Alderman Joseph DiMartino (left) and Mayor Rich Dziekan (right)
DERBY — Incumbent Mayor Rich Dziekan raised more than double the money of challenger Joseph DiMartino between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed in City Hall.
“RD21,” the mayor’s re-election campaign, raised $12,101 from individual contributions within the time period reported. “DiMartino for Derby 2021” raised $4,800.
Dziekan’s campaign spent $9,568.34 in the time period covered. DiMartino’s campaign spent $9,670.14.
Dziekan’s campaign started the reporting period with $3,448.20. DiMartino’s campaign started with $4,800 in hand.
Dziekan’s campaign had $8,180.86 on hand as of Sept. 30. DiMarino’s campaign had $4,671.40 on hand as of Sept. 30.
Dziekan, a Republican, is running for his third, two-year term as Derby mayor. He’s a retired Hamden police officer working part-time as a constable in Bethany. DiMartino, a Democrat, is president of the Derby Board of Aldermen, a recently retired Derby High School softball coach, and an employee of the Derby Public Works department.
Rob Hyder, an Alderman serving as Dziekan’s campaign manager, said Dziekan’s campaign is running a determined race.
“We are greatly humbled by the level of support we have received on the campaign trail, which we believe the financial reports attest to,” Hyder wrote in an email to The Valley Indy. “We believe it is a direct result of our accomplishments over the last four years, the experience, strength and diversity of our under ticket, as well as our clear plan for a bright future for Derby. That being said, we need each of our supporters to turn out on Election Day and vote for Mayor Dziekan and his entire slate of candidates so we can continue our progress to ensure that a bright future becomes a reality. That will continue to be our focus between now and Election Day.”
Linda Fusco, DiMartino’s campaign manager, said it’s always easier for an incumbent to raise money. She noted “many of the people donating are those who currently have businesses working with the city,” including an engineering firm, and the city’s law firm. In addition, a number of area Republicans are listed as donors, including state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, and Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti.
“Why wouldn’t they support him? Makes perfect sense,” Fusco said.
She noted the campaigns, at the end of the reporting period, were just roughly $3,500 apart.
“I’m not stressed about that. We cancelled an outdoor fundraiser ($100 a plate) on Sunday because of the weather but expect some donations from that event to still come in. We have another fundraiser scheduled on Oct. 25 which is filling up nicely. Is there ever enough money to run a campaign? Of course not, but I think we’re doing fine.”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Another round of campaign finance disclosures is due seven days prior to Election Day.
The disclosures list four fundraisers for Dziekan’s campaign compared to one fundraiser for DiMartino’s campaign.
One of the Dziekan campaign fundraisers (appetizers at the Catholic War Veterans hall in Derby) was held June 30, one day before the reporting period covered. It raised $730. Dziekan’s other fundraisers were an Aug. 11 event at the AM Club and a Sept. 18 event held at the Orange home of corporation counsel Vincent Marino.
DiMartino’s campaign held a fundraiser Sept. 28 at Twisted Vine in Derby that took in about $3,900 or about 81 percent of the haul in the time period covered.
Dziekan’s campaign received eight $250 individual ad buys from various businesses for a program book.
Those businesses included A1A Homebuyers LLC of Shelton. Public records show Pasquale Civitella as the LLC’s principal. Civitella also purchased a $200 program book ad. He also owns Civitella and Associates Real Estate and Roosevelt Tower Antiques in Derby.
Apollo Pizza of Derby, Luchs Consulting (engineering firm that does work for city government), F. Pepe Construction (Derby company often used by city government), United Office Furniture, Walsh Fence LLC (has sold fencing to the city), and Weston & Sampson Engineers (has worked extensively with the Derby WPCA) also purchased ads.
DiMartino’s latest campaign finance filing does not show such ad purchases from area businesses.
The campaign’s initial filing showed MZS Law, the city’s law firm to be Dziekan’s largest supporter (at $1,250).
