Anita Dugatto promised to bring new small businesses to downtown, knock down blighted properties and stabilize taxes if elected mayor of Derby in the 2013 election.
Four months after she first announced her candidacy, Dugatto was officially endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee Friday, July 19 at its nominating meeting, attended by more than 50 people.
“We are long overdue for competent leadership,” Dugatto told the crowd in her acceptance speech.
Dugatto, a local dentist with Sunflower Dental Care on Elizabeth Street, would become the city’s first female mayor if elected. She faces Republican incumbent, Mayor Anthony Staffieri, who is trying to win his fifth term in office this November.
“With Dr. Anita in charge of the city of Derby, we will finally have a chance to move forward and not remain stagnant anymore,” said Vincent Tonucci, a former state representative for the 104th district, and a member of the Derby Democratic Town Committee, in his nomination speech.“With Anita’s leadership, the city will be able to look forward to a bright future, free of partisan bickering.”
Board of Aldermen member Barbara DeGennaro, in her nomination speech, called Dugatto “personable, smart, respectful and ethical.”
Dugatto said she would draw from her experience as a business owner and a member of the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation if elected.
“I have balanced budgets, managed payrolls, and provided a high quality of service to my patients and my customers,” Dugatto said. “As a member of the tax board I have worked with the independent treasurer across party lines to budget balanced budgets, improve city bond ratings, bolster the city’s surplus and reserve fund and stabilize taxes.”
She vowed to get the city “out of the real estate business”, and empower small businesses to rebuild downtown — a reference to the lengthy and so-far unfruitful downtown redevelopment project.
The Democratic Town Committee also endorsed 24 other candidates for various boards and commissions — but not before taking three separate paper ballot votes for contested races for City Clerk, Treasurer and the Board of Education.
Two Democrats — Marc Garofalo and Sheila Parizo — wanted the nomination to run for City Clerk. The committee voted for Garofalo. Linda Fusco, DTC chair, would not say how many votes each candidate received.
There were two nominations for City Treasurer as well — Jennifer Desroches and Independent Keith McLiverty.
In 2011, the Democrats had endorsed McLiverty, the incumbent. He was also endorsed by the GOP. This year, the town committee opted to endorse Desroches.
A paper ballot was also required for the Board of Education after seven people received nominations; the town committee can only endorse six.
The full list of candidates endorsed by the Derby Democrats is listed below. An asterisk denotes an incumbent.
Mayor
Anita Dugatto
City Clerk
Marc Garofalo
Treasurer
Jennifer Desroches
Constable
Sylvester ‘Sal’ Fusco
Aldermen, Ward 1
Barbara DeGennaro *
Stephen Iacuone *
Anthony DeFala
Aldremen, Ward 2
Ron Sill *
Art Gerkens *
Josie Bunosso
Aldermen, Ward 3
Carmen DiCenso *
Dave Anroman
Frank Rubino
Board of Apportionment and Taxation
James R. Butler *
Carlo Malerba *
James Watson
Daniel Sexton *
Jason Cronk *
Edwin Fiallos
Board of Education
Ken Marcucio Sr. *
Andy Mancini *
Christine Robinson *
George Kurtyka *
James Stadt
Craig Drezek
