Registrars Move To Re-Locate Two Polling Places For Primary, November Election

By John McNamara New Britain's Registrars of Voters are moving to change polling places in Districts 6 and 13 in time for an August 8th Primary and the November 8th Presidential Election. Republican Peter Gostin and Democrat Juan Verdu have identified Angelico's Cafe restaurant on East Main Street to replace the State Armory in Voting … Continue reading Registrars Move To Re-Locate Two Polling Places For Primary, November Election

Stewart’s New Policy: Criminalizing The Homeless, Jeopardizing Building Hope Together

By John McNamara The common council meeting of April 27th began on a hopeful note for a community that has been dubbed the "city for all people." Ward 4 Alderman Bobby Smedley moved a unanimous resolution to adopt a Compassion Charter, having New Britain join with other cities and countries around the world affirming a belief … Continue reading Stewart’s New Policy: Criminalizing The Homeless, Jeopardizing Building Hope Together

City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

    By John McNamara The Common Council is set to create a Charter Commission at its February 10th meeting to consider sweeping changes in municipal government at the behest of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. The Stewart administration, taking advantage of a Republican Council majority, seeks to eliminate neighborhood representation on the city council in … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Rep. Sanchez Condemns Charter Change Eliminating City Council Districts

Inside City Hall: Republicans Seek To Eliminate Polling Places in Center of New Britain

By John McNamara Republican Mayor Erin Stewart and Registrar of Voters Peter Gostin are moving quickly to reduce voter access to polling places for the November Presidential election. A  plan drafted by Republican Gostin will  come up for a fast-tracked feasibility study vote at the Wednesday January 27th Common Council meeting. The feasibility study apparently … Continue reading Inside City Hall: Republicans Seek To Eliminate Polling Places in Center of New Britain

“Revolutionary” State Budget? Property Tax Relief, New ED Aid For NB Is Part of Democratic Package

by John McNamara A tentative agreement among Democratic leaders on a biennial state budget  that begins July 1st appears to be good news for New Britain and other municipalities in terms of property tax relief and continued aid to the under-funded city schools. Late Saturday (May 31) Democratic legislative leaders and representatives of the Malloy Administration … Continue reading “Revolutionary” State Budget? Property Tax Relief, New ED Aid For NB Is Part of Democratic Package

Inside City Hall: Stewart’s Civil Service Commission Abuses Power, Violates Charter

The Civil Service Commission’s  efforts to remove from office and impose fines on Council President Pro Tem Suzanne Bielinski over the Council’s hiring of her niece, Jessica   Gerratana.  as the Common Council secretary,  is a costly misuse of government for partisan purposes. Ignoring  the City Charter , the Commission voted last  October 6th for the … Continue reading Inside City Hall: Stewart’s Civil Service Commission Abuses Power, Violates Charter

Questions Linger On Money That Fueled 2013 Campaign Against Democrats

The Waterbury-based Connecticut Property Owners Alliance, which  last year hosted campaign meetings prominently featuring former Farmington Hills Apartment Complex Owner Sam Zherka, announced the formation of a political action committee (PAC) in the final two months of the  2013 municipal campaign. "The CT Property Owners Alliance is pleased to announce the formation of its Political … Continue reading Questions Linger On Money That Fueled 2013 Campaign Against Democrats

What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate: Rock Cats Owners Didn’t Even Bother To Tell The Big Club

One of the biggest complaints coming out of the pending deal by the Rock Cats and the City of Hartford is that key "stakeholders" were not let in on the talks nor intentions of the team's ownership to vacate New Britain Stadium in 2016 for the proposed I-84 linked Parcel 12B in downtown Hartford.Neither New … Continue reading What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate: Rock Cats Owners Didn’t Even Bother To Tell The Big Club

Mayor Hires GOP Chair: SEEC Complaint Involving Peter Steele For Campaigning From Mayor’s Office Still Under Investigation

"Oh. What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."  - Sir Walter ScottIn her campaign for Mayor last fall Erin Stewart was critical of Tim O'Brien  for rewarding political friends while in office. As Ms. Stewart said last year, she wanted to "take the city back from political cronyism."In her first … Continue reading Mayor Hires GOP Chair: SEEC Complaint Involving Peter Steele For Campaigning From Mayor’s Office Still Under Investigation

Mayor Uses On-Line Survey To Encourage Participation: Appointments Pending For Boards and Commissions

Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated voters — are welcome to submit their names and qualifications to be considered for a nomination to one of the volunteer boards where citizen oversight and participation can make local government more accountable to residents. Over the last week Mayor Tim O’Brien completed his appointments to the city Police Commission. But … Continue reading Mayor Uses On-Line Survey To Encourage Participation: Appointments Pending For Boards and Commissions