Your Candidates for County Council Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

09/04/2024

County Council

The County Council is the legislative arm of New Castle County government. The council includes 13 members, one elected from each of 12 districts plus the council president, who is elected at-large. Council members must be citizens of the United States, residents of their district for at least one year, and over 24 years of age when elected. The County Council studies issues that affect the operation of the government and the citizens it represents. Council writes and passes laws and resolutions that improve the operation and protect the health and welfare of the citizens of New Castle County. County Council determines tax rates, oversees county services, and authorizes issuance of bonds to finance county projects. Council members serve staggered four-year terms.

Salary: $55,217/year

* * *

District 7

Democratic Party Candidate: George Smiley

Biographical Info: 

Campaign Email: gsmiley326@verizon.net

Campaign Phone: (302) 463-4250

Neighborhood/area of residence: Swanwyck Estates

Work Experience: Restaurant and take out work starting at 12 years old., Various Teamster Union jobs and elected offices, County Council

Education: High School Graduate (William Penn HS)

Community Involvement: Served on Civic Association and performed whatever needed to be done 

Questions: 

Q: What are your qualifications for office, and (if challenged) what differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?
A: I have proved myself to be honest, attentive to detail and constituent issues, fiscally responsible and above all my priority is to serve those in need of assistance. 

Q: What do you see as the most urgent issues in your County at this time?
A: Maintaining fiscal responsibility and maintaining an open and ethical government. While Public Safety, Libraries, Parks, Open Space, sewer service, etc. are all important, none can be property achieved and maintained without fiscal restraint and responsibility. 

Q: Do you think any strategic changes are needed in the county’s approach to growth & development, land use or transportation planning for the coming decade? (Yes or No). Please explain.
A: Yes. I believe we always to better by adjusting our code. 

Q: How will you ensure that your county has land use measures that allow for the development of affordable housing?
A: We must improve the County incentives so developers can build affordable housing and still maintain a financially stable business. 

Q: How will you engage with residents, especially minorities, to ensure their voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes?
A: The same way I do now. I am constantly walking in their communities and attending their events and meetings. Not to mention every telephone number I have is published on everything coming from the seventh district office as well as the answering service. 

* * *

District 8

Democratic Party Candidate: John Carter

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

For more information visit website: https://www.facebook.com/john.cartier.980/

***

Republican Party Candidate: Michael C. Senisch.

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Our search turned up no website.

* * *

District 9

Democratic Party Candidate: Timothy P. Sheldon.

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

For more information visit website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tim-Sheldon-100057847698926/

* * *

District 10

Democratic Party Candidate: Jea P. Street

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Our search turned up no website.

* * *

District 11

Democratic Candidate: David L. Tackett

* * *

David L. Tackett

Party: Democrat

Biographical Info: 

Campaign Email: daveltack@aol.com

Neighborhood/area of residence: Timber Farms

Community Involvement: 3 years in community group 7&40 Alliance then 4 years on the Newcastle County Planning board

Campaign Phone: (302) 709-1850

Education: Bachelors Wilmington University

Work Experience: 20 years as the County Councilman

Questions: 

Q: What are your qualifications for office, and (if challenged) what differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?
A: I have 20 years working as the councilman for the 11th district 

Q: What do you see as the most urgent issues in your County at this time?
A: We have an urgent need for moderately priced housing and the challenge will be how we get there, My experience with Land Use issues will allow me to be able to address this issue, 

Q: Do you think any strategic changes are needed in the county’s approach to growth & development, land use or transportation planning for the coming decade? (Yes or No). Please explain.
A: YES! We have to balance growth with the infrastructure, The major challenge right now is dealing with a very fragile infrastructure, working with the state is more important that ever. 

Q: How will you ensure that your county has land use measures that allow for the development of affordable housing?
A: I will be working with the GM of LU and the team to explore how other areas of the country are dealing with rising housing prices and controlling inflation to deal with affordable housing, 

Q: How will you engage with residents, especially minorities, to ensure their voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes?
A: This has already happened, and we are committed to ensuring “Everyone” has a voice and everyone will have options available to them.

