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Stewart Admits to Water Supply Alert
Press pool story Just one day after the New Britain Independent broke the news that New Britain is in a “water supply alert” due to low capacity in the city’s reservoirs, Erin Stewart, the city’s mayor, has admitted to the alert condition. As the Independent reported, New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh […]
Stewart Conservation Commissioner Accused of Abuse of Power
By Robert Berriault Mayor Stewart’s Conservation Commissioner Ken Hass had threatened members of the community by threatening to expose private information that the city possesses on them, including their allegedly nonpublic criminal and civil records, in an attempt to embarrass them publicly, in retaliation for publicly stating their opposition to the Tilcon deal. At 9:21 […]
‘Eight to the Bar’ Kicks Off First Friday at the New Britain Museum of American Art
The fall season of First Friday kicked off at the New Britain Museum of American Art on October 7th. The event featured a variety of activities from live musicians to local bites and beverages. This month, the Museum featured a performance by highly acclaimed jazz band Eight to the Bar, named “Best Live Band” by […]
New Britain in a “water supply alert”.
New Britain is in a “water supply alert” according to a report given by New Britain Deputy Public Works Director for Utilities, Gil Bligh. Bligh gave this report at the September 13th meeting of the New Britain Board of Water Commissioners. Bligh also reported that the New Britain reservoirs were at “52.9% capacity as of August 31, […]
NAACP Declares “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”
News Brief State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven, West Haven) offered a call for understanding for African American youth, who rail with passion against discrimination, in his inspiring keynote speech at the 2016 New Britain NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner. The theme for the celebration was, “Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count”. Winfield pointed out that […]
Legislators Announce $2.5 million for Non-Profit Facility
The State Bond Commission has approved $2,575,169 in funding for Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). The funding is for renovations of its facility on 26 Russel Street in New Britain which houses the Central CT Winter Shelter and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Team Time Social Club. New Britain’s state legislators, State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain), Peter […]
Forum Challenges Mining on Drinking Water Land
News Brief The environmental group, Protect Our Watersheds Connecticut, held a public forum for a crowded room of concerned residents about the proposal by New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and the Tilcon corporation to mine rock on city drinking watershed land. The forum was held on Thursday, September 22nd at the New Britain Public Library. […]
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner to Honor 25 Influential African Americans
News Brief The NAACP New Britain Branch will present its 25 Most Influential Blacks in New Britain Award at its 2016 Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, October 8, 2016. The Freedom Fund Dinner is held annually to increase NAACP membership and advance the mission of the NAACP to advocate and organize for justice and equality. With the theme […]
New Britain’s Own Sen. Terry Gerratana and Rep. Bobby Sanchez Honored as “Children’s Champions”
Sen. Gerratana, and Rep. Sanchez have been named 2016 Children’s Champions by the CT Early Childhood Alliance. The Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety, and economic security or chldren ages birth to eight. Every year, the Alliance recognizes legislators who worked closely with early childhood […]
NAACP Harmony Classic this Weekend
The Connecticut NAACP is hosting its Harmony Classic at Central Connecticut State University this weekend. The Harmony Classic is a combination of civic engagement and football. The Harmony Classic football game is between CCSU and Bowie State University on Saturday, September 17th at CCSU’s Arute Field. The game will begin at 3:00 pm and the […]
New Britain’s Nastiest Politician Costs Taxpayers $9,500
By Tim O’Brien Columnist During a failed attempt at running for state representative, one of Ald. Lou Salvio’s own election flyers misspelled his name as “Salvo”. For a man who has repeatedly shown himself to be the nastiest politician in New Britain, the moniker “Salvo” has stuck – and for all the wrong reasons. Salvio’s […]
Connecticut’s Education System Found Unconstitutional But Remains Unremedied
By Renae Reese Connecticut Center for a New Economy, Executive Director Many students in the New Britain public schools are what the Connecticut State Department of Education calls “English Language Learners,” who need their English language skills boosted so they can learn the other subjects. Many students in New Britain are eligible for the benefits […]
New Britain Celebrates the 2016 Puerto Rican Festival
Festive music filled the air, along with the aroma of delicious food and plenty of good cheer at New Britain’s 2016 Puerto Rican Festival. The weather was hot and sunny, as people listened to live music, enjoyed pina coladas and celebrated Puerto Rican culture. New Britain’s Puerto Rican festival is a long standing tradition in the […]
School Officials Announce Bus Schedule Changes for DiLoreto, Pulaski and Slade Students
News Brief Morning bus schedules will change for students at three New Britain schools, school officials have announced. Beginning Tuesday, September 6th, the day after Labor Day, morning bus pick-ups for DiLoreto, Pulaski and Slade students will be ten minutes earlier. “During the first week of school, students who took the bus and attended DiLoreto, Pulaski […]
CT United FC Restarts Season with Back-to-School Drive
Connecticut United FC will be offering free admission to their game on Sunday September 4th to any fans who bring backpacks or other school supplies for those children in need. All proceeds of the drive will be donated to New Britain public schools. “We’re known to be a grassroots team and it starts by giving back […]
Esty Holds Forum with Gerratana on Defending Democracy
By Tim O’Brien Columnist Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-5) held a forum, with State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-6) on August 31st in the New Britain Public Library to highlight the growing threats to our democracy from big money politics and voter suppression. “Too many Americans feel as though their voices simply aren’t being heard in our democracy,” […]
The Dedicated Leadership of the North-Oak NRZ
By Tim O’BrienColumnist The North-Oak neighborhood is home to a lot of good, generous, sincere people – people who work together for the good of everyone. The neighborhood has been blessed for years by the leadership of the North-Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) and the core dedicated community activists who volunteer their time in it. […]
Referendum Question 3 Obscures Charter Change On Granting Pay Raises To Elected Officials, Accelerated Water Bill Payments
By John McNamara Contributing Columnist The Common Council’s Republican Caucus Leader, Daniel Salerno, likes to preach to citizens who speak at public participation that they ought to stay, not leave after speaking on an issue, to watch the councilors “make the sausage” on selling city assets cheap, adopting a new policy or making budget decisions. […]
Northend Elementary School Canvass Neighborhoods with Backpacks and School Supplies
By Brian K. Riley New Britain Independent Board President During the month of August, Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church’s Bureau of Supply Missionary Society and Children’s Ministry, led by Jill Riley, Linda Kelly and Cheryl Niccols organized and collected backpacks and school supplies, which were donated to Northend Elementary School. The collected donations were delivered to […]
Prayer for Peace March held in New Britain
By Brian K. Riley New Britain Independent Board President A group of clergy, who call themselves “The Gatekeepers”, consist of Pastors and Ministers from within the New Britain Community. They were responsible for the planning and organizing, of the Prayer for Peace March, which took place on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Rev. Gervais Barger of […]