Guest Post: Westside Wilmington Mayoral Debate
This summary of the Monday 6 August Mayoral Debate focused on Wilmington’s Westside and their revitalization program was offered as a comment by Kiki to the thread I posted with notice of this event. I thought this was an excellent summary and worthy of its own post. Hope you agree:
I was at this event and it was very interesting and, for me, informative, as a constituent who hasn’t decided yet who to support in this race. The purpose of the event was not a debate, it was for the candidates to address the West Side Grows Community Development Plan, which is a comprehensive plan for revitalizing the West Side in just about every way you can imagine. The plan was created by the community, with volunteers going door-to-door to residents and businesses to bring everyone to the table.
The candidates were given a paper copy of the plan, which is also available online at http://www.interface-studio.com/isftp/WestSide/WestSide_FINAL_061212.pdf. It was quite clear from the event on Monday which candidates had bothered to look at it beforehand, which had read it through or just skimmed it, and which had digested it and so could speak to it intelligently.
My general impressions as an undecided voter and West Side resident, again with no affiliation to any candidate at this time, from memory/real time reaction (not note):
Williams came across as arrogant and smug, and spoke in sound bytes–commenting at least once that he didn’t need to use up all his allotted time to speak on an issue unlike his colleagues on the dais. He came across as someone who hadn’t even glanced at the West Side Revitalization Plan, and was even quoted thus ” ‘First of all we have to stabilize the area,” Williams said. ‘Then we have to go in and have a community roundtable, along with a business roundtable, to see exactly what the people in the community want.’” He apparently failed to realize, perhaps because he was running so late that he arrived after the event was well underway, that our community had already conducted several residential and business roundtables and had already come up with a plan of action. And that plan was the reason he had been invited to come speak with West Side residents in the first place. Pretty rude. Otherwise, he spoke a lot about fighting and stopping crime and gave an impression that things were so terrible that until crime stopped (helped by his plan of reinstating jump-outs) pretty much nothing else would get done. He seemed to see no good in the City he hopes to run. Also he would make use of the summer jobs program, but only allow to service the “poorest” kids in the city–no jobs for city workers’ kids, middle class or upper middle class in a Williams administration. He also spoke strongly without substance about the deficit and balancing the budget. And emphasized that “people” want “different” and that’s him.
Kelley seems to have a fairly clear focus on what he would like to do for the City, and a few things he said drew very positive crowd response–like cleaning up the Union Street corridor and implementing true community policing. He is very well-spoken and passionate about what he knows. In terms of the West Side Revitalization Plan specifically, he came across as being semi-familiar with it but not especially throwing his weight behind it as a true call to action. I got the feeling he has his own agenda already and this Plan can be a part of it so long as it doesn’t hinder what he has already set out to do, and will complement what he plans to do–like shape up Union Street and Lancaster Aves, as an example.
Spencer also gained some applause for community policing ideas, including more transparency using social media to hold the police department accountable for response times, crime rates, etc. He also advocates a circular bus route. He seemed to have read and digested most of the West Side Revitalization Plan, and was complementary about it without really answering specifically what he would do to help make it a reality. Some good rhetoric and even some good ideas mixed in, but again he is set on his agenda which didn’t seem to account for much in terms of a buy-in for the West Side Grows blueprint.
Montgomery seemed to have read and digested the West Side Revitalization Plan, and recognized it for what it can be–a true community-created model for one part of the city that maybe can be applied/modified to fit other areas of the city. He also comes across as the candidate who does not think the entire City is going down the toilet, and who recognizes that there is a lot of good in our communities and in our “scene” such as it is, and the plan that concerned constituents helped to create was evidence of that. He points out that many of the ideas proposed to fight crime or otherwise improve things by his opponents will raise tax dollars, and that the city needs to invest in things that offer a rate of return–citing the new riverfront hotel as a relatively inexpensive investment when considered aginst the rate of return in terms of eventual job creation and revenue.
Bovell spoke mainly about young people and giving them places to go. He seemed very nice but offered no substance behind his words, aside from a continual cry that we need more community centers and programs for young people. He didn’t come off to me strongly in any way about the West Side Revitalization Plan, he seemed to be present on a different level entirely.
Melloy lives in the West Side and was part of developing the plan, so is very familiar with it and supportive of all its facets. He especially spoke to the notion of redoing 4th street, and suggested it be rebranded as a way to jump-start its revitalization. Said a few interesting things but was probably the least effective of all the speakers that night.
