By Ellen Zappo-Sassu It’s not what you say in a crisis. It’s what you do. In the last two weeks we have…
Posted: 29 March 2020 [03:49 PM] Opinion
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Posted: 29 March 2020 [03:49 PM] Recent Headlines
Friday 03/13/2020
Posted: 13 March 2020 [07:52 PM] We could use some Irish wit and wisdom right now. Here’s a good start: “You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” That’s a lesson well-taught by the many Irish immigrants, including my great-grandfather, who boldly…
Wednesday 03/11/2020
Posted: 11 March 2020 [08:11 PM] To The Editor: In light of dishonorable and disappointing political and personal choices and actions that have created our current political and social crisis, this is written for those currently holding elected office and for those seeking one, at any…
Posted: 11 March 2020 [08:10 PM] To The Editor: Working Together for Preservation Save Pigeon Hill Team would like to thank, Mayor Ellen Zoppo Sassu, mayor of Bristol and Scott Heth executive director of the Barnes Nature Center and Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, The city…
Posted: 11 March 2020 [08:09 PM] To The Editor: March is Irish-American Heritage Month! It is estimated that almost 20 percent of the residents of Connecticut trace their ancestry to Ireland. The Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest and largest, Irish, Catholic organization in…
Monday 03/09/2020
Posted: 09 March 2020 [08:40 PM] Now that highway tolls seem to have been dismissed for this year’s session of the General Assembly, the Yankee Institute for Public Policy has provided good suggestions for finding transportation infrastructure money elsewhere. Yankee’s suggestions show that Governor Lamont and…
Sunday 03/08/2020
Posted: 08 March 2020 [07:58 PM] By To The Editor: On February 19th, I testified in front of the Public Health Committee in favor of repealing non-medical exemptions to vaccinating our public-school children. This is an issue of great concern…
Friday 03/06/2020
Posted: 06 March 2020 [08:03 PM] For months, establishment and center-left Democrats faced a seemingly intractable problem. Moderate and establishment-friendly candidates were staying in the race, each hoping for the opportunity to try to beat Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in a one-on-one primary fight. But by…
Posted: 06 March 2020 [08:00 PM] For almost a year, politicians in Washington have talked about the need to fix the problem of surprise medical billing. But, per usual, they haven’t done anything about it. It shouldn’t be this hard. To review: the bidding -…
Wednesday 03/04/2020
Posted: 04 March 2020 [07:48 PM] From California to Connecticut the political left is purporting to believe that the failure of former offenders to reintegrate fully into society is caused by the stigma of their criminal records. This is mistaken. Instead the problem is mainly the…
Sunday 03/01/2020
Posted: 01 March 2020 [08:26 PM] March marks the kick-off of the city encouraging all of its residents to answer the census to ensure we have a complete count. Obtaining a full, fair, and accurate count of everyone is essential for representation and federal funding. Invitations…
Friday 02/28/2020
Posted: 28 February 2020 [07:33 PM] So-called “red flag” laws have been suggested by some as at least a partial answer to keeping firearms away from those who might use them to harm themselves or others. But experiences in Florida, which has had such a statute…
Posted: 28 February 2020 [07:31 PM] By The Washington Times If Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred hated baseball and wanted to destroy it, he wouldn’t be acting any differently. America’s pastime needs new leadership, stat. Begin with Mr. Manfred’s pathetic reaction to the…
Posted: 28 February 2020 [07:30 PM] By The (Moline) Dispatch & The Rock Island Argus Nobody should have been surprised when Rod Blagojevich called himself a victim and a “political prisoner” last week. Blagojevich never was very good at telling the truth. He is…
Posted: 28 February 2020 [07:27 PM] This is a scary moment for centrist and pro-Israel Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders’s overwhelming victory in the Nevada caucuses, coupled with the disastrous debut of Michael Bloomberg in last week’s Las Vegas debate, has forced the party’s establishment to confront…
Thursday 02/27/2020
Posted: 27 February 2020 [07:42 PM] Florida punishes people who are unable to pay fines and fees by taking away their driver’s licenses, making it even harder for them to hold jobs that allow them to repay those debts. More than 2 million Floridians - or…
Posted: 27 February 2020 [07:39 PM] The New Hampshire House of Representatives this week passed legislation that would impose a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm. Last year, a similar bill was vetoed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. The difference with this…
