Impressions of the First Wilmington Mayoral Town Hall
Last night was the first Mayoral Town Hall or Debate sponsored by WDEL. This forum played to a standing room only crowd (they did indeed stop people from coming in after awhile). All of the known candidates were there except for Bovell and Bobby Marshall. I was there with some friends and here’s what I think of the field so far.
First thing to know is that my friends (to of my neighbors) wanted that hour back at the end of the debate. The audience was mostly partisans of the various candidates, with people from Pastor D’s church and people supporting Williams the largest contingents. There were a few politicians (including Theo Gregory who was campaigning at someone else’s event, Karen Weldin Stewart style), and media folks around. Alan Loudell did a great job in moderating this. The overarching theme was crime and law enforcement. There was also alot about providing better services/opportunities for young people. There was little about living with the reality of a city budget that will be in deficit when the new mayor takes office.
Derrick Johnson — in the main, Pastor D is running not to govern the City of Wilmington, but to run the Hope Commission. Seriously, he had a litany of programs and outreach that he wanted to do with kids and people in trouble which got him alot of cheering. He made a point of noting that he could connect with criminals and that this is a role that the WPD still counts on him for. He wasn’t especially interested in broadening out his answers to discuss more of the city’s problems.
Kevin Kelley — he did better than I expected. He owned his message and did not indulge in some of the graceless bully-boy stuff indulged in by Johnson and Williams. He was clear about the message of cops in neighborhoods on a routine and persistent basis (rather than a reactive one) and clear about bringing neighborhoods into the mix for not just fixing Wilmington but making the city a place that attracts more residents who can support the businesses and arts that the City has been focused on. He talked about fixing city government so that it would work for people in neighborhoods without spending a day finding someone who can help you. He was the ONLY candidate who talked about the kind of issues and solutions that people are talking about in neighborhood meetings — which is telling to me. He did note that many of the initiatives that the City is taking credit for came from City Council (and I’ll note that the single thing that people have been advocating for — Community Policing — is completely ignored.
Bill Montgomery — he did much worse than expected. He routinely lost his audience, and if he is going to spend his campaign defending Jim Baker and city workers, he will be regularly communicating that he Just Doesn’t Get It. His approach to the crime problem was muddled and unfocused. He did note that he was leading a delegation to High Point where Professor Kennedy had been working a different strategy. The thing that people in the city know is that this Administration is pretty unresponsive to its citizens. Showing up to complain about how hard it is to govern while ignoring your citizens is just more arrogant hubris.
Scott Spencer — out of his depth. Plainly. He wants to substitute a good deal of corporate speak for workable ideas that will move the City forward. He comported himself well, but his ideas for this city are about as deep as the corporate speak he was throwing around.
Dennis Williams — He did worse that I expected. He clearly did not have a good grasp of what is going on in this city. His approach to crime is summarized by this:”I have a plan, a very bold plan. It’s called offense,” state Rep. Dennis P. Williams, D-Wilmington North, said in his opening statements. “We will hunt the bad guys down. We will deal with them. We will get the guns off the street. Not a whole lot of talking, not a whole lot of rhetoric.” Sounds good, but this is what we have already — a reactive department who has a difficult time making headway because it is completely reactive. It is why neighborhood people were focused on Community Policing. This also doesn’t sync up with his previous statements that the WPD needs to be a police force, not an occupying army. But Williams decried the arrogance of the current Mayor and then proceeded to put his on display. But in the main, he dodged most of the questions in order to do his bully-boy shtick. The other thing about his discussion — lots of emphasis on some Business Roundtable, but I think he said neighborhoods just once.
All in all a less than illuminating evening. Am hoping this gets better as we go along. Probably the clearest thing that came out of this is that no matter who the new Mayor is, Chief Szczerba is out of a job.
Did anyone else go? Let me know what you thought in the comments.
Tags: Mayor Race
Thank you for writing this up. Great blogging!
I agree with Pandora – great blogging, Cassandra!
Wasn’t able to attend, but, did listen to last 40 minutes or so.
