Barack O'Berry Soda, Pierogis and Politics Thursday (6/18) at Pulaski Democratic Club

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street to discuss municipal nominations and the stalemated state budget.The meeting will be preceeded by a "Pierogi Night" fundraising reception starting at 5:30 pm to benefit the DTC's 2009 Get Out the Vote activities. There is a suggested donation of $20 for the reception. Refreshments include Barack O'Berry soda from Avery's. All are welcome. For more information go to www.newbritaindemocrat.net.

Three Candidates Seek Endorsement for Town and City Clerk

Three Democrats, including two incumbent office holders, have announced their interest in becoming Town and City Clerk in 2009. The candidates include Peter J. Denuzze, the four-term incumbent who has been re-elected to the four-year post without opposition in past elections. Newcomer Angelo D' Alfonso is also seeking the endorsement. D'Alfonso, a business outreach coordinator for the local Chambers of Commerce, has long been active in the city's civic and fraternal organizations.

Joining the field this week is Alderman At Large Suzanne Bielinski, the Common Council President, who is the longest serving member of the city's Council.

The DTC's nominations committee is currently gathering information on candidates for city office as part of endorsements which will be made by Democrats on July 23rd.

DTC Chairman John McNamara urged all prospective candidates to contact the committee by July 1. Besides town clerk, the DTC will be endorsing candidates for Mayor, Tax Collector, City Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeal and Constable. Information available at www.newbritaindemocrat.net or by emailing newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Rell's Proposed Budget Cuts Opposed at DMV: Lawmakers Assess Damage To New Britain In GOP Budget

Residents and elected officials turned up at New Britain's DMV office last Saturday to oppose Governor Rell's proposal to close the office, which is one of the busiest in the state. House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) was joined by State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-22) John Geragosian (D-25), Tim O'Brien (D-24) and Peter Tercyak (D-26) with speakers from the local muffler repair shop owner to Donovan saying the closing doesn't make sense.

The stalemate continues on the state budget two weeks from the end of the fiscal year. Speaker Donovan indicated over the weekend that his Chamber may move ahead and adopt a budget with the Governor continuing to sit out negotiations.

New Britain lawmakers have sharply criticized Rell's plan this month for "budget cuts that will drastically and negatively effect New Britain’s families and small businesses. In a joint statement Democrats called GOP cuts "irresponsible and unconscionable", because the governor "has sought to balance the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficit on the backs of poor children, senior citizens and working families struggling to get by in difficult times."

Besides the DMV closing, Rell is proposing a a 10 percent reduction in education grants.

“I’m disappointed that Governor Rell has once again decided to balance the budget on the backs of the working families of New Britain,” said Representative John C. Geragosian (D-25), who serves as House chair of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. “Cutting job training, education, health care, programs for seniors and disabled citizens and other important services is irresponsible during a recession. Instead, we should ask the wealthiest of Connecticut’s residents to pay a few more dollars to protect our vital services.” At Saturday's DMV event, Geragosian said Rell's moves will put people out of work at a time when public investments are needed for economic recovery.

“It is disappointing that Governor Rell would rather take away Dial-A-Ride, property tax relief, education and health care funding and close our DMV office than ask the wealthy in rich towns to contribute their fair share,” said Representative Tim O’Brien (D-24). “It is also disappointing to see her engaging in petty name-calling that is unfair to the hard work Representative John Geragosian is doing for the people of our state as Appropriations chair.”

The legislators said they will work to avoid Rell's cuts that will directly impact New Britain, including elimination of funding for neighborhood youth centers and public libraries and other support for community organizations. Rell, who refuses to compromise on asking wealthier residents to absorb an increase in the income tax, would also slash financial aid for college students and increase bus fares by 40 percent.

The governor has also proposed borrowing more than $2 billion—which would saddle every man, woman and child in the state of Connecticut with $700 in debt. The delegation pointed out that, while Governor Rell has been unwilling to discuss revenue increases, she apparently has no reluctance burdening a new generation of Connecticut taxpayers with unrelenting debt.

Thus far, Governor Rell has rebuffed numerous requests from top legislative leaders that she personally participate in active budget negotiations, the lawmakers' statement asserted.