Derby mayor will seek third term
DERBY — Two-term incumbent Mayor Rich Dziekan will seek a third term, the mayor announced June 30 at the city’s Catholic War Veterans Post #1562.
Dziekan, 55, touted his administration’s successes, from lowering taxes to encouraging economic development in the city, saying that if he is to win again, he would build upon those achievements.
“For the first time in a long time, developers want to come to Derby,” he said.
The Republican also noted that the fire department recently received new radios, and the police will soon have body cameras. He also said he was proud that his administration has been able to get a fuel cell facility into the city.
The mayor also named Third Ward Alderman Rob Hyder as his campaign manager.
But not everyone thinks he’s the right mayor for the city.
Joseph DiMartino, a Democrat is also running for mayor and he previously criticized the mayor for his handling of the city’s finances as told to Hearst Connecticut Media earlier last month. While Derby has been praised by the Municipal Finance Advisory Commission for getting a new finance director with strong credentials during a June 30 meeting, DiMartino said that residents are ready to move on.
“We have very different ideas of what a full time mayor should be. We have very different ideas of what transparency in government means and how that best serves our residents,” DiMartino said. “I’ve had some wonderful conversations with residents and some exciting back and forth dialogue. Derby is ready for change,”
Dziekan, though, cites bipartisanship as one of the strengths of his administration. He pointed out that his efforts to widen Route 34 are getting underway, claiming it undercuts DiMartino’s promise to get it started. He said that before he took office, the city was plagued by political infighting, while failing to look at sustained growth. That stopped under his watch, he said, as the city looks to upgrade its transportation infrastructure.