Williams: Delaware’s future is now
Terrell A. Williams is a Democratic candidate for the Delaware House of Representatives’ 9th District seat, which serves the Townsend area.
On Election Day, the 9th District will not just be able to vote for the future of our district but will also determine our state’s path forward. The Democratic Party is close to having a supermajority in our legislature. With our district’s support, we will be able to end GOP obstinance and pass important constitutional protections for all Delawareans. That’s one of the many reasons I’m running for state representative. I also know that I can represent the needs of the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend communities much better than my opponent ever has.
Like many of you, I am concerned with the rapid growth and overdevelopment of the MOT area. I am frustrated by the increased congestion on our roads and the long commute times to travel in and around town. Aggressive and distracted drivers have led to deadly collisions and unsafe roads for our families, runners and cyclists. This issue is not new but has been ignored by my opponent because he has favored developers and builders over his constituents. As your next state representative, I will advocate for smart development, more first responders below the canal and the resources to support our population’s growth. I will work collaboratively with elected officials at the federal, state and county levels to ensure that future development is in line with current community needs.
Collectively, we have all been frustrated with the annual referendums, school budgets and financial impacts on our wallets. My opponent consistently sides with builders and developers who fail to pay their fair share in public school taxes. On average, builders pay about $6,000 in school taxes for each new home they build in our district. But, according to Census Bureau data, the average school-age family moving into our district has two children attending our schools, and this number can, of course, be much higher. Builders and developers have been allowed excessive profit, while not paying nearly enough to cover school taxes alone. I want to stop them from circumventing the school tax loophole. It is paramount that they properly invest in our schools.
Moreover, my opponent focuses on weak school safety measures by needlessly emphasizing spending more money on armed constables, instead of increasing teacher pay and supporting school social workers. Our schools have a gun problem, and my opponent wants to add more guns to classrooms. We need to invest in the resources that ensure there is a diverse school workforce, with mental health support that aids students in situations outside the classroom. This is why I plan to have monthly assemblies, such as antibullying campaigns, anxiety and mental health awareness forums, and suicide and substance abuse prevention programs, which will empower our students with tools to address these challenges.
Our society is plagued by gun violence in our schools and in our communities. It’s my goal to introduce robust safe-storage laws, requiring gun owners to safely store their weapons so that guns never end up in our schools. My opponent will have you believe that all gun violence is related to individuals suffering from mental health emergencies. However, he refuses to properly fund and support legislation that will actually address the mental health void that we have in Delaware. I will be introducing legislation to support expanded mental health treatment, while holding gun owners who negligently store their weapons accountable for any crimes committed with those weapons.
Delaware’s future is now, and I believe bright days are ahead if we make our voices heard. The 9th District deserves leadership that will stand up for regular, working people. If you agree with me, I look forward to seeing you at the polls Nov. 5.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
