25 August 2007

New Britain’s Dozyinki Tradition Continues Saturday and Sunday at Falcon Field

Dozyinki 2007 – the centuries-old Polish tradition of celebrating a bountiful harvest -- is being held this weekend at Falcon Field on Farmington Avenue in New Britain. The two-day event begins on Saturday, August 25th, with a procession and an 11:00 a.m. Field Mass. Leaders of the Polish American Council will preside at the opening ceremony to be held at noon. Dozyinki, one of the oldest and best known of the city's cultural and ethnic celebrations features music, dance and food from the “excellent Polish Kitchen”.

The event runs through 9:30 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, August 26th. Parking is $2 per vehicle.

Making Schools Better: Hartford Superintendent's High School Plan Is Instructional For New Britain

In his earliest days as Hartford School Superintendent, Steven J. Adamoski was critical of the $100+ million investment that had been made in Hartford Public High School which kept the facility a big-box, comprehensive high school with too many students in one place.

One of the nation's oldest secondary schools, Hartford Public has faced years of accreditation issues and troubling measures of student performance that the physical overhaul and capital investment did not improve.

Adamoski, a former superintendent of Cincinnati, OH schools, was brought to Hartford by Mayor Eddie Perez and the Board of Education for change and reform in the capital city's troubled 25,000 pupil school system. His task is to implement a "turnaround plan." Several days ahead of the 2007-2008 school year the details of an "all-choice" plan for Hartford have emerged. According to the Hartford plan the district "will undertake a dramatic investment in the creation of new schools with the goal of bringing over 30 new, high-performing public schools into the Hartford system by 2017, with the majority of new schools up and running in the first five years."

Dismal student achievement scores have prompted a call by Adamowski for decentralization of its big high schools A story by Bob Frahm in the August 24th Hartford Courant focuses on the effort to be made over the next several years "to break the high schools up into smaller units."

"We have to redesign our [large] comprehensive high schools. We can't have these high schools continue to operate" in their current form, Adamowski told the Courant.

Like Hartford Public High, New Britain High is facing accreditation issues discussed by school board members, school officials and the public at an August 14th community meeting in New Britain. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Secondary Schools report of October 2006 noted deficiencies that NBHS needs to address: "The current plant at New Britain High School is not capable of adequately housing its rapidly increasing student body." The Commission noted that the Board of Education is taking steps starting with a 9th grade academy (to open this year). But the Commission also noted that "support for student learning is inadequate" with a student to counselor ratio of 330 to 1 and two library media specialists to serve 3,200 students.

Those ratios demonstrate that NBHS is still too much of a comprehensive high school that needs smaller units of students to deliver a better learning environment -- the sort of thing Adamowski is now trying to create in Hartford.

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee's platform calls for similar action: "The opening of a freshman academy is a positive first step toward a multi-faceted strategy of ce-centralizing education and creating learning communities." Despite the inequities that are built into the current means of financing the schools, a bold plan for high-performing schools similar to that being proposed in Hartford is needed in New Britain.

Dodd Presidential Campaign Comes To Portland, CT For Sunday 8/26 Fundraiser

State Democratic leaders and elected officials are hosting a "garden luncheon" for U.S. Senator Chris Dodd in support of his campaign for President on Sunday, August 26th at Saint Clements Castle, 1931 Portland-Cobalt Road in Portland. A $250 per person host reception will be held from noon to 1 p.m. A $100 per person general reception will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the banquet facility and grounds on the Connecticut River. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kate Urbank at (203) 569-4942 or kurbank@chrisdodd.com. www.chrisdodd.com/aug26ct

A Gathering of Friends For Jim Wyskiewicz For Mayor August 28th

Colleagues and friends of Democratic Mayoral candidates Jim Wyskiewicz will hold an after work reception on Tuesday, August 28th from 6-8 p.m. at AD's Pizza, 377 South Center Street in Windsor Locks. The Wyskiewicz for Mayor event includes appetizers and a cash bar. Make a reservation to Jim4mayor@gmail.com .

