1. One More Wilmington Councilperson Seeks an Elective Career Change…
…and a Wilmington institution retires to pave the way. City Treasurer Henry Supinski has announced his retirement after 26 years in the post. I don’t remember a single scandal during that time that was attributed to any problems in the Treasurer’s Office. And, when you read the linked bio, pretty much all I can conclude is that this is/was a dedicated and effective public servant. Politics abhors a vacuum, so a politician has rushed in to fill this one. City Councilman Darius Brown has announced that he will not seek reelection to City Council, and instead will pursue the City Treasurer position. From the News-Journal article:
Brown, 34, said he will establish Open Checkbook, a program to show accountability for city expenditures; Money Matters, a program to provide financial literacy for constituents; and Economic Index to disseminate economic and financial data about Wilmington publicly each quarter to highlight the city’s progress compared to economic activity in the region, state and nation.
Here is Brown’s Wilmington City Council page. Although I doubt that he is an ‘ardent poverty advocate’, it’s a pretty interesting background. I DO have one question, however. Supinski’s educational bona fides were in the area of finance and administration. What in Brown’s background qualifies him to oversee the city’s finances? He’s got a paralegal degree from Del-Tech and he attended Delaware State University and majored in political science. So, my question is, why would someone who is as politically active as Brown seek a position that is, first and foremost, an administratively-essential one? And just what in his background qualifies him to be the steward of the city’s finances? These are not disses, just what I consider legitimate questions.
2. More City Council Musical Chairs.
Did someone mention that politics abhors a vacuum? No sooner had Darius Brown announced his intention to not seek reelection in the 3rd Councilmanic District than a would-be replacement stepped forward. Erin Hutt, a ‘community activist and mother’, announced her candidacy Thursday. She is the founder of Chains, Inc., which:
is… aimed at connecting city youth to resources. The organization also puts out its 40-under-40 list each year, awarding individuals who are making a positive impact on Delaware.
Here is more on the ’40 Under 40′ program that Hutt started. I don’t know much about her and I do wish the reporters would let us know whether she’s related to Gary Hutt, but she seems like a worthy candidate.
3. More More City Council Musical Chairs.
Please, sir, can I have some more? Sorry, no music vids from ‘Oliver!’, I do have my standards. Robert Cannon, a Southbridge resident who has lost two children to gun violence, has filed to run for the 4th Councilmanic seat being vacated by Hanifa Shabazz, who is running for Council President. He joins Michelle Harlee, who also recently filed for the race, in a primary for the seat.
4. Strange Bedfellows.
I caught this one over at the Delaware Way site. No surprise that Rep. Ed Osienski who, up until the death penalty vote, had been one of the strongest progressive voices in the House Democratic Caucus, would host a fundraiser for Bryan Townsend. But…Dave Tackett? The County Council guy who ran sort-of a Christian fundamentalist primary challenge against Townsend and got his head handed to him? Color me surprised. I’m pretty sure we can all figure this one out, though. If Townsend wins the congressional race, it creates an opening in…Townsend’s senatorial district. Me? I can only hope that Osienski resides in that district.
5. Yet Another Partisan ‘Non-Partisan’ Election in Newark.
Maybe it’s time that the City of Newark drops any pretenses of non-partisan elections. When party hacks like *cough Vince D’Anna cough* are involved on both sides, it’s really kinda disingenuous to suggest that the candidates are not reflective of their parties. The race between activist/power plant opponent Jen Wallace and realtor/butcher Arlynn Hall is really a race between differing philosophies. Guess which one Hall embodies:
“I’m a pro-property-rights and pro-business guy and I just want to see the city do well and save some taxpayers some money,” Hall said.
And I’m not criticizing Hall here. Just pointing out the fact that non-partisanship is barely even a fig leaf here. Of course, Wallace tends to represent the wing of the Democratic Party that I support. I guess that, b/c of that nonpartisan thingy, the election takes place on April 12.
6. Filings.
State Sen./Jobs for Delaware Graduates President Nicole Poore (D-SD 12); Her BFF State Rep. Valerie Longhurst (D-15th RD); State Rep. Sean Lynn (D-31st RD).
That’s all I got. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?