Author: nbpoliticus

NB Politicus is a weblog featuring news and commentary on politics, government and community life in New Britain, CT. John McNamara - Editor and Writer

2013 Municipal Budget Reality: Paying For Stewart’s Fiscal Irresponsibility

Mayor Tim O'Brien  delivered his first municipal budget proposal to the Common Council this week.  To the surprise of critics who always tag O'Brien as one of the  free-spending, tax-hiking liberals, the new mayor's efforts at budget balancing exceeded the usual austerity measures used to hold the line on taxes and keep essential services going.In … Continue reading 2013 Municipal Budget Reality: Paying For Stewart’s Fiscal Irresponsibility

Time for Dialogue: Superintendent Pick Will Meet With Community Groups In May Visit

New Britain Superintendent-in-waiting Kelt Cooper will visit New Britain next month to meet with school officials and others, including members of the Latino and African American communities.Leaders of those groups said a dialogue with Cooper is being planned for next month at last week's meeting of the Democratic Town Committee.  The May visit comes  in … Continue reading Time for Dialogue: Superintendent Pick Will Meet With Community Groups In May Visit

Lowering Municipal Health Insurance Premiums: New Britain Should Adopt Partnership Plan, Join State Pool

Energy in all its forms and health insurance are two of the most rapidly rising costs in most household budgets.  Municipal government is no different.  Lowering these two items in local government would be a tax stabilizer and would free up public dollars for schools, public safety and other essentials. In 2012 there is an option … Continue reading Lowering Municipal Health Insurance Premiums: New Britain Should Adopt Partnership Plan, Join State Pool

"Free" Trade and Job Loss: The Beat Goes On

From other words: By William A. CollinsMy good jobHas flown away;Lost it to N-A-F-T-A.After years of debate and delay, Congress finally passed those free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.There go 159,000 more jobs that we're likely to lose to Seoul after the Korean deal goes into effect on March 15, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). … Continue reading "Free" Trade and Job Loss: The Beat Goes On

New Superintendent Search Missed Key, Controversial Information on Kelt Cooper

Kelt Cooper, the choice of the Board of Education (BOE) to lead New Britain schools, rose to the top of the finalist list based on a good educational resume, accomplishments with English Language Learners  and extensive experience in diverse districts in Arizona and Texas. The winnowing process concluded after two days of interviews by advisory … Continue reading New Superintendent Search Missed Key, Controversial Information on Kelt Cooper

What Would a 21st Century Rev. King Be Saying and Doing in 2012?

Our national day to remember the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is an opportunity to focus and ramp up the political debate in 2012 on "saving the middle class" and addressing "income inequality" that has been, from all reports, getting worse since the early 1970s. Over the last year "Tea Bag" politicians, lavishly funded … Continue reading What Would a 21st Century Rev. King Be Saying and Doing in 2012?

Other Words: The 2012 GOP Vote Suppression Plan

From Other Words:  2 January 2012Disenfranchising Voters is Un-AmericanBuying elections on the one hand and keeping people away from the polls on the other isn't what our democracy is supposed to be about.By William A. CollinsLove my voting,Makes me grin;But these new rules,Won’t let me in.You may not realize just what depths the Republican Party has … Continue reading Other Words: The 2012 GOP Vote Suppression Plan