CONCERN CALLED PREMATURE: Nothing has been decided concerning the closing of any school in the Brandywine district and will not be until the public has had its say, according to Nancy Doorey, president of the school board. "All is very much in the planning stage," she said at a sparsely attended meeting of the board on Sept. 20. She spoke in response to apparently growing opposition to the possibility that Brandywine Elementary and Hanby Middle schools will be shut down as a result of predicted continued declines in the district's enrollment over the next several years.

As previously reported by Delaforum, the facilities taskforce has scheduled three public hearings to solicit comments on four possible scenarios, two of which call for closing Hanby or Brandywine and one for closing both. Doorey said that after the hearings, the taskforce will make recommendations. The volunteer panel "doesn't make the final decision; the board does," she said. If the district is to proceed with a referendum in spring, 2005, to approve financing for the third and final phase of its renovation program, that decision will have to be made before Oct. 30. (CLICK HERE to read previous Delaforum article.)

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POSITIONS SWAPPED: Urban planner Thomas Commita has changed his mind about chairing the Claymont Design Review Advisory Council but will agree to be vice chairman if appointed by County Executive Tom Gordon. John DiCostanza, an officer in the family company which owns Joe & Tony's gasoline service station and automotive repair shop, who previously was nominated by the Claymont Renaissance steering committee, has agreed to accept the chairmanship. If Claymont is, as expected, granted 'hometown' zoning, the committee would pass on proposed future land-use plans. (CLICK HERE to read previous Delaforum article.)

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Coming off a stronger than expected fiscal year, the state's revenue forecasters arepredicting continued, albeit slower, growth from the higher base.

The Delaware Economic & Financial Advisory Council, at its meeting on Sept. 20, will project a 1.5% increase this fiscal year and 3.7% in fiscal 2006. The latter will provide the basis for the next state budget enacted by the General Assembly. Key component in the year ended June 30 was the personal income tax, which rose 10% from the previous year despite sluggish job growth. The real estate transfer tax brought in 34% more as the result of strong residential markets in all three counties. Total revenue of $2,735 million increased 12% from $2,436 million.

Not to be overshadowed by a favorable outlook, however, is the fact that corporate franchising has lost some of its traditional sheen. Revenue from that source grew about 16%, but that was only after an overall 18% rate increase. Limited liability corporations and partnerships are a fast-growing but relatively still small revenue source. The council also will predict a decrease of about $15 million in the state's take from slot machine gambling in the second half of fiscal 2006 when newly authorized slots parlors in Pennsylvania will be operating and double that for the full 2007 year.

In its long-range forecast, the council is looking for general fund revenue to top $3 billion in fiscal 2008.

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The county administration would not be permitted to hire, promote, transfer or reclassify rank-and-file employees under terms of an ordinance introduced into County Council.

A measure imposing that freeze until a new county executive takes office on Jan. 5, 2005, was introduced off-agenda at Council's Sept. 14 session by Council president Christopher Coons. It is a companion to one which, as previously reported by Delaforum, would prohibit moving political appointees into jobs protected by the civil service merit system. Both could be acted upon at Council's next session, which will be on Sept. 28. The proposed laws are part of a continuing effort by Council to secure additional control over the running of county government.

The preamble to the proposed freeze ordinance describes it as an "essential safeguard in light of the recent federal criminal indictments" of chief administrative officer Sherry Freebery changing her with "manipulating the merit system selection process to secure a job for her sister." The ordinance exempts from its prohibitions temporary positions, school crossing guards and staff for the expanding Council as well as anyone needed to fill a "critical position." Those moves, however, would require concurrence by a majority of Council's personnel committee which, like other committees, includes all member of Council. (CLICK HERE to read previous Delaforum article.)

Firings and demotions would not be covered by the proposed ordinance. Such actions are rumored to be occurring or about to be put into process.

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The Claymont Renaissance steering committee nominated nine persons to serve on the 'hometown' zoning design review advisory committee to pass on future development plans.

It agreed on the nominees from among its ranks at a meeting on Sept. 16 after hearing from County Councilman Robert Weiner that the open-ended panel will "morph into" an advisory subcommittee of the review committee. "Nothing much will change. ... All of us will be having as much say as [we] always have," Weiner said. County land use planner Josh Mastrangelo said there will be no limit on how many three-year terms review committee members can serve. "Once we get good people, we are going to keep them as long as they will stay," he said.

