News
City of Wilmington departmental budget hearings begin next week
Wilmington, Del. (April 6, 2018)–Next week the Wilmington City Council will begin holding public hearings to review budget proposals from each of the city’s departments, which are scheduled to continue throughout the month and into May. The proceedings will kick off Monday, April 9 at 4 pm with reviews of proposed budgets from the Mayor’s […]
WITN-22 Staff Honored by Delaware Press Association and The Photography Gala Awards for Television Productions, Photograph
Wilmington, Del. (March 29, 2018) – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz announced today that several members of the staff of WITN-22, the City’s public television station, will receive honors both from the Delaware Press Association and The Photography Gala Awards. WITN Senior Producer Yesenia Taveras was recognized with the 2018 Best Television Talk Show honor […]
Wilmington City Council hires PR firm to lead communications
Wilmington, Del. (March 27, 2018) – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz announced today that Wilmington City Council has entered into an agreement with Newark-based Leon Tucker Public Relations to assist in its legislative operation’s marketing and communications efforts. “When we lost our previous director of communications, we were faced with both a challenge and an […]
Council Encourages Public to Attend Wilmington Community Advisory Council Launch of 2017 Annual Report and P.O.W.E.R. Campaign
Wilmington, Del. (March 20, 2018) – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz and Council Member Nnamdi Chukwuocha, chair of Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee, today invited and encouraged members of the public to attend a community mixer being hosted by the Wilmington Community Advisory Council. The gathering will take place on Friday, March 23, from […]
Education, Youth and Families Committee to Receive Presentation on WCAC annual report
Wilmington, Del. (March 12, 2018) – Members of City Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee will receive a presentation on the 2017 annual report of the Wilmington Community Advisory Council during the committee’s meeting on Wednesday, March 14. The Wilmington Community Advisory Council, formerly known as the CDC Community Advisory Council, is a body comprised […]
City Council expresses sympathy to the family of Wilmington Police Captain Stephen Misetic
Wilmington, Del. (March 4, 2018) – City Council President Hanifa Shabazz, today, expressed sympathy on behalf of City Council to the family of Wilmington Police Captain Stephen Misetic, as well as his entire WPD family. “Throughout his career, Captain Misetic worked hand-in-hand with Council Members and community leaders on numerous initiatives,” said President Shabazz. “He […]
COUNCIL FACILITATES ‘BLACK PANTHER’ SCREENINGS FOR Council partners with City schools to organize special showings of hit film
Wilmington, Del. (February 27, 2018) – City Council this week is partnering with schools throughout Wilmington to facilitate special showings of the critic-acclaimed film ‘Black Panther,’ the newest iteration of the Marvel comic series that carries a powerful message that is resonating with youth and adults alike across the country. Council sponsored private screenings at […]
COUNCIL CONVEYS TRANSIT REQUESTS TO DART OFFICIALS Council Members issue letter to State officials requesting enhanced security and marketing, benches and shelters, and the relocation of some stops
Wilmington, Del. (February 7, 2018) – Several members of City Council sent a letter, today, to the Delaware Transit Corporation conveying requests on behalf of Wilmingtonians related to the recent bus service changes made by DART. “The service changes that were recently implemented by DART have led to some confusion and frustration across Wilmington,” said […]
COUNCIL ANNOUNCES KICK-OFF OF BUDGET REVIEW SEASON President Shabazz and Finance Chair Freel announce public engagement website, departmental hearings and return of hearing for Council budget
Wilmington, Del. (February 5, 2018) – City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced the steps City Council is taking to prepare for the review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 annual budget, to include a virtual citizen participation platform and budget hearings open to the public and aired live on WITN 22. One of […]
COUNCIL TO AMEND CITY CODE TO REINSTATE AND STRENGTHEN THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
Wilmington, Del. – City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced efforts to protect human rights and address gender-based discrimination in Wilmington by proposing an amendment to the City Code that will reinstate and strengthen the Civil Rights Commission as well as mandate that it uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights […]
COUNCIL’S HEALTH, AGING & DISABILITIES COMMITTEE TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24TH
Wilmington, Del – Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz and Councilman Ernest “Trippi” Congo, Chair of Council’s Health, Aging & Disabilities Committee, invites and encourages residents to attend the next meeting Wilmington City Council’s Health, Aging & Disabilities Committee. The Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 5 p.m. in the Council […]
Women of Council Wear Black in Support of #MeToo and #TimesUp Movement
Wilmington, Del. – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced that the women of Council, supported by their male counterparts, will wear black for tonight’s regular meeting of Wilmington City Council. The gesture is meant to show support for the anti-sexual harassment #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, sexual assault survivors, as well as to condemn misconduct […]
Wilmington City Council Promotes Literacy and Donates Books as Guest Readers for Wilmington Head Start
