Christiansen taking on newcomer Welch in Dover mayoral election

By Mike Finney

DOVER — Incumbent Mayor Robin Christiansen will be challenged by entrepreneur Diana Welch in the main event of the city’s municipal election April 18.

On the undercard, four candidates will be seeking City Council positions.

All appear to be focused on lowering crime rates, improving downtown and bringing more affordable housing to the city, among other issues.

Incumbent Dr. Julia M. Pillsbury will take on Paul J. Fleming for her 1st District seat, while Donyale Hall and Brian Lewis — a previous councilman — will battle for the 2nd District spot, vacated by Ralph Taylor Jr.

Tricia Arndt (3rd District) and Council President Roy Sudler Jr. (4th District) are running unopposed.

The vote will take place 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dover Elks Lodge at 200 Saulsbury Road.

Residents who wish to vote must live in the corporate limits of Dover and be 18 or older at the time of the election. They also must have registered with the Delaware Department of Elections by March 31.

A request for an absentee ballot can be obtained by calling the City Clerk’s Office at 302-736-7008. Qualified voters may also absentee vote in that office at 15 Loockerman Plaza.

The following are the responses the Delaware State News received from each candidate in a questionnaire sent to them.

The candidates are listed in alphabetical order for each race.

MAYOR

Candidate’s name: Robin R. Christiansen

Age: 72

Hometown/current town: 52-year resident of Dover.

Political experience: Mayor of the city of Dover, 2014-present; city of Dover councilman, 1983-2001; council president (vice mayor), 1991-2001; executive board member and former president of the League of Local Governments; member of the Governor’s Council on Police Training.
Professional experience: Safeway grocery store in Dover, store clerk, 1967-87; SimplexGrinnell Fire Protection, manager/account representative, 1987-2014; Delaware Army National Guard, 1970-77; volunteer firefighter, 50-plus years.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

What uniquely qualifies me for this office is that I have lived here most all my life, 52 years to be exact, and I am a vested Doverite for the betterment of our city.

Dover is a place where, for over 47 years, my wife, Cindy, and I have raised our children, and their children have raised their children. Over the years, I have worked collaboratively with people and groups within our community to make Dover a better place to live, learn, work and play. I have been a volunteer for many organizations, and because of these working relationships and partnerships, I have earned people’s trust over the years.

The citizens of Dover understand that I am not just running for reelection to be the mayor of downtown. I am running for reelection to continue to be the mayor of the entire city of Dover, for all its citizens that I hold near and dear in my heart. There are 28 square miles that make up the city of Dover, and in addition to downtown, we need to all work together to take care of the entire community body.

Downtown Dover certainly needs to be revitalized because it is the heart of the city, but we must take care of the entire city. Lastly, I am running for reelection to renew my efforts as a public servant to continue to do my best to make our city a safe place to live, learn, work and play.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.)   Public Safety/Crime: As mayor, my first priority and job number one is public safety for the 40,000 citizens who make Dover their home, those who come to Dover to work and those who come to visit Dover. The Dover Police Department serves the City of Dover with professionalism and integrity. The police department has a clearance rate (crimes solved) of 80%. Thanks to the training and professionalism of our men and women of the Dover Police Department, this rate is one of the highest clearance rates in our nation.  I commend them on their efforts to keep our community safe. While continuing to bring more offices onto staff to protect our city we faced a hurdle during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delaware State Police Academy, which is where we normally send our police recruits, reduced its class-size due to the pandemic and the strict social distancing protocols. Due to their class reduction, the municipal portion of the class was cut in half.  After much discussion and planning, in the fall of 2020, the city of Dover reactivated the Dover Municipal Police Academy after 30 years. Since 2020 the academy has graduated four classes. Municipalities throughout the State of Delaware have trusted Dover’s program for instructing and providing well rounded police officers from our academy. During the past several years, the city has installed surveillance cameras throughout the downtown area as well as surrounding areas. Recently, the city received a grant to update those cameras and install additional cameras where needed. These cameras have allowed the Dover Police Department to be proactive rather than reactive. The city has also hired a behavioral interventionist and an addiction interventionist who ride along with our officers. Additionally, to keep our local school safe, the Dover Police Department has assigned school resource officers that are contracted with the Capitol School District. The City of Dover is being proactive when it comes to reducing crime within the city. However, it does take collaboration with the police and those in our community to help keep our area safe.

