Derby mayoral candidates to debate Tuesday at high school

Republican Richard Dziekan is challenging two-term Democrat Mayor Anita Dugatto for the Derby mayoral seat for the second time. He was defeated in his attempt in 2015.
The debate will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Derby High School auditorium, 75 Chatfield St.
The debate is being sponsored by Derby Public Schools and ValleyIndy.org.


*Information shared from Facebook.

Tipsy Tomato in Derby celebrates grand opening

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, second from right, speaks at a ribbon cutting last week at Tipsy Tomato Bar and Pizzeria, 656 New Haven Ave., Derby, former site of Marco Pizzeria. 

Photo shared from the Derby Mayor's Office Facebook page.

Derby mayor swears in fire chief, 3 assistants

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto administered the oath of office Jan. 2 to the fire department's chief officers at a ceremony in Hotchkiss Hose Fire Company 1 Hall. 

They are:

Michael W. Goodman - Fire Chief
Robert J. Laskowski Jr. - 1st Assistant Chief
David M. Lenart - 2nd Assistant Chief 
Michael F. Gloade - 3rd Assistant Chief

*Sharing information and photos from the Derby Mayor's Office Facebook page.

Derby mayor asks contributions to show appreciation to military personnel

Names of those serving are also sought

Derby mayor to hold open door session at Hotchkiss Hose Company 1

DERBY – Mayor Anita Dugatto is continuing her pledge to take some of her Open Door Sessions on the road into the heart of Derby's neighborhoods.
Open Door Sessions are weekly forums where citizens can drop in at Derby City Hall for casual discussions with the mayor. 
They are held every Thursday between 5 and 7 p.m. 
These forums are a reflection of Dugatto’s belief that responsive government begins with understanding the needs and priorities of its citizens.

“By taking some of my Open Door Sessions on the road, I am able to connect with people where they live and do business," Dugatto said. 
"It gives me and other city officials the opportunity to learn first-hand about the issues affecting our neighborhoods.” 
This month Dugatto and other city officials will be at the Hotchkiss Hose Fire Station, 200 David Humphreys Road, from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 18.

In addition to learning more about City initiatives, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on any issues important to them.
Members of the business community also are encouraged to attend.
Questions may be directed to Jennifer Desroches in the Mayor’s Offic, 203-736-1450 or jdesroches@derbyct.gov. 


This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office. 
  

Derby mayor to meet with residents at Storm Engine Company firehouse

DERBY - Mayor Anita Dugatto will host her weekly open office hours from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Storm Engine Company firehouse, 151 Olivia St. to speak with residents about issues and projects happening in the City.

The public is invited.

For more information contact Mayor Dugatto at 203-736-1450 or jdesroches@derbyct.gov.


This is a press release from the City of Derby.

Cyclists associated with Derby's sister city in Italy to visit City Hall today

Sharing a message from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc J. Garofalo:

"The City of Derby just received notice today that two Italian residents, in association with the Town of Puglianello (BN), sister city of Derby, CT, will be visiting Derby City Hall today at 5 p.m. before they depart on a 78-day bicycle journey along the famous Route 66 enroute to Los Angeles, CA.

Giuseppe Campchiaro and Giovanna Napolitano are finalizing their preparations to depart the East Coast to California on their bicycles.  
They started their journey in their Town of Amorosi (BN), next town neighbor to Puglianello and about 30 miles northeast of Naples. They pedaled through North through Italy through France, Spain, and Portugal.  They recently arrived in Connecticut and are staying with relatives in Southington.  They will depart for the West coast in the next few days.

Their project “Love Wheels – 2 hearts, 2 bikes, 6 years, 6 continents” can be view at their website http://www.lovewheels.it/web/ .  They also have a Facebook page Love Wheels 646.  Giuseppe and Giovanna said, “We designed a new journey, cycling, starting April 17, 2016.

Our route will see all the Via Francigena in Italy, go to Lourdes and retrace the Way of Santiago De Compostela reaching Fatima and finally Lisbon .

From there they fly to New York to take the Route 66 . The main cities that cross are New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles. 
The project will focus on meeting the Italian community who are in America and create a sort of documentary collecting their testimonies: the reasons for the transfer, the difficulties encountered, their history and bring them back to our reality.”

The happy couple will be greeted by city officials led by Mayor Anita Dugatto where they will be presented with proclamations from the City of Derby with good wishes for a safe and exciting trip.

The entire City of Derby is invited to bring greetings to Giuseppe and Giovanna at 5 p.m. today, June 16, 2016 in the Aldermanic Chambers at Derby City Hall.

Please spread the word."

Sad news shared from Derby

Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo e-mailed this information late Saturday:

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of former Derby Mayor Gino S. DiMauro, Jr.

Gino S. DiMauro, Jr.

Please join Mayor Anita Dugatto and the entire City of Derby in expressing our deepest sympathy to the entire DiMauro Family during this difficult time.  His son Gino S. DiMauro, III is a member of the Derby Police Department.

Mayor Anita Dugatto has asked at flags on all City of Derby buildings be lowered to half staff until 2:00 pm on Wednesday May 25, 2016 in memory of Mayor DiMauro's service to the City of Derby.

"The entire City of Derby is shocked and saddened by this news.  We express our deep sympathy to the DiMauro family and want them to know that we grieve with them during this sad time. May he rest in peace,"  said Mayor Dugatto.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. 

