Earlier this month, I issued a commentary about Mayor Staffieri’s reluctance to debate, and thus deprive the voters of Derby an opportunity to hear from both candidates.
The more I ask myself why Derby’s highest-elected official would deprive the voters of one of most common practices of any election, the more I’m beginning to understand why.
I say with the utmost certainty that Mayor Staffieri’s tenure as Mayor has proven him to be not much more than a gatekeeper.
First, Mayor Staffieri likes to claim he has kept taxes low. In reality, Derby has the highest mill rate in the Valley.
Here is a comparison of Derby’s mill rate when compared to other Valley towns:
Derby
27.90
Seymour
27.62
Ansonia
26.25
Oxford
23.21
Shelton
18.57
(Source: State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, 2011 mill rates based on the 2010 grand list Website: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2987&q=385976a)
For perspective, the taxes paid in Derby on a $200,000 home is $3,906. Taxpayers in Shelton only pay $2,599.80 for the same $200,000 home.
Another reason Mayor Staffieri doesn’t want to speak about his record is because of his lack of leadership and poor decisions he has made.
A glaring mistake of the past six years is this administration’s failure to reacquire the property from Ceruzzi (former developer) in the Redevelopment Zone when the Board of Aldermen agreed to settle the lawsuit for $1.75 million.
In essence, Ceruzzi has been paid, still owns the property, and will be repaid in order for Derby to develop that property.
Ceruzzi will continue to be an obstacle to Downtown Redevelopment because of the shortsightedness of Mayor Staffieri and his administration.
Additionally, our city has been without a police commissioner for over a year.
How is the police commission operating with only two members?
After serving nearly five years as the Chairman of the Derby Police Commission, Mayor Staffieri removed Robert Hughes from his post in July 2010.
Nearly 15 months later, a new police commissioner has yet to be appointed.
In March 2010, Mayor Staffieri said he was narrowing the possible replacements and expected to name a successor soon. It has been almost seven months since that statement and we are still without that police commissioner.
Why?
Other problems plaguing our city include crumbling sidewalks, especially on Olivia and Minerva Streets. They are in dire need of repair or replacement, and are an accident waiting to happen.
Derby has several appointed boards and commissions, such as the Ethics Board and Insurance Commission, who have appointed members that have yet to be called to meet.
Why appoint boards and not use them to fulfill their purpose?
Derby is in desperate need of leadership that will not only be transparent, but will also be proactive, rather than reactive. Derby needs a mayor who will take responsibility at all times, and give praise to others when a job is done well.
The writer is running as a Democrat for Derby mayor.
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Dan, as the current President of the Board of Aldermen, I cannot just sit idly by while I read glaring inconsistencies in this column. I’m not sure if these are things you really do not know, or if they are blatant attempts, once again, to cast a shadow on the positive work we have done over the past 6 years.
Where do I start? First of all, the BOA requested the property from Ceruzzi as part of the settlement agreement. This process, as you know, went through the courts, and it was the judges’ decision on what/what not was awarded. If it is your intention to have people think we didn’t ask for the property, you are way off base…..we did, but it was the judges’ decision not to award it. The developer began by asking for 25 million as well as the project being stalled and I think we made out with the final decision.
I’m not sure if you know this, but crumbling sidewalks are the responsibility of the home/business they are in front of. The City has a partial reimbursement program for repair, but I have a hard time believing in these economic conditions you would force homeowners to spend money to repair their sidewalks. The most serious conditions are dealt with with our blight officers and the homeowner. Lastly, you bring up the Ethics board. Once again, I’m not sure if you are aware, but meetings of the Ethics board are called by the Chairman, or any 3 members. It really doesn’t, nor shouldn’t have anything to do with any elected officials. Can you imagine the problems if the mayor started poking his nose in the Ethics Committee??
I would have hoped you would have spent this remaining time specifically laying out your platform as opposed to picking on things which really have no validity with the direction of our City.
Speaking strictly for myself and NOT for the Foley campaign, I am utterly perplexed at your allegiance, Ken. I have known you since we were kids playing Little League baseball and I respect and admire your service to the City of Derby. While I question some of the moves you’ve made over the past six years, I nonetheless value your service as an alderman.
However, I am now questioning more than ever how you can support Tony Staffieri for Mayor after what has transpired between your families over the past two years. Between the whole Connie’s incident with your brother essentially being thrown out of his business partnership, and your dad being removed as a police commissioner without justification, I have to wonder where you stand?
