DL Open Thread Friday, Sept. 27, 2024
We’ll have another damp day, but nothing like the inundation in the Southeast, where Helene dumped an amount of rain seen once every thousand years. Given the lack of progress on climate change, I’m gonna to take the under on that one.
Delaware’s Public Integrity Commission proved itself incapable of doing its job, declining to investigate why the public wasn’t told about embezzlement in the state’s unemployment insurance fund. While that might be defensible, it’s explanation wasn’t. It claimed this secrecy “did not create an appearance of impropriety” when it quite obviously did. Given the choice, yes, I’m gonna believe my lying eyes.
I’m not a joiner, so I’ll never really understand the appeal of any cult. But cartoonist Ruben Bolling has a good idea of how people fall into the rabbit hole.
As a confirmed Luddite, I have mixed feelings about technology – I’m not sure whether it’s a threat or a menace. I know this much, though: Tech bros lie even more than politicians, so it’s not actually the technology I don’t trust. It’s the technicians.
The floor’s yours.
So, there was a community public safety meeting last night at the Claymont Fire Hall. The meeting was well attended by the police, community leaders and elected officials. The Knollwood Opioid grant was a hot topic with pointed questions raised regarding the lack of effectiveness and curiosity expressed as to where the cash is going. Unfortunately, there must have been important train station business last night because the program’s Honcho was nowhere to be found so the questions went unaddressed. Hey Bethany, at least get your folks to act like they’re engaged!
What were the questions/comments?
The person who manages the Claymont grant seems to read & comment on this blog. Maybe he can answer them here.
Last evening I had a prior work obligation actually not related to the train station. The previous evening (Wednesday 9/25) I did give an update regarding our work in Knollwood (among other projects/initiatives) at the CRDC’s monthly public Claymont Renaissance Update held at the Claymont Library.
My understanding from last night’s public safety meeting at CFC13 was that one particular individual, with an axe to grind because we did not hire her to be a peer counselor for this project, made some comments that inferred non transparency and poor allocation of funds. Several attendees including Councilman Cartier, said the opioid grant was not the focus of the public safety meeting.
That said, fortunately, our Recovering Claymont Lives assistant program manager and Knollwood resident Sol Robles was there to set the record straight. Supposedly there was a brief heated exchange.
In the recent past I have tried to explain to readers of this blog what we are trying to accomplish in Knollwood with the Opioid Abatement Grant funds. We have an experienced program manager up there doing yeoman’s work in a very tough neighborhood. No one, even the residents would dispute that Knollwood is a challenged community. Our progress is thoroughly documented and all grant funds are accounted for. Regular reports are presented to the twelve CRDC Board members and to Claymont’s local elected officials, as well as to the State. It should be known that the CRDC will receive to its general operating account, $15,000 compensation for the period Nov ‘23 to Nov ‘24 for our work.
I’ve realized that folks with their own agenda are going to believe what they want, say what they want even if they drag a responsible nonprofit through the mud. It sucks but we will continue to adhere to our mission statement and hopefully make the lives better for all Claymont’s residents.
Claymont’s local politicians, County Exec’s, Lt. Governors, Governors have come and gone, but our community based organization has been the one constant; pushing for a safe, prosperous community for all its residents.
Here is a short report we recently did to share with those working in the substance abuse and social support fields to generate interest and perhaps bring additional services to the community. I wish I could figure out how to post the actual PDF here so I just copied some of the text:
The Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation (CRDC) was awarded the Delaware Opioid Abatement Phase 1B Grant, effective September 2023 – August 2024. The Recovering Claymont Lives project aims to help Knollwood residents prevent overdose, access treatment and recover their lives with support from a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). Bridge funding has been granted through this November. The CRDC plans to apply for a continuation upon RFP release.
