Campaign dollars soared in ’21 municipal election but voter participation declined

28% Turnout Continues A Downward Trend In Voting For Local Office Holders By John McNamara "Money is the mother's milk of politics" goes the observation first coined in the 1960s that applies to almost every state and federal election cycle as all kinds of committees and special interests raise billions in reported and anonymous donations. … Continue reading Campaign dollars soared in ’21 municipal election but voter participation declined

Behind Mayor Stewart’s War On Supt. Sarra and the BOE

By John McNamara The vandalism and trouble that occurred at New Britain High School in September needlessly escalated the rift between Mayor Erin Stewart and New Britain School District leaders. Incidents of student misbehavior fueled by social media have not been limited to New Britain as districts in CT and elsewhere re-opened this fall. Mayor … Continue reading Behind Mayor Stewart’s War On Supt. Sarra and the BOE

The Return of Tim Stewart: Former Mayor Chairs SBC As $50 Million School Project Begins

Former Mayor Tim Stewart is the new Chairperson of the School Building Committee, gaining reappointment by his daughter, Mayor Erin Stewart, just as the seven-member committee moves forward with expenditures on the $50 million major renovation at the Chamberlain Elementary School on the city's East Side. The former four-term Mayor resigned from the SBC and … Continue reading The Return of Tim Stewart: Former Mayor Chairs SBC As $50 Million School Project Begins

Landlord Group’s “cage fight between Lamont & Zherka” remark stumps the press, brings apology to Governor

There's No Mystery About Who Sam Zherka Is In New Britain By John McNamara West Hartford-based Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners (CCOPO) had to issue a quick apology on May 19th over its first version of a press release opposing an eviction moratorium and use of $400 million in federal pandemic aid to landlords and … Continue reading Landlord Group’s “cage fight between Lamont & Zherka” remark stumps the press, brings apology to Governor

School Building Committee Resolution Curtails Checks and Balances on School Construction Projects

By John McNamara A controversial resolution that removes Common Council and Board of Education approval of all contracts and spending on school construction projects came back to the Common Council April 28th meeting and was approved on a party line vote. The resolution, authored by Republican caucus members Daniel Salerno and Sharon Beloin-Saavedra and revised … Continue reading School Building Committee Resolution Curtails Checks and Balances on School Construction Projects

New Britain Common Council Vacancy: An Opportunity For Bipartisan Cooperation

By John McNamara The alderman-at-large vacancy caused by the election of Emmanuel Sanchez to the 24th District House seat is an opportunity for some all too rare bipartisanship on the closely divided City Council of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. Starting with an endorsement from Rep.-elect Sanchez, a top vote getter in the 2019 municipal … Continue reading New Britain Common Council Vacancy: An Opportunity For Bipartisan Cooperation

Under the Cover of Covid: Four Democratic Councillors Excluded From July Meeting

Mayor Pulls Plug On Remote Access For Common Council Members By John McNamara Four Democratic City Councillors, expecting teleconference access because of the state-mandated COVID 19 social distancing order for public meetings, were shut out of participating and voting at the July 8th Common Council meeting. At Large Alderman Richard Reyes, Ward 2 Alderperson Colin … Continue reading Under the Cover of Covid: Four Democratic Councillors Excluded From July Meeting

Stewart Penalized For Using Taxpayer Mailing To Boost Her 2017 Re-election Campaign

Mayor Erin Stewart violated state campaign law by promoting her candidacy through an official mailing of tax bills to city residents during the 2017 municipal campaign, according to a ruling by the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC). The SEEC, at its November 14th meeting, fined Mayor Stewart $500, citing a violation under state law (9-610) … Continue reading Stewart Penalized For Using Taxpayer Mailing To Boost Her 2017 Re-election Campaign

Will Erin Stewart Get Another Off The Books Push From An Absentee Landlord in 2017?

By John McNamara On the eve of the 2015 municipal election scores of tenants in New Britain got a notice about a possible rent increase from their landlord. It wasn't an official increase but a not so subtle endorsement of Mayor Erin Stewart who at the time was cruising to re-election for a second term. … Continue reading Will Erin Stewart Get Another Off The Books Push From An Absentee Landlord in 2017?