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.

25 January 2008

Local Dems Organizing For Obama: January 31st New Britain Rally Planned

Local Democrats in support of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) will hold a rally on Thursday, January 31 st , at the McCullough Temple CME Church, 55 Chapman Street, at 7:30 p.m. as part of efforts to get out the vote for Obama in the February 5 th Primary.

Obama supporters are working to get out the vote in the week leading up to the Connecticut primary and are seeking volunteers to help contact voters. "All Democrats are enthusiastic about re-taking the White House this year because of a strong and historic field of candidates who will match up well against any of the Republican candidates,"said DTC Chairman John McNamara. "The policy differences between the Democrats are minimal. We believe Senator Obama gives us the best chance to build a broader and more inclusive Democratic coalition that will bring victory in November." Forming the New Britain Area Obama Committee is Janice Choice Edwards, the volunteer chairperson. She has been joined by McNamara, State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce, Cora Bradley, State Rep. Tim O'Brien, State Senator Don DeFronzo, Ward 2 Alderwoman Tonilynn Collins, Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirley Black, Ward 4 Alderman Phil Sherwood, Alton Brooks, former House Majority Leader David Pudlin and Attorney William Weber. Democrats interested in volunteering for the Obama campaign and joining the local committee may contact Janice Choice Edwards at 225-8288 or e-mail mcnamara.john@sbcglobal.net

For information on all Democratic Presidential campaigns, delegate selection and the feb. 5th Primary visit the Connecticut Democratic Party site at http://www.ctdems.org/

Voter Registration Deadlines Near For the Presidential Primary

The mail-in voter registration deadline for the February 5th Presidential Primary is Thursday, January 31st. New and unaffiliated voters may register to vote in the Primary by declaring party affiliation on a voter registration card (available at http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/ ).

Walk-in registration is permissible by noon on Monday, February 4th. The Registrar of Voters office is located on the 5th floor of New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street.

Democrat Lucretia Holley Fills Board of Education Seat

Lucretia Holley, as associate director of admissions at Tunxis Community College, won approval of the Common Council January 23rd to fill a Democratic vacancy on the Board of Education. Holley replaces the Rev. Charles Tillett who resigned last October. The term filled by Ms. Holley will expire in 2009.

End Quote

"On his return to the limelight, Rowland took up right where he'd left off, that is, fibbing to reporters. According to him, his new job has "nothing to do with state funding and no responsibilities that connect me to the state in any way, shape or form." The truth's just the opposite. Urban development lives and dies on state funding. The city will pay half Rowland's roughly $100,000 salary, but his job is with the regional chamber of commerce. The chamber's next public event? A legislative breakfast scheduled for Friday. Maybe Rowland's not going, but why hire someone who can't?"

from The Hartford Courant, Jan. 27th. Columnist Bill Curry's commentary on the appointment of former Gov. Rowland to a $100,000+ job as the city's economic development coordinator to be underwritten by the City of Waterbury and that community's Chamber of Commerce.

New Britain Democrat e-letter 21 January 2008

MLK Holiday To Be Observed At Spottswood Church, Monday, January 21, 2 p.m.

New Britain's Mary Bethune McLeod Club will hold observances on the Rev. Martin Luther King's holiday at 2 p.m., Monday, January 21st. The event will be held at the Spottswood AME Zion Church, 25 Crestwood Lane.

Remembering King's Legacy 40 Years Later

I remember exactly where I was on April 4, 1968. Forty years ago this coming April the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis.

That week day, like many others in my senior year in high school, I drove to Bradlee’s Department store on the Lynnway in Lynn, MA to punch in for the evening shift earning some money before entering Boston University in the fall. The news spread quickly that Thursday evening that King was dead. It didn’t take long to realize that my shift as a retail clerk would be different from all the others. The store quickly emptied out. Not a customer in sight all night. No need for Mr. Silverman, the shaken and somber store manager, to send me out on outside carriage control.

The bullets in Memphis were enough to bring a normal business day to a halt in Lynn and most of the nation. Just five short years before I had come home from junior high on a late summer day to watch King deliver his “I Have A Dream” speech – an event that would inspire many to become active in politics and protest.

There are always many good remembrances of Rev. King on his national holiday. But too few of those who pay tribute now ever mention why Rev. King was in Memphis on that April day 40 years ago.