WHO: Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha (1st District), Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver (3rd District), Councilwoman Michelle Harlee (4th District), Councilman Va’Shun (Turner 5th District), Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy (6th District), member of Council staff, Gina Adams, Executive Director Wilmington Head Start, Kim Winer, Center Manager, Stephanie Burks, Center Manager, Carol Thomas, Center Manager, […]
Council Leadership to Address Outdated Provisions, Language, and References in the City Code
Wilmington, Del. – Today, two of Wilmington City Council’s highest ranking members announced the first in a series of Ordinances designed to clean up the City Code. President Hanifa Shabazz and President Pro Tempore Loretta Walsh will introduce the first of such legislation at the December 7th Council meeting to amend sections of the Code […]
President Shabazz and Wilmington Featured in National Discussion Regarding Public Health Approaches to Reducing Crime
Wilmington, Del. – Last week, during National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2017 City Summit in Charlotte, NC, Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz was a featured panelist for a national discussion regarding crime reduction strategies. President Shabazz presented to more than 150 local leaders, from across the country, at a workshop entitled A Public Health […]
President Shabazz Elected to National League of Cities’ Board of Directors; Concludes Term as President of National Black Caucus
Wilmington, Del. – At the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2017 City Summit, held this past week in Charlotte, NC, Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz was elected to a two-year term as an At-Large member on the League’s Board of Directors. President Shabazz’s board nomination was endorsed by all five NLC Constituency Groups: Asian Pacific […]
PRESIDENT SHABAZZ NAMED 2017 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Wilmington, Del. – The Nu Upsilon Chapter (Wilmington) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will honor Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz as the 2017 Citizen of the Year. The award will be presented on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 10am, during the fraternity’s 106th Founder’s Day Anniversary breakfast at the Clarion Hotel. “I […]
WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS REPORT (ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION 17-089)
Wilmington, Del. (November 13, 2017) – President Shabazz today released the draft report from Wilmington City Council’s Strategic Planning Process. The draft document represents the completion of the first phase of an intensive planning and strategic process to develop a framework that will serve as a blueprint and road map to guide council’s legislative, funding, […]
It’s Official: New Website, New URL Address, Greater Access
After a successful soft launch of Wilmington City Council’s newly released website, today President Shabazz announced that www.WilmingtonCityCouncil.com is now the official website for Council. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about Council news, meetings and agendas, events, legislative business or members there is only one website for residents, businesses, and visitors – www.WilmingtonCityCouncil.com. […]
COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHABAZZ ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWL OF TWO RESOLUTIONS FOR GRANT FUNDING
Wilmington, Del. (November 1, 2017) – Council President Hanifa Shabazz announced today that she is withdrawing two resolutions that would authorize proposed grant awards from City Council, which were previously included on the November 2 City Council meeting agenda: Regarding the proposed grant award for Student Disabilities Advocate, Inc., the applicant has chosen to withdraw […]
City of Wilmington and New Castle County Partner With NOR Enterprises on the 35th Annual Turkey Drive
Mayor Mike Purzycki and City Council President Hanifa Shabazz today announced they have joined with New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer and the New Castle County Council to support NOR Enterprises 35th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Give Away Program. For more than three decades, Norman Oliver’s NOR Enterprises has fed thousands of Delaware families and seniors […]
COUNCIL TO REVIEW GRANT RECCOMENDATIONS UNDER NEW PROTOCOLS
Wilmington, Del (Monday, October 30, 2017) – President Hanifa Shabazz today announced that the first community grant fund recommendations, to be considered under Council’s new approval process, will be reviewed at tonight’s Wilmington City Council Finance & Economic Development Committee meeting. As part of the new process adopted by Council in September, all grant recommendations […]
WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL JOINS EFFORT TO AID VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY
Wilmington, DE (September 29, 2017) Wilmington City Council, the City of Chester, and PHL2TEXAS organized a three-city response to the crisis in the Texas Gulf Coast area by collecting and deploying needed resources to individuals and families in Houston impacted by hurricane Harvey. Collection centers were established in each city and donations were received on […]
PRESIDENT SHABAZZ ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE
Wilmington, Del (Thursday, September 21, 2017) – As part of City Council’s efforts to serve, inform, and engage residents of Wilmington more effectively and efficiently, President Hanifa Shabazz today announced the launch of Wilmington City Council’s newly redesigned website. The new site, www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com, features significant changes to the visual design, organization and underlying technology of […]
