News
Opening Day 2017 at the State Capitol
January 4th was the opening day of the 2017 regular legislative session, the start of the term for state legislators newly elected and re-elected in last November’s voting. Opening day at the State Capitol is a day of ceremony that marks the moment when legislators must roll up their sleeves for the legislative session ahead. […]
Stewart-Proposed High-Level Bureaucrat and Department Head Residency Requirement At Issue
Republican Mayor Erin Stewart will ask the Republican-dominated City Council to approve her choice to lead the “Human Resources Department”. The new high-level bureaucratic position was created when the Council approved Stewart’s proposal to increase the number of city departments to fifteen, including the creation of the Human Resources Department. Who her choice is for the position […]
New Britain School Officials Speak at School Absenteeism Summit
New Britain school Superintendent Nancy Sarra and Attendance Officer Joe Vaverchak were presenters at the national virtual summit sponsored by the United States Department of Education, building on the Obama Administration’s Every Student, Every Day Initiative to eliminate chronic absenteeism in the nation’s public schools. During the 90-minute summit on December 7, Sarra and Vaverchak […]
City Purchasing Nearly $500,000 of New Vehicles
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council is considering a proposal from the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart to purchase $495,078.84 for various motor vehicles. Under proposal, the city would purchase $461,578.84 of vehicles from Crowley Ford, LLC of Plainville: Also, the proposal calls for the purchase of $33,500.00 for one vehicle from Crowley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge of […]
Proposal on Affirmative Action Strikes Out Many Provisions
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council is considering a proposal by Mayor Erin Stewart on the city Affirmative Action Plan that proposes numerous deletions of text. On Wednesday, December 7th, the Council’s Administration, Finance and Law Public Committee will consider a resolution by Republican Council members Kristian Rosado and Louis Salvio to approve the […]
Berriault Criticizes Social Media Profile as Impersonation
Press Pool Story Bobby Berriault, who recently announced that an exploratory committee to run for city office in 2017 announced that a Facebook profile impersonating him has been removed by Facebook, and another created in its place. “Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that someone had created a fake Facebook profile resembling my own […]
Rep. Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus Passes Away
Press Pool Story State Representative Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus (D-New Britain, Plainville) passed away early today. Boukus represented the northwest part of New Britain and Plainville in the state House of Representatives. “I am saddened with the loss of a special colleague and friend,” said State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain, Berlin, Farmington). “Betty’s long service to […]
Berriault Announces Exploratory Committee for City Elections
Press Pool story Bobby Berriault, a member of the Democratic Town Committee and a community activist, has announced that he is forming an exploratory committee to run for city office in New Britain. “We as a city are facing serious challenges that our elected officials are ignoring,” said Berriault. “The New Britain Public School system is […]
Tercyak Solidly Wins Re-Election
Press Pool Story Democratic State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26) scored a convincing re-election win over Republican Desiree Agosto. In his victory speech, Tercyak talked about issues on which the Connecticut legislature has been an example to the country, implementing policies that can later be adopted nationwide, and his hopes that this would continue with new legislation in […]
Lopes Wins, In A Setback for Republicans
Press Pool Story Democratic State Representative Rick Lopes (D-24) prevailed solidly against his Republican opponent, Ald. James Sanders (R-AL) by a nearly two to one margin. Lopes’ defeat of Sanders was a major setback for local Republicans, who had hoped that they may prevail in the 24th Assembly District. Local Republicans had reportedly put considerable […]
Movements Uniting – Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Against Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and Hate Working Together
Press Pool Story Students protested on the CCSU campus on November 9th, the day after the November 8th elections, to “Take a Stand” for immigrant rights and against discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and hate. The demonstration was the beginning of what organizers plan as a coming together of movements concerned about the future, in the […]
Gerratana Wins Big Over Two Opponents
Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6) won a big victory for re-election on November 8th over two opponents. Sen. Gerratana thanked supporters on election night, and described problems encountered by people in New Britain.
League of Women Voters to Hold Forum on Watershed Mining Proposal
News Brief The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is holding a forum to discuss the proposal of Mayor Erin Stewart (R) to allow mining on New Britain’s drinking watershed land. The League of Women Voters said, in a statement that, “The New Britain Area League of Women Voters is presenting a forum on the […]
Voters Reject Two of Three Republican City Charter Proposals
Press Pool Story New Britain voters rejected two out of three changes to the City Charter that were proposed by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and the Republican-Dominated City Council. The two charter proposals that were defeated would have extended the term of office of city’s mayor and tax collector from two to four years. City […]
Rep. Bobby Sanchez Wins Re-Election in the 25th
Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) easily won re-election on November 8th. Rep. Sanchez reflected on the moment and thanked the people of his district.
City Bureaucracy Under Stewart to Grow Again While Concerns Rise Over Weakening of Human Rights and Opportunities
Press Pool Story The Republican-dominated City Council approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) that, once again, increases the number of city departments, while placing the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created “Human Resources Department”. The City’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission have historically provided oversight […]
Democrats Win Big in New Britain
Democratic candidates all prevailed in New Britain on Tuesday’s election. Voters handily re-elected Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-6), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) and Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24), and voters sided with Democrats’ position on two of the three Charter revision referendum questions on the ballot.
Election Day Arrives – Top Democrats Support New Britain Campaign Efforts
Press Pool Story Local Democratic campaign efforts were given a push on the last weekend before the November 8th elections with support from top Democratic elected officials. On Saturday New Britain Democrats held a Get-Out-The-Vote Breakfast at Cafe Beauregard on Main Street, where they were rallied with speeches from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D), State Attorney […]
Democrats Oppose Charter Changes, Urging ‘No Pay Hikes’ for Elected Officials ‘on Off Years’
Press Pool Story New Britain Democrats are urging a ‘no’ vote on City Charter changes proposed by city’s Republican mayor, Erin Stewart, and the Republican-dominated City Council. Democrats are objecting to the proposals that, if approved, would create a four-year mayoral term and change the way the mayor and other municipal officials can raise their salaries. […]
Forum Held in Opposition to Watershed Mining and Mining Effects on Neighborhoods
Press Pool Story Protect Our Watersheds CT hosted a forum at which residents who live in vicinity of the Tilcon open-pit rock quarry express concerns about, “noise from the mining operation, tremors from the blasts, cracks in the walls,” as well as concerns about, “dust hanging in the air,” and “chemical residues.” Residents were invited to […]