March 2002

CHRISTOPHER A. COONS
President, New Castle Country Council

When Chris Coons was elected to a four-year term as New Castle County Council President in 2000, we had been living with the UDC (Unified Development Code) for nearly three years. Although the immediate furor was abating and several omnibus technical-amendment ordinances had provided some relief, there was growing frustration about the possibility of economic development under the UDC.

While the business community was uncomfortably uncertain about Chris Coons the candidate, it recognized that he was clearly the best choice. Chris not only had business experience, but also, had done his homework. Although, he readily acknowledged that, as someone new to county government, he had much to learn, he had already learned more than the other candidates. In addition, he had a solid reputation as a person of integrity.

Since becoming Council President, Chris has shown himself responsive to the concerns of both the civic and business communities. He listens. He does his homework. He looks for practical, workable solutions to difficult issues. Instead of grandstanding, he aims for reasonableness, cooperation, and compromise. Chris is the prime sponsor of the Redevelopment Ordinance, the most important proposed modification to the UDC since its passage.

The future of economic development in New Castle County remains a question and the UDC is still perceived as a document that hampers growth for businesses large and small. And while Chris is among those who recognize that there must be changes to ensure a healthy economy in the County, he also feels the power of civics whose standard response is, "No!"

Chris is an associate at W. L. Gore & Associates where he coordinates Gore's government relations at the federal and state levels and works on trademark and e-commerce issues in Gore's legal group.

Beverley Baxter