Derby mails absentee ballots to registered voters

Sharing message today from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

Applications for Absentee Ballots for the November 2, 2021 General Election were mailed to every registered voter in the City of Derby.  

The State of CT has extended COVID-19 as a legal reason for voting by Absentee Ballot in the November 2, 2021 Election.  

Each voter still has the choice to vote in person or by absentee ballot.  

The applications will be arriving in the coming days and ballots for those who already requested them were mailed out on Friday October 1, 2021.  Applications received by November 1, 2021 will be processed and issued within 48 hours of the request being received in this office.

If a voter wants to vote by Absentee Ballot they should return the completed Application to this Office as soon as possible.  If they want to vote in person at the polls between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm on Tuesday November 2, 2021 then they can just dispose of the application and vote in person.

If you know of anyone who would like to register to vote, they may use the following link - https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do

Any new voters interested in voting by Absentee Ballot can find the application here by using this link -   https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting

If you know of anyone who would like to check their Voter Registration Status, they may use the following link - https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx

Additionally, you may view the sample ballots for the November 2, 2021 Election in Derby by using this link - https://www.derbyct.gov/media/Election%20-%202021%20-%20Sample%20Ballots.pdf

"I wish you a great and safe weekend.  And as this is the beginning of October, please remember to schedule your annual mammogram or encourage some one to do the same during this month of Breast Cancer Awareness."

Christ Episcopal Church in Ansonia elects officers, vestry members

ANSONIA - The Annual Meeting of Christ Episcopal Church Jan. 27 elected the following officers:

Senior Warden – Nancy Valentine
Junior Warden – William Banks
Treasurer – Martha Smart
Assistant Treasurer – Kris Bernier
Clerk of the Parish – Stacy Wilshire

Vestry Members for the Class of 2020 – Janet Burton, Alan Johns, Heidi Patterson
Class of 2021 – Sherry Banks, Cristina Jacome, Debbie Zaleha
Class of 2022 – Linda Bibby, Sue Dargiewicz, John Lekas

Lay Delegates to Diocesan Convention and South Central Region Convocations: William Banks and Sherry Banks

This is a press release from Nancy Valentine, senior warden.

Greater Valley Chamber to host candidates at Brownson Country Club

CT Independent Party endorses Jaumann in 104th District race

ANSONA - Joseph Jaumann has been endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut which will place him on both the Republican and Independent lines for the November election.

Jaumann

"It's an honor to receive the backing of the Independent Party of Connecticut in my run for State Representative," Jaumann said. "I received the backing of the Independent Party and the Republican Party because I am not beholden to a single party, or any special interest groups. If we are going to change the state of Connecticut, we need to electofficials who are not afraid to think outside of the box, listen to all sides, and work towards common sense solutions, while putting the taxpayers of Connecticut first."

Jaumann added, "The residents of the 104th District deserve someone who will place the needs of the residents of Ansonia and Derby ahead of any party agenda. As an Alderman, I took the lead pushing for our communities in the 104th District to study regionalization and shared services so we can find ways to become more efficient while at the same time trying to

increase quality. These are types of ideas that transcend parties’ lines and I am very proud to have been at the forefront of it."

Jaumann is an attorney and small business owner who lives in the 104th District with his wife, Crystal, and four children, the eldest of whom is currently serving proudly overseas in the United States Marine Corps. 
He currently serves as an Alderman in Ansonia’s 5th Ward. 

This is a press release from Jaumann's campaign. 

Meet the Candidates event slated at Ansonia High School

Shelton Democrats welcome candidates, volunteers

SHELTON - This year is a municipal election year, and in November voters will cast a ballot for several important local boards including the Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Apportionment and Taxation and the Library Board.

A better Shelton starts with candidates - and elected officials - who share your values. 

Have you ever considered running for office or getting involved in the issues that matter most to you locally? Shelton Democrats welcome you to join us as we form a slate of candidates for this fall, and volunteers to support them. Please consider getting involved locally this year either by seeking office or supporting those that do. 

