David Anderson

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF DOVER

By Mike Finney

DOVER — City Councilman David Anderson admits that he has a full plate.

But he wouldn’t want it any other way.

To add to those duties, Councilman Anderson was recently appointed to the National League of Cities’ 2024 Council on Youth, Education and Families.

He will serve a one-year term to develop and guide programs for elected officials from similar communities.

The appointment was announced by the league’s president, Mayor-elect David Sander of Rancho Cordova, California.

Councilman Anderson is the first member of the city’s governing body to sit on the committee since Sophia Russell, who passed away in 2012.

“It means a lot because we all try to do our best in the community, and when people say, ‘I notice, please keep on helping,’ … it just means something,” he said. “Now, I’m on the council nationally when it comes to policy recommendations for family policies and children.”

During his tenure, the councilman has been recognized for spearheading creative innovations, including waiving recreation fees for children in families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as well as developing plans for the major parks in Dover based on citizen surveys.

His efforts have culminated in the construction of the city’s first Can-Do Playground, a skate park (with completion in 2025) and a dog park, as well as after-school and summer programs through American Rescue Plan Act funding and the Dover Art League.

Councilman Anderson has also been instrumental in raising funds for the Inner City Cultural League and the Boys to Men Development Program.

“Dover has a story to tell,” he said. “We have been innovative in partnering with nonprofits and the community to serve at a higher level, without burdening local taxpayers.”

In addition, he pointed out that “the top-notch staff that makes up Team Dover has been incredibly innovative.” For example, Dover Parks & Recreation director Robin Eaton “not only caught our vision, he enhanced it.”

In his role as a member of the Council on Youth, Education and Families, Councilman Anderson will join a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration and the development of resources that share demographics, size or location and that can be replicated across the country.

“Our member councils play an integral role in (National League of Cities’) work, bringing local leaders together to share ideas and inform ... policy about the issues and challenges facing every kind of community in America,” said Mayor-elect Sander.

“I’m excited to have Councilman Anderson serve on NLC’s YEF Council. The council will ensure that all of our cities, towns and villages have access to ideas and resources they can use to thrive.”

The leadership of this year’s council will be chair Jessica Harrison, who is the mayor pro tem for Zebulon, North Carolina.

Vice chairs will be Lawanna Owens-Twaites of Union City, Georgia; Stephanie Moon Reynolds of Roanoke, Virginia; and Fabiola Stuyvesant of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.