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
Category: New Britain
The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?
The 4th of July Show Tab This Year Was $60K and $10 A Car Load By John McNamara No one can deny that fireworks on the Fourth of July brings a community together. It is America's birthday tradition that can awe and delight children or the child in all of us. And after 15 months … Continue reading The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?
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’s Bond Rating Drops From Stable To Negative: Huge Spike In Debt Through 2021 Cited By Moody’s
By John McNamara Republican incumbent Mayor Erin Stewart, in her re-election campaign this year and throughout her second term, has touted improving municipal bond ratings for New Britain's fiscal solvency, claiming credit for budget surpluses of $15 million and pushing spending up at City Hall with no need for an election year tax increase. Fiscal … Continue reading New Britain’s Bond Rating Drops From Stable To Negative: Huge Spike In Debt Through 2021 Cited By Moody’s
City Hall Watch: Deferring Municipal Debt Payment Means Cash Now, Higher Interest Next Year
By John McNamara The Stewart administration is shifting $6 million from a scheduled payment on the city's rising municipal debt--- creating an election year windfall to avert yet another tax increase. The Common Council approved what representatives of William Blair & Company, the city's bond counsel, called a "re-structuring" of a $28 million bond at a special meeting … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Deferring Municipal Debt Payment Means Cash Now, Higher Interest Next Year
City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K
By John McNamara The Stewart administration is seeking an additional $17,500 for an environmental study of Tilcon Inc.'s long-term plan to lease city watershed for trap rock mining. The extra cost is up for consideration at the December 14th Common Council meeting and follows the June 2016 Common Council approval of a $337,000 no-bid contract to … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K
New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”
"If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?" The question was asked of me by a Holmes School student when I was leaving the Masjid Al Taqwa mosque on Arch Street on a Sunday evening in August. It didn't matter that the 5th grader has probably lived in New Britain all his life … Continue reading New Britain Election Postscript: “If Trump wins will I have to leave the country?”
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