The Committee of 100 | Meeting Notes

New Castle County government has had a colorful history since County Executives and Councils took over from the Levy Court in January 1967. Contrary to popular (and media) opinion, the County has a long history of planning. The outgoing Levy Court approved the County's first Comprehensive Development Plan on November 1, 1966 and the new County Council ratified it on January 3, 1967. Even before the Castle Administration unveiled its Quality of Life package, erroneously charging counties with having no comprehensive plans, New Castle County was in the process of updating its original Plan. The Comp Plan has gone through multiple updates, to say nothing of an entirely new Unified Development Code. But we still hear that the County fails to plan.

Two things most often get in the way of acknowledging that the County does plan. First, residents who already have their homes and don't want any more development, want to believe the County doesn't plan to justify their opposition. Second, the machinations of some elected officials have commanded attention and imply that everyone is headed for jail like Mel Slawik or Ron Aiello.

The County is, again, under siege. The County Executive and his Chief Administrative Officer, along with an unknown number of County employees, appear to be the targets of a U. S. Attorney investigation. On the Council side, two new members, elected with the help of those under a cloud, have changed the dynamics. Even more ominous is the challenge to the duly-elected Council President to determine who will wield the power.

Lost in the furor are the good people who are trying to do good things. Chris Coons is one of those good people. He will share with us what is happen-ing and what he thinks can and cannot be done.