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].
Mayor’s Mill Rate Increase Will Hike Taxes An Average Of $204 On Single Family Homes
Republicans Falsely Claim A $44 Increase After Double Digit Increases This Year; State Stabilization Funds Add $10 Million To City Revenue For Fiscal Year 2025 By John McNamara The dust is settling on the making of the 2024-2025 municipal budget for the Stewart Administration and the closely-divided Common Council of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. […]
The Furniture of the Poor
By Bill Shortell I live in a beautiful apartment in a big building with 36 units. It’s in my price range and I have no plans to move, although it’s going downhill. The landlord has made superficial improvements and uses that as an excuse to jack the rents up to “market rate,” i.e. more than […]
Opinion: Reader Questions CCSU Decisions on Student Protests on Gaza
By Lily Mercado, CCSU IJC President Author’s Note: Article Originally Denied by The Recorder As a pretext, it should be known that this article was originally submitted to CCSU’s school newspaper, The Recorder, on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, and denied publication. On Friday, April 26th, Managing Editor emailed me stating, “We’ve come to a mutual […]
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, […]
Reader Supports Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
By Marlene WoodmanSharon, Connecticut I support Rep. Jahana Hayes – CT5-D because I know firsthand the amount of work and commitment it takes to represent constituents and communities. I was Rep. Rosa Delauro’s (CTD-3) campaign manager and then district director when she was first elected. The job is demanding – it takes a personal commitment […]
Democrats Seek Transparency On Contracts And Tax Agreements
Common Council Budget Review Begins For the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year This report is the second in a series to keep the community informed about Council business and to encourage public participation in city government from the perspective of the Democratic Majority Caucus. The details of municipal purchasing, tax and and leasing agreements will be reported […]
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 […]
Ward 3 Resident Supports Candyce Scott for Democratic Town Committee
By Elizabeth Phillips, I’ve known Candyce Scott for nearly three years, and have had the opportunity to work with her on several community events. Ms. Scott is newly elected to the New Britain City Council, however she is no stranger to the many committees, boards, and other organizations involved with the improvement of New Britain. […]
Vote Row C Democratic Town Committee Candidate Encourages Votes for ‘Dems for Change’
By Daniel Price A group of Democrats in February 2024 decided to challenge the leadership of the New Britain Democratic Party in voting wards 1 and 3. This occurred as the current leadership was unwilling to negotiate a more representative membership to open the DTC to a wider base of members. We gathered over 400 […]
Reader Responds to Letter on Town Committee Primary; Supports Lopes/Sanchez Slates
By Sammy Villanueva It is not often that one reads something so inaccurate and disconnected from reality that it requires a clear and direct response. However, Jacob Pudlin’s misguided diatribe in the New Britain Progressive (“‘Did A Slate Of Candidates Forget What They Were Running For?’ Democratic Candidate Asks“, February 9, 2024) requires just such […]