Volunteer Firefighter Announces Derby Mayoral Run

DERBY, CT — Volunteer firefighter Brian Coppolo announced that he is aiming to get the Democratic Party endorsement for mayor of Derby.

Coppolo's father Allen was chief of the Derby Fire Department and several other family members have been Derby residents and business owners.

“It’s going to take the collective might of smart and competent city staff to seek out opportunities and focus on long term responsible solutions for our home city," Coppolo said in a statement. "It is a choice to continue down a path of short-term solutions and mismanagement or take the road recently less traveled. I choose the road less traveled."

Below is Coppolo's announcement letter:

I am announcing today my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Derby.
As a loyal resident of Derby, my love for our city causes me to be deeply concerned about its future at this critical time. My career in the professional fire as well as years as a volunteer firefighter reflects a strong personal desire to serve the public.
If my career of service has taught me anything, it’s that we live in a world far bigger than just ourselves and our narrow individual interests. We all live within a community that thrives or fails depending on a collective effort.

The City of Derby, my community, is where my friends and family are. I have called Derby home for most of my life. I am tied to this city in more ways than one can fathom. I grew up listening to fantastic stories of the bustling city that was once was. I learned of trolley cars, streets lined with shops, sidewalks crowded with life, theaters, hotels, restaurants, and social halls giving vibrant life to a small but dynamic city.

This community has a fantastic story. A story of strong people who worked together to make a historic impact on the surrounding communities, our state and our country. The place we call Derby was tamed from the wilderness by traders and trappers. With great inner strength, resolve, and hope for a bountiful future, these early settlers carved a future that would persevere through a war of independence and lay the groundwork for an industrial revolution. The history of this city and other like it is important to our nation.

My grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles were born in this community and raised here. They chose to stay and set down roots here. They invested in this community with the faith that their confidence in Derby would provide a good future for them.
They believed that Derby would provide strong property values, adequate municipal services and a future for their children greater than they had.
It's unfortunate to see the state of things now. People are looking to leave their lifelong homes to search for a more sustainable life. Whether it be in retirement or moving on for a better career, families that have given this community so much are now forced look elsewhere.

We are at a crossroads. This city has so much potential. Derby is located on a corridor of road and rail that ties our state together. We have an opportunity to take advantage of our unique and ideal location to promote smart development in industrial, commercial, and residential opportunities.
We have an opportunity to work with state and regional organizations to create future that benefits not only the few but all city residents. We have an opportunity to bring the services of a free market to new private development, increase property values, stabilize mill rates, and in turn
provide better municipal services to all residents.

By reforming City Hall and recruiting the talents of those who wish to help Derby, regardless of political party, we can turn our city around. It’s not only creative thinking that’s going to get us to a better future; it's also going to take hard work and effort.

It’s going to take the collective might of smart and competent city staff to seek out opportunities and focus on long term responsible solutions for our home city. We are at a crossroads. A choice to continue down a path of short term solutions and mismanagement, or take the road recently
less traveled. That road requires smart investments, strong leadership, competent minds, and unique solutions to take a turn to get us on the right path forward to prosperity.
I ask for your support and your help as we put forth a program for a Better Derby to our citizens in the months ahead.

Thank you very much.