Opinion
New Britain Progressive Opinion Page
On this page, you will find Op-Ed pieces, news analysis and other opinion in which the authors seek to inform on topics of interest to the New Britain community. If you would like to send commentary for consideration, please email it to [email protected].
Reader Encourages Voters to Research Congressional Candidates’ Issue Positions
To the Editor: Are you a registered “Independent”? In respect for your affiliation, and in understanding your desire to do your own research in choosing a candidate for our 5th Congressional District, I urge you to compare issues and achievements at the websites of our current 3rd term Congresswoman, Democrat Jahana Hayes and her opponent […]
Op-Ed: New Britain Residents Deserve Better Financial Oversight
By Chris Anderson For the third year in a row, the City of New Britain’s Finance Department has neglected their obligations to taxpayers by failing to file the annual financial audit on time. Besides routine lateness, the audit findings identified multiple serious material weaknesses in how the Finance Department operates. First, the Finance Department failed […]
Council Leader Supports DeFronzo for State Representative
To The Editor: David DeFronzo, the endorsed Democrat running for 26th State Representative in the August 13th Primary, will be an effective leader for the city and the district if he is elected to the Legislature this year. Mr. DeFronzo is listening and understands the needs of the community. He will bring energy and know […]
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 […]
Reader Supports Ayalon and Property Tax Cap
Dear Editor, Last year my condo property was reassessed and I got a 43% property tax increase. This July, I got a mill rate increase of about $100 per/year. The 2024 mill rate for Greenwich (one of the wealthiest communities in CT) is 11.39. In New Britain it’s 38.28 with another increase already set for […]
An Open Letter Honoring Dr. Alton Brooks
To the family of Dr. Alton F. Brooks, My deepest condolences to you in this sad time. As we come together to remember and honor the life of Dr. Alton F. Brooks, I know you know how much he meant to so many people – and I hope you feel the embrace of that love, […]
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 […]
Community Mourns and Thanks Dr. Alton Brooks, Revered Community Leader
By Tim O’Brien, with contributing research by John McNamara and from an interview with Dr. Brooks by Rev. Brian Riley and photography by Dr. Frank Gerratana People across New Britain and beyond are in mourning because of the passing of Dr. Alton Brooks, the legendary leader, who did so much for so many, organizing, inspiring […]
Op-Ed – Response to Ayalon’s Commentary on Infrastructure Proposal
To Our Neighbor’s in Ward 4, The federal grants (PROTECT and FEMA) have been in the pipeline for years, they have not been funded. The Allen St. and Overlook-McKinley projects have been ignored and neglected for 30 years including 10 years on the current mayor’s watch. City and state bonding initiatives are required immediately to […]
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 […]