180 days of the year, 75% of Delaware’s 6-18 year olds are with a state employee

Some number of years ago (I was still a State Senator), Delaware passed a law (2007′s SB 29) broadening the use of civil penalties against employers of individuals involved in child sex crimes in Delaware. The State of Delaware was knowingly and purposely left out of that bill by the prime sponsor and others (notably budget writers). As a matter of fact, the prime sponsor looked me in the eye and said that there was never any intention to have the State included in the bill. These individuals were more interested in protecting the State’s budget and going after the Catholic Church than ensuring that all children are entitled to the same protection.

It was wrong at the time and remains wrong today. The headline for this post states exactly why it was and is wrong. Rep. Lavelle has been pushing to remove the State’s exemption since before the passage of the original bill. He continues this fight.

 

State Rep. Greg Lavelle Asks for Unified

Effort to Decrease Teacher Sex Crimes

– Legislator Asks to Meet with A.G. Biden to Discuss Strategies –

For Immediate Release:  January 27, 2012

For More Information, Contact:  Joe Fulgham, 302-744-4184

Citing a continuing series of sex crimes committed by Delaware educators, State Rep. Greg Lavelle (R-Sharpley) is calling for a bipartisan effort to curtail such crimes and punish perpetrators.

In the latest incident, a 38-year-old Sussex Tech teacher was arrested this week on charges he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

“There have been more than a dozen Delaware teachers charged in connection with alleged instances of sexual misconduct over the last five years,” Rep. Lavelle said.  “As both a parent and a public servant, I find this disturbing on many levels.”

Rep. Lavelle said he is requesting a meeting with State Attorney General Beau Biden to ask for his input on crafting a strategy to reduce crimes of this type.  “A.G. Biden is known for his efforts to protect children from sexual crimes and I’d welcome his insights on this issue.”

Lavelle, who is also House Minority Leader, said he has no trouble reaching across the aisle to find a solution to this problem.  “There is nothing partisan about this.  In my experience, members of both parties are of one mind when it comes to crimes against children.”

In addition to reaching out to the attorney general, Rep. Lavelle said he’d also like to partner with his General Assembly colleagues from both parties to move forward quickly on this.  “I also intend to invite the Delaware State Education Association into this discussion,” he said.  “When a teacher commits a sex crime against student it not only breaks a public trust, it erodes the collective reputations of all educators.  The DSEA has a doubly-vested interest in this issue, not only to protect the children in their members’ charge, but to also safeguard the integrity of their profession.”

Rep. Lavelle said that while increasing penalties is one potential outcome of the process, he is open to other possibilities.

“I do think we need to look at more severe punishment, but that only deals with cases after a crime has occurred and the tragedy has unfolded,” Rep. Lavelle said.  “I think there may be other things we can do to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place.  That’s one of the reasons I am encouraging full participation in this process.”

Rep. Lavelle said it is his hope that after meeting with the attorney general, and discussing the matter with his colleagues, legislation can be sent to the governor prior to the end of the current session on June 30^th.

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County Executive Paul Clark finance report show ties to developers

The News Journal has picked up on County Executive Paul Clark’s 2011 campaign finance report (click here to read it on the Dept of Elections website).   Many contributions from developers, their attorneys and engineering firms.   Also some big contributions from his county staff.    Below is a copy of today’s article:

Clark’s campaign chest boosted by developers, top NCCo staff

Written by ADAM TAYLOR
The News Journal

Much of the money New Castle County Executive Paul Clark has raised for his election run this year came from the real estate development community, as well as top members of his administration.

Clark raised $56,119 in 2011, according to a campaign finance report filed this month with the state Department of Elections.

The report shows that the Clark4NCC campaign has nearly $100,000. In addition to the money raised, the campaign had $28,393 in the bank when 2011 began. Clark loaned the campaign $31,200 as well.

Clark, a Democrat, is seeking election as county executive for the first time. He was automatically elevated to the position from County Council president in November 2010, when then-County Executive Chris Coons became a U.S. senator.

Contributions included $550 from John Tracey, the attorney for Stoltz Real Estate Partners. Stoltz got county approvals for major redevelopment plans at Barley Mill Plaza and Greenville Center last year. Apex Engineering, which worked on the Stoltz project as well, gave $600.

Other developers in the county who contributed include Jay Sonecha and Louis Capano III, who gave $600 each; and Leon Weiner & Associates, which gave $200.

John Flaherty, president of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, said the campaign finance report could spell political trouble for Clark.

“I think the challenge he is going to face is getting people to believe that these people are donating for causes other than their own special interests,” Flaherty said.

Clark said it’s common for developers to contribute to candidates for county executive and for other offices as well.

“We have a system that dictates the amount of money you can give,” Clark said. “It’s a matter of people having a right to donate.”

Mill Creek resident Christine Whitehead doesn’t think the system is fair.

“The Legislature should have made campaign contributions to elected officials in county government by applicants and their attorneys with business before its agencies illegal years ago,” Whitehead said.

Land Use has been a tricky matter for Clark because his wife, Pam Scott, was a land-use attorney for the Saul Ewing Firm when he took office. The county Ethics Commission ruled last year Scott had to stop practicing land-use law in New Castle County for Clark to avoid conflicts, so she resigned March 31.

One of Scott’s clients was Stoltz Real Estate Partners.

In October, Clark allowed the redevelopment and rezoning plan for Barley Mill Plaza to become law without his signature. Signing it, a top Clark aide said at the time, would have created the appearance of a conflict of interest because Scott once represented Stoltz, the developer at Barley Mill.

In July, however, Saul Ewing’s political action committee gave Clark’s campaign a $600 contribution, the maximum allowed.

Clark said he doesn’t see a problem.

“It’s been a policy to take any legal contribution,” Clark said. “I believe when you don’t allow people to donate, they’re not able to exercise their free rights.”

Flaherty disagrees, saying, “I think he has an obligation to dispel the appearance that conflicts exist from when his wife worked for Saul Ewing.”

Other companies and individuals that gave maximum $600 donations include Delaware Valley Development Co., EDIS construction, the Delaware Contractors Association’s political action committee; and McBride & Ziegler Inc.

Attorneys who represent developers donated as well. Larry Tarabicos gave $600; Drinker Biddle & Reath gave $600; Kim Hoffman gave $300; Abbott Law Firm gave $200; and Wendie Stabler gave $150. Michele Tucker, wife of Drinker Biddle attorney Shawn Tucker, gave $600.

Top members of Clark’s administration, and some of their spouses, gave the following amounts:

Chief Human Resources Officer Valencia Beatty, Deputy County Attorney Wendy Danner, her husband, Chad Danner, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Vince Meconi and his wife, Sharon Meconi, gave $600 each; Chief of Staff Dennis Phifer gave $472; Special Services General Manager Wayne Merritt and Redevelopment Director Karl Kahlbacher gave $300 each; County Attorney Gregg Wilson, Public Safety Director Scott McLaren and Administrative Services General Manager Yvonne Gordon gave $250 each; and Phifer’s wife, Lynne, Clark’s scheduler, gave $172.

State Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, whose son Marcus is the county’s Community Services General Manager, gave $300.

Clark said he expects to raise at least another $100,000 before the Democratic primary in September. County Land Use employee Bill Shahan, a Democrat, announced his candidacy Saturday.

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