Focus Area:
Knollwood is a unique, isolated, blue-collar neighborhood in Claymont located at the northeast corner of the state. It is surrounded by a former industrial site and is situated above the I-95 and I-495 junction
on a hill that has one entrance in and out of the community. Five streets makeup the neighborhood that residents refer to as “A through E” streets. Housing is mixed with single, duplex and row homes. Approximately 135 of the homes are occupied, with a remaining 10 to 15 properties vacant due to various circumstances. It is estimated 40% percent of the residents are homeowners, with the remaining 60% renters. Many of the rental properties are owned by several members of one family, making for an interesting dynamic in the community. Knollwood homes were built more than 100 years ago to provide housing to the workers of the neighboring steel plant, which closed in 2014. Following demolition and remediation of the former 450-acre industrial site, the land is currently being transformed into residential, office, retail and light industrial properties. Despite the revitalization efforts underway in Claymont and that surround Knollwood, residents express feeling abandoned due to the crime, food insecurities, childcare needs, substandard housing conditions, violence physical and behavioral health issues, illicit drug activity and drug-related overdoses that continue to plague the community.
Implementation:
Since launching the Knollwood project, the CRDC formed a core planning team consisting of residents and advocates to guide implementation. The team meets monthly to discuss awareness and outreach strategies to engage with residents and to identify partnership opportunities with organizations that can assist in meeting the communities many social determinants of health and related substance use needs. Engaging residents, collaborating with organizations to bring services into Knollwood, coordinating schedules and activities with partners, and providing continual communications about the many benefits and services offered to Knollwood residents are at the core of what makes this project a new beginning. The project is not only helping to remediate and abate the long-term effects of opioids, the Recovering Claymont Lives project is restoring hope and overturning Knollwood’s reputation as being the “forgotten” neighborhood.
HIGHLIGHTS
Initiated Knollwood Community Center (KCC) engagement/partnership.
Established a partnership with Peace Walk organizer – BSD teacher “Dr. D.”
MOU established with CCD (Community Collaboration of DE) for CPRS and more.
For onsite CPRS services, KCC MOU initiated to rent space with staff oversite.
On March 1, CCD initiated outreach and onsite CPRS services at the KCC.
Thus far, 33 unique individuals have engaged in CCD’s CPRS services.
Conducted a community Needs Assessment, with a 40% completion rate.
Increased engagement: Spring Clean Up, Dads on Duty, 4th of July BBQ …
Increased KCC utilization with collaboration from a growing list of partners.
Increased interest in onsite recovery supports (AA/NA, SMART Recovery, etc.).
Increased communications with the start of a 6x/year community newsletter.
To further meet needs, establishing a CCD Satellite Food Bank site at the KCC.
Understanding/overcome the historical challenges that impact progress.
§ Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation –– Phase 1B Grant Brief September 2024 §
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Probably trying to figure out where their next payday is coming from now that BHL is no longer in the picture…doubt that Matt Meyer will be nearly as pliable.
I have said this for years, after organized religion social media is the worst thing ever foisted upon humanity
Delaware Library systems are high jacked by foreign actors and held for ransom for $1million dollars, the unemployment fund had $181K stolen from it and where is our governor? To busy violating the HATCH ACT running for a fifth government pension. Stacking up Del State board with cronies. The criminality continues with the Claymont Crab just screwing over our governments with impunity. Five government pensions, all from the taxpayers. HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE? Just in Columbia Man Indicted for Allegedly Diverting $2.7 Million from Delaware Child Support Services
https://share.newsbreak.com/8yqimj0m
Are all five pensions cumulative? There really needs to be some reform so public pensions can’t be stacked like that without some limit. I’m looking at you, cops.
5 pensions John or if you like the Claymont crab 🦀 who’s been on the public tit for life. The fed took over our prisons twice on his watch. That just how bad the Corporate turd is. The $50 million Carney pushed through Leg-hall at the last minute for commercial buildings in Wilmington should be investigating 🔎. He need to explain that move. Commercial buildings are worth very little but Corporate Carney gave away our money 💰. Who owns those buildings and did they donate to Carney’s campaign? Inquiry minds want to know. That Carney’s view of public private partnerships. I want our $50 million back John.
To be fair, the prisons were awful long before Carney.
I thought Claire Demattias fixed them year ago