Category: Housing

Longest Night Service Remembers Lives Lost in 2024

Friendship Center's Cold Weather Triage Program Is Open To Help Unhoused NEW BRITAIN - A "Longest Night Service" was held at South Church in the Downtown District December 20th to remember individuals who died here in 2024 after experiencing homelessness. The late afternoon service that is observed each year as the "homeless persons' Memorial Day" … Continue reading Longest Night Service Remembers Lives Lost in 2024

New Fed Money Helps Friendship Center Enhance Shelter Building On Arch Street

A $1 million federal grant to New Britain's Friendship Center (FSC) on Arch Street will support expansion of the facility, including the installation of private restrooms and other capital and maintenance improvements. U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5) and FSC Executive Director Caitlin Rose announced the new funding on April 3rd which stems from approval of … Continue reading New Fed Money Helps Friendship Center Enhance Shelter Building On Arch Street

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

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?

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

Zherka Arrest A Reminder Of Yellow Journalism And Dark Money In 2013 City Campaign

The arrest and jailing of former Farmington Hills Apartment Complex owner Sam Zherka earlier this month  was a fresh reminder of the collusion between and among New Britain Republicans, the New Britain City Journal and a small group of out-of-town landlords throughout  2013. Zherka faces a long indictment for alleged bank loan fraud, income tax … Continue reading Zherka Arrest A Reminder Of Yellow Journalism And Dark Money In 2013 City Campaign

Community Journalism Gone Bad

The New Britain City Journal, once a promising venture in community journalism, has plunged into a tabloid gutter of innuendo, rumor and personal attack over the issue of regulating non-owner occupied housing and paying for code enforcement in the city.  The City Journal, violating basic rules of journalism with all kinds of unsubstantiated accusations, has … Continue reading Community Journalism Gone Bad

Absentee Landlord Licenses, Fees Exist In Many Communities

Updated November 21, 2012: Legitimate concerns about the city’s licensing of absentee landlords (all owner-occupied dwellings are excluded) have been drowned out by a phony anti-government coalition fueled by out-of-town interests and a failed GOP leadership seeking once again to use divisiveness for political gain.   The well-publicized and well-financed campaign of distortion is  now replete … Continue reading Absentee Landlord Licenses, Fees Exist In Many Communities