One individual donation to Dziekan’s campaign — $1,000 from attorney Debra Marino — was problematic because the campaign paperwork listed her as working at MZS Law but did not acknowledge the law firm may do business with the city valued at more than $5,000.
The Valley Indy emailed Dziekan campaign officials about the issue late Wednesday. Hyder (Dziekan’s campaign manager) said the document accidentally misstated Debra Marino as an employee of MZS Law.
“Debra Marino is a solo practitioner with her own family law firm, The Law Offices of Debra B. Marino, LLC,” Hyder said. “She does not do business with the City of Derby. She practices family law (divorce) exclusively.”
The campaign will be submitting a corrected form to address the problem.
The disclosure forms have a section where donors are to choose “yes” or “no” after being asked if they do more than $5,000 worth of business with the city (if donating at least $400). The Dziekan campaign form leaves this blank in their donation lists, while DiMartino’s campaign — and political campaigns in Ansonia — all either check “yes” or “no.”
The Marinos hosted a fundraiser for Dziekan at their home, which included an in-kind donation of $450 for appetizers and drinks.
FYI/disclosure: the Dziekan campaign has purchased but not yet been billed $495 for ‘sponsored posts’ on The Valley Indy.
DiMartino’s election documents show the single-largest contribution is $500, from the candidate himself.
The following individuals donated to DiMartino for Derby 2021:
Santo Barbagiovanni
West Haven
Derby WPCA employee
$50
Patricia Oakley
Seymour
Insurance auditor
$50
Ron Sill
Derby
Retired
Democratic Aldermen running for re-election
$50
George Kurtyka
Derby
Senior investigator, Yale-New Haven Health
Democratic school board member running for re-election
$100
Joe DiMartino
Derby
Derby Public Works employee
Democratic Alderman running for mayor
$500
Melissa Mongillo
Derby
Owner, Recruiting in Motion
$100
Jenine Mastrony
Shelton
Owner, Panache Hair Salon
$200
Dana Nettle
Shelton
Hairdresser, Panache Hair Salon
$50
Lisa Eannotti
Shelton
Receptionist, Panache Hair Salon
$50
Amy Mignone
Shelton
Hairdresser, Panache Hair Salon
$50
Susan Sherwinsky
Shelton
Hairdresser, Panache Hair Salon
$50
Linda Fusco
Derby
Retired
Democratic candidate for Alderwoman
Rita Pelaggi
Derby
Retired
Democratic candidate for Alderwoman
Anthony DeFala
Derby
Sales at CDW
Former Derby DPW director
$50
Richard Gabianelli
Derby
Painter, Gabby’s Autobody
$100
Dave Chevarella
Derby
Teacher
$50
David Santiago
Danbury police officer
$200
Karissa DiMartino
Ansonia
Bookkeeper at ShopRite
$100
Jim O’Connor
Trumbull
Manager of mobile computing, Sacred Heart University
$100
Joe DiMartino
Derby
Derby Public Works employee
Democratic Alderman running for mayor
$200
Colleen Toffey
Shelton
Retired
$100
Carmen DiCenso
Derby
Derby Economic Development Liaison
$100
Marc Garofalo
Derby
Derby Town Clerk running for re-election
$200
Alexander Bodo
Landson, S.C.
Retired
$100
Barbara DeGennaro
Derby
Attorney
Democratic Alderwoman running for re-election
$150
David Sotolotto
Cheshire
Marketing director, Quinnipiac University
$100
Edward Sharkey
Ansoina
Retired
$100
Camille Kurtyka
Derby
Quality Improvement Coordinator, InFinit Home Care LLC
Democratic Alderwoman running for re-election
$50
Sarah Widomski
Derby
QA Officer, York Analytical Lab
Democratic Alderwomen running for re-election
$50
Aniello Malerba
Derby
US Postal Service
Derby Democratic Town Committee
$100
Kevin Pelham
Derby
Firefighter at Sikorsky
$100
George Kurtyka
Derby
Senior investigator at Yale-New Haven Hospital
Democratic member of the school board running for re-election
$50
Anita Dugatto
Derby
Dentist
Former mayor, current Democratic Alderwoman running for re-election
$100
Daniel Tsyrulnik
Trumbull
Acct Exec at S&P Global
$100
Randal Ritter
Derby
IT at Yale University
$50
Aniello Malerba Jr.