New Britain Democrat 22 August 2007

Trueworthy For Common Council Party Is Thursday, August 23rd, 5-7 p.m.
Majority Leader To Emphasize Downtown Development, Education Aid And Infrastructure in Re-Election Bid

A party to benefit the re-election campaign of City Council Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy will be held Thursday, August 23rd, 5-7 p.m. at the home of State Central Committeeman Ned Statchen and Liz Fitzsimmons, 196 South Mountain Street, New Britain.

Councillor At Large Trueworthy previously served as a City Councillor from Ward 2 and Chair of the Board of Assessment Appeal. Trueworthy is seeking a second term at large on the 15-member city council of which 12 members are Democrats. As majority leader Trueworthy points to his efforts to expand the Senior Property Tax exemption program -- a measure opposed by the Stewart administration and successful efforts enacting an ordinance which gives the City much more of an enforcement mechanism to go after absentee landlords and those who don’t maintain their investment properties.

Trueworthy is emphasizing several issues on the campaign trail including downtown re-development, improvement of customer service at City Hall, more equity in state education aid, infrastructure improvements and improvements to neighborhood parks.

The suggested donation for the August 23rd Trueworthy event is $50. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information -- 827-8816. A Trueworthy for Council event.

Voter Registration: Dems at 15,614 (52.4%)

Three months before the November 6th municipal election voter enrollment in New Britain totaled 29,764 at the end of July with Democrats accounting for 52.45% of the electorate at 15,614. Unaffiliated voters totaled 10,363 (34.8) and Republicans, 3,600 (12.05).

Actions For Peace Coming Up August 28th In Stamford, September 9th In Hartford

Lieberman, Shays To Be Urged To Oppose The War

An "Iraq Summer Take A Stand" campaign will challenge U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman and U.S. Rep. Chris Shays to take a stand on ending the War in Iraq. On August 28th peace advocates will gather at Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. for a speaking program to urge independent Lieberman and Republican Shays to oppose the ongoing war in Iraq. The event will be preceded at 4 p.m. with door-to-door canvassing in Joe Lieberman's new neighborhood (Senator Lieberman recently changed moved from New Haven to Stamford) to "welcome him back to Stamford." As September nears and the release of a report on the situation in Iraq from military leaders is due, organizers want to "send a clear message to Shays and Lieberman about ending the war now."

On Sunday, September 9th the Coalition for Peace and Justice is the major sponsor of a "Hope Out Loud" Peace and Music Festival to begin at noon at Bushnell Park in Hartford. For more information log on to www.hopeoutloud.org/index.html

Lawmakers To Seek Repeal Of Law Allowing Tilcon Watershed Lease

From NB Politicus

New Britain's Democratic legislators are expected to move quickly to repeal a recently enacted law sought by Mayor Timothy Stewart to allow the lease of watershed to Tilcon, Inc. for its quarry operations on the New Britain-Plainville border.

At issue is Public Act 07-244 signed into law by Gov. Rell in July that allows the city to change the use of watershed land to "allow for the lease of 131 acres." The approved legislation would allow New Britain to enter into a long-term lease with Tilcon, Inc. valued at $15 million -- an estimated $375,000 per year over 40 years.

This is the amount cited by Stewart, but not much more is known about the proposed deal since it has been kept under wraps at City Hall until the 11th hour move to get the special legislation last June.

The adopted legislation contains provisions inserted into the amendment by New Britain lawmakers that requires Tilcon to restore the leased land "for a public drinking water reservoir" and "the surrounding land for reforestation." The measure, however, drew sharp editorial criticisms three times in The Hartford Courant, the latest coming on August 10. The editorials asserted that the legislative "rat" allows the lease of watershed at the expense of environmental protection.

