Derby cancels tree-lighting ceremony over COVID concerns

DERBY — The city was scheduled to light its Christmas tree Friday evening, but concerns over the current COVID-19 situation in Connecticut led city officials to cancel the traditional ceremony.

Mayor Rich Dziekan said he made the decision out of an abundance of caution, but the cancellation still led to grumbling on social media asking why the celebration was canceled as other nearby cities and towns continue with their celebrations.

Dziekan said he made the decision based on the state’s rising COVID cases.

“So I figured let’s just keep it had a minimum of exposures for a lot of people,” Dziekan said.

Dziekan’s comments came as the state was seeing a surge in cases, even in municipalities with high vaccination rates. The state’s data portal shows 88 percent of Derby’s population received at least one COVID vaccine dose. But cases in Derby are now at 23.2 per 100,000, according to data from the portal, among the highest in the area.

The mayor also said children’s safety was paramount since part of the ceremony included the tradition of having children ask Santa for presents. However, that could lead to increased transmission rates despite being outdoors, he said. As of now, more than half of all children in Derby ages 5 to 11 are getting vaccinated. “I didn’t want to risk it, especially with the kids. Five and over are now getting vaccinated. Why risk it? Put it off a little bit,” he said.

Despite the ceremony’s cancellation, though, the tree-lighting was scheduled to take place. On Friday, electricians were testing the wiring in anticipation of lighting the tree later that night. The tree will remain lit until after Christmas.

But the news the ceremony was canceled was criticized on social media, residents asking why the city was cancelling since the event is held outdoors.

Derby Democratic Town Chair Owney Malerba went so far as to say the mayor had canceled the holiday.

“I can’t help but feel that it’s un-American for the mayor to cancel Christmas like this,” Malerba said.

Malerba pointed out the city had concerts at the Derby Green over the summer even as the Delta variant led to increased infections. He also said the city held a Veteran’s Day ceremony a few weeks ago. Other social media comments pointed out they would go to Ansonia’s tree lighting instead.

Dziekan said he had heard the criticism, but stood firm.

“That’s their town (Ansonia). That was their decision. We still have decisions to do with our citizens,” he said.

Yet while some residents expressed annoyance the celebration was canceled, one resident was glad to hear the news.

Susan LanzanoSchroeder, a member of the city’s cultural committee said the ceremony, while a time honored tradition can’t trump concerns over public safety. She revealed she was diagnosed with COVID the day before Thanksgiving.

She was fully vaccinated, but came down with fatigue and a persistent cough that was serious enough for her spend Thanksgiving in quarantine. Her ongoing bout with COVID also convinced her that the mayor’s decision was the right call.

Still, even though she believes it was the right decision, it was still disappointing.

“I was extremely disappointed. Because we live, breathe and eat culture, it’s just so much fun for us,” Lanzano Schroeder said.