Showing posts with label Mayor Anita Dugatto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayor Anita Dugatto. Show all posts

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Dugatto Thanks Derby Voters

(The following is a letter to Derby citizens from Mayor Anita Dugatto)

 Derby is Stronger Together


DERBY - Thank you to all the voters who took time out of their busy lives on September 12 to vote in Derby’s Democratic Primary for Mayor.  
 
I am honored and humbled to have received the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Derby with my victory on September 12.  I couldn’t have done it without the support and confidence of countless volunteers and community members. I am deeply grateful for their efforts.
 
Turnout was strong.  I think this was due, in large part, to the interest our residents have in the
success of our city.  Over the past four years, we have worked hard to engage our citizens, to let them know they truly have a voice in their community and that their opinions matter. September 12 was a demonstration that our message was heard loud and clear.
 
When I was a child, my father worked at Derby’s Hull Dye and my mother stayed at home caring for me and my seven siblings while trying to make ends meet.  My parents, my neighbors, and many others showed me at a young age what a hard day of work looks like.  While the livelihoods of Derby’s residents may have changed over the years, one thing hasn’t - their strong work ethic. I believe in this city because I know that, if given the opportunity, each and every Derby resident has the drive and ability to succeed. That is why it’s so important to ensure that we are providing opportunities in our community for our residents to thrive.
 
Rather than looking for differences in each other - whether it be our ancestry, our political affiliation, or our income - we need to unite as people who are proud to call Derby home and who are working together to move us forward.
 
As the primary campaign season progressed, one thing became more and more apparent to me:  Mr. DiCenso and I are more alike than we are different.  We share the same level of passion for the community we grew up in - our knowledge of the challenges and our ideas for the solutions are, in fact, quite complimentary.  This shared perspective is an inherent strength.
 
Tremendous progress is being made in Derby.  When I look around our city, I see more businesses opening here, I see better parks, better roads, and better schools. These accomplishments were the result of dedication, collaboration, and a shared interest in the common good by members of Derby’s diverse community.  That diversity is important to ensure all citizens are represented.  
I humbly ask for your support again on November 7. Together we control the progress of Derby.  We will show that a shared vision for our community will prevail. 
 

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Dziekan Reacts to Dugatto's Primary Win


From the Desk of Rich Dziekan:

Congratulations to Anita Dugatto on her victory in the Democratic primary. Her genuine, emotional reaction showed that like both myself and Carmen Dicenso, she truly cares about Derby.

Many of the city's Democrats and the vast majority of the Aldermen had publicly pledged their support for Dicenso, so the real question has to be, "Now what?"

One can't help but wonder how awkward and counterproductive the already strained relationship between Mayor Dugatto and the Board of Aldermen would be moving forward. I hope to keep the positive momentum of my campaign going, and I hope those that have supported Carmen in his bid will consider turning a blind eye to party politics and rally behind my desire to become Derby's next mayor.

I plan on unifying members of all city boards from both sides of the aisle in the best interest of our taxpayers. We are too small a city to suffer from such a big case of political divisiveness.

I'm excited for the next 8 weeks of hard work and campaigning, and my team's goal is to keep things clean and informative. The people of Derby deserve the best and I hope to be leading them in the right direction come November 7th.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Derby Mayoral Candidate Set to Knock on Doors

DERBY - In regards to Mayor Dugatto opening headquarters...fortunately for me, she and Mr. Dicenso have to spend quite a bit of time over the next couple weeks focusing intently on one another, since they are effectively splitting the Democratic party.
 
Meanwhile, I'm about to start walking door to door to inform the citizens of Derby what I plan to do differently than the current Mayor. I think the failures of this administration have been pretty well documented, and anyone who considers Derby "in good shape" at this point after two terms with Anita and Carmen in charge, must not be paying attention. Most of the people I've spoken to are completely frustrated with the lack of transparency, petty political games, and mostly... the mismanagement of their tax dollars.
 
