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

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