2017 Update—September 23rd to October 7th

On Saturday the 23rd I attended the 23rd RD Democratic Committee’s ice cream fundraiser at the George Wilson Center. On Sunday I enjoyed the Taste of Newark event. On Monday the 25th I attended the fundraiser for the Beau Biden Foundation, and enjoyed hearing former President Barack Obama and VP Joe Biden address the attendees. On Tuesday I visited Shue Medill middle school to witness their health fair and EKC screening event, and that afternoon I attended a meeting with DelDOT regarding the 2019 project to address the bridge (actually the culvert) under Paper Mill Road north of Possum Park. On Thursday the 28th I attended a retirement ceremony for a resident who worked at White Clay Creek State Park for his entire career. That evening my aide attended the City of Newark meeting on their stormwater park plans for the former UD Rodney complex.

On Saturday the 30th I attended the annual open house at the Kranz Hill Farm off New London Road, then attended Owners Day at Delaware Park, and afterwards attended the UD football game against James Madison. On Sunday I had lunch with a legislative colleague. On Monday I attended the public workshop on the Paper Mill Road bridge/culvert project, then I attended the special budget meeting of the City of Newark Council, and afterwards attended the monthly meeting of the 23rd RD Democratic Committee. On Wednesday the 4th I hosted my monthly morning coffee at Caffe’ Gelato. I then flew to Lexington, Kentucky to a three day summit on public pension policy. (Back home) on Saturday the 7th I visited Herman’s Quality Meat Shoppe with a tribute to recognize their 50th Anniversary. That afternoon I attended the Indo American Association of Delaware’s Multicultural Festival at Glasgow High School. Saturday evening I attend the annual fundraiser for the Newark Arts Alliance.

Emails—There were several emails to arrange upcoming meetings (as you can see I attend a lot of meetings). There were emails about public education (problems at the Edison charter school, how comprehensive the state’s audits of school districts are).

There were emails about active and recent legislation (HB110, marijuana regulation/legalization/taxation, HB160, End of Life Options Act, HB180, data breach protections, HB165, direct shipment of wine, SB24, medical marijuana for those with PTSD). My bill, HB61, which added the Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity to the Delaware personal income tax return as a checkbox for direction of a portion of your refund was signed into law on September 14th.

There were emails about DelDOT issues (prohibiting trucks on Thompson Station Road except for deliveries, encouraging DMV’s DMV On the Go van to participate at the Ag Day and Newark Community Day events next year, proper speed limits along Thompson Station Road at the entrance to Unami Trail, and maintenance of Harvest Lane. DelDOT completed patching of Valley Road over the culvert near Briar Creek.

There were emails regarding DNREC (about White Clay Creek State Park, HB190, the Coastal Zone Act changes, and staffing requirements for a ‘hike across Delaware’). I have been working with officials with New Castle County regarding necessary actions to take regarding a resident of Chapel Hill who flagrantly disregards property code violations.

I have responded to emails from constituents who seek a US constitutional convention of the states. I share that I do not support this if 1) the goal is for a federal balanced budget amendment, or 2) the convention would be open-ended, and risk turning into a ‘runaway convention.’ Due to my extensive economic background and experience, I feel that a balanced budget requirements, while very appropriate for states, is terrible policy for the federal level, that it would cause minor recessions to turn into full-fledged depressions.

I have worked with the Governor’s office and the Insurance Commissioner’s office regarding a family whose daughter has a medical condition that is not covered by her healthcare plan. We delivered a Governor’s proclamation recognizing PANDAS/PANS Awareness Month, and are discovering whether there is flexibility on the health plan’s coverage of the indicated treatment.

I have had emails with residents where one’s trees overhang the other’s property, and drops branches. We are seeing if we can find an acceptable solution. I have had emails regarding permitting early voting, and automatic voter registration. I have had emails regarding the proposal to rename the West Park Elementary School to name it for filmmaker Ken Burns who attended West Park. I have had emails from a local business owner concerned with the size of her most recent city electric bill.