Thursday, October 31, 2013

New Britain not Business Friendly


In reading of the many political mailings from the common council existing candidates promising to "encouraging economic development" and "Creating local jobs" was a comment by a fellow alderman candidate.

Amazing with many companies and small businesses moving out of our city when able in finding suitable accommodations.

The most recent that left our city are The American Home Medical Supplies that move to Berlin and the only tailor left in New Britain "Anne's Tailoring has moved to Kensington.

Landlords are being forced to raise rents to their tenants, because of the O'Brien administration's added inspection fees, while they watch their commercial tenants leaving to other towns with "better political climates."  

fs

14 comments:

Adrian M. Baron said...

Here on Broad Street we have seen a boom in business. Recent additions include a new pharmacy, convenience store, insurance agency and a new bakery. A new Polish restaurant is on the way as well as a bike shop from Middletown. Today over 100 businesses call Broad Street home. We have also seen the addition of new restaurants downtown, new law firms and other shops on West Main. My own law firm moved to New Britain after 65 years in Hartford.

Anonymous said...

Adrian, that's all great news, but how on earth can you run on Obrien's ticket?

Obrien's done nothing to stimulate the local ecomony. In fact he's stiffling the local economy with his 911 fees, blight fees and landlord fees ect. He's chasing off investors when the city needs investment. And this leads to more blight so I see no end in sight to the problem with Obrien as mayor.

When are we going to get the details on the Berkowitz building? I read somewhere the developer is pulling out a day or 2 after the election. And that the developer has connections to Obrien. And we still don't have any details, like if the city's providing loans, grants or tax abatements.

And what about all the phantom budget revenues that will never come to fruition? Budget next year will have to go up $3-$4 million dollars alone to pay for this years loans/bonding. That's going to represent a big tax increase right there.

Please set the record straight and answer these questions for us.

Anonymous said...

Adrian, did you move in during the past two years? Be serious!

Anonymous said...

someone is overdosing on the liberal kool-aid.

Adrian M. Baron said...

Anonymous, I moved into my current home about 6 years ago. I am not a renter. I am a homeowner here. I am a business owner here. I have invested here. I chose to live in New Britain because I believe in the future of this city.

Adrian M. Baron said...

I do live in New Britain. You are welcome to come over and help me cut the grass and take out the trash. lol

Anonymous said...

adrian, way to answer the softballs and TOTALLY avoid any REAL answers!

Adrian, that's all great news, but how on earth can you run on Obrien's ticket?

Obrien's done nothing to stimulate the local ecomony. In fact he's stiffling the local economy with his 911 fees, blight fees and landlord fees ect. He's chasing off investors when the city needs investment. And this leads to more blight so I see no end in sight to the problem with Obrien as mayor.

When are we going to get the details on the Berkowitz building? I read somewhere the developer is pulling out a day or 2 after the election. And that the developer has connections to Obrien. And we still don't have any details, like if the city's providing loans, grants or tax abatements.

And what about all the phantom budget revenues that will never come to fruition? Budget next year will have to go up $3-$4 million dollars alone to pay for this years loans/bonding. That's going to represent a big tax increase right there.

Please set the record straight and answer these questions for us.

Anonymous said...

Adrian, no comments or answers to post #2?

Sounds like you're skirting the question or don't know or don't want to know.

Get your head out of the sand and make/take a stand. I don't know how you can live with yourself.

Anonymous said...

I see Adrian. This all happened During Tim Stewart's Administration and not O'Briens!

Adrian M. Baron said...

Sorry about the late response. I have a law firm to run. lol

(1) "How on earth can you run on Obrien's ticket?"

Although I have friends on both sides of the aisle, I am a registered democrat. Following the last election (when I ran on the opposing ticket) Broad Street was saddled with construction delays. Business owners were losing money. O'Brien could have played politics with me. I ran on a ticket against him. Instead he met with local business owners and brought the director of Public Works with him. They listened to our concerns and gave us a deadline. The city met that deadline. Although I had spoken out against some of the mayor's policies at common council hearings, he was willing to listen and still asked me to run on his ticket. He has also given my business association consistent support in our efforts to improve the city. I should also add that I was never asked to run on the Republican ticket, so I don't understand what the big hubbub is.

(2)"What about the Berkowitz Building?"

As you know, I am not an elected official. It is my understanding that the plan is to convert the building into about 20 studio apartments along with retail and office space. It would also include townhouses in the empty lots. Once construction starts , the developed would have 18 months to complete the project. If you have ever seen the Sage Allen building in Hartford, the firm was involved in that renovation. They appear to have a good track record. I would be happy to look into it for you. I believe the Dunkin Donuts facility in the Police Station was delayed because there was no HVAC unit installed. I believe it is back on track. The Berkowitz building has been an eyesore through many administrations. I am happy that there has been movement on the project. It would be nice to connect the booming Little Poland sector with the city's downtown district. We have been attempting to have cross over events. If you attended the Little Poland festival you would have seen various downtown businesses had booths there. We have also done cross promotion with the Rock Cats and town museums.

(3) And what about all the phantom budget revenues that will never come to fruition?

Again, I am not an elected official. I am a private citizen. You would need to be a little more specific with what phantom budget revenues you are referring to. I will say that I do support the hiring of a dedicated grant writer. I don't think grant writing should be stacked on to the responsibilities of various city employees along with their other responsibilities. Having an effective grant writer could lessen the tax burden on residents. I also support the council's recent efforts to include more public participation . I hope residents take advantage of it. Too many council meetings are held before relatively empty audiences. Voter turnout is atrocious. As an attorney, I am trained to see both sides of an argument. I have served on commissions under Republicans and Democrats.

Anonymous said...

Reading between the lines it sounds as if someone thinks so highly of himself that he was expecting the Republicans to come beg him to run on their ticket? I don't see where he mentions if he actually approached the town committee to ask for their nomination or even attended their convention where anyone could have been nominated from the floor. I guess if you are God's gift to mankind, or at least to the people in your particular district, then you can't be expected to seek the nomination since the little people are expected to come to you.

Anonymous said...

Why on earth would a registered democrat running on the democratic ticket need to approach the republican town committee? What's the point of Republicans complaining about someone running as a Democrat if they did't even ask the particular candidate to run?

Adrian M. Baron said...

If you wish to insult me, at least have the courage not to hide behind an anonymous post. There is no need to "read between the lines." Just ask me.

I was asked why I did not accept the Republican offer to run on their slate. I gave a polite answer. I continue to be a registered Democrat and am running on the Democratic ticket.

Anonymous said...

That's the underlying problem with the Republican town committee They expect people to come to them. The Democrats seek out the talent early.


Web Tracking
Online Florist