Column By John Murray

   The worst kept secret in Waterbury burst into the open this afternoon after Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary declared he will seek an historic 4^th term in office this November.

   “I've had a couple of job offers, some recently,” O’Leary told 300 business people and community leaders attending the annual “Mayoral Luncheon” event hosted by the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. “But I just have to tell you that I love it here. I love this job, and with your support I intend to run for mayor again in 2019.”

Ziggy "The Flagman" Berisha  (4/24/1942 - 12/25/2018)

Ziggy became an American citizen on July 4th he said it was the "greatest day of my life."

Story and Photographs By John Murray

   Ziggy the Flagman was impossible to ignore. In 1999 Zeqir Berisha began waving the American flag through downtown Waterbury shouting “USA, USA, USA” and overnight he became the most recognizable (and loudest) man in the city. Dressed from head to toe in stars and stripes he burst onto the scene as an evangelist for America, a champion of freedom.

   Who was he? Where did he come from?

(Editor's Note - the following comments were made by Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo (pictured above) after he was sworn into office by Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary on December 13th in a ceremony on the stage of the Palace Theater in downtown Waterbury. The photographs of Chief Spagnolo were taken by Jennifer Rose)

   Thank you. These are my three beautiful children. Kids what is dad’s favorite number? 15. Dad is changing that and  my new favorite number is 22, because I am now the 22nd police chief of the great city of Waterbury.

I started my career in 1992 at the Waterbury Police Department.  It was all new to me as I did not come from a family of law enforcement or public service.  My family is of Irish and Italian decent and immigrated to this country during my generation.  I grew up learning to be acceptant and respectful of others and their traditions.

Ilmika Kulla Will Display Her Paintings December 6th

Ilmika Kulla describes her work as impressionist.

Story By John Murray

   Ilmika Kulla is obsessed with painting glamour, particularly Hollywood stars from the 1950s and 1960s: Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando among them. “Our icons today don’t have the same elegance and style,” Kulla said. “I’m fascinated by old Hollywood.”

   But don’t try and pigeonhole this young artist, because Kulla will surprise you with paintings of singer Freddie Mercury, Muhammad Ali, Gandhi, Michael Jackson, Kim Kardashian, JFK, Buddha and Barack Obama.

First Black Woman Elected To Congress From CT

Photographs By John Murray

Jahana Hayes made an emotional entrance into a crowded ballroom filled with soul music and anticipation. With last night's victory Hayes has made an extraordinary leap from the Berkeley Heights Project in the North End of Waterbury, to the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, to the halls of the United States Congress. Jahana's improbable and fantastic journey captured national attention as very few members of Congress have ever experienced poverty the way Hayes has. Last night she carved her name into history as the first African-American woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, "I'm a history teacher making history," she said.

To Help Save Waterbury's Historic Buildings

State Senator Joan Hartley listened to Brad Schide from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation explain the demo delay ordinance. Hartley said having a conversation about historic buildings was important and the city should have a process in place to facilitate that discussion on a case by case basis.

Story and Photographs By John Murray

   A group of concerned citizens met tonight with representatives from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation inside the Silas Bronson Library to discuss ways to protect Waterbury's historic buildings from demolition. Wide spread community outrage erupted last month when the Immaculate Conception Church began demolishing the 140-year-old Trinity Episcopal Church to make way for a parking lot.

   The Naugatuck Valley Project’s annual MICAH Dinner and Awards’ Evening will

take place this Friday evening, November 2, 2018, 5 pm – 8:30 pm at the Crystal

Room, 98 School Street, in Naugatuck, Connecticut,” said Bonnie Odiorne,

President of the Naugatuck Valley Project.  “It is our opportunity, as an

organization, to honor the unsung heroes among us who quietly get things done.”

   She continued, “This year we will be awarding fourteen individuals with our MICAH

Award.  Each award winner is a very special person within their member

organization and to the Naugatuck Valley Project.  A list of all Honorees and their

Presenter at the MICAH Dinner is printed below.” 

   On January 2nd, 2018 the Waterbury Police Department began investigating a shooting incident at 300 and 400 Grand Street in downtown Waterbury.  It was determined that the incident occurred between two known street gangs from Waterbury.  The ATM street gang which has been having ongoing issues with another street gang known as 960.  The issues include numerous incidents involving firearms and incidents in which several people have been shot and even killed.  The Waterbury Police Gang Task Force has been actively investigating these two gangs and have established an extensive list of known members.

Did Party Insiders Torpedo Jahana Hayes At Convention?

Hayes is challenging Mary Glassman in a Democrat primary Tuesday, August 14th.

Story and Photographs

By John Murray

   In the current political climate favoring outsiders, there are new allegations that Jahana Hayes’ attempt to win an historic Democrat Party endorsement to Congress this Spring was upended by an inside game.

   Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary has accused two influential Democrat Party leaders of blackballing Jahana Hayes at the 5^th Congressional District convention in May. The charges were leveled this week at Tom McDonough who ran the convention, and at Wolcott Democrat town chairman Antony Casagrande.