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.
Letter to Editor – Daytime Fireworks Yesterday Traumatizing to New Britain Veteran(s)
By Molly Felth Dear New Britain Progressive, Thanks for the work that you do! I write on behalf of my Iraq War veteran partner. You may know that yesterday, July 5th, New Britain Parks and Rec discharged all the fireworks they were going to use on July 4th, during the day, at Walnut Hill Park […]
Reader: New Britain opposed its urban highways—and it can do it again
By Thomas Broderick During the 1950s, 60s, and 70s the state of Connecticut disastrously gutted its cities by ramming urban freeways through their cores. Interstate 91 and Interstate 84 in Hartford, Interstate 95 (originally known as the Connecticut Turnpike) and Route 8 in Bridgeport, and Interstate 95 and the Oak Street Connector in New Haven […]
How did we get here? – A Truck Stop Is the Wrong Vision for Batterson Park’s Future
By Neil P. Connors – Batterson Park Conservancy For more than a decade, volunteers, advocates, neighbors, and public officials have worked to bring Batterson Park back from the brink. Through cleanup efforts, community organizing, fundraising, and countless hours of volunteer work, people never gave up on the idea that this remarkable regional resource could once […]
Nuclear Weapons Deliver No Security, Only the Promise of Annihilation
By Joe Wasserman Members of Back from the Brink CT carried a poster into the Hartford office of Senator Chris Murphy on April 28th . The poster said the “UN Secretary General says Nuclear weapons deliver no security, only the promise of annihilation – Senator Murphy please cosponsor S. Res 323.” Senate Resolution 323 calls […]
Denigrating New Britain School Superintendent is Counter Productive
In her state of the city address 2021 the then mayor Erin Stewart stated: “What I will not do is blindly throw additional tax dollars into a massive bureaucracy that is failing our students” (New 8, March 18, 2021). In response, state representative and current mayor, Bobby Sanchez, said, “There is one obvious solution here […]
Racial Justice Coalition Questions Sanchez Budget Proposal
By the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) is raising serious concerns about Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s proposed FY27 budget, stating clearly that it reduces overall education funding while failing to meaningfully invest in libraries and community services. Despite public claims of increased support for schools, the full budget shows […]
Bring Common Sense to City Trash Bin Ordinance
With a recent proposal submitted to the City Council to increase certain city fines, including the one concerning when trash bins can be placed on the curb, now is a good time for the Council to bring a little more common sense to this quality-of-life ordinance – including making it easier on conscientious city residents. […]
Ald Candyce Scott: Proud to Introduce Resolution Celebrating Ramadan
By Alderwoman Candyce Scott, I want to extend a Happy Ramadan to the Muslim community of New Britain during this holy month! I introduced the first Ramadan Resolution to the City of New Britain three years ago and was so happy to introduce this resolution again this year. This resolution means a lot to me […]
Reader: The last guardrail is gone—and the Iran war shows why that’s dangerous
By Joseph Wasserman, As the war involving Iran continues to widen, it’s clearer more than ever that the world has entered a new nuclear era. Yet at the very moment when we need guardrails the most, the last remaining US–Russia arms‑control treaty—New START—has expired. For the first time in decades, there are zero binding limits […]
Reader: Urge State Legislators to Support Climate Change Superfund Legislation
By Joe Wasserman If you agree that our future is threatened by catastrophic climate change urge your State Representative and State Senator to advocate for HB 5156, An Act Concerning a Climate Change Superfund. The oil company profits have been massive and it is the oil companies that should pay for the enormous damages created […]
Take It From a Hundred Year Old: Vote If You Don’t Want a Tyrant King
By Ida Cohen The United States uniquely defied thousands of years of governments led by kings, by creating a country of laws. The cry of the times, “No taxation without representation!” The people’s will would be reflected by their votes. No kings for us! How ironic, “All men are created equal…” when the fathers of […]
Reader: Doomsday is Not Inevitable – We Can Change Course
By Joseph Wasserman On January 27th the doomsday clock was set to 85 second before midnight. As we see confrontations between nuclear armed nations escalate, we can act by calling on our Senators, Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, to cosponsor S Res 323. S Res 323 calls for putting a halt and reversing the nuclear […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Affirms Correction Ombuds’ Findings
By the the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) affirms the findings of the Connecticut Correction Ombuds’ 2025 Conditions of Confinement Report and names the central truth it reveals: mass incarceration itself is the crisis. The documented conditions—black mold, rodent infestations, sewage backups, extreme heat, spoiled food, prolonged lockdowns, […]
Reader: Doomsday Clock is a Call to Action
By Joseph Wasserman On January 27th there will be a resetting of the doomsday clock,by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. We are currently at 89 seconds before midnight with the nuclear weapon powers having nuclear missiles pointed at each on hair trigger alert .It is now at the closest it has ever been to the […]
Eighth Year Memorial Held for Zoe Dowdell
Zoe Dowdell was killed by New Britain Police on December 14, 2017. His family, friends and organizers from Dare to Struggle organization will be conducting a memorial. Here is Dare to Struggle Press release. WHAT:The event will start with a memorial service including words from family and friends of Zoe Dowdell. There will also be […]
Combating Climate Change in New Britain – Setting the Agenda for the New Mayor and City Council
Recent mayoral campaign focused on issues of affordable housing, taxes, investing in the neighborhoods, and more. One aspect that was rather neglected is what New Britain might do to combat global warming and climate change. One aspect related to global warming that was mentioned in the campaign was the flooding on Allen Street. Global warming […]
Letter To Bobby Sanchez Regarding Recent Election Results And The Allen St Project
Dear Mayor Sanchez, Our 1st chance to connect with you after the election. It’s been a busy time for all: Congratulations! You and your team are excellent! Your years of service, name recognition and a methodical, realistic campaign made it happen. Your volunteers are awesome. Special thanks go to Chris Anderson, Tim O’Brien, Mike Waller […]