My team and I have already begun to ramp up our campaign efforts not only in person, but also online. My second fundraiser is coming up in 2 weeks at the CWV, and I look forward to the challenges ahead. I think it's hard for the average citizen to focus on the the municipal elections of November in July, but those who are involved in politics have already been working behind the scenes for months in preparation.
 
Good luck to the Mayor, I'm glad to see she is pushing hard to get re-elected, because that's exactly the kind of effort the people of Derby deserve from their elected officials all the time, not just in the months leading up to an election.
 
(This is a press release from Dziekan's campaign)

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Derby Mayor Dugatto to Seek Third Term

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent

DERBY >> Mayor Anita Dugatto announced Tuesday that she will seek re-election to a third term in office.

Dugatto said in a statement that she wants to “build upon her successes” over her last four years in office. Dugatto, a Democrat, was first elected in 2013, becoming the first-ever female mayor to lead the state’s smallest city. She was re-elected to a second term in November 2015, narrowly defeating Republican challenger Richard Dziekan by just 111 votes. Dziekan has indicated, but hasn’t officially announced, that he will seek the GOP nod to run for mayor.

Aldermanic President Carmen DiCenso, a fellow Democrat, announced Tuesday that he also will be making a run for the city’s top office.
Read more here:

Monday, January 9, 2017

Derby Swears in New Fire Chief, Assistants

DERBY - The city recently held an inauguration ceremony to swear in its newest Fire Department officers.

Mayor Anita Dugatto swore in Fire Chief Michael W. Goodman, Robert J. Laskowski Jr. - 1st Assistant Chief,  David M. Lenart - 2nd Assistant Chief and Michael F. Gloade - 3rd Assistant Chief.

(Photos from Mayor Anita Dugatto's Facebook page)

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

New Hours for Derby City Hall



DERBY -Mayor Anita Dugatto announced that City Hall will operate on a new schedule, effective immediately.

The hours of operation for City Hall, located at 1 Elizabeth St., are as follows:

Monday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Thursday: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Friday: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Making lemonade out of lemons in Derby

Participants in Yale University's Community Rowing Program glide along the Housatonic River Friday morning.


DERBY - This is a tale about being in the right place at the right time, even though it was the wrong time.

On Thursday night I went to City Hall to cover Mayor Anita Dugatto's second open door session.

The kickoff session the previous week started at 7 p.m., but I was on vacation and didn't attend.
Fast forward to this past Thursday, and, without double-checking, I had it in my head that the session was starting at 7 p.m.
Wrong.

Dugatto's plan is to meet with residents from 5-7 p.m. Thursdays.
Woops.

The informal meeting in aldermanic chambers was just wrapping up when I arrived.

In a release last month Dugatto said, “I hope this opportunity will inspire people to speak up, seek answers to their questions, and participate in the revitalization of our city.
"I look forward to meeting with residents, property owners, business owners, and anyone else interested in our community and its potential.”


Dugatto said Thursday residents discussed various issues, from creating a new website for the city, to  trying to define 'What is Derby?'
"It was an informal meeting, I didn't take notes," she said. "We reminisced, and we talked about the future," she said.

Dugatto suggested I join her first thing Friday morning at Yale University's Gilder Boathouse on Roosevelt Drive to observe the last day of a summer Learn to Row program.

And I'm so glad I did.

I chatted with several friendly rowing coaches and after a bit of coaxing I got into a small boat with Dugatto and rowing coach/lifeguard/photographer Jon Robinson of Shelton to see the rowers up close.

I took lots of photos, learned about rowing, and had a great time. I daresay Dugatto had a great time as well.

Please check out a slideshow here in the New Haven Register's Media Gallery, and stay tuned for a story in the paper.



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Shelton-Derby Memorial Day Parade as seen from Derby

Picture-perfect weather greets marchers
A view up Elizabeth Street in Derby before the parade. The line of march stepped off in Shelton this year.
 
Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti wave to the crowd.



 Mattatuck Drum Band of Waterbury makes its way up Elizabeth Street.

 


Army veteran Erwin 'Gus' Williams of Derby sells poppies before the parade.