Posted: 27 February 2020 [07:37 PM] To The Editor: The fur industry is cruel and unnecessary. Readers should contact their state legislators and urge them to support a ban on fur manufacturing and sales in Connecticut - similar to the one recently passed in California. For…
Posted: 27 February 2020 [07:34 PM] The U.S. equity market finally is taking notice of the coronavirus, which now is spreading from China to other countries and increasing the risk of a shock that could cause a U.S. recession. So what are the implications for the…
Wednesday 02/26/2020
Posted: 26 February 2020 [08:02 PM] This country waged a civil war over slavery in the mid-19th century. It struggled with the advancement of civil rights for all people, regardless of race and religion, in the 20th century. The fight for equality has been going on…
Posted: 26 February 2020 [08:00 PM] Columnist Connecticut’s members of Congress, all Democrats, are upset - some almost apoplectic - about President Trump’s using his emergency power to divert military appropriations away from nuclear submarine and jet-fighter procurement to help finance the wall he is having…
Posted: 26 February 2020 [07:56 PM] On Friday, February 21, 2020 CCARC hosted its annual Legislative Breakfast in partnership with a dozen community non-profits, including Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). The New Britain Herald’s coverage of this important event aptly portrays the abysmal reality Connecticut…
Tuesday 02/25/2020
Posted: 25 February 2020 [09:01 PM] By To The Editor: An open letter to New Britain School Superintendent Nancy Sarra: The New Britain Democratic Town Committee has been drawn into the controversy over Mayor Stewart’s inappropriate actions regarding the application…
Monday 02/24/2020
Posted: 24 February 2020 [08:54 PM] To The Editor: I was unable to attend the last CIP meeting, but I have been actively involved in the Newington Parks and Recreation Department’s budget process to date. As a long time member and past chairman of the Newington…
Posted: 24 February 2020 [08:51 PM] To the Editor: At the recent public hearing regarding the latest tolls bill, LCO 373, Sal Luciano, President of the Connecticut AFL/CIO testified that he was in favor of the bill because it represented an important investment in the infrastructure…
Posted: 24 February 2020 [08:49 PM] Pete Buttigieg, one of the surviving Democratic presidential candidates, goes from up to down to sideways in his pursuit of the elusive 2020 nomination. The former South Bend mayor was up in Iowa and New Hampshire but is struggling in…
Friday 02/21/2020
Posted: 21 February 2020 [07:10 PM] Columnist Amy Klobuchar’s results in Nevada, Feb. 22, and South Carolina, Feb. 29, will likely be more modest than her surprisingly strong finishes in New Hampshire and Iowa. Yet, the senior senator from Minnesota might have the best chance of…
Posted: 21 February 2020 [07:08 PM] The significance of two events that have been upstaged this week by the Hebrew media’s incessant coronavirus coverage cannot be overemphasized-particularly with the fast approach of the March 2 Knesset elections. One was the rejection of an appeal by an…
Thursday 02/20/2020
Posted: 20 February 2020 [08:05 PM] The business climate of our region is transforming. Organizations like Valley Venture Mentors (VMM) and TechSpring have been instrumental in developing a culture of collaboration that will build a foundation of support in entrepreneurship that will last for years to…
Posted: 20 February 2020 [08:02 PM] “I’ve got this thing, and it’s f---ing golden,” said then-Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois in 2008, referring to his ability to fill the Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama. “And I’m just not giving it up for f---ing nothing.” We…
Wednesday 02/19/2020
Posted: 19 February 2020 [08:04 PM] Another legislative session is already producing more prattle about the “achievement gap” between white and minority students in Connecticut’s public schools. Last week Sen. Douglas McCrory, D-Hartford, Senate chairman of the General Assembly’s Education Committee, called it “a sin” that…
Monday 02/17/2020
Posted: 17 February 2020 [07:42 PM] Patience, urged Republican Party officials in Iowa. Give the Democrats time to ensure results of political party caucuses on nominees for president are reported accurately. Give GOP officials credit for adopting a “there but for the grace of God go…
Posted: 17 February 2020 [07:40 PM] Columnist How could Connecticut’s Democratic state legislators, the majority in the General Assembly, most humiliate themselves? Hold their caucuses in public with journalists invited? Publish transcripts of their conversations with special interests? Maybe a pie-throwing contest? Those might be good…