Please contact Shelton Democrats Vice Chair Jimmy Tickey at sheltondemocrats@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about our candidate process and other ways to get involved.

The Shelton Democratic Town Committee is the official organization of the Democratic Party in the City of Shelton. 

This is a press release from Jimmy Tickey.

Gentile co-sponsors bill that targets 'dark money'

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, joined her colleagues in a press conference today to discuss legislation designed to shed light on and reduce the amount of special interest “dark money” in state election campaigns.

Linda Gentile 

“Voters deserve to know who is financing a campaign,” Gentile said. 

“This bill not only increases transparency and trust between the public and the government, but it will also ensure that candidates are elected to office by their constituents and not by third party special interest groups.” 

The bill, HB5589, An Act Concerning Campaign Financing Reform, would:

• Require corporate political expenditures to be approved by their board of directors and disclosed to shareholders
• Limit contributions to organizations making independent expenditures to an aggregate of $70,000 in a calendar year
• Ban foreign influenced entities from making independent expenditures or contributing to an organization that does

The bill was expected to be approved Monday.  

This is a press release from Gentile's office. 

Seymour Dems seek candidates for November election

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Democratic Town Committee is seeking candidates to run for various town offices in November’s municipal election and will being choosing a slate for the July convention.

The party is looking for residents interested in running for the following boards:  

Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Police Commissioners, Board of Library Directors and the Planning & Zoning Commission. 

The town committee will be supporting candidates that are invested in their community:  looking to make it a better place to live, work, raise a family and stay after retirement.  Interested candidates should be able to work well with others for the improvement of Seymour.  

The committee will nominate and endorse a slate of candidates in July.  

Any registered voter in Seymour may seek nomination.

Interested residents should contact Democratic Town Chairman Phil Wilhelmy at 203-888-4383 or Theresa Conroy at 203-888-1300.  

This is a press release from Theresa Conroy.

Candidate forum planned at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Jaumann seeks to debate 104th District issues with Gentile

Jaumann, a lawyer who lives in Ansonia, seeks two debates and a town hall-style discussion with incumbent state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia. The District includes Ansonia and Derby.

This email is shared from the Jaumann campaign.

Working Families Party endorses Conroy in 105th

The Working Families Party has endorsed Theresa Conroy for state representative in the 105th Assembly District which includes the towns of Seymour, Beacon Falls, and Derby.

State Rep. Theresa Conroy

Conroy was one of the first lawmakers to recognize the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis.  

She has been instrumental in limiting prescriptions to opioids and increasing access to lifesaving overdose reversal medications.

“Representative Conroy is a tireless advocate for working families in her district. She's worked hard to protect funding for hospitals, championed innovative healthcare programs to reduce opioid use in the Valley, and has been an integral player in reviving the manufacturing sector,” said WFP State Director Lindsay Farrell. 

“She's tough and she consistently delivered results, and that's exactly the kind of candidate we endorse. We're proud to support her candidacy.” 

This year, Conroy took on Gov. Malloy as he slashed funding to Griffin Hospital, risking jobs and patient care. 

While Republicans all voted "no," Conroy and her Democratic colleagues restored Griffin's money.

“Working families are the heart and soul of Seymour, Beacon Falls, and Derby,” Conroy said. “I will always fight for you in Hartford."

Conroy has been a vocal proponent of training students in advanced manufacturing and has supported upgrades to programs at NVCC and Platt Tech. 

Conroy is a legislator and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. She worked for 28 years at the VA Health Center in West Haven.

This is a press release from Conroy's campaign.

CT Independent Party endorses Jaumann in 104th

ANSONIA - The Connecticut Independent Party has endorsed Republican Joseph Jaumann for state representative in the 104th District. 

Joseph Jaumann

Jaumann, a political newcomer, is a local attorney and chairman of the Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commission, and his name will now appear on both the Republican and Independent ballot lines on Election Day.

