Jean Falbo-Sosnovich Photos
Mayor Cassetti Thursday announcing his reelection campaign.
ANSONIA — Mayor David Cassetti announced plans Thursday to seek a fifth term in office.
Standing at a small podium downtown, across from where a new police station and senior center is currently under construction, Cassetti touted numerous accomplishments his administration achieved, and said there’s plenty left to do.
“When I first took office, almost eight years ago, I had big plans,” said Cassetti, a Republican. “I had a vision to revitalize my hometown that we’ve come to call, ‘Ansonia Recharged.’ But my ultimate goal could be summed up fairly simply: To leave Ansonia a better place than I found it.”
The 61-year old father of five was surrounded at the announcement by a small crowd of family-including his 95-year old mom, Lillian, friends, supporters and his administrative team. He said he wants to continue the progress he vowed to make when he was first elected in 2013. He touted the team he has built around a philosophy of “putting people and progress over the petty politics that keeps a city tied in knots.”
“At the end of my fourth term in office, we are seeing the result of that teamwork …a city that is charging forward and bursting with energy and action,” Cassetti said.
Jean Falbo-Sosnovich Photo
Mayor Cassetti Thursday announcing his reelection campaign.
Cassetti said some of his biggest successes include developing a strong relationship with Superintendent of Schools Joe DiBacco and fully funding this year’s school budget, along with an “explosion” of growth dotting the city and Main Street, where new restaurants and new apartments have been built and the soon-to-be completed, state-of-the-art police headquarters and senior center will call home.
More exciting projects are in the works, Cassetti added, like the next phase of the popular Riverwalk which will include an observation deck and lighthouse.
On the financial front, Cassetti said for the first time in a decade, Ansonia’s grand list hit $1 billion, and the mill rate “is still lower than it was when I first took office.”
Mayor Cassetti at announcement with his mom, Lillian Cassetti.
Cassetti likened the “bright, shining accomplishments to being connected, like stars in the night sky connect to form a constellation.”
“Ansonia’s very own constellation of positive progress is now visible far, far beyond the Naugatuck Valley,” he said. “But now is not the time to stop putting stars up into the sky. There is so much more work to do, and so many more opportunities to make Ansonia a better place for all our residents.”
Cassetti invited all to join his team, regardless of their party affiliation or backgrounds.
“If you have been inspired by the changes we are making in the City of Ansonia, and you want to see us continue charging forward, then I want you on my team,” Cassetti said. “Serving as mayor has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I will continue to cherish the opportunity it gives me t improve the quality of life for my fellow residents. I look forward to earning the right to lead Ansonia for another two years.”
One of Cassetti’s longtime supporters, resident Edward Musante, said he was glad to hear Cassetti will seek another term.
“Dave’s great. He is there for the residents 24/7,” Musante said. “Under his leadership, everything in the city is moving forward. I’m excited to see what’s to come in the next two years.”
Cassetti’s mom, Lillian, said she might be a bit biased but knows her son continues to be the right man for the job.
“He’s really a great guy and I’m not just saying that because he’s my son, he’s really top-notch,” she said.
As far as a Democratic challenger for the mayor’s seat, that will have to wait until next month when the nominating caucuses take place, according to Democratic Town Committee Chairman Gary Farrar, Jr.
DTC Vice Chairman Brian Perkins said the Democrats are working on assembling their slate for the November election.
“We are incredibly excited to be going into this election season and have a great team of energized and reliable members,” Perkins said.
Perkins weighed in on Cassetti’s reelection plans.
“I think now is the time to truly put his slogan of ‘putting taxpayers first’ to work,” Perkins said. “The fact of the matter is that over the years, Cassetti and his administration have gotten incredibly comfortable with their positions. They are complacent in their positions, and having boards and commissions filled with family members and those who only rubber-stamp the mayor’s agenda has truly hurt the city. City Hall is just out of touch, and a 10-year streak of this kind of ‘what is in it for me’ thinking would be detrimental to the future of Ansonia. If I had one word of advice for Cassetti, it would be to be a public servant, not a politician looking for personal gain. Serving the public is what elected officials should be doing.”