Nowhere near a comprehensive overview, just one person’s impressions (two days later at that) of the West Side event. It was a really good event if a little long. The council candidates also spoke and all were convinced of their “best for the job” platforms, again largely concerned with crime. No one really addressed the West Side revitalization plans.
To read more about the Plan itself, a copy can be downloaded here: http://www.interface-studio.com/isftp/WestSide/WestSide_FINAL_061212.pdf
Tags: Mayor Race
Thanks for this, Kiki. Well done!
We also learn today that at another Mayoral Forum yesterday, Bill Montgomery repeated his pledge to raise taxes in 2013, by 15%.
Montgomery/ Baker have already raised property taxes in 2010 and 2011 by double digits..another huge increase promised?
That is not political courage, its an inability to make tough choices and trim expenses and be creative by combining city departments. Sends all the wrong signals to current business and new companies.
Bill’s core voters will shift to Kelley and even some to Dennis Williams on the ‘tough on violent crime’ message which is resonating in the city.
For the most part I agree with this analysis, except for the part about Bill Montgomery. To me, he came across as defensive and a little oppositional. I didn’t get a sense he was any more familiar with the plan than Kelley or Melloy.
First thank you all for coming out I agree with the comments and analysis. I want to share with you my analysis of the race as of today. Based on former primary elections 10,550 voters will turnout for this election in the City of Wilmington.
Robert Bovell wins the primary.
Scott Spencer is starting to get some traction and impressed a number of listeners at the debate. However, this is too little too late(750 Votes).
Bill Montgomery still struggles to connect his message with the voters. He maintains the loyalty of his friends but has lost traction with his honesty on taxes. (1,300 votes)
Robert Bovell continues to cater to his past supporters he held his annual Hilltop Party yesterday with huge crowds. He received a little over 3,500 votes in 2008 against Jim Baker. He looses some of his supporters who voted anti- Baker to Spencer, Williams and Kelley. But he has not given many of his past supporters a reason to change their voting pattern.(3,100 votes)
Kevin Kelley continues to solidify his support on the West side and picks up voters throughout the City. His lack of financial support hurts his chances of making in roads city wide and Montgomery reduces his support.(2,400 votes)
The balance of votes(3,000) go to Dennis Williams who has strong support on the North East Side of the City.
Thanks for adding that, Paul. But Bovell? Bovell got 34% of the vote (your 3500 votes) in a two-way race against Baker in 2008. Your scenario has him keeping that percentage in a 5-way race. That would be an astonishing achievement for a seasoned pol whose constituency you could ID, never mind a candidate who spends 2 or three months every couple of years throwing his hat in the ring. It isn’t clear to me that Bovell has a consistent base of support outside of the Hilltop, so would be interested in where you think that support is.
Throwing this in — In 2004 Bovell ran against Baker as a Republican in a race that garnered 26K votes and Bovell got 27% of those.
The plan is very specific in addressing the outlined area. Fottunately, many of proposed concepts can be utilized citywide. I look forward to promoting the plan during the election this fall, and of course if elected on November 6th.
In regards to some recent correspondence with Dennis P. Williams, I’ve sent the following to The News Journal:
Mayoral candidates need to make sure they’ve got clear answers when speaking with voters about topics that are important to the city. Any candidate that speaks in soundbites and feels compelled to name-drop for votes only proves how little a plan he must have.
I’ve heard a lot about Dennis P. Williams, and wanted to get a better idea of where he stood on certain issues, specifically the arts. I sent a friendly email to his campaign asking in what role he envisioned the arts in his proposed administration. The response to my inquiry was short on substance and long on catchphrases. “Bring people to the table” and “work together to make things happen,” popular rhetoric for this particular campaign, couldn’t be more vague. Even after a second email in which I explained my invested interest in the arts in Wilmington and the importance of them to the city’s future, Williams’ response was dismissive and devoid of information.
A few days later via social media, Williams posted on his public profile that he had recently met with “important business leaders in the city” and claimed that they were so impressed with him and his vision for Wilmington that “they wouldn’t be meeting with the other candidates.” I asked whom he had met and why they wouldn’t want to hear from the other candidates. A question many agreed needed to be answered. Instead of an answer, my comment was removed and I was blocked from seeing or commenting on future posts.
