantment among citizens of the world. Diverse groups are working to change the structure of violence […]
Democrat Merrill Gay Announces City Elections Exploratory Committee
Press Pool Story Democratic Board of Education member and longtime activist, Merrill Gay, has announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to begin raising funds to run for office in November’s city election. “All around us we see the need to make change happen ourselves when we don’t like what we see. I am […]
By the Numbers: Statistical Debate Concerns Educational Quality in New Britain
Press Pool Story A critique of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s education record by Democratic City Council candidate Bobby Berriault sparked a heated internet debate in January about education in New Britain and whether to view statistics about the city’s schools as a sign of progress or as a measure of how far the community has […]
CT Breast Health Initiative Officially Launches Registration For the 2017 Race in the Park
The CT Breast Health Initiative (CT BHI) officially launched registration for their biggest fundraising event of the year, a Mother’s Day weekend tradition, RACE IN THE PARK 2017. CT BHI’s RACE IN THE PARK 2017 will take place on May 13, 2017 in New Britain’s historic Walnut Hill Park with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. […]
Health Care Rally to be Held in New Britain’s Central Park on Saturday February 25th
News Brief New Britain will host a candle light vigil to rally in support of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” and opposing Republican efforts to repeal it. The rally will be held on Saturday, February 25th from 6:00pm to 6:30pm at New Britain’s Central Park in front of the CT Access Health office […]
Water-gate? Extreme Drought Continues While Stewart Drinking Water Well Sale Comes Under Increased Fire
Press Pool New Britain continues to be under “Extreme Drought” conditions, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The news comes as the plans by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart to sell a high-yield drinking city water well come under increased fire, with state legislation proposed in response to the sale. The well sale has come […]
Rep. Lopes Bill Requires Fair Market Value For City To Sell Wells, Watershed Land
By John McNamara State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24) has filed a bill requiring municipalities or water companies to “complete a fair market appraisal of any property encompassing a watershed, well or reservoir before such property may be sold, and to make such appraisal public at least 90 days prior to such sale.” The legislation (6481) […]
Mayor of the City of Birmingham to Speak at CCSU Black History Month Lecture
News Brief Mayor William Bell of the City of Birmingham, AL, will deliver the 2017 Black History Month Civil Rights Lecture on Thursday, February 9, at 12:15pm at the Student Center Alumni Hall on the campus of CCSU. Mayor Bell’s speech will focus on the City of Birmingham’s ugly past, its reconciliation and the city’s legacy […]
Rallying in Support of Immigrant Communities
Press Pool Story About two hundred students and community residents braved the cold night air on the campus of Central Connecticut State University to rally in support of immigrant families and communities, and to speak out against bigotry. The rally is the latest reaction in New Britain in the wake of Donald Trump’s policies attacking […]