Ex-Seymour cop Jonathan Martin.
It is hard to believe another year has almost passed, but as we say goodbye to 2023, it is time to announce my personal top five picks for The Valley Indy stories of the year.
From a Valley icon’s courageous health battle that ended in triumph to Derby voters making their voices heard at the polls, there was no shortage of news that happened in the Valley over the last 365 days.
So without further ado, here we go:
5. Bad Cop Gets Good Deal
This story was a long time coming. Even though the Town of Seymour approved a settlement with former Seymour Police Sgt. John Martin in February, we didn’t run the story until early October. That’s because it took me a long time to not only acquire the five internal affairs investigations against Martin through the Freedom of Information Act, thoroughly read them cover to cover, review the settlement and interview various town, state and police officials and others to ensure I had a solid piece.
Martin’s bad behavior ran the gamut from him allegedly showing a sexually explicit video to his co-workers and allegedly harassing his insubordinates to a domestic incident that resulted in his arrest. The police commission fired Martin in October 2021. Despite the firing and the investigations resulting in Martin being suspended without pay, placed on probation and demoted to patrolman, among other punishments-and a prosecutor saying Martin could not be trusted- the town opted to settle a slew of grievances from Martin saying it was cheaper to settle than to fight in court.
Martin denied all accusations and challenged each decision with union grievances. A request from former Seymour Police Chief Paul Satkowski to decertify Martin of his badge for good is currently pending with the state’s Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
4. Local Icon's Health Battle Goes Valley Viral
Diane Stroman is pretty much a household name here in the Valley. For decades, she has helped residents through her work at TEAM, Inc., mentoring Ansonia students, serving as an Ansonia alderwoman and countless, selfless acts of kindness. But when her personal struggle with chronic kidney disease turned life-threatening, Stroman shared her story with the public via social media and the Valley Indy in March, in hopes of finding a kidney donor. After months of waiting, Stroman’s prayers were answered. On Dec. 5, Stroman received the gift of life from Amanda Mogridge, a former TEAM co-worker. Mogridge learned of Stroman’s plight through Facebook and immediately throught “Not Diane Stroman, she has more life to live and more good to do!”
Following the surgery, performed by the kidney transplant team at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Stroman’s new kidney began to work right away.
The Valley Indy caught up with Stroman for a quick phone call after Christmas and learned she and her new kidney are doing great. Doctors had been preparing Stroman for dialysis, as her kidney was functioning at just 10 percent, but her “Christmas miracle” was realized when Mogridge was a match.
“I truly believe it was the power of prayer that did this,” Stroman said.
Amen to that!
3. Seymour OKs Turning Wedding Hall Into Treatment Center
When Newport Healthcare, in early 2023, proposed converting the Villa Bianca banquet facility on Roosevelt Drive in Seymour into a live-in mental health facility, neighbors came out in force, unwilling to lay out the welcome mat. Several public hearings and meetings were held over several months’ time, with many citing concerns for the patients’ safety, increased traffic, decreased property values and additional burden on Seymour’s police, fire and ambulance services.
On the other hand, heartfelt support from former Newport patients-some on the verge of suicide-said similar facilities in Connecticut saved their lives. Newport officials said mental health has been on the rise for the past decade but has seen a major uptick since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, the Seymour Planning and Zoning Commission ruled in favor of mental health (approving the plan in October), citing a need for services to help patients on a path to wellness.
2. The Great Give Marathon Stream
It has always amazed me, even before I came onboard as a freelancer for the Valley Indy in late 2020, how my boss and the Valley Indy’s Editor Eugene Driscoll is able to pull off a 36-hour, one-man show to raise crucial funds for this publication. He did it again this past May, live-streaming interviews with one Valley organization/Valley official after another, from 8 a.m. May 3 to 8 p.m. May 4, while taking limited breaks.
Giving organizations like the Spooner House and Master’s Table a platform to share their good works and mission, is something Eugene selflessly promotes through this live event. Along the way, he manages to get people to open their wallets and donate to all these great Valley groups, while also contributing to the Valley Indy itself. A big ‘thank you’ to all who donated to this year’s Great Give, especially to us, which helps keep me around!
1. Derby Voters Usher In New Era Of Leadership
It was certainly a tumultuous year for Derby politics, with the state’s smallest city finding itself in the national spotlight at times. Not only did former Republican Alderman Gino DiGiovanni run for mayor, despite facing federal charges (now reduced to a single count for entering and remaining in a restricted building) for his involvement at the nation’s Capital on Jan. 6, he snagged the Republican nomination for the seat. This was a slap in the face to then-current Republican incumbent Mayor Richard Dziekan, who all but lost the support of his party. A primary was held, with DiGiovanni triumphing over Dziekan by just 10 votes.
However, in the end, the four-way race for the mayor’s seat on Nov. 7 came to a dramatic conclusion. It was the soft-spoken Democrat, retired Public Works employee and longtime DHS softball coach Joe DiMartino who humbly emerged victorious. The father of four girls vowed to turn around Derby’s embattled finances and divided city, and bring transparency and respect back to the office. He’s working to fill key positions that have been vacant in Derby City Hall for more than a year, hired a firm to perform a forensic audit of Derby’s finances and welcome two new businesses downtown-all in less than a month on the job. Way to go Joe!
Happy 2024 All!
