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Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
23 May 2010
City Democrats Will Complete Endorsements For State Election This Week
New Britain Democrats will complete their endorsements for legislative seats this week at three conventions and a town committee meeting
On Monday, May 24th, 6th District State Senator Donald DeFronzo will be re-nominated for a fifth two-year term at the Trinity On Main Performance Center on Main Street beginning with a 6 p.m. reception and a 7 p.m. convention. DeFronzo, the co-chair of the Legislature's Transportation Committee, represents Berlin, New Britain and a portion of Farmington. He is expected to be re-nominated by acclamation
On Tuesday, 24th District State Representative Tim O'Brien is seeking re-election at a 7 p.m. convention at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. The 24th convention will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a Town Committee meeting at which endorsements are expected for 25th State Rep. John Geragosian and 26th State Rep. Peter Tercyak. Town committee members from those districts endorse legislative candidates without a convention because the districts fall within city boundaries. In Plainville, a separate convention will be held Tuesday at Plainville Town Hall involving State Rep. Betty Boukus of the 22nd District. Boukus' district includes Voting District 15 (DiLoreto School) in the city.
A social hour will follow the endorsements at the Italian Fraternal Society. The event is open to the public.
State Convention Picks Get Nod From New Britain Democrats: Primary Is August 10
The city's 35-member delegation to the Democratic State Convention endorsed candidates for state offices who went on to win endorsement at Hartford's Expo Center on Saturday. The statewide results set the stage for an August 10th primary with contests for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State and Comptroller.
Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy carried 28 of 35 delegates over Ned Lamont in the race for Governor. A group of New Britain and Berlin leaders had endorsed Malloy at the beginning of February and the delegate slates was approved by the Town Committee in March. Nancy Wyman, switching from Comptroller to Lieutenant Governor, received 24 New Britain votes to 11 for Simsbury First Selectwoman and New Britain native Mary Glassman. In the hotly contested Secretary of the State race, Denise Merrill, the House Majority Leader, edged State Senator Jonathan Harris 18 to 17 on a second ballot. In the first ballot for Secretary, Gerry Garcia of New Haven, Merrill and Harris were neck and neck at 12, 13 and 10 votes respectively. State Health Care Advocate Kevin Lembo overwhelmed opponents in the New Britain delegation receiving 31 delegates to four for Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura. To qualify for the primary candidates were required to receive 15%.
The New Britain delegation at the Democratic State Convention on Friday, May 21. (Frank Gerratana photo)
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (U.S. Senate), State Treasurer Denise Nappier and former State Party Chair George Jepsen (Attorney General) won their endorsements unopposed. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, forced from the AG race by a state Supreme Court decision, addressed the convention Saturday and visited with delegates who would have supported her candidacy.
Said Malloy following his endorsement: “As I’ve traveled the state over the past year, I’ve found a common feeling among the people I’ve met with. They share a sense that we can do better. A sense that we must do better. A sense that with the right kind of leadership – we will do better. I’m confident that my experience has left me well prepared to be that leader. I've turned government around before, and I'm prepared to do it again.”
New Britain delegates from left: Alton Brooks, State Rep. Tim O'Brien and Harriet Geragosian. (Frank Gerratana photo)
FY 2011 Municipal Budget Due June 14: Discussions Underway, Council Meetings May 26th, June 9th
Discussions between the Mayor's office and City Council leadership have been under way since the proposed administration budget was presented to the Council and an overflow audience weighed in on possible layoffs in the school system and elsewhere at a May 17th public hearing at New Britain High School.
The Common Council meets Wednesday, May 26th, in the Council Chambers with public participation beginning at 7 p.m. The first regular meeting in June will be on June 9th.
Unlike last year city leaders won't have to worry about state aid amounts which were finalized by the Governor and legislature earlier this month. Despite efforts by Gov. Rell and Republicans to cut municipal aid, the Legislature maintained levels adopted in the biennial budget for the year that begins July 1. During the 12 week legislative session House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) also noted other actions to aid cities and towns including a local option to take advantage of the state's plan for prescription drug coverage for employees, allowing municipalities and boards of education to enter into joint employee health insurance plans and joint transportation agreements and RESCs to provide services to multiple boards of education. The enabling legislation touted by Donovan represents an avenue to reduce the property tax burden if cities and towns use the options. "We had an aggressive agenda for a short, 12-week legislative session, and we achieved it," said Donovan. "We know there is much more we can do for our citizens."
The proposed city budget may be found on the city's website under city government section and the Finance Department. The link is http://www.newbritainct.gov/liv_finance.html
Senator Dodd To Hold Sidewalk Press Conference on Wall Street Reform Monday, May 24th
Senator Chris Dodd, one of the architects of financial regulation reform that passed the U.S. Senate last week, will discuss the legislation at a Monday May 24th press conference at noon at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford. According to a statement issued by the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) Dodd’s bill "will create a sound foundation to grow the economy and create jobs, protect consumers, rein in Wall Street, and prevent another financial crisis."
President Obama and others say it is "the most sweeping reform of the financial industry since the Great Depression." It creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to watch out for the average citizen in our country and protect them from potential abuses in the market place; it mandates clearing and exchange trading for transparency and has a provision to prevent another taxpayer bailout of the financial industry. It appears to correct deregulation moves in the last decade including the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act which some analysts say spawned a derivatives racket and led to the financial meltdown of 2008.
Senator Dodd has been working on this legislation for a well over year and he has championed it as one of the landmark pieces of legislation he seeks to enact in his final term in the Senate.
End Quote
"As New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart walked by, Rowland smiled and loudly announced, "This is the future of the party right here. You can mark that down.""
Former Gov. John Rowland, who left office and was convicted on corruption charges, being quoted at the GOP's Prescott Bush Dinner on May 20th. The quote appeared in a story by Mark Pazniokas in the online Connecticut Mirror. www.ctmirror.org
New Britain Democrats will complete their endorsements for legislative seats this week at three conventions and a town committee meeting
On Monday, May 24th, 6th District State Senator Donald DeFronzo will be re-nominated for a fifth two-year term at the Trinity On Main Performance Center on Main Street beginning with a 6 p.m. reception and a 7 p.m. convention. DeFronzo, the co-chair of the Legislature's Transportation Committee, represents Berlin, New Britain and a portion of Farmington. He is expected to be re-nominated by acclamation
On Tuesday, 24th District State Representative Tim O'Brien is seeking re-election at a 7 p.m. convention at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. The 24th convention will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a Town Committee meeting at which endorsements are expected for 25th State Rep. John Geragosian and 26th State Rep. Peter Tercyak. Town committee members from those districts endorse legislative candidates without a convention because the districts fall within city boundaries. In Plainville, a separate convention will be held Tuesday at Plainville Town Hall involving State Rep. Betty Boukus of the 22nd District. Boukus' district includes Voting District 15 (DiLoreto School) in the city.
A social hour will follow the endorsements at the Italian Fraternal Society. The event is open to the public.
State Convention Picks Get Nod From New Britain Democrats: Primary Is August 10
The city's 35-member delegation to the Democratic State Convention endorsed candidates for state offices who went on to win endorsement at Hartford's Expo Center on Saturday. The statewide results set the stage for an August 10th primary with contests for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State and Comptroller.
Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy carried 28 of 35 delegates over Ned Lamont in the race for Governor. A group of New Britain and Berlin leaders had endorsed Malloy at the beginning of February and the delegate slates was approved by the Town Committee in March. Nancy Wyman, switching from Comptroller to Lieutenant Governor, received 24 New Britain votes to 11 for Simsbury First Selectwoman and New Britain native Mary Glassman. In the hotly contested Secretary of the State race, Denise Merrill, the House Majority Leader, edged State Senator Jonathan Harris 18 to 17 on a second ballot. In the first ballot for Secretary, Gerry Garcia of New Haven, Merrill and Harris were neck and neck at 12, 13 and 10 votes respectively. State Health Care Advocate Kevin Lembo overwhelmed opponents in the New Britain delegation receiving 31 delegates to four for Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura. To qualify for the primary candidates were required to receive 15%.
The New Britain delegation at the Democratic State Convention on Friday, May 21. (Frank Gerratana photo)
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (U.S. Senate), State Treasurer Denise Nappier and former State Party Chair George Jepsen (Attorney General) won their endorsements unopposed. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, forced from the AG race by a state Supreme Court decision, addressed the convention Saturday and visited with delegates who would have supported her candidacy.
Said Malloy following his endorsement: “As I’ve traveled the state over the past year, I’ve found a common feeling among the people I’ve met with. They share a sense that we can do better. A sense that we must do better. A sense that with the right kind of leadership – we will do better. I’m confident that my experience has left me well prepared to be that leader. I've turned government around before, and I'm prepared to do it again.”
New Britain delegates from left: Alton Brooks, State Rep. Tim O'Brien and Harriet Geragosian. (Frank Gerratana photo)
FY 2011 Municipal Budget Due June 14: Discussions Underway, Council Meetings May 26th, June 9th
Discussions between the Mayor's office and City Council leadership have been under way since the proposed administration budget was presented to the Council and an overflow audience weighed in on possible layoffs in the school system and elsewhere at a May 17th public hearing at New Britain High School.
The Common Council meets Wednesday, May 26th, in the Council Chambers with public participation beginning at 7 p.m. The first regular meeting in June will be on June 9th.
Unlike last year city leaders won't have to worry about state aid amounts which were finalized by the Governor and legislature earlier this month. Despite efforts by Gov. Rell and Republicans to cut municipal aid, the Legislature maintained levels adopted in the biennial budget for the year that begins July 1. During the 12 week legislative session House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) also noted other actions to aid cities and towns including a local option to take advantage of the state's plan for prescription drug coverage for employees, allowing municipalities and boards of education to enter into joint employee health insurance plans and joint transportation agreements and RESCs to provide services to multiple boards of education. The enabling legislation touted by Donovan represents an avenue to reduce the property tax burden if cities and towns use the options. "We had an aggressive agenda for a short, 12-week legislative session, and we achieved it," said Donovan. "We know there is much more we can do for our citizens."
The proposed city budget may be found on the city's website under city government section and the Finance Department. The link is http://www.newbritainct.gov/liv_finance.html
Senator Dodd To Hold Sidewalk Press Conference on Wall Street Reform Monday, May 24th
Senator Chris Dodd, one of the architects of financial regulation reform that passed the U.S. Senate last week, will discuss the legislation at a Monday May 24th press conference at noon at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford. According to a statement issued by the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) Dodd’s bill "will create a sound foundation to grow the economy and create jobs, protect consumers, rein in Wall Street, and prevent another financial crisis."
President Obama and others say it is "the most sweeping reform of the financial industry since the Great Depression." It creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to watch out for the average citizen in our country and protect them from potential abuses in the market place; it mandates clearing and exchange trading for transparency and has a provision to prevent another taxpayer bailout of the financial industry. It appears to correct deregulation moves in the last decade including the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act which some analysts say spawned a derivatives racket and led to the financial meltdown of 2008.
Senator Dodd has been working on this legislation for a well over year and he has championed it as one of the landmark pieces of legislation he seeks to enact in his final term in the Senate.
End Quote
"As New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart walked by, Rowland smiled and loudly announced, "This is the future of the party right here. You can mark that down.""
