Sharlene McEvoy
DERBY — A retired Fairfield University law professor is offering Derby voters a different choice for mayor this November.
Sharlene McEvoy, a third generation Derby resident, is running for mayor as a petitioning candidate. McEvoy is a lifelong Democrat.
She submitted paperwork in August to ensure a spot on the ballot for the Nov. 7 municipal election. Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo confirmed that McEvoy submitted 56 signatures, of which 49 were certified. Garofalo said 29 certified signatures are required to get on the ballot as a petition candidate.
The mayoral race includes incumbent Republican Mayor Richard Dziekan, the GOP-endorsed candidate and Second Ward Alderman Gino DiGiovanni, Jr. and the Derby Democratic Town Committee’s endorsed candidate, Joe DiMartino.
McEvoy has a Ph.D in political science from UCLA, a law degree from UCONN, and taught law at Fairfield University for 36 years.
“I feel that I have the leadership skills Derby needs at this time as the city is facing many challenges,” McEvoy told The Valley Indy during a recent interview. “Derby is an economically distressed community and I think innovative thinking is what is needed to get the city back on track.”
McEvoy, 73, is a lifelong resident who grew up on Summit Street and is no stranger to fighting City Hall. McEvoy led a community fight several years ago to keep the local water authority from building a massive water tank on Telescope Mountain. She also fought the tower being put next to the entrance to Derby High School, saying it was an improper use of public land. She also fought to keep the Bluff Street Bridge open after the state announced the bridge would be closed. The state reversed the decision.
“I have an appreciation for the quality of the people in this community, they are salt of the earth people with good hearts, and I don’t think they’re concerns are being listened to enough,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy, who served on the Valley Transit District board and Derby’s 300th birthday committee, said if voters put their faith in her, they won’t be disappointed.
“I think people want a choice,” she said. “I don’t think the candidates currently running for mayor are addressing some key issues.”
Some of those issues, McEvoy said, are preserving open space, giving high school students a competitive edge by offering school choice, eliminating the chief of staff position, hosting regular mayor’s night and afternoon sessions to hear residents’ concerns, and to prevent the city from selling or leasing any park property, among other things.
“I would also get our financial house in order and evaluate each city department to determine if the taxpayers are getting their money’s worth and make sure each department is running efficiently,” McEvoy said. “I would not have a chief of staff — the mayor is the CEO of the city and must assume all the responsibilities of the office. I would also go out to bid for legal services for the city and look beyond the Valley borders for a corporation counsel to make sure there are no potential conflicts.”
McEvoy said she would consider phasing out Derby High School and allying with neighboring schools such as Shelton, Oxford or Region 16 to give students a more competitive edge in college and in their careers.
“This year we had 71 DHS graduates and 52 last year. The numbers are quite low and it’s not a sustainable number to run a high school,” McEvoy said. “How competitive are our students? We could partner with Shelton, Woodland or Oxford with Derby paying the tuition and bus fees. This may not be a popular idea, but we have to be realistic.Financially the school budget does eat up a lot of the city budget.“
Phasing out Derby High School would result in better education opportunities for Derby students.
“As a lifelong educator, I have seen people coming in less prepared, and those who are better prepared come from the private and parochial schools. I don’t want to see our students put at a competitive disadvantage,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy said she’d institute an orientation session teaching the Derby City Charter to newly elected members of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen. She also wants to create an internship program for local high school and college students to learn the ins and outs of city government. Doing so would improve civic engagement, she said.
“I’m a person of integrity and I pledge to follow the City Charter,” McEvoy said. “I will fight for what is right because I have done it all my life. I will honor and respect the people’s interest. Their concerns will be my concerns. I pledge to work tirelessly for the people of Derby. I’m a servant of the people, not the other way around.”
McEvoy noted she is funding her campaign out of her own pocket.
More information about McEvoy can be found on her website at: https://www.sharlenemcevoy.com
