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| Derby BOA following their leader |
Zeke, the local boy who was elected largely due to the pretense of doing whatever is right for Derby has failed miserably in his first opportunity to demonstrate that point by firing Derby native Anthony DeFala as the Director of Public Works.
The reason this move has triggered a reaction of anger and disappointment is because DeFala did a great job.
In America, one of our core values is that if one does a good job, one will be rewarded or compensated. This decision rips that core value many of us feel and believe from deep inside our hearts. A good man, a native son, did a great job and his thanks is, "don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out?" It's un-American.
Don't think so?
Below are the Mayor's words from a guest column he wrote after a thief was fired:
Firing an employee on the eve of her father’s funeral is heartless, tactless and simply inconsistent with the values of the Derby community. In fact, it’s at odds with the values of any American community.
Could it not be argued that firing a hard-working man who did a terrific job is also inconsistent with the values of the Derby community and in fact, is at odds with the values of the American community?
During the campaign season, others argued about fund balances, redevelopment, taxes, Marshall Lane Manor, Big Y, and crime, but one thing was clear...the streets and parks of Derby have looked terrific these past four years.
DeFala and his crew made improvements at Witek Park, the Athletic complex, the streets, the sidewalks, and other projects that beautified the city. One project that hasn't been mentioned is the major flooding issue corrected by Anthony and his crew near B Street.
B Street flooding was a major project. Most municipal public works departments would have passed this problem to engineering services or would have hired a private contractor to remediate the issues.
Anthony met the challenge head-on and within one-month, he graded, diverted water, installed new catch basins, and solved a flooding issue that had plagued that neighborhood for years...all within budget.
The "new direction" reasoning provided by the new mayor is a cop out. The way the charter is currently written allows the mayor to appoint whoever he wants to the post of Director of Public Works. It could be argued, however, that with great power comes great responsibility. In this case, the new mayor simply blew it.
The new BOA do not get a free pass on this issue.
Each member of the BOA represent 11% of the residents of Derby. Based on the outpouring of emotions, it is surprising that not even a single member of our representatives had a thing to say about Mr. DeFala's termination.
Folks, we need leaders, not lemmings.
