Mayor Erin Stewart Pandemic Record – a tale of failed leadership
The Coronavirus pandemic created great challenges to leadership around the world.In order to best meet this crisis local, state, and federal governments all needed to contribute their share to minimize fatalities and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Local towns and cities played a key role during the pandemic. Mayors had the power to set and […]
Debunking Erin Stewart Legacy
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, mayor Stewart announced she will not seek a 7th term as mayor of New Britain (CT Mirror, Sep 26, 2024). In her speech, as reported in the Hartford Courant, she cited a theme that she has repeated over and over in every state of the city speech, that she has […]
Op-Ed: Tax and Spend Republicans in New Britain
By Aram Ayalon Recently, the New Britain Progressive reported that the city of New Britain is yet again, late in submitting its audit report, this time 6 months late instead of a year late for the 2022 budget – a slight improvement but still adds to the financial woes the city has experienced in the […]
Tributes to Dr. Alton Brooks: Dr. Aram Ayalon
Dear editor, As a former member of the school board and Common Council of New Britain I got to know quite a few of the members who were mentored by Alton Brooks. He was especially instrumental in engaging African Americans in the politics of New Britain and through that giving voice and influence to African […]
Op-Ed – Infrastructure Investment – A Real Proposal or a Campaign Gimmick
By Aram Ayalon, In a June 12, 2024, article on the New Britain Progressive my opponent for District 26 state representative is cited as proposing a $200 million investment in municipal infrastructure to address sewer and flooding issues funded by recent state budget surpluses. New Britain has suffered from flooding in certain areas in the […]
Speedbumps and Speedhumps Work – Will New Britain make residents’ Safety a priority?
The Board of Public Works of the city of New Britain issued in June 2023 a policy banning the use of speed bumps and humps on city streets. While the policy statement claims to place “high priority on reducing accidents and injuries and increasing safety on its road network” it claims that, for many communities, […]
New Britain Police Malpractice Settlements Suggests Needed Reform
City council agenda items indicate that the City of New Britain has been settling claims against its police force in a rate that suggests reform is needed. On October 11, 2023, the city of New Britain settled a claim by Mr. Ortiz against detective Linda Glimpse for $3,500 alleging she conducted false arrest in March […]
New Britain Residents Complain about Chronic Speeding Problems
On the New Britain City Council February 28th, 2024 public participation session, several residents expressed their concerns over car speeding issues in the city which are causing fatalities, property damage, and a general feeling of insecurity on city streets. These complaints come at the same time as family and friends of Katherine Colon expressed their […]
Demonstrators Call for “Justice for Katherine” in Front of the New Britain Police Headquarters
Following state attorney Maureen Platt report issued on February 24, 2024 exonerating New Britain officer Connor Reinsch from any responsibility driving accident where his vehicle struck and killed Katherine Colon on September 21, 2023; Colon’s family, relatives and friends held a rally on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in front of the New Britain police building. […]
Is spending $2.7 million on a Reception Pavilion at Stanley Golf Course Justified?
The February 28 New Britain Common Council meeting has an agenda item requesting the Common Council to approve funding an installation of a reception pavilion in the New Britain-owned golf course for $2,698,000 by Diversity Construction Group LLC of Wallingford, CT. While a reception pavilion at the golf course would provide a location to host […]