2.)     Homelessness: We have, and we will continue to work with local agencies, such as Code Purple, Dover Interfaith, Shepherd Place, the 801 House, many individuals, and the State of Delaware to address this very important issue. We are seeking permanent, affordable housing and healthcare to include mental health, drug, and alcohol addiction. While we are limited as a city in our efforts, we will continue to partner with organizations who seek to help those who are less fortunate.

3.) Economic Development: Another large issue facing the city is economic development.  Today we have a strong business community, filled with thriving businesses and business owners that have a great vision for the future. We check on them regularly to make sure that they have all the resources they need to be a success. We are also actively recruiting new business to join our great city. One example being the Delmarva Corrugated Packaging box corporation that we were able to bring to Dover during the Covid-19 pandemic. This plant alone brought 100+ jobs to our citizens providing them economic opportunity. The biggest challenge now is establishing a dedicated workforce. To tackle this, we have developed collaboration with Polytech, Capital School District, Delaware State University, and other educational entities to develop a relationship and training opportunities for the employers that are seeking out reliable employees. We are actively working on a joint use agreement with Dover Air Force Base to bring much-needed jobs here from outside cargo carriers that will come from overflow cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Newark. These jobs will allow those of our armed forces who are in the process of retiring and are here already to stay in our community and use their skill sets in other positions. If we can get a joint use agreement signed, sealed, and delivered we will have great opportunities for not only our younger generations but those hard-working men and women who are already in our community work forces today.

What would be your top priority if reelected?

My top priority if reelected is to maintain a safe, well-operated and well-run community that provides opportunity for all our citizens. I will continue to work in collaboration with the City Council and our various city departments to ensure our city is maintaining the highest level of quality services we provide, such as electric, sewer, trash and our all-volunteer fire department.

I will continue to work hard alongside the chief of police to provide public safety for every man, woman and child that lives, visits and travels through here, and may want to live here. Without a safe community, we cannot provide economic opportunities and economic experiences to the citizens that live here and to the people that want to come here.

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

My vision for the future of Dover looks a lot like my current vision but on a larger scale. I’d like to see our police force continue to grow and serve the great citizens of Dover by continuing to develop already strong ties to the community they serve. I would like to see the current businesses remain successful and welcome new businesses and job opportunities to those who are ready to join the workforce.

Most importantly, I would like to continue to create a great place for people and families to call home. I’ve called Dover my home for 50-plus years, and I have seen many work hard throughout the years to make it the great place it is today. As your mayor, I will continue to dream big and work alongside our community members to ensure that Dover remains a quality place to live, learn, work and play.

Throughout this questionnaire, I have stated “we” and not “me,” as this is a joint effort to operate the city between all. I have believed in Dover for a long time, and I continue to believe in Dover. I hope you believe in Dover, too.

Candidate’s name: Diana Welch

Age: 63

Hometown/current town: Born in Miami and lived in south Florida until joining the military. After traveling the world for 23 years, I consider Dover my hometown. I landed here by accident. I stayed on purpose.

Political experience: None. A total plus.

Professional experience: U.S. Air Force veteran/Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agent for 10 years; instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy for two years; government contractor for four years; 21 years as an entrepreneur and business owner in downtown Dover; general contractor specializing in downtown Dover historical buildings; currently own two businesses in downtown Dover and two historical properties.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

I have spent 20 years as a successful entrepreneur in Dover and intimately understand the need for strong leadership in economic development, housing and our future job market. I understand both the potential and the shortfalls that prevent better and sustainable economic growth in Dover because I have done it. As a former law enforcement agent, I am also aware of police policies, procedures and command functions. Since one of the mayor’s main duties is the oversight of the Dover Police Department, I am in an excellent position to provide executive leadership and oversight.

I have overseen and managed budgets of millions of dollars, both private and public, and have experience in reducing costs, eliminating redundancy, doing more with less and budgetary efficiency. Additionally, having traveled and lived in many places, I have observed successful approaches to the same problems Dover faces today, which gives me a unique perspective on solutions.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.) To increase available housing for workers and students. Since current demand far exceeds supply, housing costs are astronomical.

2.) Promote functional economic development and mass transit because they are mutually inclusive and interconnected.

3.) Crime reduction in the city of Dover using state-of-the-art technology, force multipliers and training. Dover’s crime rate is 108% over the national average.

What would be your top priority if elected?

My number one priority is the economic renewal of Dover and its residents, which is intrinsic to and interconnected with quality of life, jobs, housing, crime, and transit.  All of these are intrinsic to any economic renewal and cannot be addressed in a vacuum. The first step is to get funding for the projects we need to meet that goal.   Starting with an aggressive budget review, an examination of liabilities vs assets, obtaining grants, and seeking financial sources from both private and public sectors. 

