Stop & Shop With Cong. Murphy Sunday, August 5

Cong. Chris Murphy will be meeting and greeting constituents in New Britain on Sunday, August 5th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Stop & Shop Store, 1309 Corbin Avenue. Billed as one of Murphy's "Congress on Your Corner" events, it will be one of several stops in the 5th Congressional District for the first-term congressman during the August recess.

NB Legislators To Host Murphy Campaign Reception, Friday, August 10th

On Friday, August 10th, the Committee To Re-Elect Chris Murphy will hold a reception at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 65 Columbus Boulevard beginning at 6 p.m. The "Evening in support of Cong. Chris Murphy" will be hosted by the city's state legislative delegation and Town Chair John McNamara. The suggested donation is $25.

A Committee to Re-Elect Chris Murphy event. P.O. Box 127, Cheshire, CT 06410. (860) 223-5522.

29 July 2007

Where We Stand: The Party Platform

It's not what you'd read in tabloid journalism. For that you can pick up the New Britain Herald tomorrow. But last week the Democratic Town Committee endorsed candidates for city offices and released a party platform about values, key municipal issues and the work of Democratic elected officials in city government over the last two years. Many believe platforms by state and national parties are documents adopted and quickly forgotten. They are rarer still at the local level.

The 2007 Democratic edition doesn't cover all the issues that need to be discussed this year, but it does lay out party concerns on municipal government and lays out some goals for governing over the next two years.

An excerpt:

New Britain Democrats urge all candidates involved in the 2007 municipal election to engage voters and each other in a constructive dialogue toward a better New Britain. New Britain Democrats are proud to call our community a “city for all people” -- a description that has been repeated by people of all political persuasions since its first use by Lucian Pawlak in his 1995 campaign for Mayor. In making its endorsements and seeking the support of voters for our candidates, the Democratic Town Committee affirms principles and pledges adopted by the Connecticut Democratic Party in 2006 that define what it means to be a Democrat in 2007:

* We hold that the principle of public service must rise above that of self service.
* We believe that the role of government is to provide a safety net for all citizens while
remaining fiscally responsible and maintaining accountability to the public at large.
*We commit ourselves to bettering the quality of life of all the people who call New Britain their home.

The party platform is avalable at http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/

Campaign, Community Events At A Glance

Paula Mele For Council: Fundraiser Thursday, August 2, 6:30 p.m.

Councillor At Large Candidate Paula Mele, a member of the DTC from District 14, will hold a fundraising reception at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street, New Britain. The suggested donation is $35. RSVP to Paula Mele for Council 2007. pmele@ipass.net.


Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 7

An outreach barbecue with activities for children will be held at the Oak Street Police Substation beginning at 5:30 p.m. during National Night Out Against Crime. Block Watches around the city will be holding similar events with visits from police and public officials. The Oak Street event is sponsored by Free To Grow, CASA, NBPD and North-Oak NRZ.


An Evening In Support of Cong. Chris Murphy, Friday August 10, 6 p.m.

New Britain’s Democratic legislators and Party leadership are hosting the event for Cong. Murphy at LaQuinta Inn, 65 Columbus Boulevard. The suggested donation is $25. A Committee to Re-Elect Chris Murphy event. P.O. Box 127, Cheshire, CT 06410. (860) 223-5522.

Pasta Dinner In Support of Jim Wyskiewicz For Mayor, Sunday August 12

A pasta dinner in support of Jim Wyskiewicz for Mayor will be held Sunday August 12th, 12-4 p.m., Marchegian Hall, 40 Acorn Street. The event is being hosted by New Britain Firefighters, Local 992, IAFF. There is a suggested donation of $20. Children 10 and under are free. jim4mayor@gmail.com Telephone 306-0672

Birthday Party For Alton F. Brooks, Saturday August 18

An 87th Birthday party for Town Committee District Leader Alton Brooks will be held at Angelico’s Restaurant, 542 East Main Street. From 5 to 9 p.m. RSVP as soon as possible to 225-6831 or 827-1937

Endorsements Made For City Election: Council Slate Has Five Newcomers

The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) met July 24th to endorse its candidates for municipal offices. An estimated 130 persons, including 42 Town Committee members, attended the endorsement session held at the La Quinta Inn reception room on Columbus Boulevard.