Former Gov. John Rowland, who left office and was convicted on corruption charges, being quoted at the GOP's Prescott Bush Dinner on May 20th. The quote appeared in a story by Mark Pazniokas in the online Connecticut Mirror. www.ctmirror.org
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A Vote For Kevin Lembo for Comptroller
Seasoned political observers will recall that the job of State Comptroller carried little weight in terms of governing a generation ago. At state elections it was the office used to balance a ticket based on diversity or geography.
For all of the time Connecticut has had a Constitution (and it is the "Constitution State") the office of Comptroller had been the backroom bean counter and, according to law, provided "accounting and financial services, to administer employee benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for state, federal and municipal governments and the public."
That started to change in 1991 when Democrat Bill Curry, a former state senator, got elected. Curry, an activist and policy wonk, who would become the gubernatorial nominee in 1994, raised the visibility of Comptroller considerably. Incumbent Nancy Wyman took up where Curry left off and has used the office to contribute to fiscal policy ideas, health care reform and the management of the state's finances. Under the Rell administration Wyman has emerged almost as a shadow governor delivering the sober news about state budget deficits and calling attention to the difficult choices Connecticut faces amid recession and dwindling tax bases.
Kevin Lembo, the state Health Care Advocate, is now running for state comptroller having abandoned an exploratory run for Lt. Governor when Nancy Wyman moved on to seek that office.
He gets my vote for the role he's played in helping residents deal with the health care system, especially the insidious practice of insurers denying coverage to people who thought they were insured. He may be the most experienced candidate in the race, having served as assistant State Comptroller for health insurance and implementing GAAP (You can ask your accountant what GAAP stands for). He co-chairs with Nancy Wyman the commission established under the Sustinet Plan to implement universal health care and as the state Comptroller would play a big rule in implementing such reforms as health care pools for local governments and small businesses (Pools = improved benefits at lower costs)
Meeting Kevin Lembo you can sense that this is an individual who believes in making real change in government at many levels. That, along with a hands-on progressive Governor, is what will be needed to, in Lembo's words, "reverse the years of neglect our state has suffered and regain the ground we've lost."
Lembo has my vote for continuing a more active and useful Comptroller's office and for what he will say and do about fiscal policy and management of state government. He'll make the bean counters in Hartford work in the best interests of citizens.
- John McNamara, Democratic Town Chair, New Britain
For all of the time Connecticut has had a Constitution (and it is the "Constitution State") the office of Comptroller had been the backroom bean counter and, according to law, provided "accounting and financial services, to administer employee benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for state, federal and municipal governments and the public."
That started to change in 1991 when Democrat Bill Curry, a former state senator, got elected. Curry, an activist and policy wonk, who would become the gubernatorial nominee in 1994, raised the visibility of Comptroller considerably. Incumbent Nancy Wyman took up where Curry left off and has used the office to contribute to fiscal policy ideas, health care reform and the management of the state's finances. Under the Rell administration Wyman has emerged almost as a shadow governor delivering the sober news about state budget deficits and calling attention to the difficult choices Connecticut faces amid recession and dwindling tax bases.
Kevin Lembo, the state Health Care Advocate, is now running for state comptroller having abandoned an exploratory run for Lt. Governor when Nancy Wyman moved on to seek that office.
He gets my vote for the role he's played in helping residents deal with the health care system, especially the insidious practice of insurers denying coverage to people who thought they were insured. He may be the most experienced candidate in the race, having served as assistant State Comptroller for health insurance and implementing GAAP (You can ask your accountant what GAAP stands for). He co-chairs with Nancy Wyman the commission established under the Sustinet Plan to implement universal health care and as the state Comptroller would play a big rule in implementing such reforms as health care pools for local governments and small businesses (Pools = improved benefits at lower costs)
Meeting Kevin Lembo you can sense that this is an individual who believes in making real change in government at many levels. That, along with a hands-on progressive Governor, is what will be needed to, in Lembo's words, "reverse the years of neglect our state has suffered and regain the ground we've lost."
Lembo has my vote for continuing a more active and useful Comptroller's office and for what he will say and do about fiscal policy and management of state government. He'll make the bean counters in Hartford work in the best interests of citizens.
- John McNamara, Democratic Town Chair, New Britain
Sunday, May 16, 2010
16 May 2010
City Budget Hearing Monday May 17, At High School
A public hearing will be held Monday, May 17th, at 6 p.m. on the 2011 municipal budget for July 1-June 30 fiscal period with the timetable for budget adoption less than 20 days away. The hearing will be held in the Tercyak Lecture Hall at the Mill Street high school.
For a commentary on the need to avoid layoffs in frontline positions go to
http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com/2010/05/muncipal-budget-hearing-monday-may-17th.html
Economic Opportunity Group To Present First Laddie Michalowski Award Tuesday, May 18th
Citizens for Economic Opportunity will hold “A Night of Celebration” on Tuesday, May 18th featuring cocktails, an awards ceremony and Stand Up Comedian Linda Belt beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Real Artways, 56 Arbor Street, Hartford.
This year the first annual Laddie Michalowski Workplace Justice Award will be given to UAW Region 9A and the Foxwoods organizers. The award is named in memory of New Britain’s Laddie Michalowski, longtime community and union activist. Tickets are $45 per person. For information or to RSVP: For more information or to RSVP, please contact ddalzin@c-e-o.net
State Convention May 21-22; Legislator Nominations To Follow May 24, 25
Democrats will decide endorsements for major state and legislative offices over the next week at conventions to conclude the first phase of the nominating process for the 2010 Election.
The State Convention will convene Friday, May 21, at Hartford's Expo Center, with the nomination for U.S. Senate involving Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Merrick Albert. The Saturday schedule calls for endorsements for state constitutional offices starting with State Treasurer (8:30 am) with incumbent Denise Nappier running unopposed. Nappier's nomination will be followed by votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of the State and Comptroller. New Britain sends 35 delegates to this year's convention that will involve roll call votes for Governor and all the state constitutional offices except Treasurer. Send out a search team if we're not home by midnight.
Senate and House
On Monday, May 24th, the State Senate convention will convene at Trinity On Main beginning with a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. convention. State Senator Don DeFronzo is expected to win the nomination for a fifth two-year term.
The 24th State Representative convention will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25th when Rep. Tim O'Brien is seeking re-election. The convention will be held at the Italian Fraternal Society on 131 Monroe Street. The 24th convention will be immediately followed by a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee, Members from the 25th and 26th State Representative Districts will endorse candidates. Rep. John Geragosian and Rep. Peter Tercyak are seeking re-election. A 22nd State Representative convention will be held the same night at Plainville Town Hall where State Rep. Betty Boukus is seeking a new term.
Kevin Lembo, In Comptroller Race, Gets Nod From Incumbent Wyman
Kevin Lembo, the state's Health Care Advocate, has picked up the support of Comptroller Nancy Wyman to replace her as the state's elected fiscal watchdog as Wyman runs for Lieutenant Governor with Dan Malloy. Lembo, who previously won support of the United Auto Workers and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group in an exploratory campaign for Lieutenant Governor, immediately jumped into the void with incumbent Wyman's decision to seek a new office last week. Lembo may be the most experienced candidate running to replace Wyman. He previously served as Assistant State Comptroller focusing on health insurance for state employees and municipalities and implemented the state's shift to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
In Memoriam
New Britain Democrats extend sympathy to Ward 5 Alderman Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. on the passing of his father, Carlo Carlozzi, 80, last week. The elder Carlozzi, a registered Democrat for 58 years, immigrated to New Britain in 1952 and worked at Fafnir Bearing for 38 years until his retirement in 1991. He was a native of Campodipietra, Italy, Province of Campobasso (Molise). Memorial donations are invited to Saint Francis Cancer Center 114 Woodland Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06105-1299; Hospital for Special Care Foundation, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053 (www.hfsc.org ) or The Italian Welfare League, 8 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021 (www.italianwelfareleague.org).
A public hearing will be held Monday, May 17th, at 6 p.m. on the 2011 municipal budget for July 1-June 30 fiscal period with the timetable for budget adoption less than 20 days away. The hearing will be held in the Tercyak Lecture Hall at the Mill Street high school.
For a commentary on the need to avoid layoffs in frontline positions go to
http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com/2010/05/muncipal-budget-hearing-monday-may-17th.html
Economic Opportunity Group To Present First Laddie Michalowski Award Tuesday, May 18th
Citizens for Economic Opportunity will hold “A Night of Celebration” on Tuesday, May 18th featuring cocktails, an awards ceremony and Stand Up Comedian Linda Belt beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Real Artways, 56 Arbor Street, Hartford.
This year the first annual Laddie Michalowski Workplace Justice Award will be given to UAW Region 9A and the Foxwoods organizers. The award is named in memory of New Britain’s Laddie Michalowski, longtime community and union activist. Tickets are $45 per person. For information or to RSVP: For more information or to RSVP, please contact ddalzin@c-e-o.net
State Convention May 21-22; Legislator Nominations To Follow May 24, 25
Democrats will decide endorsements for major state and legislative offices over the next week at conventions to conclude the first phase of the nominating process for the 2010 Election.
The State Convention will convene Friday, May 21, at Hartford's Expo Center, with the nomination for U.S. Senate involving Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Merrick Albert. The Saturday schedule calls for endorsements for state constitutional offices starting with State Treasurer (8:30 am) with incumbent Denise Nappier running unopposed. Nappier's nomination will be followed by votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of the State and Comptroller. New Britain sends 35 delegates to this year's convention that will involve roll call votes for Governor and all the state constitutional offices except Treasurer. Send out a search team if we're not home by midnight.
Senate and House
On Monday, May 24th, the State Senate convention will convene at Trinity On Main beginning with a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. convention. State Senator Don DeFronzo is expected to win the nomination for a fifth two-year term.
The 24th State Representative convention will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25th when Rep. Tim O'Brien is seeking re-election. The convention will be held at the Italian Fraternal Society on 131 Monroe Street. The 24th convention will be immediately followed by a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee, Members from the 25th and 26th State Representative Districts will endorse candidates. Rep. John Geragosian and Rep. Peter Tercyak are seeking re-election. A 22nd State Representative convention will be held the same night at Plainville Town Hall where State Rep. Betty Boukus is seeking a new term.
Kevin Lembo, In Comptroller Race, Gets Nod From Incumbent Wyman
Kevin Lembo, the state's Health Care Advocate, has picked up the support of Comptroller Nancy Wyman to replace her as the state's elected fiscal watchdog as Wyman runs for Lieutenant Governor with Dan Malloy. Lembo, who previously won support of the United Auto Workers and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group in an exploratory campaign for Lieutenant Governor, immediately jumped into the void with incumbent Wyman's decision to seek a new office last week. Lembo may be the most experienced candidate running to replace Wyman. He previously served as Assistant State Comptroller focusing on health insurance for state employees and municipalities and implemented the state's shift to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
In Memoriam
New Britain Democrats extend sympathy to Ward 5 Alderman Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. on the passing of his father, Carlo Carlozzi, 80, last week. The elder Carlozzi, a registered Democrat for 58 years, immigrated to New Britain in 1952 and worked at Fafnir Bearing for 38 years until his retirement in 1991. He was a native of Campodipietra, Italy, Province of Campobasso (Molise). Memorial donations are invited to Saint Francis Cancer Center 114 Woodland Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06105-1299; Hospital for Special Care Foundation, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053 (www.hfsc.org ) or The Italian Welfare League, 8 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021 (www.italianwelfareleague.org).
