Opinion
New Britain Progressive Opinion Page
On this page, you will find Op-Ed pieces, news analysis and other opinion in which the authors seek to inform on topics of interest to the New Britain community. If you would like to send commentary for consideration, please email it to newbritainprogressive@gmail.com.
Democrats Seek Transparency On Contracts And Tax Agreements
Common Council Budget Review Begins For the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year This report is the second in a series to keep the community informed about Council business and to encourage public participation in city government from the perspective of the Democratic Majority Caucus. The details of municipal purchasing, tax and and leasing agreements will be reported […]
Residents Again Appeal to Officials on Proposed Allen Street Flood Control Project
Dear Public Officials, Local Dignitaries and Influencers, We have re-launched our yard sign campaign. We are hoping to take our protests directly to the Mayor’s local public appearances hoping to see some real results with the stalled Allen St. Project. We have appeared and presented our 3 minute snippets to the city council and the […]
New Britain Police Malpractice Settlements Suggests Needed Reform
City council agenda items indicate that the City of New Britain has been settling claims against its police force in a rate that suggests reform is needed. On October 11, 2023, the city of New Britain settled a claim by Mr. Ortiz against detective Linda Glimpse for $3,500 alleging she conducted false arrest in March […]
Neighborhood Flooding Update After March 28th Council Meeting
This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our property values have declined by 15%. When the flooding water recedes, we are forgotten by our city officials. Even though our […]
Allen St. and Surrounding Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 3-27-24
Get Involved. Stay Informed. Attend City Council Meetings and the Board of Finance and Taxation Meetings… OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD! This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer system and State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our […]
Ward 3 Resident Supports Candyce Scott for Democratic Town Committee
By Elizabeth Phillips, I’ve known Candyce Scott for nearly three years, and have had the opportunity to work with her on several community events. Ms. Scott is newly elected to the New Britain City Council, however she is no stranger to the many committees, boards, and other organizations involved with the improvement of New Britain. […]
Vote Row C Democratic Town Committee Candidate Encourages Votes for ‘Dems for Change’
By Daniel Price A group of Democrats in February 2024 decided to challenge the leadership of the New Britain Democratic Party in voting wards 1 and 3. This occurred as the current leadership was unwilling to negotiate a more representative membership to open the DTC to a wider base of members. We gathered over 400 […]
Reader Responds to Letter on Town Committee Primary; Supports Lopes/Sanchez Slates
By Sammy Villanueva It is not often that one reads something so inaccurate and disconnected from reality that it requires a clear and direct response. However, Jacob Pudlin’s misguided diatribe in the New Britain Progressive (“‘Did A Slate Of Candidates Forget What They Were Running For?’ Democratic Candidate Asks“, February 9, 2024) requires just such […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 2-28-24
Get Involved. Stay Informed. Attend the City City Council Meetings and the Board of Finance and Taxation Meetings…OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD! This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewer systems and State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and […]
Why Are Two Slates of Good Democrats Asking Me to Choose Between Them?
By Tim O’Brien On many levels, I am glad that former Mayor, Senator and state Commissioner Don DeFronzo, with support and editing by John McNamara, penned the important history of the 1989 mayoral election. Watershed, serialized in the New Britain Progressive and NB Politicus, tells the story of how a conservative but politically deft political […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 2-14-24
Get involved. Stay informed. Attend City Council Meetings and Board of Finance and Taxation Meetings…OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD! This updated record is being shared regarding the status of our neighborhood’s storm-sewage systems and State-City responses. Our concerns need to be given the highest priority. Our quality of life is suffering and our property values […]
“Did a slate of candidates forget what they were running for?” Democratic Candidate Asks
By Jacob Pudlin, In the press release from the Row B slate for the Democratic Town Committee primary election, establishment New Britain Democrats said two bizarre things. First, they have the support of the “current DTC membership,” forgetting that incumbents are on both slates in both wards. But even more bizarre is the second, when […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: Board of Public Works Meeting 2-5-24.
An open letter from Frank and Sharon Chase To: City OfficialsDate: February 5, 2024 Dear Elected and Appointed City Officials: These “vital details”(substance vs. talking points) will help you better understand our focused efforts to correct the ongoing flooding in our neighborhoods. The neglect and mismanagement we have uncovered has been occurring in public view […]
Sanitary Main Break Across from 499 College West Apts: Road is Buckling Per the On-Site Tech
By Frank Chase The Oak to Stanley section of Allen St. Seems to be a problematic stretch of road. B&J Construction was called in for the repair. More costly repairs!? City officials insist on paving over this section of Allen St. holding the road together for the short term. Meanwhile, the outdated, undersized clay mains […]
Critical Neighborhood Flooding Update: City Council Meeting 1-24-24
An open message to city officials. By Frank and Sharon Chase To: City OfficialsDate: January 23, 2024From: Frank and Sharon Chase Dear Elected and Appointed City Officials: These “vital details” will help you better understand our focused efforts to correct the ongoing flooding in our neighborhoods. The neglect and mismanagement (dereliction of duty) we have uncovered has […]
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, […]
Op-Ed: Council Democrats Address Stormwater, Audit and Shelter For Unhoused Issues
Hearing From Citizens Will Be Essential During City Budget Process Two months into a new term the new Democratic majority on the Common Council is working on key issues raised in last year’s municipal election and in responding to public concerns on housing and shelter for the unhoused, stormwater infrastructure and the status of the […]
Storm This Week Floods Critical Neighborhood Again
By Frank and Sharon Chase, The “critical neighborhood” of Allen-Stewart-Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury-Stanley Park flooded again yesterday December 18. The attached photos from December 18 tells the story. The Allen St. Basin and the Hampton-Eton Sub-Basin backs-up, flooding from Allen through Hampton-Eton-Newbury-Roxbury to the Stanley Park at the corner of Stanley and Roxbury. This is the sixth flooding […]
Roxbury Road Resident Speaks Out on Flooding
By Frank Chase, Roxbury Road We purchased 24 Roxbury in 1973 with a healthy, dry basement and a flood free property. Our property is not the same today. Our neighborhood is not the same today. Remember, we are not in a flood zone. As we all know, our weather is more severe and climate conditions […]
Opinion: Candyce Scott Would Bring Conscience and Work Ethic to Council
Dear Friends, While I do not live in Ward 3 — I live in Ward 1, where I will be voting for Richard Lacouriere and Nate Simpson — my street is a Ward line and Ward 3 is across the street from me. So I would offer to my neighbors how happy I am for […]