Mayor Dziekan Launches Newsletter To Inform Derby Of Things Happening In The Community

DERBY — Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan’s office has started a city-wide newsletter to accentuate the positive in the city.

The first ​“Derby Town Crier” was recently mailed to homes and residences. There will be four issues of the newsletter, at a total cost of $13,000 according to the mayor’s office.

The first edition of the newsletter was six pages, with a message from the mayor on page one, along with information to sign up for the city’s new Code Red system (click here to sign up for notifications).

The newsletter also features photos from Derby Day, which was held in June on the Derby Green, along with a column detailing the mayor’s take on the Derby budget, which was adopted in April.

Page three contains a list of the most recent Derby High School graduates. Page four is a community calendar. Page five is a write-up of a local business.

As an added bonus, there’s also a Word Search where readers can circle the names of Derby mayors.

The first issue was the summer issue. Next will be fall, winter, then spring.

If you want to submit news or learn how to get your business listed or want to receive a copy of the publication’s guidelines, email fpepe@derbyct.gov.

Despite the popularity of social media and smart phones, it can be difficult to get basic news and information to the public.

Building an audience in 2022 using social media can be difficult, thanks to constant changes in algorithms and the fractured state of communication using sites such as Facebook.

Efforts for government self promotion differ from town-to-town.

Mayor Dziekan’s newsletter is the first of its kind since former Mayor Anita Dugatto launched a ​“Discover Derby” public relations campaign for the city in 2014. That effort included a newsletter, though it may have been online only; it’s tough to tell from the archives.

In Ansonia, city government has an active and popular Facebook page with about 8,000 followers. It was launched in 2014.

In addition to providing information about everything going on in Ansonia, including restaurant specials, the page also doubles as a promotional arm for Mayor Cassetti’s brand.

The city also sends out information and self-promotion material with tax bills, and uses robocalls to highlight community events.

The Seymour First Selectwoman’s Office also has an active Facebook page, and features a regular column titled ​“What’s Happening in the 888.” It lists community events and government meetings, often in detail. In addition, the page gets into the nitty gritty of town life, including reports of power outages and road closures. First Selectwoman Drugonis often answers questions in comment threads started by the public.

Derby has several government-related Facebook pages that are used to inform the community.

Derby Town/Clerk Marc Garofalo’s Facebook page includes reminders about tax bills, voting deadlines, community events, and more.

Walt Mayhew, the mayor’s chief of staff, has a Facebook page where he has provided updates about a paving project and the Route 34 widening.

Mayor Dziekan also has a Facebook page with more than 1,000 followers where he promotes community events and other things happening in Derby.

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