At one point, Pastor D was going on and on and I was wondering if there was a time limit. Didn’t sound like there was any attempt to cut him off. I’m yelling in the car – “shut him up already and let somebody else say something”
I also heard louder cheering for him and D Williams than the other candidates which led me to believe that they had packed the audience with their people. Nothing wrong with that – good on them.
Pretty much agree with Cassandra’s assessment. Can’t wait for the first debate.
Yep, Cassandra OWNS this beat. Great stuff. I assume that Bob Marshall’s not showing up was his admission that he’s not running?
Do NOT assume that.
Full Stop.
“I also heard louder cheering for him and D Williams than the other candidates which led me to believe that they had packed the audience with their people. Nothing wrong with that – good on them.”
In my experience, there’s a lot wrong with that. It usually leads the politicians to believe their own cheering section, making them think they’re more popular than they actually are. The more seats taken by people who already have made up their minds, the fewer available to those who actually care what’s being said up on stage.
I was standing in the back corner with my neighbors and that was the location of a big part of the Pastor D cheering section. We were chatting with a couple of them, and they were from his church. So I don’t know how much of a constituency he would have outside of that community, really.
So Spencer is basically continuing where his never official run for Congress left off?
Why did Calistro get out? He would of knocked all of these guys out in one fell swoop.
MJ: Exactly. He has no chance whatsoever.
Apparently, at a committee meeting in Dover today Harris McDowell greeted D. P. Williams with the title of “Mr. Mayor”
Kevin was the only one of the candidates who came out to Occupy Delaware. He met everyone there with encouraging words of support and bought coffee for the group. He’s sensible and understanding, but also very tough-minded and thick-skinned, which may work well for him (especially because he’s the wrong color for Wilmington politics).
Bill Montgomery is an ass and a career political hack. Arrogant was the best word used to describe him last night.
Sounds like a great pack of losers you guys have to pick from.
I’m voting for Mickey Mouse for Mayor of Wilmington. At least a cartoon would be better than the trash-mouthed, coddled old brat currently in office and would surely be better than any one of these guys.
Seriously, let’s hope someone better jumps in. A fiscal conservative, who won’t be afraid to drop the hammer on the feudal thugs skulking around at night playing OK Coral.
QP – do you ever have anything constructive to say? Bitter, table for one!
Last night’s Mayoral forum was a great disappointment to those of us who attended to hear what the candidates plan to do to improve conditions in the city. I agree that Kevin Kelley was the only candidate that voiced thoughtful solutions and who had a real grasp on what it means to live in Wilmington. I was disgusted by Derrick Johnson’s preaching rhetoric and shocked that he, a convicted killer, is even contemplating running for Mayor. Perhaps God/dess does forgive all sins, even taking a life (Johnson was convicted of manslaughter), but shouldn’t the killer spend his days doing repentant work instead of constantly vying for the limelight? I am saddened at how easily the downtrodden are led, particularly by the most despicable leaders. Johnson had his heyday in the late 1980s and early 90s when he led a gang called the New Breed Alliance, and he was arrested again for a weapons charge while still on parole for manslaughter. He may have been pardoned–but that doesn’t mean he is redeemed. I honestly believe the man is a sociopath in constant need of ego gratification. While standing outside the room, I observed a woman fleeing the forum in tears, saying “he is a disgrace (referring to Johnson), he’s not a man.” I have to wonder if she was a relative of the boy Johnson killed. Johnson stacked the deck by filling the room with members of his congregation who often disrupted the event by yelling and cheering–clearly they drank his metaphorical Koolaid, let’s hope those misguided folks aren’t conned into drinking the real thing, a la Pastor Jim Jones.
How is it possible that Johnson can even run for office. He is after all a murderer, and an opportunist taking advantage of his church people, especially young women. Kevin Kelly is a good man who is honest and was a good city councilman. I know he was mine. He is a hard worker and cares about all people.
If he were to be challenged I believe he would have a difficult time gaining ballot access. It would be argued that he has been convijicted of an infamous crime. He has been pardoned but under Delaware law a pardon “forgives” but does “forget” the convictions are not erased.
I live in Wilmington, MJ. Where do you live?
“A fiscal conservative, who won’t be afraid to drop the hammer on the feudal thugs skulking around at night playing OK Coral.”
