Contributed Photo
Brian Coppolo addresses members of the Democratic Town Committee Monday in Derby City Hall.
DERBY — A 32-year-old firefighter has declared his intention to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor.
Brian Coppolo made his intention known during a meeting of the Derby Town Democratic Committee Monday.
The Democrats will meet 7 p.m. July 23 at Derby City Hall to choose a candidate to challenge incumbent Mayor Rich Dziekan, who is running for his second, two-year term.
Coppolo went to grammar school at the St. Mary – St. Michael School in Derby. He graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield in 2004, then graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island with a degree in communications and a focus on history.
Coppolo lacks the local government experience that previous mayors had. Dziekan had stints as Alderman and a member of the tax board before being elected mayor. Former Mayor Anita Dugatto had served on the tax board before being elected.
But Coppolo has a long history of community service.
At age 16, he joined the Derby Storm Engine Co. Ambulance and Rescue Corps and an auxiliary member. He was inspired by his father, Allen.
“My father, I think he started when he was 16 years old, so I grew up with the radio always going on. I was always so proud of him growing up,” Coppolo said during a phone interview with The Valley Indy Tuesday.
He was hired by the Bridgeport Fire Department in 2017 after working in the restaurant business.
“I love the fire service very much. I love the challenge and adventure of it, and I love helping people,” he said.
Coppolo’s extended family has deep roots in Derby. Growing up, he heard about the city’s proud history, when it was a bustling economic center with a vibrant downtown.
“They talked about this dynamic yet small community with trolley cars. At certain times of the year, like at Christmas, you couldn’t walk on the sidewalks because it was so busy. I grew up with those fantastic stories of how it used to be,” Coppolo said. “I’ve always had the feeling that I would love to see Derby come back.”
Derby has to figure out how to deal with being a city in a rustbelt, Coppolo said. There are questions he wants to answer as his candidacy moves forward.
“How do we deal with not having the green space the rest of the county has? How do we evolve, as an area with Brownfields and a decaying economy?” he said. “I think it’s very possible, through dealing with the state and regional agencies, to start moving forward. I want to put my name forward to help Derby thrive again.”
Coppolo said his motivation to run for mayor isn’t for an extra job or a new title.
“I see an opportunity. I have a chance to make things better,” he said.
In a press release sent Wednesday morning, Aniello “Owney” Malerba III, chairman of the town’s Democratic Party, announced his support of the new candidate.
“My goal from the beginning of my term was to unite the Democratic Party with bold and innovative leadership for Derby’s future. Brian has a fresh perspective and brings new energy to lead Derby in a positive direction,” Malerba said.
Mayor Dziekan filed paperwork to seek a second term in March. The local GOP has yet to schedule its nominating convention.