In this age and with the nature of online relationships, these things happen. But when you’re running for mayor, you should have to answer the hard questions (even the not-so-hard questions). I wasn’t opposing the things Williams was saying; I just wanted clarification so I could make a more informed decision. But I was instead viewed as a threat or a trouble-maker. I suppose it’s easier to remove the issue than address it. This is going to be a difficult race, and the candidate that has integrity and a clear vision for the city is going to get my vote.
Dennis P. Williams is not.
Thanks for posting this, Joe. I’ve talked to a couple of folks who have had similar experiences in asking questions of the Williams campaign. This is not a good sign — it seems to me — for more transparency and openness in Wilmington government if this guy is Mayor.
It’s ironic as well, given that every time I have been in Williams’ presence, he sounds off about how his administration would be open and listen to its people and not be so smug and arrogant as he perceives the current administration to be, that he would treat any potential voter this way. Even just for political purposes, you’d think he’d be a bit smarter at this stage in the game.
I’ve heard that too, yet his own behavior makes me think that he would be *worse* than the current Mayor. Because as difficult as Jim Baker can be, he does listen to you and you can pretty much see him as you need to. Baker just isn’t going to make any accommodations for you or your opinion.
You are judging a book by it’s cover in regards to Dennis Williams. You need to really look at the man behind the image you are trying to pin on him. Mr. Trainor, you sent a message on 8/8 & Dennis answered you that same day. Your follow up was very long & contained nothing more than what any of us who support the arts know, yet you complain that Dennis did not give you the personal attention you seek. Dennis is brand new to social media & doesn’t know how to block. I am consulting Dennis & you were not blocked. Dennis meets every Wed. at Evelyn’s Restaurant to talk with anyone. Tomorrow he will be at Coreleto-Latina Funeral Home 5-8 PM to Meet & Greet all. Your issues & everyone’s are very important to Dennis. He is a man that puts everyone else’s needs in front of his own & works incredibly hard. If he comes across tough or to some even arrogant, I’m sorry. Dennis is mad that the people of Wilmington have to live in fear, when he knows he has the ability to change that. This is a broken City in many ways, but it is a City with great potential. Dennis knows that, loves this City & has put his life on the line to protect it. No candidate is privy to the information needed to set exact strategy. He can though put together a team that is ready to start on day one. Dennis has been meeting with businesses, individuals representing the arts, corps., civic, communities, you name it, & will continue to do so after elected. He feels very strongly that there is too much fragmentation in efforts & that is why he consistently says “Roundtable” because he wants there to be focus on the specific needs by those that can get it done. That is not to say he disregards any individuals opinion, they are all important. I wouldn’t be involved if I didn’t feel confident. In four years this City will be well positioned to be great.
Will,
Your first sentence goes right to the heart of Dennis’s problem. While few doubt that he truly cares about the city, the cover of the Dennis Williams “book” is one of arrogance and conceit. No, it’s not the same as Jim Baker, but it’s close enough for many people to think that the atmosphere in City Hall in a Williams administration wouldn’t be much different from what the city has now.
I generally trust your judgment and, with Williams looking like the front-runner, I hope you are right on this one. He may be capable of making Wilmington a better place to live and work, but he’s got to lose some of that arrogance and smugness if he wants the job, and wants to do it well.
It is important to talk with people and not talk to people. One of the biggest reasons people become disenfranchised from the political scene, is the inability to be empowered and feel connected to what is happening in our government whether it be locally or globally. The social media revolution is amazingly breaking through this in other parts of the world such as seen in Libya, Egypt, etc… We have an opportunity now in Wilmington Delaware to make a concerted and collective change in how our government operates if more become inclined to be involved in the process. I am impressed that there are 5 Democratic candidates for Mayor each providing a different approach and or style. Some ask me why I chose to run as a Republican in a heavily Democratic city. I am running because I believe in democracy and know it would only have been the registered Democrats who got to choose the next Mayor if a Repubican did not step up to the plate and run. As a longtime civic activist, Realtor, and involved in the Arts, I know the campaign this fall will allow me to bring an alternative choice to the general public.
Wonder how much work Will and mediawatch here did to convince themselves that Baker’s demeanor was worth overlooking. Seriously.
Thanks for chiming in, Kevin. Am looking forward to hearing more from you.
Thanks Media Watch, He did much better last night. I was very upset about West Side Grows & let him know it. We talked at length last night & I told him, “If you would just speak to the people as you are to me right now, they will love you”. He does need work in this area, but the person is solid, honorable & knows he is not the smartest guy in the room. To you all this may sound strange, one reason I like Dennis is because he will listen to you.