Sounds pretty constructive to me. Or would you rather have the next mayor spend/borrow even more, while playing patty-cakes with the criminals and those who protect them, while even more young professionals and families flee the city?
WTF does it matter where I live, QP? All you do here is cry like a spanked baby about everything. I have yet to see you offer anything constructive. Like I said, Bitter, table for one.
And if you think your comment about thugs was being constructive, then you really have warped sense of what is constructive criticism.
Anyone been in Kevin Kelly’s district lately ? I have, not safe to walk in! Better be driving with doors locked. I have also been accused of supporting Dennis Williams simply because we are friends, Mr. Williams and I are friends. I make no secret of the fact that I have known and respected Mr. Williams for many years and do not deny or apologize for the perception that anyone would deem us “friends”. It is important to me That everyone Knows why, Mr. Williams took a stand several years ago against eminent domain abuse. I still own my family business, my eldest son still has a job that allows him to put food on the table. City of Wilmington residents, in fact, all citizens in the State of Delaware are now protected from the taking of private property through the illegal abuse of eminent domain. So yes, I will do every thing in my power to help Dennis P. Williams become the next Mayor of Wilmington – not only because we are friends , but because I believe he will work for the residents of the City of Wilmington as hard as he has always worked in the House of Representatives for the citizens of Delaware. And not because he is my friend, but because I believe in him!
Ed, do you honestly believe it’s Kevin Kelley’s fault that the 6th district isn’t the safest place on earth? Also when was the last time Dennis Williams was in Browntown or Hedgeville trying to make it a safer place or better yet when was the last time he was at a community meeting in one of those neighborhoods at all? Kevin may not be your choice for mayor but your rationalization is pretty sad, I bet you think Williams is J. Edgar Hoover reincarnated and all crime will stop the second he takes over as mayor. Poverty and a lack of education breed crime and those two issues can’t be blamed on one man alone and no one man will be able to completely rid Wilmington of those problems regardless of how good they sound during campaign season.
I’d be nervous walking around the place where Ed has his shop at night too. And I’ve actually walked in portions of the 6th District.
And the last time I saw Dennis Williams in the Browntown/Hedgeville area, he was propping up Hazel Plant at a community meeting and embarrassing himself with his inability to answer questions on her behalf.
For the life of me I can’t find where anyone has accused you of friendship with Dennis Williams here or made it an issue here. Helping to stop the Eminent Domain business was good work and work we supported. But his State Rep District 1 isn’t exactly crime free and I’d bet you don’t think we should hold that against him, either.
Ed a while back I was attacked by 5 guys beaten robbed and left unconscious on the street bleeding profusely from my head. I had multiple rib fractures, a broken elbow, and 40 stitch laceration in my head. This happened in broad daylight on a late June afternoon at 28th and Madison. This was one block from here I was born and directly in front of my aunt and uncles former family home. That was no more Dennis’ fault than individual incidents of violence in Browngtownbare Kevin’s. They are both good guys and what we need is arational plan for community policing along w ith more treatment to get the junkies off the streets and onto a positive track. Btw. Ed i Both live And work in 19801.
Great comments all, I respect everyone’s opinion That is the one thing we still have left in America. I still believe in Dennis.
Thanks Ed Osborne
Ed, you should:)
I grew up in this city, walked to school here and still live here. Wilmington is on a slow moribund train to Chester City hell. Don’t feed me bullshit, give me a plan. Don’t trash talk the other candidates, tell me WTF your candidate can do to fix this city. If Kevin Kelly wins, I hope he’ll invite Dennis Williams to be COP. If Dennis Williams wins I hope he’ll invite Kevin Kelly to his administration. I’m tired of taxation by fines. I’m tired of being scared to walk in the neighborhoods I played in as a child. I am a Wilmington city tax payer.
Here’s a couple of ideas:
Subsidize mortgages for city workers: PD, FD, Sanitation, etc.. We take a hit every time a city worker moves out, because their interest in the city goes down.
Take Home PD Cars for city residents only. If you are a Captain, your WPD car in your Hockessin driveway does not serve the city. A WPD car, parked on my block, deters crime.
