To the Editor,
Initially, when I heard about the ongoing financial problems in the Dziekan administration’s finance office, I was somewhat surprised that after 5 ½ years into his administration, we are still having major financial issues, but then again, I realized it is just more of the same. The latest fiasco involves the bouncing of checks to our city of Derby vendors.
Recently Rich Dziekan’s finance office had attempted to pay the hard-working vendors who work hard for our city, only to find out that the checks they were given did not have the necessary funds to cover their checks. Whether this is an accounting issue, banking, issue, or timing issue, the bottom line is, it is continued evidence that Rich Dziekan and his administration, is simply unable to get a handle around our finance department.
Time after time, he continues to prove his total incompetence when it comes to leading our city.
We have also heard complaints from citizen after citizen, that whether it is calling the tax collector’s office or stopping in City Hall to pay their taxes, the office is simply not staffed. We are asking our hard-working taxpayers to take time from their day, to help fund the services of the city, and the least we could do is to make sure there is someone there to answer the call. Sadly, this is not the case and represents yet another failing of Rich Dziekan, and further evidence of his inability to handle the finances of the City of Derby.
As if we need any further evidence that Rich Dziekan is no longer fit to lead this City, the city audit from the previous year has still not been completed. In true, Rich Dziekan fashion, I am sure he will point the finger at everybody else but refuse to look inward. That is simply how he governs. He attempts to take credit for things he has played no part of, but in the area of our finances, he simply likes to point fingers and blame everyone else for his failings. Over the course of Rich Dziekan’s time as Mayor, he has failed this city over and over when it comes to protecting our finances, representing our taxpayers, and ensuring that the finances of our city are handled in a professional manner.
The City does not have a Finance Director and the last year’s financial audit is not complete and is over 200 days late.
The best example of the current state of affairs in Derby is if you look at the Dziekan/Mayhew taxpayer funded politcal propaganda called the Town Crier that is full of innaccurate information and half truths. Take a close look at the City Seal on the top left corner. It is backwards. And that is how this City is being run in to the ground by an absentee Mayor and his hatchet man Walter Mayhew.
This election day, it’s time to make a change and elect Joe DiMartino who will safeguard our finances and lead in a professional manner.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Desroches
DERBY
The writer is a member of the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation and is currently running for re-election on the Democratic line.
