5. DiMartino and Drugonis re-elected
Incumbents have an advantage in local elections because they are known and have an easier time getting their messages to the masses. Still, the re-election of Democrat Joseph DiMartino in Derby and Republican Annmarie Drugonis wasn’t guaranteed.
DiMartino was up for his first re-election bid, when incumbents are most vulnerable. Plus, it was the first time he was facing voters since endorsing a budget that raised the mill rate by 4.6 mills in 2024. Would voters revolt?
In Seymour, Drugonis faced her toughest opponent since becoming First Selectwoman in 2020. Democrat Theresa Conroy wasn’t a sacrificial lamb, having served on the town’s Board of Selectpersons and in the state House of Representatives.
Drugonis won with 56.7 percent of the vote, while DiMartino won with 64 percent of the vote.
Special shoutout to the candidates in Seymour for participating in a debate.
4. Derby voters approve $6.5 million in borrowing
In the age of declining media (unless you pick a political party to which to pander), I didn’t think my neighbors in Derby would approve borrowing millions for emergency services and repairs to the middle school and the library.
The Valley Indy was really the only publication that covered the issue, which made me think not enough people knew about it. But they did.
3. Seymour voters approve new school
To me this was a great example of people debating an issue and making an informed decision. That’s always newsworthy.
2. Jury finds Jose Morales guilty
It did not take long for a jury in Milford to find Jose Morales guilty of murdering Christine Holloway in 2019 in Ansonia. The evidence was overwhelming. Yet their daughter, Vanessa, remains missing. One can only hope Morales sees the light in 2026 and tell the public what happened. Click here for a FBI page.
1. Mayor David Cassetti defeated in Ansonia
Worth noting Cassetti defeated Mayor James Della Volpe with 58 percent of the vote in 2013 and Frank Tyszka defeated Cassetti with 58 percent of the vote in 2025.