WDEL’s Amy Cherry Exposes Corruption in County Farmland Deal

WDEL’s Amy Cherry Exposes Corruption in County Farmland Deal

By far the best journalism being committed in Delaware today is being done by WDEL's Amy Cherry. She has effectively chronicled the stink of corruption permeating the proposed farmland deal between the Gordon Administration and a couple of well-connected farmers.  Here are the links. Go ahead and read/listen to them. I'll wait.
Keep Digging

Keep Digging

Nobody, least of all the American “media”, has to do anything to demonize Trump. He’s taken care of it himself by continually attacking a Gold Star family with the GOP playing the role of Hype Man behind him shouting right along. What a disgusting joke the GOP has become. And the Delaware Republicans just follow suit. SAD!
What A Crisis in African American Leadership Looks Like

What A Crisis in African American Leadership Looks Like

Mayor Williams' Chief of Staff, Gary Fullman, sent an email to the members of The Monday Club, inviting them to a fundraiser sit-down with the mayor but also invoking the real "threat" that a white candidate could win the Mayor's race:
"Our communities have fared better over the past 24 years (under an African American mayor) than under previous administrations, at the expense of those who previously benefited, and there is a strong effort by those others to regain control of City Government," wrote Fullman. "So much so that folks have paid candidates to enter the race or are paying black individuals to garner support for white candidates in the African American communities (Norman Oliver for Mike Pryszicki [sic]). Don't be fooled. Join us Wednesday evening to converse directly with Mayor Williams to get the real story."
SevOne to Delaware: “Thanks, Suckers!”

SevOne to Delaware: “Thanks, Suckers!”

Perhaps Jack Markell's favorite poster child for economic development has given Delaware the finger. SevOne is conducting a series of 'brutal layoffs.'  And, of course, the Delaware Economic Development Office doesn't know how much money the state won't get back. Here's the (no) money quote from the News Journal story:
"They are laying off so many people I had to wait [hours] to get my severance," the worker said. "It's like standing in a line for a guillotine."
It's not clear where Delaware will stand in this line.  Here's what we know....
The Murdertown Chronicles — Finale

The Murdertown Chronicles — Finale

Part 3 was released some time back and I apologize for not posting that. See the end of this post to see details on the release and wrap party for the final episode. Have you heard about this new podcast? Sponsored by the Delaware Center for Justice, this is a long-form reporting project that is meant to explore the role that poverty plays in Wilmington's crime problems. This will be in four parts -- and so far includes voices from young men wrapped up in crime as well as voices from the ACLU, Dr. Yasser Payne, Charlie Copeland and others who are illuminating the larger picture involved with Wilmington's crime problems. I've listened to the first one (this is about 20 minutes long) and it is riveting. Give it a listen and I hope you'll come back to this thread to discuss this work and the issues it raises.
Senator Cory Booker Endorses Eugene Young for Wilmington Mayor

Senator Cory Booker Endorses Eugene Young for Wilmington Mayor

This happened on Friday and is certainly impressive. Senator Booker has been on some lists as a potential VP candidate for Hillary Clinton, and there's been plenty of cheerleading for him. He's a solid progressive and defeated a fair bit of Newark public sector corruption and cronyism to win the Mayor's seat. Here's his pitch for Eugene Young, candidate for Mayor of Wilmington:

Oopsies!

Don't you just hate it when you're a Democratic candidate for US Congress from Delaware, and something like this happens?: image1
Wilmington Mayor’s Race — Undecided Leads the Pack

Wilmington Mayor’s Race — Undecided Leads the Pack

The News Journal released the results of their poll last night, which shows the race being much closer than the common wisdom (including mine) would have suggested. Here's the numbers: Kevin Kelly 18% Mike Purzycki 14% Dennis Williams 13% Theo Gregory 11% Eugene Young 9% Norm Griffiths 8% Robert Marshall 2% Maria Cabrera 2% Undecided 21% The margin of error on this poll is 5.8 and reached landlines only. This surveyed likely Democratic voters. This polly also asked about registration and primary practices -- where we find that this group of likely Democratic voters think that it should be easier to switch parties to vote and that primaries should be open.
Delaware Political Weekly: Filing Deadline Countdown Edition

Delaware Political Weekly: Filing Deadline Countdown Edition

The filing deadline is this Tuesday, July 12 at 12 noon. After Tuesday, parties may file candidates, but individuals cannot file on their own separate from the party.  The deadline for withdrawing one's candidacy and getting one's filing fee returned is this Friday, July 15 at 4:30 pm.  Friday is also the deadline for candidates to switch from one race to another.  I'll likely be out campaigning for the candidate of my choice (Bryan Townsend) at the Tuesday deadline, so please keep us posted on any last minute developments.
Poll in the Field for Wilmington Mayoral Race!

Poll in the Field for Wilmington Mayoral Race!

I took a call this evening from Public Policy Polling who was conducting a poll on the Wilmington Mayoral Race. And I am excited to see the results -- if there is polling in Wilmington it is for candidates and I don't think this one was. Here are the questions asked: 1. Likelihood of voting (I answered very likely) 2. Read a list of candidates (in alphabetical order by last name), with instructions to push a number for the candidate you will vote for 3. Wilmington Right Track/Wrong Direction question