Markell Cabinet
I have to think that the speculation on specific appointees embedded in this Jeff Montgomery NJ story is based in at least some off the record background sourcing. Let’s assume it is anyway….
Visalli’s name has come up frequently as a potential replacement for Jennifer “J.J.” Davis to head the Office of Management and Budget, where she would immediately confront state revenue shortfalls recently estimated at $400 million and growing.
As discussed on this blog previously, Visalli would seem to be a great pick for either OMB or Treasurer.
Acting budget office director Mike Jackson has also been mentioned as a possible holdover for a finance position
Anybody?
*Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, a retired state police captain, has been mentioned for Homeland Security and Public Safety, a job now held by David Mitchell. Schwartzkopf also could be in the running for a new House Democratic majority leadership job.
Schwartzkopf lost some of my respect for being a big Atkins booster, but that is water under the bridge,
*Office of Workers’ Compensation chief John F. Kirk III is a candidate to replace Labor Secretary Thomas B. Sharp.
From my myopic perspective the Worker’s Comp office has been well run. Anyone know this guy?
*Brandywine school board President Nancy Doorey and WSFS chief Marvin N. “Skip” Schoenhals have been mentioned as possible education secretaries.
Is that “the Clat’s” boss?
*State Coastal Programs Management Administrator Sarah Cooksey’s name has come up for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control job now held by John A. Hughes.
The word is that it would be a big upgrade to replace Hughes with a box of crayons. However…
Several other names have circulated in recent months as potential DNREC secretary. They include Air and Waste Management Director James Werner and former DNREC Secretary Nicholas A. Di Pasquale.
I vote a big “yes” on Di Pasqual.
Markell also is reportedly considering a medical doctor to serve as Health and Social Services Secretary. That person would replace Vincent P. Meconi, a former lawmaker and political operative who served as Administrative Services secretary before taking over HHS, an agency lashed by repeated crises and scandal.
I can’t imagine Meconi staying on.
Two possible holdovers, Peterson said: DelDOT Secretary Carolann Wicks, a professional engineer and career DelDOT employee, and Corrections Commissioner Carl C. Danberg. Both are held in high regard in the General Assembly and manage complex departments.
People named “Wicks” represent a pretty big voting block on their own, but with the Indian River Bridge debacle and budget problems on the horizon, maybe it is time to give someone else a turn standing infront of the shit fan.
nemski adds: I would hope that Markell search looks for the best people regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, etc. However there are way too many white faces in the picture on the News Journal.
I’m not sure how running a bank makes you qualified to run the Dept. of Ed.– unless jack intends to run the dept. as a business which I have mixed feelings about. (I’ve heard Sen. Sokola’s name thrown around, but not by people that necessarily have an in with Jack)
I would also have a BIG YES for Nick. And, hell, a rock is an upgrade from Lurch (Hughes).
I see where you come from re: DOT, but at the same time, maybe keeping Wicks in there for a bit to help groom someone who could truly turn the dept. around isn’t such a bad idea? (Plus, Wicks was handed a raw deal on DOT and most of it, (but not all) isn’t her fault.
If Visalli is OMB director… my question remains, Who’s the new Jack? Would the new Jack just be a seat holder/warmer for someone else in 2010?
“Marvin N. “Skip” Schoenhals have been mentioned as possible education secretaries.”
Free Public Schools
CHAPTER 1. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Subchapter I. Composition, Organization and Administration
§ 102. Secretary; Deputy, Associate and Assistant Secretaries; Acting Secretary; appointment.
(a) The administrator and head of the Department shall be the Secretary of Education, who shall be a graduate of an accredited college and shall have not less than 5 years’ experience in teaching and administration, with experience in each such category.
Jason the law says, NO!
I’d like to see a hard-working and successful principal from our public schools to be the next Sec of Education.
There must be plenty of people out there with the vision and political moxy to run the Dept. of Education.
While the Indian River Bridge was a clusterbleep, the customer service level of DELDOT has never been stronger. Filling potholes, replacing signs, emergency repairs, stuff like that, is getting done really quickly. It’s why the legislative long-knives never came out for Wicks like they (justifiably) did for Meconi and Taylor. Frankly, the knives should’ve been much longer for Meconi.
