Bowl. Fight. Win  With New Britain Democrats Friday 2/27

Bowl the February blues and snow away at a DTC’ bowling party today, February 27th, at the Bowl-O-Rama 2143 Berlin Turnpike Newington at 7 pm.

A $25 contribution includes two games of bowling, shoe rentals, pizza and soda.

DTC Members Hear Rep. Lopes, Discuss Issues At 24th District Meeting

Democratic Town Committee (DTC) members from the 24th State Assembly District got a briefing on a “tough” state budget and its impact on the city from Rep. Rick Lopes at the year’s first meeting of Town Committee members and Associate members from the 24th State Assembly district on February 14th.

DTC District Leader and Corresponding Secretary Mario Santos organized the grassroots caucus of  the DTC members who represent voting districts Vance (1), NBHS (2), Roosevelt (3) and Gaffney (4) and  Slade (5). Besides Lopes and Santos, participants included Alton Brooks, Bill Shortell, Chris Govola, Cora Bradley, Peter Kochol, Brian Keith Albert, Tom Shields and Tonilynn Collins.

Mario Santos, DTC Officer and District Leader

Rep. Lopes said finances will be very tough for the state in the upcoming year with a projected budget deficit causing  cuts across the board this year to balance the 2015 budget and the prospect of revenue shortfalls for the new, two-year state budget that begins July 1.

“What this means to New Britain is that we will not be seeing the very large increases in state funding to our education budget that we have seen in each of the past four years,” said Lopes.  “This will lead to one of two outcomes, either the city finds the money to add to the education budget, or the school system will need to cut back on programs and services.”

DTC members expressed concern for education in New Britain and asked if anything else could be done.  Unless there is a dramatic change in direction at the state or federal level that leads to tax reform and increased aid to struggling cities “it is very doubtful that we will see any relief in this next year.

Alton  Brooks, who represents the Roosevelt School District, emphasized the importance of finding jobs for residents of the city, emphasizing that new job training and development efforts can reduce poverty. Others agreed and said access to employment is one of the city’s greatest needs.  That need extends to homeless persons whose numbers appear to be growing in New Britain, several DTC members said.  Santos and others cited the need to have more active members of the DTC; recruiting more people into the process is important this year.  Even when members of the DTC disagree they have to support one another and work toward progress in our city. “Residents of New Britain are over burdened with property and car taxes.  The services we receive for these taxes are not equitable for the amounts we pay.  The more people can get involved in the political process on fixing our problems, the better the solutions will be.”

Alton Brooks

Santos, Bill Shortell and Brian Keith Albert spoke about the importance of district meetings in the Assembly Districts to encourage civic engagement and dialogue on issues and the challenges city residents face.  “This type of grassroots organizing is the best and only way to create change that is driven by everyday residents of our community.”

Organizers said neighborhood-based political meetings and small group discussions are important. “Residents of New Britain are over burdened with property and car taxes.  The services we receive for these taxes are not equitable for the amounts we pay.  The more people can get involved in the political process on fixing our problems, the better the solutions will be.”

A second meeting of the 24th District DTC is planned for Mayor.  The organizers will urge the members of the 22nd, 25th and 26th Assembly Districts to organize grassroots dialogue in their districts.  The DTC is comprised of 47 members elected every two years from the city’s voting districts.

CAMPAIGN 2015: DTC Seeking Candidates For July Endorsements

It takes 27 individuals who reflect New Britain’s diversity and strengths to form a municipal slate for all city offices.  On the November ballot will be elections for Mayor, Tax Collector, City Treasurer, Ward and At Large Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeal.

The DTC invites prospective candidates for all offices to discuss issues, share ideas and submit a candidate information form that is online  https://newbritaindemocrat.org/municipal-candidate-information-2015/

March Town Committee Meeting – March 26th

The next meeting of the Democratic Town Committee will be Thursday, March 26th. Please mark your calendars for 2015 meeting dates. All Democrats are welcome.