16 February 2009

DEMOCRATS WILL DISCUSS IMPACT OF FEDERAL STIMULUS, PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS ON NEW BRITAIN AT THURSDAY 2/19 MEETING

The impact of federal stimulus funds and the Governor's state budget proposal will be discussed at the February meeting of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee. The meeting will be held Thursday, February 19th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street.

Democratic Town Chair John McNamara said New Britain legislators and city elected officials will be invited to address the town committee meeting on challenges facing state and city government amid a severe and growing recession. According to recent press reports, New Britain's share of state aid to cities and towns will drop by more than two percent in the Governor's budget. The city's grand list fell in 2008 -- a development that will place a greater burden on city taxpayers.

"Democrats will be looking for the best use of the federal stimulus for New Britain and alternatives to the Governor's budget proposal that shortchanges New Britain," said McNamara.

The $18.8 billion budget proposed by Governor Rell has drawn praise for holding the line on state aid to education, but may be as much as $3 billion out of balance according to the legislature's nonpartisan budget office. In remarks to the Hartford Courant, State Rep. John Geragosian (D-25), the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said: "It punts to the legislature the politically hard work. It is a partial effort, but it is not a serious effort."

State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) noted positive parts of Rell's budget but expressed disappointment in the bottom line: " A freeze in the Education Cost Sharing Grant funding is better than a cut, but I am deeply concerned that Gov. Rell's budget would result in higher property taxes and less local services - such as larger class sizes for kids in our local schools. It is not a complete budget, either, leaving a state deficit of $2.7 billion over two years. I do not know why it is that the Governor would submit a budget so far out of balance. I will say that the Governor's job creation program, bringing back the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps is a good idea. It is an idea that I have been talking about as a good way to help people in these tough times with what they want - jobs. But the fact that it is so far out of balance and leaves many, many important needs unmet makes this budget proposal very problematic. I had hoped for better and I am disappointed."

In other business, the Town Committee will consider forming a nominations committee for candidates for the November 2nd municipal election and will continue to fill Justices of the Peace vacancies. The meeting is open to the public.

In Memoriam:

Jim Carey Jr., 86, a former Mayor of New Britain and longtime member of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, died February 4th. Mayor Carey was an Army veteran having served in the 102nd army infantry division in Europe. He received two Purple Hearts including his service during the Battle the Bulge. An educator, Mayor Carey was proud to play a part in bringing the Head Start program to New Britain. He also worked in the labor movement as a director of public relations for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 4.

New Britain Democrats extend sympathy to Mayor Carey's wife, Maxine, and all the members of the Carey family. The family requests that memorial donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 1755 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06053 or the Hospital of Central Connecticut Dialysis Unit, New Britain Campus 100 Grand St. New Britain (http://www.thocc.org/giving/givingonline.aspx).

Irving Stolberg, 72, a former Speaker of the CT House of Representatives, died February 13th in New Haven after a lengthy illness. Rep. Stolberg rose up in New Haven politics with U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman and the Caucus of CT Democrats in the late 60s and early 70s. Stolberg broke with Lieberman in 2006 over the Iraq war and foreign policy and endorsed Ned Lamont.

Former Rep. Stolberg, a progressive Democrat who led the General Assembly in the 1980s, became a strong advocate for peace and social justice throughout the world following his legislative career. His work with the United Nations Association and the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad led him to many countries as an advisor on democracy and in promoting educational and cultural exchanges with other countries. Memorial services are planned in New Haven and Hartford and will be announced.

2 February 2009

Justices of the Peace Re-Nominated; Monday Feb. 9th Deadline For Swearing In

Incumbent Justices of the Peace who missed a January 5th deadline were re-nominated for the 2009-2013 term at the January 29th Democratic Town Committee meeting. The nominees, endorsed last May for the November election, may visit the Town & City Clerk's office through Monday, February 9th, to be sworn in for the new term. The Town Committee continues to welcome requests from Democrats who wish to fill available vacancies for Justice of the Peace. Interested persons are asked to contact the Town Chairman and provide information on their volunteer service and involvement in the community. The DTC requests that prospective nominees show they are donating a minimum of two hours per month to a civic, school or charitable cause. Request in writing to: Town Chair, New Britain Democratic Town Committee, Post Office Box 2112, New Britain, CT 06050. By e-mail visit: www.newbritaindemocrat.net Click the contact button to make the request.

Obama Calls For Local "Economic Recovery" House Parties This Weekend

As pressure builds for passage of economic recovery and reinvestment legislation in the U.S. Senate President Obama is calling for "Economic Recovery" informational parties across the nation this weekend that will include a video on the financial crisis produced by the Democratic National Committee.

