On Monday the 14th I attended the first meeting of the semester for the UD College Democrats, I then stopped by the Newark City Council meeting to share some thoughts on the proposed rezoning for the Newark County Club, and I next attended the 23rd Rep District Democratic Committee meeting. On Tuesday I attended a DART meeting at the WILMAPCO office in Newark, to learn about proposed revisions to bus (and train) routes in New Castle County. On Thursday morning I had breakfast with two from the healthcare field, to discuss end of life care and palliative care, I then taped two segments of Comcast Newsmakers program, and that afternoon I attended a legislator briefing by DelDOT to learn about the steps that they are taking now that the General Assembly worked together to provide funding necessary for our roads and bridges.
On Sunday the 20th I attended Newark Community Day and afterwards I attended a reception for supporters of the Newark Symphony Orchestra. On Monday I attended and spoke at a public meeting hosted by the city of Newark to explore the refuse collection privatization proposal. On Tuesday I attended a donor appreciation reception at the Newark Senior Center. On Thursday I met with several individuals at the Newark County Club to explore additional options to redevelopment. Afterwards Charlie Copeland and I were guests at Chris Counihan’s US government class at UD. Later that afternoon I attended a project kickoff at Delaware State University for a project involving a new technology that a Newark couple has invented, to provide low-cost aeration for ponds. On Friday I dropped off chocolates for the teachers at Newark High School (for a teacher appreciation event), and I then met a legislative colleague to discuss the upcoming year in Dover.
Email Update
I have raised several issues with staff at the City of Newark, including handicap accessibility at Newark Shopping Center, the possible closure of the grocery store at Fairfield Shopping Center, the possible development of the Newark Country Club, the privatization of the refuse collection service in town, a potential water line leak causing road damage, funding for the Hope Dining Room by the Community Block Grant/Revenue Sharing committee.
I have emailed with a friend regarding available space in the district for an area church to rent on Sundays.
I emailed with a resident regarding an odd ‘unclaimed property’ policy for an investment company he uses. I worked with another legislator’s aide on a resident concern with threatened electricity shutoff in their home.
I have been emailing with DelDOT and DNREC, requesting that they advance the process of turning over roads from DelDOT to DNREC for roads within state park property which DelDOT has no apparent interest in maintaining.
I forwarded an answer to a resident’s concern regarding home and community-based services for those with disabilities. I also forwarded an answer to a resident’s question regarding state assistance for first-time homebuyers.
I have worked with my aide, with DelDOT, with Senator Sokola, and with the City of Newark, on planning for the funding of several road repairs in the district for next year. I have also been working with DelDOT to advance their planned work on Christina Parkway and on Elkton Road, stretches with very serious potholes and a high level of traffic. I have reached out to DelDOT regarding the odd bike lane markings done just to the east of the tunnel on Casho Mill Road.
I have discovered that DNREC has done nothing for three months to advance the Tri Valley Trail project, and I have shared by displeasure in this inaction.
I have been working with colleagues on potential legislation on library privacy, on organ donation, on better coordination between public schools and the DAPI program serving students who are pregnant, and spreading the word regarding a picnic held by a veterans umbrella group,
I have fielded several emails regarding the raises provided by leadership, without legislator knowledge, to legislative staff over the past year, and researched some of the budgetary background to the raises.