Allowing Tilcon, Inc. to lease the land also brought opposition from Hickory Hill residents at an August 7th "Night Out" meeting attended by State Senator Don DeFronzo, 24th District State Rep. Timothy O'Brien, Stewart and others officials.Complaints at the Hickory Hill Night Out meeting prompted Mayor Stewart to back away --at least temporarily-- from a Tilcon lease deal, despite the likelihood that his own Water Department has been discussing the lease behind closed doors for months -- without notification to residents, the City Council nor legislators. Pointing fingers at the Democratic lawmakers for the legislation without owning up to making the request himself, Stewart told residents they needed to petition the city on the issue and he would considering complying.

The call for a petition may have allayed concerns of some residents according to an August 8th Herald story, but Stewart gave no assurances that the lease to Tilcon would not occur.State Rep. O'Brien, writing on his blog last week, has weighed in on the late-filed bill that would permit a lease to Tilcon in confirming his plans to repeal the special legislation.

"Approving this legislation in the first place was a tough call. It was
presented to the New Britain legislative delegation in the hectic final days of
the legislative session because - we were told - the city had just recently been
informed of the need for legislative approval and that a delay of the matter to
the 2008 session - which I would have preferred - would completely deny the city
the opportunity for $15 million in non-tax revenue."

O'Brien said Democrats, during the last days of the 2007 session, "decided the best course of action, rather than keeping the city from even considering the idea, would be to place very strict requirements" on a Tilcon lease proposal, including their insertion of public hearings and environmental guarantees before the lease arrangement could move forward."After having now heard the concerns of people who live in the neighborhood around the proposed site and after learning more of the facts about this proposed deal, Senator DeFronzo and I have decided that this proposal, as a whole, is not in the best interests of the city, said O'Brien. "The Mayor has placed the onus on the neighborhood residents to prove that this deal should not go forward by saying that they should collect petition signatures before he will decide to reject this deal. But the neighborhood opposition to the city's plan with Tilcon is already very clear.And that is why Senator DeFronzo and I are doing just what the neighborhood is asking us to - we are acting to repeal this law."

The Stewart Administration's interest in completing a lease with Tilcon may not be over despite Stewart's questionable posturing in front of residents on August 7th. Tilcon's interest in acquiring a lease is represented at the city and state levels by Jay F. Malcynsky, a prominent New Britain Republican, whose firm, Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, is one of the state's most influential lobbying firms. Malcynsky has close ties to Republicans in the Mayor's office, the Governor's office and considerable experience working with Democratic legislators. Late last week Malcynsky was reportedly still trying to get the measure back on track.

Senator DeFronzo and Rep.O'Brien, however, are adamant that the measure allowing a lease to move forward needs to be rescinded at the earliest opportunity. They are convinced that the Stewart administration misrepresented facts about the Tilcon deal prior to the votes they cast for passage.

Subsequent efforts to allow a lease of watershed will get the full hearings and legislative oversight that they deserve. Meanwhile, the relationship between Stewart and New Britain's lawmakers couldn't be frostier.

DeFronzo, State Reps To Serve Up Ice Cream, Discuss Issues With Seniors

New Britain’s state legislators will host at least three “Ice Cream Socials” at senior sites in August beginning with a mid-day social at the city's Senior Center, Thursday, August 9th.

State Senator Don DeFronzo and State Representatives Betty Boukus (22), Tim O’Brien (24), John Geragosian (25) and Peter Tercyak (26) will be hosting the events for older residents to share their views and concerns with lawmakers. Begun by DeFronzo when he joined the state Senate, the ice cream socials have become annual events.

The schedule for the socials includes

Thursday August 9 - 1-2:30pm – New Britain Senior Center - 55 Pearl Street
Tuesday August 14 - 1-2:30pm - D'amato Apartments - 40 Chestnut Street
Thursday August 16 - 1-2:30pm - School Apartments #1 - 50 Bassett

Additional sites and times will be announced. For additional information contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

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.