A five-member nominating committee issued a report with recommendations, information about all candidates and a 3-page party platform that identified key issues and noted the accomplishments of Democratic elected officials over the last two years. Committee members included Connie Wilson Collins, Carlo Carlozzi, Jon Bryda, Rosemary Klotz and Peter Spano.

Leading off the meeting Councillor At Large Jim Wyskiewicz won unanimous support for Mayor three and a half months after announcing his candidacy. He was nominated by his wife, Patty, who is a DTC member in District 1. Seconding speeches came from Connie Wilson Collins, Frank Gerratana and John Melescensky.

"This City is ready for a leader who stands for fiscal responsibility, a school system filled with opportunity, cleaner and safer neighborhoods, sustained economic development, and a “green” City Hall, " Wyskiewicz said in accepting the endorsement. "This City is ready for a leader who stands for honesty, integrity, for high ethical standards who will restore decency and respect at City Hall."

Wyskiewicz, a contracts administrator for UTC's Hamilton Sundstrand in Windsor Locks, spoke of his experience in the public and private sector with over "15 years working in private sector business, from telecommunications to the aerospace industry." His public service includes seven years on the Board of Finance and two terms on the Council.

Touching on his family's deep roots in New Britain, Wyskiewicz recalled his grandfather, James F. Carlone, an active Democrat for many years. "He was an inspiration to me to get involved and give back to the community. I learned a lot from him, from his time on the Board of Tax Review, to his endless campaigning for Democratic candidates. His spirit and memories serve to inspire our contemporary campaign."

In seeking the endorsement, Wyskiewicz cited three key issues he will discuss with voters, including sustain economic development, affordable housing and quality education.

The Committee also endorsed Treasurer Teresa Sapieha Yanchak and Tax Collector Fred Menditto for re-election. Sapieha Yanchak, a former Ward 4 Councillor, is the first woman to hold that office having been elected two years ago as a member of the Jakubowski slate. Menditto, first elected to be Tax Collector in 1975, has been re-elected in 15 consecutive elections.

In Council At Large endorsements, Majority Leader Mike Trueworthy, Council President Suzanne Bielinski and Paul Catanzaro won endorsements with newcomers Eva Magnuszewski and Paula Mele.

Trueworthy, who was first elected to the Council from Ward 2 and is completing a first term at large, said that his campaign will focus on the re-development of downtown, increased education funding from the state, customer service at City Hall and infrastructure improvements.

Trueworthy said the Democratic campaign should focus on "bringing new people in to grow as a people and a party." He added that "the best way to do this is to show people what they can accomplish by being involved."

Other endorsements included

City Council Districts (Wards)

District 1: Greg Gerratana and Ed Kirejczyk, Jr.; District 2: Tonilynn Collins and Adam Platosz; District 3: Shirley Black and Silvia Cruz; District 4: Larry Hermanowski and Phil Sherwood; Ward 5: Rolando Centeno and Lori Rocha.

Board of Education

Board of Education President Peter Kochol, incumbent Kevin Riley and newcomer Aram Ayalon

Board of Assessment Appeal

Francisco O. Cuin and Robert Wysocki

Constables

Alton Brooks, Dominic Paventi, Frank Smith and Joe C. Willis, Sr.

Related Stories and Information On Democratic Endorsements:

• The Courant's Monica Polanco had the coverage:

http://www.courant.com/news/local/nb/hc-nebdems0725.artjul25,0,7224078.story

• Associate DTC Member Beau Anderson, one of the state's leading political bloggers at Spazeboy, is providing excerpts of candidate remarks at the DTC's June 28th Meet The Candidate Night. Excerpted candidate remarks may be seen at Beau's site as Beau takes a well-deserved break from blogging. As of Wednesday 7/25 , the video remarks included Jim Wyskiewicz, Phil Sherwood, Shirley Black and Greg Gerratana.

Murphy To Discuss Iraq With Residents In Door-To-Door Visit Saturday, 7/28

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5) plans a Saturday, July 28th visit to New Britain to elicit views of city residents on Iraq as debate continues in Washington on U.S. involvement in the strife-torn nation.


Murphy's New Britain office announced that the first-term Congressman will go door-to-door on streets near Stanley Quarter Park at 11 a.m. A press conference will follow at Stanley Quarter at 12:30 p.m. to which New Britain Democrats and friends are invited to attend.


Murphy will be discussing what he is hearing from constituents during his New Britain door knocking prior to the event.

In April, Murphy held a town meeting at Slade Middle School immediately after a visit to Iraq and Afghanistan.