Derby
Retired
$50
Pam Gagliard
Seymour
$50
Samantha Burgan
Derby
Communications, Newman’s Own Foundation
$100
Mark Matto
Naugatuck
Mechanic, City of Derby
$50
Laurie Bussell
Derby
Retired
$100
Aleksandra Koziol
Oxford
Head cashier, ShopRite
$50
Lisa Albers
Derby
Manager, ShopRite
$50
Daniell Santamaria
11 F St.
Manager, ShopRite
$100
Rosanne Geer
Derby
No occupation given
$50
Roberto Santos
Derby
VA counselor
$50
Robert Bodo
Fairfield
Retired
$50
Frank Pelaccia
Shelton
Driver, City of Derby
$50
Richard Monaco
Woodbrige police officer
$100
Clifford Hoyle
Ansonia
Attorney
$50
Ron Sill
Derby
Retired
Democratic Alderman running for re-election
$100
Patricia Ross
Stratford
Retired
$100
The following individuals donated to RD21:
Ed Abel
Milford
Derby WPCA Supervisor
$50
Nicole Antonucci
North Haven
IT Yale University
$100
Paula Antonucci
North Haven
Retired
$100
Richard Antonucci
North Haven
Owner, Annex Used Cars
$100
Ed Armeno
Hamden
Derby Public Works Director
$100
Ed Armeno
Hamden
Derby Public Works Director
$400
Derby Public Works
Madeline Baklik
Derby
Retired
$100
Andrew Baklik Jr.
Derby
Mayor Dziekan’s Chief of Staff
$100
Corey Bourque
Shelton
Installer, ABC Signs
$100
Lawrence Bourque
Shelton
Purchasing, ABC Signs
$100
Tom Casa
Oxford
Carpenter
$100
Dave Cassetti
Ansonia
Ansonia Mayor
$20
Dave Cassetti
Ansonia
Ansonia Mayor
$50
Patrick Charmel
Stratford
Griffin Hospital CEO
$100
Christopher Chase
Middletown
Chiropractor
$50
Christopher Chase
Middletown
Chiropractor
$50
Paula Cofrancesco
Bethany
First Selectwoman
$20
Paula Cofrancesco
Bethany
First Selectwoman
$100
Brian Cooper
Shelton
Retired
$100
Brian Cooper
Shelton
Retired
$50
Greg Curran
Hamden Police officer
$150
Eugene Czako
North Haven
Retired
$150
Doron Dagan
Waltham, MA
Occupation not legible, employer not listed, Google search shows person with name listed as president of Luchs Consulting Engineering
$100
Mike Dalessio
Ansonia
Ansonia Public Works Director
$20
Carmen DiCenso
Derby
Economic Development Liaison
$300
Carmen DiCenso
Derby
Economic Development Liaison
$100
Carmen DiCenso
Derby
Economic Development Liaison
$100
Daryl DiPaulo
Orange
Electrician
$200
Annmarie Drugonis
Seymour
Seymour First Selectwoman
$100
Annmarie Drugonis
Seymour
Seymour First Selectwoman
$50
Barbara Dybas
Derby
Retired
$20
Barbara Dybas
Derby
Retired
$100
Henry Dziekan Jr.
