New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Ansonia mayor criticized for Facebook comments
ANSONIA — Mayor David Cassetti is once again facing criticism for comments he’s made on social media, including a statement accusing a state representative of trying to “ghettoize” Ansonia.
One of his comments, made in the wake of Tuesday’s shooting on Hubbell Avenue, was removed by Facebook for ‘inciting violence,’ an administrator of the Ansonia community Facebook group confirmed Friday.
The mayor’s comments follow statements made by residents about the safety in the city after a 20-year-old Stratford man died as a result of the shooting. It is unclear what the post in question stated but Cassetti confirmed it was removed and said he wrote that shootings could happen in any town.
After the shooting, one commenter wrote a post stating that the city was full of crime and drug addicts and asked the mayor for help.
Cassetti wrote in response that forces from the state were trying to “ghettoize” the city.
“I understand and I am trying very hard but there are forces here in Ansonia that represent Ansonia in the state that want to gettoise R. City (sic) where you will have more crime,” Cassetti said.
The response led to immediate criticism from several residents including Jenna Kober, a member of the Democratic Town Committee. She asked Cassetti what he meant by “ghettoize.” The term itself means to isolate a group of people and ghettos are historically sections within municipalities where marginalized residents are forced to live in due to social or economic causes.
However, Cassetti used the term to say state Rep. Kara Rochelle wanted to bring in Democratic voters to pad the voting rolls in her favor.
“What I meant by that is our current representative wants to bring more people to the city of Ansonia because this is how the Democrats pad their voter lists,” Cassetti said.
Cassetti confirmed in a follow up text message he was speaking about Rochelle. In a statement, Rochelle sharply criticized Cassetti.
“The mayor’s comments are bizarre, not rooted in reality, and deeply concerning. It’s still unclear from his statements who exactly ‘ghettoizes’ the city, but the dog whistle is pretty loud. The truth of the matter is I represent all of the residents of Ansonia and Derby and regard all residents with dignity, regardless of any differences. It’s a shame the mayor thinks so low of people who choose to make Ansonia their home,” Rochelle said.
In his comments, Cassetti said his door was open to residents but he added that he was willing to fight those who wanted to “ridicule” him.
“Come and talk to me; my door’s open. You want to get on Facebook and you want to ridicule me? The hell with you. You want to fight, I’ll fight you,” he said.
When asked if he would moderate his comments in the
future, Cassetti said he was passionate. Rochelle said he has become more “erractic.”
“I wish the mayor would focus on his responsibility to provide a safe community to all residents and stop with the partisan bickering. The people of this community deserve better than that. I also sincerely
hope that he’s well, as his behavior has become increasingly erratic lately. Regardless, I’m here and working hard to support our community and encourage residents who have concerns about any matter to be in touch. I work for all of you and take my job seriously, even if others don’t,” Rochelle said.
It’s not the first time this year that Cassetti has been called out for being rude or accused of crossing a line in his Facebook comments.
In February Cassetti said he didn’t regret cursing out a woman on Facebook who complained about traffic on Main Street, which was turned into a one-way street last year.
The Facebook user also asked when the “nightmare of traffic” on Main Street near Bridge Street would be resolved and added that East Main should “never have been made into a one way for a parking lot that nobody uses.”
Cassetti responded from his personal Facebook account, telling the user, “you got s— for brains.”
He also called the commenter “numb nuts.”
His comment was later deleted. At the time, Cassetti told Hearst Connecticut, “I am a man that speaks his mind. I don’t think I was out of line.”