City Council orientation focuses on unity
A day of orientation was made possible with part of a $30,000 transition fund.
Wilmington City Council member-elect Vashun Turner told his new colleagues on Saturday that he never thought he would be a politician.
"It took me until July 11 to sign on the dotted line because of the fear of getting in with the lions," he said. "I'm not afraid no more."
The members of the upcoming 107th session of City Council came together for the first time to introduce themselves, participate in team-building exercises and familiarize themselves with council procedures. The all-day retreat at the Ed Oliver Golf Club was made possible by a $30,000 organizational fund approved by the current council last month.
"We have different levels of knowledge and experience and have different things to bring to the table," said Hanifa Shabazz, City Council president-elect. "I thought it was essential we all come together."
There are seven incoming members of the council who will assume office in January, six of whom have never held elected office. Six current council members are returning for another term. One incoming member has held an at-large position before.
Shabazz said the retreat promotes council cohesion, "so that when we go to county, state and federal levels, we are united to get what we need for the citizens that put us in our seats."
The session was led in part by career coach Joyce Dungee Proctor, who started the day by having the participants talk about their backgrounds and the role of council.
Samuel L. Guy, an attorney and self-proclaimed "change agent," said the council has a "great degree of legitimacy" as compared to the incoming mayor's administration.
"At the primary level, the person who’s going to lead the executive branch received 23 percent of the vote, which means 77 percent didn’t want that person," he said. "We’re the body that folks really trust in."
Mayor-elect Mike Purzycki received 23.59 percent of the vote against seven opponents in the Sept. 13 primary. He won the general election last week with over 82 percent of the vote against a Republican and an Independent.
The attendees also discussed how national politics will affect Wilmington.
Yolanda McCoy, who will represent District 6, said while the election of Donald Trump to the White House has divided the country, she plans to focus on her constituents.
"I doubt Trump will be on our block," she said. "We need to make our neighborhood strong."
Republican Ciro Adams won an at-large seat on Election Day by 11 votes, according to Department of Elections data. His closest opponent, Ben Cohen, requested a recount, which will occur on Tuesday. Both men attended the orientation session.
Wilmington race with 11-vote difference to be recounted
Seasoned council members offered words of encouragement and support to the new leaders.
“It’s different running a campaign and being a council member," said Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha. "There’s theory and practice… Whatever I can do to share guidance, I’m willing to.”
Councilman Charles "Bud" Freel said after being on council for two decades, he knows an important part of the job is making the political process feel accessible to constituents.
“Government can be very bureaucratic and can be difficult for people who don’t deal with it on a daily basis," he said.
Freel also told the new members to expect compromise and debate among themselves.
"We’re not going to pass every piece of legislation 13-0," he said.
Councilwoman at-large Loretta Walsh served on council from 1985 to 1997 and again from 2004 to the present. She said part of her work has been acting as a vessel for council members "who are scared to come forth" and sponsoring controversial legislation, such as a gay rights bill "before it was vogue" and a gun control bill.
Walsh, the first woman elected for a city-wide council position, told the group that legislative responsibility isn't always easy.
"When you’re on a job, you start to become stale, or in the case of government, you become jaded," she said. "You have to go home, punch a hole in the wall… get up the next day and start all over again."
Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.
The new Wilmington City Council
City Council President: Democrat Hanifa Shabazz
District 1: Democrat Nnamdi Chukwuocha
District 2: Democrat Ernest "Trippi" Congo II
District 3: Democrat Zanthia Oliver
District 4: Democrat Michelle Harlee
District 5: Democrat Vashun Turner
District 6: Democrat Yolanda McCoy
District 7: Democrat Robert A. Williams
District 8: Democrat Bud Freel
At-large:
Democrat Loretta Walsh
Democrat Rysheema Dixon
Democrat Samuel L. Guy
Republican Ciro Adams (pending recount)