s Ansonia Democratic Town Committee

Fighting for a Sustainable Future for Ansonia

While we are relieved to see Patricia Fers resign, we are deeply saddened that it took a national
crisis for her to feel pressured enough to do so. Ms. Fers is infamous for her well-documented
prejudice and racism, with articles over the years in the CT Post and Courant, dating back to as
early as August of 2017. Ansonia Democrats and members of the public have spoken out
repeatedly as Ms. Fers has attacked, degraded, and disparaged people of color, the immigrant
community, the gay community, and even underage victims of sexual assault with her posts,
tweets, and comments on social media. What must be highlighted is that, despite complaints from
the public on her very public racism, Ansonia GOP stayed silent, allowing Ms. Fers to continue in
her leadership role as State Central coordinator, representing the Ansonia GOP to the state party,
and Mayor Cassetti even appointed Fers to boards and commissions. As the party governing of the
City of Ansonia, their silence is compliance with the systemic racism and inequities that have been
hurting and killing historically disenfranchised groups of people.

Our question is simple – why now has the Mayor decided to address Ms. Fers’ very public
discriminatory behavior, when Team Cassetti and the Ansonia GOP knew of it for years, and they
never denounced her actions; instead, she was elevated and kept as part of Team Cassetti and
Ansonia GOP. It brings us no joy to share these facts, but enough is enough! If Mayor Cassetti
and the Ansonia GOP are to say hatred has no home in Ansonia then it is their responsibility as
the governing party of Ansonia to act swiftly and effectively against the perpetuation of hate,
division, and violence towards groups of Ansonia residents. it is unfortunate that Ms. Fers found
a safe haven for her views and words within our local republican party. Going forward we hope to
see swift and meaningful action from the Mayor and the Ansonia GOP on the issue at hand, and
will continue to advocate, as we have done for years, for ALL of Ansonia’s residents.

Leslie Navarrete, Democratic Town Committee Chair

Gary Farrar Jr., Democratic Town Committee Vice Chair