As to DNREC, Werner did a piss-poor job with the yard waste site in Bellefonte. If that’s a harbinger of his executive skills, then El Somnambulo wants someone else for Secretary.
“nemski adds: I would hope that Markell search looks for the best people regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, etc. However there are way too many white faces in the picture on the News Journal.”
Nemski, I’d be shocked if you’re not a baby boomer, it’s the only reason I can think of for pointing out the glaringly obvious.
Do you think Gov-elect Markell would sit around and look at resumes or interview people and then say “I think the person’s qualified but I’m not going to hire him/her because she’s black?”
WE ARE ALL EQUAL, now everybody Shut the F!@## Up.
Baby Boomers need to stop stirring up controversy just to satisfy their apologist mentality.
Oh darn — I thought that John F was back to plump for His Girl Hillary to be in Markell’s cabinet.
Bandywine school board President Nancy Doorey”
http://brandywineschools.org/16021021976140/site/default.asp
Debra Heffernan, Board President
I don’t see Doorey! Where did she go and why
Doorey is not even list as a board member! When did she leave and why?
Tony J. Marchio, Ed.D. Appoquinimink School District
Robert J. Andrzejewski, Ed.D. Red Clay School District.
In spite of Red Clay’s financial meltdown in which the school board deemed the superintendent was not responsible for ,LOL. Red Clay is perhaps the most diversified school district in the state. With diversification in student population with high poverty and. programs such as Special Ed, Alternative Programming, charter schools and magnet schools. No other school district can touch this level of diversification.
Some rumors have it for Andrzejewski. Markell lives in Red Clay and his child attends a Red Clay school. Surely these two guys know each other quite well!
The Beast who slumbers is correct.
First of all, JF, don’t presume to know what I am thinking; otherwise I would presume to think you’re a racist. Just saying.
Second, if you think we are all equal, then you’ve got some learning to do.
They include Air and Waste Management Director James Werner and former DNREC Secretary Nicholas A. Di Pasquale.
*
Werner is BAD NEWS but Nick would be excellent.
I heard that Chris Roberts wife, Stephanie Hansen, was supposed to be first in line for Hughes job if Carney won. Glad to not see her name above.
Baby Boomers need to stop stirring up controversy just to satisfy their apologist mentality.
*
WHACK job Giovanni.
(Plus, Wicks was handed a raw deal on DOT and most of it, (but not all) isn’t her fault.
*
Someone had ought to read Andye Daley’s FOIA’d emails on the DelDOT that Wicks’ oversaw….she was in on the ground floor of all of Hayward’s mess and she continued in that vein. Keeping her around is keeping the status quo and is no good for the public interests.
For DNREC Secretary, Nick DiPasquale would be a extremely bad. As former Secretary, he did not butt pound is chest and look out for himself, sharply dividing the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources side of the agency.
What were the great things he did that merit him returning?
…. All I hear is the chirping of crickets.
One really big thing he did do was push through the consent decree for the DuPont Dioxin Pile, tying the hands off the professional staff that followed. There are a lot more of these things as well.
While he huffs and puffs, his actually experience was a failure. Please do your homework folks and don’t get sucked into the bull about this guy.
His return would be disastrous to Delaware’s Environmental Agency that is still suffering from the failed legacy he started and that John Hughes has continued.
Give DNREC a fighting chance by putting someone new at the head, not a return the the failures of the past.
It is well past time for some real change in DNREC.
Try DNREC Secretary Jeff Montgomery.
Oh Christ! Even I would make a better Sec. Of Transportation than Wicks. I have run circles around her in every verbal and tactical battle I have had with her, and I am as dumb as a sack of hair.
We need a Sec of Transport. that is willing to do whats right for the State not what’s right for her political friends. She is too close to Senators Cook and Hall-Long for my liking.
If you are interested in seeing the hunderds of FOIA e-mails I have from Wicks to see how she is under pressure. I have e-mails where is getting advice from Darrell Cole. Lord have mercy…. That is the very last person she should have ever taken advice from.
I am still waiting on 17 questions I asked to be answered on the Indian River Inlet Bridge Cluster (*^*%%) !!!!
