2016 Update—October 1st to 21st

On Saturday the 1st I had a meeting in Wilmington related to the direct wine shipment issue, and afterwards attended the memorial ceremony for the two firefighters who perished on the job the prior week.  On Monday the 3rd I met with Rep Kim Williams and leaders of the Office of Animal Welfare.  That evening I attended the first meeting of the task force on which I serve which is exploring bringing college wrestling to our state.  On Tuesday I hosted a stakeholder meeting for the direct wine shipment issue.  That evening I attended a fundraiser for colleagues in Dover, and then attended a Newark event sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Delaware.  On Wednesday the 4th I hosted my monthly constituent coffee at Caffe’ Gelato.  I had invited Lt. Fred Nelson from the Newark Police Department to discuss the Cleveland Avenue task force.

On Tuesday the 11th I met with several teachers from Germany who are at UD in a cultural exchange.  We discussed the political process, and, of course, the upcoming Presidential election.  On Wednesday I had lunch with a member of the Newark City Council.  On Sunday the 16th I door knocked throughout the Woods at Louviers with Senator Dave Sokola.

On Monday the 17th I attended the annual Jefferson Jackson event hosted by the state Democratic Party.  On Tuesday I attended the Kent County meeting organized by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit for residents of manufactured housing communities.  On Wednesday the 19th I door knocked at Main Towers and at Regency Square Apartments with Senator Dave Sokola.  Later I met with a second cohort of teachers from Germany and had another wonderful conversation.  That evening I attended the UD debate with leading candidates for Governor and US Representative, sitting in the front row (thanks, AARP!), and then attended two Presidential debate watch parties.  On Thursday I attended the ground breaking ceremony/celebration at the new Food Bank of Delaware location.  On Friday I attended a quarterly meeting of the Newark Interagency Council which explores homelessness issues, then met with the Delaware SPCA, and ended the day with a meeting on a new program for owners of manufactured homes which need some rehab/fixup.

Emails

During the past three weeks I have had many, many emails.  Some related to long-term projects, medical aid in dying, medical marijuana, direct shipment of wine, Medicaid reimbursement of ambulance runs by volunteer fire companies, the charter/district funding controversy, the Tri-Valley Trail and extended trail hours in White Clay Creek State Park, reassessment of manufactured homes in Kent and Sussex counties, and the civil forfeiture bill.

Some issues related to the city, including whether city repaving projects are subject to prevailing wage rules.

Some were related to the county, including the proposed redevelopment of Whitemans Garage into a CVS at the corner of Corner Ketch & Paper Mill Road.  My legislative aide delivered my letter opposing the change to the county Land Use committee this week.

Some dealt with DelDOT—repaving projects for 2017, repaving projects which are finishing up this year, and two drainage problems.

Some dealt with constituent concerns on many issues, including national popular vote, gas tax, prioritizing funding for the state’s Open Space program, residency requirements of school board members, concerns with poor timing of Newark-area traffic lights, and excessive fees on cell phone contracts.