 

Derby Elks Lodge mascot 'Elroy' poses with a parade-goer.




Jones Family Farms of Shelton brought a festive truck to the parade.



And here's an oldie but goodie.




 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Mayor announces Derby's membership in Main Street Center program

DERBY - Mayor Anita Dugatto today announced Derby’s membership in the National Main Street Center program.  Membership provides the city with another resource in support of a new approach to the revitalization of Derby’s historic downtown. 

“The redevelopment challenges facing Derby are not unlike those that face many other cities and towns around the country.  It makes sense to take advantage of the experience and knowledge of others pursuing the same goals.”

One of the highlights of NMSC membership is access to the Main Street List Serve.  The list serve functions as a framework for towns and cities around the country to seek viable solutions to everyday challenges.  
“Very often other communities have come up against similar issues." Dugatto said. "They are eager to share their successes and failures, and offer resources for practical solutions.  This knowledge is invaluable.” 

Dugatto believes that Derby’s redevelopment plan should not be merely about out with the old and in with the new.  “We need to strike a balance between preserving our historic heritage, while defining a new community that reflects the needs of today’s modern society.” 

Furthermore, she said, “Derby should not only focus on attracting new businesses to our local economy, but should also help existing businesses thrive.  Membership in this program reflects a commitment to both of these important objectives.”


This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Forum in Derby sheds light on women's issues

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, left, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, center, and Teresa Younger, Executive Director, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, participate Wednesday in a roundtable discussion about women's issues at Derby City Hall.

DERBY - Healthcare and Connecticut Women was the subject of an invitation-only roundtable by women for women I covered Wednesday at City Hall.

It was part of a series of forums co-hosted by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Teresa Younger, Executive Director, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in Connecticut.

More than 30 women attended the forum and several spoke candidly about their concerns and challenges caring for children and aging parents, while pursuing careers.

The discussion was a good one, and demonstrated to participants they all face similar challenges on a daily basis.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Dugatto administers oath to Derby detective



Pictured from left are Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski, Officer Edward Sullivan, Mayor Anita Dugatto, Commissioner Thomas DeGennaro Chairman, Commissioner John Mastrianni, and Commissioner Denise Bottone. The ceremony was held in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall. / Contributed photo



DERBY - Mayor Anita Dugatto recently swore in Police Officer Edward Sullivan to the rank of Detective. Sullivan fills an opening in the Detective Bureau due to a recent retirement.

Sullivan was raised in Shelton and graduated from Shelton High School in 1987, and attended Sacred Heart University. Sullivan was employed at DHL as a driver for 14 years prior to joining the Derby Police Department in 2007.

As a patrolman, Sullivan served as the Department Training Officer, Field Training Officer and a member of the Honor Guard.
In addition, Sullivan assisted the day shift sergeant with Local Traffic Authority, Animal Control issues and was a certified bike patrol officer.

Sullivan is a lifelong resident of Shelton. He and his wife, Elicia, have two boys, Jake and Luke.


This post is taken from a press release. 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Derby kindergartners get healthy lesson from mayor


Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, a dentist, demonstrates proper brushing technique Friday to Isaiah Pierce in teacher Jenny Ames' kindergarten classroom at Bradley School in Derby. February is National Children's Dental Health Month. / Contributed photo

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Derby mayor among guest speakers at St. Mary-St. Michael School

In conjunction with Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby held Career Day. Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto speaks to students in grades 6-8 about her dual career as mayor and a practicing dentist. / Contributed photo

Other participants included Lt. Justin Stanko and the canine, Officer Bear with his handler, Ernie Lagoja from the state Department of Transportation, Seymour Police Sgt. Dave Parrat, James O'Neil, a Stamford firefighter, Dr. John Richter from New England Cat Care, EMT Bryan Ryan, Melissa Nicefaro, a local journalist, and Steve DiRienzo, a local artist.


This is a press release from St. Mary-St. Michael School.

Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 in Scholarships

    Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 from Scholarship Funds to Support Educational Pursuits of Local Students   DERBY, CT (Octobe...