Muncipal Budget Hearing Monday May 17th; Op-Ed Says Avoid Lay Offs in Frontline Jobs
The City Council will hold a budget hearing for the fiscal year that begins July 1 on Monday, May 17th, at 6 p.m. at New Britain High School about 20 days before the 2011 fiscal plan for municipal government needs to be adopted. This budget cycle arrives with flat funding from state aid, a tax hike proposal from the Mayor's office and the threat of "hundreds" of layoffs in the public schools.
The following article on the municipal budget appeared in part in a recent edition of the Hardware City Journal. This is the full text of the article.
By John McNamara
Don’t Cut Front-Line Jobs
The full weight of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is falling on the city’s budget makers in shaping a fiscal plan for the year that begins July 1st. Few cities or towns in Connecticut and the nation are exempt. And with Connecticut’s over reliance on property taxes the fiscal crisis falls most heavily on cities such as New Britain.
If there is one item across all city departments and divisions that should not be cut it is jobs – specifically: the frontline jobs that are integral to government functioning effectively. In times like these layoff proposals are inevitable because personnel represents such a huge junk of expenditures.
Maintaining direct service positions, however, should be the priority for the Mayor, the Common Council, department heads and labor unions as all parties look at tough options, including an increase in the mill rate. Maintaining frontline staff is all the harder because state aid won’t grow by much, and not enough federal stimulus dollars have been appropriated to bring local governments through the recession.
Eliminating municipal jobs, including the patrolman on the street, the on-duty fire fighter and the teacher in the classroom, certainly represents the easiest path to save the millions of dollars that will be necessary to hold the line on regressive taxes. But there is a direct correlation between layoffs of direct-service personnel and the reduction of essential services – a prospect that city residents will find untenable and an outcome that will prove more costly to the city over the long term. Cutting teachers means crowded classrooms. Cutting public safety personnel can lead to longer response times in an emergency. Pink slipping inspectors or depriving the city law office of sufficient legal counsel could even mean less revenue because of insufficient enforcement of what is due the city.
It is to be expected that the Mayor and Common Council will implement standard austerity measures for this year: hiring and spending freezes, consolidated purchasing between City Hall and the School District, eliminating the non-essential wherever possible -- ultimately raising the mill rate as the last resort as the Mayor has proposed.
All of these efforts, however, will not be enough to preserve services, avoid lay offs and minimize a tax hike. To implement a no-layoff budget the city and unions will have to strike deals through good-faith bargaining. Temporary furloughs are one option. State employees are in the middle of giving up seven pay days over two years along with other other short-term concessions that turned into job savers.
Municipal employees may be willing to step up, but only if management steps up first for the shared sacrifices that will be needed in fiscal year 2011 to preserve jobs and deliver city services.
There’s no guarantee that it’ll work completely, but setting the goal of a no-layoff municipal budget will serve the city and its residents best.
The following article on the municipal budget appeared in part in a recent edition of the Hardware City Journal. This is the full text of the article.
By John McNamara
Don’t Cut Front-Line Jobs
The full weight of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is falling on the city’s budget makers in shaping a fiscal plan for the year that begins July 1st. Few cities or towns in Connecticut and the nation are exempt. And with Connecticut’s over reliance on property taxes the fiscal crisis falls most heavily on cities such as New Britain.
If there is one item across all city departments and divisions that should not be cut it is jobs – specifically: the frontline jobs that are integral to government functioning effectively. In times like these layoff proposals are inevitable because personnel represents such a huge junk of expenditures.
Maintaining direct service positions, however, should be the priority for the Mayor, the Common Council, department heads and labor unions as all parties look at tough options, including an increase in the mill rate. Maintaining frontline staff is all the harder because state aid won’t grow by much, and not enough federal stimulus dollars have been appropriated to bring local governments through the recession.
Eliminating municipal jobs, including the patrolman on the street, the on-duty fire fighter and the teacher in the classroom, certainly represents the easiest path to save the millions of dollars that will be necessary to hold the line on regressive taxes. But there is a direct correlation between layoffs of direct-service personnel and the reduction of essential services – a prospect that city residents will find untenable and an outcome that will prove more costly to the city over the long term. Cutting teachers means crowded classrooms. Cutting public safety personnel can lead to longer response times in an emergency. Pink slipping inspectors or depriving the city law office of sufficient legal counsel could even mean less revenue because of insufficient enforcement of what is due the city.
It is to be expected that the Mayor and Common Council will implement standard austerity measures for this year: hiring and spending freezes, consolidated purchasing between City Hall and the School District, eliminating the non-essential wherever possible -- ultimately raising the mill rate as the last resort as the Mayor has proposed.
All of these efforts, however, will not be enough to preserve services, avoid lay offs and minimize a tax hike. To implement a no-layoff budget the city and unions will have to strike deals through good-faith bargaining. Temporary furloughs are one option. State employees are in the middle of giving up seven pay days over two years along with other other short-term concessions that turned into job savers.
Municipal employees may be willing to step up, but only if management steps up first for the shared sacrifices that will be needed in fiscal year 2011 to preserve jobs and deliver city services.
There’s no guarantee that it’ll work completely, but setting the goal of a no-layoff municipal budget will serve the city and its residents best.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
6 May 2010
Rep. O'Brien Kicks Off Campaign With Friday, May 7th Fund Raiser
State Representative Tim O'Brien, who represents the 24th Assembly District that includes parts of New Britain and Newington, will kick off his re-election campaign at a Friday, May 7th fund raiser, at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Rep. O'Brien is participating in the Citizens Election Program and individuals donations will be accepted from $5 to $100 in accordance with campaign finance law. To connect with Rep. O'Brien's campaign and online community visit www.timobrien.org
Kevin Murphy and Emma Pierce Re-Elected To State Central Committee
Democrats from Berlin, Farmington and New Britain met at New Britain City Hall on May 4th and re-elected state central committee members from the 6th Senatorial District. Berlin's Kevin Murphy was elected to a first full term having filled the vacancy left by the relocation of Ned Statchen last year. New Britain's Emma Pierce, the state Democratic Party Treasurer, won her re-election.
The Democratic State Central Committee is a 72-member committee comprised of an equal number of men and women from the state's 36 State Senatorial Districts. State Convention delegates elect members every two years. For more information: www.ctdems.org
In photo from left Berlin delegate Art Powers, Kevin Murphy, Emma Pierce and New Britain Chairman John McNamara at the state central election (photo courtesy of Frank Gerratana)
Let the Conventions Begin
A series of conventions to nominate candidates for state and congressional offices will begin on Monday May 10th when Democrats in Connecticut will hold endorsing conventions for five incumbent Congresspersons.
In the 5th Congressional District, Democrats will meet at Crosby High School in Waterbury where U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy is expected to gain the nod for a third term. A challenger will be nominated at the state convention on May 21-22 by the "Party of No" aka the Republicans at the Connecticut Convention Center.
A Judge of Probate Convention for the district that covers Berlin and New Britain will be held Tuesday May 11th at Crystal Ballroom in New Britain. Judge of Probate Walter Clebowicz is seeking re-election to a four-year term.
Democrats will hold the state convention for Governor, US Senate and the state constitutional offices on Friday May 21 and Saturday May 22 at Hartford's Expo Center. The conventions will wrap up for New Britain Democrats with the State Senate Convention on Monday, May 24th and for the 22nd and 24th conventions on Tuesday, May 25th. The Democratic Town Committee also plans to hold endorsements for state rep districts within city boundaries -- the 25th and 26th -- on Tuesday, May 25th. Whether or not you are a delegate all Democrats are welcome to attend the conventions. For information e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Rell Urged To Sign Energy Reform Bill for Lower Electric Rates
Proponents of electric rate reform, including Connecticut's American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Connecticut Citizens' Action Group, want you to ask Governor Rell to sign the Nardell-Fonfara bill (SB 493) named "An Act Reducing Electricity Costs and Promoting Renewable Energy". The bill stems from the negative effects of deregulation and sharp spikes in utility bills in recent years.
Supporters say the legislation will reduce electric rates by 15% and provide discount electric and gas rates for seniors and low-income households. It’s urgent that the Governor hears from you now.
Consumer and ratepayer relief provisions in the bill include measures reforming the procurement of electricity that sets a goal of reducing rates by 15%. Streamlining the procurement process will lower rates for all consumers, including those who buy electricity from a competitive, retail supplier. For low-income households, the bill establishes a discount electric rate funded through existing low-income programs. The legislation also protects consumers, who buy electricity from a retail electric supplier, from unscrupulous, aggressive marketing practices.
"Connecticut ratepayers, including seniors on fixed incomes, are tired of paying the highest rates in the continental United States while the gap between Connecticut’s rates and the next highest rates continues to grow," said AARP's John Erlinghauser, "S.B. 493 preserves consumer choice and ensures that the State take concrete steps to lower electricity costs across the board for all Connecticut ratepayers."
To contact Governor Rell's office in the Greater Hartford Area: 860-566-4840 or
e-mail: Governor.Rell@ct.gov
Terry Gerratana is guest speaker at League of Women Voters' Annual Meeting, May 24th
Terry Gerratana, a former state representative and state elections enforcement commissioner, will be the guest speaker at the 2010 annual meeting of the Berlin-New Britain League of Women Voters (LWV). The meeting will be held on Monday May 24th at Central Connecticut State University's Memorial Hall, Connecticut Room.
The event begins at 5:30 followed by a catered dinner of chicken francaise or vegetable lasagna (6 pm), speaker (7 pm and the annual meeting (8 pm). Reservations are payable in advance to Marjola and Leonard Nelson, 407 Steele Street, New Britain, CT 06052. $25 per person. Parking at CCSU will be available at the Vance Garage accessible via Manafort Drive; walk around Vance Building and use side door to enter Memorial Hall. The Connecticut Room is in the back of the building.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
24 April 2010
Senator DeFronzo's "Best of New Britain" Kick Off Is Sunday, 4/25, 1-4 p.m.
The re-election campaign of State Senator Don DeFronzo, representing Berlin, New Britain and a part of Farmington, will be held tomorrow, Sunday April 25th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Generale Ameglio Hall, 13 Beaver Street.
The "Best of New Britain" DeFronzo for State Senate event will include ethnic food, ice cream and music as Senator DeFronzo, a former two-term Mayor elected to the Senate in 2002, seeks a fifth two-year term in the 6th Senatorial District.
There is a minimum contribution of $5.00 per adult and children under 12 are free. Maximum allowable individual contribution is $100. Tickets are available by contacting newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com. DeFronzo, as are all New Britain legislators, is participating in the Citizens Election Program. A DeFronzo for State Senate event. Suzanne Bielinski, Treasurer.
New Britain Supports State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier at Thursday, 4/29 dinner
New Britain friends and supporters of State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier will hold an April 29th spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the re-election of the trailblazing Nappier who was first elected to state office in 1998. The dinner will be from 5;30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks I.B.P.O.E., 24 Elm Street in downtown New Britain.Hosting the dinner will be State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce, Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirley Black, Gail Crockett and Darlene Clark, among others.
Individuals are asked to support Nappier with qualifying contributions of between $5 and $100 in accordance with campaign finance laws. Contribution information will be available at the door or by e-mailing newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com. A Nappier for State Treasurer 2010 event, Bruno W. Mazzulla, Treasurer.
