Editorial: New Britain Should Bid Paul Manafort Sr. Dr. Adieu

 

After President Donald Trump’s former campaign chair Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight out of 18 felony charges, New Britain decided to “clarify” its infamous street sign, adding “Sr.” to what used to just be known as “Paul Manafort Drive.” Now, the Democratic majority of the Common Council Carlo Carlozzi is rightly calling for a rename.

Despite the fact that the sign, which is located right next to Central Connecticut, is now dedicated to the convicted felon’s father, the name still stains the city. That being said, it’s time for a change.

In a continuously developing and ever-changing city, the last thing residents and tourists want to see is a controversial name when walking down the street. Moreover, Paul Manafort Sr. does not deserve a street named after him either.

Ebenezer D. Bassett, however, does. That is why the city council will vote to change “Paul Manafort Sr. Dr.” to “Ebenezer D.C. Bassett Way” in today’s meeting, according to the Hartford Courant. Rightfully so.

Bassett was the New Britain Normal School’s, CCSU’s founding institution, first African-American graduate in 1853. According to CCSU, he went on to become an educator, a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, an advocate for the right for black men to fight in the Civil War and the United States’ first African American diplomat as the Minister Resident to Haiti, making him “the first African American to attain a diplomatic appointment.”

CCSU annually celebrates Bassett’s achievements in October. The university even has a scholarship in Bassett’s honor. So, with Bassett being such a distinguished individual hailing from CCSU, why isn’t he on the street sign right next to the campus instead of Paul Manafort Sr.?

According to Carlo Carlozzi, the street name is “scandalous, and an embarrassment to New Britain,” he told the Hartford Courant. However, the mayor of New Britain does not seem to see it as such.

During this past year, Mayor Erin Stewart has told many that there is no need to disapprove the reputation of Paul Manafort Sr. due to the actions of his son, Paul Manafort.

Stewart rejected the idea to have the street honor another name because the honor was intended for the father, not for his son. In an interview with the Courant, her opinion remained the same.

“Mr. Manafort served the city for a long time, he was a war veteran,” Stewart said. “You can’t control what your kids do and what they don’t — that doesn’t take away from the service that the father gave to the city.”

Although Stewart doesn’t agree with changing the name of the street, a Farmington resident Pat Karwoski, a critic of the elder Manafort, does.

Speaking on the younger Manafort, Karowski stated in the Hartford Courant  “He may have been revered by his small base but he was involved in illegal activities which were severe enough to have him arrested,” she said, referring to a perjury charge in the early 1980s.

Although Karowski acknowledged that the older Manafort was never convicted, having a street name for him is useless.

“It does not embody what the city stands for, and neither Manafort Sr. or Jr. deserve this honor,” she stated.

Karowski is certainly not alone in this thought, and only time will tell if a change will occur for New Britian’s most controversial street..