There Is Always A Civic Association That Needs Your Help! Come To The HRB Meeting 7PM Dec. 18th And Support Westgate Farms And Friends

 Catch up with what's been happening with the historic Coffee Run Mission Farm in Hockessin and the Odyssey Charter School's land development plans:

Odyssey Charter School Plan Goes To The NCC Historic Review Board 7PM Dec. 18th

 

 

The Civic League Is A Proud Sponsor Of DECOG's Elected Officials' Reception Set For 5:30PM Wednesday In Wilmington

Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s

Third Reception For Delaware Elected Officials
Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Dear Friend:

Just a reminder, you are invited to attend The Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s Third Reception for Delaware Elected Officials on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, at the Ed Oliver Golf  Course Restaurant, 800 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. 

All State, County and Municipal officials have been invited to attend this “meet and greet” reception.

There is a $3 admission fee for the public, taken at the door. The reception is an opportunity for you and your friends to discuss with Delaware elected officials issues which are of concern to you today.

*cash bar

The following groups and individuals are co-sponsoring the event, to date:

Charles Brittingham, NAACP; Center for the Inland Bays, Civic League for New Castle County; Bill Cortes;  Bonnie Corwin; Delaware Coalition for Open Government; Delaware Council for Gambling Problems; Delaware Medal of Honor Historical  Association; Delaware Nature Society; Elisa Diller; Harvey Clark Greisman; John Kowalko; Michael Kozikowski; Sandra LaBlanche; League of Women Voters of Delaware;  League of Women Voters of New Castle County Libertarian Party of Delaware; Bayard Marin; David McBride; Ed Osborne; Pacem in Terris; Karen Peterson; Charles Potter; Progressive Democrats for Delaware; Ann Rydgren; Sierra Club; Dave Tackett; Loretta Walsh; WDEL Radio

Sincerely,
John Flaherty, President,
Delaware Coalition for Open Government 
P.O. Box 493
Montchanin, DE 19710-0493


RSVP. Call 302-319-1213 or email jdf0000@aol.com if you wish to attend the event.

                                                                                                                             
Ed Oliver Golf Course Restaurant. 302-571-9041, 800 North Dupont Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807. (1/2 mi. west of Lancaster Ave. 7/10 mi. east of Kennett Pike).

The Delaware Coalition for Open Government, an affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC), is an alliance of journalists, lawyers, business owners, news organizations, elected officials, government employees, civic associations and individuals dedicated to the free flow of public information, which strengthens and energizes a democracy and keeps the process of government truthful and vigorous.

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

CLNCC's New Castle County Candidates Forum Set For 7PM Oct. 17th In Prices Corner

  The Civic League for New Castle County is hosting a

County Candidate Night  

7 - 9 PM 

Wednesday, October 17th

at the Cranston Heights Fire Hall in Prices Corner

3306 Kirkwood Highway  Wilmington, DE 19808

Moderator: WDEL Radio News Personality 

Allan Loudell!!

We'll  be taking questions from the audience so come prepared!

First Panel (7 - 7:45 PM)
New Castle County Council Candidates

Chris  Bullock  - Democratic Council President Nominee
 http://chrisbullock2012.com/

Mike Protack - Republican Council President Nominee
http://www.mikeprotackforcouncil.com/

Tim Sheldon  Democratic Council District 9 Nominee
http://peopleforsheldon.blogspot.com/

Scot Sauer- Republican Council District 9 Nominee


Break (7:45 - 8:15 PM)
Senate-Level Candidates' introductory remarks


Second Panel (8:15 - 9 PM)
New Castle County Executive Candidates

Tom Gordon - Democratic Executive Nominee
http://www.tomgordon2012.com/

Mark Blake - Republican Executive Nominee
http://www.blake4countyexec.com/


for directions -

Cranston Heights Fire Hall

Watch The CLNCC 2012 Delaware Primary Candidate Forum On YouTube!

The Civic League Meeting/Candidate Forum held on Tuesday is now available on Youtube.

We have four videos.

1) Vincent White discusses the role of the Delaware Real Estate Comission and current issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jAAKoKLpDA

2) The Delaware State Legislative Candidate Forum. Six Democratic Party candidates running for different seats in the state legislature discussed issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_qCpf3zUes

3) Candidate Forum For Insurance Comissioner. All four Democratic Primary candidates participated in this forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PAjYlge8PE

4) New Castle County Candidate Forum. The two Democratic candidates for County President and four candidates for County Exec participated in this forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mm7xNWHBJ4

-Dave Tancredi

 

New Castle County Pre-Primary Forum Line Up!