"It's not enough for this bill to simply pass Congress. Americans need to know how it will affect their lives -- they need to know that help is on the way and that this administration is investing in economic growth and stability, said Obama in an e-mail to his base of supporters. "Governor Tim Kaine has agreed to record a video outlining the recovery plan and answering questions about what it means for your community. You can submit your questions online and then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to watch the video with you at an Economic Recovery House Meeting. You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family, and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community.

Sign up to host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting and submit your question for the video now:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Meanwhile, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) is urging residents to contact Senators Dodd and Lieberman in support of the stimulus plan that will need to be reconciled with a House version that passed last week with not a single Republican vote. Senator Dodd's office can be reached at (800) 334-5341 and Senator Lieberman's office at (800) 225-5605.

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor

Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050
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THANK YOU.

1 February 2009

The Republican State Central Committee, hit hard by losses in state House races last year, left Hartford for New Britain's A.H. Harris Building in December in office space that is "twice as big as our current digs and provides us with some exciting new opportunities," according to a GOP blog. The opportunities, say the Republicans, involve a facility big enough for in-house training classes "so that our candidates can improve their communication skills, learn about web-based tools...and engage in discussions on key policy questions with the smartest people we can find."

In Scott Whipple's recent Herald story on the Republicans' move, State Chair Chris Healy explained:

“New Britain is really the heart of the state..Not just geographically. It’s emblematic of the kind of hard-working, family-oriented, community-involved city where we want to be.....The city has its own notable Republicans: Mayor [Tim] Stewart, Nancy Johnson and Tom Meskill. We didn’t need to be in the capital city, yet we wanted to stay in metro Hartford.”

Nonetheless New Britain seems an unlikely place for the state GOP to locate an office. There are 18,072 Democrats here compared to about 3,699 Republicans -- part of the surge that favored Democrats everywhere in 2008. When unaffiliateds (11,749) are counted, Republicans account for little more than 11 percent of the electorate. Republicans would counter that they hold the Mayor’s office with incumbent Tim Stewart, who rode into office when residents were hit with 40% revaluation hikes a few years ago. Stewart certainly didn't get elected because he is a Republican; residents in a divided government mood voted the incumbent out for ignoring assessment hikes in a property tax system that state Republicans, by and large, want to maintain. Two years ago, however, Stewart’s expected coattails didn’t materialize as the GOP lost ground on the Common Council. His state party’s presence is also a double-edged sword for the Mayor. The only party affiliation you’ll find on his lawn signs is "Democrat" (as in “Democrats for Stewart”). The same could be said for former Congresswoman and New Britain resident Nancy Johnson who finally lost in 2006 when her Republican antics and actions in Washington finally outpaced her moderate, bi-partisan tone back home, complete with the "Democrats for Johnson" lawn signs all over town in her recent elections.

The often acerbic and confrontational Healy appears to be borrowing a page from the national strategy of former Democratic National Chair Howard Dean whose 50-state strategy is credited with turning red states to blue in the Presidential and congressional races last year. He says his party's candidates need to get support from all parts of the state, not just Fairfield County where even the last of the GOP members of Congress in New England, Chris Shays, lost last year.

Healy's challenges, however, run much deeper than finding and training candidates to run for office. In the Herald story, he unwittingly lets us in on the problem with the Republican brand:

“I’m not worried. We have plenty of talented people who want to run. We’ve got Republican mayors in Danbury, Middletown and New Britain with ability and passion. Democrats will always have people who want to make a career out of politics. A lot of Republicans come from the real world; they’re not interested in government.”

They're not interested in government. That statement provides as good an explanation as any of the mounting foreign and domestic troubles of the country with Republicans in charge of the White House and Congress over these last eight years. You might say Bush and the Republicans "weren't interest in government working effectively," leading to the train wrecks left to the Obama administration to solve now.

And in New Britain, Healy couldn't be thinking of his Mayor, Tim Stewart, with his lifelong career in government in the Fire Department. Nor his local party chair, Paul Carver, who left the private sector years ago to take a Rowland patronage appointment to the DPUC. Actions speak louder than words, and phony arguments that always tear down the public sector can't help our current difficulties when public and private solutions are needed for the recovery. Whatever happened to that well-known Republican Abraham Lincoln who famously said the role of government is "to do for the people what they can't do for themselves."

