12 July 2007

Puerto Rican Society Honors Geragosian, Holds Festival On 50th Anniversary



Democratic candidates for city offices and volunteers will be participating in the annual Puerto Rican Society Festival on Saturday, July 14th. The Town Committee is sponsoring a table to register voters and distribute information to participants at the street festival to be held on 152 High Street from noon to 8 p.m.

This year's celebration is noteworthy for being the Society's 50th anniversary year and leaders of the group will honor Atty. Harold Geragosian at a dinner to be held Friday, July 13. Geragosian, long active in civic and Democratic Party activities, will be recognized as a "friend of the society" and for his legal assistance in helping establish the Society in 1957. The dinner will begin with a 6 p.m. reception. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20

[Photo: Cong. Chris Murphy (l) and State Sen Don DeFronzo talk to voters at last year's Puerto Rican Society festival]

Delegation Cites Aid For City, Districts In State Budget

Despite support and efforts by local legislators, the Democratic Town Committee's goals for universal health care, comprehensive property tax reform and lower electric rates fell short of the goals in the 2007 session of the Connecticut General Assembly.

New Britain's delegation issued a report following the June 6th adjournment that noted what residents can expect for the fiscal year that began July 1.

“I’m proud of the efforts of our delegation to secure significant state revenue increases for our two hospitals and five nursing homes, some of which are our largest employers and tax payers said Senator Donald DeFronzo. “In addition, state aid to the city equates to approximately 4 mills, which will go a long way to help the administration stabilize and reduce local property taxes.” “There are many ways, big and small, that we were able to help New Britain—grants enabling the city to lower property taxes, support for education, health care, job training, local arts groups and more,” said Representative Tim O’Brien.

“The New Britain delegation worked hard this year, and we are ready for more important work to come.” “We worked hard to help our city and its agencies do the good work that they do,” said Representative John Geragosian. “Unfortunately the Democratic budget did not pass, which would have gone a long way toward tax relief. But the budget we did pass will be good for the city.”


Among the actions approved in the biennial state budget and cited by the lawmakers were:

• A $6.5 million increase (the equivalent of 3.2 mils) in ECS educational funding for New Britain.


• Restoration of approximately $1 million in state grants to New Britain to help limit property tax increases (the equivalent of one half mill). •


• A 20 percent increase in hospital Medicaid reimbursements in 2007–2008 and another 10 percent increase in 2008–2009 budget year. This will allow the Hospital of Central Connecticut to stabilize operations, maintain and increase employment, and preserve and enhance the quality of patient care.


• An across- the-board 3 percent increase in Medicaid reimbursement to New Britain nursing homes including Monsignor Bojinowski Manor, Jerome Home, Walnut Hill, Brittany Farms and the Andrew House. These funds will allow these facilities to maintain a high level of patient care.


• Expansion of the HUSKY Health Care plan to include more working families, more pregnant women and improved dental services.


• A 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for nonprofit provider agencies, such as daycare providers, CCARC, CMHA and many other agencies.


• $5 million to secure and expand Dial-A-Ride Service for New Britain and area seniors.


• Restoration of nearly $300,000 in Priority School District funding proposed for reduction by Governor M. Jodi Rell.

The complete report from New Britain legislators may be accessed at http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/

Candidates Events

• Paul and Olga Flores Jiantonio cordially invite you to a campaign fundraiser at their home in support of James A. Wyskiewicz, Democrat for Mayor, on Thursday, July 12th, 6-8 p.m., 44 Eddy Glover Boulevard. There is a suggested donation of $40. For more information 8261497. A Wyskiewicz for Mayor event.



• A fundraiser hosted by Jason Jakubowski will be held Thursday, July 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Italian Fraternal Society, 131 Monroe Street to support Eva Magnuszewski, Democratic candidate for City Council. The suggested donation is $35. A Magnuszewski for Council event.

New Britain Democrati e-letter, John McNamara, Chair and Editor, New Britain Democratic Town Committee, Post Office Box 2112, New Britain, CT 06050. John Valengavich, Treasurer.

http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/