I am pleased and excited to endorse the candidacy for Dover City Council of a woman of heart, intellect, courage and compassion — Shereen Woodard Onyekachi. Shereen and I first met four years ago, as neighbors on South Bradford Street in District 2. Her love of Delaware — she grew up in Newark and moved to Dover at 17 — shone through her eyes and spirit. Since then, I’ve learned of her academic and professional accomplishments: a Bachelor of Science in social work from Delaware State University; four graduate degrees, including an Executive Master of Business Administration from Temple University; professional work at the Delaware Psychiatric Center in New Castle and at the Boys & Girls Club; creative work in documentary media; and volunteerism with community initiatives from food distribution to film festivals to bookbags for children.
Dover is facing serious financial woes, together with organizational breakdowns throughout the city. Shereen sees the need for social and structural change to make the most of and to celebrate our city’s resources, including, most importantly, our citizens. She envisions, as an at-large councilperson, partnering with district council members to hold public town halls to give Dover residents a voice. A revision of the city charter to bring council, representing the people, into responsibility for policing and community development, will, in her view, make possible a reconnection of all citizens with city leadership.
Dover deserves, and needs, all of us to embrace our neighbors in love, to imagine a vibrant area together and to work in concert with all the people of the city to create a safe, beautiful, diverse and dynamic capital for Delaware. Shereen has the vision, energy and knowledge to lead us there.
Kathleen Baker
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
