NCC Moves To Eliminate The Elective Office Of NCC President
I mean, does anybody think that, if they had their druthers, they would have chosen either Karen Hartley-Nagle or Monique ‘Williams’-Johns if they could elect the leader from amongst council?
This resolution was reportedly passed by an 11-2 vote at last night’s Council meeting:
Prime Sponsor(s): Ms. Durham, Mr. Caneco
Mr. Carter, Mr. Cartier
Ms. George, Ms. Kilpatrick
Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Smiley
Mr. Toole
Date of introduction: May 27, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25-097
NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL REQUESTS THAT THE DELAWARE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE, TITLE 9 IN RELATION TO ELECTION
OF THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
1 WHEREAS, various legislative bodies in the State of Delaware and nationwide elect
2 their leadership by majority vote from among its members; and
3
4 WHEREAS, the legislative bodies in Delaware that elect their leadership from
5 among their members include the Delaware General Assembly, Kent County Levy Court,
6 Sussex County Council, Clayton, Dover, Elsmere, Fenwick Island, and Frankford, among
7 others; and
8
9 WHEREAS, the leadership of New Castle County Council is comprised of the
10 President and President Pro Tempore, but currently only the President Pro Tempore is
11 elected by a majority vote of Council members (pursuant to 9 Del. C. Sec. 1145); and
12
13 WHEREAS, in contrast to New Castle County Council, the Presidents of both Kent
14 County Levy Court and Sussex County Council are elected by majority vote from among
15 the members of each Council (pursuant to 9 Del. C. Sec. 334); and
16
17 WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of County Council and the County that all
18 Council leadership positions are elected based upon a consistent internal process, by
19 majority vote of Council, and consistent with the process employed by other legislative
20 bodies in Delaware, including its two sister Counties; and
21
22 WHEREAS, County Council also believes it is in the best interests of the Council
23 and the public if the current at-large County-wide Council President district was changed to
24 a dedicated 13th Council district, and the President was elected from among the 13 Council
25 members, with such election to be held every two years, at the first committee meeting in
26 January.
27
28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by and for the County Council of New
29 Castle County that County Council requests that the Delaware General Assembly amend
30 Title 9 of the Delaware Code to remove the County-wide Council President district, and
31 replace it with a dedicated thirteenth district of County Council; and
32
33 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that County Council desires that the position of
34 Council President be filled by a duly elected member of County Council who receives a
35 majority vote of the 13 members thereof during the first committee meeting in January and
36 shall be for a two-year term, unless otherwise determined by a majority of Council
37 members. The Council member elected as President of County Council shall continue to
38 perform their duties as a District Councilperson in addition to those duties assigned to the
39 Office of Council President.
Adopted by County Council
of New Castle County on: 5/27/2025
________________________________
Penrose Hollins
President Pro Tempore of County Council
of New Castle County
SYNOPSIS: The proposed amendments, if enacted by the Delaware General Assembly,
would provide consistency to the process by which County Council elects its leadership
positions; the amendment would provide consistency internally, providing for the President
and the President Pro Tempore be elected by a majority vote of Council members – as well
as provide consistency with the manner in which leadership positions are elected by various
legislative bodies in Delaware, including the Delaware General Assembly and New Castle
County’s sister Counties, Kent County and Sussex County, among others.
Moreover, the proposed amendments would convert the current at-large County-wide
district for the Council President to a dedicated 13th district of Council. The position of
Council President would be filled by a member of Council elected for a two year term by a
majority of the 13 Council members, consistent with the manner in which County Council
presently fills the position of President Pro Tempore and consistent with other legislative
bodies in Delaware.
FISCAL NOTE: There is no discernible fiscal impact with the adoption of this legislation.
As I understand it, this Resolution would not/could not take effect until 2032, as it would be at that time that New Castle County Council could create a 13th councilmanic district following the 2030 Census, assuming there is a 2030 census.
I’ve been informed that Monique ‘Williams’-Johns (remember, kids, she changed her last name so that she could vote last on any roll call) was more than a little peeved by what Council did. I know that Council tried to do something similar during the tenure of Karen Hartley-Nagle. Williams-Johns, of course, (a) would still have the right to run for a councilmanic seat where she resides; and (b) would not be subject to the terms of this Resolution until 2032. Assuming she’s still in office by then.
I hope the General Assembly paves the way for this to happen. Competence should be the minimal standard for occupying elective office (I know, I know…).
NCC President is a complete waste of an office. Think people have been talking about this for years.
Does it help that KHN and Monique Johns have been the last two placeholders? Def not but I don’t think it’s targeted.
With that said from the whispers I hear Monique has managed to alienate mostly every member already. Surprise surprise
The notion of this being an elective office makes no sense to me.
There are 12 councilmatic districts. Each confined to a specific area.
Then there’s NCC President, where you run countywide to be one of thirteen. All to gain at best a tiny measure of increased power than the 12 councilmembers. The two most recent Council presidents at best appeared motivated by personal aggrandizement, and almost immediately demonstrated their unsuitability for office.
Time to get this done.
Nothing in the resolution sets a 2032 date for implementation, but I guess the brilliant minds in the General Assembly can work that out.
Should the new 13th district remain countywide for the 2028 election, I’d have to wonder why anyone would want to run for the seat — countywide election more expensive (not to mention more gas and shoe leather) than one of the 12 existing districts.
Don’t see much point in redistricting for 2028 since new lines would be drawn after the 2030 census. Strongly suspect that the new lines will result in three districts being entirely (or mostly) below the Canal. Biggest question will likely be whether the new lines will be drawn to ensure or prevent having one likely Republican seat,
Delaware doesn’t provide for redistricting other than for the once-a-decade exercise.
It would probably require a constitutional amendment, which must pass in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly, to consider such a change prior to 2032.
Also, the way redistricting works would make it virtually impossible. The Counties can’t redistrict until the Senate and House pass their plans, as the county lines are expected to align with the House and Senate lines. In order to prevent those little pockets where next to nobody live.
So, it’s not happening until 2032, if then.
Well, I suppose they have to rely on counties as the example instead of the internally-elected state legislators as an example… can’t say they’ve chosen impeccable speakers…
Johns’ comments to the press trying to suggest it would add power to certain locations is … just silly, really. Doesn’t seem like she knows how the district building process would work. Plus 2 Councilmen from her area below the canal are on the proposal as sponsors so they don’t seem worried the new district would gerrymander power northward?
She showed she doesn’t know what she’s talking about when she said it seemed unconstitutional. Really? Which constitution would that be? It’s become a meaningless catch-all phrase for public officials who face any obstacles to their whims.