Cassandra, Now you know better than that…I was there when Baker made his first speech calling people Stupid & I had met with him earlier that day. I never forget someone who calls me names, however there have been times when the man is brilliant. Dennis is no Jim Baker. If I can get Dennis to speak nice…will you be more open minded?
Mr. Minster,
It’s important that you know that I do not mean you or Mr. Williams any disrespect. I was quite taken aback by my interaction with Mr. Williams and knew that I could not keep quiet about it.
Yes…when I first asked Mr. Williams about the Arts, he responded quickly. But his responses were catchphrases and never really answered my question. He said it was ‘important’ and ‘they’ll have a seat at the table’ and we could ‘work together to get things done’, and I simply stated that I thought it was vague….because that’s pretty vague.
Yes…my response was long. I wanted him to be aware of who I was and why the arts were so important. And when he responded again it seemed dismissive. Not negative, per se, but certainly didn’t speak to the dialog I was trying to create. I wasn’t expecting a 10-point plan to be presented to me, I just wanted to get an idea of where he was. His responses told me nothing.
The other candidates when faced with the same question, didn’t have much to offer in the way of a plan, but were much more engaging in the conversation….but regardless….that’s not why we’re here.
Yesterday Mr. Williams posted that he had “met with business leaders and they liked what he had to say so much they weren’t going to meet with the other candidates.” This sounded arrogant. I debated posting, but finally commented. I didn’t even accuse him of the arrogance. I just simply stated that I felt that the post was vague, and that he should let us know who he met with and why they wouldn’t meet with anyone else. Not hearing everyone’s perspective is foolish to me. And if he’s going to boast that he met “people who liked him”, we should be able to ask who…vague endorsement is vague.
He never responded to THAT question (despite other’s “liking” my comment…showing that others would have liked to know as well). So instead of actually engaging a voter, he deleted the comment and unfriended me. I cannot reach his page, so I assume I was blocked, but Facebook is so twisted these days it’s hard to keep up with what you can block.
Regardless….he made it very clear to me a few things:
– I am not someone worthy of a conversation. Not even a debate, a conversation. Despite making it clear my experience with the Arts in Wilmington.
– He claims to have great plans for the city, but I can’t find ONE person to tell me what any of them are.
– When pressed for clarity he will ignore you.
– If you ask the wrong question you be removed, so as not to give anyone else an idea about asking questions he doesn’t want to answer.
I don’t know what he’s about, other than tackling crime…but even his tactics are unclear. We need to know as a city what he will do once he single-handedly scrubs the streets of Gotham. Of which the Arts, and Jobs and the Economy are all a part.
But he’s all name-dropping and catch-phrasing and anyone supporting this man without knowing exactly what kind of plan he has is foolish.
And if the man has a plan, then PUT IT OUT THERE. Answer the questions. Stop ignoring voters and man up.
“If I can get Dennis to speak nice”? “Not the smartest guy in the room”? Wow. If this is our front-runner, then Wilmington is in for some sad, sad days.
To re-cap: I didn’t have a personal problem with him. I only wanted some clarification. I was polite. He disrespected me. And showed me what he’s really about. He will not get my vote, and I will try to convince everyone I know (especially in the Arts community) to vote for someone else.
I know you support the guy, and that’s great. But don’t tell me I’m wrong in my assessment of him when this is the face we see. Engage us…educate us. But if you dismiss us, you will lose us.
This man is the wrong man for the job. Period.
Sorry for this being so long….but it kind of matters.
Personalities aside, I really want to know what Dennis specifically plans for our city. I strongly support a vibrant community policing program, increased employment and recreation opportunities for our youth and families, a business friendly environment in the downtown area (parking)and consumer oriented service from city agencies. What is Dennis’ opinion or plans regarding any of these issues?
Joe,
You have made your decision & I respect that. Having made that decision on a Facebook interaction I think is wrong though. As I said Dennis is very new to social media & for many, including myself, it was intimidating at first. Dennis does support art & entertainment & met with a group put together by The Grand for three hours to discuss. Dennis believes the City should do whatever it possibly can to help the arts. How the City does that should come from the arts communities. He strongly believes the City can best support the arts & every aspect of quality of life by first reducing the crime & senseless killings that are no longer a perception, they are a reality. Without solving this, we can promote the arts all day long & people will continue to say, “I’m afraid to go into Wilmington”. There is no candidate better qualified to take on this incredible task. That is the #1 reason I endorse him. My second reason is because he believes the best way to revitalize our City is by enabling, supporting, doing everything possible for the organizations, groups, individuals that work so hard & are so passionate about Wilmington. The City should help, not get in the way of all the communities.
