Derby Democrat announces plans to again seek mayor’s office
DERBY — After a near-miss in 2021, Joseph DiMartino is gearing up for another run for Derby mayor.
“I am announcing my intention to run for mayor of the City of Derby,” DiMartino said Tuesday in front of a group of supporters.
DiMartino, a Democrat, ran against Republican Richard Dziekan in 2021, losing by just 48 votes.
While Dziekan campaigned on economic revitalization, the city’s recent budgetary woes and questions about the work culture at City Hall encouraged DiMartino to run again, according to his campaign manager, Linda Fusco.
DiMartino is expanding on his previous platform, saying he would scrutinize city finances, be more transparent and replace controversial Chief of Staff Walt Mayhew if elected.
“On Day One, I will order a full forensic audit of every single book and department,” DiMartino said.
The city’s finances have faced increased scrutiny over the past year due to health care plan payments, the city government placing its finance director on leave for alleged wrongdoing, and late payments to the Board of Education. Former Finance Director Agata Herasimowicz would later resign in August, even after being largely cleared of any wrongdoing.
DiMartino also said he wanted to change the culture at Cty Hall which critics say has suffered from poor morale.
“I look at the way they treat people, I see the lack of transparency, I hear the complaints of people who can’t pay their bills in person or can’t get anyone on the phone because vital positions aren’t filled,” DiMartino said.
The focus of DiMartino’s ire has also shifted. In 2021, DiMartino attacked Dziekan for his supposed inattentiveness as mayor, calling him an absentee mayor. But now DiMartino is now criticizing Mayhew, who has faced criticism for his allegedly abrasive behavior to city hall staff, and has had tense exchanges with members of the Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen.
“I will immediately replace Walt Mayhew with a chief of staff who understands that people need to be treated with respect,” DiMartino said.
The idea of campaigning on replacing a staff member befuddled Dziekan, who on Friday expressed his support of Mayhew.
“If Mr. DiMartino thinks replacing my chief of staff, should he win, is a major campaign issue, clearly he lacks the understanding of what is important to move Derby forward. Apparently he hasn’t learned the lesson from his loss,” Dziekan said.
Dziekan added that the Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen, which is under Democratic control, had opposed his initiatives.
Dziekan defended his chief of staff, and according to him, is befuddled at the thought replacing a city official is part of DiMartino’s platform.
“Derby voters aren’t interested in his negative campaign tactics,” Dziekan said. “They want a leader with a vision to move Derby forward who is working on the steps necessary to achieve that.”
Fusco said DiMartino has learned a lot from his previous bid, and would focus on talking about himself and what he can bring to Derby.
“We need to refine the conversation and get Joe’s message out,” she said. “First, people want to talk about other things, that’s fine. But they need to know who he is and what he stands for.”