16 March 2008

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

May those who love us love us.

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we'll know them by their limping.

Author Unknown

New Britain Celebrates St. Patrick's Day Monday

On Monday, March 17, the New Britain Irish Social Club (Ancient Order of Hibernians) will hold its traditional Saint Patrick's Day Celebration from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the 40 South Street Club and Assyrian Hall. Admission is $10 pp for the corned beef and cabbage dinner. The musical group, Sea Breeze, will entertain.


District Caucuses On Wednesday For Clinton, Obama Delegates

5th Congressional District Democrats will meet Wednesday, March 19th, at opposite ends of the sprawling 41-town CD to select three district delegates each for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The Clinton caucus will convene at the Elks Hall, 346 Main Street in Danbury. The Obama caucus will be held at the Washington Middle School Auditorium, 1225 North Broad Street, Meriden.

All enrolled Democrats from the 5th CD are eligible to participate in one of these caucuses to select the district-level delegates based on the results of the February 5th Primary. The Democratic National Convention will be held in August in Denver, CO. For more information on delegate selection and locations of caucuses in all Congressional Districts visit http://www.ctdems.org/

FISA Law, Telecom Immunity Issue Evokes Same Old Fear Mongering Against Cong. Murphy

Criticism over a U.S. House debate on a Foreign Intelligence Security Act (FISA) re authorization by Rep. Chris Murphy's prospective Republican opponent shows the GOP is turning early to divisive fear tactics on issues of national security and fighting terrorism.

Danbury GOP State Senator David Capiello, in a statement appearing in a New Britain Herald story by Scott Whipple, knocked Murphy and the House leadership for holding up a Senate-approved bill that grants retroactive immunity to telecom companies, leaving the Bush Administration free to spy on Americans in the name of national security without any constitutional safeguards. Abuse of intelligence gathering capabilities contributed, in part, to the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez last year.

Capiello contends that retroactive immunity for telecom companies and warrant-less wiretaps should be allowed despite a 1978 FISA law that provides the government with immediate spying capabilities so long as warrants are obtained within three days of the intelligence gathering. “I hate the idea of it being a campaign issue,” Cappiello was quoted as saying. “I see it as a national security issue. It’s an American issue. I hope it will be resolved so it won’t become a campaign issue.” Capiello appears to be drawing on the playbook of former Cong. Nancy Johnson who swamped the airwaves in 2006 with attacks on Murphy inferring that the Democrat would aid and abet terrorists. By saying "it's an American issue" Capiello implicitly questions Murphy's patriotism -- the same tactic used by Johnson's failed re-election campaign.

Murphy is on record as saying “it is dishonest to say that the expiration of the Protect America Act means the country can’t survive. Currently, the attorney general can approve surveillance within minutes; approval from the FISA court can be obtained in three days. The government simply begins the wiretap and goes to FISA court for retroactive approval.”

Rep. Murphy supports modifying the federal FISA law "to meet current threats" but takes issue with the Republicans for exploiting the issue "for partisan political gain." To Murphy and other House Democrats, Bush and the Republicans are holding up the re authorization in order to protect telecommunication companies for infringing on the privacy for millions of Americans.

Democrats are asserting the intelligence gathering is needed without breaking the law and revealing personal information about law-abiding citizens. Murphy and House Democrats are taking up where Senator Chris Dodd left off in the U.S. Senate. Dodd valiantly opposed telecom immunity in the Senate and for a time was able to delay its passage in a stand against Bush' intransigence and Majority Leader Harry Reid's indifference. In January, Dodd framed the issue in a statement on the Senate floor: "More and more, Americans are rejecting the false choice that has come to define this administration: security or liberty, but never, ever both. It speaks volumes about the president’s estimation of the American people that he expects them to accept that choice. The truth, though, is that shielding corporations from lawsuits does absolutely nothing for our security. I challenge the president to prove otherwise. I challenge him to show us how putting these companies above the law makes us safer by an iota."

9 March 2008

Rep. O’Brien Proposes Eliminating Tuition As a Barrier To College

The earning power of college graduates versus those whose highest attainment is a high school diploma favors the former by a wide margin. In central Connecticut, it doesn’t really matter anymore if you want a job as an analyst at an insurance company or fill out an application at a small manufacturer to build parts on the shop floor. You will need post-secondary skills to fill decent paying jobs in our regional economy.

