On Sunday the 23^rd I attended a Diwali celebration held by DAABA, the Delaware Asian American Business Association.  On Monday the 24^th I attended a DelDOT public information meeting on the proposed project on Elkton Road which will affect driving at least in 2018 and 2019.  On Tuesday the 25^th I had a breakfast meeting with local Democratic leaders.  That evening I attended a meeting of the Newark chapter of the NAACP and then attended the quarterly meeting of the White Clay Creek advisory council.  On Wednesday the 26^th I served as Principal for a Day at Shue-Medill Middle School.  On Thursday I attended a meeting on fairness in funding for public education.  That afternoon I attended a meeting of stakeholders from the Newark area on honoring the rich history of the African American community in the area of the George Wilson Center.  That evening I attended an education forum hosted by the Friends of Christina School District, held at Kirk Middle School.  On Friday the 28^th I attended a meeting of Delaware’s Homeless Planning Council, and met with a legislative leader, both in Dover.

On Sunday the 30^th I joined Senator Sokola, US Senator Carper and others for a Diwali celebration at the BAPS Delaware site near the airport.  That afternoon I enjoyed the annual Newark Halloween Parade (and afterwards hosted a fundraiser at the Deer Park).  On Tuesday I had a meeting on funding for public education in the morning, met in the afternoon with a UD student researching the issue of untested rape kits in Delaware, and attended an event for Matt Meyer (who is running for County Executive) at the UAW hall.  On Wednesday morning we hosted our monthly constituent coffee at Caffe’ Gelato.  That afternoon I attended a ribbon cutting for the Governor Jack Markell trailway from the riverfront through the marsh and river towards New Castle.  That evening I served as a panelist on education funding hosted by the Progressive Democrats for Delaware.  On Thursday I attended a Community Resource Fair at the UD STAR campus hosted by Bayada Nurses.  On Sunday I attended a welcome home ceremony for units of the Delaware Air National Guard, and I attended and participated in a presentation and discussion on the Medical Aid in Dying issue.

 

Emails

In the past two weeks I have emailed on a large range of topics.  These included concerns over the installation of an ADA ramp in Nonantum Mills, joining several area colleagues in voicing our opposition to the proposed land use zoning change which would permit the building of a CVS at Dempsey’s Garage (the New Castle County Council approved it anyway), a drainage issue along Mason Drive, the painting of a school crossing zone, exploring stop signs in Elan to improve safety for children, continuing to determine if anything can be done with a rundown property in Chapel Hill, asked the county police to more closely track speeding along Paper Mill Road north of Possum Park Drive, concerns regarding an international issue (Palestine), concern over water utility rates for a city resident, prioritizing protection of Delaware’s open space, getting a local business certified as a Woman Business Enterprise, how DVR assists those with physical disabilities to find work, determining the status of the redevelopment of the Elks Club property, raising several traffic concerns (often the timing of lights) throughout Newark which DelDOT

I joined several area colleagues in asking for clarification that the state’s FOIA laws were being properly followed by public bodies.  I also joined several area colleagues in voicing our opposition to the proposed land use zoning change which would permit the building of a CVS at Dempsey’s Garage (the New Castle County Council approved it anyway).  I am also working with a colleague on common concerns over the Cleveland Avenue traffic planning proposals.