To the editor:
In December 2019, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “We could learn a lesson by watching Derby and how you come together once the election is over.”
That sentiment continued this summer as the 10-member, nonpartisan Charter Revision Commission and the nine members of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen both unanimously approved the seven charter revision questions that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Yes, unanimously.
The Charter Revision Commission is made up of four registered Democrats, one registered Republican and five unaffiliated voters, all working collaboratively on behalf of Derby’s taxpayers to improve our local government.
Among the commission members are the city’s two town committee chairmen, Aniello Malerba (D) and Sam Pollastro (Republican).
The other members of the Charter Revision Commission include Alderwoman Camille Kurtyka (D), Christopher Larocque (D), Charles M. Stankye III (D), Ralph Cappiello (U), Alderman Rob Hyder (U), Carl McCluster (U), Gina McKay (U) and James Smey (U).
Due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Charter Revision Commission got a late start to the process, but met several times each month to complete their charge to update the city’s charter, which is essentially the blueprint to governing the City of Derby.
Aniello Malerba said: “When one makes the decision to serve their city, they do so selflessly and with best intentions. I would like to personally thank my fellow Charter Revision Commission members in doing just that. Over the past few months, the commission worked within the unprecedented restrictions to present the voters with revisions for the betterment of the community. Opportunities to make lasting changes to the city you love do not come along often. I’m honored to play a part in this charter revision.”
Rob Hyder, the chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, said: “I was very appreciative of the impartiality and detachment from politics demonstrated by this Charter Revision Commission. It is important to note that updating this document is very apolitical in that our work does not favor one political party over the other. The members of the commission made significant sacrifices of time in meeting and researching the various recommendations placed before us. We shared very valuable educated discourse the past several months to get where we are today.”
Sam Pollastro said: “As the chairman of the Charter Revision Commission and a member of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen, Hyder’s position as a liaison between the two bodies proved pivotal because he was able to field any questions the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen had, and conversely, was able to bring back their changes or concerns to the Charter Revision Commission for consideration. The ability to keep the process moving forward without delay, in what was a seamlessly smooth transition, was key in getting these questions on the ballot for this election cycle.”
Pollastro added: “Also, I would like to thank the citizens of Derby and all others who participated in our meetings. The bipartisan work was so successful in what we were able to accomplish because we all kept the best interest of the city and its residents at the forefront.”
In the true spirit of transparency, the full text of the entire charter, along with the specific blue-line edits throughout, can be found here. The explanatory text for the each of the questions can be found here.
Sincerely,
Aniello Malerba III
Chairman of The Derby Democratic Town Committee
Sam Pollastro
Chairman of The Derby Republican Town Committee
Alderman Rob Hyder
Chairman of The Derby Charter Revision Commission
