Headlines
News
Four New Britain City Council have formally stated their opposition to a controversial travel center…
Community News
A Review by Sean Gallagher Located at 260 Main Street in New Britain, Mofongo offers…
News Analysis
by John McNamara – NBpoliticus.com State Representative Matt Blumenthal on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting: “We Have…
Featured Journalism
by John McNamara Sponsors and attendees at the New Britain Public Library’s (NBPL) 10th Annual Fundraiser on…
Opinion
By Neil P. Connors – Batterson Park Conservancy For more than a decade, volunteers, advocates,…
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition
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 […]
Community Announcements
By Bike New Britain On Monday, Bike New Britain will be providing the 5th grade class at Smalley School in New Britain with a bike safety education program. Beginning on Monday, May 4th and continuing through Thursday, May 7th, members of Bike New Britain will be conducting safety education classes from 8am to 9:45am Then […]
Community Announcement by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (BBBSCT) honored two New Britain residents during its annual Big Night celebration this Saturday, recognizing Big Sister Alex Steel as the 2026 Big of the Year and Jessica Mercado as the 2026 Parent Partner of the Year. Both were celebrated […]
Schools
As the summer days wind down and back-to-school shopping begins, familiar signs of a new school year appear. Store shelves are stocked with school supplies, shopping carts start to fill, and a growing sense of anticipation starts to creep in. Across the town of New Britain, students are preparing to return to the school halls […]
History
By John McNamara Saturday, March 7th was one of those days when New Britain lived…
Flooding Series
Latest News and Opinion
Four New Britain City Council have formally stated their opposition to a controversial travel center and gas-diesel facility proposed on a wetlands parcel near Batterson Pond on Fienemann Road just across the town border in Farmington. In a joint statement submitted during a June 3 public hearing, the Council President, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5), the […]
A bombshell independent investigation report released today details allegations of a sweeping, multi-year pattern of fiscal misconduct, unauthorized compensation, and potential fraud by and under the administration of former Mayor Erin Stewart (R). The report, compiled by the Crumbie Law Group, alleges that Stewart systematically bypassed city protocols to secure hundreds of thousands of taxpayer […]
A Review by Sean Gallagher Located at 260 Main Street in New Britain, Mofongo offers a vibrant blend of Puerto Rican and mainland American fusion cuisine. Its atmosphere immerses guests in Puerto Rican island culture. The restaurant’s colorful interior, decorated with art and photographs, creates an extremely warm and welcoming environment that gives a preview […]
“Learn to Play the Ukulele” Activity to be at New Britain Public Library
“Want to try an instrument that is fun and easy to play?” the New Britain Public Library says, “Join Julie Stepanek as she shows the fundamentals of ukulele playing. No experience necessary. Ukuleles provided.” The Library adds. Julie Stepanek lives in a forest in western Massachusetts where she raised a son and taught herself how […]
Ayalon Proposes Property Tax and Rent Caps
Former New Britain City Council member Aram Ayalon (D-3), as part of his campaign for state representative, announced two proposals as a, “policy platform for affordable housing,” one on property taxes and the other on rents. “Far too many of our neighbors,” Ayalon said, “especially those on lower or fixed incomes are struggling to keep […]
The Furniture Of The Poor
By Bill Shortell I live in a beautiful apartment in a big building with 36 units. It’s in my price range and I have no plans to move, although it’s going downhill. The landlord has made superficial improvements and uses that as an excuse to jack the rents up to “market rate,” i.e. more than […]
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain, May 6th to 12th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, May 12, 2024 include,
Stewart Vetoes Transparency Ordinances For Developer Tax Breaks And City Purchasing
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has vetoed two new ordinance proposals approved by the City Council that would have provided that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda. One proposed ordinance approved by the Council and vetoed by Stewart would have required that […]
“The Gathering” to be Hosted by Light of Hope Ministries
Light of Hope Ministries (LOHM) says that it, “will be hosting a community event at Walnut Hill Park, in New Britain, CT called ‘The Gathering’,” adding,
Opinion: Reader Questions CCSU Decisions on Student Protests on Gaza
By Lily Mercado, CCSU IJC President Author’s Note: Article Originally Denied by The Recorder As a pretext, it should be known that this article was originally submitted to CCSU’s school newspaper, The Recorder, on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, and denied publication. On Friday, April 26th, Managing Editor emailed me stating, “We’ve come to a mutual […]
Opinion: The Allen St. Problem/Project #2 Oak St. to Beacon St.