* * *

District 12

Democratic Party Candidate: Kevin Caneco

Biographical Info: 

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@KevinCaneco

Neighborhood/area of residence: Middletown

Campaign Phone: (302) 844-8872

Campaign Website: www.canecoforncc.com

Campaign Email: kevincaneco@gmail.com

Work Experience: Attorney

Education: B.A. SUNY Albany, JD Delaware Law School

Additional Information: Prior to becoming an attorney, Kevin served 8 years as an Active Duty Army Officer.

Community Involvement: Townsend VFW Member, MOT Alliance board member, 9th RD Democratic Committee Chair, MOT NAACP member, AFSCME Local 423, Delaware National Guard Officer

Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Canecoaroundthe12th/ 

Questions: 

Q: What are your qualifications for office, and (if challenged) what differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?
A: As a veteran, an attorney, husband, and dedicated father to a child in elementary school I know the challenges New Castle County faces moving forward. I have served in leadership positions my entire life, leading Soldiers in Afghanistan, organizing my neighbors against massive warehouse construction in residential areas, and standing up to the government for the underprivileged in the courtroom. Simply put, I have dedicated my life to public service. I have been proud to help communities and HOA’s navigate complex county zoning policies or regulations and will be ready to serve on day one in the County Council. Finally, I have been a faithful and strong advocate of supporting diversity in all my endeavors. 

Q: What do you see as the most urgent issues in your County at this time?
A: We must work to curb overdevelopment, preserve our open spaces, increase park space, and ensure we do all we can to protect our environment. The county we live in 10-20-30 years from now will be dictated by the decisions we make in the next few years. We need to ensure we bring more diverse and unique voices into the room to compete with powerful voices of developers or special interests. I will work to ensure developers pay more of their fair share, we will increase new development open space requirements, and fight to bring more transparency to government. We must also work to protect and promote our fire services, support retention among our NCC Police, and work to promote small business opportunities for those in the 12th District. 

Q: Do you think any strategic changes are needed in the county’s approach to growth & development, land use or transportation planning for the coming decade? (Yes or No). Please explain.
A: Yes. The county must revisit the NCC Comp plan to ensure the vision aligns with the wants and needs of those in surrounding communities. There has been massive opposition to zoning for industry near communities in Delaware City and the Route 13 corridor. Moreover, south of the canal we have seen great community organizing against massive warehouses by residential communities. Zoning must make sense for everyone effected not just powerful business interests. We can create jobs in responsible ways, not by clogging our roads with truck traffic and congestion. Our current development process does not keep up with the pace of our schools, often causing overcrowding and a strain on our teachers. We need to pump the brakes and reimagine zoning. 

Q: How will you ensure that your county has land use measures that allow for the development of affordable housing?
A: Housing costs have skyrocketed over the last few years pricing out too many of our hardworking citizens. The ability to buy a home should not be a pipe dream for so many as it is today. Here in New Castle County, we can work with developers to ensure we create housing that is accessible, equitable, and near vital services. The county should be working with the state to increase incentives for vouchers and tax credits to ensure housing prices can be brought down and those seeking new homes can achieve their dreams. Moreover, lets increase transportation options with DART and others along main corridors to make these housing options more desirable. 

Q: How will you engage with residents, especially minorities, to ensure their voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes?
A: Diversity has been something I have valued my entire life. I’m a strong believer that regardless of race, socio economic status, gender, or who you chose to love, everyone should have a voice in government. My office will be one of the most engaging and constituent focused in the County Council. We will dialogue with constituents through social media, mail, internet services, your local church, and via monthly coffees. Our office will attend your local HOA/Maintenance Corporation meeting and be accessible at local fairs and other community events. Finally, I will form a taskforce of diverse neighbors from all the different areas of the 12th that will help guide me in my decision-making process. My office will bring the voiceless a voice. 

Our Partners

Delaware Journalism Collaborative Logo