The Committee of 100 | FYI Archives

The Committee of 100 began giving its Academic Scholarship in 1996. Since that time it has given four $2,000 scholarships, two $1,000 scholarships, and two smaller grants. Recipients must be residents of New Castle County who intend to major in business, economics, or a related field. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic excellence as well as well-rounded involvement in extra-curricular and community activities. Financial need may be used as a selection criteria in the event of equally-qualified candidates.

The students who have received The Committee of 100 Academic Scholarships to date have been extraordinary. In contrast to the headlines and complaints about the calibre of today's students, these young people are intelligent, motivated, hard-working young leaders who excel in academics and contribute to their communities. Each scholarship recipient would make you proud. Our only reservation in selecting the scholarship winners is that we cannot provide scholarships to more of these promising young people. Last fall the Board approved adding a line to the Dues Invoice to allow members to make a voluntary contribution to the scholarship fund. Thanks to those companies who are contributing, we will be able to extend the reach of The Committee of 100 Academic Scholarship program beyond the $2,000 in the budget from the Monthly Dinner Meeting 50/50s.

The 1999 Scholarship winner, Christopher Szczerban, just provided his required mid-year report and it is quite a record. He took 18 credit hours and earned straight As. While earning a 4.0 CPA, he was involved in Student Government, the Finance Club, the Residence Housing Association, and the Mock Trial Team. He served as editor-in-chief of The Boston University Pre-Law Review, was on the team that won the Intramural Soccer Championship, and volunteered as both an Admissions Host for Boston University and soccer coach for the Cambridge Youth Soccer Program. All this on top of entering Boston University with 64 credits from top scores on eleven Advanced Placement tests.

There are more kids out there like Chris. In addition to the annual $2,000 scholarship, The Committee of 100 will provide additional scholarships in the amount of the Voluntary Scholarship Contributions which members make when paying their dues. The amounts are up to you.

I-95 Reconstruction

In case you've been in a cave (or Florida, China, or stuck in your office) and haven't heard: I-95 is closing. Why? Because it's 30 years old and falling apart. Why close it? Because keeping one lane open in each direction would mean at least two years of construction. This plan will take approximately 192 days and have much less impact on the area's economy. Because I-495 is underutilized, it can handle all the additional traffic.

Here's the schedule: Southbound I-95, between the Pennsylvania State line and Route 202 will close this spring (approximately April 1 depending upon the weather). The timetable calls for the Southbound lanes to becompleted in 96 days, with the section between Marsh Road and 202 reopening in 56 days. Immediately after the Southbound lanes are completed and reopened in early July, Northbound I-95, between 202 and the Pennsylvania line, will be closed for the same 96-day period, with the section between 202 and Marsh Road, again, opening after 56 days. The contractor, George & Lynch, has an incentive of $25,000 per day, up to 10 days, for each of the four segments to get the roads opened early. That could mean only 152 days of closure!

In preparation for the reconstruction, DelDOT is completing over 60 projects to facilitate traffic movement during the I-95 shutdown. They range in size from the big ones, like Naamans Road and US 202, to intersections improvements, such as Philadelphia Pike & Myrtle Avenue, Silverside & Marsh Roads, and Harvey & Marsh Roads. They range in scope from the repaving of Governor Printz Boulevard and 12th Street to the new Fairplay Rail Station at Churchmans Crossing. In time for the Republican Nation Convention in Philadelphia, DelDOT will complete the Cauffiel Connector, the Claymont Rail Station upgrades, and the new I-495/US 13 ramp providing access from Southbound US 13 to Northbound I-495.

The 202 Safety Improvements currently under construction were planned well before the AstraZeneca deal which led to the State's purchase of the Blue Ball land and the subsequent plans for major road improvements. Originally scheduled to be completed prior to the I-95 reconstruction, the 202 Safety Improvements were delayed by community opposition, and will not be completely finished in time. Consequently, DelDOT will stop work on the travel lanes of US 202 in March so all lanes will be available during the I-95 reconstruction.

In addition to the road and rail improvements, bus service is being expanded to include two new express routes from Tri State Mall and the Brandywine Town Center to and from Downtown Wilmington. The express service not only will be more direct and so faster, but also, without the additional stops of a regular route, can be redirected to avoid traffic tie-ups such as accidents. One of the most important improvements is the Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS) which includes installation of "smart lights," signal controls, and cameras on major arteries in Brandywine Hundred and Northern Wilmington to facilitate traffic flow.
Enclosed with this FYI, is DelDOT's Planning & Survival Guide. If you would like more to distribute in your office, let us know.

The Venezky Ordinances

Beverley Baxter, Spiros Mantzavinos of the County Chamber, and Tom Quinn of the State Chamber met with Karen Venezky to discuss her Ordinances 99-146 and 99-151 (see the January FYI). Karen made clear the problems she wanted to solve and we explained how the ordinances would negatively impact businesses in New Castle County. Karen was receptive to making changes in these ordinances to correct the significant negative impact they would have on economic development. We have yet to finalize language and are not assured that we will reach full accommodation; however, we will continue to work in good faith toward an appropriate substitute. Because of the severity of the UDC, few major plans are going through the County process. If minor plans are stopped (as most would be under Karen's original ordinance), infill would be stymied and there would be little proceeding through the County's process. This affects all businesses, large and small, as well as nonprofits, such as schools and churches. Small projects or additions to existing businesses or plants and most infill would not be able to pass the tests, especially Level of Service. The Ordinances are now scheduled for the Planning Board's special hearing on Thursday, February 10th at 7:00.

Veterans Stadium Box

A member company has a Box at Veterans Stadium available for sharing with another Delaware company or firm. If any of our member companies/firms are interested, give Beverley a call.