At that time NB Politicus reported that Murphy's "command of the facts and analysis made for a compelling case against Bush and Cheney's intransigence.

Iraq and Afghanistan pose two very different challenges, according to Murphy.
The fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan is difficult. Unlike Iraq,
sectarian violence is not rampant and the country possesses a greater sense of
nationalism. Murphy, however, worries that the U.S. may be "under-committed" in
Afghanistan where post 9/11 efforts to thwart terrorism began.

Murphy, as he listens to city residents at their doors this Saturday, will share his views on the current situation in Iraq at the Saturday press conference.

For more information contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

22 July 2007

July Endorsement Meeting

TUESDAY JULY 24, 2007 Time: 7:00 P.M.

La Quinta Inn /@ Famous Dave's 65 Columbus Boulevard New Britain

Agenda

1. Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum

2. Prior Minutes
3. Treasurer's Report
4. Committee Reports: Nominations

* Issues Platform
* Candidate Report

5. Endorsements For Municipal Offices

6. Old Business/ New Business

7. Adjournment

Endorsements will be made for Mayor, Tax Collector, City Treasurer, Alderman At Large (5), Alderman Council District (10), Board of Education (3), Board of Assessment Appeal (2) and Constable (4) in accordance with Article IV of party bylaws

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

newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

www.newbritaindemocrat.net

Wyskiewicz Campaign Update

With 108 days to go before the November 6th election the campaign for Democratic Mayoral candidate Jim Wyskiewicz will meet Saturday, July 21st, at 9 a.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street. Wyskiewicz for Mayor meetings are generally held every week. Volunteers and candidates are encouraged to attend.

The Wyskiewicz committee is planning a pasta dinner on Sunday, August 12th at the Marchegian Society Ballroom, 40 Acorn Street. The event will be held from 12-4 p.m. Tickets will be available soon.

The Wyskiewicz for Mayor website is up and running at http://www.jim4mayor.org/

16 July 2007

Democrats To Endorse Municipal Candidates July 24th

La Quinta Inn, 65 Columbus Boulevard, 7 p.m.

The Democratic Town Committee will meet Tuesday, July 24th, to endorse candidates for city offices. The meeting will be held at the La Quinta Inn, 65 Columbus Boulevard, beginning at 7 p.m.


The 51-member Town Committee will endorse a field of 27 candidates for city offices for two-year terms that begin in November -- one week after the November 6th Election.

A five-member nominating committee is preparing a report with candidate information and a party platform to present to the DTC membership.

DTC Chair John McNamara said the six-point party platform will address policies and actions to:

• ensure fiscal stability and fairness in the way local government expends tax dollars;
• provide students with schools that give them the opportunity to reach their potential;
• improve housing, decrease blight and reduce crime in neighborhoods;
• promote economic development that is sustainable and provides good jobs at good wages;
• adopt codes that protect the environment and promote energy conservation;
• uphold a code of ethics without partisanship that enforces honest and integrity in government.

All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend the endorsement meeting. For more information contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Key Dates for The Municipal Election:

July 25th -- Certification of Party Endorsements

August 8th -- Petition Deadline For Challenge Candidates

September 11th -- Primary Day (if necessary)

October 23rd -- Mail-in and hand-delivered voter registration deadline

November 6th -- Election Day

Voter Registration: 29,820 Voters In City

Registered voters in the city of New Britain totalled 29,820 as of June 29th. Democrats account for 52.5%, Unaffiliateds 34.7%, Republicans 12% and other parties less than 1%. As noted above the mail-in voter registration deadline for November is October 23rd.

Candidate Events

Eva Magnuszewski For Council: A fund-raising reception hosted by DTC Member Jason Jakubowski will be held Thursday, July 19th at 6:30 p.m. for Eva Magnuszewski, a candidate for the Common Council. The event will be held at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street. The suggested donation is $35. A Magnuszewski for Council event. Magnuszewski for Council, 95 Governor Street, New Britain 06053.

Paula Mele For Council: A reception for Council candidate Paula Mele will be held Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm at The Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street, New Britain.
The suggested donation is $35.00. RSVP to Paula Mele for Council 2007, 45 Park Place, New Britain, Ct 06052. A Mele For Council Event.

Candidate Websites

http://www.jim4mayor.com/ James A. Wyskiewicz for Mayor

http://www.votepaulamele.com/ Paula Mele For Council