“I’m proud to be endorsed by both the Republican and Independent parties and I look forward to serving the residents of our great community,” Jaumann said. 
“The Independent Party’s goal of non-partisan problem solving is the same approach that I believe in, and it is same the approach that we need in Hartford to move Connecticut in the right direction.”
The Independent Party is the third-largest political party in Connecticut and has endorsed many candidates across the state this year.

It is estimated that Connecticut will face another budget deficit in the 2017 legislative session. In 2011 and 2015, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile sided with Gov. Dannel Malloy, and voted for the two largest taxes in state history.

To that point, Jaumann added, “We need a new start. A leader who will be independent minded and a voice of the people of Ansonia and Derby, and not simply a rubber stamp for the Governor. It is clear that the policy of raising taxes and borrowing to pay for the state’s spending problem isn’t working. We need to have and open and honest discussion about our budget and not wait till the 11th hour to have the conversation. We need to tackle the budget problems in this state head on starting on the first day of the session, so we can start focusing on the future and our children’s futures.” 


This is a press release from the Jaumann campaign.

Ansonia resident qualifies for Citizens Election Program

Joseph A. Jaumann

ANSONIA - Political newcomer Joseph A. Jaumann of Ansonia, a Valley area attorney, announced this week that he qualified for the Citizen’s Election Program grant.

The program, designed to eliminate special interest money from Connecticut campaigns, requires a candidate to raise $5,000 from at least 150 residents of Derby and Ansonia. The maximum donation allowed is $100.

“Qualifying for the CEP grant in such a short period of time like we have is a testament to the people of the 104th wanting change,” Jaumann said. 

“The support we have received up to this point has been amazing. The people want change, and this grant ensures that we will be fighting to bring about that change every day from now until Nov. 8!”

Jaumann continued, "Over the past six years, we have seen the leadership in this state mishandle the budget, raise our taxes, and continue to grow the size of government well beyond our means to support it. Well, enough is enough! The elected officials that made these decisions need to be held accountable."

Jaumann is one of the co-founders of the law firm of Drapp & Jaumann, LLC. He serves as chairman of Ansonia's Planning and Zoning Commission, is a member of the Economic Development Commission, and sits as a hearing officer for Ansonia blight hearing appeals.

He is the former chairman of Ansonia's Zoning Board of Appeals, having been appointed by Mayor James Della Volpe. He is also member of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.


This is a press release from the Jaumann campaign.

Jaumann says Democrats' opposition to mileage tax is not enough

Joseph A. Jaumann

Attorney Joseph A. Jaumann of Ansonia, candidate for state representative in the 104th District, announced Wednesday he is calling on legislative candidates seeking office to join him in his petition to the Governor to not only reject the vehicle mileage tax, but to return the funds received from the federal government to study a vehicle mileage tax, or alternatively, to withdraw the application submitted to the federal government for such funding.

Jaumann noted that both parties seem to have rejected the concept of a vehicle mileage tax. 

In recent days, both Rep. Gentile and Sen. Crisco have issued press releases stating that they are opposed to a vehicle mileage tax. 
Rep. Gentile called the vehicle mileage tax “half-baked and crazy,” and Sen. Crisco said “there is no debate about the possibility of implementing a mileage tax.” 
Jaumann stated, “It’s not enough. We can no longer afford to squander the hard-earned taxpayers’ money to study something our legislators themselves say they have no intention of implementing.”
“For far too long, government at all levels has haphazardly spent the money entrusted to them by the taxpayers. There is no state money or federal money – there is only the taxpayers’ money. If, as our legislators have stated, there is no intention to implement such a tax, then we should withdraw our application for the grant or send the money back. We should not be wasting taxpayers’ money to study something that has no chance of becoming law.”
“When elected, I pledge to do everything I can to prevent the government from wasting taxpayers’ money. That’s why I am calling on all candidates who are in or seeking legislative offices to join my petition to Governor Malloy to reject the concept of a vehicle mileage tax outright and not accept any federal funding to study such a tax. Then we will know whether the opposition to a vehicle mileage tax is real, or just empty words in an election year.”

For a link to the petition please visit @Jaumann2016 on Facebook or @JoeJaumann on Twitter.