That’s what makes State Rep. Timothy O’Brien’s legislation to eliminate in-state tuition for students at UCONN, the state universities and the community colleges intriguing. So intriguing that O’Brien’s proposal has drawn considerable press coverage, including a February 21 story in the Meriden Record-Journal.

House Bill 5261 “will eliminate all tuition and fees for in-state residents” and proposes “that funding be increased to offset the costs” of eliminating in-state tuition at the public colleges and universities. While many would call the O’Brien idea unaffordable, the need to make college and post-secondary training opportunities available is broadly recognized as a key to retaining jobs and a stronger economy.

O'Brien's idea is not new. Free public education is an idea deeply rooted in the American egalitarian ideal. Once upon time California was a K-graduate school system without tuitions and fees. And last year MA Governor Duval Patrick, a business friendly Democrat, proposed a guarantee that the 12 community colleges in his state be open and tuition-free.

According to the Record Journal, O’Brien recognizes the current reliance on student tuition and fees to meet operating costs: “O’Brien’s bill would require students who did not pay tuition and fees for the duration of college to pay a fixed rate for a certain amount of time after they graduate, depending on their income. If they move out of state, however, the students would be required to pay back the full amount.”

Says O’Brien: “I introduced this legislation because I think that it is time that Connecticut start talking about the fact that high tuition and fees at our public institutions of higher education is a growing barrier to a college education for many people in our state, even if good financial aid is available for students.” O’Brien emphasizes that the bill is also an effort to stem a “brain drain” that will encourage young people to stay in Connecticut.

While O’Brien concedes that House Bill 5261 will likely go no where in a short legislative session. He knows it opens an important discussion on educational access and economic policy that will not end with the close of the General Assembly this year.

CT Obama Committee Plans Next Step: Pennsylvania

The Connecticut Obama Committee is mobilizing for the pivotal April 22nd Primary in Pennsylvania, by asking Connecticut supporters to call, canvass and campaign in Pennsylvania .

The “Pennsylvania Call to Action Rally’ will be held on Saturday March 15th at Yale University’s Afro-American Culture Center ,211 Park Street, New Haven, 10:30 - 12:00 p.m. Individuals will be organized according to their Congressional districts.

There is also every indication that the Obama forces are forming alliances and planning political action beyond 2008 on behalf of Democratic candidates. Says Obama Committee leader Lon Seidman: "Many of the new people we're meeting in 2008 will be there to make the difference in 2010 and 2012. The key to it all is keeping them connected and engaged locally. Many of the 2006 2nd district volunteers that made the difference in the closest race in the country started as supporters of a presidential candidate in 2004. The key to that continuity of involvement was recruitment, an introduction to fellow activists in the area, and a regular set of events and social opportunities to keep that level of engagement."

More information is available at http://www.ctobama.org/

In Memoriam: Betsy O’Neil, Democratic Party Activist

Betsy O’Neil, a teacher and former Democratic Town Chair of Farmington, passed away at her West Hartford home on March 6th. A devoted and lifelong Democratic Party activist, Betsy was perhaps best known to New Britain Democrats through her efforts on the campaigns of Toby Moffett and Bill Curry, among many others. Betsy received a state Democratic Party Leadership Award last fall and one of her nominators aptly summed up what it meant to campaign with her: “This high energy, high tension work has been done with a degree of humor, humility, integrity, kindness and joy which made everyone of her campaigns a pleasure for everyone in it.” New Britain Democrats extend condolences to Betsy’s sons and brothers, including her brother Dennis of AFSCME Council 4 who joined her and former BOE member Deidra Ierardi on dozens of local, state and national campaigns in the New Britain area. A funeral will be held Monday March 10, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Patrick, Main Street in Farmington.

End Quote: A Hillary Clinton de facto endorsement of John McCain?

“More serious was Senator Clinton’s assertion that she was qualified to be commander in chief, and that John McCain had also “certainly” crossed that “threshold,” but that the jury was still out on Mr. Obama. In other words, if a choice on national security had to be made today between Senators Obama and McCain, voters — according to Mrs. Clinton’s logic — should choose Senator McCain. That is a low thing for a Democratic presidential candidate to do to a rival in a party primary. Can you imagine John McCain saying that Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney or even the guitar-strumming Mike Huckabee might be less qualified than Hillary Clinton to be commander in chief? It couldn’t happen.”

