Derby Gov’t Wants Legislative Districts Redrawn

DERBY — The state’s smallest city wants a bigger voice in Hartford.

The Board of Aldermen at its Nov. 19 meeting unanimously approved a resolution seeking more equitable representation” in the state legislature.

Derby, at just 5.3 square miles in size, is currently represented by three local lawmakers in the state House of Representatives, and one state senator.
The concern is that the representation in the city is spread too thin, especially in the House of Representatives.

Kara Rochelle, a Democrat, is Derby’s state rep for the 104th district, which covers Ansonia and Derby; Nicole Klarides-Ditria, a Republican, is Derby’s state rep for the 105th district, which covers Beacon Falls, Seymour and a sliver of Derby, and; Mary Welander, a Democrat, is the newly elected state rep for the 114th district, which covers Orange, Woodbridge and part of Derby (the seat held by state House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, a Republican, who opted not to seek another term).

Newly elected state Sen. Jorge Cabrera, a Democrat, will represent Derby in the 17th senatorial district, which covers parts of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. He is replacing George Logan, a Republican from Ansonia.

Being a small part of several districts does not serve the Citizens of Derby well as their voice is diluted by the number of districts of which we are a part,” according to the resolution.

The way the city is divided doesn’t make much sense, according to Mayor Rich Dziekan.

We’re carved up like a pie,” Mayor Dziekan said. Nicole (Klarides-Ditria) has four streets, Themis (Klarides-the former 114th state rep.) had part of Derby and Kara (Rochelle) has both Ansonia and Derby … we’re not really getting represented. Most of the votes come from other towns. We should have representation dictated toward us. All of our representatives have told us we have Derby in our hearts.’ They say they do and I believe them, but it feels like we’re a stepchild and everyone is grabbing a piece of us.”

Alderman Ron Sill concurred.

We don’t have any clout,” Sill said.

Alderman Rob Hyder, however, offered a different view.

Why would one rep be better than the three we currently have?” he said. Having three voices in Hartford rather than one … it makes sense both ways. I find it hard to say one voice elected from the majority of Derby, rather than the three districts, is better, and I have a tough time wrapping my head around that.”

The resolution, entitled Derby Deserves equitable Representation,” urges newly elected and re-elected members of the General Assembly to include the City of Derby in only one State Representative District and only one State Senate District.

According to Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo, the resolution will be sent to Derby’s state delegation, as well as to the House and Senate leadership and members of the state Redistricting Committee of the state legislature, which has not yet been appointed.

Garofalo explained how the redistricting process works.

Every 10 years after the Census, the Connecticut General Assembly has to conduct redistricting of the State House and Senate Districts, as well as the Congressional Districts,” he said. This process will take place in 2021 using the new Census Data from the 2020 Census.”

The board’s resolution urges local lawmakers to support the city’s request, and encourages them to work in a bi-partisan effort to affect this much needed change for the fair and equitable representation of the City of Derby and its residents.” 

Klarides-Ditria and Rochelle weighed in on the matter. 

While having each town have their own district may be preferable, we have to maintain the parameters that each state representative has to have a certain amount of constituents in their district,” Klarides-Ditria said. I will take this to my leader and make him aware of it for when we go into negotiations. But it’s a very difficult juggling act to make sure each House and each Senate District has the exact amount of people needed.” 

Rochelle said she’s committed to residents in both Ansonia and Derby, highlighting the $1 million in state aid she secured during her first time for the Derby Housing Authority for improvements to Cicia Manor and a $1.2 million increase in funding for Derby schools. 

There are only a handful of state representatives who represent solely one municipality, and many municipalities have more than one state representative,” Rochelle said. I have been a fierce advocate for improving the Waterbury Rail Line, strengthening the Valley’s workforce, and moving the downtown development project forward. I remain deeply committed to the people of Ansonia and Derby. We will need to wait until Census data becomes available to know how it will impact this process. I am always open to having conversations with any and all residents on this topic and other topics.”

Residents can reach out to Rochelle via email at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or Klarides-Ditria at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov with any concerns or questions.

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