Town Committee Meets Thursday, 4/29, Ahead Of May Endorsing Conventions
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its April meeting on Thursday, April 29th, at 7:30 p.m. (following the Nappier for Treasurer spaghetti supper) at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, Room 504.
On the agenda will be an update on the 2010 election including May endorsing conventions, the selection of district leaders, several sub-committees and plans for a summer Democratic picnic. Justice of the Peace vacancies will also be filled.
All Democrats and interested citizens are welcome to attend the meeting. For more information contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Looking Ahead...
O'Brien Sets Kick Off Event: The campaign for the re-election of State Rep. Tim O'Brien of the 24th District will hold a kick-off fund-raising event on Friday, May 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street.
May's Convention Schedule
Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th
If you are a delegate convention information will be sent to you by the Democratic State Central Committee.
End Quote:
"The difference between Democrats and Republicans has always been measured in courage and confidence. The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail...We Democrats believe that we can make it all the way with the whole family intact...." former NY Governor Mario Cuomo, 1984.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
3 April 2010
From The Chairman: GOP Trash Talk Needs To End at Budget Time
Last November Mayor Tim Stewart began a new term with a call for a more cooperative approach between his office and the Democratic-controlled Common Council – an “end to political warfare.” But Stewart betrayed that bipartisan pledge almost immediately with negative remarks directed at the Council leadership, saying Majority Leader Phil Sherwood was a person he would neither break bread with nor talk to in conducting the city’s business. Stewart, though subsequently issuing a mea culpa, referred to Sherwood as a “carpet bagger” and a “hack” after the election was over.
The anti-Council, anti-Sherwood rhetoric has continued as Council members, overturning a mayoral veto in December, had their integrity and characters questioned en masse by grandstanding GOP surrogates of the mayor at Council meetings over the re-appointment of William Candelori to the Mattabassett District.
More recently Team Stewart has filed an elections complaint against Sherwood’s 2009 campaign, citing several bookkeeping errors, but falsely and frivolously accusing Sherwood of making an improper personal contribution to his own campaign. By contrast, Democrats have so far refrained from complaints against Republicans who may have made numerous violations in their 2009 campaigns for not adhering to disclaimer rules for candidate committees. It’s been a GOP pattern to use the official complaint process to go after opponents in a partisan fashion first and worry about the merits of their complaints last.
In March, the drumbeat continued as the mayor was reluctant and some council members condemned Sherwood for his resolution to post new budget proposals on the city website for public review. You’d think Sherwood would get a pass or even a nod for asking that important public documents be posted. Incredibly, a few councilors argued that posting budget proposals would tend to “confuse” voters. In the effort to demean Sherwood, these overly partisan critics managed to insult residents who have a right to know what the budget numbers are, proposed or otherwise. As Sherwood observed, more transparency allows more public input before final decisions are made.
Those who truly want more civility at City Hall need to push for an end to the GOP trash talk and sniping that has occurred with regularity in the current term. April 15th is not only tax day, but the date Stewart presents a 2010-2011 proposed budget to the Common Council. It would be a propitious time for the "civility" that was pledged months ago to begin. The upcoming budget process is going to be difficult enough. Attacking individuals from a co-equal branch of government with personal animus is no way to run a city.
JJB Dinner Features U.S. Sen. Mark Warner on April 12th
The state Democratic Party's 62nd annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford on Monday April 12th with cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7 p.m. This year's William O'Neill Award Recipient is Ellen Camh, Stamford's Town Chair and National Committeewoman. Va.Senator Mark Warner will be the keynote speaker. Reservations due April 6th. Information www.ctdems.org. Phone 860-560-1775.
Candidate Updates
March Madness Finale with AG Candidate George Jepsen Monday, April 5th
Local supporters of former State Party Chair George Jepsen, a candidate exploring a run for Attorney General, will hold a fund-raising party on Monday, April 5th, at 8 p.m. at the Roma Restaurant, Allen Street, New Britain, on the occasion of the NCAA Championship game. There is a suggested donation of $20 to Jepsen 2010 committee. Information available by calling 860-573-5051.
DeFronzo Kick-Off Is Sunday April 25th
The re-election campaign of State Senator Don DeFronzo (D-6) will kick off on Sunday April 25th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Generale Ameglio Hall, 13 Beaver Street
The "Best of New Britain" DeFronzo for State Senate event will include ethnic food, ice cream and music as Senator DeFronzo seeks a fifth two-year term representing New Britain, Berlin and a portion of Farmington in the state Senate.
There is a minimum contribution of $5.00 per adult and children under 12 are free. Tickets are available by contacting newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Treasurer Nappier Committee to Hold New Britain Spaghetti Dinner April 29th
State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier's re-election campaign will hold a spaghetti supper in New Britain on Thursday, April 29th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street in downtown New Britain. The suggested donation range is from $5 to $100. Information and tickets email: newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Rep. O'Brien To Kick Off Re-Election Campaign May 7th
The O'Brien for State Representative Committee will hold a kick-off fund-raising event on Friday, May 7th from 6-8 p.m. at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. Donations will be welcome from $5 to $100 for the campaign of the 24th Assembly District lawmaker whose district encompasses parts of New Britain and Newington. To join O'Brien's online community visit http://timobrien.groupsite.com/group/OBrien4StateRep
End Quote: Obama's message on Easter and Passover
www.whitehouse.gov
Last November Mayor Tim Stewart began a new term with a call for a more cooperative approach between his office and the Democratic-controlled Common Council – an “end to political warfare.” But Stewart betrayed that bipartisan pledge almost immediately with negative remarks directed at the Council leadership, saying Majority Leader Phil Sherwood was a person he would neither break bread with nor talk to in conducting the city’s business. Stewart, though subsequently issuing a mea culpa, referred to Sherwood as a “carpet bagger” and a “hack” after the election was over.
The anti-Council, anti-Sherwood rhetoric has continued as Council members, overturning a mayoral veto in December, had their integrity and characters questioned en masse by grandstanding GOP surrogates of the mayor at Council meetings over the re-appointment of William Candelori to the Mattabassett District.
More recently Team Stewart has filed an elections complaint against Sherwood’s 2009 campaign, citing several bookkeeping errors, but falsely and frivolously accusing Sherwood of making an improper personal contribution to his own campaign. By contrast, Democrats have so far refrained from complaints against Republicans who may have made numerous violations in their 2009 campaigns for not adhering to disclaimer rules for candidate committees. It’s been a GOP pattern to use the official complaint process to go after opponents in a partisan fashion first and worry about the merits of their complaints last.
In March, the drumbeat continued as the mayor was reluctant and some council members condemned Sherwood for his resolution to post new budget proposals on the city website for public review. You’d think Sherwood would get a pass or even a nod for asking that important public documents be posted. Incredibly, a few councilors argued that posting budget proposals would tend to “confuse” voters. In the effort to demean Sherwood, these overly partisan critics managed to insult residents who have a right to know what the budget numbers are, proposed or otherwise. As Sherwood observed, more transparency allows more public input before final decisions are made.
Those who truly want more civility at City Hall need to push for an end to the GOP trash talk and sniping that has occurred with regularity in the current term. April 15th is not only tax day, but the date Stewart presents a 2010-2011 proposed budget to the Common Council. It would be a propitious time for the "civility" that was pledged months ago to begin. The upcoming budget process is going to be difficult enough. Attacking individuals from a co-equal branch of government with personal animus is no way to run a city.
JJB Dinner Features U.S. Sen. Mark Warner on April 12th
The state Democratic Party's 62nd annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford on Monday April 12th with cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7 p.m. This year's William O'Neill Award Recipient is Ellen Camh, Stamford's Town Chair and National Committeewoman. Va.Senator Mark Warner will be the keynote speaker. Reservations due April 6th. Information www.ctdems.org. Phone 860-560-1775.
Candidate Updates
March Madness Finale with AG Candidate George Jepsen Monday, April 5th
Local supporters of former State Party Chair George Jepsen, a candidate exploring a run for Attorney General, will hold a fund-raising party on Monday, April 5th, at 8 p.m. at the Roma Restaurant, Allen Street, New Britain, on the occasion of the NCAA Championship game. There is a suggested donation of $20 to Jepsen 2010 committee. Information available by calling 860-573-5051.
DeFronzo Kick-Off Is Sunday April 25th
The re-election campaign of State Senator Don DeFronzo (D-6) will kick off on Sunday April 25th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Generale Ameglio Hall, 13 Beaver Street
The "Best of New Britain" DeFronzo for State Senate event will include ethnic food, ice cream and music as Senator DeFronzo seeks a fifth two-year term representing New Britain, Berlin and a portion of Farmington in the state Senate.
There is a minimum contribution of $5.00 per adult and children under 12 are free. Tickets are available by contacting newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Treasurer Nappier Committee to Hold New Britain Spaghetti Dinner April 29th
State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier's re-election campaign will hold a spaghetti supper in New Britain on Thursday, April 29th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street in downtown New Britain. The suggested donation range is from $5 to $100. Information and tickets email: newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
Rep. O'Brien To Kick Off Re-Election Campaign May 7th
The O'Brien for State Representative Committee will hold a kick-off fund-raising event on Friday, May 7th from 6-8 p.m. at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. Donations will be welcome from $5 to $100 for the campaign of the 24th Assembly District lawmaker whose district encompasses parts of New Britain and Newington. To join O'Brien's online community visit http://timobrien.groupsite.com/group/OBrien4StateRep
End Quote: Obama's message on Easter and Passover
One such war-time service was held on the black sands of Iwo Jima more than sixty years ago. There, in the wake of some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, a chaplain rose to deliver an Easter sermon, consecrating the memory, he said “of American dead – Catholic, Protestant, Jew. Together,” he said, “they huddled in foxholes or crouched in the bloody sands…Together they practiced virtue, patriotism, love of country, love of you and of me.” The chaplain continued, “The heritage they have left us, the vision of a new world, [was] made possible by the common bond that united them…their only hope that this unity will endure.”
Their only hope that this unity will endure.
On this weekend, as Easter begins and Passover comes to a close, let us remain ever mindful of the unity of purpose, the common bond, the love of you and of me, for which they sacrificed all they had; and for which so many others have sacrificed so much. And let us make its pursuit – and fulfillment – our highest aspiration, as individuals and as a nation. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating, here in America, and around the world
www.whitehouse.gov
Friday, March 26, 2010
NB Dems Praise Murphy On Health Care Vote; Push for Public Option
The New Britain Democratic Town adopted a resolution at its delegate selection meeting this week praising Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5) for his affirmative vote on health care reform last Sunday and calling upon the Connecticut delegation to continue a push for a public option on health insurance:
To: Cong Murphy and the CT delegation
New Britain Democratic Town Committee Public Option Resolution
WHEREAS, the health care system of the United States is in crisis, and too many CT citizens are denied access to adequate and affordable health care while the costs of private coverage continue to rise. This results in inadequate access to care, rampant preventable illness, and premature death. Further; this scourge, which is responsible for 62 percent of personal bankruptcies and has greatly exacerbated the financial crisis, has led our nation to the edge of an economic abyss; and
WHEREAS, New Britain Democrats commend President Obama, Cong. Murphy and the Democratic Caucus for laying the foundation for universal health care with passage of the health reform act on March 21, 2010.
