Derby Board Of Aldermen/Alderwomen Candidate Rob Hyder

Hyder

DERBY — The Valley Indy emailed general questions to the candidates running for the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen in the City of Derby.

The questions were sent Sept. 25 to the political party chairmen of the Democratic and Republican parties. They were asked to distribute the questions to the candidates.

The deadline to respond was Oct. 16.

The Valley Indy is publishing all responses received by the deadline.

ROB HYDER
Incumbent running in the Third Ward on the Republican line

Spouse/children names: Tara (wife), Michael (15) and Emma (12) — both attend Derby Public Schools

Years lived in Derby: 46

High School: Derby High School, Class of 1991

College: Western Connecticut State University, BA: Political Science; BS: Social Science/Education

Current Employment: Lock Desk Manager for Total Mortgage Services, LLC

Civic groups/community service involvement:

Derby Running Club (Booster Club) President and Co-Founder (current)

Press Box Spotter for Derby High School Football (current)

Currently working with distinguished DHS alumni to create the DHS Alumni Association

Assistant General Manager for Valley American Legion Baseball (current)

Volunteer to facilitate winter workouts for Derby High School Baseball

Derby Little League Vice President

Derby Little League Baseball Coach

Derby High School Freshman Football Head Coach

Derby Pop Warner Football Coach

Derby Recreation Basketball Coach

Derby Youth Soccer Coach

Prior gov’t experience, if any:

Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen (current)

City of Derby Hearing Officer under Mayor Dziekan (current)

Athletic Complex Building Committee (current)

City of Derby Ethics Commission under Mayor Staffieri

City of Derby Roof Replacement Committee for Irving, Bradley and DHS under Mayor Dugatto

Job experience that could help you be an Alderman/Alderwoman?

I am currently employed as a Lock Desk Manager for Total Mortgage Services in Milford. In this role, I am tasked with managing much of the day-to-day operations of our Secondary Mortgage Department. 

Purchasing a home is the single-most expensive decision a person makes during their lifetime. It is imperative that I am proactive and organized, communicating and tracking critical milestones in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment to ensure a smooth process for the borrower and all other departments in the company.”

Why are you running for the Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen?

Growing up in Derby, there has always been a strong sense of community, and fortunately, I was always surrounded by some great civic-minded people who did great things for our city simply for their love of Derby. 

My grandfather, the late Dave Merkle, was my biggest influence in giving back to my community. He was involved in a variety of organizations around town and I was often by his side as a child. I also learned about civic and public service, and taking care of our community, from my inspirational coaches such as Coach Charlie DiCenso, Coaches Mr. and Mrs. Rovinelli, Coach Bob Miani, and the late Coach Danny Rodriguez. 

I still want to emulate them to make this great city even better. As an alderman, it is a perfect opportunity to be able to make strong decisions that will ultimately benefit Derby’s youth, young adults, middle-aged and senior members of our community.”

In your personal opinion, what are the two biggest challenges facing the City of Derby?

The two biggest challenges facing the City of Derby are economic development and the restoration of our fund balance, two items that are strongly linked. By luring new businesses to Derby, and especially developing the south side of Main Street, this economic development will help with the restoration of the fund balance by bolstering our tax base, thus not having to rely so heavily on the homeowners. 

As far as restoring our fund balance immediately, I voted yes during the October meeting of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen to sell Derby’s delinquent tax liens to immediately put more than $1 million back into our fund balance that was recently depleted. 

I also voted yes on a resolution to permit the use of the municipal parking lot on lower Caroline Street as overflow parking. This is important because the adjacent redevelopment project on the south side of Main Street requires overflow parking in order for a developer to submit an application to begin constructing 192 one-bedroom apartments, 17 two-bedroom apartments and nine studio apartments, in addition to retail space at 23 Factory Street in Derby’s downtown redevelopment zone.”

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