By Kaelyn DiMartino ’25
For the past two years I have been dedicated to helping my dad, Joseph DiMartino, run for mayor. To me that sounds crazy because we worked so hard and finally got the outcome we have been waiting for. We walked almost every day after school, door to door to spread the word. In 2021, my dad ran for mayor and lost by forty-eight votes. He decided that he was not going to give up and ran again this year. He is so dedicated to the city of Derby and wants the absolute best for the citizens of Derby. The night of the election my dad, his family, and his team were all waiting for the results to come in at headquarters right near City Hall. It was such a stressful, nerve-wracking, but exciting experience. Watching my dad wait for the results was so hard because all he wanted for years was to be the mayor of Derby; it was his dream, and all I wanted was for his dream to come true. We first got the absentee ballot results in and they came back in our favor with one hundred and fourty-two votes. We got the Bradley School results in and they also came back in our favor with six hundred and seventy-three votes. Lastly, we got the Irving School results and they also came back in our favor with four hundred and forty votes too. The voting results for all the candidates were as follows: Joseph DiMartino 1,255, Gino DiGiovanni 656, Richard Dziekan 727, and Sharlene McEvoy 250. That night was such an unforgettable night because it changed not only my dads life but also his family’s lives. I can’t wait to see how much Derby will change for the better with my dad as the Mayor.
Here’s a glimpse into a conversation with the mayor of Derby, Joseph DiMartino:
Kaelyn DiMartino: How do you feel about being elected as the Mayor of Derby?
Joseph DiMartino: I feel very excited, especially knowing I put in a lot of hard work. The people have confidence in me to lead this city, so that’s why they voted for me. I’m looking to start fresh with Derby and make it a better place.
KD: Can you tell me a little bit about how you grew up here in Derby?
JD: I moved to Derby when I was in third grade and went to Derby Public Schools. I played football and I wrestled. In 1985 I was the state champion for wrestling, 140 lb. weight class. I then coached in Derby for many years including being the assistant coach for basketball, wrestling, and the head coach for softball. I worked at the Derby Public Works as well for 34 years.
KD: What do you think makes you different from the previous mayor?
JD: I think my commitment to the city and my willingness to come to work everyday and work hard for the residents of Derby is how I am going to be different. The previous mayor was working part time, and I will be a full time mayor with an open door policy.
KD: What major accomplishments do you plan on getting done in your first year or so?
JD: I plan on trying to straighten out the city finances right now which are in bad shape, and we also need to hire key positions at city hall that have been vacant for over two years.
KD: How do you feel about everyone on your Democratic ticket being elected?
JD: The people sent a message that they want a change and I think that’s why they voted us all in, and now it’s our job to get things done for the residents and work together.
KD: How will that benefit you, all of you being Democrats?
JD: I think we are all on the same page and that we all work together really well, so I think when we put good ideas forward we will back each other and again do what’s best for the residents of this city.
KD: Do you think working in the school system for about a year and half will help you make the school a better place?
JD: I saw how hard the teachers work at the school and I saw what goes on in the school on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Conway and the administrative staff to make the school a better place. I am also going to make monthly visits to the schools and walk through each school every month and show my face, talk to teachers, and talk to administrators to see what I can do to help the schools.
KD: Do you think being on the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen for ten years and being president for the last two of those years will benefit you?
JD: I do. I have learned a lot in the ten years I have sat on the board. I learned how city government works, so I’m not going into this blind. I do have some sense of what goes on in city government, so I plan to use that as an advantage.
KD: What do you think about voters mostly voting Democratic?
JD: I just think that they wanted a change. They have had enough of the past administration for six years and they wanted a change, so that’s how they voted.
KD: How will having so much support from the state really help Derby?
JD: I think that the state representatives, senators, lt. governor, and governor have all come down to support me during my campaign, so I think when the city tries to start getting back to where we were as far as finances goes, and maybe going for state grants and state money, I think it’ll be easier that way because I have a good relationship with them.
KD: How has your family helped you with the election?
JD: My family helped by supporting me. I had two of my daughters Lacey and Kaelyn who walked a lot of streets with me, going door to door, so those two were a big help to me. Ultimately just having my whole family backing me was very important.
KD: How does your family feel about you becoming the Mayor of Derby?
JD: They are really excited and proud of me. They are hoping that I do a really good job for Derby.
KD: If you had to tell the Derby citizens one thing what would it be?
JD: Thank you for having the confidence in me to vote me the next mayor of Derby!
The Raider Press 