The only thing that makes sense is that your allegiance to yourself is more important. If you support Tony Staffieri for Mayor after all that has happened, I can only assume you are standing by him for personal reasons.
Is it because you want this downtown redevelopment to happen so badly so you can have your name etched on a plaque when that cornerstone is in place? If you cannot put your allegiance to your family before your political career, I have serious concerns about your ability to put the best interest of the City of Derby before your own personal agenda.
As for the crumbling sidewalks, they are a lawsuit waiting to happen. Do you think that if a citizen gets hurt if they trip on a sidewalk in Derby that they are not going to look to the City of Derby for a settlement? If you think otherwise, you are naive. These are the types of proactive agenda items that need to be corrected before the city has to pay out even more money in unnecessary lawsuit settlements.
I have 2 issues with this piece. First, one could assume from Mr. Foley’s statements with regard to Valley Mill Rates that the average Derby resident pays more taxes than the average Shelton resident. This is not so. The average home in Derby is assessed much lower than $200,000 while the average Shelton home is assessed much higher than $200,000. For the sake of argument, if the average Derby home is assessed at $150,000 and the average Shelton home is assessed at $300,000, then the average Shelton resident actually pays about $1,500 MORE in taxes annually.
This is just another in a series of half truths told by the Foley campaign in an effort to mislead the voters.
Secondly, how does Mr. Foley expect to achieve all of his goals without raising taxes? On one hand, he complains about the high taxes that Derby residents pay under the Staffieri administration while on the other hand, he will have to increase taxes precipitously. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Those in the Staffieri administration and it’s supporters continue to inflate the administration’s record, like hot air balloon operators, trying to get a downed balloon off the ground. When their very rose-colored glasses point of view of their supposed accomplishments are questioned they either try to belittle the challenge, twist the challengers words or issue the standard childish response equivalent to “its not my fault.”
Whatever happens to the old political adage, “the buck stops here.” It’s a desk sign this administration would to well to follow. They are held accountable by the residents with such a mindset.
We are told the BOA “requested” the property from the developer when the whole mess went to court. A judge did not think such a “request” was fair and denied it. That means the city failed to adequately compensate the former developer for it, so the judge who’s job it is to ensure the agreement was fair denied the request. Blame the judge for doing his job, not the administration for not properly funding the deal to ensure that the city received the property. Now since the judge’s ruling the fact of the matter is city has failed to secure the property, which I guess some how is “not their fault.”
It well known it is the property owners responsibility to maintain the sidewalks. It should be well known to the administration it is the city’s responsibility to enforce it’s laws and ordinances and to do so fairly, justly and without preferential treatment. If the laws are not enforced what’s the point of having them on the books? If a person was injured because of a faulty sidewalk you can be assured the lawyer isn’t going to stop their lawsuit at the homeowner but will also include the city for failure to administer its ordinances, especially after comments from the President of the Board of Alderman the ordinance was deliberately not enforced because of economic condition allowing unsafe conditions to go uncorrected.
Boards and commissions that do not meet are and should be a concern for the mayor and legislative body. Mr. Foley’s point was to ask questions like why are they not meeting? Are they still relevant? To attempt to misconstrue and twist his comments to suggest they endorse a “mayor poking his nose in the Ethics Committee” is just another typical political slight-of-hand.
Seems like the only this Mr. Hughes thinks Mr. Foley got right in his article is the issue regarding his father. Go figure.
I find it sad that Foley’s team needs to resort to bending numbers, calling names, and now going after a person’s family. I’ve never met a finer man than Ken Hughes and I believe it is his business regarding how he handles his family matters. Why shouldn’t he continue to want to serve Derby, even if his family and the Mayor’s family have had issues? And how is this Mr. Hyder’s business? Hyder, do you fondly remember those days together as kids while you pick which knife to stab him with? Sweet.
Regarding the mill rate numbers, as Chair of the Tax Board, I have already planned a guest column of my own to explain the real numbers and put them in a proper perspective. I’m already expecting to have my honesty questioned after that column. Which is fine since I try to always be honest and I’m more than willing to stand by my reputation. So, yes, I’m sad that Foley and his team have to resort to this nastiness, but at the same time, as Tony’s campaign manager, it makes me glad because I realize they have no valid complaints, no clue about how city government works, and only a little acceptance speech they like to trot out again and again and call a platform. So cute. So nasty. So desperate. So sad.
