Public Transit: Towns On A Slow Train That May Never Get Here

A concerted and well-funded effort by the Bristol Chamber to scuttle the New Britain-Hartford busway has gained considerable ground in recent months. Last week suburban Newington's Town Council was the latest to favor ending the project in favor of developing rail from Waterbury into Bristol and through New Britain. A January 31 New Britain Herald … Continue reading Public Transit: Towns On A Slow Train That May Never Get Here

Tim Stewart As Mayor and Senator? City Charter Says Not So Fast

In declaring his candidacy for the vacant 6th District State Senate seat on January 7th, Mayor Tim Stewart said at his announcement he "would not rule out the possibility of keeping both jobs" if elected to the Senate.While Stewart may want to hold both elective offices and the salaries that go with them, the New Britain City … Continue reading Tim Stewart As Mayor and Senator? City Charter Says Not So Fast

Off Year For State Pols Is All of A Sudden On in New Britain

The odd number years are off years for state politicians as new legislative terms begin and - in 2011- a new Governor takes office. That will not be the case in New Britain in the early weeks of 2011 as the new Governor has summoned the state senator for a commissionership and the Legislature has … Continue reading Off Year For State Pols Is All of A Sudden On in New Britain

DeFronzo’s Assignment: An Agency Where "There Is Something For Everybody"

State Senator Don DeFronzo, an early supporter of Dan Malloy in the 2010 gubernatorial race, is heading for the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The agency DeFronzo will lead is generally not in the headlines but has evolved into an omnibus branch of the executive that is a key to how state government runs … Continue reading DeFronzo’s Assignment: An Agency Where "There Is Something For Everybody"

Take That Bristol: The Case For Buses Over Rail

Buses Are the Answer: Developing a vibrant bus network would cost peanuts, compared with high-speed rail options.By William A. CollinsTrains will neverLeave the gate;Buses seemA wiser fate.With all due respect to President Barack Obama and the $8 billion he's dishing out to the states for high-speed rail, it's too late.Fast trains have been overtaken by gradual events. … Continue reading Take That Bristol: The Case For Buses Over Rail

Mayor’s Blame Game Makes Getting To Yes On Downtown Development Difficult

The Stewart Administration remains intent on branding City Council Democrats as naysayers over bonding and construction of a new police station at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets.The Mayor's latest pronouncement reported in this Herald story over the timing of bonds for a police station portrays the Council as getting in the way of … Continue reading Mayor’s Blame Game Makes Getting To Yes On Downtown Development Difficult

Rep. O’Brien Opponent’s Negative Campaign Is Repudiated By Voters

The voters of Assembly District 24 covering parts of New Britain and Newington not only re-elected State Rep. Tim O’Brien last Tuesday by an overwhelming margin. They rejected a malicious campaign by Republican challenger Cris Carillo.Carillo, a pawn in a GOP attack strategy, relied on mailers developed by New Britain-based CT Republicans that stamped the … Continue reading Rep. O’Brien Opponent’s Negative Campaign Is Repudiated By Voters

Urban Oaks Farm Invites You To Harvest Moon Festival October 23

The 225 Oak Street farm -- recognized for heirloom herbs and organic crops -- invites you to its first Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, October 23rd from noon to 8 pm. The farm has turned the former Sandelli Florist property into a sustainable enterprise in the heart of the city, improving the neighborhood in the … Continue reading Urban Oaks Farm Invites You To Harvest Moon Festival October 23

CT Capital Report polling: Science of push button survey has skeptics

No question political junkies can't get enough of polls in the run up to elections. In 2010, Connecticut is seeing an extraordinary amount of polling because of the high stakes U.S. Senate race and an open seat for Governor.In addition to the well-established Quinnipiac Poll, national outfits such as Rasmussen are measuring voter sentiment in … Continue reading CT Capital Report polling: Science of push button survey has skeptics

GOP "Common Sense" Plan: Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Republican

A key phrase from a new state government agenda from Republicans is: "Borrow only what you can afford to pay back". Minority Leader Larry Cafero and the crafters of this "common sense" plan conveniently forget to mention that a Republican has held the Governor's office for 20 years. The Governor has sole and exclusive control over … Continue reading GOP "Common Sense" Plan: Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Republican