City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

By John McNamara The Common Council is set to create a Charter Commission at its February 10th meeting to consider sweeping changes in municipal government at the behest of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. The Stewart administration, taking advantage of a Republican Council majority, seeks to eliminate neighborhood representation on the city council in … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

Inside City Hall: Republicans Seek To Eliminate Polling Places in Center of New Britain

By John McNamara Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and Registrar of Voters Peter Gostin are moving quickly to reduce voter access to polling places for the November Presidential election. A plan drafted by Republican Gostin will come up for a fast-tracked feasibility study vote at the Wednesday January 27th Common Council meeting. The feasibility study apparently … Continue reading Inside City Hall: Republicans Seek To Eliminate Polling Places in Center of New Britain

Labor Day 2015: When “The Saturday Night Club” Remembered The Rise of New Britain Unions

By John McNamara The New Britain Saturday Night Club, founded in the 19th century, is an organization of professionals, industrialists, educators and the civic-minded whose members regularly gathered for some home-grown culture and education. None other than the "Learned Blacksmith" Elihu Burritt was a member starting in 1875 . The longstanding group is kind of … Continue reading Labor Day 2015: When “The Saturday Night Club” Remembered The Rise of New Britain Unions

“Revolutionary” State Budget? Property Tax Relief, New ED Aid For NB Is Part of Democratic Package

by John McNamara A tentative agreement among Democratic leaders on a biennial state budget that begins July 1st appears to be good news for New Britain and other municipalities in terms of property tax relief and continued aid to the under-funded city schools. Late Saturday (May 31) Democratic legislative leaders and representatives of the Malloy Administration … Continue reading “Revolutionary” State Budget? Property Tax Relief, New ED Aid For NB Is Part of Democratic Package

Time Running Short For Property Tax Relief Bill: NB Would Gain Up To $8.8 Million If “Tax Fairness” Plan Makes It

New Britain would be in line for an additional $8.8 million from the state for property tax relief if legislation advanced by State Senate Democrats and approved by a key committee wins approval of the Legislature and is signed by Governor Malloy. An Act Concerning Tax Fairness and Economic Development (SB 1), introduced by Senate … Continue reading Time Running Short For Property Tax Relief Bill: NB Would Gain Up To $8.8 Million If “Tax Fairness” Plan Makes It

Inside City Hall: Stewart’s Civil Service Commission Abuses Power, Violates Charter

The Civil Service Commission’s efforts to remove from office and impose fines on Council President Pro Tem Suzanne Bielinski over the Council’s hiring of her niece, Jessica Gerratana. as the Common Council secretary, is a costly misuse of government for partisan purposes. Ignoring the City Charter , the Commission voted last October 6th for the … Continue reading Inside City Hall: Stewart’s Civil Service Commission Abuses Power, Violates Charter

Supporting Our Troops: Care Package Donations For Marine Corps Needed Through December 21st

Braithreachas, Inc. and the Marine Corps Family Foundation are seeking for donations of care package items and are raising funds to offset the cost of shipping the care packages to deployed military. The campaign, Operation Santa Care Package, is an annual holiday season effort, "This year we are way behind collecting items for the care packages," said … Continue reading Supporting Our Troops: Care Package Donations For Marine Corps Needed Through December 21st

Questions Linger On Money That Fueled 2013 Campaign Against Democrats

The Waterbury-based Connecticut Property Owners Alliance, which last year hosted campaign meetings prominently featuring former Farmington Hills Apartment Complex Owner Sam Zherka, announced the formation of a political action committee (PAC) in the final two months of the 2013 municipal campaign. "The CT Property Owners Alliance is pleased to announce the formation of its Political … Continue reading Questions Linger On Money That Fueled 2013 Campaign Against Democrats

Zherka Arrest A Reminder Of Yellow Journalism And Dark Money In 2013 City Campaign

The arrest and jailing of former Farmington Hills Apartment Complex owner Sam Zherka earlier this month was a fresh reminder of the collusion between and among New Britain Republicans, the New Britain City Journal and a small group of out-of-town landlords throughout 2013. Zherka faces a long indictment for alleged bank loan fraud, income tax … Continue reading Zherka Arrest A Reminder Of Yellow Journalism And Dark Money In 2013 City Campaign

Selling Watershed: Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

CITY HALL WATCH: Controversial Sale of Watershed on Common Council Agenda Wednesday, August 13th The proposed sale of watershed property to the Town of Southington --- opposed by residents who testified at a July hearing -- is on the New Britain City Council agenda at Wednesday August 13th meeting of the Common Council. Mayor Erin … Continue reading Selling Watershed: Penny Wise and Pound Foolish