Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting

Monday, March 6, 2006

 

            A meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on Monday, March 6, 2006 at Warner Elementary School in the cafeteria.  A summary of the presentations made and the discussions held at the meeting follows:

 

1.              The meeting was called to order by President Meg Hudson at 7:05PM.

 

2.              There were 15 persons present at the start of the meeting. An additional 8   persons joined after the meeting began.

 

3.              Councilman Norm Griffiths addressed the group:

·      On March 23, Channel 22, at 6:00 PM Mayor Baker will give his budget address. 

·      Norm is on the city finance committee. Meeting usually start at noon and go until 5 or 6 PM

·      Sewer rates may increase up to 5 %.

·      The Wilmington Police Department is scheduled to start new class.  Anyone interested in submitting an application should call 576-3177.

·      Norm mentioned that he once served as a police office in Washington, DC.

·      The New Castle County Police Department will be starting a new class, also.  In general, the salaries offered by the County are more competitive than the salaries offered by the City.

·      The City of Wilmington is sponsoring a college tour.  The cost is $450.  Those interested in more information should call 576-3847.

·      We were reminded of the bill sponsored by Councilman Gregory aimed at restricting hours of operation.  The purpose of the bill is to discourage crime.  We were cautioned that not every 24 hr store is a magnet for crime.   Currently the Zoning Board of Adjustment can move to close a store, which is shown to be attracting a criminal element.  As in most legislation, the bill would provide for a due process procedure.  An owner threatened with restriction or closure would have to demonstrate that his store is not problematic.

·      The Director of Public Safety can shut down a problem store, now.

·      The question remains: “Where do we go to get the basic necessities late at night?”

·      The City has summer employment opportunities available.  Call 576-3847 for details.

·      A set of “seat belt” excuses was read, along with counter arguments.

·      Under current practice, young children do not get restrained with seat belts.

o      Cell phones held while driving continue to be a source of accidents.  Bud Freel indicated that there is no state support for the restriction of cell phone use while driving.   Captain Maggitti volunteered that use of cell phones by drivers poses serious problems.

·      There are two new Police Officers in our area

o      Corporal Chris Connelly (247-3219)

o      Corporal Sean Gordon (463-4221)

 

4.              Captain Maggitti addressed the group:

·      Applications for new officers will be accepted until March 17.  There is no upper age limit.

·      The new officers will be graduated in the summer.

·      Crime stats for February were given to Tom Baker and Meg Hudson.

o      There were no burglaries

o      There were two reported thefts.

o      Quiet month

o      Town Watch saw two persons with a gun at 20th and Baynard.  When the police appeared, the persons were gone.

o      Be aware that some toy guns are passing as real guns.

 

5.              Councilman at Large Bud Freel addressed the group:

·      The property at 800 W. 22nd Street has been vacant for up to ten years.

·      The City has moved to condemn the property.  The proper documents were filed in Superior Court last week.

o      Six months waiting ended in February, so the Sheriff will file papers with the owner, or publish them in the newspaper.

o      This will set the stage for immediate acquisition of the property.  All monies will be held in escrow.

o      Owner has been in touch with officials off and on over the years.

o      Within 24 months the City will rehab the property, then move to sell the property.

 

6.              State Senator Harris McDowell, III addressed the group

·      Senate Bill 30, the Home Scholarship bill has passed.  It has been a 15 year process.

·      It provides a resident of Delaware holding a high school diploma the opportunity to attend a two-year college program at Del Technical and Community College leading to an Associates Degree.

·      Articulation/Matriculation program will allow the student to follow up with a third year at an associated college or university.

·      The State of Delaware is one of the few states that can say to every child, “You can go to college.”  The three legs of the program are: motivation, accountability and scholarship.

·      Often low income children have self-excluded, because their parents told them not to think of college.

·      Three points of review are:

o      Graduate with a C+ average.

o      Do not do drugs.

o      No felony convictions.

·      In the long run, the State will save money.  Keep in mind that the annual cost of incarceration is $32,000.  Statistics show that those who are incarcerated early will spend half of his life in jail.

·      Delmarva Power

o      Energy prices have gone up

o      Natural Gas has increased four fold since 1999.

o      Gasoline prices today are in the range of $2.40 a gallon.

o      There is hope that the increases will be phased.  One suggestion is to propose an annual 20 % increase.

o      The competition for energy is in the wholesale market, not in residential market.

o      A 60 % increase will be difficult for many households.

o      Delaware is in the middle of the pact in this region of the country.

 

7.              President Meg Hudson addressed the group:

·      The Progressive Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 8.  The deadline for signing up is March 31.

o      The cost will be $15 per person before deadline, and $20 per person for those who register late. 

o      $20 per person after deadline

o      70 persons participated last year.

o      Everyone brings something for the dinner.

·      Operation Clean Sweep is scheduled for May 6 and 7, 2006.

·      Playground update:

o      Beth Higley raised all the money thought to be necessary; however, $65,000 more is required due to an adjustment by the contractor.

o      One option is to downsize the project.

o      Another option is to talk to other contractors

o      The hope remains to have it done by the summer.

·      For two weeks, starting March 6 exits 4 and 5 on I 495 will have traffic in only one lane in each direction.

·      There is a Brownfields Conference on hazardous clean up available.  The cost is $ 75.

·      There are articles available through the Attorney General’s office on the functions of the consumer protection unit.  Speaker are available.

·      The TNA April meeting will be held in the Warner School library.

·      Some neighborhood blocks need persons to distribute TNA fliers.  The obligation extends to nine or ten times a year.

·      Newsletter was late this past month.

·      Frank Joyce indicated that no  Block Captain positions are open.

·      Persons are needed for Neighborhood Watch.  Contact Tim Sharpe. On Friday and Saturday nights there are two shifts: 7 to 9 and 9 to 11.

 

8.              Various individuals brought questions and comments before the group.

·      Gary Linarducci from the Highlands expressed concern about the 900 condos to be built on the Brandywine.  There will be construction traffic in the neighborhood, since the route 202 exit of I 95 will be used.

o      There will be a meeting in April.  We need someone to be involved.

·      Norm Griffith – The Cherry Island landfill will band yard waste after January 1, 2007.

·      Suggestion from the floor: Let us invite Matthew Denn, the Insurance Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Insurance, to speak to our neighborhood association. He could speak to the plight of people who cannot afford health insurance.

o      An objection was raised which indicated that we should do neighborhood business at these meetings.

o      Senator Harris recommends that we invite Mr. Denn to speak to the group.

o      The trick is to cut him off after a reasonable period of time.  He could be encouraged to provide handouts and pamphlets.

o      Maybe ask him to speak toward the end of the meeting.

o      Other issues are automobile insurance, home owners insurance, wind and water damage insurance.

o      With a show of hands, only one person objected to a possible presentation.  Meg Hudson will get Mr. Denn placed on the TNA agenda.

 

9.              Howard Sholl addressed the group:

·      School Board elections are set for May 9.  Voting will take place in Warner School.

o      Two seats are contested, and each has 4 contenders.

o      Suggest that we have the candidates speak at the TNA April meeting, but limit the talk.  

o      We could have all candidates at the one meeting.

·      There is a software program on the Commissioner of Elections web site, which allows for voter registration.

·      A slate of TNA officers needs to be proposed.  Those who are interested should call Howard.  He would want to present the slate at the April meeting.

 

10.           The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3 at 7:00 PM.

 

11.           The meeting ended at 8:19 PM.

 

 

Submitted by

Fr. J. Dalton

March 28, 2006