Bizzarro Faces Heat for Ad and Chamber Leadership

By Bill Shortell

The fair-minded New Britain public were twice stunned yesterday by events in the news. They both involved Gennaro Bizzarro, Republican candidate for State Senate. First we saw Mr. Bizzarro cavorting with our popular new Congresswoman, Jahana Hayes, in a campaign video that made it look for all the world like she was endorsing his candidacy. Turns out they were together by chance in one of our city’s Martin Luther King events. Congresswoman Hayes immediately called his office, “demanding” him to take down the ad.

Getting no response, she posted a video of her own, explaining that the ad was “deceptive” and “without her permission.” “Really, Mr. Bizzarro,” she tweeted. “Not cool.”

The second affront came during the State of the Union address. Whatever you may think of the President’s speech, we all were impressed by the vision of scores of US Congresswomen dressed in white. This coordination was to commemorate 100 years of votes for women. The Suffragettes who endured massive oppression in the process of achieving the right to vote, wore white, to emphasize the sacredness of their cause.

Tim Stewart, the president of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce, posted a picture of the Congresswomen on his Facebook page, under it he commented “Bitches in heat”

This is the second recent time Mr. Stewart has abused his public trust on FB. A year ago he referred to the people in the North/Oak area of our city, who were struggling to clean up the blight in their neighborhood as, “The inmates running the asylum.” Somehow he survived that insult. Not this time.

The New Britain Democrats are calling for his removal as head of the Chamber of Commerce, and from his positions on the School Building Committee, and the Water Commission. A person with his lack of character has no business making decisions for our city.

Mr. Bizzarro now has a duty. He is the Chairperson of the Chamber board. He must immediately remove Mr. Stewart from his position as President. Mayor Erin Stewart, likewise, must replace him on City boards.

Editor’s note: Bill Shortell is the Chair of the New Britain Democratic Party

Editor’s note: After the submission of this commentary by Mr. Shortell, it was widely reported, such as by WVIT, that that Mr. Bizzarro placed Stewart on administrative leave from the Chamber Presidency, pending further action by the Chamber Board and that Stewart has resigned from two city positions he has held.