Photo by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
DTC candidates back row left to right: Gary Farrar, David Knapp, Steven Erlingheuser, Brian Perkins, Chris Grizzle, Bill Phipps, David Rhodes, Jim Malloy, Joseph Jeanette, Jr and Sean Rowley; front row, left to right: Beth Lynch, Lauren Todd, Kianna DeCiucis and Diane Stroman
ANSONIA — The Ansonia Democratic Town Committee on Tuesday (July 20) unanimously endorsed its slate of candidates to run on the upcoming November ballot, but did not nominate anyone to challenge Republican incumbent Mayor David Cassetti.
DTC Chairman Gary Farrar said while the Democrats don’t have a mayoral candidate this year, the under-ticket is strong.
“We evaluated the environment we’re in now, and we want to focus more on bringing about diversity, especially to the Board of Aldermen,” Farrar said. “I’m very confident in our ticket. We have a wide range of candidates with different backgrounds, and every one of them will be a great addition to the team.”
It’s the first time an Ansonia mayor hasn’t faced a challenge since Mayor James Della Volpe in 2011.
More than 30 members of the DTC gathered at the Norwood Athletic Club to endorse candidates for the Nov. 2 municipal election.
The current make-up of the Board of Aldermen includes three Democrats, ten Republicans and one unaffiliated member.
Incumbent Alderwoman Diane Stroman, who represents the city’s Fourth Ward, is seeking her second term on the board.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Stroman said. “My first two years on the board was a learning experience, and hopefully I can continue to make a difference in our community.”
DTC Vice Chairman Brian Perkins is running for Fifth Ward Alderman. He said he threw his hat into the ring because he wants more of Ansonia’s residents’ voices to be heard. Perkins has been especially vocal in helping a group of residents fight against what they dub an illegal rock-crushing operation on Riverside Drive. He and others involved say their concerns are falling on deaf ears with the Cassetti administration.
“I’m running to give the people back a voice,” Perkins said. “There are very few people who run this town, and I’m here to be the voice of the people, and right now, in my ward, we don’t have that.”
Incumbent Alderman Bill Phipps, who received the nod to run for another term in the Second Ward, said it’s been tough being in the minority on the board.
“Things are turning into a dynasty in this town, and we have to be the group to change that,” Phipps said. “There are two or three people running this town. But I’m willing to stay in the game.”
Rohan Brown, who moved here six years ago and ran for an Alderman’s seat in the Fourth Ward two years ago, is back.
“I am more determined than ever this time,” he said. “I’ve been watching Ansonia and I don’t know what’s going on. We have a younger generation of people moving in. I’m ready to make some noise and I’m ready to cause some good trouble.”
The full slate of candidates endorsed by the DTC is as follows:
Ward 1 Aldermen:
Gary Farrar
John Feddern
Ward 2 Aldermen:
Bill Phipps (incumbent)
Ward 3 Aldermen:
Joseph Jeanette Jr. (incumbent)
Ward 4 Aldermen:
Diane Stroman (incumbent)
Rohan Brown
Ward 5 Aldermen:
Brian Perkins
David Rhodes
Ward 6 Aldermen:
Chris Grizzle
Jonathan Vining
Ward 7 Aldermen:
Steven Erlingheuser
Leonard Duffus
Sheriffs:
Joseph Jeanette, Jr.
Jim Malloy
Sean Rowley
Board of Education:
David Knapp
Lauren Todd
Treasurer:
Kianna DeCiucis
Town Clerk:
Beth Lynch (incumbent)