Then there’s the $2.7 Billion Dollar shortfall that doesn’t even include the 301 project. That project alone was $1.5 Billion ( and that was with 2005 numbers).
Our bridges are in disarray, roads desperately need to be up graded, We are in need of better public transportation for the whole state. There needs to be a working group with members of Agriculture andTransportation that meet on a monthly basis ( not just when there is a problem).
Oh, don’t get me started…
I guess I am started. OH Jack….. Please , Please, Please! Consider others for the DOT position!
Andye Daley:<>
“every verbal and Tactical battle” ??
Christ.
How did that “verbal and tactical battle” go against Weldin? Not so hot I heard.
George. Thanks for making me feel good today. I told you I was as dumb as a sack of hair. Wicks is in well over her pretty head, and Weldin is where he sould be…… right with me ( no where ). But thanks again , you seem like a real nice guy!
Hug and Kisses,
Andye
ruh roh. I am getting an education on the former DNREC Sec. – ’nuff said.
Alan Muller for DNREC Sec.?
Carol Overland?
Three choices coming out of the city:
Velda Potter for Treasurer (Velda was brought in from duPont to clean up the City of Wilmington a few years ago, did an excellent job). A minority and a woman who is loved in the city for the all the tireless work she does with the Pal Center. She is brilliant with numbers and would be a great asset to Jack.
Marianne Smith to replace Vince Merconi. Marianne is currently Director of Developmental Disabilities a woman I have worked very closely with for years. She is trusted by parents to do the right thing, a wonderful woman, an ex nurse who has the skill, expertise and knowledge to clean up DPC. She knows all the federal regulations unlike Merconi who was a no nothing in human services.
Alan Mueller, DNREC…could’nt have a better watchdog for the environment. He should be at the top of Jacks list.
What does a medical doctor know about mental illness, or juveniles, or autism, or foster children etc. This position needs someone who knows the federal and state regulations (a doctor wouldnt have any knowledge of that stuff). This position needs someone with the skills to run the department and knows how to apply for grants, deal with medicaid, medicare etc.
Need a person who knows who all the hundreds of private providers are, how to deal with contracts and contract law…that wouldnt be a doctor?
Having connections to DNREC and Homeland Security/Public Safety, and being familiar with most of the players: Werner and DiPasquale never distinguished themselves so why reward mediocrity? I was pleased to hear Cooksey’s name in the mix. She’s one sharp, motivated lady, and is smarter than both of the aforementioned combined.
Pete S. wouldn’t be my pick for Homeland Security, but it would be fun to watch him clean house and exact revenge on all those who boned him while he was in charge of Troop 7. My pick (Eckrich) just retired, and is now Town Manager for Lewes. The best possible selection would be Major Joe Papili, who one of the sharpest law enforcement officers I have ever known.
OK, jackholes, now turn this post into something dark, sinister, and conservative.
Jesus God Lizzy! Velda For Treasurer Appointment……hooooooo boooooy.
She has named herself Chair of the Market Street PAL for what, a decade now?
uh, huh, you go girl. What is Potter paying you to say such truck?
wRONg Williams had Valerie Longhurst as the loser now winner. How stupid is this guy?
If it were not for bird cages the News Journal would be out of business.
It does not matter who Markell appoints. The government will be functionally broke so each Cabinet head will be cutting more than a brand new weed wacker. \
Nancy: you have been wrong on everything in Wilmington. FYI, several elected officials have put her name forward because she has the credentials, and many are well aware of the great job she did in the City of Wilm. You obviously have no idea what your talking about. After Tuesday any credibility you had will be gone. Ms. Potter was elected to the Pal board and had to get rid of a board member which is now serving on PSA board (because she was disruptive there as well).
Perhaps you werent around when Ms. Potter was sent in from th duPont Co. to clean up the city’s financial problems. She is well respected and there is nothing you can say or do to change that. I think Jack is cool enough to think for himself on his appointments.
I don’t get paid Nancy I think the better question is “what you got paid for protecting Keith Lake” not the agency you were supposed to serve.
I can neither confirm nor deny that I have been contacted for my team building skills in helping Gov-Elect Markell. I have the resume.
