Issues. People. Events. Waterbury Connecticut's Independent Newspaper
Still Not Talking
Story By John Murray
The Leatherman remains as elusive in death as he was during a mysterious life wandering through Connecticut and New York 150 years ago.
Party's Over
Story By John Murray
The Waterbury Observer has confirmed that Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura is switching political parties and will head the Republican ticket in November. The official announcement was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th, but when two top GOP lawmakers – Tony D’Amelio and Selim Noujaim – couldn’t make it, the press conference was re-scheduled for May 31st, at Waterbury City Hall.
Hanoi Jane
War, Sex, and Fantasies of Betrayal
Meet author
Jerry Lembcke
Book Talk & Signing
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - 6:30 p.m.
From Aristophanes’ Lysistrata to Mata Hari and Tokyo Rose, stories of female betrayal during wartime have recurred throughout history. The myth of “Hanoi Jane” Fonda, Dr. Jerry Lembcke argues in Hanoi Jane, War, Sex & Fantasies of Betrayal, is the latest variation on this enduring theme - com-bining traces of fact with heavy doses of fiction to create a potent symbol of feminine perfidy - part erotic warrior-woman Barbarella (the title role of a 1968 Fonda film), part savvy antiwar activist and part powerful entrepreneur.
Life on "The Hill"
By Megan Sullivan, December 2007
James Dennis Galvin
My grandfather taught me how to pour beer. We sat at the round, glass topped table on his screened-in back porch, and with the convex pint glass tipped toward the wall, I held one hand steady on the jar as the other gripped the brown glass bottle before me.
“Good girl, Meg,” my grandfather said. “Right, lean the jar towards you,” he instructed gently. “That’s the girl,” he said, “hold the bottle close to the rim.”
The Big Three
Story By Raechel Guest
Photographs From Scovill Bulletin, Pictorial History Of Waterbury
The neglected north gate of American Brass as it looks now.
In the twentieth century, Waterbury’s brass industry was dominated by the “Big Three” — Scovill, Chase and Anaconda-American Brass. During the nineteenth century, the industry was largely comprised of small independent factories. Scovill was the first of the Big Three to become big, acquiring small specialized companies in order to diversify its product line and enhance its financial stability. Next came American Brass (later Anaconda-American Brass), which was created by the merger of several brass companies. Chase rounded out the trinity in 1913 with the consolidation of several companies owned by the Chase family.
Off To The Front
Lance Corporal Connor Berger, right, son of Waterbury's 73rd District State Representative, Jeff Berger, left, was deployed last week to Afghanistan to fulfill his commitment to the United States Marine Corps. Connor serves with "New England's Own" Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. Before leaving Connor, right, and his brother, Chris, left, had the opportunity to meet UConn basketball star Kemba Walker during Husky Day at the state capital.
Four Years Ago He Won With
An Historic Write-In.
Can "Mayor Mike" Bring Home A Record
6th Consecutive Term?
Story By John Murray and Photographs By Michael Asaro
As we begin the election coverage of Waterbury's 2011 Mayoral Election the discussion has to begin with the reigning champ, Mike Jarjura, who has won ten general elections in Waterbury in a row. Five as a state representative in the East End of Waterbury, and five for mayor of Waterbury. If Jarjura wins in November he will be the only man in Waterbury's 300 year history to be elected mayor six elections in a row. That's impressive.
Attention Waterbury.....
Let’s Move
By John Murray
Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura led by example.
Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura is a great sport. Three years ago he plunged down the Naugatuck River in a canoe, and on April 29th, as part of a Healthy Living community walk, he wiggled and contorted on stage as he stretched out in front of 400 people on the Waterbury Green.
Carole Peck's
Zeeburger
By John Murray
In celebration of National Hamburger Month the Observer cruised over to Woodbury, CT, to check out the steamed hamburger at Zeeburger, the new restaurant opened by famed chef, Carole Peck.
Peck has owned and operated Carole Peck's Good News Cafe in Woodbury for years, and has already made a splash with Zeeburger.
What Happened?
Marcus Brown died after he was tasered by a Waterbury police officer.
The Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches President Scot X Esdaile and Waterbury Branch President Victor Diaz will hold a press conference today, May 16th, at 5:30 pm, at the Waterbury Police Station to announce the NAACP's investigation into the Taser Death of Marcus Brown.
NAACP Opposes Use
Of Taser Gun
Photographs By John Murray
Connecticut NAACP President Scot X Esdaile addresses a media throng in front of the Waterbury Police Department, May 16th, to call for an investigation into the taser gun killing of Marcus Brown. Esdaile called the taser gun a "tool of torture".
Race Day
It was a spectacular day to paddle down the Naugatuck River from Waterbury to Beacon Falls. The sun flitted in and out, the rain held off, and despite water levels slightly lower than ideal, the event was another smashing success. Photograph by John Murray
Mind Of Steel
Story and Photographs By John Murray
Some might think that genetics and large muscles are the key to Derek Poundstone’s stunning rise to the title of America’s Strongest Man.
They would be wrong.
Main Street Waterbury
Snares Two Awards
Main Street Waterbury was honored for its efforts to restore Waterbury City Hall.
Connecticut Main Street Center has announced the recipients of its 2011 Awards of Excellence. Award-winning initiatives and individuals are engaged in Main Street revitalization in New London, Simsbury, Waterbury, Westville Village in New Haven, and Torrington.
Pitch, Hit, Run
@ Municipal Stadium
(editor's note - the following letter was written to the Observer by Waterbury resident Bill DeMaida, who is involved in planning and organizing a Pitch, Hit, Run competition at Municipal Stadium)
Over the years, our Municipal Stadium has been witness to the development of our local sports scene. This venue, after our latest renovation project, will be second to none. We hope to bring attention to this complex with not only scheduled local sports but also with varied programs that might bring more than just local citizens to our home.
It's Time To Start Your
Own Business
By John Rowland
While many of us may still be chasing those few jobs openings out there, now is the time to start your own business. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) here at the Chamber has been sponsoring small business workshops for new startup companies here in the Waterbury area. The seminars touch on a variety of issues from writing a business plan to securing financing.
At Last, Color
Brilliant tulips, and temperatures in the 70s, have provided weary residents a much needed reprieve from from a devastatingly long winter. Pictured above are tulips on the Waterbury Green, with St. John's Episcopal Church in the background. Photo by John Murray
A New Day
David Martin originally wanted to be a Waterbury police officer. In preparation for the police exam, Martin decided to practice by taking a fire department exam. After passing both tests, Martin decided to join the fire department because "no one shoots bullets at a fire scene." Now more than two decades later, Martin was sworn in as chief of the Waterbury Fire Department, on April 28th, in front of a packed aldermanic chambers in the newly renovated City Hall.
(Editor's Note - The following letter was written by Joshua Angelus, the President of the Waterbury Neighborhood Council, and sent to community leaders and the media in Waterbury)
Dear Mayor and Aldermen,
I attached a series of pictures that will assist in making clear the tipping point of Waterbury as a functional city and how we suffer from poor public policy, the lack of enforcement and the coddling and tolerance of those who violate our laws and damage our quality of life. They act with impunity.
The Observer's new website is different than most newspapers on the internet. Instead of cramming fifty stories and tiny thumb nail photographs on the home page, we've decided to publish large, bold photographs to accompany in-depth feature articles. We debut with more than 100 articles and columns, with the promise of hundreds more to come.