Facts matter.
While it is still relatively early in the campaign season, I find it necessary to respond to the Democrats who are trying to paint Mayor Dziekan as an absentee mayor. While the Democrats are walking the streets of Derby going door-to-door, their message is that Mayor Dziekan is not in City Hall rather than speaking to what their plans are for their Democratic candidate should he become mayor.
I do not want a mayor who is going to sit at his desk at City Hall from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. I want a mayor who will be up early assessing storm damage, a mayor who will be driving around the city talking to citizens about their concerns, a mayor who will be running late-night meetings, a mayor who is willing to travel to Hartford and New York City on behalf of our city.
An absentee mayor would not be able to restore Derby’s fund balance to a positive $3.7 million from a negative $1.8 hole that was inherited from a mistake in 2016 before he took office.
An absentee mayor would not be able to cut taxes for the average Derby taxpayer. Derby’s mill rate has been reduced from 43.869 to 38.6.
An absentee mayor would not be negotiating with developers to rebuild downtown. Mayor Dziekan and his administration have produced four approved projects downtown valued at roughly $75 million. This new development will generate approximately $1.5 million in new tax revenue annually, lessening the burden Derby’s property owners.
An absentee mayor would not be able to add more than $99 million to our grand list in only three years.
An absentee mayor would not have been capable of signing a contract to provide body worn and dashboard cameras for the Derby Police Department to better serve and protect our citizens.
If the above list are examples of an absentee mayor, then please sign me up for another two years.
What are the Democrat’s plans should they win the election? We have not heard of any plans. We have only heard of rhetoric about Mayor Dziekan.
Upon receiving the Democratic nomination for mayor, I sent a congratulatory email to their campaign the following morning. In the email, I also challenged the Democratic campaign to a debate with Mayor Dziekan to discuss the blueprints for Derby from both sides. The Democrats deferred their decision to accept the debate challenge to after Labor Day, sighting wanting to spend their time knocking on doors instead, further spreading rhetoric that Mayor Dziekan is not getting the job done.
Facts matter. Derby is in a much better place today than it was less than four years ago.
When the Democratic campaign knocks on your door, be sure to ask them what their plans are moving forward. Enough of this absentee mayor rhetoric. Let’s talk policy. Let’s talk about records. Let’s openly and publicly talk about a realistic path forward for Derby.
Rob Hyder
The writer is a member of the Derby Board of Aldermen and is the campaign manager for Mayor Richard Dziekan.
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