22 November 2007 Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude disposes us to hope, even when the facts may be stacked against us. 'Thank you' is the perfect prayer not only for things received but also for good things that may come."

-- Editorial, November 23rd National Catholic Reporter www.ncronline.org



New Britain Dems To Meet Dec. 13th:

Presidential Politics, School Board Vacancy On Tap

Bring a non-perishable item for St. Ann's Church food pantry

The Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, December 13th at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 Main Street for its final meeting of the year. The agenda will include the 2008 Election Calendar and presidential politics. The Connecticut Presidential Primary has been moved to February and representatives of the presidential candidates will be invited to attend. Delegate information will also be available. The NBDTC is supporting the candidacy of U.S. Senator Chris Dodd.

The DTC will also be asked to recommend a candidate or candidates to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education created by the resignation of the Rev. Charles Tillett of Spottswood AME Zion Church. Rev. Tillett's term runs through 2009. He has left New Britain to lead a congregation in North Carolina. New Britain Democrats extend best wishes to Rev. Tillett and his family and thank him for his service. Holiday refreshments will be served and members and friends are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church food pantry on North Street.

Team Trueworthy Plus One

New Britain Democrats congratulate Council Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy and Elena Trueworthy on the birth of their second daughter, Abigail. Abigail entered this world on Monday, November 19th, weighing eight pounds, six ounces, 20 inches tall. Abigail was unavailable for comment but her father says she is a Democrat.

Update on the Bush War Machine and its Hired Thugs:
Cong. Murphy Seeks Answers On Blackwater and No-Bid Contracts In Iraq

Thirty-three foreigners and 10 Iraqis – all employees of a private security firm – were arrested in Baghdad on Monday after an Iraqi woman was shot and wounded as their convoy passed by

-Associated Press, By Dan Murphy 21 November 2007 from the Christian Science Monitor

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5), joined by two other House members, is seeking answers about federal contractor Blackwater, Inc. the private security firm that has billed the U.S. for a billion dollars for its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

Last week, Murphy (CT-5) wrote to Erik Prince, CEO of Blackwater USA, to follow up on unanswered questions about the company from the October 2nd House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on private security contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Murphy is a member of the Committee.

At the October 2nd hearing, Murphy, Reps, Peter Welch (VT-At Large) and John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN-2) pressed Prince on his company's lucrative government contracts, its profit margin, and his salary. However, Prince refused to answer many of their questions. In 2001, Blackwater's contracts with the United States Government were less than $1 million. Since the Iraq war began, however, Blackwater's government contracts have spiked to over $1 billion.

The unanswered questions on Blackwater include:
• The exact percentage of Blackwater's business that comes from U.S. government contracts. Prince testified that approximately 90 percent of Blackwater contracts were with the U.S. government.
• Prince's exact compensation from 2001 through 2006, including salary, retirement and deferred compensation, and all other benefits of any monetary value from The Prince Group, LLC, Blackwater and all related entities. Prince testified that his personal compensation from Blackwater in 2006 was "over a million dollars."
• The exact profit margin for the years 2001 through 2006 for The Prince Group, LLC, Blackwater and all related entities. Prince testified, under questioning by Duncan, that Blackwater's corporate profit margin was ten percent but was unsure of that figure in follow up questions from Welch and Murphy.

"Taxpayers in my district and across the country are paying for 90 percent of Blackwater's business, so they deserve to have the facts on how their money is being spent in Iraq. And while Erik Prince is making millions of dollars off of government contracts, our soldiers' families are struggling to make ends meet here at home," said Murphy.

Welch said, "It is clear taxpayers are getting ripped off by no-bid contracts for the war in Iraq and Blackwater's obscene profits are just another example of how corrupt this war has become. What we have seen until now is a complete disrespect for the taxpayer and a president willing to provide fat paychecks to private companies and then turn around and cut health care benefits from our soldiers."

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held the hearing on October 2 to determine if Blackwater's presence is advancing or undermining U.S. efforts and the costs to U.S. taxpayers for the reliance on Blackwater and other private military contractors.

Cong. Murphy, in a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan earlier this year, estimated there may be as much as $10 billion to $12 billion being spent in the war zone, much of it unaccounted for and awarded via no-bid contracting. Besides Blackwater, contractors include Halliburton or its subsidiaries, the Texas-based firm headed by Vice President Cheney prior to his election.