Now go blog on it. I could use the job. 😀
Wicks needs to go Listen to her at JFC She has absolutly no regard for Public transit as part of the DELDOT
When she gives her presentation to JFC DART/DTC is usually the first part because most of the public speakers widh to talk bout Transit then when that is done the quote is
“Now we will talk about our CORE BUSINESS” which is in her eyes road maintenance and repair”
As Long as she and people like her run DelDOT Transit will nevr be improved in the state
Liz, are you accusing me of taking money from PSA?
Mrs. Potter was dismissed from DuPont and hasn’t held a corporate job since then, has she?
You know Nancy you can be sued for slander becausee once again you dont have the facts. She left the dupont Co and went to MBNA, a much bigger position with 300 people under her.
As far as PSA anything you say at this time…you should look yourself at mirror. What job have you held in the last 5 years?
Well:
Schwartzkopf is one of two Delaware legislators who said they didn’t want to be on our mailing list; I’ve found him quite hostile.
Did he really support Atkins? I hear everything about Atkins but his disgusting record as a legislator:
http://greendel.org/item.xhtml?name=atkinglifflander
In my experience, Jim Werner is truly a hopeless case.
Nick DiPasquale? All I will say here is that I’ve seen him in action a lot as a Division Director and then as Secretary and as an agent of Duffield Associates and more …..
I think the emerging picture is that “progressive” people have been deluding themselves and there will be no honeymoon.
am
“You know Nancy you can be sued for slander”
Another Liz perennial. What she doesn’t realize is that any damages would be awarded only if the “victim” can show actual financial loss.
Sarah Cooksey would be great at DNREC! And I think that Pete wants to be majority leader in the House more than serving in Jack’s cabinet. If he did take the Homeland Security position, it sets off a scramble for his seat in the 14th.
Apparently the Dennis Rochford rumor is true, according to Allan Loudell’s blog.
Kilroy – Doorey left when Scanlon came it. It was a political fight relating to his hiring. If he came, she left. She won’t be secretary of ed. no way.
John Kirk is a good guy, but has been entrenched in the WC office of DOL for years and, although, he is a nice guy, he is not secretary material. His name is bandied about becuase of his father.
Mike Jackson is nearly a shoe-in. He hasnt been there long, but is liked – A LOT.
Wick’s hands are clean of the IR bridge. Her hands were tied the entire time. She would be a good choice.
arthur
“She won’t be secretary of ed. no way. ”
That’s for the info! I agree she won’t be the next Sec of DOE. I’ve been busy keeping taps on Red Clay and just wanted to know way she dropped off the radar!
Jack Markell is going to be controlling these people and that is the difference.
Just as Hayward took marching orders from Minner/oops-Carper, what Markell is going to bring to office is some distance from the HIGH DEM machiner that has landed us so firmly in trouble by having so faithfully served special interests.
I am looking forward to the change!
Liz, can I sue you for slander, dahling? You are calling me out for being unethical and it is a big fat lie.
Nancy: you won’t be able to hide from the Preliminary Report coming out tomorrow!
Nancy you have been slandering the Potters and me by association for years…the gig is up dahling! We know you have already seen the report…we will stand with the Auditor and the AG’s investigation. You will a lot to answer for when the report is made public…tomorrow!
Geezer: aka: al…you have no knowledge of the “slanderous comments” she has made. WDEL didnt cover any of the “goings on at PSA”, perhaps you could get clued in by calling Jim Hubmaster at WILM, who was present for much of what happened in the last month. Nice try at pileon though.
Better still do yourself a favor and get a copy of the Preliminary Report and see who was right and who was dead wrong. Report out tomorrow Al.
OK, Liz. Can you go away until the report comes out? Please?
Would it be possible for Chip Flowers to be a worse spokesperson for Democrats on WHYY’s Delaware Tonight? Nobody talks to him, so he has no idea. And he compared Jack Markell’s Blueprint for a Better Delaware with Hitler’s Mein Kampf tonight.
You’re definitely right, Flowers couldn’t be worse — do people actually listen to him??
Geek: comes out tomorrow, is that timely enough for you?