2019 Top Ten Stories (Editor Opinion)

In 2019, Republican former Mayor Timothy Stewart was finally forced to resign as President of the Chamber of Commerce after making bigoted comments.

Democrat Chris Porcher made history in his candidacy to lead the city of New Britain as Mayor in the 2019 city elections.

Gloating antics and a vulgar hand gesture in their 2019 electoral win celebration put the character of the two Stewart mayors on unflattering display.

In 2019, the tax increase in the city budget that took effect in 2018 returned as an issue when it was disclosed that the budget had ended in a surplus.

Just weeks after Republican Mayor Erin Stewart was re-elected, news came out alleging that one of the top administrators in City Hall had been arrested.

In 2019, Republican City Tax Collector Cheryl Blogoslawski appears to have been arrested by police for driving under the influence in Southington.

In a city that was once and perhaps will again have the motto “A City for All People,” New Britain residents are proud of their many cultural celebrations.

The process leading to the city budget approved in 2019 started out with controversy, included a one-time education increase and then ended in controversy.

A visit from a national head of state is always significant, and, for New Britain, the visit by the President of Poland was especially important.

The year 2019 saw big wins for New Britain Republicans, leaving the New Britain Democrats contemplating their future after important defeats.