City of Wilmington residency

Wilmington city, council lash out in fight over job residency

Peter OsborneGovernment, Headlines

Mob rule? Or B.S.? A weeks-long debate over Wilmington residency requirements for non-elected city employees has deteriorated into what might generously be described as “frosty” exchanges between Mayor Mike Purzycki and a pair of Wilmington City Council members. After a month of bitter debate, the 13-member council on Nov. 16 passed a five-year residency law for new hires that will …

Some Wilmington City Council members asked Monday for the residency requirement for workers to remain in place.

Wilm. City Council members plead for residency requirement

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

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 …

DelawareLive Oct 8

DelawareLIVE Weekly Review – October 8, 2023

Sonja FreyDelaware Live, Weekly Review

This Week’s Review Includes: Highmark gives $898,169 to 7 groups for better healthcare Hamilton’s on Main goes pink to fund breast cancer research Indian River teacher arrested for child endangerment Education Freedom event highlights importance of bipartisanship Middletown defense instrumental in Harvest Bowl win Click on the image below to view the PDF   Sonja Frey

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

Purzycki won’t run for 3rd term as Wilmington mayor

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Government

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki announced today that he will not seek re-election to a third term in 2024. In a letter to “the people of Wilmington,” he gives his age as a big reason for the decision. “My difficulty in committing to another term that would begin 15 months from now is in continuing to undertake such a demanding job …

wilmington parking tickets

Wilmington to send parking tickets to court, end city review

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

An organization pushing reform of Wilmington’s parking fine practices praised the city’s move to abandon its administrative appeals process and send appeals directly to court. “This is a significant step in the right direction,” said Ken Grant on behalf of the Wilmington Fines and Fees Justice Team. “After years of hearing about issues with the city’s administrative process for parking …

Wilmington Loop

Loop coalition: Finish walkable bike trail around Wilmington

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

A group of business, community and government leaders would like to see several New Castle County walkable bike trails connected to become a seamless 16-mile Wilmington Loop. Doing so, says leaders of the coalition, would transform the city’s economy and quality of life because it would: Connect communities, jobs, schools, cultural institutions and state and national parks. Create safe paths …

Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos

Wilmington’s new police chief is 26-year department veteran

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Wilmington has a new police chief: Wilfredo Campos, a person of color and a captain who has been with the department for 26 years. Campos, 50, grew up in Wilmington and will become the city’s 33rd police chief and the first person of Hispanic descent to be named to that post. He will be paid $200,000 and begin his job …

ellerbe Police arrest man for 2015 murder

Wilmington crime report: Murders, shootings down in 2022

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The number of murders in Wilmington was at its lowest for 15 years in 2022, and the number of shootings was the second lowest in 17 years, according to a new report issued by Delaware’s largest city. Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and lame duck Chief of Police Robert J. Tracy on Tuesday released the Wilmington Police Department’s 2022 Year-End Crime …

Wilmington crime

Wilmington police chief to step down

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The city of Wilmington is in need of a new top cop. Police Chief Robert Tracy has been selected as a finalist to become police commissioner in St. Louis, Missouri, he announced Monday night. Whether or not he gets the job, Tracy will leave the Wilmington Police Department, the mayor’s office confirmed Tuesday. It’s not clear when Tracy plans to …

Wilmington Police Department Community Fairs

Wilm. PD hopes weekly walks will address social, health needs

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Wilmington police officers will take weekly walks through the city to engage with residents and distribute information about social services, Mayor Mike Purzycki announced Wednesday. The initiative aims to address unmet social service and public health needs in Wilmington neighborhoods, according to the mayor. “Our police officers have demonstrated time and time again that if they have an opportunity, beyond …