August 15th

WDEL-1150 AM New Castle County Executive Debate 

at the New Castle County Chamber building

12 Penns Way New Castle, DE 19720 (302) 737-4343 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Aired live, listen in! August 20th  Greater Hockessin Area Development Association Forum at the Hockessin Memorial Hall 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Attending: 1st - State Rep District Primary (R) Nick Manolakos & (R) Joe Miro 2nd - County Council President Primary (D) Chris Bullock & (D) Rene Taschner Final - County Executive Primary (D) Paul Clark, (D) Tom Gordon, (D) Jon Husband, (D) Bill Shahan. http://ghadaonline.com/index.html August 21st

Civic League For New Castle County Forum

at the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Building 

100 La Grange Ave

Newark, DE

7:00 PM - 9:00P M

Attending:

James Burton 15th Rep

Bill Dunn 19th Rep

Jim Martin 1st Senate

Claudia Bock and Paul Baumbach 23rd Rep ( they are @ 7PM due to another event)

Tony Deluca and Bryan Townsend 11th Senate

Spinarelli -US Senate

Paul Gallagher, Mitch Crane and Karen Weldin Stewert - Insurance Commissioner

J.Christopher Bullock and Rene Taschner - County Council President

Jonathan Husband, Bill Shahan, Tom  Gordon & Paul Clark - County Executive

http://www.civicleagueforncc.org/index.htm

August 25th

UUFN Social Justice Committee and Newark Post Forum

at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark

420 Willa Road
Newark, Delaware 19711 
302.368.2984 (All Day)

http://www.uufn.org/socialjustice.html

August 28th

Delaware Agents For Change Forum

at the Ezion Fair Baptist Church

1400 B St, Wilmington, DE 19801

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

And don't forget the Community Crossfire Mayoral Debate August 19th on Channel 28 from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM. You can call in your questions, live!

CLNCC Primary Candidate's Forum Set For 7PM August 21st In Bear - Also Woodlawn Trustees Will Discuss Brandywine Area Park

CIVIC LEAGUE FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY 

At 7PM on August 21st, 2012, the Civic League for New Castle County will conduct a candidate forum targeting the primary races for both State and County positions. The candidates will have responded to these questions ahead of time:

Proposed questions for candidates and incumbents at our August Candidate Forum- Charlie Weymouth  

1.  In  three  sentences  or  less,  what  responsibilities  should  the  County uphold and what duties should it carry forth? 

2.  What  incentives  for  economic  improvement  do  you  believe  County government should offer?  To what selective bodies — agriculture, trade, research,  corporate  law,  finance?  Do  you  see  any  importance  of  a residential population growth requiring a precedent economy? 

3. What duties should you perform? Do you foresee needed changes and what should they be? 

4.  Regarding  Land  Use  and  the  present  UDC,  what  does  the  term "concurrence" mean?  Do you believe it is being presently consistently applied?  Do you think the UDC should remain intact?  If not, what changes would you propose? 

5. In land use changes, what infrastructure should be funded?  By who?  Do you think schools, local roads, sewer,  library, police services should be incorporated in the County budget?  Is the present system adequate?  Do you see any problems in traffic flow of our interstate highways due to our directly and immediately adjacent commercial usage? 

6. Should residential growth in our unincorporated areas be encouraged? Who should pay for the infrastructure? 

7. What are the truly 'vital' services the County should perform? 

8. What local services, and for what infrastructure should local residents pay?  Should local taxes be increased if such local services are to be paid by local residents? 

9.  Should  Municipal  and  County  Governments  be  combined  in a Metropolitan  form  to  concentrate  for  efficiency  and  coordination  of services? 

10.  What  do  you  include  as  "infrastructure"  when  speaking  of  Federal,  State,  County,  Municipal government?  What annual contributions into the County Government are Federally and State funded? 

11. Do you think County Government has been best representing your local constituents? 

12.  How  do  you  think reduction  of  our  National  debt  should  impact State  and,  particularly,  County programs? 

13. In establishing a Capital project, due think an inducement for such a project should be to establish and maintain ongoing personnel as a legitimate purpose in founding such project?  Do you see any urgent Capital needs? 

14. Do you believe County Government should endorse "open shop"? 

15. Do  you  believe County  taxpayer  contributions  to retirement  benefits  and  pensions  for County employees are equitable? 

16. Regarding County Police responses, what percent do you believe, result in restraint and arrest? 

17. Should fire response for the County remain essentially volunteer?
  

More  questions for candidates for County office - Fritz Griesinger

1.  Would you support the Delaware State Real Estate Commission seller's disclosure form regarding affordable housing and workforce housing?

2.  Would you support all potential buyers in a workforce / affordable  community be given a disclosure sheet concerning the 15 builder incentives? 

Prior to the forum, we will introduce Vince White, a  member and former President of  the  Delaware Real Estate Commission, and epresentative(s) from the Woodlawn Trustees on the aspect of a new public park in the Brandywine Hundred area.