“Confronting the Kitchen Sink” by Bob Herbert, New York Times columnist, March 8, 2008

7 March 2008

Town Committee Elects Officers; Sets Meeting For Convention Delegates


Members of the 48-member New Britain Democratic Town Committee unanimously re-elected their leaders at a Thursday, March 6th, organizational meeting held at New Britain City Hall. The meeting marked the beginning of the 2008-2010 term for city Democrats.


Re-elected to an eighth term was Town Chair John McNamara, who has been a member of the Town Commitee since 1986 and was first elected Chair in 1993. Vice Chairman Robert Sanchez was re-elected to a second term to the leadership post. Other officers re-elected were Treasurer John Valengavich, Assistant Treasurer Jon Bryda and Corresponding Secretary Peter Spano. Rosemary Klotz, a member from District 10, was elected Recording Secretary.


McNamara said his immediate goals will be to help re-elect New Britain's state legislative delegation, including State Senator Don DeFronzo and State Reps. Betty Boukus, Tim O'Brien, John Geragosian and Peter Tercyak. "They have earned my support through their advocacy and votes for comprehensive property tax relief, increases in state aid to the city and its education system, universal health care and ethics reform." He emphasized the need to support U.S. Rep Chris Murphy to a second term to build on the 2006 election when the 24-year incumbency of Nancy Johnson was broken. "We need to build on 2006 and build a larger majority for Democrats in Congress. Rep. Murphy deserves our help and will get it."


The Town Committee will meet on Thursday, March 27th to continue organizing for the new term and to endorse delegates to the State, Congressional, 6th Senatorial, 22nd and 24th State Representative districts.



A Brief History of Delegates And Super Delegates


The origins of pledged delegates chosen in caucuses and primaries and "super delegates" are getting much more scrutiny with no resolution in the Clinton versus Obama race. That was the case at the Feb. 21st New Britain Democratic Town Committee meeting. DTC member Butch Wierbicki, a United Auto Workers retiree, asked with a tone of suspicion in his voice where and when did the super delegates come from? The earlier-than-ever Iowa and New Hampshire face offs and the front-loading of many primaries were supposed to make curiosity about delegates a moot point. Last December conventional wisdom held that New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who had already signed up a good share of the "super delegates", would be the inevitable nominee before one rank and file Democrat went to vote in a caucus or primary.


Butch Wierbicki is not alone in wondering about super delegates. Many Democrats and observers are asking and wondering about delegate selection because every delegate vote now matters. You've heard the numbers. The Democratic nominee will need 2,025 delegate votes out of more than 4,000 for the nomination at the national convention in Denver in August. As of March 1, both Clinton and Obama had amassed over 1,000 delegates each for the stretch run. Obama is holding an advantage after 11 straight primary and caucus victories and the early favorite Clinton is seeking a comeback on March 4th and the April 22nd primary in Pennsylvania.

READ more at http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com/

Voter Registration Trends Upward For Dems

The number of registered voters in the city went over 30,000 largely as a result of interest in February 5th Presidential Primary, according to the latest data from the Registrar of Voters.

From February 1 through February 29th Democratic enrollment increased by 367 to 16,166. Republicans picked up 13 voters to 3,649. Departing from a prevailing trend in recent years the number of unaffiliated voters declined by 20 to 10,225. Poll workers during the Feb. 5th Democratic primary reported hundreds of unaffiliated and unregistered voters went to the polls but were turned away because of the February 4th walk-in deadline to register or change affiliation to Democrat. The New Britain Democratic Town Committee will step up voter registration efforts via a "neighborhood leader" program in the run up to the November 4th Presidential Election, according to Town Chair John McNamara.

DeFronzo For State Senate’s “Best of New Britain” Sunday, March 9

The DeFronzo for State Senate Committee invites Democrats and friends to the “Best of New Britain” kick-off on Sunday March 9th from 1-4 p.m. at Generale Ameglio Society, Joseph Bianca Ballroom, 13 Beaver Street. The event, will feature ethnic food, ice cream and family fun as State Senator Don DeFronzo, seeks re-election to a fourth two-year term from the 6th Senatorial District. The minimum contribution is $5 per individual and $100 maximum under new Citizen’s Election program. Children under 12 are free. A DeFronzo for State Senate event.

