2015 Update—April 5th to 17th

On Monday the 6th I met with a resident and representatives of the city to discuss a dock the resident has in Christina Creek.  We were tentatively able to identify a compromise that all parties found acceptable.  That evening I attended the monthly meeting of the 23rd RD Democratic Committee.  On Tuesday the 7th I attended and spoke at a meeting of the Cecil County council, which was considering a zoning change for a parcel just across the state line from our district.  On Wednesday the 8th I attended a fundraiser fashion show at the Chase Center.  On Thursday the 9th I attended a class that Pam leads teaching English to adults, through LVSA, Literacy Volunteers Serving Adults (see http://www.litvolunteers.org/Pages/default.aspx), and discussed local, state, and federal government, and civic engagement.  On Friday the 10th I met with a constituent who organized a fundraising memorial 10K in Middle Run County Park, then held our regular Newark area meeting on homelessness, and then drove to Wilmington to meet two members of the Wilmington Education Advisory Council, to discuss an education public policy matter.  On Saturday the 11th I drove to Dover to attend the Youth in Government event, and later stopped by the UD Health Expo at the STAR Campus.

On Monday the 13th I participated in the meeting of the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence.  On Tuesday evening I attended the last meeting of the Enrollment Preferences Task Force.  On Wednesday the 15th I held a phone call with an educator to discuss the upcoming IEP legislation.  That evening I addressed the monthly meeting of the Delaware Libertarian Party (we agree on much and we disagree on much).  On Thursday I joined the Governor and Representative Jaques at an event at Solar City’s new Newark facility, and then met with DelDOT’s ADA Title II Coordinator, to learn more about the state’s progress in addressing shortcomings in its ADA compliance.  That evening I attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Delaware Better Business Bureau.  On Friday the 17th I attended a legislative breakfast at Nemours children’s hospital, attended the unveiling of the historic plaque at the Newark Train Station, visited the Brennan school which serves students across the county who are on the autism spectrum, and taped two segments for the Comcast Newsmakers program.

I have worked on the Aid in Dying bill, working with the House attorney to incorporate stakeholder input, working with supporters who were interviewed by reporters, speaking on this topic on WDEL’s Al Mascitti show, and working on an opinion letter I wrote which was published today.  Tentatively, there will be a forum at the University of Delaware on Wednesday evening, May 6th, to explore this topic further.

I worked with Representative Sean Lynn to issue a joint letter congratulating the Delaware Library Association on their earning a national award.  I helped to finalize the report of the education task force which I chair.  The report will be distributed next week.

I have tried to connect people to needed resources.  One had to do with services for a woman with a PFA, protection from abuse, order, one had to do with a manufactured homeowner who needs financial assistance to enable them to make needed repairs, and one had to do with the steps required monthly of a person who was found guilty of a sex offense in another state.  I have passed resident questions ‘up the chain,’ including a question regarding the herbicide Roundup, the response from the Red Clay School District to a parent’s request to opt-out their child from the Smarter Balanced standardized test this Spring, one was from a grandparent whose grandson had reported bullying at his school, one to help a resident learn when the Lyme Disease task force (and its subcommittees) would be meeting, requesting a Governor Proclamation of the 2015 Day of Reason on May 7th, and several were requests from state employees and state retirees who are concerned with the possible sharp increase in their healthcare costs.  I have been working to help the Newark Housing Authority, getting a commission re-appointed, and seeking a candidate for an open commissioner position.

I have been working on addressing potholes and drainage issues raised by district residents.

I have worked with several groups to support the relocation of a pedestrian (hiking) crossing on Hopkins Road, to improve its safety.  The timing is critical here, as on June 6th there will be a celebration at the tri-state marker of the 250th anniversary of the Mason Dixon trail.  Yes, 250th anniversary.

I have been working on two bills, one to establish a Delaware Commission on Indian Heritage and Culture, and one to add a group to the White Clay Creek Governor’s Advisory Council.  I am working on an amendment to the IEP bill, one on a vo-tech bill, and one on the e-cigarette bill

The midwifery licensure bill, House Bill 70, is on Tuesday’s House agenda.  I created an amendment to address a mistake in the original bill, regarding the process an applicant must follow to obtain a criminal background check.