Friday 02/14/2020
Posted: 14 February 2020 [07:49 PM] By The Journal Times of Racine “There’s nothing good that happens after 1 a.m.” That’s what one Racine bartender had to say when he learned of a proposal to allow bars and restaurants throughout southeastern Wisconsin to stay…
Posted: 14 February 2020 [07:46 PM] To The Editor: Democracy in action had a major setback at Bristol Zoning Board’s January 27th meeting at Bristol Central High School. Accusations of tampering and prejudice were suggested by Joe Naple’s attorney, he implied that neighborhood residents (over…
Thursday 02/13/2020
Posted: 13 February 2020 [08:25 PM] When picturing an average school day, the core classes typically come to mind: math, science, English, history, and a foreign language. This idea isn’t bad, I agree that a foundation in math helps with problem-solving, and English class helps students…
Wednesday 02/12/2020
Posted: 12 February 2020 [07:18 PM] For eight months most television evening newscasts and newspaper front pages in Connecticut have highlighted the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos and the suspicion cast on her estranged husband, Fotis. Now Fotis has killed himself and Jennifer remains missing and presumed…
Tuesday 02/11/2020
Posted: 11 February 2020 [07:51 PM] After months of speculation and rumors, the bad news was finally announced by the Red Sox a few days ago: After on again off again negotiations with a few stumbles and false starts, their superstar outfielder, hitter, MVP and Gold…
Monday 02/10/2020
Posted: 10 February 2020 [07:55 PM] For more than 200 years, our republic has endured, not only because of the wisdom of our Founders and the brilliance of our Constitution, but because of the generations of patriotic Americans who have had the courage to risk their…
Posted: 10 February 2020 [07:54 PM] Columnist It started Sunday night with an exciting and hard-fought Super Bowl game, which I was happy to see end with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers. Then the next day came the Iowa caucus, aka the…
Friday 02/07/2020
Posted: 07 February 2020 [07:38 PM] The headline about a terror attack read “London stabbing suspect was recently released from prison.” That “suspect” had been released about a week ago after serving half of his sentence of three years and four months for terror offenses. And…
Wednesday 02/05/2020
Posted: 05 February 2020 [08:17 PM] Simple relevance remains a big challenge in politics and activism in Connecticut. State government is as insolvent as ever, facing big projected annual deficits and unfunded pension obligations beyond $100 billion. But the state Senate Democratic majority’s agenda for the…
Tuesday 02/04/2020
Posted: 04 February 2020 [08:50 PM] To The Editor: Former New Britain city worker accused of stealing grant funds gets court-appointed program?? Are you kidding me? What ever happened to accountability? The only disabilities she has are greed and arrogance. A jail cell is where…
Monday 02/03/2020
Posted: 03 February 2020 [07:55 PM] Columnist It doesn’t matter whether the impeachment trial of President Trump is already over or it drags on for months. Two-thirds of the U.S. Senate is never going to find the president guilty of the House Democrats’ vague and bogus…
Sunday 02/02/2020
MAYOR'S COLUMN: Bristol is going to enjoy the 'Roaring 20's' Posted: 02 February 2020 [02:23 PM] While we don’t have a crystal ball at City Hall, we do have a sense of some of the good news that…
Posted: 02 February 2020 [01:22 PM] To The Editor: I am writing to thank Bristol residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Because of the generosity of donors in Bristol and across the United States, Operation Christmas…
Friday 01/31/2020
Posted: 31 January 2020 [07:49 PM] Timing can be everything. For advocates for climate action, the stars seem aligned. Because of our dependence on the natural world, coupled with our quality of life, Vermonters have traditionally been mindful of our carbon footprint and our role in…
Posted: 31 January 2020 [07:47 PM] Columnist Few people care if men want to dress up as women or women as men. For most such people it’s not a lark but a deep psychological issue likely to cause them some trouble throughout their lives. They are…
Posted: 31 January 2020 [07:46 PM] At some point, the national Democratic Party’s leadership will discover a backbone and summon up the courage to sever its connection to Hillary Clinton. Continued eye-rolling and hand-wringing each time Clinton delivers another critique of the party’s current field seeking…
Tuesday 01/21/2020
Posted: 21 January 2020 [07:30 PM] Now that the majority in the General Assembly is more Democratic and liberal, the legislature is paying more attention to the plight of prisoners and former offenders. While the attention is welcome, it has been entirely of the bleeding-heart variety,…