Nominees to be submitted to County Executive Tom Gordon, who will make the actual appointments, are: Thomas Comitta, the Renaissance's urban planning consultant, to serve as chairman; John DiCostanza, Joe & Tony's service station, vice chairman; George Lossé, Claymont Community Coalition; Carolyn Mercandante, Claymont Historical Society; Brett Saddler, Claymont Business Owners Association; Frank Brevoort, Princeton Arms Apartments; Thomas DeCristofaro, Claymont Fire Company; Alysa Krill, a graphic designer; and Carol Sloan, Sun Oil. (CLICK HERE to read previous Delaforum article.)

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BACK IN VOGUE: Great-grandma would hardly recognize them, but present-day versions of an old-time domestic accouterment -- the rain barrel -- are beginning to appear on the urban landscape. No longer intended to provide the wherewithal for Saturday night baths or laundering the family wash on

Rain barrels, now and then --- The modern version, such as the ones being used at the Center for Horticulture in west Wilmington, may not be as picturesque as the old-fashioned kind, but environmentally conscious folks say their present day function is equally worthwhile.

Mondays, they are an efficient way to recycle rain-on-the-roof to water a lawn or garden, according to John Harrod, habitat coordinator for the Delaware Nature Society. They also can control stormwater run-off, channeling it slowly into sewers, streams or the ground one house at a time, he said.

The closed plastic barrels are designed to be attached to downspouts. They hold 55 gallons, but can be strung together to provide greater capacity. How many inches of rainfall add up to 55 gallons depends on the size of the roof and how much of the flow is captured by gutters. Harrod said the barrels are provided by his organization to households which participate in its backyard habitat program. On a macro scale, it is intended that they will be given to house buyers as an ecological amenity in Bayberry, a planned residential community proposed for southern New Castle County.

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Legislation to prohibit the Gordon administration from moving political appointees to positions protected by the merit system was introduced into County Council.

The measures, initiated by Council president Christopher Coons, are cosponsored by the other six members, which virtually guarantees their enactment. That could happen as soon as Sept. 28, when Council next meets. A recommendation from the county personnel office is required, but it will not be binding. The ban would last until Jan. 5, 2005, when County Executive Tom Gordon's successor will take office. According to the preamble to one of the proposed ordinances introduced at the Sept. 14 session, the administration recently moved an appointee, who is not identified, to a merit system job.

Councilman Robert Weiner introduced a resolution asking the state legislature to establish a procedure for suspending county employees other than elected officials who have been charged in indictments with felony crimes. Gordon and administrative officer Sherry Freebery have been so indicted. Council on Sept. 14 unanimously enacted ordinances requiring more complete disclosure of details about outstanding loans in required annual financial statements. A $2 million loan is the basis of one of the charges against Freebery.

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The University of Delaware has launched a campaign to promote a greater degree of togetherness between its students and their neighbors.

In a Web site posting, the college said volunteers are going door-to-door to distribute 1,000 'outreach packets' of colorful posters promoting such things as peace and quiet and neighborhood diplomacy. Newark Mayor Vance Funk and university president David Roselle participated. Besides the posters, the packets contain a letter to students who live off campus and Newark residents, contact information for volunteer opportunities, a guide to "safe and responsible parties," a police department flier about home security and giveaways that include a jar opener, a chip clip and a key ring.

The project was put together by the Building Responsibility Coalition, a group formed to deal with problems associated with students' drinking. “Newark is a wonderful place to live, with the town and the university complementing each other very nicely. Establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships among students and residents will be beneficial for everyone," the statement quoted John Bishop, associate vice president for counseling and student development, as saying. That hasn't always been the case and the situation has acerbated in recent years as the campus has grown. (Click here to see the posters.)

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PRINCIPAL SELECTED: Andrea Lanciault, assistant principal at Brandywine Springs Elementary School, has been appointed to be principal of North Star Elementary, which is scheduled to open in September, 2005. She takes her new position in January. Opening a new school will not be a new experience for Lanciault. Employed in teaching and administrative positions in the Red Clay Consolidated School District since 1977, she was involved with opening Brandywine Springs in 2000. She has bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Delaware.

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