We will meet at 6:00 PM in the Paris Community Room at Delaware State Police Troop 2
100 LaGrange Avenue (across from Glasgow Regional Park) in Bear

Tentative agenda times:
6:00 PM Woodlawn Trustees
6:30 PM Delaware Real Estate Commission member
7:00 PM primary candidate forum, with questions already distributed to candidates.
9:00 PM Adjournment

In this election year a national business news organization has given Delaware voters important points
to  ponder  as  both  the  primary  and  general  election  dates  approach.  I,  like many,  have received
campaign literature expounding "all the hard work" purported to have been done by those holding
elected office.  Well, how about Delaware's having slipped again in the national rankings for "Quality of
Life",  now to #49,  just above Louisiana,  and confirmed in a July 13th, 2012 email from the Delaware
House of Representatives! The 2012 rankings by CNBC, list Delaware with an overall ranking of 43 ( out of 50 ), a drop from #36 in 2011.

Hope you can attend.
Chuck Mulholland
President, Civic League for New Castle CountyP

Treasurer Flowers And WILMAPCO's Dan Blevins Stated For June 19th Meeting, 7PM At Troop 2 In Bear

The Civic League for New Castle County

Next meeting: Tuesday June 19, 2012 at 7:00 PM

Location: Delaware State Police Troop 2 Building 100 La Grange Ave Newark, DE Get Map

CIVIC LEAGUE FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY  Chuck Mulholland, President AGENDA Guest Speakers: Mr. Dan Blevins - WILMAPCO Planner Update on population & employment projections Mr. Chip Flowers - State Treasurer

Come out and you'll get the chance to ask the Treasurer more about the controversy stirring with the Governor and his staff:

(News Journal) Jonanthan Starkey reports ~ Outcast of Markell's inner circle - 

Treasurer Chip Flowers cites 'smear tactics'; official [OMB Director Visalli] says he's 'holding a gun'

Flowers, Delaware’s bombastic first-term treasurer, has accomplished a number of campaign goals since taking office in January 2011, launching online financial literacy tools and an economic warning system that earned praise from the White House. He’s also taken steps to improve performance in Delaware’s $2 billion investment portfolio.

But Flowers’ most surprising attribute as a public official may be his propensity to spar publicly with Delaware’s political establishment – a rarity here. In an election year that should feature sniping between Democrats and Republicans, Flowers’ intraparty clashes with Gov. Jack Markell’s administration have become the state’s most popular political sideshow.

Recently, the discontent has reached a boiling point.

Administration officials are now publicly questioning Flowers’ choices as the state’s top cash manager. Markell’s office cautioned Flowers against chasing “big returns” on taxpayer investments after hiring a financial consultant to monitor the portfolio. And one Markell insider recently accused Flowers of “holding a gun to the head” of state officials after he threatened to hold up a bond sale to fund a controversial Newark Charter School expansion plan. Flowers hasn’t backed down, accusing Markell’s team of “Nixon-style smear tactics” and lobbing criticisms of his own, including questioning Markell’s shaky $20 million investment in electric carmaker Fisker Automotive.

“We have sat here for 15 months and never questioned the administration. I want the governor to succeed,” Flowers said in an interview inside his office here last week. “But what we need to understand is if you’re going to be getting in the business of issuing statements talking about other elected officials, I think that’s a very dicey business to get into.” 

Office Of Management And Budget Director Ann Visalli At The CLNCC Set For 7PM May 15th In New Castle

CIVIC LEAGUE FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY 

Chuck Mulholland, President

Guest Speaker: Ms. Ann Visalli Director of the Office of Management and Budget Tuesday May 15, 2012 at 7:00 PM Location: Del Tech Innovation & Technology Center 97 Parkway Circle New Castle, DE 19720 Map

The Civic League also hosted our Secretary of Education, Lillian Lowery, in March:

~*~

NCC Civic Association Seminar Set For 7PM Monday May 7th In New Castle

From the NCC.DE web site ~

Seminar Announcement: Strengthening Your Civic Association

Monday, May 7, 2012  7:00pm
Gilliam Building Multi-Purpose Room
77 Read’s Way, New Castle Corporate Commons

 

A forum to help Civic Associations manage community activities.

 

An important aspect of this forum will be the ability of civic association leaders to communicate with one another, as well as with representatives of various agencies who can lend assistance. Along with presentations, a Q&A session will facilitate this dialog.

 

Guest speakers include Linda Stump on DELDOT Snow Removal Reimbursement, NCCPD Sr. Corporal Amy Kevis on Community Policing, along with representatives from New Castle County Code Enforcement and Parks departments.

Civic association leaders are encouraged to register to attend this informative, free 90-minute session.

 

Contact Norm Spector at 395-5618 to learn more and to sign up.