New Britain Democrat e-letters may be found at http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor; New Britain Democratic Town Committee,

Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050

www.newbritaindemocrat.net

NOTICE: If you do not wish to receive this e-letter reply to newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com . Write cancel in the subject box. Please send address corrections and additions to the same address. THANK YOU.

17 November 2007

You can't always get
what you want. But if you try sometimes you might find You get what you need

- The Rolling Stones

City Democrats gained a ward seat and a 13-to-two majority on the Common Council in the November 6th municipal election,

As 30% of eligible voters went to the polls, incumbent Timothy Stewart's win did not produce the legislative coattails that the GOP had hoped for. GOP incumbent Peter Gostin's loss in Ward 4 reduced Republicans on the Council to Councillor at Large and former Democrat Mark Bernacki and Ward One Councillor and former Democrat Louis Salvio.

"I think that it shows that the Democratic base is strong," DTC Chair John McNamara, told The Hartford Courant. "I think the mayoral decision was that people were still comfortable with a divided government, but I think our council people ran very good races in terms of reaching voters. The Republicans thought they could make gains when the voters thought otherwise."

The Republicans came away with the win for the heavily favored and well-financed Stewart over At Large Councillor Jim Wyskiewicz. Cheryl Blogaslawski also unseated 14-term incumbent Fred Menditto for Tax Collector, ending Menditto's long and distinguished tenure at City Hall. Democratic City Treasurer Teresa Sapieha Yanchak, the first woman to hold that post, comfortably won re-election at the top of the ticket.

For another two years voters decided they wanted power sharing at City Hall between the Mayor's office and Common Council, but with more power to the Democrats. The majority party was strengthened by not only the one-seat gain on the Council, but the election of four Democratic newcomers who are expected to give the majority a veto-proof margin over Stewart and a revitalized caucus.

Newly elected to the Common Council were Eva Magnuszewski (at large), Greg Gerratana (Ward 1), Phil Sherwood (Ward 4) and Roy Centeno (Ward 5). Incumbent Democrats re-elected included Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy, Mayor Pro Tem Suzanne Bielinski, Councillor At Large Paul Catanzaro, Tonilynn Collins and Adam Platosz (Ward 2), Shirley Black and Silvia Cruz (ward 3), Larry Hermanowski (Ward 4) and Lori Rocha (Ward 5).

Board of Education President Peter Kochol won re-election to the school board along with incumbent Brian Riley and newcomer Aram Ayalon, associate DTC member and a strong advocate of establishing small "learning communities" to ease overcrowding. Board of Assessment Appeals Chair Robert Wysocki will be joined by newcomer Francisco Cuin on the three-person panel on the eve of implementation of property tax revaluation.

From The Chair: A Post-Election Thanks

Reports that Democrats were greatly divided and that Republicans would make gains to rubber stamp Stewart administration actions were --as Mark Twain might have said -- "greatly exaggerated" in 2007.

In the Council election, voters responded affirmatively to both the composition of the Democratic slate and the ideas advanced by Democratic candidates:

• The Democratic slate of candidates from top to bottom was a far more accurate reflection of who lives in New Britain. Of 15 aldermanic candidates, seven were women with one-third of candidates coming from the African American and Latino communities. By contrast, the GOP fielded 14 Council candidates -- all of them men with little in the way of diversity.
• November 6th also showed that partisanship and ideology generally don't play well with voters in local governance. For the most part the electorate responded to Democratic candidates who talked issues and neighborhood concerns instead of making the promise to be Tim Stewart's "yes" men.

This election should not pass without thanking all of our Democratic candidates, regardless of a win or loss, for seeking public service.

The Town Committee also acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of two individuals who brought Democrats together and gave much of themselves to help others throughout the municipal election. Thanks to:

• Rep. Timothy O'Brien (D-24) for his boundless encouragement, volunteer organizing and brilliant direct mail program for Democratic candidates.
• Councillor At Large Mike Trueworthy who, in helping himself get re-elected, devoted much of his time and talent to building a diverse slate and working with all candidates to encourage voter support for Democrats.

Above Photo: It was a full court press by members of Council Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy's family on election day to get out the vote.

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor; New Britain Democratic Town Committee, Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050

www.newbritaindemocrat.net

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

28 October 2007

Labor Rallies For New Britain Firefighters Tuesday


Wyskiewicz Gets Strong Backing



A rally in support of New Britain's firefighters will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at AFSCME Council 4, 444 East Main Street, New Britain that will include the involvement of firefighters throughout Connecticut



Harold A. Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) will appear at the New Britain rally in what labor officials said was an unprecedented move for the union to take part in a local election. The IAFF has also endorsed the candidacy of Presidential candidate Chris Dodd.