Rob, I am able to keep personal issues separate from what I was elected to do. If I wasn’t able to, I would have stepped down. My allegiance is to the City of Derby. The Foley campaign has chosen to put out blatantly false information, time and time again, and has been publicly proven wrong, time and time again. The lies put out by your side references decisions I make as a board of alderman member. I would be a fool to sit by and watch your team twist the truth. I am here to put out the correct information, then let the voters decide.
If you and Mr Mayhew are going to make every property owner fix their sidewalk if Dan Foley is elected, then lets say that right now. I am just telling you the truth…residents will have to pay for their own. The voters deserve to know this now. That is a fact.
If you are questioning my allegiance to the City of Derby, ask me about any decision I have made over the last 6 years as President of the Board of Aldermen. I will defend each and every decision with facts, and I will defend them publicly. Its a shame your side is again resorting to lies, and now personal attacks.
Ken and Judy, I’ve been weighing the value of a response ever since I read your responses to Mr Hyder. I’ve had trouble drowning out the nagging argument in my head, so value be damned, I’m responding.
Your assessment undermines the effort Mr Hyder has taken to research and understand the issues and insults the intelligence and values he has cultivated with which to appraise them. Mr Hyder has garnered enough experience to warrant respect for his opinions, and such a casual dismissal is irreverent.
And since he usually speaks when he feels it’s important, I would hope that his shared opinion would have a little more gravity.
That said,
my intention here is to respond with measured words and respect. I am not here to be critical of you, but critical in reviewing the issues and arguments.
Remember, we’re all in this together, and in the end that’s how we have to work it out. In return, I hope you entertain or at least respect my perspective. In that light, maybe we can agree to disagree.
I want to start with this; that experience has taught me that the truth generally sits between two extremes. That’s where to find balance. It’s also the core value of debate, and “debating with your candidate is not attainable”, and the wisdom of the democratic process, and our system of checks and balances. I believe THAT was the intention of our forefathers when they created our ‘living’ document.
It’s important to test and weigh ideas, and important to listen for what rings true on BOTH side of the fence. Generally speaking, dismissing or ignoring one agenda altogether, no matter what the reason, is just that: intentionally ignorant and therefore unbalanced. That applies to both extremes of the spectrum.
A lot of these extreme viewpoints are propagated by appealing to one’s sensibilities, stringing an emotional charge along a series of loose associations to conclude with something that sounds factual because it had us hooked at the start.
Hi Mark. My biggest qualm is their “arguments are not debatable. That is the main issue. I will give you some factual examples.
1. Either Derby crime is, or is not, in the top 10 in Connecticut. Dan Foley says it is, the numbers and current stats says it is not. This is not debatable.
2. Either the fund balance is, or is not at acceptable levels by all the rating agencies. In the past, Dan Foley says it is not, the numbers and audits says it is. Once again, not ddebatable
3. Either the Aldermen asked for the Ceruzzi owned property in the development deal or they ddidn’t. Dan Foley says we did not, I (the one who made the actual decision) said we did. Once again, not debatable.
How can you expect someone to debate things which can be factually proven to be not true??
Debates are for philosophies and ideas.
If Dan Foley says “I think the best way to combat crime is ABC, and I say the best way to combat crime is XYZ” Thats a debate.
Who knows what the debate questions would have been? The questions were going to come from the Valley Independent Sentinel staff and their readers. Remember?
Walt, I will try to explain this as simply as I can. The City had a set number in mind they would settle the downtown lawsuit for. Packaged in this number was the Ceruzzi property. The judge did not agree with that. Why would the City spend additional taxpayer money, at that point and as you suggested, to purchase the property?? The purchase of the property is the responsibility of the new developer. Let the new developer pay for it, not us residents, once again, as you suggested.
Can someone please answer once and for all if Eclipse Development is being offered any tax incentives by the City of Derby, to build the Derby Landing Project.
Rob Hyder 641: Your callous attempt to gain some political advantage for Dan Foley — by trying to capitalize on past personal issues between Ken Hughes and Tony Staffieri families appears — to be an act of desperation, and won’t work. Why can’t you try to find a legitimate issue to address, “instead of resorting to these loose cannon quirks,” coming from you — and other Foley supporters?
“Careless campaign shots — will not win votes!”