By 1968, Rev. King was widening the concerns of his movement. In Where Do We Go From Here? King opposed a Vietnam policy that had begun to break the nation further apart. The lunchroom sit-ins and battles over accommodations and voting rights were giving way to a broader agenda. He was planning a new march on Washington – “the Poor People’s Campaign” -- when he decided to take up the cause of 1,300 sanitation workers in Memphis, a city of southern segregation, where the white power structure opposed the right to unionize and the Mayor vowed never to bargain in good faith in a way that would give the sanitation workers their dignity.

The strike and a citywide economic boycott were a cause King knew he could not ignore despite plenty of advice that he should not go. King’s prophetic “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” speech on the eve of the assassination is his best known from Memphis. But two weeks earlier, on March 18th, King galvanized support for strikers by saying: “So often we overlook the worth and significance of those who are not in professional jobs, or those who are not in the so-called big jobs…..One day our society will come to respect the sanitation worker if it is to survive.”

Following King’s assassination, the Memphis power structure gave up its intransigence – recognizing the union, awarding pay raises and instituting merit promotions.

King’s campaign for striking sanitation workers reaffirmed his greatness at the hour of his death. That's worth remembering and passing on to a new generation 40 years after he died.

11 January 2008

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4 January 2008

Town Committee Gathers Tuesday, 1/8/08; N.H. Primary Night Reception To Follow


There will be an informal meeting of the Democratic Town Committee on Tuesday, January 8th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Roma Restaurant, 382 Allen Street. Members will discuss the 2008 political calendar including the Town Committee petition and election process. Also on tap are voter registration and the Feb. 5th Presidential Primary, approval of Justice of the Peace appointments and the new campaign finance "clean elections" law.


The meeting will be followed by a Primary Night reception at the Roma – the night of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary. The reception will be held beginning at 8:00 p.m. Local Democrats will watch the returns in what is expected to be a close contest among the remaining candidates in the Democratic field. The New Hampshire Primary will follow last night's Iowa caucuses and will kick off state-by-state voting in January that includes Michigan on January 15th and Florida on January 29th. A minimum donation of $10 is requested for the Primary reception.


The DTC is seeking to register more Democrats in New Britain to vote in the Connecticut Presidential Primary to be held on February 5th. January 31st is the mail-in registration deadline for new voters and unaffiliated voters who want to vote in the Primary. At the end of November approximately 15,500 were registered as Democrats in the city constituting 54% of registered voters.To attend the event and support New Britain Democrats contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com.


DTC Recommends Lucretia Holley For Board of Education Vacancy


The Democratic Town Committee is recommending that Lucretia C. Holley, a Skinner Drive resident, fill a Board of Education seat vacated by the Rev. Charles Tillett who relocated to North Carolina late in 2007. Holley, an associate director of admissions at Tunxis Community College, spoke to DTC members at a December meeting and has the support of a majority of DTC members, according to Town Chair John McNamara. In a letter to Democratic members of the Common Council, McNamara said Holley "possesses strong educational credentials and is well equipped to step into the Board of Education immediately." The Common Council may act to fill the vacancy at one of its January meetings.

Dodd Comes Homes After Fighting Good Fight

Senator Chris Dodd ended his Presidential bid Thursday after posting low numbers in Iowa precinct caucuses in which voters select delegates to conventions. Dodd, who is reported to be a a candidate for Senate Majority Leader in the Congress, thanked his supporters in an e-mail message:

"I count the past year of campaigning for the presidency as one of the most rewarding in a career of public service. Unfortunately, I am withdrawing from that campaign tonight.

But there is no reason to hang our heads this evening -- only the opportunity to look towards a continuation of the work we started last January: ending the Iraq War, restoring the Constitution, and putting a Democrat in the White House.

I know a lot of you came to this email list through a shared desire to return our nation to one that respects the rule of law, and I want to make one thing clear to all of you:

The fight to restore the Constitution and stop retroactive immunity does not end with my Presidential campaign. FISA will come back in a few weeks and my pledge to filibuster ANY bill that includes retroactive immunity remains operative.

You've been an invaluable ally in the battle, and I'll need you to stick by my side despite tonight's caucus results.

So, one more time, thank you for all of your efforts throughout the course of this entire Presidential campaign.