2 March 2008

In Memory of Father Augustine Giusani

The parishioners of St. Ann’s Church on North Street are somber this Sunday and so is the City of New Britain. Fr. Augustine Giusani, the retired pastor, died on Friday, February 29th, during Lenten services.

Though officially “retired” after more than 60 years in the priesthood, Fr.Giusani was still conducting masses and tending to his congregation with daily acts of kindness and spiritual support to the end. He passed away at age 85 in the same church where he had presided over thousands of masses, baptisms, weddings and funerals for generations of church goers of mostly Italian heritage. To say that he was beloved and irreplaceable to St. Ann’s and the larger community would be an understatement.

Through the years the neighborhood around the church benefited from Fr. Giusani’s leadership on the North Oak Revitalization Zone committee, one of four grassroots citizen organizations recognized by the city. He hosted meetings of NRZ residents and city officials and was an effective community organizer who promoted improvements in a diverse and economically disadvantaged neighborhood. Through his service on the NRZ, Father Giusani took on the most vexing issues – public safety, dilapidated housing, jobs and hunger, always bringing candor and calm to the dialogue.

New Britain Democrats express sympathy to the family of Fr. Giusani and to all the parishioners of St. Ann’s; we honor the memory of a humble parish priest and good citizen.

City Council Eyes Revival of CAO Ordinance and Building Commission

Action on reviving a long-dormant city Building Commission and a Certificate of Occupancy ordinance for non-owner occupied rental housing (CAO) is expected by the New Britain Common Council in March. City Councilors expressed support for the proposals amid press reports of code violations at a 100 West Street property. Council Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy confirmed that the Council “has a desire to move forward and explore ways the city can do a better job at improving code enforcement of the cities blighted properties.”

A CAO ordinance, adopted by the Common Council in 2005, would have required that apartment buildings have mandatory inspections and that would have assured that apartments were safe, legal and habitable. When violations of the cities blight, health or building codes were to be found, fines would have been levied accordingly. The measure was vetoed by Mayor Stewart and the veto was sustain when there were not 10 votes to override the measure.

Commented Ward One Councilor Gregory Gerratana: "New Britain has serious issues with blighted properties, and it's very clear that the city is not enforcing the state law and city codes. Clearly things have to change and that time for change is now." Ward Four Councilor Phil Sherwood noted the state legislature granted municipalities greater powers to address blighted buildings in 2006 (Public Act 06-185) "It's important that the city take advantage of this anti-blight legislation." Sherwood added, "Aside from it being a major public health and safety issue, it's not in the cities interest to have an image of being soft on absentee landlords that own blighted properties. It's important that we act to hold absentee landlord abuses accountable and that's what this current council hopes to do."

DTC Chair John McNamara, a former Building Commission chairman, said a CAO ordinance is a necessary tool for the city to preserve and revitalize older housing stock. He said instituting a new building commission would help city officials to pinpoint problem streets and buildings without adding more expenses to the city budget. “Code violations need to be addressed with concentrated code enforcement by building, health and fire officials,” he stated. “The commission would ensure that problem areas are addressed comprehensively.” The City of New Britain has been without a Building Commission since passage of a new City Charter eliminated many board and commissions. The charter, however, allows the Council to institute new commissions without a further charter changes that need to be adopted by referendum.

Democratic Town Committee To Begin New Term Thursday, March 6

The Democratic Town Committee will begin a new two-year term on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street. The organizational meeting includes the election of officers and district leaders. The Town Committee’s March schedule also includes:.

March 19: 5th Congressional District caucus for the election of National Convention delegates. As the result of the February 5th Primary, the 5th CD will send three delegates pledged to Barack Obama and three delegates for Hillary Clinton to the national convention to be held in August in Denver, CO. The 5th Congressional District sites for the Clinton and Obama caucuses will be announced by the Democratic State Central Committee.
March 25-April 1: Window for selection of delegates to conventions. This will include the selection of delegates for Congressional, State Senate and multi-town state representative districts, 22nd and 24th.

DeFronzo For State Senate’s “Best of New Britain” Sunday, March 9

The DeFronzo for State Senate Committee invites Democrats and friends to the “Best of New Britain” kick-off on Sunday March 9th from 1-4 p.m. at Generale Ameglio Society, Joseph Bianca Ballroom, 13 Beaver Street. The event, will feature ethnic food, ice cream and family fun as State Senator Don DeFronzo, seeks re-election to a fourth two-year term from the 6th Senatorial District. The minimum contribution is $5 per individual and $100 maximum under new Citizen’s Election program. Children under 12 are free. A DeFronzo for State Senate event.