“Crumbling sidewalks” — does not appear to be a legitimate city issue, also. We have no sidewalks on our street, but if we did, the property owners — not the city, would be responsible for their maintenance and safety –not the City of Derby.
Holy crap!! Am I really reading this? Personal stuff? I have to give Mr. Hughes giant kudos for holding onto his dignity and answering you all nicely. Mr. Hyder — you are a friend? A friend would never, ever try to publicly humiliate another friend. Oh my God!!
And Mr. Searles — I was told what a great guy you are. A wonderful human being and politician. This was after I commented to someone because I was shocked at your nastiness before you changed your mind and joined your party instead of continuing to attack it.
If you are as wonderful as I was told, you need to stop talking in circles and look at what the truth is. Mr. Hughes and others have been explaining things and you’re saying we have to look at both sides. There ARE no sides. There are facts.
Also — no one yet, in your party, has answered the simple question that I’ve asked and been censored by Derby 2001 for — if Mr. Foley has had issues all this time with the way things are done in Derby, why hasn’t he attended any aldermen meetings or approached Tony with his questions. Is it because now it’s election time and time for him to show concern?
To answer Mr. Joel’s question, “Can someone please answer once and for all if Eclipse Development is being offered any tax incentives by the City of Derby, to build the Derby Landing Project.”, my understanding is that Derby does not offer tax incentives of this type, and they haven’t offered one to Eclipse either. I will confirm that for you tomorrow. (I think your smaller post got lost in the comment shuffle … sorry!).
Rosalie, you need a very thick skin for Derby politics. In 6 years, I have been sued twice (both suits tossed out of court), threatened, and called an *****le at a public meeting (by the 2405 Union Rep). If I can lay my head on my pillow at night and fall asleep knowing I have made the right decisions for the betterment of Derby (which is what I was elected to do), that is all that matters. The issue people have with me is I am vocal and really tell it like it is. Opponents desire to squash anyone who points out their shortfalls, and they sometimes resort to sleazy tactics to do so.
If you cant defend a decision you have made, then you probably shouldn’thave made it in the first place.
I think the people of Derby would like to know why Mayor Staffieri will not debate Mr. Foley. Debating is one of the most fundamental exercises of a campaign. As stated earlier, the Valley Indy would present the questions to the candidates. Let’s hear each side’s answer and let the citizens decide.
In my opinion, there has never been a single administration that can state that their performance alone justifies a reason not to debate.
Whoa, Mr Cronk, how can anyone be expected to debate against a campaign that has proven, time and time again, to put out false information as the truth? It would be just as informative to the citizens of Derby to hold a tractor pull between the two campaigns, or maybe a karaoke contest.
Two answers for the price of one (sue me, I’m efficient) … Mr Joel – I confirmed with City Hall that in fact Eclipse Development has NOT been offered any tax incentive by the City of Derby, (and that is a fact).
Jason Cronk: Mayor Tony Staffieri already explained — why he is not debating Daniel Foley, Jr. Why are you asking a question — that has already been answered? This happens, when people have no legitimate issues to discuss.
Ms. Szewczyk, a debate would be the most informative platform for ideals. A debate is a two sided exchange. If you believe that the campaign is full of non-facts this would be the perfect opportunity for Mayor Staffieri to rebut.
Once again, I cannot stress enough the fact that the Valley Indy would present the questions. The people of Derby would also get a chance to hear what Mayor Staffieri’s responses would be to such questions presented.
Granted, we live in the Age of Technology, and the sharing of information is instantaneous, nothing can compare to a good ol’ fashion face to face debate.
Ken,
Before this election season, I really had no opinion one way or the other of you. Honestly, I don’t like politics and just pray that our officials do their job to the benefit of our city.
You said, “The issue people have with me is I am vocal and really tell it like it is. ” THAT is probably the most important thing that a person can do, in their personal and public lives.
Since this election season began I’ve taken more notice of the politics in this city. And I’ve noticed you and your honesty and have seen what a great job you’re doing. You are running again, I hope? Because you’ve got my vote. And I hope that there’s lots of people who are reading this column and it’s comments and that they’ll see your integrity and vote for you also. 🙂
Having had the pleasure of knowing Ken Hughes father, Robert, for several decades, since members of my family, and I, worked together at Nasdaq, we can all attest to the fact that Kenneth comes from great stock. My son, Stan and Robert Hughes, were always very close friends, at Nasdaq.
Keep up with your dedicated service to the City of Derby, Kenneth Hughes!