News Analysis
Stanley’s 183-Year Legacy Ends: Cost-Cutting and Closures
By John McNamara News of the end of the line for making Stanley tools in New Britain came early on February 26. By the afternoon Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) officially announced the closing of its Myrtle Street facility where up to 300 workers will lose their jobs later this year. The dominance of the […]
Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant boosts Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…Schools seek 14.82% more…City mourns Ald. Hargraves
News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026 By NB Politicus State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session on opening day, February […]
New Britain Week in Review
Short Takes on local news and occurrences for week ending 1/31/26 By NB Politicus Storm Benjamin On Sunday January 25th the biggest storm in a decade dumped 16.4 inches of snow in New Britain prompting city government to replenish its supply of road salt with more than seven weeks left in winter. It took more […]
Officials Provide Update On Allen Street Project to Upgrade Stormwater System
By John McNamara City officials have provided an update on plans and financing to complete the Allen Street project to replace an outmoded storm water and sewage system that causes neighborhood flooding during heavy rains and extensive damage to basements and property. Mayor Bobby Sanchez said Allen Street improvements have been the priority for his […]
Area Residents Join Nationwide Protests Against the Fascism of Trump’s Republicans
Across the country, people of conscience stood up in protests against the fascism of the Republican Party and their President, Donald Trump (R).
Report Raises Questions About Mayoral Candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra’s Record on Special Education
As candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra (R) is seeking to become mayor of New Britain, she is running on her experience as school board member and president from 2005 until 2017. In her recent campaign leaflet, she list her school board accomplishments, including “supported key program creation & expansion for children with autism.” However, she neglected to […]
Holmes School Renovation Is on Schedule for Fall 2026 Re-Opening
By John McNamara State Bonds Are Covering 95% Of $70 Million In Construction Costs A $70 million comprehensive renovation of the Stanley H. Holmes Elementary School on Stanley Street near A.W. Stanley Park is on schedule for re-opening in the fall of 2026. Members of the School Building Committee toured the school construction site on […]
Reflections of a Hundred Year Old Activist
By Ida Cohen Seeing so many of us in front of New Britain’s City Hall was a sight for these sore eyes. Lately reading the news has been so depressing, and there we were one hundred strong, chanting, yelling, fighting for our civil rights! Every time I’ve heard discussions on the news and radio I’ve […]
How Mamdani’s Message Trumped the Establishment in NYC
Back To The Future: “Affordability” Wins on the Lower East Side and Elsewhere by John McNamara Down on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Grand Street the words of Sidney Hillman are inscribed in stone outside the coop complex named for the legendary labor leader. “We want a better America,” the quote goes, “an […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Condemns Mayor Stewart’s Veto of Education, Housing and Public Service
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) strongly condemns Mayor Erin Stewart’s June 7 veto of the City Council’s amended FY 2025 budget, which prioritized long-overdue investments in education, housing, and public services. The veto reverses a budget that was shaped by extensive community input and advocacy. Over […]
Honoring the Great Harriet S Geragosian – Steadfast, Caring, Progressive Leader
By Tim O’Brien I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great Harriet S Geragosian. I am saddened for her wonderful family, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to her son, State Auditor and former state Rep John Geragosian, his wife, Audrey, daughter Molly and all of the members of their family. […]
Council Update: Public Hearing On Budget To Be Held April 29th
Common Council Begins Review of Mayor’s Proposed Budget for New Fiscal Year The Common Council will hold a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s proposed Municipal Budget for the next fiscal year on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 27 West Main Street. Individuals seeking to join the public hearing and speak […]
Legislation Call For Clear Language On Charter Referendums
GAE Committee Favors ‘Precise’ Wording On Ballot Questions The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) has acted favorably on a bill that will “establish certain minimum requirements for presenting charter or home rule ordinance amendment ballot questions to voters.’” House Bill 7125, introduced by State Representative Gary Turco (D-27) and supported by New Britain’s […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]
It’s Time For State To Address Stormwater Crisis In More Hard Hit Neighborhoods
State Aid Needed To Implement Allen Street Capital Improvements In New Britain By John McNamara The damage to homes and properties caused by intense rains has accelerated over the last two years in New Britain and other communities across Connecticut. Public stormwater and sewer systems built a century ago are routinely overwhelmed whenever a hard […]
Mayor Erin Stewart Pandemic Record – a tale of failed leadership
The Coronavirus pandemic created great challenges to leadership around the world.In order to best meet this crisis local, state, and federal governments all needed to contribute their share to minimize fatalities and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Local towns and cities played a key role during the pandemic. Mayors had the power to set and […]
Can we change ?
Hello New Britain Progressive readers. My name is Carlos Ayala and this is going to be the first article of a series of articles and podcasts called; Can we change? So the first topic is: Can we change the bias and stigma associated with mental health in our community? Stigma and mental health bias can […]
Claims For Flooding Damages Spiked in 2023
City Starts ‘Courtesy’ Response Service; Homeowner Flood Relief Is On Council Agenda By John McNamara More New Britain property owners are seeking compensation from the city for property damage caused by storm water flooding and sewage overflows, according to caseloads recorded by the city’s Corporation Counsel in recent years. The Corporation Counsel “handles claims and […]
Debunking Erin Stewart Legacy
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, mayor Stewart announced she will not seek a 7th term as mayor of New Britain (CT Mirror, Sep 26, 2024). In her speech, as reported in the Hartford Courant, she cited a theme that she has repeated over and over in every state of the city speech, that she has […]
City Report on Federal COVID Recovery Funding Does Not Show How Much Unspent
A report from the city on its use of federal COVID relief funds so far appears to leave out an important item requested by the City Council — what the balances are of the money provided to the city. The report from the city, provided to Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4), does not […]