WHEREAS, public polls show that an overwhelming majority of Americans want health care reform to offer the choice of a robust public option similar to the Tricare system that is offered to our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. In the words of President Obama, “keep the insurance companies honest,” while co-ops or so-called “triggers” are ill equipped measures intended to pacify the progressive movement. They are wholly insufficient, and will not adequately address the health care crisis. They will not create significant competition, and will deepen the already cavernous pockets of the medical insurance industry; and
WHEREAS, health insurance lobbyists, and their Republican allies have organized and funded groups of extremists to disrupt efforts on the part of the Democratic majority and administration to reasonably discuss the issue with the American people. They have served as obstructionists, and are unwilling to compromise in any way to pass meaningful health care reform;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, urge Cong. Murphy and the CT delegation to continue to work for healthcare reform that contains a robust public option, and encourages Cong. Murphy to use any available parliamentary means to serve the American people’s interest;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we shall send a copy of this resolution to all Democratic members of Congress who represent our state.
March 25, 2010
New Britain Democratic Town Committee www.newbritaindemocrat.net
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
25 March 2010 Delegate Meeting Today
DTC Resolution Thanks Murphy for Health Care Reform (HCR); Calls for Public Option
The Democratic Town Committee is expected to consider a resolution on Health Care Reform at its meeting this week thanking U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy for supporting the newly enacted federal legislation as a “first step” toward a public option and universal health care.
The resolution will be taken up on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall as city Democrats endorse slates of delegates to attend conventions in May.
The resolution will commend Rep. Murphy and his Democratic colleagues for voting for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” signed into law Tuesday by President Obama. It will urge lawmakers to use the new law as “a first step toward a robust public option that will bring competition to the health insurance marketplace, further contain costs and pave the way for health care for all.”
Delegate Meeting
In endorsing slates, New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. Slates will also form to attend conventions for Cong. Murphy of the 5th Congressional District, the Judge of Probate now held by Walter Clebowicz, the 6th State Senate District represented by Don DeFronzo and three state representative districts, the 22nd represented by Betty Boukus and the 24th represented by Tim O’Brien.
May's Convention Schedule
Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th
On The Calendar Next Week
Candidates
Chris Murphy
Monday March 29th 5-7 pm: Chris Murphy for Congress' reception at the home of Terry and Frank Gerratana, 674 Lincoln Street, New Britain. Suggested contribution $50. All contributions will be gratefully accepted. RSVP to jessica@murphyforcongress.org
Telephone: 860-223-5532. www.murphyforcongress.org
Dan Malloy
Tuesday, March 30th 5-7 pm: Fundraising reception for Dan Malloy for Governor at Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Road, New Britain. Suggested contributions of $100 (friend) or $50 (supporter) will be appreciated. RSVP to 203-588-1345 or kate@danmalloy.com
Neighborhoods
The North-Oak NRZ will hold its March meeting on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Ann Pilla, the executive director of Trinity On Main performing arts center. The meeting will he held at HRA's
The newly-formed New Britain Community Organization (NBCO), focusing on neighborhood and quality of life issues throughout the city, will hold an organizing and planning meeting on Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at The Regency Building Community Room, 55 Spring Street.
End Quote
-Michael Tomasky The Guardian March 22
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/22/health-care-vote-us-obama
The Democratic Town Committee is expected to consider a resolution on Health Care Reform at its meeting this week thanking U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy for supporting the newly enacted federal legislation as a “first step” toward a public option and universal health care.
The resolution will be taken up on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall as city Democrats endorse slates of delegates to attend conventions in May.
The resolution will commend Rep. Murphy and his Democratic colleagues for voting for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” signed into law Tuesday by President Obama. It will urge lawmakers to use the new law as “a first step toward a robust public option that will bring competition to the health insurance marketplace, further contain costs and pave the way for health care for all.”
Delegate Meeting
In endorsing slates, New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. Slates will also form to attend conventions for Cong. Murphy of the 5th Congressional District, the Judge of Probate now held by Walter Clebowicz, the 6th State Senate District represented by Don DeFronzo and three state representative districts, the 22nd represented by Betty Boukus and the 24th represented by Tim O’Brien.
May's Convention Schedule
Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th
On The Calendar Next Week
Candidates
Chris Murphy
Monday March 29th 5-7 pm: Chris Murphy for Congress' reception at the home of Terry and Frank Gerratana, 674 Lincoln Street, New Britain. Suggested contribution $50. All contributions will be gratefully accepted. RSVP to jessica@murphyforcongress.org
Telephone: 860-223-5532. www.murphyforcongress.org
Dan Malloy
Tuesday, March 30th 5-7 pm: Fundraising reception for Dan Malloy for Governor at Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Road, New Britain. Suggested contributions of $100 (friend) or $50 (supporter) will be appreciated. RSVP to 203-588-1345 or kate@danmalloy.com
Neighborhoods
The North-Oak NRZ will hold its March meeting on Monday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Ann Pilla, the executive director of Trinity On Main performing arts center. The meeting will he held at HRA's
The newly-formed New Britain Community Organization (NBCO), focusing on neighborhood and quality of life issues throughout the city, will hold an organizing and planning meeting on Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at The Regency Building Community Room, 55 Spring Street.
End Quote
But here's the thing. Community hasn't succeeded very often in American politics, but when it has, it's tended to work better than advertised. Social Security and Medicare (universal coverage for senior citizens) are very popular. Once changes like these are made, well, it takes a while, but most people tend to like them. And maybe that's the real reason Republicans are so unhinged right now.
-Michael Tomasky The Guardian March 22
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/22/health-care-vote-us-obama
Saturday, March 13, 2010
13 March 2010
New Britain Democrats Karaoke Kick Off $20.10, March 23
Join New Britain Democrats for music (of their own making), singing delegates and good cheer at the kick-off reception for the 2010 Nov. 2nd election for Governor, all state constitutional offices, U.S. Senate, Congress (District 5), Judge of Probate, State Senate (District 6) and State Representatives (Districts 22,24,25,26).
The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23rd at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street. A special thanks to DJ Rich Marzi for providing the music. The suggested donation is $20.10. Proceeds will benefit the NB-DTC's voter registration and Get Out The Vote activities. [Please note contributions from businesses, state contractors, communicator lobbyists and their family members are prohibited). An NBDTC event.
Town Committee Re-Elects Leaders, Welcomes 18 New Members
The Democratic Town Committee held its organizational meeting March 4th, re-electing leaders and welcoming 18 new members to the 52-member party committee.
John McNamara, a member since 1986, was re-elected to a ninth term as Town Chair. Robert Sanchez, a member of the Board of Education, was elected to a third term as Vice Chair. Officers elected include John Valengavich, Treasurer; Ray Matyszyk, Assistant Treasurer; Rosemary Klotz, Recording Secretary, ,and; Peter Spano, Corresponding Secretary.
New district members of the committee include Lidia Agramonte-Gomez, Laura Woodie, Michael Dagata, Nereida Claudio, Pernell Young, Mike Platosz, Elrick George, Emmanuel Sanchez, Stephanie Podewell, Jaclyn Falkowski, Andrzej Lesniak, Yvette Ghannam, Earl Proulx, Teresa Sapieha-Yanchak, Todd Szabo, Zulma Garcia, Peruse Khachoyan and Richard Reyes. The DTC will elect assembly district leaders and fill committee positions at the March 25th and April meetings.
The DTC welcomes associate members to serve on committees and to volunteer for campaign activities. For information interested Democrats may e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
DTC Delegate Meeting To Be Held March 25th
The Democratic Town Committee will convene Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall to endorse slates of delegates to this year's political conventions. New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. An August Primary looms for Governor and other offices. Slates will also be selected for Probate Judge, U.S. Congress,the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and 24th state representative districts.
May's Convention Schedule
Congressional Convention (U.S. House) – May 10th
Judge of Probate - May 11
State Convention - May 21-22
State Senate Convention – May 24
State House of Representatives Conventions (Multi-Town Districts) – May 25th
Upcoming Candidate Events in New Britain
Chris Murphy
Monday March 29th 5-7 pm: Chris Murphy for Congress' reception at the home of Terry and Frank Gerratana, 674 Lincoln Street, New Britain. Suggested contribution $50. All contributions will be gratefully accepted. RSVP to jessica@murphyforcongress.org. Telephone: 860-223-5532. www.murphyforcongress.org
Dan Malloy
Tuesday, March 30th 5-7 pm: Fundraising reception for Dan Malloy for Governor at Whinstone Tavern at Stanley Golf Course, 245 Hartford Road, New Britain. Suggested contributions of $100 (friend) or $50 (supporter) will be appreciated. RSVP to 203-588-1345 or kate@danmalloy.com
End Quote: For a Health Care Reconciliation With Public Option
The overwhelming majority of Americans want a public option. The latest New York Times poll on this issue, in December, shows that despite the attacks of recent months Americans support the public option 59% to 29%. Support includes 80% of Democrats, 59% of Independents, and even 33% of Republicans.Much of the public identifies a public option as the key component of health care reform -- and as the best thing we can do to stand up for regular people against big insurance companies. In fact, overall support for health care reform declined steadily as the public option was removed from reform legislation. Although we strongly support the important reforms made by the Senate-passed health reform package, including a strong public option would improve both its substance and the public’s perception of it. The Senate has an obligation to reform our unworkable health insurance market -- both to reduce costs and to give consumers more choices. A strong public option is the best way to deliver on both of these goals, and we urge its consideration under reconciliation rules.
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO),Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urging inclusion of public option for health insurance when reconciliation bill reaches Senate.
More information at http://democracyforamerica.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
3 March 2010
Town Committee Starts New Term Thursday, March 4th;
Officers and Leaders To Be Elected
The Democratic Town Committee will start a new two-year term at an organizational meeting Thursday, March 4th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street.
On the agenda will be election of officers and district leaders for the 52-member committee which includes representatives from the city’s 15 voting districts.
Town Chair John McNamara and Vice Chair Robert Sanchez will seek re-election to lead the DTC in this gubernatorial election year. In a letter to members, McNamara and Sanchez said “it has been our shared commitment to organize a diverse and active town committee, a committee that is inclusive and respects all points of view in the Democratic Party, and works to elect Democrats who will be responsible and responsive to their constituents. We want to continue that commitment in a new term.”
“Like any volunteer organization,” the letter stated, “the DTC needs to continuously revitalize itself by recruiting new leaders to serve and run for office, to engage in activities that will maximize citizen participation and to speak out on issues that matter to residents, particularly at the municipal level.”
The DTC leaders also called for new party voter registration drives through canvassing, public events and awareness campaigns. Voter registration near the end of February showed Democrats represent 54% of the electorate with 17,376, Republicans at 10% with 3,220 and unaffiliateds at 35% with 11,296. A total of 32,283residents are registered to vote.
The Town Committee also plans to continue to encourage community service and volunteerism in a new term by filling vacancies for Justices of the Peace.
The March 4th meeting and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee are open to the public.
Campaign 2010: DTC Delegate Meeting To Be Held March 25th
The 2010 campaign will begin in earnest this month when the Democratic Town Committee will convene Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall to endorse slates of delegates to this year's political conventions.
New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. An August Primary looms for Governor and other offices. Slates will also be selected for Probate Judge, U.S. Congress,the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and 24th state representative districts.
