Willow Street Park Festival July 17th

Basketball, face painting, arts and crafts, food and prizes are the attractions at the Willow Street Park festival on Saturday, July 17 from 11 to 4 pm. in the North-Oak revitalization neighborhood.

The event includes a three on three basketball tournament for two age groups, 10-14 and and 15-19 at the new playground near Smalley Academy.

This event is sponsored by the city Parks & Recreation Department, CCC/Brotherhood Coalition of New Britain, HRA of New Britain, and NRZ of New Britain.

Rep. O’Brien’s Committee Slates Summer Picnic Fundraiser, July 31

The campaign for State Rep. Tim O’Brien (D-24) will hold a summer picnic from 1 to 4 p.m on Saturday July 31. The event will be held at the home of Rick Lopes, 208 South Mountain Dr., New Britain. There is a suggested contribution of $25 to the O’Brien for State Representative Committee. Individual contributions between $5 and $100 are welcome in accordance with the Citizen’s Election Program established in 2005 to reduce the influence of money and special interests in CT politics. O’Brien, as a member of the General Administration and Elections Committee, was a strong advocate for the campaign finance law adopted in the aftermath of the Rowland scandals.

O’Brien, representing a district that includes parts of New Britain and Newington, was first elected to the Connecticut House in 2002, having previously served as an Alderman at Large on the Common Council. The 2009 Mayoral nominee, O’Brien continues to push property tax relief at the state level, adequate funding to public schools, expanding Connecticut’s prescription drug coverage and protecting workers’ rights. He currently serves on the the Public Health and Judiciary Committees.

O’Brien is married to Ms. Rhona Cohen O’Brien and makes his home on South High Street with stepson Eoin and new daughter, Olivia.

Join Rep. O’Brien’s online community at www.timobrien.org

Cong. Murphy Backs Wall Street Reforms

Wall Street’s recklessness hurt people regardless of political party. It’s a shame cleaning it up didn’t get more than a handful of Republican votes.

President Obama is expected next week to sign legislation intended to rein in out-of-control Wall Street greed after Senate passage. Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) supported the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to reset the rules of the market to reorient Wall Street back to the traditional investment activities that help Connecticut consumers and businesses.

“This bill puts Wall Street on notice that they are there to help make our economy work, not play games with the livelihoods and investments of hard-working people across the country. Wall Street’s actions created the worst recession of my lifetime, causing retirees to lose their life savings, small businesses to fold without access to capital, and families to endure the stress of scraping by with less, so it’s time to rebuild trust in our financial system,” said Murphy.

The legislation creates a new independent watchdog to ensure American consumers get the clear, accurate information they need to shop for mortgages, credit cards, and other financial products, and protects them from hidden fees, abusive terms, and deceptive practices. Proponents says it ends the possibility that taxpayers will be asked to write a check to bail out financial firms that threaten the economy. The new law provides a framework to strengthen oversight and empower regulators to aggressively pursue financial fraud, conflicts of interest and manipulation of the system that benefits special interests at the expense of families and businesses.

“Wall Street’s recklessness hurt people regardless of political party. It’s a shame cleaning it up didn’t get more than a handful of Republican votes,” said Murphy

To connect with Cong Murphy and his campaign go to www.chrismurphy.com