Healy's mantra and that of many of his Republican brethren remains that the individual is more important than the community; that private interest and gain should always trump the public interest even in these dire economic times. Witness the incredible display of selfishness by Republican House members last week in Washington: not one GOPer voted for a federal stimulus and reinvestment package that would reach down and provide some measure of relief to local governments, schools and the unemployed. Better to fork over more tax breaks to the wealthy and continue Wall Street welfare; promise that all of the government largesse will eventually trickle down to the rest of us living in Hooverville.

The acerbic Healy knows that that message will never sell in New Britain. He must know that a conservative Republicanism serving the interests of corporate giants over Main Street and small business is morally and politically bankrupt. The only thing left to do is to keep tearing down Democrats without offering much in the way of solutions or programs in return. In his new New Britain digs, Healy joins kindred spirits with the likes of Mayor Stewart, Ald. Lou Salvio and Chairman Paul Carver who could write a book on petty politics. Instead of reaching out to govern on a bipartisan basis between elections, their tactics frequently involve personal attacks, using official complaint processes for partisan ends and losing one Freedom of Information case after another to keep public information from Democrats and everyone else.

Let the battle for the hearts and votes of New Britain voters begin in 2009. Meanwhile, New Britain Democrats welcome the state Republican office to New Britain. And kudos to State Party Chair Chris Healy for demonstrating that New Britain is not a bad place to re-locate a business or a group seeking to rebound from a disaster.

By John McNamara

Photo Credit: http://forwardliberally.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/more-from-the-republican-civil-wars/

A New State Central Committeeman For Sixth District: Welcome Kevin Murphy

New Britain Democrats congratulate Kevin Murphy of Berlin as the newest member of the Democratic State Central Committee representing Berlin, New Britain and a part of Farmington.

Delegates to the 2006 state convention convened on January 15th at Berlin's Italian Independent Political Club to unanimously elect Murphy. Murphy, a member of the Berlin Town Committee, replaces Ned Statchen who recently relocated to Unionville. He will work alongside State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce of New Britain, the state party treasurer.

Federal Economic Stimulus: Education

The U.S. House adopted a comprehensive stimulus package last week to stave off growing unemployment lines and a bad economy from getting worse. The package -- addressing infrastructure, health, employment, local government and education needs with a price tag of more than $800 billion -- did not receive one Republican vote in the House of Representatives. The legislation now needs to be reconciled with a Senate version to be considered this week.

Here's a look at what the House Democrats adopted for education

Education for the 21st Century: To enable more children to learn in 21st century classrooms, labs, and libraries to help our kids compete with any worker in the world, this package provides:
•
$41 billion to local school districts through Title I ($13 billion), IDEA ($13 billion), a new School Modernization and Repair Program ($14 billion), and the Education Technology program ($1 billion).
•
$79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas, $15 billion to states as bonus grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures, and $25 billion to states for other high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education.
•
$15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500.
•
$6 billion for higher education modernization.

You can access the complete bill (H.R. 1) at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.00001:

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor

Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050
New Britain Democrat e-letters and updates may be found at
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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

23 January 2009

Town Committee Meets January 29th: Agenda Include Justice of the Peace Re-Appointments And Ethics Commission Issues

Re-Appointments of Justices of the Peace and controversy involving the city Ethics Commission will be discussed at the first Democratic Town Committee of the year on Thursday, January 29th. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 504 of New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street.

A new Justice of the Peace term has begun, but not all Democratic nominees who were endorsed last spring appeared for their swearing in by the January 5th deadline at the Town and City Clerk's office. Democratic Chair John McNamara said that Democrats re-nominated at the meeting will have 10 days to visit the Town Clerk to be sworn in for the term that will end in 2013. The Town Committee will continue to consider Democrats to fill JP vacancies from Democrats who demonstrate their are volunteering in some way in their community.

Recent conflicting decisions by the ethics commission involving complaints by Republican Ald. Louis Salvio against Democrats on the Common Council are raising concerns that the ethics panel is being used for partisan attacks. According to McNamara, due process with regard to the ethics regulations and municipal employees who hold elective office have been violated. He said he will be proposing a change in the structure of the ethics board to ensure that it "will not be politicized as has occurred more than once during the Stewart administration."

New Britain Dems On Facebook: Join The Dialogue and A Free Exchange of Ideas

One of the lessons of the 2008 Obama campaign (with a big nod to the pioneering work in 2004 of former Party Chair Howard Dean) was the use of the internet and social networking to get messages out, mobilize volunteers and easily communicate issues and concerns individually and collectively.