This is a press release from Jaumann's campaign.

Derby Town/City Clerk issues reminder on voter registration

Sharing this message from Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

"Good Sunday Afternoon,

"Just a reminder.

"The 2016 Presidential Preference Primary eligibility deadline to register to vote in person at the Office of the Registrar of Voters at Derby City Hall is 12:00 noon on Monday April 25, 2016 – Here is the link to print out the card - http://www.ct.gov/sots/LIB/sots/ElectionServices/ElectForms/electforms/ed671.pdf

"If a person is not already registered to vote or is registered as an Unaffiliated Voter they can register to vote and will be eligible to vote in either the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary on Tuesday April 26, 2016, if they register with either the Democratic Party or Republican Party, in person, by 12:00 noon at the City Hall where they reside.

"In Person, is the key term, the deadline for online registration or mail in registration has passed for the PPP.

"Also, if a person is already registered with either party, it is too late to change registration to vote in the primaries.

"Derby City Hall will be open at 9:00 am on Monday April 26, 2016.

"Here is a link for Election Information on the City of Derby Website. - http://www.derbyct.gov/Election-Information/."

Derby Town/City Clerk shares information on voting in April 26 primary

DERBY - Please click on link below to access information on the upcoming Connecticut Presidential Preference Primary for both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party on Tuesday April 26, 2016 from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.  

Voting will be held at Bradley School and Irving School.

http://www.derbyct.gov/Election-Information/

Please remember that you must be registered with a Party in order to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary.

The PPP eligibility deadline to register to vote online is Thursday April 21, 2016 – Here is the link –https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do

The PPP eligibility deadline to register to vote by mailing in your registration card is Thursday April 21, 2016 – Here is the link to print out a card – http://www.ct.gov/sots/LIB/sots/ElectionServices/ElectForms/electforms/ed671.pdf

The PPP eligibility deadline to register to vote in person at the Office of the Registrar of Voters at Derby City Hall is 12:00 noon on Monday April 25, 2016 – Here is the link to print out the card -http://www.ct.gov/sots/LIB/sots/ElectionServices/ElectForms/electforms/ed671.pdf

Any question may be addressed to either the Registrars of Voters at 203.736.1454 or via email atlpitney@derbyct.gov or egaudio@derbyct.gov .  Louise Pitney is the Democratic Registrar of Voters and Ernestine Gaudio is the Republican Registrar of Voters.

Or  by calling or emailing:

Marc J. Garofalo, MPA

Town / City Clerk

City of Derby

1 Elizabeth Street

Derby, CT 06418

Election night photos from GOP headquarters in Derby

Sam Pollastro, campaign manager for Richard Dziekan, Republican mayoral challenger, fills in numbers Tuesday night at GOP headquarters on Elizabeth Street. At left is Judy Szewczyk reading the vote totals. 

Democrat Mayor Anita Dugatto defeated Dziekan and was re-elected to a second term. 
Unofficial results had Dugatto with 1,464 votes and Dziekan had 1,352.

Dziekan supporters wait for results Tuesday night at GOP headquarters.


Check out the full story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Mayoral candidates to debate in Shelton Monday

Valley voters give thumbs up to Foley

Democrat Gov. Dannel P. Malloy may have won re-election but Republican challenger Thomas Foley proved popular in Valley communities.

Check out reporter Ethan Fry's Valley Independent Sentinel story about the results of Tuesday's election.

Election is over, now back to reality

It was a night for the incumbents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

I congratulate all the winners, including state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, state Rep. Theresa Conroy, and state Rep. Themis Klarides, and remind their challengers "there's always a next time" to vie for a seat in the General Assembly. Two years go by quickly!

No matter who you voted for yesterday, what matters is you took the time to go to the polls and exercise your right to vote.

And those who didn't participate in the process? They really cannot complain about the outcome of the races.

Republican, Democrat, or Independent, liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between, we all live here and are in this together.

Let's hope that our newly-re-elected representatives are ready to tackle the multitude of challenges facing their districts and the state.