Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those minutes that are happening this week.
Here is a look at some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening around the state this week.
- Corteva, Ally Nutra seek state funds (Statewide)
- Redding Consortium redistricting (New Castle County)
- Nuclear power potential explored (Statewide)
- Georgetown to consider camping ban (Georgetown)
- Inspector General needs outlined (Statewide)
Corteva, Ally Nutra seek state funds
The state’s Council on Development Finance is set to consider more than $2 million worth of grant applications at its October meeting on Monday.
The CDF oversees funds that are used to attract and retain jobs, or create new business investments in Delaware. Its role has come under the microscope of Gov. Matt Meyer, who has opposed major cash grants to corporations in order to locate or grow in Delaware.
This time, agriscience company Corteva – a former DuPont company that was spun off years ago and has since slimmed its workforce in Delaware and moved its headquarters to Indianapolis – is seeking $1 million for a project in Wilmington.
Meanwhile, supplement manufacturer Ally Nutra is seeking more than $475,000 for a lab space project and Ivy Castle LLC, a project that seeks to redevelop warehouses near the Port of Wilmington, is seeking $700,000 for site improvements.
📍 The CDF meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Delaware Public Archives, loathed at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Dover. For additional details, including the live stream link, click here.
Redding nears redistricting proposal
The Redding Consortium, an appointed work group that makes recommendations to assist students from the city of Wilmington, is nearing a proposal for redistricting its thousands of students.
The plan would primarily remove the Christina School District from feeder patterns, as it is not contiguous to the city and a leftover from the city’s desegregation efforts decades ago.
The consortium, which has representatives from each of the four school districts, will hold a board retreat on Tuesday evening where the public is invited to hear its discussions.
📍 The Redding Consortium retreat is scheduled for 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Delaware Tech-George Campus (West Conference Center), located at 300 Orange St. in Wilmington. For additional details, click here.
Nuclear power potential explored
The Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force, a new appointed work group that is studying the potential for nuclear power in Delaware, will meet Monday.
As Delaware has confronted a significant power supply crunch that is increasing costs to consumers – and the Trump administration as begun to actively oppose the nation’s renewable energy sector for options like solar and wind power – leaders are considering the utility of nuclear power.
Gov. Matt Meyer appointed a panel of leaders, including at least one representative of a nuclear power operator, to discuss what it would take for such a power producer to come to the First State. All have conceded that it would be a long-term solution that would require years to build out if approved.
📍 The Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force is scheduled to meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday at Legislative Hall, located at 411 Legislative Ave in Dover. For additional details, including a link to a livestream, click here.
Georgetown to consider camping ban
Amid heightened concern from residents over the growing number of homeless people in Georgetown, the town council is preparing to consider an ordinance that would ban camping on public land.
The operation of the Pallet Village in Georgetown was once heralded as a potential solution for homelessness in Delaware, but has grown to receive its share of criticism from locals. That is in part because of a growing number of homeless people living in tent encampments throughout the town.
But now a new ordinance could prohibit the practice.
📍 The Georgetown Town Council is scheduled to meet starting at 6:45 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, located at 39 The Circle in Georgetown. For additional details, including a link to a livestream, click here.
Inspector General needs outlined
The Inspector General Selection Panel has appointed a subcommittee to review surrounding states and The Association of Inspectors General recommended qualifications for such watchdog positions. The subcommittee will meet Tuesday.
Delaware lawmakers approved the creation of an Inspector General this year to help bolster efforts to ferret out corruption, waste and fraud in state government.
Who will ultimately serve in that role will be a matter of great interest for lawmakers and the public alike.
The Inspector General will be selected through a nonpartisan process. A selection panel appointed by the Secretary of State will review candidates and recommend a short list to the governor. From that list, the governor will nominate one individual for Senate confirmation. Once appointed, the Inspector General will serve a five-year term, renewable upon review, with strict disqualification rules to ensure independence from political influence.
The office is designed to collaborate with existing oversight bodies such as the State Auditor, Attorney General, and Public Integrity Commission. It will also submit public annual reports outlining investigations, findings, and recommendations.
📍 The Inspector General subcommittee is scheduled to meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Carvel State Building, located at 820 N. French St. in Wilmington. For additional details, including a link to a livestream, click here.
