Photo by Bill Bittar
(Left to right)Mayor David Cassetti, left, and his brother, Alderman Joseph Cassetti.
ANSONIA — During a swearing-in ceremony Thursday night in front of about 200 people at Ansonia High School, Mayor David S. Cassetti vowed never to settle for what’s just “good enough” for the city and asked for everyone’s help in the continued recharging of Ansonia.
“We have a moral imperative to always strive for what’s best for our citizens,” Cassetti said from the podium.
Attorney John P. Marini, the city’s corporation counsel, served as the master of ceremonies. At the start of the ceremony, Marini noted the tragic loss of 43-year-old Catherine Holloway, whose body was found in her Ansonia house Monday. Police are investigating the death as a homicide, and a massive search is underway for her 1‑year-old daughter, Vanessa Morales. Prayers were offered for the baby’s safe return. Click here for a story.
The Ansonia Police Department Color Guard and the Ansonia Fire Department Color Guard led candidates who won government positions in November into the auditorium, as they took their seats onstage.
The mayor’s children, Lillian, Jennifer, and David Jr. led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The mayor’s wife, Alfonsina, and his mother, Lillian, 93, also attended the event.
State Sen. George Logan played the “Star Spangled Banner” on his electric guitar. The ceremony included a musical interlude featuring singer Mark Lanzieri and his daughter with pianist David Scrimenti.
Judge Theodore Tyma swore in Cassetti. Then the mayor swore in all of the other candidates who were elected Nov. 5.
The Rev. Alfred Smith of Macedonia Baptist Church gave the Invocation and The Rev. Patrick Burns of Three Saints Orthodox Church gave the Benediction.
Cassetti’s Goals
The mayor, a Republican who won another two-year-term by defeating Democratic challenger Phil Tripp, said he wants to stabilize the tax rate, provide a quality education for the city’s children, and continue to secure grant money for economic development.
Among his administration’s successes, Cassetti said companies like Stani Dairy, Rug Pad USA and Better Packages chose to stay and expand.
Cassetti said the city must continue to maintain a healthy bond rating and increase its reserve fund. The city had its bond rating lowered earlier this year, with the ratings agency worried the city was using too much reserve money.
Cassetti noted the community events that have become a regular occurence in Ansonia. The city recently had its first “Ansoni-Con,” for example. The city must continue to provide fun events and programs for its citizens, including summer concerts and farmers markets, Cassetti said.
Cassetti said the city will continue to pursue opportunities for regionalization, such as possibly joining other communities to improve waste water treatment.
“It’s simply unfair for Ansonia to bear all the costs of government alone,” he said.
Cassetti said officials must not do things for the sake of change, rather they should strive for change with a purpose to create jobs.
Time To Govern
Edward B. St. John, the longtime First Selectman of Middlebury, was a special guest.
St. John recalled how the Valley was among the industrial giants before the industrial collapse that left an “environmental nightmare” of brownfields and dilapidated buildings.
He said Cassetti and other Connecticut mayors and first selectmen took on the “unbelievable challenge” of trying to grow their grand lists when things are flat and of balancing wants with needs.
St. John said all towns are trying to lure companies in to replace their old economic base, competing for a bite of an apple that is getting smaller.
He decried the partisan gridlock across the nation as nothing gets done. St. John said the bickering must stop. He congratulated all of Ansonia’s candidates who were sworn in, then told them, “it’s time to govern.”
St. John praised the work Cassetti has done, but told Ansonia’s elected officials the mayor will need their help to move the city forward.
“I have never met anyone with more energy,” he said of Cassetti. “It’s mind boggling. It’s just amazing how he got everyone working together for what’s best for Ansonia. You’re so blessed to have someone in Ansonia who rolled up his sleeves.”
Ansonia candidates sworn into office include:
Aldermen: Ward 1 Charles Stowe and Daniel King, Ward 2 William Phipps and Tarek Raslan, Ward 3 Joseph Jeanette Jr. and Joseph Cassetti, Ward 4 Diane Stroman and Anthony Spigarolo, Ward 5 Chicago R. Rivers and Joseph Jaumann, Ward 6 Joshua A. Shuart and Anthony T. Mammone and Ward 7 David B. Blackwell Jr. and Frank DeLibero.
Town and City Clerk: Beth Shortell Lynch
Treasurer: Judy Larkin-Nicolari
Board of Education: Richard Bshara, Sharon Voroschak, Fran DiGiorgi and Christopher Phipps.
Sheriffs: Patrick Henri, Sean Rowley, Crystal Jaumann, Richard Kaslaitis III and James Malloy.
