A Success Story

I received a complaint through my Alderman Art's Talk Derby To Me Facebook page about 1-month ago concerning flooding on B Street. Apparently, whenever there was a heavy rain, the neighborhood flooded. Not only did I receive a written complaint, but I received an actual video that demonstrated the water rushing down from Hawthorne Ave was causing the B Street area to flood.

Water flowing from Hawthorne

I asked the person to give me some time to talk to the right people and see if we could get the situation rectified.

The next morning, I stopped at the Public Works garage and showed the video to the Director. He asked for 2-weeks so that he could finish some other projects. Next, I informed the Mayor that I had made a request of the Director of Public Works and she did what any good chief executive does, she let her people do their job without micro-managing them.

Exiting the hill onto B Street

I assured the citizen we would be on top of this but we needed a couple of weeks.

He said thanks and I realized the clock was ticking.

Now, I've been around long enough to know that when a contractor asks for 2-weeks, it does not necessarily mean 2-weeks. I was formulating a strategy that would allow me to save face with the citizen while trying to motivate DPW but all the while being mindful of not pushing too hard to get the project going.

The aftermath

I can honestly say there was no need for running all of these scenarios in my mind. At the 2-week period, I called DPW to inquire about the project. I was informed that they had already started moving their equipment to the site.

Next, I was told the project was moving along but had been hampered a bit by some heavy rains we had experienced last week in the region.

At the beginning of this past week, I received a photo showing that a lot of work had been done and that DPW was nearly finished. I was excited and wanted to share their photos, but Director DeFala asked that I hold off until the project was completed.






Below are some pictures while the Public Works crew were on site this past week.

Water rushing down this week

Beginning of week with sewage drain cleared

The completed project

I am extremely proud of our City of Derby Public Works team. Their Director, Anthony DeFala is top-notch and has never failed to deliver when I've asked him to do something for the citizens of Derby.

I'd also like to thank Mayor Dugatto. While she has been focused on the big picture items like securing 5-million dollar grants for redevelopment, bringing in new businesses, and selling parcels that have for too long been unproductive, she's recognized the talented people running her departments and has allowed them to use their skills to make Derby a better place.

A final thought. I would say this is a success story. An issue was communicated to someone who represents them at the city level. The issue was brought to the attention of the people who could resolve the issue and through communication, respect, and pure good old-fashioned hard work, mission accomplished.

Not all complaints can be resolved as quickly as in this example, but I guarantee to listen. I guarantee I'll do everything in my power to move items forward. Derby has some great people working for them. The next time you have a gripe, a complaint, or even a compliment (yes, we do accept compliments), do yourself a favor and Talk Derby To Me.

Congratulations to the new principal of St. Mary-St. Michael School

(L-R) Chris Clark, Donna Carloni, Sue Goncalves,Linda Coppola, Patsy Gerckens, and Grace Torres

I would like to give a huge welcome to the newly announced principal of St. Mary-St. Michael School…Grace Torres.

Father Tiano, the pastor of St. Mary parish appointed a search committee for the next principal once current principal, Linda Coppola announced she was retiring at the end of the school year. The committee was chaired by Patti Tiezzi, the principal of St. Rita’s in Hamden and consisted of members of both St. Mary and St. Michael parishes.

I was fortunate to be a member of the original principal search committee seven years ago that selected Mrs. Coppola. At that time, I told the committee, "this is a no-brainer, cancel the rest of the candidate interviews because we have our principal."

Likewise, I was appointed to this most recent principal search committee and as soon as Grace expressed interest in the position, I thought back to my youth when "Dandy Don Meredith" would sing on Monday Night Football, "...turn out the lights, the party's over" when the outcome of the game was in hand.

Grace's story is a testament to her faith and her parents.

Her parents search for the American Dream led them from Equador to Derby, to a small house on the corner of 6th and Anson Street. Both parents believed in faith-based education and worked countless hours in order to send Grace and her siblings to St. Mary-St. Michael School. Interestingly, Grace graduated from St. Mary-St. Michael School in 1989 and was a member of the first graduating class of the newly merged St. Mary's and St. Michael's schools.

Grace graduated from Derby High School in 1993 and as class president led her class onto the Ryan Athletic Complex at DeFilippo Field for commencement.

After high school, Grace started her own family. She and her husband (Eduardo) have two daughters (Makayla and Adrianna). Makayla graduated from St. Mary-St. Michael School and is currently attending Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Adrianna is currently enrolled in St. Mary-St. Michael School.

I'm sure I ran into Grace a time or two while my daughters attended the school, but it wasn't until the school found itself in financial trouble in 2010, that I really took notice of her and became intrigued with her seemingly unending source of energy and positivity.

Grace was part of a group of parents who created a financial plan that was accepted by the Archbishop of Hartford that ultimately saved the school.

It's a shame to say she was a part of a group...she was a leader and one of the driving forces behind the plan to save the school. She spent countless hours developing and communicating the plan to the other parents. She number crunched and pitched different types of fundraising efforts (including our now famous Housy River Duck Race) to keep the school afloat.

It wasn't until the school was given a reprieve that Grace really came into her own. She ran most fundraisers, and helped compile lists of alumni from the old school records. She ate, slept, and breathed St. Mary-St. Michael School often with her two young daughters in tow.

She worked in the school office for a period of time and was able to witness first-hand the wonderfulness that is our current principal, Linda Coppola.

While working at the school, she decided to go back to college and she received a B.A. in Spanish from Sacred Heart University.

She received her M.A.T (Master of Arts in Teaching) in May of 2015 from Sacred Heart University and is currently pursuing her 6th Year Reading and Language Development certification from Fairfield University while teaching at Derby's Irving School.

Again, let's not forget that while getting these advanced degrees, she continued to raise her family and stay involved with the school.

I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about Grace that makes one want to give even more of themselves than they thought possible. I suppose if she could overcome all the obstacles placed in front of her (including the sudden loss of her beloved father) and still be so optimistic and driven to succeed then surely we all can.

I am glad to have worked so closely with Mrs. Coppola these past seven years. During the school's time of need, Mrs. Coppola stepped up big time and turned the school around. I am sad to see Mrs. Coppola leave, but happy and wish her nothing but the best during her retirement. I am sure she has satisfaction knowing her efforts have resulted in the revival of the school.

I believe the committee got it right by selecting Grace to lead the school for the next generation. I know she can count on the support of the community to keep her head held high as she takes over the reigns of this magical place we call St. Mary-St. Michael School.

After awhile, the community will regard her as I do...Amazing Grace.

Grace will assume her new responsibilities on July 1st.

Good luck and best wishes.