Council Fills Ward 3 Vacancy…City Backs Immigrant Rights…Events Mark Black History Month

News Briefs for Week Ending February 14, 2026 By NB Politicus NAACP President Jan Edwards and Mayor Bobby Sanchez at Pan-African flag raising on February 11 for Black History Month. (Mayor Sanchez photo) Council fills Ward 3 vacancy Democrat Alberto Borrero, a Concord Street homeowner, is the new Alderman from Ward 3 on the New … Continue reading Council Fills Ward 3 Vacancy…City Backs Immigrant Rights…Events Mark Black History Month

State Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant paves way for Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…School District seeks 14.82% more…City mourns Alderman Hargraves

News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026 By NB Politicus State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly's 2026 session on opening day, February … Continue reading State Rep. Iris Sanchez joins legislature…State grant paves way for Mt. Pleasant Phase 1…School District seeks 14.82% more…City mourns Alderman Hargraves

Alderman Hargraves Brought People Together

Alderman Jerrell Hargraves, who died unexpectedly this week, brought a quiet, unassuming demeanor to his work as the city's human rights officer and on the Common Council representing Ward 2. When Jerrell spoke in that baritone voice on any issue before the Council he had something substantive to say and all sides listened. New Britain's … Continue reading Alderman Hargraves Brought People Together

“Precise” Wording Requirement On City Charter Referendums Introduced For A Second Year

New Britain Lawmakers, LWV Members Back "Fair" Ballot Legislation By John McNamara Legislation to ensure specific wording on local referendum questions has been proposed for a second year at the Connecticut General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE). The GAE Committee will consider House Bill 5494 that would establish "standards" for city charter amendment … Continue reading “Precise” Wording Requirement On City Charter Referendums Introduced For A Second Year

Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign (Part 3)

The Municipal Campaign That Changed New Britain Politics For A Generation Introduction In 1989, Donald DeFronzo became New Britain's 34th Mayor ending the late William (Billy Mac) McNamara's six terms as the city's top elected official, a modern-day record not matched until last November when Mayor Erin Stewart won a sixth, two-year term. "During the … Continue reading Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign (Part 3)

NB Progressive Filled A Void In Local News in 2022

Alternative Online Paper Shares Its "Top 10" Stories Of The Year In 2022 media coverage of government and politics in and around New Britain continued a decline in the pages and posts of the corporate-owned newspapers and on their online sites. The Hartford Courant, owned by Alden Global Capital, and The New Britain Herald, purchased … Continue reading NB Progressive Filled A Void In Local News in 2022

DeFronzo on City Charter Referendum: “No Thank You”

Former Mayor Sees Less Accountability, Conflicts At City Hall If Ballot Questions Are Approved Don DeFronzo said "no thank you" to city charter revisions on this year's ballot at a public forum on Nov. 2 in a cogent takedown of the most sweeping changes to municipal government in a generation. He found a receptive audience … Continue reading DeFronzo on City Charter Referendum: “No Thank You”

Taking Sides on Charter Revision In New Britain

Mayor, Yes Committee To Hold "Education Session" Tuesday, October 18 at City Hall by John McNamara The Yes on Charter Revision Referendum Committee will hold an "educational session" on October 18th featuring members of the charter commission to promote passage of amendments that have far-reaching implications as to how city government will be governed. Tuesday's … Continue reading Taking Sides on Charter Revision In New Britain

Does New Britain need both a chief operating officer and a full-time mayor?

Misleading Referendum Proposes High Level Patronage Job To Manage Municipal Government by John McNamara NEW BRITAIN - Creating a new chief operating officer to manage the municipality and making town clerk and tax collector jobs appointed instead of elected offices are big and very different questions for a referendum vote in November. Voters, however, won’t … Continue reading Does New Britain need both a chief operating officer and a full-time mayor?

COO Patronage Job, End To Elections Of Clerk and Tax Collector Are On The Nov. 8 Ballot

Fuzzy Charter Question Will Keep Many Voters in the Dark by John McNamara New Britain voters will be deciding much more than who should be the Governor and making their picks for other elective offices on November 8th. City charter revisions will, if approved, make the biggest changes in a generation as to how Connecticut's … Continue reading COO Patronage Job, End To Elections Of Clerk and Tax Collector Are On The Nov. 8 Ballot