All Hands on Deck to Address Crime and its After-effects on Wilmington’s Children, Youth and Families
The Wilmington News Journal recently published a very powerful, compelling series, “Growing Up Under Fire”, describing the epidemic of crime in our city. I was initially skeptical, indeed cynical, when I first heard that this series was being developed and might be critical of the work of the CDC Community Advisory Council (recently re-named “The […]
City Council to Meet to Discuss Commission Report and Policy Improvements
Wilmington, Del (September 5, 2017) – Last week the Council Organization Commission submitted their final report to Council President Hanifa Shabazz. The report, which was delivered to Council’s office by the Wednesday, August 30th deadline, fulfills the Commission’s charge to “review Council’s structure and organization and make recommendations” as set forth by Resolution 16-060. The […]
5th District Hosts Community Conversation with Council Event
President Shabazz, Councilman Turner, and Chief Tracy Discuss Public Safety in 8th District WHO: Hanifa Shabazz, Wilmington City Council President; Councilman Va’Shun Turner (5th District); At-Large Members of Council; Robert Tracy, Chief of Police; Matthew Kurten, Sector Captain; District Officers, Residents of the 5th District and other stakeholders. WHAT: Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Attempted Shooting of Officers
Wilmington, DE (August 25, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s gun violence: “Yesterday evening, officers with the Wilmington Police Department and the State of Delaware Probation and Parole were met with gunfire while investigating a suspicious person. Fortunately, no officers were injured, though the suspect remains at large. City […]
Wilmington City Council Issues Statement on Recent Hate Crime in the 7th District
Wilmington, DE (August 24, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to Wednesday’s hate crime incident in Woodlawn: “Yesterday’s incident of hate, intimidation, and vandalism was truly reprehensible. Wilmington City Council stands with residents across our City, State, and nation to denounce and repudiate this hate crime and others like it. Wednesday’s […]
President Shabazz Issued the Following Statement Regarding Attorney General’s FOIA Opinion
Wilmington, Del. (August 14, 2017) Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz issued the following statement in response to the Attorney General’s Office opinion regarding the “open meetings” provision of the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): “We appreciate the guidance emanating from the Attorney General’s Office regarding its evolving interpretation of FOIA. We will take […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council Regarding FOIA Petition Opinion
Wilmington, Del. (August 11, 2017) Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz issued the following statement in response to today’s Attorney General opinion: “Today’s opinion from the Attorney General’s Office regarding a petition filed concerning Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), among other things, “declined to request remedial action” for votes cast during Council’s April 6th […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Veto of House Bill 85
Wilmington, DE (July 20, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to Governor Carney’s veto of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 85: “On behalf of Wilmington City Council, I applaud Governor Carney’s decision to veto House Substitute 1 for House Bill 85 – a bill that gave all children in the […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council Regarding Transparency in Spending
Wilmington, Del. (July 18, 2017) Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz issued the following statement in response to a recent article in the News Journal regarding transparency and oversight of Council’s strategic fund allocations: “Wilmington City Council takes its fiduciary responsibilities very seriously. We reject the notion that the tax-payer dollars managed by Council – […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Decision to Hold Vote on Curfew Ordinance
Wilmington, DE (June 15, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s gun violence: “It’s important that Wilmington Police and their law enforcement partners have access to as many tools as possible to curb gun violence and other criminal activities, and we believe strongly that enforcement of the City’s curfew will […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Recent Violence in the City
Wilmington, DE (June 7, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s gun violence: “Yesterday’s violence, that resulted in a mother and her six-year-old being shot, was perpetrated by cowards who are using weapons instead of words to resolve conflict — and it has to stop! Our City and our citizens […]
Mayor Purzycki and 3rd District Council Member Oliver Rededicate Youth Playground at Brown Burton Winchester Park
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and 3rd District Council Member Zanthia Oliver were joined today by Council President Hanifa Shabazz and Council Member Ciro Adams for a ceremony officially dedicating a new youth playground at Brown Burton Winchester Park at 23rd and North Locust Streets in the city’s northeast section. The $375,000 playground renovation was funded […]
Spotlight on Wilmington at the National League of Cities Conference
CDC Final Report and Recommendations Garner Praise from Organizers and Attendees During last week’s National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC — in the presence of NLC President Matt Zone, councilmember from Cleveland, and NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony — Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz, in her […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Recent Violence in the City
Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to recent incidents of gun violence: All of Wilmington woke up this morning to the horror of another shooting resulting in the loss of another life. This tragedy follows the February 21st shooting that claimed the lives of two other individuals. Our hearts go out to […]
Statement by Wilmington City Council on Recent Violence in the City
Wilmington, DE (February 24, 2017) Wilmington City Council issued the following statement in response to recent incidents of gun violence: All of Wilmington woke up this morning to the horror of another shooting resulting in the loss of another life. This tragedy follows the February 21st shooting that claimed the lives of two other individuals. […]
Councilman Turner Issues a Call to Action to Address Crime
Fifth District Wilmington City Councilman Va’Shun Turner issued a call to action for “men and male organizations” to come together for a community meeting to address violent crime in Wilmington. Turner hopes to establish a plan for a unified, male-focused, community-wide response. “It’s time for us as citizens, but, more importantly as men to step […]
CDC Community Advisory Council Issues Its Report on the Prevention of Youth Violence and Ways to Ensure the Positive Development of Young People
The report is the culmination of work over the past year to identify actions steps to prevent citizens from becoming involved in the criminal justice system Wilmington, New Castle County and State elected and community representatives came together today at the news conference in Wilmington to unveil a report intended to serve as a blueprint […]
Multi-Jurisdictional Law Enforcement and Community Engagement Operation is Announced to Curb Gun Violence in Wilmington
Mayor Purzycki said lawlessness won’t be tolerated; a joint police operation will focus on criminal activity and seek community support for the effort Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said today that the steady stream of lawlessness that has played out in some city neighborhoods since the first of the year will not be tolerated. He said […]
Wilmington City Council Staff in Place
Executive team and other key staff announced City Council President Hanifa Shabazz announced the appointments of Gary Fullman as Chief of Staff, Marchelle Basnight as Chief Financial Officer & Policy Advisor, Maribel Seijo as City Clerk, David Karas as Legislative & Policy Director, and Antoine Oakley as Director of Communications. “I am extremely pleased to […]
Council President-elect Hanifa Shabazz Receives Another Title of President as Head of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials
Shabazz will serve a one-year term for a national organization that represents the interests of 213 individuals in 40 states Wilmington City Council President-elect Hanifa Shabazz was elected to another position of President yesterday when she took the reins of a national organization which represents the interests of elected black officials from around the United […]
Council President Gregory and President-elect Shabazz Thank Salesianum School and Look Forward to Representative Potter’s Efforts to Find Funding for the Renovation of Baynard Stadium
Wilmington City Council President Theo Gregory and Council President-elect Shabazz today expressed their appreciation to Salesianum School for its willingness to raise as much as $20 million dollars in private funding for the renovation of the City’s Baynard Stadium sports facility. The Council leaders said Council’s review process was intended to allow for a full […]
City Council Committee to Review Baynard Stadium Lease Proposal
Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee Chair Nnamdi Chukwuocha Urges Citizens to attend the council committee meeting on November 14 A proposed long-term lease granting Salesianum School the authority to renovate, manage and maintain the City’s Baynard Stadium sports facility will be reviewed publicly on Monday. First District City Council Member Nnamdi Chukwuocha, who chairs […]
Council Member Shabazz Urges the Public to Support Stormin Norman’s Turkey Giveaway for Seniors and Families
This is the 34th year of the volunteer-driven program that has fed in excess of 75,000 people throughout Delaware Wilmington City Council Member Hanifa Shabazz (D-4th District) today urged the public to support the 34th Annual NOR Enterprises Turkey Giveaway organized by Norman Oliver. The volunteer-driven program delivers turkeys to approximately 3,000 individuals and families […]
Mayor Williams and City Council President Gregory Announce a Long-Term Lease Proposal with Salesianum School for the Management and Maintenance of Baynard Stadium
The city, state and school have negotiated a long-term lease that will be reviewed by City Council before a final vote is scheduled Mayor Dennis P. Williams, City Council President Theo Gregory and members of City Council today joined Brendan Kennealey, President of Salesianum School for a major announcement concerning the future of Wilmington’s iconic […]
City Council Member Darius Brown and the Redding House Foundation Celebrate Civil Rights Icon Louis L. Redding, Esq.
A ceremony to unveil an historical marker for Attorney Redding is held at the current site of the Redding family home on 11th Street on the East Side Third District Wilmington City Council Member Darius Brown, as part of an ongoing campaign to increase the public’s awareness of the historical significance of East Side Wilmington, […]
Wilmington City Council Member Justen Wright Announces Annual College Scholarship Award Recipients
40 Wilmington Students Will Receive a $500 Financial Assist to Help Further Their Higher Education Goals Wilmington City Council Member Justen Wright today announced the recipients of his annual college scholarship award program. Wright, who represents residents citywide as an At-Large Member of City Council, supports the educational needs of at least 40 local students […]