Meet ups, text messaging, e-invites and on-line communication will now be indispensable to all state and national campaigns. They can also provide a low-cost/no-cost citizenship tool for city and town politics. There is now a home for the New Britain Democratic Party on Facebook with the formation of a group that can be a forum for raising issues and concerns in an online community that will not be anonymous, will value all opinions and show mutual respect for all members. Joining Facebook, the social network tool, is free at www.facebook.com

State Party Officers Re-Elected: New Britain's Emma Pierce Retains Treasurer Post

Incumbent officers of the Democratic State Central Committee were re-elected January 22nd in Hartford, including Emma Pierce, state central committeewoman and member of the Town Committee from District 6. Besides Pierce, other incumbent officers re-elected were Chairman Nancy DiNardo, Vice Chairman Rep. Steve Fontana and Secretary Barbara Gordon. Thanks to State Central Committeewoman Audrey Blondin of Litchfield for her update on State Central.

End Quote

"Your election to this high office has inspired people as few other events in recent times have done. Amidst all of the human progress made over the last century the world in which we live remains one of great divisions, conflict, inequality, poverty and injustice. You, Mister President, have brought a new voice of hope that these problems can be addressed and that we can in fact change the world and make of it a better place." Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa in the post-apartheid era, in a letter congratulating Barack Obama

New Britain Democrat e-letter: John McNamara, Chair and Editor

Post Office Box 2112, New Britain , CT 06050
New Britain Democrat e-letters and updates may be found at
http://newbritaindemocrat.blogspot.com

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

19 January 2009

"When I recall the image of that preacher at the Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday, I'm sure he will be smiling, and both of us may have eyes moistened with tears of joy. I'm equally certain that we will continue to pray for justice to roll down as waters, and for that day when there will be peace in the valley, and for that day when every man and every woman will sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none will be afraid, and for that day when black will not be asked to get back, brown can stick around, yellow will be mellow, the red man can get ahead, man, and white will embrace what is right! Amen!"

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a contemporary of the Rev. Martin Luther King, who will give the Inaugural benediction. From his essay in the Chicago Tribune
http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/chi-lowery-essay-19-jan19,0,5436309.story

Inaugural Reception And Thank You To New Britain For Obama Committee Tuesday 5:30-8 pm at Pride of Connecticut Lodge of Elks

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee and the city's Black Democratic Club will hold an Inauguration Day Reception on Tuesday, January 20th, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut, Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street, New Britain. Food, music and good company to thank the New Britain for Obama committee.

All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend the celebration that will coincide with Inauguration Day activities in Washington, D.C. The festivities will be black tie optional :). The suggested donation for the reception is $25 to the NBDTC but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

A Call For Action By Service Employees International Union On Bailout

When taxpayers gave Bank of America a $25 billion bailout, the country's largest bank was supposed to use the funds to help jumpstart the economy. Bank of America instead misspent the money on foreign investments, executive salaries, and corporate jets. To top it off, Bank of America double-dipped, taking more money from our cash-strapped states by not paying for their workers' healthcare.

Yet this morning, the Wall Street Journal reports that Bank of America wants "billions" more in bailout funds.

Well, enough is enough. It's time for Bank of America to either use its bailout to help the economy and its workers - or give back the bailout.

Click here to watch and sign: http://freechoice.seiu.org/page/s/bankofamerica

What can Bank of America do? To start, it can provide health care for its 247,000 workers using the money it spent last year on executive salaries and bonuses.

We're also asking that Bank of America:

• Keep over 12,000 troubled borrowers in their homes with executive bonus money
• End the practice of unilaterally changing credit cardholder agreements.
• Sign new leases with renters who live in buildings that are being foreclosed upon

JPs Who Missed Deadline Will Be Re-Nominated By Town Committee

With the January 5th deadline now passed for Democratic Justices of the Peace to be sworn in for this new term at the Town Clerk's office, JPs who did not meet the deadline but were nominated last May will be re-nominated at the January 29th meeting of the Democratic Town Commitee. Nominees will then have 10 additional days from the 29th to be sworn in for the four-year term. The Town Committee will continue to fill vacancies for Democrats in good standing who demonstrate they are volunteering a minimum of two hours per month in the community. Justices of the Peace terms run concurrently with the Presidential election year and are four years in length. For more information email newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com.

