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

Reflecting On the Inauguration: Tim O’Brien Wants To Be The "Education" Mayor

Today's swearing in of the new Mayor, Tim O'Brien, and other municipal officials elected last Tuesday was most significant for where it was held as much as what was said at the ceremony. The New Britain High Band played the music and the Madrigal Singers sang the National Anthem as classes at the high school, the … Continue reading Reflecting On the Inauguration: Tim O’Brien Wants To Be The "Education" Mayor

Beware of Professional Politicians Accusing their Opponents of Being A "Professional Politician"

I once knew a state representative in Lynn, MA who came up with a winning slogan: "Tim Bassett Is A Lousy Politician". As I recall, the Lynn lawmaker used the phrase to win a term or two or three up on Beacon Hill giving meaning to the use of irony in politics.That same claim has been resurrected over and … Continue reading Beware of Professional Politicians Accusing their Opponents of Being A "Professional Politician"

Hearing on FY 12 City Budget May 12th at Slade Middle School

Now that the Stewart administration has put a $216 million budget on the table officials have set a public hearing for Thursday May 12th at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at Slade Middle School, not the high school as originally announced.With federal recovery act funds gone and a best-case scenario of level … Continue reading Hearing on FY 12 City Budget May 12th at Slade Middle School

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?

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

Will City Avoid Layoffs To Frontline Education and Public Safety Jobs?

From New Britain Democrat http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com/2010/05/muncipal-budget-hearing-monday-may-17th.htmlThe full weight of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is falling on the city’s budget makers in shaping a fiscal plan for the year that begins July 1st. Few cities or towns in Connecticut and the nation are exempt. And with Connecticut’s over reliance on property taxes the fiscal … Continue reading Will City Avoid Layoffs To Frontline Education and Public Safety Jobs?

Remembering Bill Kerr, CCSU Politics Prof; Tribute Saturday, February 27th at New Britain Museum

A celebration of the life of Charles W. (Bill) Kerr, formerly of New Britain, will be held at the New Britain Museum of American Art on Saturday February 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. Kerr, 78, died on February 2, 2010 in his home at Sun City, Hilton Head, SC. A Missouri native, Kerr was a professor … Continue reading Remembering Bill Kerr, CCSU Politics Prof; Tribute Saturday, February 27th at New Britain Museum