We made a real difference in shaping the debate, and we'll continue to do so in the coming days, weeks and years."

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor;New Britain Democratic Town Committee Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050 www.newbritaindemocrat.net

NOTICE: If you do not wish to receive this e-letter reply to newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com . Write cancel in the subject box. Please send address corrections and additions to the same address. THANK YOU.

29 December 2007

Happy New Year!

NAACP To Hold Emancipation Day Program January 1

The New Britain NAACP will hold its annual Emancipation Day Program on Tuesday, January 1 at the Spottswood AME Zion Church, 25 Crestwood Lane. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature guest preacher, Suffragan Bishop John H. Thomas of Bethesda Apostolic Church.

Let the Bush Out of Office Countdown Begin: Primary Party Night Reception Jan. 8th

The Democratic Town Committee will host a Primary Night Party on Tuesday, January 8th – the night of New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary. The event will be held beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the Roma Restaurant, 382 Allen Street, where local Democrats will watch the returns in what is expected to be a close contest among candidates in the Democratic field. The New Hampshire Primary will follow the January 3rd Iowa caucuses and will kick off state-by-state voting in January that includes Michigan on January 15th and Florida on January 29th.

The DTC is seeking to register more Democrats in New Britain to vote in the Connecticut Presidential Primary to be held on February 5th. January 31st is the mail-in registration deadline for new voters and unaffiliated voters who want to vote in the Primary. At the end of November approximately 15,500 were registered as Democrats in the city constituting 54% of registered voters.To attend the event and support New Britain Democrats contact newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Rep. Geragosian To Receive U.A.W.’s Community Activism Award

State Rep. John Geragosian (D-25) will receive the Community Activism Award in January from the United Auto Workers (UAW). The UAW, with Region 9A offices based in Farmington, will hold its 15th annual Civil Rights Awards dinner at the Hartford Hilton on January 25th. Elected to the state House in 1994, Geragosian is the dean of New Britain’s legislative delegation and Chair of the Democratic House Caucus in the Legislature. Additional information about the awards dinner will be announced. Congratulations to Rep. Geragosian.

Finally CT Gets A Clean Election Law (Excerpted from NB Politicus)

A system of public financing of political campaigns will bring dramatic change to many state House and Senate races in 2008. While the full impact will not be felt until 2010 when races for Governor and statewide offices will occur, the law’s intent is to begin to restrict the corrosive influence of money in politics that reached its nadir during the Rowland years……

“It is an exciting time for democracy in Connecticut,” says State Rep. Tim O’Brien (D-24) who served on the GAE Committee that helped craft legislation designed to diminish the influence of lobbyist money and includes an outright contribution ban on contractors who do business with the state.

“For generations, we have dreamed of an open election system in which people's voices matter more than special interest money. Now, it is a reality,” declares O’Brien in launching his campaign for the state House that will rely on grassroots contributions from individuals. Read more at http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com/

SEIU Union Wins Major Wage and Benefit Gains For Office Cleaners

Hartford area office cleaners represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ gained an 11th hour pre-Christmas agreement giving members a new four-year contract. Union leaders noted significant wage and benefit gains for employees "who clean more than 90 percent of large commercial office space in downtown Hartford and office parks and building in other parts of Hartford County."

"This new contract will provide Hartford's office cleaners the opportunity to live the American Dream," said Kurt Westby, Local 32BJ Connecticut Director. "More office cleaners will be able to take their kids to the doctor and have retirement security." The contract provides 17% wage hikes over four-years in the city and nearly 20 % in the suburbs. Fully employer-paid family health care coverage will be maintained for all full-time workers, and part-time workers have an improved health benefit, which will include life insurance, a prescription drug benefit and dental and optical insurance. Under the new contract, suburban office cleaners won a pension benefit for the first time and gained two personal days. Employers agreed to an improved training program, which includes industry-skills classes as well as English as a Second language courses, and also to a legal services benefit program. Congratulations to Local 32BJ's Political Director Art Perry and the members of the Local who include New Britain residents. More information: Hartford Courant story on the settlement.


End Quote

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor;
New Britain Democratic Town Committee Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050 www.newbritaindemocrat.net

NOTICE: If you do not wish to receive this e-letter reply to newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com . Write cancel in the subject box. Please send address corrections and additions to the same address. THANK YOU.