The first 100 days: A good start to a productive legislative session

On Jan. 3, 2017, the 107th session of the Wilmington City Council will convene, so it’s important that the next council become organized quickly and begin its work without delay. The first 100 days of the next four years are critical. Council members swear under oath to ethically and responsibly represent the varied interests of city residents and businesses. Eight members represent citizens in their respective districts while four members serve citywide and count all citizens as their constituents. Also, for the first time in many years, as many as seven members of the next council will be serving in public office for the first time.

The president of the city council is the leader of the legislative branch of city government which is equal to the executive branch that is managed by the mayor. I have worked diligently for years to gain your trust and support as a member of council. Now, I am asking you to elect me as the president of council. I am ready for the challenge of balancing all interests that come into play in city government to effectively represent the needs of our citizens. I am ready to offer guidance and support to my fellow council members, especially those who are beginning their first term. 

In my first 100 days as council president, we’ll establish a respectful partnership with the next mayor so that council is consistently at the table to jointly discuss issues affecting Wilmington. Two equal branches of government must be able to work together through an exchange of ideas that can lead to solutions. At the same time, both branches will be expected to question each other, hold each other accountable and thus, be appropriate checks and balances on each other’s performance. 

For my fellow council members in their first 100 days, the more information they have about past and future city issues and concerns, the better they’ll do in representing their constituents’ interests. I, and other veteran council members, will mentor the new members. Under my leadership, the council will have the information it needs about how the government works which will spur more informed discussions about how government effectiveness can be improved.

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Council committee chair and member assignments are important first steps for a new council because it is in those committees where the real nuts and bolts of programs and services are examined and justified. I will establish a new planning and urban design committee recognizing that important issues affecting citizens and their properties many times begin and end with matters concerning zoning and neighborhood design.

One of the most important tasks in our first 100 days is focusing our collective attention on the annual budget process that begins in March during which the council makes critical decisions about appropriating year-long funding for programs and services. City council has an awesome responsibility, in conjunction with the administration, to protect the fiscal integrity of city government and to ensure that the tax base can support needed government services. 

And, in those first 100 days, we’ll reach out to our eight neighborhood planning councils and the more than 60 neighborhood associations to establish an improved system for communications so we can share our ideas with citizens and they can share their ideas with us. We will make greater use of our government television station, email and social media to keep council’s work at the forefront of the community’s attention.

Please vote on Sept. 13 to elect me as council president and then stay with me for the next four years as we reduce crime, strengthen our neighborhoods, create jobs and improve the image of our city. I am ready to lead a new and productive city council that I assure you will serve the people well.

Hanifa Shabazz is a candidate for Wilmington City Council President.