Branford
Retired
$100
James Dziekan
Glendale, AZ
Retired
$100
Cathleen Dziekan
Branford
Retired
$100
Carol Ferino
Property manager, employer not listed
$50
Robert Forte
Derby
Retired
GOP Tax Board member running for re-election
$20
Kathleen Harayda
Shelton
Retired
$100
Laura Harris
Derby
Retired
School member seeking re-election
$100
Francis Hemmock
Derby
Owner, Retro Grub & Pub
$500
Alvin Holmes
Derby
Financial analyst, Robert Half
$100
Tara Hyder
Derby
Teacher, Fairfield Public Schools
BOE member running for re-election
$100
Mark Jazwinski
Bethany Police Officer
$80
Elizabeth Kaladish
Shelton
Retired
$100
Charles Kilson
Canton
Seasonal maintenance, DEEP
$100
Linda Kilson
Canton
Cashier/clerk, 6 Spoons Chocolatier
$100
Nicole Klarides-Ditria
Seymour
State Representative
$50
Nicole Klarides-Ditria
Seymour
State Representative
$50
Dave Kopjanski
Derby
Building official, State of CT
Member, Derby P&Z
$20
Frank Koshes
Town of Orange PD
$20
MIke Kozlowski
Milford
No employer listed
$100
Ellen Lenart
Derby
Retired
$40
Ellen Lenart
Derby
Retired
$100
Jan Lougal
Branford
Retired
$50
John Marini
Ansonia
Attorney, MZS Law (Derby’s corporation counsel)
$20
John Marini
Ansonia
Attorney, MZS Law (Derby’s corporation counsel)
$80
Vincent Marino
Orange
Attorney, MZS Law (Derby’s corporation counsel)
$50
Debra Marino
Orange
Attorney, MZS Law (Derby’s corporation counsel)
$1,000
- Note: when contacted by The Valley Indy Wednesday night (Oct. 13) the Dziekan campaign said Debra Marino was mistakenly listed as a MZS Law employee.**
Mark Matto
Naugatuck
Principal occupation “DM” (?)
$50
Thomas Mattutini Sr.
Derby
Retired
$200
John Milone
Engineer
SLR Consulting (company that acquired Milone & MacBroom, Inc)
$250
Shelley Moyher
East Haven
Retired
$100
MaryEllen Murphy
Shelton
Works at RiverWalk Social
$100
Ronald Nault
Guilford
No occupation or employer listed
$100
Darren Nesteruk
Derby
No occupation or employer listed
$250
Joyce Nesteruk
Derby
Retired
$250
Sheila O’Malley
Woodbury
Ansonia Economic Development Director
$20
Sheila O’Malley
Woodbury
Ansonia Economic Development Director
$20
Sheila O’Malley
Woodbury
Ansonia Economic Development Director
$50
Bob Orchano
Derby
Retired
$50
Gary Parker
Ansonia
Engineer, SLR Consulting
Frederick Parmalee Jr.
Shelton
CPA for the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation
$100
Frederick Parmalee Sr
Trumbulll
Retired
$100
Frank Pellacia
Shelton
Trash management, Derby Public Works
$20
Frank Pellacia
Shelton
Trash management, Derby Public Works
$50
Frederick Picroski
Derby
Software, Town Fair Tire
$20
Frederick Picroski
Derby
Software, Town Fair Tire
$50
Nina Poul
Woodbury
No occupation or employer listed
$100
Frank Pullano
North Haven
Construction executive, Banton Construction Co.
$100
Warner Pyne III
Woodbridge
Business development, Philips Healthcare
$100
Marco Rumbin
Seymour
Sales, no employer listed
$100
Ray Sadlick
Derby
Electrician
Member of Derby P&Z
$100
Joseph Szewczyk
Derby
No occupation or employer listed
$100
Charles Sampson
Derby
Police Officer
GOP Alderman running for re-election
$50
Charles Sampson
Derby
Police Officer
GOP Alderman running for re-election
$50
Barbara Schellenberg
Trumbull
MZS Law (Derby corporation counsel)
$100
Mike Stahl
Derby
No occupation or employer listed
$20
Mike Stahl
Derby
No occupation or employer listed
$50
Rich Vanetten
Seymour
Plumber
$40
Rich Vanetten
Seymour
Plumber
$200
James Velky Sr.
Southbury
Contractor
$100
Richard Velky
Woodbury
Retired
$200
Melissa Wesaw
Bethlehem
Nurse, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation
$100
