Common Cause Delaware Honors Marion Stewart With Their 2012 Public Service Achievement Award

Common Cause Delaware is honoring long-time Civic League  lobbyist, Marion C. Stewart:

2012 Good Government Tribute Award Dinner

Thursday, November 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Christiana Hilton
100 Continental Drive, Newark, DE 19713

Join Common Cause Delaware to honor Ralph J. Begleiter with the John Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Begleiter successfully used the Freedom of Information Act in 2004-2005 to prompt public release of hundreds of photos taken by the U.S. government of fallen American soldiers returning home in flag-draped caskets. 

We will also honor Marion C. Stewart with the Public Service Achievement Award.

"Marion Stewart has been a tireless advocate in New Castle County as well as state government for more than fifty years and deeply involved in numerous organizations and citizens groups pushing for reform on good government issues, land use and transparency.

Ms. Stewart has been extensively active in the AAUW including federal and state policy chair as well as State Legislative Chairman.

Ms. Stewart has also been an active member in other government watchdog groups and a constant observer in Dover including involvement through the Delaware Nature Society Advocacy Committee, the Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH), and the Civic League for New Castle County."

Click here to RSVP to the Tribute Awards Dinner

Public Comment For DelDOT's Traffic Impact Studies Regulation Amendments Due Today

RE: Draft of proposed changes to Chapter 2 of DelDOT’s Standards and Regulations for Subdivision Streets and State Highway Access

T. William Brockenbrough, Jr., P.E., AICP

County Coordinator

Division of Planning

Delaware Department of Transportation

Bill, 

The public comment period closes on Oct. 20, 2012. Please include my comments below into the record. These comments follow those submitted to you by Chuck Mulholland on behalf of the Civic League for New Castle County.

There is far too much ambiguity retained in these proposed changes. In the following comments, I will delineate where I believe the level of specificity is unacceptable to the citizens of Delaware and indicate what must be amended further for clarity and certainty.

 - The first problematic ambiguity is the ill-defined "some measure of pubic involvement" as stated or implied throughout this document. The exact nature of public involvement must be defined within these Regulations for Traffic Impact Studies, Level of Service and in the planning of TIDs. A set schedule of public hearings for these project considerations must be included in these Regulations.

 - Concurrency means that road improvements will be paid for and implemented ahead of or during the construction of a project. A by-right plan can only be given permits for occupancy when the infrastructure is in place. There should be no wiggle room in TID funding schemes for concurrency. 

 - The true measure of the regional impact of a combination of projects within a TID cannot be limited to a "3rd Road Out" per project and still make sense - Sec. 2.5.2.2. 

 - Also, the use of may rather than must is a problem throughout this document. To assure public certainty and confidence that the procedures will not be applied subjectively, may is acceptable terminology.

• Service Standards MUST include Level of Service - Sec. 2.2.5.
• A new TIS MUST be required if projected future conditions have changed significantly - Sec. 2.13.2.6. 
• A TIS MUST be required for all large redevelopment projects - Sec. 2.1.

Thank you,

Nancy Willing

5 Francis Circle

Newark, DE 19711

New Castle County Civic League County Candidate Night Coverage

We'll have the YouTube videos up soon on the Civic League website and blog!


(WDEL) Jim Hilgen reports ~ VIDEO: County Exec candidates debate - Democrat Tom Gordon and Republican Mark Blake offered their views on development, workforce housing, public safety and jobs......The debate was moderated by WDEL's Allan Loudell.
 
 And VIDEO: County Council candidates debate - The men vying for the County Council president seat and looking Council's 9th District shared the stage for a debate in Price's Corner Wednesday night.

The event was also covered by the Community News ~ New Castle County Civic League hosts County Council debate