Support Your Neighbors Who Work For Stop & Shop
A major strike of 15,000 grocery store workers looms in Connecticut if the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)and Stop & Shop management do not agree on a contract this week. Negotiators face a considerable divide on agreeing on a wage and health care package that is reasonable and fair to the work force, according to the latest press reports.
Stop & Shop workers, represented by the UFCW, have voted to authorize a
strike if negotiations fail and they are unable to come up with a fair
contract. The company is mobilizing to hire replacement workers if talks break down. The impasse has significance for the entire food store industry because S&S wages and benefits set a wage standard that other chains must maintain even if the work force is not unionized.
"In the midst of a recession in 2009, Stop & Shop's parent company made over
$28 billion in the first three quarters. In fact, their net sales increased
10% from the same period in 2008. Not bad for a recession," states Citizens for Economic Opportunity (CEO), a CT-based labor advocacy group.
"To make matters worse, they have begun seeking "replacement workers" (aka,
strikebreakers or scabs) and advertising $3 more per hour than they pay
their current employees" according to the CEO statement.
HOW TO HELP
* Agree not to cross a picket line if there is a strike; send a messageSend a message to consumer relations<
* Join the Facebook groupwww.facebook.com/pages/If-Stop-Shop-Workers-are-forced-to-strike-Sto">
Officers and Leaders To Be Elected
The Democratic Town Committee will start a new two-year term at an organizational meeting Thursday, March 4th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street.
On the agenda will be election of officers and district leaders for the 52-member committee which includes representatives from the city’s 15 voting districts.
Town Chair John McNamara and Vice Chair Robert Sanchez will seek re-election to lead the DTC in this gubernatorial election year. In a letter to members, McNamara and Sanchez said “it has been our shared commitment to organize a diverse and active town committee, a committee that is inclusive and respects all points of view in the Democratic Party, and works to elect Democrats who will be responsible and responsive to their constituents. We want to continue that commitment in a new term.”
“Like any volunteer organization,” the letter stated, “the DTC needs to continuously revitalize itself by recruiting new leaders to serve and run for office, to engage in activities that will maximize citizen participation and to speak out on issues that matter to residents, particularly at the municipal level.”
The DTC leaders also called for new party voter registration drives through canvassing, public events and awareness campaigns. Voter registration near the end of February showed Democrats represent 54% of the electorate with 17,376, Republicans at 10% with 3,220 and unaffiliateds at 35% with 11,296. A total of 32,283residents are registered to vote.
The Town Committee also plans to continue to encourage community service and volunteerism in a new term by filling vacancies for Justices of the Peace.
The March 4th meeting and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee are open to the public.
Campaign 2010: DTC Delegate Meeting To Be Held March 25th
The 2010 campaign will begin in earnest this month when the Democratic Town Committee will convene Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall to endorse slates of delegates to this year's political conventions.
New Britain Democrats will send 35 delegates to the May 21-22 state convention where candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate and all the state constitutional offices will be endorsed. An August Primary looms for Governor and other offices. Slates will also be selected for Probate Judge, U.S. Congress,the 6th State Senate, the 22nd and 24th state representative districts.
Support Your Neighbors Who Work For Stop & Shop
A major strike of 15,000 grocery store workers looms in Connecticut if the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)and Stop & Shop management do not agree on a contract this week. Negotiators face a considerable divide on agreeing on a wage and health care package that is reasonable and fair to the work force, according to the latest press reports.
Stop & Shop workers, represented by the UFCW, have voted to authorize a
strike if negotiations fail and they are unable to come up with a fair
contract. The company is mobilizing to hire replacement workers if talks break down. The impasse has significance for the entire food store industry because S&S wages and benefits set a wage standard that other chains must maintain even if the work force is not unionized.
"In the midst of a recession in 2009, Stop & Shop's parent company made over
$28 billion in the first three quarters. In fact, their net sales increased
10% from the same period in 2008. Not bad for a recession," states Citizens for Economic Opportunity (CEO), a CT-based labor advocacy group.
"To make matters worse, they have begun seeking "replacement workers" (aka,
strikebreakers or scabs) and advertising $3 more per hour than they pay
their current employees" according to the CEO statement.
HOW TO HELP
* Agree not to cross a picket line if there is a strike; send a message
* Join the Facebook group
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. City Hall
State Candidates To Speak
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will meet Thursday, Feb. 25th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main St. in Room 504, with candidates for state office and plans for 2010 on the agenda.
Invited to be guest speakers are Secretary of the State hopefuls, including New Haven Alderman Gerald Garcia, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) and State Senator Jonathan Harris (D-West Hartford). Former State Party Chair and state senator George Jepsen, who is vying for the Attorney General nomination, is also expected to attend the meeting.
Committee members will discuss a 2010 Campaign Karaoke Kick-Off in March. The public is invited to this and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee.
DTC Organizational Meeting, Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m. City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will hold its organizational meeting to start a new, two-year term on Thursday, March 4th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street in Room 504. The agenda includes the election of officers, district leaders and the formation of sub-committees. Statewide candidates will also be invited as guest speakers at the March 4th meeting.
From The Chair:
Remembering Bill Kerr, CCSU Politics Prof: Service Saturday,Feb. 27
A celebration of the life of Charles W. (Bill) Kerr will be held at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT, on Saturday February 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. Kerr, 78, died on February 2, 2010 in his home at Sun City, Hilton Head, SC. A Missouri native, Kerr was a professor emeritus of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and served as Chair of the Political Science Department.
In the early ‘80s I first met Bill Kerr and his wife Marietta at a meeting of the Caucus of Connecticut Democrats (CCD) a few years before moving to New Britain. Thanks to connecting with Kerr outside of the city, I got a quick introduction to the New Britain Democratic establishment when I moved here and was fast-tracked into local politics – winning a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in ’86, and beginning what’s turned into 24 years of being involved in campaigns and elections.
Meeting Kerr at the CCD – the liberal group that in its heyday mobilized Dems for direct primaries, civil rights and an end to the war in Vietnam – was no accident. Bill Kerr, the partisan, was an unabashed progressive – supporting liberal candidates and favoring groups such as the Legislative Electoral Action Program (LEAP) and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG).
Though I was never in one of his classes, Kerr, the teacher, had keen insights and possessed a wry and dry sense of humor about politics that you would have had to be around to appreciate. Those attributes, not to mention a Ph.D in political science, commanded respect from the left and right, and from Rs and Ds in Connecticut.
At CCSU, Kerr had a good run of organizing conferences and workshops, bringing experts and pols of all stripes together. One year it would Cong. Nancy Johnson. The next it would be Barney Frank. He organized these forums under his Institute for Practical Politics (IPP), a fitting name at an institution drawing many sons and daughters of the working class to become teachers and professionals or, in some cases, local and state elected officials.
Kerr’s Institute was no high falutin’ think tank, but a series of “practical” sessions among academics and citizens on policy and political strategy. Kerr’s knowledge of CT politics and players always made IPP conferences informative and helped extend his teaching of politics and government well beyond the classroom.
When someone we know and respect dies it can be a comfort to say we are better persons for having known that person. In Bill Kerr’s case, I and I’d guess many of his students would say we are better citizens for having known him as fellow activists or students.
New Britain Democrats extend condolences to Marietta, Melanie and all the members of the Kerr family.
End Quote
From “No Jobs Recovery! When will Connecticut’s Misery End? February 2010 Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, University of Connecticut. http://ccea.uconn.edu/
State Candidates To Speak
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will meet Thursday, Feb. 25th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main St. in Room 504, with candidates for state office and plans for 2010 on the agenda.
Invited to be guest speakers are Secretary of the State hopefuls, including New Haven Alderman Gerald Garcia, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) and State Senator Jonathan Harris (D-West Hartford). Former State Party Chair and state senator George Jepsen, who is vying for the Attorney General nomination, is also expected to attend the meeting.
Committee members will discuss a 2010 Campaign Karaoke Kick-Off in March. The public is invited to this and all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee.
DTC Organizational Meeting, Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m. City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will hold its organizational meeting to start a new, two-year term on Thursday, March 4th, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street in Room 504. The agenda includes the election of officers, district leaders and the formation of sub-committees. Statewide candidates will also be invited as guest speakers at the March 4th meeting.
From The Chair:
Remembering Bill Kerr, CCSU Politics Prof: Service Saturday,Feb. 27
A celebration of the life of Charles W. (Bill) Kerr will be held at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT, on Saturday February 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. Kerr, 78, died on February 2, 2010 in his home at Sun City, Hilton Head, SC. A Missouri native, Kerr was a professor emeritus of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and served as Chair of the Political Science Department.
In the early ‘80s I first met Bill Kerr and his wife Marietta at a meeting of the Caucus of Connecticut Democrats (CCD) a few years before moving to New Britain. Thanks to connecting with Kerr outside of the city, I got a quick introduction to the New Britain Democratic establishment when I moved here and was fast-tracked into local politics – winning a seat on the Democratic Town Committee in ’86, and beginning what’s turned into 24 years of being involved in campaigns and elections.
Meeting Kerr at the CCD – the liberal group that in its heyday mobilized Dems for direct primaries, civil rights and an end to the war in Vietnam – was no accident. Bill Kerr, the partisan, was an unabashed progressive – supporting liberal candidates and favoring groups such as the Legislative Electoral Action Program (LEAP) and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG).
Though I was never in one of his classes, Kerr, the teacher, had keen insights and possessed a wry and dry sense of humor about politics that you would have had to be around to appreciate. Those attributes, not to mention a Ph.D in political science, commanded respect from the left and right, and from Rs and Ds in Connecticut.
At CCSU, Kerr had a good run of organizing conferences and workshops, bringing experts and pols of all stripes together. One year it would Cong. Nancy Johnson. The next it would be Barney Frank. He organized these forums under his Institute for Practical Politics (IPP), a fitting name at an institution drawing many sons and daughters of the working class to become teachers and professionals or, in some cases, local and state elected officials.
Kerr’s Institute was no high falutin’ think tank, but a series of “practical” sessions among academics and citizens on policy and political strategy. Kerr’s knowledge of CT politics and players always made IPP conferences informative and helped extend his teaching of politics and government well beyond the classroom.
When someone we know and respect dies it can be a comfort to say we are better persons for having known that person. In Bill Kerr’s case, I and I’d guess many of his students would say we are better citizens for having known him as fellow activists or students.
New Britain Democrats extend condolences to Marietta, Melanie and all the members of the Kerr family.
End Quote
“The state’s economy has undergone a critical structural change as the degree of outsourcing—whether to other states or abroad—has grown quickly for more than a decade. The result is that even strong growth in total output may not translate into rapid improvement in employment. The effect shows in a pattern of progressively slowed jobs recovery. Before 1990, Connecticut’s economy recovered jobs lost in recessions in ten months or less; recovery took 23 months and then 39 months in the last two recessions.”
From “No Jobs Recovery! When will Connecticut’s Misery End? February 2010 Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis, University of Connecticut. http://ccea.uconn.edu/
Sunday, February 14, 2010
14 February 2010
Republican “Roadmap” Undermines Retirees, Working Families, Middle Class
The Republican Party’s alternatives to Democratic proposals for economic stimulus and health care plans have come out of the woodwork. Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (WI) is the point man for a strategy that would, according to press reports, make wholesale cuts to Social Security and Medicare, let the wealthiest 1% of Americans keep their Bush, deficit-causing tax cuts and create a “simpler” tax system that includes an 8.5% federal consumption (sales) tax. Notes the widely read TPM blog: “That's a tax on all goods and services that shifts the tax burden from corporations to individual consumers.”