Nobody comes to Wilmington because parking sucks, there is nothing to do, and no one can navigate their way to the riverfront. Wilmington needs to 1) own some parking lots so there can be free and SAFE parking 2) get some entertainment and retail in Wilmington.
3) build the proposed off ramp from 95 to Frawley Stadium/Riverfront shops.
This was a great city/town. This is a tipping point.
I can’t imagine that you actually live here, 19802, if you can claim with a straight face that there is nothing to do here. Between the Queen and The Grand, there are lots of concert opportunities and there is live music at an increasing number of venues around town. The Nomad Bar over on Orange is a great jazz place. Theater N has a steady fare of grown up movies. Plenty of folks are coming into town to dine at some pretty fine restaurants.
There’s alot of great energy on the what you can do in Wilmington front — what’s needed now is for the city to actually work so that this energy can continue and expand. What’s needed now if for the city to be inviting enough to take advantage of the trend back to cities. The kind of vision I’m looking for from a mayoral candidate will address this specifically.
she’s right 02. There was nothing to do in wilmington 10 years ago, but now, between market St, trolley, and union st, there are 10 or so places to hear live music on weekends.
“Nobody comes to Wilmington because parking sucks, there is nothing to do, and no one can navigate their way to the riverfront. Wilmington needs to 1) own some parking lots so there can be free and SAFE parking 2) get some entertainment and retail in Wilmington.”
Most Cities that have a night life have 24/7 Public Transit Service. Parking sucks in most big cities and most residents drive very little. This is one of the many things the new Mayor needs to bring up to revialize the City.
@Cassandra: You’re right, because my opinion is outdated. I stopped working downtown right about the time the Queen opened, and don’t venture downtown much b/c of my old perceptions – it was pretty slim pickings for a few years after the Barn Door closed. Thanks for calling me on that. I still don’t feel very safe downtown going to my car at night, and can’t seem to find a cab. Are these opinions out dated too?
It could also be because I am old and not tapped into the cool scene. I used to go to Zinks, Oscars and The original O’Friels, I’m that old and unhip. The best Halloween Loops were on the Market Street Mall. Is there a Wilmington Scene Blog somewhere that I am missing? That would help promote downtown.
And I also wanted to say thanks for your reporting on the mayoral race and city politics. I’m looking forward to you covering the race for Dennis P. Williams 1st district seat.
Good assessment of the meeting. @02, I urge you to revisit Wilmo after dark–I hope you will be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of entertainment, arts, and dining opportunities it has to offer. Music, theater, dance, opera, art, film all on tap along with great bars and restaurants. The vibe on Market is great–and safe–these days after 5pm. The Union and Trolley areas continue to prosper. And the Waterfront is home to great theater companies, museums, eateries, and other activities. You may also wish to check out the site inwilmingtonde.com, which is a one-stop shop for the myriad events and locales offered up nightly all over the City. It’s distressing that as a resident you are unaware of this stuff and so would claim that nobody comes here because there is nothing to do. The scene is growing and your support and encouragement of that fact would go a long way toward changing our City for the better. If those of us who live here do not work together to overcome negative and ignorant perceptions perpetuated by our own people, nothing will change no matter who sits in the Mayor’s Office. Change is very much needed at the helm, sure, but the neighborhoods and businesses are doing more than their share to help make Wilmington a great place to live, play, and work. You can be a part of that!
Andy has a good point about public transit. It would probably help to have a Wilmington Circulator bus that would operate on weekends (at least) and help move people from the Riverfront, to Downtown, to Trolley Square, to Union St and back. I don’t know what the cab situation is in the city — I don’t often take them and when I do it is from the train station where a bunch of them hang.
And FrannyBlack is right. There is a wealth of entertainment opportunities in Wilmington right now. I suspect that there isn’t a ton of coverage of this in the local papers, but one of the reasons I’m even on Facebook is to get frequent updates on what is going on at the city’s venues. Lots of them have a good grasp of social media outreach. Market St (generally downtown center city) has 24/7 community policing and the Downtown Visions people are out and visible late to watch and help people. Downtown is pretty safe these days and certainly they get better police coverage than any neighborhood in the city does.
So I hope you venture out into downtown 02 — there is fun and great food to be had!