Murphy To Take Up GOP Plan To Outsource and Increase Costs of Medicare, Social Security At New Britain Senior Center 7/18

Congressman Chris Murphy (D-5) will discuss the future of Medicare and Social Security in New Britain Monday July 18th amid Republican plans to reduce benefits and privatize the federal programs for older citizens.Murphy will be joined by Judy Stein, the executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street, … Continue reading Murphy To Take Up GOP Plan To Outsource and Increase Costs of Medicare, Social Security At New Britain Senior Center 7/18

Big Box vs. Public Park: Will A.W. Stanley Park and Golf Course Get Malled?

A public hearing and meeting of the Common Council on June 7th and June 8th are expected to stir strong debate on the proposed siting of a COSTCO store on the white nine of the 27-hole Stanley Golf Course. The plan calls for relocating two golf holes across the street on a pristine parcel of … Continue reading Big Box vs. Public Park: Will A.W. Stanley Park and Golf Course Get Malled?

Herald: Where Will Cuts Fall At Library?

The public library, like public education, is a taxpayer-supported institution with a value that isn't easily measured on a ledger sheet. It's value to a community exceeds what it costs by many measures of human capital and civic involvement. The possibility of layoffs in city government could hit the library in terms of reduced hours … Continue reading Herald: Where Will Cuts Fall At Library?

Busway Advances: Rapid Transit Wins Over Purchase of 28,000 Jeep Patriots

Last week the arguments against Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the I-84 corridor were less about choosing rail over buses and more about opposing any public investment at all in commuter transportation.On April 29th, the state Bond Commission approved $90 million for the New Britain-Hartford bus way, the lion's share of state investment in a … Continue reading Busway Advances: Rapid Transit Wins Over Purchase of 28,000 Jeep Patriots

Hearing on FY 12 City Budget May 12th at Slade Middle School

Now that the Stewart administration has put a $216 million budget on the table officials have set a public hearing for Thursday May 12th at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at Slade Middle School, not the high school as originally announced.With federal recovery act funds gone and a best-case scenario of level … Continue reading Hearing on FY 12 City Budget May 12th at Slade Middle School

Prediction: Busway Will Get Go Ahead Today

The Governor has scheduled a Monday afternoon announcement about public transportation and whether CT will complete the New Britain to Hartford busway. Proponents Mayor Pedro Segarra and State Rep. Tim O'Brien are going.Because of new jobs and giving guv cover and credibility with labor, Courant's Rick Green in CT Confidential says it will be the … Continue reading Prediction: Busway Will Get Go Ahead Today

Remembering Rev. King and the Labor Movement – Again

Ultra-conservative radio host Dan Lovallo was distorting the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. the other day. He joined a caller in bashing labor unions by objecting to unions' honoring and remembering King for his strong support of organized labor generally and public employee unions specifically. It's all part of Lovallo's and his … Continue reading Remembering Rev. King and the Labor Movement – Again

Party For State Rep. Sanchez: Affirming the American Dream in New Britain

Ward 3 Ald. Shirley Black and Rep. Bobby Sanchez At Fiesta LatinaFamily, friends and colleagues were on hand at the Puerto Rican Society Friday March 18th to celebrate the election of Bobby Sanchez as the state representative from the 25th Assembly District in New Britain. Sanchez, the Democratic Town Committee Vice Chair and Board of … Continue reading Party For State Rep. Sanchez: Affirming the American Dream in New Britain

Should New Britain Follow Tulsa And Consider Mediation at City Hall?

A Mayor and City Council majority are facing a big divide over budgets, policies and ethics.The verbal disputes get heated with name calling and over the top rhetoric that pit one branch of government against another. All of this is occurring weeks ahead of what will be a very difficult municipal budget process. The situation … Continue reading Should New Britain Follow Tulsa And Consider Mediation at City Hall?

Playing Favorites: Stewart Administration Sends Lots of No-Bid Work To Two GOP Aldermen

A review of city purchasing records show that two Republican city council members have received a substantial amount of no-bid business through the Stewart administration. The transactions appear to have avoided an open bid process by either skirting a $3,000 minimum for bidding or bypassing the competitive and ethics process altogether.Alderman at Large Mark Bernacki’s … Continue reading Playing Favorites: Stewart Administration Sends Lots of No-Bid Work To Two GOP Aldermen