12 October 2007

The Difference Between Democrats and Republicans:
Council Dems Approve Tax Credit For Elderly, Disabled On Party Line Vote

NEW BRITAIN - The Democratic-controlled Common Council voted Wednesday night to open a $375,000 account to help poor elderly and disabled homeowners pay their property taxes. Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart seems to be going along for the ride. Rick Guiness story in the New Britain Herald, 10/12/2007

The October 10th City Council meeting brought good news for older New Britain citizens on fixed incomes who are among the hardest hit by regressive property tax levies. Eleven Democrats on the 15-member Council raised and adopted a measure brought forward by Council Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy. The measure was opposed by the three GOP Council members Mark Bernacki, Peter Gostin and Louis Salvio.

In an election year conversion, Mayor Timothy Stewart departed from his Republican councillors and supported the measure. Throughout his term Stewart opposed the property tax credit saying that the city could not afford it. Not so less than a month before he has to face voters. The funds to pay for the property tax credit came from unused and unspent funds in several city accounts as books were closed for the year ending June 30, 2007. The program will give couples earning up to $40,000 and single individuals earning up to $34,000 tax relief. The income limits for a state-subsidized program are lower, leaving many seniors in the city ineligible for the property tax break.

The vote by the Council and the about-face by the incumbent Mayor are reflective of how city government has operated during the Stewart administration and how things get done in the best interests of the community. Council Democrats set the agenda on fiscal and policy matters and Stewart responds based on which way the political winds are blowing. That was the case on this vote even though Stewart had to leave his GOP allies high and dry and set aside his usual demogoguery on taxes and spending.

Here's Your Weekend Line Up

Wyskiewicz for Mayor Open House, Saturday, October 13 11 a.m.-1 p.m.The grand opening celebration of the new Wyskiewicz for Mayor Headquarters will be held this Saturday morning, October 13th from 11 to 1pm. The public has been invited to join the ‘neighborhood block party’. A live band will perform and food and refreshments will be served. The headquarters is located in the heart of downtown New Britain, in the Webster Bank building at 450 Main Street on the 2nd floor (Suite 201).

Centeno for Council Fundraiser, Saturday, October 13, 2-5 p.m. Ward 5 Aldermanic candidate Roy Centeno will hold a fund raiser on Saturday, October 13th from 2-5 p.m. at the Centenos' home, 289 Slater Road. Centeno is running for the Council seat in Districts 4, 1, 4 and 15 with Ald. Lori Rocha. The suggested donation is $25. A Centeno for Council event

DTC Party for Education and Row B Democrats, Sunday, October 14, 2-5. You're cordially invited to a Democratic Town Committee party for Row B candidates and better schools on Sunday, October 14th, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the home of Steve Horowitz and Adrienne Benjamin. 288 Steele Street, New Britain. There is a suggested donation of $25.00 at the door payable to the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, Post Office Box 2112, New Britain, CT 06050. For information call DTC Chair John McNamara at 860-827-9469

Help Get Out The Vote For Row B November 6th

Your time and support is needed between now and November 6th to help get out the vote.

• Make calls to voters about November 6th
• Send cards to family, friends and neighbors
• Write letters to the editor
• Get a lawn sign
• Volunteer election day to increase voter turnout

Contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

The New Britain/Berlin League of Women Voters (LWV) will sponsor a municipal candidates forum for broadcast on community access television on Tuesday, October 16th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, 7 p.m.

New Britain Democrat e-letter
John McNamara, Chair and Editor
New Britain Democratic Town Committee
Post Office Box 2112
New Britain , CT 06050
www.newbritaindemocrat.net

NOTICE: If you do not wish to receive this e-letter reply to newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com write cancel in the subject box. E-mail address corrections and additions may also be forwarded to the same address. Thank you

7 October 2007

Local, State Officials Expected At Columbus Day Observance

Local and state elected officials will join representatives of the city’s Italian American organizations on Monday, October 8^th for the annual observance of Columbus Day.

A Roman Catholic mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Saint Ann’s Church on North Street followed by a march to the Columbus statue a short distance away. The event will be followed by a reception for participants at the Fr. Giusani Center (former St. Ann School) across from the church, according to Democratic Town Committee member Carlo Carlozzi. Carlozzi is the state president of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, Sons of Italy in America.The event is being hosted by the combined Italian American community in New Britain, including the Angelo Tomasso Sr Lodge, Order Sons of Italy, The New Britain Chapter of UNICO National, The Generale Ameglio Civic Association, The Italian Fraternal Society and the Calabria Mia Society and others.

Wyskiewicz Events Planned At Pulaski Club (10/11) and with Cong. Murphy (10/21)

A Thursday, October 11th reception for Democratic Mayoral Nominee Jim Wyskiewicz will be held at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street from 6 to 8 p.m. to be hosted by Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, former Mayor Lucian Pawlak, Ald. Larry Hermanowski and Dominick Swieszkowski. To contribute or for details call 860.225.9540.

Cong. Chris Murphy (D-5) will host a fundraiser for Jim Wyskiewicz, candidate for Mayor, on Sunday, October 21, from 3-5 p.m. at Angelico's Restaurant on East Main Street. For information or to make a donation call 860-306-0672

More on the Wyskiewicz for Mayor at www.Jim4Mayor.org

Ward 5: Centeno To Hold Fund Raiser Saturday, October 13

Ward 5 Aldermanic candidate Roy Centeno will hold a fund raiser on Saturday, October 13th from 2-5 p.m. at the Centenos' home, 289 Slater Road. Centeno is running for the Council seat in Districts 4, 1, 4 and 15 with Ald. Lori Rocha. The suggested donation is $25. A Centeno for Council event

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

The New Britain/Berlin League of Women Voters (LWV) will sponsor a municipal candidates forum for broadcast on community access television on Tuesday, October 16th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, 7 p.m.

Lincoln School Parents Seek Volunteers For Playground Build Beginning Oct.18th

After a two-year fundraising effort that raised $143,000, the Parents of Lincoln Elementary School and its Parent Community Relations Committee is preparing to construct a a Barrier-Free Playground at the school. School parents and volunteers are organizing a "community build" from Thursday, October 18 through Saturday, October 20th from 9 to 5.

If you could help let people know about this great event happening in New Britain or are interested in volunteering more information is available by calling Kris Ziegler (860) 662-4080.

End Quote

"Today we learned that the same President who is willing to throw away half trillion dollars in Iraq is unwilling to spend a small fraction of that amount to bring health care to American children. The Congress has done its job, passing a bipartisan bill that meets a critical need without adding a penny to the federal deficit. The President has broken his promise to America’s children. We must not break ours. We will be back today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and for however long it takes to see this bill become law.”

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA): October 3 Statement On Bush veto of bipartisan Child Health Care Insurance legislation