ANSONIA — A freedom of information complaint filed by the former chairman of the Ansonia Town Democratic Committee was dismissed after no one showed up for a hearing.
Dave Hannon, the former chairman, filed a complaint against the City of Ansonia and the corporation counsel.
In September 2025 Dave Hannon, the Democratic Party leader at the time, asked then-Ansonia Corporation Counsel John Marini for all documents, communications, proposals or planning documents relating to a trash-burning or waste-to-energy project in the city.
The request was prompted after The Connecticut Post reported Mayor David Cassetti’s administration was considering such a facility in downtown Ansonia. Democrats criticized Cassetti, who was running for re-election at the time. The mayor later said his comments were misunderstood and that a trash-burning facility was just one of many ideas he heard. Click here for a previous Valley Indy story. Cassetti went on to lose the election to Frank Tyszka.
According to Hannon’s FOI complaint, corporation counsel John Marini acknowledged the request but said the administration would first have to research what information could be released. Marini did not say how long that would take.
Hannon made his request Sept. 25, 2025 and Marini responded Sept. 26, 2025.
Hannon filed a complaint with the FOI Commission Oct. 14, 2025, saying the city had failed to provide the records requested.
Tyszka was elected Nov. 4, 2025.
The hearing on the FOI complaint was held 1 p.m. June 23, 2026, but no one from Ansonia attended. The matter was officially dismissed at a meeting of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission on Wednesday (Sept. 23).
An email was sent to Hannon and Marini this week seeking comment but was not returned.