“This represents the first time in the history of the 89 year old IAFF that the IAFF has seen fit to become involved with a campaign at such a local level,” said Ed Preece, President of the Firefighters Union. “Their feeling is that it is necessary to step in and lend support to our local branch because the current administration continues to abuse the power with which it was entrusted in order to exercise petty vendettas. The IAFF's rally for Jim Wyskiewicz demonstrates that they will go to any level of government to support their firefighters.”

Mayoral challenger Jim Wyskiewicz has vowed to put an end to the closed-door administration practices and to restore "a politically neutral merit based promotion system."

A Taste of Soul Food For Ward Two's Tonilynn Collins Monday, October 29th

The campaign of Ward 2 Ald. Tonilynn Collins is holding a fundraiser in support of her re-election to the City Council. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pride of CT Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street. There is a suggested donation of $25. All Democrats and friends are welcome. Bring your appetite.



Courant Turns A Blind Eye To Stewart's Real Indiscretions


Last week The Hartford Courant editorial board found another way to endorse Tim Stewart by defending some foul-mouthed language of the incumbent in a call to a dispatcher during 2005 flooding. The call, widely circulated in a You Tube posting, drew considerable press coverage. "The most appalling thing about this episode is that New Britain's Democrats can't seem to come up with anything better," opined an editorial last week. "They ought to be playing ball by telling New Britain residents how they'll further the city's future; instead, they're low-balling."


The Courant states the obvious in saying voters could give a rat's *** (excuse the paraphrase) over Tim Stewart's mouth. But the editor's indulgence of Stewart's trivial "indiscretion" comes after the same editorial board ignored the facts and circumstances of Stewart's public policy indiscretions --- indiscretions raised by James Wyskiewicz and other Democrats that can hardly be called "low-balling" unless the Courant feels transparency in government and telling the truth to residents matters. The Courant devoted no less than three editorials on "Tilcon Water Rat" legislation last summer, condemning legislators but not once mentioning that it was Stewart's request and misrepresentation of facts that prompted the special legislation. Subsequently, New Britain lawmakers rescinded the action that would have allowed a Tilcon lease of watershed land. Did the Courant acknowledge that Democratic legislators addressed their concerns? We're still waiting. According to one comment to latest editorial: "So after giving the mayor three passes on negatively written comments, they proceed to give the mayor a glowing endorsement, and again not mention his significant role in the creation of hated legislation. To compound this oversight, neither the editorial board nor any reporters ever comment on the fact that the mayor actually went ahead and signed a lease with Tilcon a few days before the legislature repealed the enabling legislation. He did this despite the fact that the original bill had provisions in it clearly stating the mayor could not do this without first holding multiple public hearings and having the city council approve the lease."


As Courant editors defend the mayor on his salty language and his right to get a good night's sleep during '05's serious flooding, they ignore a far more serious indiscretion over the Tilcon "rat" they professed to care so much about. Colin McEnroe, whose blog is carried by the Courant, found no small amount of irony in the Courant's defense of the Mayor over last week's episode over Pottymouthgate.


Help Get Out The Vote For Row B November 6th


Your time and support is needed between now and November 6th to help get out the vote.- Make calls to voters about November 6th- Send cards to family, friends and neighbors- Get a lawn sign- Volunteer election day to increase voter turnoutC

Contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com. Call Wyskiewicz for Mayor headquarters at 348-0175

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

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

21 October 2007

Rep. Geragosian Makes Plea On Armenian Genocide Resolution


State Rep. John C. Geragosian (D-25) today urged the U.S. Congress to adopt a resolution acknowledging the 1915 massacres of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide. In a Hartford Courant Commentary published October 21 ("Who Speaks Today?") Geragosian argues for passage of a resolution with the last "eyewitnesses" to the genocide dying out. "Without these survivors, the Turkish government and its powerful and sleazy lobbyists who profit from 1.5 million dead souls will be even more emboldened. No witnesses. No genocide," wrote Geragosian. Geragosian is the only Armenian American member of the General Assembly and organizes an annual commemoration for the Armenian dead at the state Capitol each year. For decades U.S. Administrations and Congress have failed to recognize these well-documented crimes against humanity perpetrated in the World War I era. Official Washington's rationale against a holocaust recognition vote has always been to maintain smooth relations with Turkey -- one of the key members of the NATO alliance. Vice President Dick Cheney and CT Senator Joseph Lieberman have drawn sharp criticism from Armenian Americans for their positions and for refusal to back the Congressional resolution that has been raised in session after session. Early in his Senate career, Lieberman told a West Hartford audience that he couldn't back the resolution because it would offend "a defense contractor in Fairfield County" who did business with Turkey.

