Patch Candidate Profile: George Kurtyka, Derby Alderman

DERBY, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Derby and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Shelton-Derby Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat George Kurtyka is a Derby resident running for the Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen in the Second Ward.

Education

City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice Master of Arts.

What is your occupation?

Retired Senior Investigator over 31 years of service.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife and One son and One daughter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Presently the Board Secretary of the Derby Board of Education. Served the last 14 years on the Derby BoE.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

Having the financial responsibility for the operation of the Derby Public School District the last 14 years along with my fellow board members would make me a great asset in running the City of Derby and their financial difficulties.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The financial instability of the City of Derby finances. As you are aware the State of Connecticut Municipal Accountability Review Board has taken control of the cities finances. If successful elected, I would work with my fellow elected officials to review the cities finances to see where the problems exist.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are several people running for reelection as Aldermen on the Democratic ticket In Derby representing the three different wards the city is divided into. My 14 years serving on the Derby Board of Education in numerous roles plus my 2 years prior experience on the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation makes me a qualified candidate to seek a position on the Derby Board of Alderman/Alderwomen.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

There are no incumbents running on the Republican ticket for Second Ward Alderman.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Increasing the tax base and property tax relief for our residents. Also fully fund the Derby Fire Department and Derby Public Works Departments.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My 14 years serving on the Derby Board of Education fighting for funding of our public school system. We have received zero percent increased funding from the City of Derby five out of the last six years. The board fought with the assistance of parents and the majority of tax board members to fully fund our 2023-2024 budget.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Represent all the people in your city the best you can. Be respectful as these are the people that elect you to represent them. Listen to their concerns and respect their views.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have served the City of Derby since 1976. First as a Supernumerary Police Officer and then promoted to Grade A officer and finally retiring as a Grade A Detective in 2008. I just completed 50 years of service as a member of the Derby Fire Department. I also retired from Yale New Haven Health as the Senior Investigator after 31 years of service investigating corporate thefts and Medicare and Prescription Fraud, to name a few with the cooperation of state and federal law enforcement agencies.