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

Economic recovery. We need to recruit businesses that provide higher-paying jobs, which, in turn, keeps our college graduate talent here. Expanding the housing availability inventory to provide housing for all income levels. We must expand transit availability, so access to employment is better. Implementing these concepts will have the intended outcome of also reducing crime.

FIRST DISTRICT

Candidate’s name: Paul J. Fleming

Age: 83

Hometown/current town: Dover (52 years).

Political experience: District 1 commissioner on the Dover Human Relations Commission.

Professional experience: Vice principal at Dover Air Force Base High School, Caesar Rodney School District; counselor at Delaware Technical Community College, Terry Campus, 33 years; president of the Terry Campus Faculty Senate; president/board member of the Capital School District board of education; co-owner of W.T. Smithers Restaurant in Dover; member of the Delaware Senior Olympic state board; board member of the Kent County Senior Softball League.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

Willingness to serve and provide a voice for all residents.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.) Development of downtown Dover. 2.) Community safety. 3.) Fiscal responsibility.

What would be your top priority if elected?

Helping to implement the Downtown Dover development plan.

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

To make Dover a quality city that people can be proud to call home.

Candidate’s name: Dr. Julia M. Pillsbury

Age: 71

Hometown/current town: From Philadelphia. While serving in the military, I lived in Aurora, Colorado; Niceville, Florida; and Warrensburg, Missouri. Dover has been home since 1989.

Political experience: Dover city councilwoman since November 2021; president of the Delaware chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus.

Professional experience: I was initially a registered nurse and worked in many areas as a clinical nurse. I was also a nursing instructor and a nurse manager/head nurse. I then went to medical school. I had a military scholarship, and I did my pediatric residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. I then transferred to the U.S. Air Force, where I became a major and chief of pediatrics. Upon separating, I worked as a pediatrician in several different settings until I started The Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine in 1991. I sold the practice in 2018 and joined Kids & Teens Pediatrics. Professional resume: registered nurse at the Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital; nursing instructor, floor nurse and head nurse in labor and delivery at Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia; pediatrician and chief in adolescent medicine at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; chief of pediatrics at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; pediatrician in the neonatal intensive care unit at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus; founder and owner of The Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 1991-2018; pediatrician at Kids & Teens Pediatrics, April 2018-present.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

I have worked in many positions. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. I also have over 25 years’ experience as a small-business owner in the city of Dover. My practice exposed me to all members of the Dover community and their concerns.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.) Revitalization of the city of Dover with an emphasis on the downtown area.

2.) To continue to work with the City Council along with constituents to address our rehoused population throughout the city, while focusing on safety, the unhoused population and economic developments.

3.) Continue to educate our citizens via our district community meetings on such issues as our city master plan, new traffic patterns, code enforcement and other issues that arise.

What would be your top priority if reelected?

I often review Dover’s mission, which is, “Through the team effort of its elected officials, employees, and citizens, Dover is a clean and safe community with a future of balanced growth and opportunity where all citizens are heard, enjoy a high quality of life, and diversity is valued.” My priority is to demonstrate the mission by being responsive to all stakeholders and constituents.

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

I see Dover becoming a destination for people to enjoy recreational activities and business opportunities. I also envision people making Dover their home, just as I have.

SECOND DISTRICT

Candidate’s name: Donyale Hall

Age: 53

Hometown/current town: I have lived in Dover since 1973, when my father was assigned to Dover Air Force Base, and subsequently raised my own family here. I am a 1987 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School.

Political experience: I am a political outsider that has not previously held public office. In a climate of public distrust of career politicians, I bring fresh, new and innovative ideas to unequivocally serve the Dover community faithfully through regular attendance of all City Council Committee of the Whole meetings. Constituents of this district deserve to have their voices heard, and that can only be achieved through active participation in the process that crafts the policies that shape our everyday life here in Dover.

Professional experience: I am an Air Force Gulf War-era veteran and have served as a program specialist for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. I hold a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Wilmington University. I currently own several small businesses, with a focus on community involvement, coalition building and entrepreneurship to promote growth in the business community for women, ethnic minorities and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

As a businesswoman, mother and U.S. Air Force veteran, I have firsthand experience and inner-working knowledge of the failures and shortcomings within the construct of Delaware policy. It is my belief that the underlying socioeconomic woes of this municipality are in dire need of addressing by someone who can articulate the needs of marginalized communities. I have humbly accepted the challenge of being that voice.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.) Effective municipal government (metrics, measurable outcomes, efficacy and transparency in municipal spending; impactful policy to address socioeconomically distressed communities).