Said Geragosian: "Acknowledging the genocide would only benefit Turkey. It would enhance Turkey's prospects for much desired membership in the European Union. Modern Germany fares better today for having recognized the atrocities of the Holocaust."

This month the resolution won a vote in the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for a "new direction" on the question. The 2007 resolution, however, faces opposition from the Bush administration and is fiercely opposed by the center- right Turkish government according to recent news reports.



Town Committee Meets Monday at City Hall


The Democratic Town Committee will meet Monday, October 22nd, at 7 p.m. to discuss campaign activities, including an October 27-28 literature drop and Election Day activities. Justice of the Peace vacancies may also be filled. The meeting will be held at New Britain City Hall 27 West Main Street, 27 West Main Street. Room 504. Parking is available in the adjoining municipal garage. All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend.


Help Get Out The Vote For Row B November 6th

Your time and support is needed between now and November 6th to help get out the vote.
- Make calls to voters about November 6th
- Send cards to family, friends and neighbors
- Get a lawn sign
- Volunteer election day to increase voter turnout

Contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

New Britain Democrat e-letter John McNamara, Chair and Editor

New Britain Democratic Town Committee Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050

http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/

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

12 October 2007

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

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

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

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

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

Here's Your Weekend Line Up

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

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

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

Help Get Out The Vote For Row B November 6th

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

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

Contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

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

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

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

7 October 2007

Local, State Officials Expected At Columbus Day Observance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum

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

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

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

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

End Quote

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

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

30 September 2007

Update On Hickory Hill Watershed Controversy:
Letters, Secret Agreement Reveal Mayor's Doublespeak On Tilcon Deal


An exchange of August letters and documents between the administration of
Mayor Tim Stewart (R-New Britain) and the state Department of Public Health
shows that Stewart deliberately misled residents and other public officials
in an effort to gain quick approval for a controversial deal giving Tilcon
Connecticut, Inc. 131 acres of watershed land for its mining
operation.

In September, State Rep. Tim O’Brien (D-24) and State
Senator Don DeFronzo (D-6), reacting to concerns of residents and
environmentalists as well as Stewart’s contradictory statements and actions
on the issue, successfully sought repeal of a law that had initially cleared
the way for a Tilcon takeover of watershed land to expand its quarry
operation....To read the full story go to http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com/




Morale, Abuse of Merit System By City Administration Cited in Endorsement of Wyskiewicz by Firefighter Local


New Britain Fire Fighters Local 992 (AFL-CIO) has endorsed the candidacy of Jim Wyskiewicz for Mayor favoring the at large alderman over incumbent Timothy Stewart, who has worked in the city Fire Department for 18 years.


Ed Preece, President of Local 992, spoke to the New Britain Democratic Town Committee on September 24th and announced his union's support for Wyskiewicz. "Morale is at an all time low. Any firefighter will tell you morale is at an all time low, said Preece." According to Local 992 officials, 38 members of the department have left over the last three years including four deputy chiefs and two assistant chiefs. Grievances have increased over the last three years and unresolved locally. The Firefighters' union said that 12 cases decided at the state level have supported the union's position.

New Britain Democratic Town Chair John McNamara asserted that Mayor Stewart is abusing a merit-based system for hirings and promotions in the department by reaching down and showing favoritism. "High-ranking candidates who have experience and come through the merit tests are being passed over. Cronyism and nepotism should not be replacing what is in place. Whatever the Mayor's experiences were in the Fire Department, he should not be using his office for vendettas or personal agendas. This will ultimately undermine public safety in the city."

In accepting the endorsement Ald. Wyskiewicz called the the situation "completely unacceptable." Said Wyskiewicz: "Areas of public safety are not playgrounds for politics."

Campaign Calendar:

Thursday October 4: Re-elect Adam Platosz for Alderman fundraiser at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street, 6 p.m. Suggested donation $25.

Friday October 5: Absentee ballots become available. For applications visit the Town and City Clerk's office at City Hall, 27 West Main Street, New Britain.

Saturday, October 6: A evening reception for Jim Wyskiewicz for Mayor at the home of Olga Flores Jiantonio, 44 Eddy Glover Boulevard. Suggested donation $25.