Jeannie Anderson is a resident of Dover and the wife of City Councilman David Anderson.
It’s political season in Dover, and all of a sudden, certain people want you to have amnesia about what David Anderson has done in the community. It’s time to set the record straight.
First, remember the “Innovative Readiness Training” project? He wrote the grant and was project manager for it, and Donyale Hall was the project coordinator. Approximately 3,000 were served and 18,000 medical procedures were performed — $1.3 million in services at no cost to the community. Dental work included fillings, X-rays and extractions. Eyes were examined, and thousands received distance and reading glasses. Mental health screenings were done. I personally drove some people there, and they got screenings and two pairs of glasses. I also told younger people who had children in our community, and they then took their families. Yes, our 4th District community did benefit, but this benefited all of Dover, not just our district, including children and families. It also helped our military community get realistic training. So, trust me, what David did mattered to 3,000 citizens.
My husband has always been very active in the community.
David joined the National Guard after 9/11. He has served overseas in the Middle East. He also drove all the way back from Pennsylvania or Virginia for City Council meetings! That is hours from Dover.
David Anderson also works with The Vines Community Project and hands out naloxone kits. This is a group that deals with drug awareness issues. Hundreds of children have been helped to avoid drugs, and other people received treatment.
David has also, out of our own funds, sponsored two youth basketball teams and raised the money to fund the league. Unfortunately, the pandemic ended it. I have watched David help people for years, including homeless veterans, in and out of our area. We also had two homeless vets live with us at different times.
I have been married to him for 27 years, and I know of only a very few other people who work as hard as he does. I have attended some meetings with him. Once we had a meeting at 8 a.m. and, because of multiple other meetings, didn’t get home until after 9 p.m. I guess the school boards and parent-teacher associations don’t matter. He’s been to multiple neighborhood watches, some of which I’ve also attended with him. The countless hours spent helping people and caring about the people aren’t nothing! I’ll take my loving, caring, compassionate husband and councilman any day. He doesn’t just talk or take pictures; he pours his heart into work for you.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
