Wilmingtonians will have a chance to tune up their understanding of legal rights, responsibilities and processes essential for a healthy community next month. At-large Council Member James Spadola and Deputy Attorney General Chris Curtin will run the hour-and-a-half session Monday, Sept. 23 starting at 6 p.m. “We are excited to offer this targeted training session to our community leaders,” Spadola …
Wilm. Council wants city to hire parking consultant
Tired of driving around the same four blocks for a half hour trying to find a parking spot? The Wilmington City Council is taking action to remedy the parking concerns of residents and visitors. Resolution 24-039, sponsored by Councilman James Spadola, R-at large, requests that the city administration hire an external consultant to assess Wilmington’s parking needs. “Every resident, business …
Wilmington considering $3.5 million subsidy plan for EMS services
The Wilmington City Council discussed a proposal Monday night to contract with St. Francis Hospital to subsidize emergency ambulance service through 2024. The service mostly is used by the most vulnerable residents of the city, according to St. Francis. It had about 20,000 EMS runs in Wilmington in 2023. In the council’s Joint Finance & Economic Development and Public Safety …
Wilm. City Council members plead for residency requirement
Three members of the Wilmington City Council – including the president – on Monday protested Mayor Mike Purzycki’s decision to no longer require city residency for current and newly hired employees. “We have the power to make sure that the residents get to make that decision and that we don’t go from a five-year residency commitment to none,” said District …
Business groups oppose law making them pay for shift changes
A proposed Wilmington ordinance that would require employers with 250 or more workers to give a two-week notice and compensation for schedule changes will hurt businesses, employees and city employment, business leaders say. That’s one of the criticisms of Councilwoman Shané Darby’s Ordinance 034, which would apply to retail, hospitality and food service businesses. The proposed law was read to …
Wilm. city council adamantly refuses to censure Oliver
A resolution to censure Wilmington councilwoman Zanthia Oliver was slammed by city council members in the group’s meeting Thursday night, losing by a vote of 10 to 2. Resolution 0333, sponsored by Councilwoman Shané Darby, was a public censure of councilmember Oliver, following the public reprimand issued in April by the City of Wilmington Ethics Commission. “I have already come …
Nepotism law shot down in Wilmington City Council
A Wilmington City Council ordinance that would prevent nepotism failed to pass Thursday night after initially garnering strong support in a committee last month. The ordinance got five yes votes, five no and two “present” votes, meaning it lacked the numbers it needed to succeed. Ordinance 0273, sponsored by Councilman James Spadola, would prohibit members of the council from hiring …
Wilm. councilwoman Oliver reprimanded for ethics violation
Wilmington City Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver was given a public reprimand by the city’s ethics commission after voting during a meeting to allocate $200,000 to her brother’s nonprofit. Norman Oliver’s organization, Our Youth, Inc., offers physical and educational services for children in New Castle County to help them stay on the right path and set them up for success in their …
Wilm. City Council nepotism law draws debate, moves on
A bill to stop nepotism in Wilmington City Council posts is headed to the full council next month. Wilmington Councilman James Spadola introduced the legislation Monday night in the council’s Finance & Economic Development Committee. The ordinance would prohibit members of the council from hiring close relatives of current council members. “We should set up good guardrails for the employees …
Read Aloud Delaware unveils new logo, strategic plan
Read Aloud Delaware, a Wilmington nonprofit dedicated to helping young children be ready to learn to read in school, unveiled a new logo Tuesday designed to illustrate its new strategic plan. The new logo is a more polished version of its longtime symbol, featuring an adult and a child looking at a book. It was designed to illustrate the nonprofit’s …