Earlier this month, I issued a commentary about Mayor Staffieri’s reluctance to debate, and thus deprive the voters of Derby an opportunity to hear from both candidates.
The more I ask myself why Derby’s highest-elected official would deprive the voters of one of most common practices of any election, the more I’m beginning to understand why.
I say with the utmost certainty that Mayor Staffieri’s tenure as Mayor has proven him to be not much more than a gatekeeper.
First, Mayor Staffieri likes to claim he has kept taxes low. In reality, Derby has the highest mill rate in the Valley.
Here is a comparison of Derby’s mill rate when compared to other Valley towns:
Derby
27.90
Seymour
27.62
Ansonia
26.25
Oxford
23.21
Shelton
18.57
(Source: State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, 2011 mill rates based on the 2010 grand list Website: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2987&q=385976a)
For perspective, the taxes paid in Derby on a $200,000 home is $3,906. Taxpayers in Shelton only pay $2,599.80 for the same $200,000 home.
Another reason Mayor Staffieri doesn’t want to speak about his record is because of his lack of leadership and poor decisions he has made.
A glaring mistake of the past six years is this administration’s failure to reacquire the property from Ceruzzi (former developer) in the Redevelopment Zone when the Board of Aldermen agreed to settle the lawsuit for $1.75 million.
In essence, Ceruzzi has been paid, still owns the property, and will be repaid in order for Derby to develop that property.
Ceruzzi will continue to be an obstacle to Downtown Redevelopment because of the shortsightedness of Mayor Staffieri and his administration.
Additionally, our city has been without a police commissioner for over a year.
How is the police commission operating with only two members?
After serving nearly five years as the Chairman of the Derby Police Commission, Mayor Staffieri removed Robert Hughes from his post in July 2010.
Nearly 15 months later, a new police commissioner has yet to be appointed.
In March 2010, Mayor Staffieri said he was narrowing the possible replacements and expected to name a successor soon. It has been almost seven months since that statement and we are still without that police commissioner.
Why?
Other problems plaguing our city include crumbling sidewalks, especially on Olivia and Minerva Streets. They are in dire need of repair or replacement, and are an accident waiting to happen.
Derby has several appointed boards and commissions, such as the Ethics Board and Insurance Commission, who have appointed members that have yet to be called to meet.
Why appoint boards and not use them to fulfill their purpose?
Derby is in desperate need of leadership that will not only be transparent, but will also be proactive, rather than reactive. Derby needs a mayor who will take responsibility at all times, and give praise to others when a job is done well.
The writer is running as a Democrat for Derby mayor.
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