Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, June 6, 2005
A meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on Monday, June 6, 2005 at Warner Elementary School. Twenty-five persons were present.
A summary of the presentations made and discussions held at the meeting follows:
- President Meg Hudson called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.
- Bud Friel was present at the start of the meeting, but could not remain. He left a flier for distribution to the group. On July 16, 2005 from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM, there will be a "Special Collection Event" for the City of Wilmington at Frawley Stadium. Articles suitable for collection are:
- Hazardous, flammable, poisonous, corrosive or explosive household goods
- Computer equipment, telephones, radios, televisions, audio equipment, toys and appliances.
- Lt. Ruth Towsend of the Wilmington Police Department introduced herself to the group. Her direct phone number is 576-3175. She represented Captain Maggitti, who could not be present.
- 2400 N. Franklin - If problems persist, Captain Maggitti will meet with the tenant and the landlord to resolve the issue.
- Members of TNA were urged to report all suspicious behavior.
- No crime statistics report was made available.
- Several members of TNA presented criminal like behavior.
- Mrs. Pat Joyce reported to the group a personal auto damage incident. An unidentified driver backed into her car on Memorial Day evening. Estimate of damage is $1,500.
- 900 West 22nd - a gentleman was riding on a bike looking up and down driveway. Frank took a photo of the gentleman.
- Nuisance problems in the neighborhood continue:
- About two weeks ago, Meg has had packages stolen off her porch. Bottled water and plastic tubes were taken.
- Landscape stolen from yards and lawns recently.
- Lt. Towsend urged the group to report even nuisance thefts, in an effort to keep serious thefts from occurring.
- The TNA Neighborhood Garage Sale to coincide with the Brandywine Arts Festival, September 10.
- The email account TNApresident@yahoo.com has been established as a means of contacting Meg.
- State Senator Harris McDowell spoke to the group:
- The State of Delaware is struggling with the budget at this time of the year.
- A $200 million surplus has been reported for the last two-year period, but do not be deceived. [Editor's note: NewsJournal article of March 16, 2004 reported a total state budget of $2.65 billion in FY 2005 and $2.73 billion in FY 2006.]
- For four years the Minner administration was faced with decline. Salaries for state employees have not been given raises.
- Day care has had no increase in funds.
- Two outreach projects sponsored by the Wilmington Diocese have been suspended. Should the State pick up the slack? Certainly, the need is still present.
- A move to actuarial pension funds will demand more money.
- There is no rush to tax cuts. Delaware has the lowest taxes in the nation for a retired couple with $100,000 of annual income.
- Dover will come out with a balanced state budget.
- Delaware is among one of four states with top bond rating.
- The accident that happened at Warner School recently was not handled properly.
- Children were put at risk.
- First order of business should be the protection of children.
- Federal Government has cut some summer youth work programs. The state will replace some of the money.
- Federal Government cut money for public housing last year by $ 9 million. There is no increase in allocation for the current year.
- The City of Wilmington would like to add more money for summer jobs for youth, but it is in a financial bind.
- Federal cuts impact mostly urban areas.
- My [Senator McDowell] education program proposed to send a kid to college who has the ability and has not been in trouble with the law. Sothe inclusion of associate degrees through Del Tech. Currently, there are fifty-six programs available in the various associateÕs degree programs at Del Tech. In addition, the credits received at Del Tech can be transferred to a four year college program. The seed money for the program would be $1.6 M per year. This initiative passed in the Senate. We are working hard to get the initiative through the House. Education is one way to reduce the high rate of incarceration. The Governor has made it one of her priorities. If all goes well this initiative would take effect in September.
- Question: Any comments on section eight programs? Answer: Money comes from the Federal Government and matched by the state. There has been a $9 million drop off by the Federal Government. The State will supply up to $3 million.
- City needs $12 M in budget
- City tax increase would cover only one-third of the shortfall.
- The City TV program costs about $600,000 each year.
- Meg Hudson had a few announcements:
- Thanks to new Board Members for assuming their leadership roles.
- There will be a Board Meeting on June 20.
- The Board needs to compose its annual agenda.
- TNA has three new members; however, a new membership campaign will begin in September.
- New Business
- Andy (Anand Nagendran) was introduced to the group. He and his family are from India and currently living with Karen Weldin Stewart.
- He will be working for IBM.
- His wife works at Accenture on the Augustine Cutoff.
- The family is looking for a place to rent.
- Frank suggested that we thank the company, which has printed our newsletter. Suggestion: Let us give a gift certificate of a dinner or two.
- The cost of one monthly issue of the Newsletter would be $96, if TNA paid for it totally.
- 600 copies are distributed monthly including those distributed in the high-rise apartment buildings.
- Beth Higley is not present to talk about the Playground, but the committee recently sent out a flyer attempting to raise the final portion of the money needed to complete the project.
- Susan Mulchahey Chase gave a presentation on the history of Brandywine Park.
- She is preparing to publish a book on the Park's history in time for the Brandywine Arts Festival.
- A slide show with commentary was presented.
- End of the Meeting Announcements:
- Nancy Sherr, a member of the Board of Friends of Wilmington Parks, introduced herself. She invited members of TNA to visit her office, which is adjacent to Baynard Stadium in one of the trailers used by the Division of Parks and Recreation. In response to a question about the connecting trail between Brandywine Park and the Alapocas Run Park, she responded that issues related to rights of private property owners along the proposed path have not been resolved. Meg will follow up with the appropriate people.
- Mrs. Joyce announced that Christ Our King parish has developed a beautiful garden, which is open to visitors. Free line dancing lessons are provided during the week through the graciousness of Rev. James Nash.
- The meeting concluded at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted by
J. Dalton
Secretary
June 7, 2005