Veronica T. DeLandro and Molly McGuire, the Democratic candidates for Ward 1 Common Council in the November 7th city election, are stressing their concerns about the quality of education and protecting the city’s watershed as they campaign in the district that includes three polling places — Slade, Vance and the VFW Hall (replacing New Britain High School this year).

Veronica T. DeLandr

The Ward 1 candidates are part of Mayoral Nominee Merrill Gay’s slate and are among six Democratic women running for seats on the 15-member Common Council.
DeLandro brings extensive community service and nonprofit management experience to her run for council as a past President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Hartford Chapter, an NAACP member and as a youth and family services commissioner under the administration of Mayor Timothy Stewart. Professionally, she has served as executive director of two nonprofits, the College Summit, Inc. and the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation Inc. DeLandro holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Connecticut and earned her B.A. from Hampton University.

“As a Ward 1 resident there are several issues that concern me; increase in taxes, local government spending, expansion of Tilcon and New Britain’s water supply.” Said DeLandro. “I am opposed to the expansion Tilcon mining running into the city’s watershed and feel we must everything we can to protect and defend New Britain’s water resources. I’m running for office to improve the lines of communication between residents and the city. I feel it’s important that all residents in Ward 1 are informed, engaged, and aware of the issues that directly impact them.”

Molly McGuire

McGuire, a 2016 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, works at CCSU’s art department and is part of the team that curates art shows and exhibits on the campus. She is an associate in the Visitor Experience department at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Seeking elective office for the first time, McGuire says “the issues important to my candidacy are protecting the environment in whatever ways we can, making sure we have quality education in the public schools, and developing New Britain in a responsible way that respects the cultures and people who live in the city.”