2.) Economic advancement opportunity (strategic economic development plan to leverage opportunity zone resources, affordable housing, business incubators, incentives for seed investors, elimination of excessive regulatory restrictions).

3.) Public safety (bring stakeholders to the table to identify both the problems and solutions needed to ensure that all residents and business owners feel secure that their persons and property are reasonably free from threat of hurt, harm or danger in our communities; ensure funding availability to execute policy that creates an environment that fosters safety for all who live or work in the capital city of Dover).

What would be your top priority if elected?

Dover is in desperate need of quality employment opportunities to provide livable wages. I would seek to advance an economic development plan that specifically targets job growth and education support.

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

It has been painful to watch the steady decline in our local communities. Private citizens here have diligently sought means to address the distress of our impoverished communities, disengaged youth and complete lack of legitimate paths to viable economic opportunity and sustainability. These efforts have been of little or no avail.

The prevailing consensus is that the municipality needs representation by someone who will no longer perpetuate failed or broken policy and will be a real champion of change by tackling the socioeconomic inequalities plaguing our communities. I will be an unwavering voice, committed to achieving a sustainable quality of life “so that all may prosper”!

Candidate’s name: Brian E. Lewis

Age: 56

Hometown/current town: Dover.

Political experience: Kent County sheriff (2018-22); Dover city councilperson, 2nd District (2015-18), and chairman of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee; Capital School District board of education (2011-15), with one year as vice president; Dover Human Relations Commission (2008-10).

Professional experience: Served as a trainer educator for the Delaware Department of Correction; prior police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C.; investigator for the New Jersey Superior Court.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

Throughout my adult life, I have demonstrated my devotion to public and community service with a passion for helping all people and giving back to the community. During my tenure as former Kent County sheriff and a Dover city councilperson, I was able to introduce and support various initiatives that made a difference in the lives of individuals and families from all walks of life in the city of Dover.

I know the importance of fiscal responsibility and being accountable to the citizens of Dover. I feel it is important to get the citizens’ input on all major projects in the community and consider various perspectives, including those least able to obtain fair representation. I am a firm believer in standing up for the everyday people of our community, and as your councilperson, I will strive to adhere to the highest standards in addressing quality-of-life issues, promote and straighten diversity, and engage in problem-solving partnerships.

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?

1.) Public safety with a focus on criminal justice and programs that help ensure a better way of life for all members of our community.

2.) Economic development and investment to help support downtown initiatives and attract industry, businesses and jobs to the city of Dover. These initiatives must also include affordable housing, appropriate mass transit, adequate parking and sustainability of the issue of balanced and sustainable funding that cannot solely be relied on by the residents of Dover for additional tax increases.

3.) Infrastructure/public health. Our residents deserve functional utility services and safe drinking water through our city’s infrastructure.

What would be your top priority if elected?

Attracting and maintaining businesses and residents that will help support current and new initiatives to make Dover greater than it has ever been before. This will require immediate emphasis on ensuring public safety for residents and visitors of Dover.

Providing support for our small businesses, whether it be through proposed tax, permit fee incentives or to help facilitate their growth. Attracting new businesses into Dover will help meet workforce development, training and local ownership goals, and bring in revenue. Support the city of Dover’s proposed Downtown Strategic Master Plan as it relates to redeveloping and reinvesting in Dover.

Work on initiatives to help address the homeless population in Dover collaboratively with houses of worship, independent nonprofits, governmental agencies, the mayor and other council representatives. I will always focus on listening to the voices of the people. It’s important to know the pulse of the community from the largest to smallest issues.

What is your vision for the future of Dover?

My vision is to see Dover in the next couple of years be a city that’s thriving, safe, affordable, multicultural, transportation-friendly and provides many economic development opportunities for all. Dover is a place not just to invest but to invest, live and grow. As the capital of the First State, I would like to see Dover become a hub.

A downtown hub that attracts visitors to our city that in turn supports a thriving local economy and downtown. A city that serves as an example of inclusive and diverse citizens working together for the good of the community.

We must build on our strengths, some of which include the Schwartz Center for the Arts, the Historic First Capital, the Dover Public Library, the Biggs Museum of American Art and the current businesses of downtown. It is my desire to help Dover become a shining star amongst other capitals in our great nation. What we accomplish and plan for now will have an everlasting positive effect for generations to come.