END QUOTE

“And while both of our Party's remaining candidates are extremely talented and would make excellent commanders-in-chief, I am throwing my support to the candidate who I believe will open the most eyes to our shared Democratic vision. I'm deeply proud to be the first 2008 Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Barack Obama. He is ready to be President. And I am ready to support him - to work with him and for him and help elect him our 44th President.”

Senator Chris Dodd (C-CT) announcing his endorsement of Barack Obama for President.

18 February 2008

Municipal Health Care Partnership

New Britain Would Save $896,758 In Annual Health Insurance Costs

Legislation being pushed by House Majority Leader Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) and New Britain’s legislators in the 2008 session would establish a municipal partnership act giving municipalities the option of covering city and school employees in the state’s health insurance plan.

Donovan unveiled the proposal at a New Britain City Hall press conference last November with support from members of New Britain’s common council, legislators and labor union representatives. He is seeking to build a broad business and labor coalition to secure its passage in the General Assembly.

The “partnership” legislation would allow cities and towns to tap into the State employee pool, allowing municipal employees to join voluntarily. The legislation would reduce costs to municipalities and increase benefits for employees., according to proponents.

Granting municipalities access to state insurance pool is in effect in 24 states and was most recently adopted in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts law, adopted last July, allows municipal employees, councils of government and educational collaboratives to participate. It involved changes to collective bargaining agreements and the formation of coalitions to negotiate enrollment terms for groups of employees. Municipalities in Massachusetts had experienced 13% average annual increases in their health insurance costs over a six-year period, double the increase experienced by the state plan. Donovan says the measure would take advantage of the increased bargaining power and reduce administrative costs associated with a larger pool. Municipal employees will receive the same comprehensive benefit coverage that state employees currently receive.

According to Donovan’s estimates the city of New Britain would save $896,758 to offset property tax increases if the city chose to participate. Cities and towns of all sizes would realize savings, including New Haven, $8,164, 337 and East Hartford, $1,135,789. The partnership legislation also contains a provision to extend the state employee plan on a pilot basis to others in the state to join and take advantage of the large pool as well. “A pilot program for small businesses will allow us to determine how it could work and provide a boost to our local economy at the same time,” Donovan says. To Donovan and other supporters the partnership bill represents a step toward health insurance reform that will also would provide cities and towns with reduce costs-- a line item that has seen double digit increases in recent years.

Town Committee Meets Thursday, 2/21

The Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, February 21st for a final meeting of the 2006-2008 term. The meeting will be held at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street in Room 504 at 7 p.m. DTC efforts to register new and unaffiliated voters as Democrats and Justice of the Peace vacancies will be on the agenda. In addition, the 2008 Election Calendar will be shared including the dates of upcoming caucuses and conventions. All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend. The 48-member DTC, elected by the petition process in January, will hold an organizational meeting between March 5th and March 11th for the purpose of electing officers and organizing for the 2008-2010 term. In New Britain the Presidential year ballot includes the election for U.S. Congress, State Senator (6th). State Representative (22nd, 24th, 25th and 26th Districts), Registrar of Voters and Justices of the Peace.

Obama CT Volunteer Focus: Rhode Island, other states with March 4th Primaries

March 4th is the next pivotal multi-state test in the nomination fight between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and the Connecticut Obama volunteer organization is mobilizing for Get Out The Vote activities elsewhere – including Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio and Texas. In Rhode Island, CT State Coordinator Val McCall reports that Cranston, Coventry and Warwick are the towns that Connecticut Obama supporters are being asked to “adopt” for phoning, canvassing and campaign activities on the weekend of February 23 and 24 and from February 29th right up through the March 4th primary.

New Britain Area for Obama supporters interested in helping the Rhode Island campaign may contact John McNamara at (860) 827-9469. More information is available at the Connecticut Obama website http://www.ctobama.org/ or http://www.ct.barackobama.com/ .

10 February 2008

Town Committee To Meet Thursday, February 21st
Party Caucuses and Conventions To Be Held In March through May

The Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, February 21st for a final meeting of the 2006-2008 term. The meeting will be held at New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street in Room 504 at 7 p.m.