End Quote

"The betting here is he will recall that long ago August 28th as he prepares to lead Democrats into the fall election. The moment will not be lost on Obama that his political ascendancy this week is a direct consequence of both King's movement and Johnson's Democrats and what was said and done a generation ago. Obama's nomination will not be the end all for civil rights struggle, but a fulfillment of a huge piece of the "Dream". An NB Politicus comment before Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of the "I Have A Dream" speech. http://nbpoliticus.blogspot.com/2008_08_24_archive.html

Murphy To Meet Constituents In New Britain Saturday, Jan. 10
Donations For Food Bank To Be Collected

Less than a week after the opening of the 111th Congress, U.S. Rep Chris Murphy will be back in New Britain Saturday, January 10th, to meet and greet constituents and collect non-perishable food donations.

Murphy, who garnered 80 percent of the vote in the city on Nov. 4th, plans to be at the New Britain Stop & Shop on West Main Street at 2 p.m. on one of his regular listening stops in the 41-town 5th Congressional District. Non-perishable food items for a newly-opened pantry in the city will be welcome.

Focus To Be Health Care In 2nd Term

Murphy is beginning a second term and he immediately indicates that health care will be a priority in the current session with his appointment to the Energy and Commerce Committee. In a statement released today, Murphy's office announced the additional assignment of serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee. In the state Senate, Murphy served as Co-Chair of the General Assembly's Public Health Committee

According to Murphy's office, "the influential subcommittee will be responsible for crafting landmark health legislation, extending health benefits to millions of America's children, unlocking the promise of stem cell research, and ensuring America's food and drug safety."

Said Murphy: "This subcommittee will be the epicenter of any health care reform debate in the coming Congress, and I am thrilled to have the chance to be at the table to represent Connecticut in these deliberations.

"I am pleased to have the chance to continue the work I started in Hartford, as the Chair of the Public Health Committee. Now more than ever, as our economy is teetering and we are seeing its ugly cracks, we have to make changes that will pay off in the long run. And an investment in a universal and cost efficient health care system will go a long way toward improving the lives of families and the balance sheets of businesses.

"I am looking forward to working with the members of this influential subcommittee - some of the brightest minds in the nation - to make our vision for equal access to quality, affordable health care a reality."

Photo: Rep. Murphy and Ward 3 Alderwoman Shirley Black on the campaign trail

More information is available at http://chrismurphy.house.gov/

6 January 2009

Celebrating A New President: New Britain Democrats' Reception On 1/20/2009

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee and the city's Black Democratic Club will hold an Inauguration Day Reception on Tuesday, January 20th, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pride of Connecticut, Lodge of Elks, 24 Elm Street, New Britain.

All Democrats and friends are welcome to attend the celebration that will coincide with Inauguration Day activities in Washington, D.C. The festivities will be black tie optional :)

The suggested donation for the reception is $25 to the NBDTC. For tickets and information email newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com or call the Town Chair at 827-9469.

State Central Vacancy To Be Filled On January 15th; DTC Thanks Ned Statchen For His Service

Ned Statchen, a former New Britain DTC member, city commissioner and State Central Committeeman for the 6th Senatorial District, has re-located to the Unionville section of Farmington, and has resigned his seat on the 72-member state party committee.

In a letter to State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo Statchen said it "has been an honor to serve and represent Democrats of my district and a pleasure to work with and to get to know you, the staff and the other members of the State Central Committee. I was very pleased to play a role in electing the first woman to Chair the Democratic State Central Committee and I would like to say you have certainly earned my support with the great work you have done with the Committee."

Democratic Chairman John McNamara praised Statchen's service on the Town Committee and State Central and his continuing support and volunteer work on Democratic campaigns. "We wish Ned and his young family well in their new home and know we will continue to work with him on behalf of Democratic candidates and for the labor movement," said McNamara.

The 2006 Delegates to the the State Convention are being re-convened on Thursday, January 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Italian Independent Political Club, 16 Harding Street, in Berlin to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. The meeting is being convened by State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce, who also serves as the state party treasurer.

City To Hold Breakfast and Ceremony On Rev. King's Holiday, January 19

The city's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities will hold observances on the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 19th. The Commission is organizing a breakfast at Angelico's Restaurant at 9 a.m. to be followed at 10:30 a.m. by a program at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Stanley Street. For information call the Commission at 826-3410.

Deadline Passes For Justice of the Peace Swearing In; DTC Will Continue Nominations

With the January 5th deadline passed for Democratic Justices of the Peace to be sworn in for a new term at the Town Clerk's office, JPs who did not meet the deadline and interested Democrats may be nominated at a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee.

The next meeting of the Town Committee will be January 29th. Prospective Justices of the Peace are asked to demonstrate that they are volunteering in the community for a minimum of two hours per month. For more information email newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com