The GOP “blueprint” undermines the Medicare program in future years with this provision: “For those currently under 55 – as they become Medicare-eligible – it creates a Medicare payment, initially averaging $11,000, to be used to purchase a Medicare certified plan. The payment is adjusted to reflect medical inflation, and pegged to income, with low-income individuals receiving greater support.” Put simply, the GOP plan throws Medicare eligible individuals to the insurance industry that would reap a taxpayer windfall without a benefit guarantee, or worse, a decrease in those benefits.
You can read the “roadmap” in its entirety at http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/ complete with Rep. Ryan's bragging about how good it is.
Andy Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who has worked with members of the Business Roundtable on health care reform over the last several years told TPM: "It's hard to imagine that this is a 21st century plan. It seems like we're going back to the future. Particularly when George Bush inherited a surplus and drove it into a massive deficit, I'm not sure we should trust the Republican party's rehashed ideas to not just bankrupt the country in the end."
The Connecticut Republicans seeking a seat in the 5th CD and elsewhere this year should be called out for their position on their party’s “roadmap.” Prediction: They will run away from it as fast as they can to avoid talking about issues and being labeled as proponents of the same lame ideas espoused by Bush 43. Lest we forget the Bush-Cheney war mongering, deregulation and fiscal policies plunged the country into harshest economic trouble since the Great Depression. Well, maybe all of CT GOPers except Linda "Smackdown" McMahon, the current darling of New Britain's Republicans.
NB Dems February Meeting: February 25 at City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee will meet on February 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street for its final meeting of the 2008-2010 term. Members and friends will receive updates on key issues emerging at the state House and City Hall this year. Candidates for statewide offices will also be welcomed.
Organizational, Delegate meetings scheduled to start the 2010-2012 term: March 4, March 23-30
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its organizational meeting for a new term on Thursday March 4th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The Committee will elect officers, district leaders and appoint committees to kick off the 2010 election cycle. Democrats not serving as elected members from district who wish to volunteer as associate members are welcome to attend and join. For more information, e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or call the Town Chair at 860-827-9469.
DTC Leader Francisco Cuin appointed to state Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission
DTC member and District Leader Francisco O. Cuin has been appointed to serve on the state’s Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC) for the next two years. Cuin, active in voter registration and citizen involvement, has served on the town committee for three terms and was elected citywide to the Board of Assessment Appeal (2007-2009). A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Francisco is a member of the board of the Spanish Speaking Center and is an elected member of the city’s Board of Assessment. He is also the co-founder of the Parent Network of New Britain, which works to improve quality of life of New Britain Latinos. Cuin currently works for the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. in the Head Start Program and with the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving. He holds multiple degrees, including a juris doctorate from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Democratic legislators had praise for Cuin’s work in the community and his appointment to the statewide commission:
“Francisco Cuin is a civic leader in the city of New Britain and is a strong advocate for the Latino community in our city,” said Senator Donald J. DeFronzo (D-6). “He will be a welcome and positive addition to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Representative Betty Boukus (D-22) said, “Mr. Cuin has a long history of advocacy and will bring an important voice to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Said State representative John Geragosian (D-25): “Francisco will make a wonderful addition to the commission. He understands the challenges facing the Latino community and the community at-large. He will be a strong advocate for change.”
Created in 1994, LPRAC is a nonpartisan public policy agency within the state’s Legislative Branch. LPRAC consists of 21 appointed volunteers who are mandated to advise the General Assembly and the governor on policies that foster progress in the Latino communities residing in Connecticut. For more information, visit www.cga.ct.gov/lprac/.
New Britain Democrats Rx for the February Blues: Irish music, Southern cooking
The menu: Saturday, February 20th, Noon
4th annual winter BBQ sponsored by the Pride of CT Lodge 1437, 24-30 Elm Street. Smoked ribs, BBQ chicken, fried fish, Georgia hots, baked beans, salads and corn on the cob. Come early. Stay late.
The Music: the New Britain Irish Social Club, 39 South Street
Friday, February 19th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting the Marksmen
Friday, March 5th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting Celtic Music of Calley McGrane and the Exiles.
New Britain Irish Social Club (Hibernians) 860-832-8023
End Quote
“The difference between Democrats and Republicans has always been measured in courage and confidence. The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail…We Democrats believe that we can make it all the way with the whole family intact….” Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo at the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
The Republican Party’s alternatives to Democratic proposals for economic stimulus and health care plans have come out of the woodwork. Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (WI) is the point man for a strategy that would, according to press reports, make wholesale cuts to Social Security and Medicare, let the wealthiest 1% of Americans keep their Bush, deficit-causing tax cuts and create a “simpler” tax system that includes an 8.5% federal consumption (sales) tax. Notes the widely read TPM blog: “That's a tax on all goods and services that shifts the tax burden from corporations to individual consumers.”
The GOP “blueprint” undermines the Medicare program in future years with this provision: “For those currently under 55 – as they become Medicare-eligible – it creates a Medicare payment, initially averaging $11,000, to be used to purchase a Medicare certified plan. The payment is adjusted to reflect medical inflation, and pegged to income, with low-income individuals receiving greater support.” Put simply, the GOP plan throws Medicare eligible individuals to the insurance industry that would reap a taxpayer windfall without a benefit guarantee, or worse, a decrease in those benefits.
You can read the “roadmap” in its entirety at http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/ complete with Rep. Ryan's bragging about how good it is.
Andy Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who has worked with members of the Business Roundtable on health care reform over the last several years told TPM: "It's hard to imagine that this is a 21st century plan. It seems like we're going back to the future. Particularly when George Bush inherited a surplus and drove it into a massive deficit, I'm not sure we should trust the Republican party's rehashed ideas to not just bankrupt the country in the end."
The Connecticut Republicans seeking a seat in the 5th CD and elsewhere this year should be called out for their position on their party’s “roadmap.” Prediction: They will run away from it as fast as they can to avoid talking about issues and being labeled as proponents of the same lame ideas espoused by Bush 43. Lest we forget the Bush-Cheney war mongering, deregulation and fiscal policies plunged the country into harshest economic trouble since the Great Depression. Well, maybe all of CT GOPers except Linda "Smackdown" McMahon, the current darling of New Britain's Republicans.
NB Dems February Meeting: February 25 at City Hall
The Democratic Town Committee will meet on February 25th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street for its final meeting of the 2008-2010 term. Members and friends will receive updates on key issues emerging at the state House and City Hall this year. Candidates for statewide offices will also be welcomed.
Organizational, Delegate meetings scheduled to start the 2010-2012 term: March 4, March 23-30
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its organizational meeting for a new term on Thursday March 4th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The Committee will elect officers, district leaders and appoint committees to kick off the 2010 election cycle. Democrats not serving as elected members from district who wish to volunteer as associate members are welcome to attend and join. For more information, e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or call the Town Chair at 860-827-9469.
DTC Leader Francisco Cuin appointed to state Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission
DTC member and District Leader Francisco O. Cuin has been appointed to serve on the state’s Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC) for the next two years. Cuin, active in voter registration and citizen involvement, has served on the town committee for three terms and was elected citywide to the Board of Assessment Appeal (2007-2009). A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Francisco is a member of the board of the Spanish Speaking Center and is an elected member of the city’s Board of Assessment. He is also the co-founder of the Parent Network of New Britain, which works to improve quality of life of New Britain Latinos. Cuin currently works for the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. in the Head Start Program and with the New Britain Foundation for Public Giving. He holds multiple degrees, including a juris doctorate from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Democratic legislators had praise for Cuin’s work in the community and his appointment to the statewide commission:
“Francisco Cuin is a civic leader in the city of New Britain and is a strong advocate for the Latino community in our city,” said Senator Donald J. DeFronzo (D-6). “He will be a welcome and positive addition to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Representative Betty Boukus (D-22) said, “Mr. Cuin has a long history of advocacy and will bring an important voice to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.” Said State representative John Geragosian (D-25): “Francisco will make a wonderful addition to the commission. He understands the challenges facing the Latino community and the community at-large. He will be a strong advocate for change.”
Created in 1994, LPRAC is a nonpartisan public policy agency within the state’s Legislative Branch. LPRAC consists of 21 appointed volunteers who are mandated to advise the General Assembly and the governor on policies that foster progress in the Latino communities residing in Connecticut. For more information, visit www.cga.ct.gov/lprac/.
New Britain Democrats Rx for the February Blues: Irish music, Southern cooking
The menu: Saturday, February 20th, Noon
4th annual winter BBQ sponsored by the Pride of CT Lodge 1437, 24-30 Elm Street. Smoked ribs, BBQ chicken, fried fish, Georgia hots, baked beans, salads and corn on the cob. Come early. Stay late.
The Music: the New Britain Irish Social Club, 39 South Street
Friday, February 19th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting the Marksmen
Friday, March 5th, 8:30-11:30 p.m. presenting Celtic Music of Calley McGrane and the Exiles.
New Britain Irish Social Club (Hibernians) 860-832-8023
End Quote
“The difference between Democrats and Republicans has always been measured in courage and confidence. The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail…We Democrats believe that we can make it all the way with the whole family intact….” Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo at the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Democratic Town Committee To Meet Thursday, January 28th
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its first meeting of 2010 on Thursday, January 28th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 504.
Democrats seeking statewide offices will be given opportunities to introduce their candidacies at the January meeting and again at the February meeting (February 25th) before the start of the new term.
The Committee will also take up Justice of the Peace appointments, discuss the upcoming legislative session and review the 2010 political calendar.
Legislators Holding Community Meetings This Week
Members of the New Britain legislative delegation are holding a pair of general community meetings for the public to attend and discuss state government, the economy and other issues facing New Britain residents. The Legislature will convene for its 2010 session next week on Wednesday, February 3rd. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street. The second will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Resource Agency of New Britain, Community Room, 180 Clinton Street. All members of the public are invited to attend.
Online Connecticut Mirror Gives Politics and Government Coverage A Boost
The launch of the online Connecticut Mirror this week is expected to add considerably to the extent and breadth of coverage of politics and government in Connecticut. The Mirror, funded with foundation grants, is a hopeful response to the continuing decline of state capitol coverage by newspapers.
The CT Mirror (www.ctmirror.com), describes itself as “an independent source of news and information about our state’s government, politics and public policy. From dealing with Connecticut’s budget crisis to choosing its top officials, 2010 will be a year of critical decisions. We hope you’ll be with us as we cover it all. Our goal is to bring you in-depth coverage of the issues and events that will affect the lives of all Connecticut residents for years to come.”
The Mirror, which includes a guide to state politics and government, began online publishing on Monday.
Stand Up For Health Care Coalition Not Backing Off From Push For Health Care Reform
The coalition of local and national organizations calling for Congressional action on comprehensive health care reform is stepping up efforts for passage of a House-Senate compromises despite the loss of a 60th Democratic vote for cloture in the U.S. Senate.
In a letter to Congressional leaders,Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, links the need for health care reform with the health of the economy:
For more information and to contact members of Congress visit Families USA www.familiesusa.org or Connecticut Citizen Action Group.