DTC efforts to register new and unaffiliated voters as Democrats and Justice of the Peace vacancies will be on the agenda. In addition, the 2008 Election Calendar will be shared including the dates of upcoming caucuses and conventions. All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend.

The 48-member DTC, elected by the petition process in January, will hold an organizational meeting between March 5th and March 11th for the purpose of electing officers and organizing for the 2008-2010 term.

In New Britain the Presidential year ballot includes the election for U.S. Congress, State Senator (6th). State Representative (22nd, 24th, 25th and 26th Districts), Registrar of Voters and Justices of the Peace.

[See Key Dates Below]

It’s A Girl!!!

New Britain Democrats congratulate State Rep. John Geragosian and Audrey Honig Geragosian on the birth of their daughter Molly Elizabeth Geragosian (D-New Britain), born on Saturday, February 9th and weighing 5 lbs 8 ounces at UCONN Health Center. Rep. Geragosian reports mom and baby are doing well.


DeFronzo Plans “Best of New Britain” Event For Re-Election Sunday, March 9

State Senator Don DeFronzo, seeking re-election to a fourth two-year term from the 6th Senatorial District, has kicked off his campaign with planning of a “Best of New Britain” fundraiser on Sunday, March 9th , at the Generale Ameglio Society, Joseph Bianca Ballroom, 13 Beaver Street, New Britain. The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. The minimum contribution is $5; children under 12 are free. A DeFronzo for State Senate event, Suzanne Bielinski is the treasurer.


Connecticut Obama Committee Seeks To Help Candidate In Other States

Fresh from last Tuesday’s Super Tuesday primary, CT volunteers for Senator Barack Obama will meet Saturday, February 16th, at Yale University’s African American Cultural Center to build their statewide organization and enlist volunteer support for key primaries in other states in March. For more information interested persons may visit the Connecticut Obama site at http://www.ctobama.org/

Save The Dates: The 2008 Calendar for New Britain Democrats

March 5-11: Period in which the Chair must call a meeting of the newly-elected Town Committee members for the purpose of electing officers.

March 19: 5th Congressional District caucus for the election of National Convention delegates. As the result of the February 5th Primary, the 5th CD will send three delegates pledged to Barack Obama and three delegates for Hillary Clinton to the national convention to be held in August in Denver, CO. Democrats interested in being delegates to the Denver convention at the district level must file a statement of candidacy form by February 18th.

March 25-April 1: Window for selection of delegates to conventions. This will include the selection of delegates for Congressional, State Senate and multi-town state representative districts, 22nd and 24th.

April 15-25: State Convention delegates from the 6th Senatorial District (Berlin, Farmington, New Britain) will elect two state Central Committee members.

May 10: The Democratic State Convention will be held to endorse Democratic National Committee members and to consider changes to party rules.

May 12: The 5th Congressional District Convention will be held (U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy)

May 19: The 6th State Senate Convention will be held (State Senator Don DeFronzo)

May 20: State Representative conventions from multi-town districts will be held. For New Britain this includes the 22nd District (Voting District 15 only—State Rep. Betty Boukus) and the 24th District (Newington and New Britain – State Rep. Tim O’Brien)

May 20-27: Window for endorsement of single town State Representative (the 25th district represented by State Rep. John Geragosian and the 26th represented by State Rep. Peter Tercyak); Registrar of Voters and Justice of the Peace.


End Quote: Fired Up and Ready To Vote In 2008

“The deadline to register was Monday at noon, at which time “People were banging on the door,” said Democratic Registrar “Butch Dzwonkowski… Unaffiliated voters were turned away in droves at some polling locations Tuesday in a primary laced with more passion than some election officials said the they’d ever seen.” From "Obama Takes Connecticut, but not the New Britain area” a story by Rick Guinness, New Britain Herald, Feb. 5 2008

2 February 2008

Primary Update: New, Unaffiliated Deadline For Primary Is Monday at Noon

New and unaffiliated voters have until noon on Monday, February 4th, to register as Democrats for Tuesday’s Presidential Primary. New Britain City Hall is located at 27 West Main Street. The Registrar’s office is located on the 5th floor.

For polling locations and additional information about Primary Day e-mail: newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Senator Obama and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) will appear at a rally on Monday in Hartford at the XL Center (formerly the Hartford Civic Center) on the eve of the primary. Senator Hillary Clinton is reported to be planning a visit in the state on Monday prior to her return to New York for Super Tuesday..

