Terry L. Pepper Kent Levy Court at large district

Posted 10/28/22

Candidate Name: Terry L. Pepper

Party: Democrat

Age: 66

Hometown: Camden

Political experience: I held the Kent County Levy Court At Large Seat for one term from 1994 to 1998.  I did …

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Terry L. Pepper Kent Levy Court at large district

Posted

Candidate name: Terry L. Pepper

Party: Democratic

Age: 66

Hometown: Camden

Political experience: I held the Kent County Levy Court at large seat for one term from 1994-98. I did not seek reelection to Levy Court. I ran for the Levy Court at large seat again in 2010 and have held the commissioner at large seat since then, in total 16 years.

Professional experience: I am a retired Delaware state trooper. The majority of my career as a trooper was spent in Kent County, where I retired as a detective at Troop 3 in Camden. I was executive director of Delaware Crime Stoppers until I was offered a position in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. I transitioned to the Governor’s Office, where I served Gov. Ruth Ann Minner for eight years. For the past 13 years and currently, I work for the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. I serve as the homeland security adviser for the state of Delaware.

What uniquely qualifies you for this office?

My work experience and time served on Kent County Levy Court uniquely qualifies me for the office of commissioner at large. As a trooper, I was able to geographically learn Kent County. During my tenure working in the Governor’s Office, I was the county and local government liaison and liaison to all volunteer fire companies and the fire commission, as well as policy person for the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The county and local government liaison position enabled me to learn how the counties interact with the state of Delaware. I also learned issues county governments face daily. This position afforded me the opportunity to problem solve county issues and help counties work through issues which involve state government, i.e., the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the State Planning Office, etc. I continue to utilize those skills as a Levy Court commissioner almost daily. The years I have spent as a commissioner have afforded me the opportunity to learn what my constituents in Kent County expect of their commissioner.

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

Kent County is currently performing a countywide reassessment, which was ordered by Chancery Court Judge J. Travis Laster. It is my concern the court-ordered reassessment is done fairly and accurately. I also want to ensure constituents have the opportunity to appeal the reassessment if they do not agree with their final assessment. Kent County has an award-winning wastewater treatment facility. However, the system is aging since it was originally built in the early ‘70s. The wastewater facility is serving the county well and has capacity for future expansion of residential and commercial properties. The areas of concern are what we cannot see: the transmission pipe underground. The county engineering staff is working to be proactive to monitor the aging pipeline and slip lining the pipe where necessary, as was recently completed along Route 13 through Dover. This is expensive and disruptive, as most of the pipe follows roadway easements. Over the course of the next several years, these projects will continue. Kent County has problems very similar to all employers. The county is having a problem attracting qualified employees in all positions, even though pay studies show Kent County is very competitive in salaries and has an excellent benefit package. This problem extends to the paramedics. The county is constantly recruiting. Since the paramedic system in Kent County is now over 30 years old, a large number of the paramedics are at the age when they can retire. It is imperative that we maintain staffing levels, which will provide the service Kent Countians need, deserve and expect.

What would be your top priority if elected?

If reelected, my priorities would remain the same as they have been throughout my tenure as Kent County Levy Court commissioner at large: Be responsive, honest, respectful and accessible to all constituents. I will continue to work to make Kent County a place we are all proud to call home. I will also work to protect our farmland and open space. This was found to be the No. 1 concern of Kent County residents in a recent survey.

If you could change one county policy or law, what would it be?

Kent County reviews its ordinances and policies on a regular basis. The building code is reviewed by the Building Code Review Committee. Land use is reviewed by the Regional Planning Committee. The Levy Court commissioners have the flexibility to adjust ordinances and policies frequently, as new priorities, ideas or environmental needs arise. The Levy Court has seven members, and an affirmative vote of four can create a change. I would like to find an affordable and fair way for our paramedics to have a 25-year retirement plan, with an option to stay longer should they desire. This would be a hiring incentive and bring Kent County in line with Sussex County. Being a paramedic is a very physical and stressful position, which few members of the general public understand or appreciate.

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