UPCOMING MUNICIPAL MEETINGS
CITY COUNCIL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH 7 P.M. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGINS AT 7 P.M.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST
End Quote
New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, January 23rd
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/opinion/23herbert.html
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its first meeting of 2010 on Thursday, January 28th at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Room 504.
Democrats seeking statewide offices will be given opportunities to introduce their candidacies at the January meeting and again at the February meeting (February 25th) before the start of the new term.
The Committee will also take up Justice of the Peace appointments, discuss the upcoming legislative session and review the 2010 political calendar.
Legislators Holding Community Meetings This Week
Members of the New Britain legislative delegation are holding a pair of general community meetings for the public to attend and discuss state government, the economy and other issues facing New Britain residents. The Legislature will convene for its 2010 session next week on Wednesday, February 3rd. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street. The second will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Resource Agency of New Britain, Community Room, 180 Clinton Street. All members of the public are invited to attend.
Online Connecticut Mirror Gives Politics and Government Coverage A Boost
The launch of the online Connecticut Mirror this week is expected to add considerably to the extent and breadth of coverage of politics and government in Connecticut. The Mirror, funded with foundation grants, is a hopeful response to the continuing decline of state capitol coverage by newspapers.
The CT Mirror (www.ctmirror.com), describes itself as “an independent source of news and information about our state’s government, politics and public policy. From dealing with Connecticut’s budget crisis to choosing its top officials, 2010 will be a year of critical decisions. We hope you’ll be with us as we cover it all. Our goal is to bring you in-depth coverage of the issues and events that will affect the lives of all Connecticut residents for years to come.”
The Mirror, which includes a guide to state politics and government, began online publishing on Monday.
Stand Up For Health Care Coalition Not Backing Off From Push For Health Care Reform
The coalition of local and national organizations calling for Congressional action on comprehensive health care reform is stepping up efforts for passage of a House-Senate compromises despite the loss of a 60th Democratic vote for cloture in the U.S. Senate.
In a letter to Congressional leaders,Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, links the need for health care reform with the health of the economy:
“Without reform, health costs will continue to grow much faster than wages. Without reform, many millions of hard-working people and their families will join the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured. And without reform, businesses, staggered by increasing employee health costs, will either drop coverage or will be unable to make needed investments. As a result, our nation's economy - and the ability to create good jobs - will suffer. We must not let that happen. Some members of Congress have said that we should abandon health reform for a later time. But make no mistake, if we abandon reform now - after moving further than ever before towards meaningful reform - we will not get back to this crucial agenda for a long, long time. Some other members have suggested that we play "small ball": adopt only the most popular measures, such as prohibiting exclusions of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, and drop the more systemic reforms. Unfortunately, that will not work.”
For more information and to contact members of Congress visit Families USA www.familiesusa.org or Connecticut Citizen Action Group.
UPCOMING MUNICIPAL MEETINGS
CITY COUNCIL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH 7 P.M. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGINS AT 7 P.M.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST
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“The question for Democrats is whether there is anything that will wake them up to their obligation to extend a powerful hand to ordinary Americans and help them take the government, including the Supreme Court, back from the big banks, the giant corporations and the myriad other predatory interests that put the value of a dollar high above the value of human beings.”
New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, January 23rd
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/23/opinion/23herbert.html
Sunday, January 17, 2010
17 January 2010
Monday’s King Day Observances in New Britain
The city Human Rights and Opportunities Commission will hold its annual breakfast and program in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on Monday, January 18th with a 9 a.m. breakfast and program at Angelico’s Restaurant on East Street followed by a brief ceremony at the King Park monument at the corner of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Stanley Street. The King Park ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.
A program sponsored by the Mary McLeod Bethune Club will be held in the afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. at the McCullough Temple on Chapman Street, New Britain. The guest speaker is Rory Edwards.
Forum on Fate of Clean Elections Law Planned for Tuesday, January 19th
An informational forum on the status of the citizen’s election program will be held on Tuesday, January 19th from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the University of Hartford in West Hartford. The forum is being organized by Common Cause Connecticut.
Connecticut’s campaign finance law, put in jeopardy by a court ruling last year that found the law abridged the rights of minor party candidates, requires immediate action by the Connecticut General Assembly to make the law more accessible to minor parties and to preserve a new “clean elections” system hailed by supporters as a model for the nation. Maine (through a referendum) and other states have previously enacted public financing laws that have been in effect for years.
The case has brought the Connecticut American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU), representing the Green Party, and the Connecticut Association of Lobbyists (if you are thinking politics makes strange bedfellows you’d be right in this case) together to kill election reform unless the Legislature acts to change the law in time for the 2010 election for Governor and all state offices.
According to clean elections advocates, “the Governor and legislature need to amend the law as soon as possible to make sure it continues to be successful for the 2010 elections. This law has made it possible for people who are not rich or well connected to lobbyists to run for state legislature and for statewide office. It is a model for the nation. Without making changes to the law we risk going back to the John Rowland days of pay to play politics.” The widespread corruption of the Rowland administration – a legacy that taxpayers still pay for every day – spawned the clean election law that is in jeopardy in the first gubernatorial year it would effect.
The Clean Elections law received the strong support of New Britain’s legislative delegation and a strong push for a special session to revise the law is anticipated in the coming days. Fighting the issue in the courts has proven to be ineffective with no hope of a remedy that would preserve the move to clean elections that took effect in 2008.
For more information call Connecticut Common Cause at 860-794-8342
Happy Birthday Harriet!
New Britain realtor Harriet Geragosian (Unique Realty) celebrated her 80th birthday this past week with the good wishes of her many friends, including New Britain Democrats. Harriet, a longtime election volunteer and supporter of Democratic candidates, is a past recipient of the Connecticut Democratic Party’s women’s leadership award and was one of the early recipients of the New Britain Democratic Party’s Distinguished Service Award. New Britain Democrats congratulate Harriet and look forward to her continuing service in 2010. [NBDTC Photo: Harriet Geragosian with Atty. Harold Geragosian and State Rep. John Geragosian at a Democratic awards ceremony]
Massachusetts Senate Race: Call Goes Out To Support Democrat Coakley (No Matter Where You Are)
President Obama’s appearance at a Boston rally Sunday underscored the importance of Democrat Martha Coakley winning the U.S. Senate seat for health insurance reform to be adopted in the Congress under the current cloture rules.
The closeness of the special election contest and the expected low turnout on Tuesday, January 19th, is bringing appeals from our neighbors to the north to help Get Out The Vote in the Bay State.
New Britain Democrats wishing to help get out the vote in MA may go to www.democrats.org to be connected to the “neighbor to neighbor” campaign; the technology will enable volunteers to call five or more voters on behalf of Coakley and the passage of health care reform.
Haiti Relief: A compilation of resources to help from Google
www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=haiti%20charity
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So, yes, we're passing through a hard winter. It's the hardest in some time. But let's always remember that, as a people, the American people, we've weathered some hard winters before. This country was founded during some harsh winters. The fishermen, the laborers, the craftsmen who made camp at Valley Forge -- they weathered a hard winter. The slaves and the freedmen who rode an underground railroad, seeking the light of justice under the cover of night -- they weathered a hard winter. The seamstress whose feet were tired, the pastor whose voice echoes through the ages -- they weathered some hard winters. It was for them, as it is for us, difficult, in the dead of winter, to sometimes see spring coming. They, too, sometimes felt their hopes deflate. And yet, each season, the frost melts, the cold recedes, the sun reappears. So it was for earlier generations and so it will be for us.
President Obama, speaking Sunday at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
10 January 2010
DeFronzo, Senate Push Bonds For Job Creation
State Senator Donald DeFronzo (D-6) and other state Senators have rolled out a "Connecticut Jobs Now" plan that would use $1 billion in state bonding to invest in transportation infrastructure, housing, energy conservation, clean water and higher education.
Picking up where the federal stimulus hasn’t gone yet, state Senate Dems describe the policy as "an aggressive plan to create jobs, stimulate Connecticut’s sluggish economy and promote economic recovery." They will need the cooperation of Governor Rell to launch the jobs initiative with her control of the state bond agenda.
“Connecticut needs jobs, and needs them now; we have a responsibility to create and sustain jobs in our state. The unemployment rate in Connecticut is 8.2 percent; construction industry employment is upwards of 25 percent,” said DeFronzo. “Our current market conditions offer an unprecedented opportunity for the state to make wise capital investments in new facilities, clean water projects, roads and bridges, mass transit and many other projects that could be bid and under construction in a very short period of time.” DeFronzo is Senate Chairman of the Legislature's Transportation Committee and General Bonding subcommittee.
"Connecticut Jobs Now", promising a 12-month push to create 16,000 jobs, calls for the funding of only those projects that were previously authorized. Wyman and other state officials would most certainly oppose any new bonding given the high levels of current debt incurred by state government from the Rowland/Rell years. The Jobs Now strategy calls for allocation of those projects that could be implemented within 90 to 120 days. Several state agencies, including the state Department of Transportation and Department of Public Works have already developed project lists that meet the recommended criteria.
For a copy of the plan by CT Senate Democrats visit www.newbritaindemocrat.net
Additional story at http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com/2010/01/strategic-bonding-senate-dems-push-jobs.html
Municipal Meetings This Week
Board of Education Monday, January 11th 7 p.m. 2010-2011 Operational Budget.
City Council, Wednesday, January 13th 7 p.m. The Common Council holds its first regular meeting of the year. Public participation at 7 p.m.
Democratic Town Committee Petition Period Begins Wednesday, January 13th
Petitions for seats on the Democratic Town Committee for the 2010-2012 term will be available beginning Wednesday, January 13th and will be due back to the Registrar of Voters by Wednesday, January 27th. Based on current enrollment the Democratic Town Committee will be expanding from 48 to 52 members. For more information e-mail newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com
City To Honor Rev. King on Monday, January 18th
New Britain’s official observance of the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Monday January 18th from 9-11 a.m. with a breakfast and program sponsored by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Guest speaker will be Dr. William Howe of the Connecticut Department of Education. The program will continue at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on the corner of King Drive and Stanley Street at approximately 10:30 a.m. Information 860-826-3410. Check the community calendar at www.newbritaindemocrat.net for additional King Day observances.
Democratic Town Committee To Meet Thursday, January 28th
The Democratic Town Committee will hold its first meeting of 2010 on Thursday, January 28th (Location to be announced) beginning at 7:30 p.m. Democrats seeking statewide offices will be given opportunities to introduce their candidacies at the January meeting and again at the February meeting (February 25th) before the start of the new term.
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A few closing thoughts. I believe in bipartisan solutions, but I also believe you only achieve those results with vibrant, robust, and civil partisan debate. I am a Democrat and very proud of my party’s contributions to the vitality and strength of America. I would never have had the opportunity to serve in the Congress had I not had the support and backing of my political party over the years. I appreciate the passionate party activists who have never faltered in their support of my efforts.
U.S. Senator Chris Dodd announcing he will not seek re-election on Feb. 6th
New Britain Democrats thank Chris Dodd for standing tall on access to health care and education and support of children and families and for his continuing life of public service, from the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic following his graduation from Providence College to the United States Senate.
Photo: Senator Dodd with Rep. Chris Murphy at the Puerto Rican Society festival in New Britain in July 2006 (NBDTC photo)
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