Dear Neighbors and Taxpayers, After our State Legislator’s Toured Allen St., it looks like the present administration may be worried about the political fallout. We may be stealing their thunder. We don’t really care who gets the credit, stop the flooding now. We always made it clear to everybody, the Allen St. storm-sewer issue is […]
Biden Delegates Chosen Include New Britain Council Leader
Delegates to represent Connecticut at this summer’s Democratic National Convention were chosen on Wednesday, including a New Britain City Council member. Council Majority Leader, Ald. John McNamara (D-4) was elected as one of the eight delegates representing the 5th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention. All of the delegates are pledged to President Joe […]
“When Setting is a Character” by Author Margarita Barresi at New Britain Public Library
The New Britain Public Library is hosting author Margarita Barresi for a presentation on “When Setting is a Character”, saying that, Author Margarita Barresi discusses how writers can make a novel’s setting feel like a character, using her historical novel A Delicate Marriage as an example. A Delicate Marriage is set in 1930s to 1950s […]
Community Events and Meetings in New Britain, Apr 29th to May 5th
In New Britain, community meetings and events from today to Sunday, May 5, 2024 include,
Gil Gigliotti to Host Literacy Volunteers’ “Love of Literacy” Event
Gil Gigliotti, host of “Frank, Gil, & Friends” on CCSU’s WFCS 107.7, will host the Literacy Volunteers of Central CT “Love of Literacy” event. Gigliotti, a CCSU Professor of English and Latin, will host the event that organizers say, “will feature musical entertainment by the Valley Chordsmen, a four-course dinner, a cash bar, a plant […]
A Concerned, Vocal Citizen and Flooding Victim Questions the Mayor’s Motives and Election Tactics
To the editor, Your article regarding the $4M transfer from the General Fund to the Public Works account is puzzling to me. The mayor signed off on 2 different resolutions back in September and October. #36236 (See attachment) which the mayor approved the transfer (9-28-23) and #36258-1 (See attachment) which the mayor confirmed the transfer […]
Council Approves Transparency Ordinances for Developer Tax Breaks and City Purchasing
The City Council has approved two new ordinances providing that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda. Both new transparency ordinances are similar to an ordinance that was vetoed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) earlier this month. Council Democrats strongly criticized the veto of […]
Council Refers Report on Unimplemented $4 Million For Flood Control to Committee for Review
The City Council has voted to examine in committee a report from New Britain city Finance Director Jonathan Perugini that appeared to imply that he did not implement a $4 million budget transfer approved by the City Council for Allen Street flood control project, saying that the resolution to approve it had, “deficiencies.” Council Majority […]
Queen Ann Nzinga’s Center Hosting ‘Kwanzaa in May’
The Queen Ann Nzinga’s Center is hosting a “Kwanzaa in May’ year end celebration event. The Center says that the event, “Featuring games, face painting, a DJ, a cookout with hot dogs and hamburgers and more,” is, “Open to all – participants, family members and the community.” The event is Saturday, May 4, 2024, from […]
CCSU Planetarium Presenting Show on “Island Universes” – Galaxies
The CCSU Copernican Planetarium and Observatory is presenting a show on galaxies, or as they were once called, “island universes.” “What objects are full of stars, stellar corpses, gas, dust, and dark matter?” asks the Planetarium. “Galaxies! Join us in celebrating the amazing properties of galaxies at our next free public shows.” The events are […]
CCSU “Empty Bowls 2024” to be at Smalley School
CCSU says that its, “Ceramics and Management and Organization students present Empty Bowls 2024.” ““Empty Bowls” is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level,” CCSU says. “Proceeds from this event will benefit the Friendship Service Center in New Britain.” At the event, organizers say, “A basic […]
Dave DeFronzo Announces Qualifying for Citizen Election Program
Former City Council member Dave DeFronzo (D-AL) has announced that he has enough qualifying contributions to participate in the state’s Citizen Election Program, sometimes called the “clean election program,” in his run for the 26th District State Representative seat. “This program epitomizes a clean election process,” DeFronzo explained. “It bans dark money and emphasizes grassroots […]
CCSU Hosting Community Engagement Internship Event and Clothing Drive
CCSU is hosting a Community Engagement Internship Event and Clothing Drive event, inviting its students to, “Learn about community engagement internships during a clothing drive to benefit New Britain’s Friendship Service Center.” “While all clothing donations are welcome,” CCSU says, “clothing specifically for men is requested. Refreshments will be provided.” The event is to be […]