Resident Asks Selectmen to Denounce Racist Flyers - See First Selectman's Response

By Jody Dietch, ODTC Chair (published on Facebook)

October 18: At the July Board of Selectmen meeting there was a discussion and decision that a statement would be issued by the First Selectman denouncing the racist antisemitic hate flyers that were distributed during the town’s July 4th celebration.

At the September meeting, Mr. Zeoli was asked about the statement, to which he replied that it was sent to the New Haven Register. When asked why it wasn’t sent to the local papers, the First Selectman said he missed their deadlines. It was suggested it’s never too late to denounce hate.

At 9 am on September 12, I sent a Freedom of Information request via email to the First Selectman “requesting the opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that are communications including emails between your office, including from you and your Administrative Assistant Ann Denny to the New Haven Register between the dates of July 1, 2025 and September 10, 2025.”

In addition, please note “the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act requires a response within four business days.” I also sent this request via regular mail, return receipt and have documentation showing Ann Denny signed for this September 18.

I received a reply Thursday, September 18 via email that my FOI request had been received and “The town will provide the request within the allowed time period.” I never heard anything more so I questioned the First Selectman at the October 8th Board of Selectmen meeting. You can watch that here.

Please note, as of today, Saturday, October 18, which also happens to be No Kings Day, I have not heard a word on fulfilling this FOI request.

I wonder how often our First Selectman writes to the New Haven Register? I suspect not often so it shouldn’t take long to send me the requested information unless it doesn’t exist???

October 23: If you have followed my thread, you know I sent a Freedom of Information request to First Selectman Jim Zeoli back in September. At the October 8th Board of Selectmen meeting, I questioned him on the status of a response. Here’s exactly what I asked for: “Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act § 1-200 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that are communications including emails between your office, including from you and your Administrative Assistant Ann Denny to the New Haven Register between the dates of July 1, 2025 and September 10, 2025.”

This is in reference to his claim that he submitted a statement regarding the hate flyers handed out at the July 4th celebration to the New Haven Register. The photos show what I received and that the envelope was run through the postage meter two days before being mailed.

As you can see, it is a statement with no information on it ever being submitted to any news source even though Jim clearly stated he sent it to the New Haven Register.

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Jody shared all of the above on her Facebook page. Select comments from residents:

• Imagine sending correspondence to anyone, in this case a news organization - like this, when it’s missing all of this: your contact information; the date; the recipient’s contact information; a salutation; a closing salutation; your signature.

What a huge embarrassment on this Town. By Char Margal

• I find it difficult to understand how this could have been issued as an official statement from a town representative. For me, this raises two possibilities: either Mr. Zeoli could use some assistance in preparing official communications (a fixable issue) or this message was never sent to anyone beyond Jody (which would be a much more serious concern). By Amy VanZandt

• To show proof of sending an email, one would print or forward the actual email with all the to/from/date info plus include a screenshot of the sent mail as extra confirmation of when it was sent. I agree it would be good to know if/when the other BOS members "signed" it. By Ilene Moyher

• Wow, that language of "sorry for anyone who was offended" is terrible. It should be along the lines of "This flyer came from a group that devalues the lives of people who are not white or Christian or born in the United States, and Orange town leadership is united in rejecting these beliefs. Town leadership will always protect the rights and safety of all Orange residents equally, of all religions and ethnicities, of all races and nationalities. Bigotry is not welcome here." By Marisa Elana James

• Jody, thank you for your persistence. Antisemitism as well other hate speech must be addressed and admonished by all of us. Sad that an elected official cannot answer a simple question as well as be a leader in fighting hate of all types. Stay on it……hold him accountable to the FOI request. By Jay Korman

• This is so disappointing. This request was made in July for a statement condemning hate groups. It’s October. This was clearly not sent to the New Haven Register as stated. The question is why lie about this? By Lauren Gray

• It’s not on letterhead. It’s not addressed to anyone. It’s not dated. There are no signatures. And there is no request for anyone to do anything anywhere in that text. Who does he think he is fooling with this childish nonsense? By Justin Kidder

• No date on the letter, no signatures. Do any of the other selectman know when this was written and if it was sent to the Register? I don’t understand how people constantly vote for dishonest people like Jim. By Rob Hames