His funeral will leave the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30 am for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Mary Church. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made the Dominic and Sontino DiMauro Educational Fund. Leave online condolences at www.adzimafh.com

Taco-eating champ defends title at Hot Tamale in Seymour

4th annual event raises funds for TEAM's Meals on Wheels program

Seymour Land Trust President Alex Danka, left, reigning taco-eating champ, poses with Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti Thursday before the competition at Hot Tamale Mexican Grille and Bar in Seymour. The restaurant hosted the eating contest to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, with proceeds going to support TEAM's Meals on Wheels program.

Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, left, poses before chowing down on soft beef tacos with fellow competitor David Morgan, TEAM President and CEO.

And here they are competing, along with Miller's administrative assistant, Rory Burke, at right. The contest lasted for five minutes and five seconds.

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto competes in the taco-eating event. She was clearly the most polite contestant. Pinkies up!

The contestants posed for a group shot with Hot Tamale owner Robert Volpacchio, front row center. State Rep. Theresa Conroy of Seymour, back row, was there to cheer on the participants. 


And the taco tally was:

Danka - 12 
Burke, representing Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti - 11
Phil Wilhelmy, representing state Rep. Theresa Conroy - 9
Miller - 8
Morgan - 8
Cassetti - 7
Don Smith, Boys and Girls Club board member - 7
Dugatto - 3

Congratulations to Danka for another great win!  He said he plans to display his taco-topped trophy next to the one he earned last year.

Ansonia High School senior earns Scouting's highest honor

Teen becomes Troop 3 Derby's 303rd Eagle Scout

Troop 3 Eagle Scout Joseph Szewczyk, center, with his parents Peter and Myra Szewczyk and brother, Michael, left. /Submitted photo

DERBY - Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby Scout Joseph Szewczyk was recently recognized for achieving Eagle Scout Rank during a Court of Honor held at the troop’s sponsoring organization, the Derby Second Congregational Church.

Joseph B. Szewczyk is the 17 year-old son of Peter and Myra Szewczyk and is the older brother of First Class Scout Michael Szewczyk, all of Ansonia. 

Joseph was a Cub Scout in Pack 5 Ansonia, where he earned the Arrow of Light Award prior to crossing over into Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby. He is also a member of Venture Crew 77 of Ansonia.

45 merit badges earned

Joseph was a member of the Troop 3 Ghost Riders Patrol, where he served as Scribe, Quartermaster and Patrol Leader. 

As a Patrol Leader, he consistently led his patrol to top five finishes in Housatonic Council Camporee and Klondike Derby competitions. Joseph also served as the Troop Scribe, Senior Patrol Leader, and currently serves as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. For three years he has also performed as an endman, or joke teller, in the Annual Scout Gang Show.  

Joseph has earned a total of 45 merit badges, and he has also earned a Bronze Palm in addition to Eagle Scout Rank.

In addition to enjoying many weekend campouts and weeks of summer camp at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, Joseph also attended the 2010 BSA National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and traveled with the troop on a three-week cross country camping adventure, in 2014. 

This summer, Joseph will represent Troop 3 as an Exchange Scout to Limerick, Ireland.

Joseph is a lifelong parishioner and altar server at Three Saints Orthodox Church, Ansonia. His Eagle Scout community service project took place at Three Saints Park, in Bethany, where he led a team of volunteers in constructing a 40-foot bridge over a brook and re-establishing a hiking trail. 

The project encompassed more than 300 hours of teamwork and included digging footings, pouring concrete, laying telephone poles across the span, securing the decking, and installing railings.

Szewczyk is a senior at Ansonia High School, where he is valedictorian of his class. 

He attended American Legion Boys’ State and is the Co-President of the National Honor Society, where he has helped to create a peer-tutoring program in addition to coordinating blood and book drives. He is pursuing a career as an actuary and will attend the University of Connecticut with a major in Mathematics and Actuarial Science.

Eagle Scout Justin Patten served as Master of Ceremonies for the court of honor. The program was under the direction of Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. Mayor David Cassetti of Ansonia and Mayor Anita Dugatto of Derby presented gifts and proclamations to the Szewczyk behalf of their communities. 

Also giving greetings were Housatonic Council Scout President Gary Parker, Scout Executive John Zseller and District Director Roger Stewart. Scouts who were part of the ceremony include James Chopak, Mike Szewczyk, Tyler Tallberg and Naveen Madivala. 

Additional participants included Eagle Scouts and Scout leaders William V. McDonnell Jr, John Spinetti, Charles Hemstreet, Sr, Matthew Moran, Ryan Cafaro andRyan Amato. Also participating were Troop 3 Advancement Chair Margie Kish, Ansonia High teachers Rachel Sopko and Amy Donofrio, and Fr. Patrick Burns of Three Saints Orthodox Church.

Letters of recognition we read from President and Mrs. Obama, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Gov. Dannel Malloy and members of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

“Joe’s dedication and commitment to the Scouting program makes him a strong role model for our younger Scouts,” Scoutmaster Randy Ritter said. 

“We are very proud of Joe’s accomplishments at school and in Scouts, and his community service has been extraordinary,” Ritter added. 

Eagle Scout Szewczyk said, “Scouting has been a life changing program for me that has helped me to come out of my shell and it has given me the self-confidence to speak to an audience and to take on new experiences”.

Szewczyk is Troop 3 Derby’s 303rd Eagle Scout since the Troop was founded in 1914. 

Nationally, only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts attain the rank of Eagle. 

Szewczyk and the completed 40-foot bridge at Three Saints Park, Bethany./Submitted photo

Troop 3 meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Derby Second Congregational Church and invites all boys from throughout the Valley at least 11 years of age to join in on the Troop’s Scouting adventures. 

For more information call 203-732-0343 or visit www.troop3derby.orgor https://www.facebook.com/groups/troop3derby/?ref=bookmarks.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.