In my day job, all I do is try to make Wilmington a better place, I live it & breath it 24/7. I respect & am encouraged by all those that do the same. We are all focused on different aspects that are our passion; hopefully we can connect all those as they should be. I endorse Dennis because I believe he is the best person to enable me & everyone else to succeed. Bottom Line: None of us can succeed if people are living in fear, I cannot convince people to come to Wilmington if they are afraid of getting killed. Dennis is much more than this, but if we elect a Mayor that all he does is get crime & killing under control, I’m good with that because I believe in the people of the Arts & Entertainment, Downtown, West Side, Quaker Hill & all the communities. We don’t need a Mayor who has a new plan for everything; we need a Mayor who can support what we are all doing. I truly believe in Dennis P. Williams!
Quote: We talked at length last night & I told him, “If you would just speak to the people as you are to me right now, they will love you”.
Williams has been a politician for how long and he can’t articulate his vision properly? Give me a break. How’d this jackhole get elected to the House with this kind of political skills? How does he expect to govern with no communication aptitude?
As for being new to social media, that’s both a cheap excuse – Facebook isn’t that fucking hard, my gramma’s on it – and a sign that maybe this guy’s not ready for prime time, if he’s only recently become active in an arena where large numbers of the people he wants to represent hang out and communicate.
The more I read about this mayor’s race, the more I shake my head and wonder how the hell the candidates button their pants in the morning. Williams can’t talk, Montgomery is Baker Junior, Kelley is … I don’t know, Bovell’s a joke and Spencer is Wilmington’s Mike Miller.
How has Dennis Williams put his life on the line? I don’t know his background.
Williams was a cop.
I hear you, Will. Couple quick points:
– Crime is important, so is the economy. Yes, we need someone with a plan to combat these things. And, like you said, if these things aren’t focused on, people won’t want to come here. But the opposite is also true. If it’s fixed and there’s no reason to come here, then the city won’t grow. I just wanted to know what he would do after crime is no longer an issue.
– Dennis is new to Facebook. Then he should be careful how he uses it and he should have people around him making sure he’s using it right. If he can’t rely on someone to help him navigate Facebook, how much confidence can I have in his ability to put a good administrative team together. He’s going to “new to the office” if elected, does that mean we excuse mistakes if they’re made? Being new to something isn’t an excuse for using it poorly.
– Basing my opinion on my Facebook interaction. If that’s what he’s putting out there, then what else do I have to go on. I’ve spoken to most of the candidates through social media….and they all seem to know how to write an email, post a reasonable response, and not unfriend me because I asked a question. Yes, I’m basing it on two things (1) His inability to share an insight or a plan on his page and in his interaction, and (2) the insulting way he handled my question. Hard to undo that.
I’m sure he’s a nice guy. And maybe he’s got a crime plan. But perhaps he’d be better suited for City Council. We need someone with a wider vision, and a knack for communicating with the voters. And based on my interaction, Dennis isn’t it.
I didn’t attack him. I wasn’t disrespectful. I don’t even dislike him. I just don’t want him to be mayor.
Best of luck. Thanks for writing back.
@Joe Trainor I am interested in who you think is a better candidate? Obviously you do not like Mr. Williams. I am partial to Kevin Kelley myself . . . who else have you interacted with. You have seemed to have spent a whole lot of energy on this one interaction with Mr. Williams. Just sayn.
Linda. Based on what I know of the candidates (which is primarily based upon their on-line profiles and things I’ve read on-line and in the paper), I’m currently leaning Montgomery. I like Kelley, and had a great conversation with Bovell. But right now, I feel that he has more experience that the other candidates.
There will be some who will try to say that working so close with Baker and “not getting things done” (which isn’t entirely true), is actually a negative to his campaign, but it’s hard to overlook the fact that he’s been there. He knows how to things work, and what he’ll do as Mayor is going to be very different than working UNDER the current Mayor.
I missed the last debate due to other obligations, but have it set to record when it replays on WHYY at 5:00 on Friday, so I’m very interested in seeing how they stack up. I’ll be curious to see how it affects my decision.
“How does he expect to govern with no communication aptitude?”
It’s never seemed to hurt Tom Carper.