Democrat Dan Foley, Jr. said fighting crime and eliminating quality of life issues in Derby would be among his top priorities if residents choose him as their next mayor.
Saying Derby “has one of the highest crime rates in the area,” Foley said he would re-institute police foot patrols in Derby.
“I believe police presence in high crime areas will deter criminal activity,” he said.
In addition, Foley said he would resuscitate the dormant “HALO” project, an initiative that looked to redevelop the area of Hawkins, Anson and Olivia streets.
That area, densely populated and featuring some substandard housing, is a problem area for police.
Foley made his comments after a room full of Derby Democrats endorsed him Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial Building on Atwater Avenue.
Derby Republicans are expected to endorse incumbent Mayor Anthony Staffieri for a fourth term in City Hall. The GOP is scheduled to meet tonight (Wednesday, July 20) at 7 p.m. at the same location.
Foley lost to Staffieri in 2009. Democrats said Tuesday their guy lost by just 411 votes — and the 2009 race was just a learning experience for the former Derby school teacher.
In addition to police foot patrols, Foley called for security cameras to be installed on public property in Derby’s high crime areas. His administration would search for grants to pay for the cameras, Foley said.
The Democrat said he would create neighborhood watch programs for Derby — and hold landlords and business owners “financially responsible” for re-occurring problems at their properties.
In addition to crime and quality of life issues, Foley named economic development as a second platform issue.
He named nine businesses that have left Derby in the last two years and promised to host monthly round table discussions with business owners to hear their concerns.
Saying the city simply can’t afford to refurbish it, Foley promised to either privatize or tear down the aging Derby parking garage on Thompson Street in downtown Derby.
He also said the city should consider privatizing the Sterling Opera House, a public building currently under renovation.
“It is about time to put the Sterling Opera House on the grand list, generating money for the City of Derby,” Foley said.
Regarding municipal finances, Foley said he would change tax payments in Derby to be due four times a year instead of just twice a year. Doing so would ease the pressure on property owners, Foley said.
Regarding education, Foley said he would work to get more people to attend Board of Education. The city needs to stop “harping about what’s wrong with education in Derby” and instead be advocates for what’s working in the schools.
See the videos for Foley’s complete speech.
Those who spoke on Foley’s behalf Tuesday, included his daughter, Kelly Anroman, Mark Searles, who had initially intended to run for mayor, Rob Hyder and Alderwoman Barbara DeGennaro.
Each highlighted Foley’s old-school work ethic and values. Anroman noted her father woke up at 3 a.m. to work an early shift as a postal worker — then reported to work each day to teach at Derby High School.
“He is as honest and as open as they come,” DeGennaro said.
Democrats left their nominating convention Tuesday saying they had one of the strongest slate of candidates in years.
Among the Democrats personally recruited by Foley to run for Aldermen: Ron Sill, who served as Second Ward Alderman from 1986 until stepping down in 2009, former Derby High School varsity football coach Carmen DiCenso and former Derby Board of Education member Walt Mayhew.
Foley’s campaign manager is Mike McFarland, a veteran of Derby politics who was a trusted adviser to the late Richard Grande, the city’s former mayor.
“It is a very strong slate,” McFarland said. “Ron Sill is very important. That solidifies this ticket. He’s a solid candidate who had almost 20 years as an Alderman. He chose to come back to support Dan (Foley). That bodes well for us.”
McFarland said he decided to take an active role in Foley’s campaign after stopping by Democratic headquarters with Grande the night Foley lost to Staffieri in 2009.
“We couldn’t understand why Democrats weren’t getting elected in Derby,” McFarland said. “After that, Tommy Lionetti was instrumental in getting us back involved. Unfortunately, a month later Rich passed away and I decided I had to keep working on this.”
Here is the official Democratic slate: * indicates incumbent
Mayor
Dan Foley, Jr.
Treasurer
Keith McLiverty * (cross endorsement)
1st Ward Aldermen
Barbara DeGennaro *
Steve Iacuone *
Joe Gruttadauria
2nd Ward Aldermen
Ron Sill
Mark Searles
Art Gerckens
3rd Ward Aldermen
Carmen DiCenso
Walt Mayhew
Susan Churchill
Board of Apportionment & Taxation
Anita Duggato *
Dave Anroman *
Jim Butler *
Carlo Malerba *
Jason Cronk
Dan Sexton
Board of Education
Ken Marcucio, Sr. *
Andy Mancini *
Kim Kreiger *
Christine Robinson *
George Kurtyka *
Stephanie D’Onofrio *
Constable
Sylvester “Sal” Fusco *
Want to learn more about Foley’s campaign?
Click here for Foley’s campaign website.
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The text of Foley’s speech is published below:
