Promising to keep Derby government “efficient, productive and low cost,” three-term incumbent Anthony Staffieri accepted the Republican endorsement for mayor Wednesday during a nominating convention in the Veterans Memorial Building on Atwater Avenue.
Staffieri said Derby has made great strides during his nearly six years in City Hall.
“We now have a real developer with real money — his money, not the city’s money — ready to turn our downtown into a thriving commercial center,” Staffieri told supporters. “We have a brand new middle school. We have had two bond upgrades, and our financial stability is compared to towns the likes of Shelton.”
Click the videos to see Staffieri’s complete speech after being nominated.
If re-elected, Staffieri said he’ll continue to make economic development — that is, jobs and business that generate tax revenue — a priority in the city.
In addition to downtown development, Staffieri said the city will see a new road and a business center in the area behind BJ’s off Division Street.
“Our journey is not complete,” the mayor said.
Staffieri said his background as a small business owner makes him better suited to run the government than his opponent, Dan Foley, Jr., a retired educator.
“I appreciate my opponent’s years of service as a school teacher and a president of the teacher’s union,” Staffieri said. “I believe my opponent’s experience and my experience will make for a very interesting campaign.”
State Rep. Themis Klarides spoke on Staffieri’s behalf, saying Staffieri has stabilized Derby.
“We need to continue that common sense leadership,” she said.
Alderman Joe Bomba said Staffieri is honest, has integrity and an uncanny ability to motivate others.
“I’m a better person for knowing him,” Bomba said.
The mood among the Republicans was relaxed — even jovial. The full slate features a slew of Republican incumbents:
Mayor
Anthony Staffieri (incumbent)
Treasurer
Keith McLiverty
Constable
Peter Duhaime
1st Ward Alderman
Bev Moran (incumbent)
John Bartone
Tony Szewczyk
2nd Ward Alderman
Jay Benanto (incumbent)
Joe DiMartino (incumbent)
Dave Lenart (incumbent)
3rd Ward Alderman
Ken Hughes (incumbent)
Joe Bomba (incumbent)
Scott Boulton (incumbent)
Board of Apportionment and Taxation
Carolyn Duhaime (incumbent)
Mark Nichols (incumbent)
Nelson Cummings (incumbent)
Jeremy Bell (incumbent)
Richard Dziekan
Judy Szewczyk (incumbent)
Board of Education
Rebecca O’Hara (incumbent)
Casey Picheco (incumbent)
Laura Harris (incumbent)
Mary Porter
Jim Gildea
Denise Bottone