Information on all the presidential campaigns in Connecticut may be found at http://www.ctdems.org/convention.htm


A Super Sunday For Peace: Anti-War Protest at John McCain Campaign Rally
State Party Chair Denounces Lieberman For Backing McCain

Connecticut’s coalition for an end to the war in Iraq is organizing a protest at Sen. John McCain’s campaign rally on Sunday, February 3rd, at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. The anti-war rally begins at noon to oppose the positions taken by McCain and Senator Joseph Lieberman who has endorsed McCain, and will join the Republican on the Sacred Heart campus.

Protest organizers call McCain “the most pro-war candidate for President in 2008. McCain has been a staunch supporter of the War on Iraq, and is an advocate of going to war with Iran.” For more information; contact John Murphy murphy@ccag.net 860-995-3389 or Dan Diaz dan@ccag.net 860-233-2132. The coalition’s website is http://www.ctcow.org/

In a related development, Democratic State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo has denounced Lieberman’s support for McCain. She issued the following statement on Feb. 1:

“I continue to be disappointed beyond words with Joe Lieberman, as are a lot of Connecticut Democrats -- saddened, surprised, and truly disheartened by just how completely he has abandoned the Democratic principles that have guided him over the years and the Party whose members have supported him and helped him achieve his goals. As recently as 18 months ago, Senator Lieberman was telling us Democrats that he shares our values, and with the exception of Iraq, that he agrees with us on the issues we care so much about -- critically important issues like a woman’s right to choose, tax and economic policies, healthcare and education. Moreover, in July of 2006, Senator Lieberman even stated that he intended to work to help a Democrat get into the White House in 2008. His endorsement of Senator McCain means he either doesn’t care about the issues noted above, or he’s putting politics ahead of people. If you look at Senator McCain’s voting record, and campaign platform – on these, and many other issues we care about – you’ll understand why I am saying this. This is a man, Senator McCain, who proudly says he was a “foot soldier” in the Reagan Revolution. Senator McCain is wrong on the issues we Democrats care so much about—and he’s wrong by a lot. I am proud to stand with my fellow Democrats and announce that we as a Party will grow stronger and do everything in our power to make sure a Democrat is elected in November.“


New Britain GOP Chair’s FOI Complaint Called Frivolous

A Freedom of Information complaint filed by Republican Town Committee Chair Paul Carver against Democratic Council Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy is “frivolous” and an “abuse of the FOI process”, according to Democratic Town Chairman John McNamara.

As reported in the Hartford Courant Bebruary 1, Carver’s January 25th letter to the state Freedom of Information Commission in Hartford, Carver alleges that Trueworthy did not give 24 hours’ notice of a resolution at the City Council’s January 23rd meeting. At issue is the Council’s decision to appoint Carmen Aloisi to the Mattabassett District Commission over former Ward 4 Councillor Peter Gostin, whose name had previously been proposed. Carver contends that inadequate notice was given despite the posting of the Mattabassett District vacancy on the regular agenda. “Mr. Carver knows as well as anyone that other names can be proposed from the floor at a regular council meeting when a vacancy is posted,” said McNamara. “His complaint subverts parliamentary procedure and the right of the Council to be the appointing authority. As a former Council member and current Board of Education member, Mr. Carver knows better and should withdraw the complaint immediately.”

McNamara contends that Carver may be subject to a penalty by the Freedom of Information Commission if his complaint is deemed to be frivolous. He cited a section of the law that states in part: “If the commission finds that a person has taken an appeal under this subsection frivolously, without reasonable grounds and solely for the purpose of harassing the agency from which the appeal has been taken, after such person has been given an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive, the commission may, in its discretion, impose against that person a civil penalty of not less than twenty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars.”.

Council Democrats believe Carter’s FOI complaint stems from GOP unhappiness with a new ordinance giving the Council and public the right to access public information at City Hall in a timely manner. City Councillors and other public officials have faced difficulties in recent months in obtaining information from city departments because of a policy by Mayor Stewart that release of information be cleared with his office first.

“Chairman Carver and Mayor Stewart should realize that the municipal campaign is over and that it’s time to reach across the aisle and work cooperatively with Council Democrats in the best interests of the city," said McNamara.