Wilmington City Council Newsletter September 24, 2021
#OneCouncil team joins AIDS Walk Delaware
Wilmington City Council had their second “One Council” community event on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Brandywine Park during this year’s 35th annual AIDS Walk Delaware. The event raised over $115,000 to support case management services, free HIV testing, HIV-specific mental health counseling, education and prevention programs, housing services and so much more. AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium partnered with community members, organizations, state and county officials, and Wilmington City Council elected officials to raise awareness for the clients and programs of AIDS Delaware & Delaware HIV Consortium. The walk is the state’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event and has historically attracted over 800 participants and volunteers. It’s been 40 years since the AIDS epidemic started and 35 since the first AIDS Walk Delaware. The goal of the walk is to reduce the stigma of HIV, raise awareness, and provide HIV-informed community health and education to all Delawareans. New HIV cases have declined, and advances in medicine now allow people living with HIV to thrive and live more normal, healthy lives. AIDS Delaware is encouraging Delawareans to know their status by receiving a free, confidential HIV test. To learn more visit their website at here.
Photos by Yesenia Taveras, Wilmington City Council Director of Communications.
National Night Out Returns
Each year City Council supports community policing as a way to bridge the gap between our neighborhoods and the Wilmington Police Department. Community members and residents are encouraged to attend the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, October 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Rodney Square, for the opportunity to meet and interact with police officers from various divisions and partners in law enforcement, public safety and public service. Members of the Wilmington Police Department’s Victim Services Unit and Youth Response Unit will also be in attendance with information about services available to those affected by crime and trauma. For those interested in becoming a police officer, you can also obtain information and an application for the 101st Wilmington Police Academy during National Night Out. COVID-19 vaccines, festivities and free food will also be available. For more information visit the link here.
Wilmington City Council holds
Second Redistricting Committee/Public Hearing meeting
In August, City Council was tasked with starting the process of redistricting the city into eight councilmanic districts, which began with President Congo appointing six members from Council to the redistricting committee. Council’s first meeting was held on August 25th and included discussions on the redistricting committee responsibilities and process, the summary of voter rights, and presentations from the League of Women Voters and the Delaware Department of Elections. The City Council Redistricting Committee must prepare a report by February 2022 that contains a recommended plan for adjusting the councilmanic district boundaries of districts one through eight. Council is using new census data from the United States Census Bureau to redraw the district lines in order to reflect how local populations have changed. We are committed to remaining transparent during the redistricting process and we encourage the public to get involved by visiting our redistricting page on our website at www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.comto find a complete list of procedures the City Council Redistricting Committee must follow and to stay up to date with the latest information. You can also view all Redistricting Committee meetings on our government access channel, WITN22, on Comcast Channel 22 and online on WITN22’s website here.
City-supported Drone Training and Virtual Reality Program now available for Teenagers
The City has partnered with the Drone Workforce Solutions (DWS) Drone School, owned by local attorney and entrepreneur Theo Nix, Jr., to provide a 16-week training course about the operation of drones and associated drone technology, and a four-week course on the use of virtual reality (VR) computer technology to create simulated environments. These fields of study are garnering much attention and open new possibilities for our youth.
Starting at 6:30pm, the City and DWS will hold three informational sessions for prospective students at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center on September 23, September 28, and October 5. Youth who are interested and would like to learn more information about the courses should attend one of the information sessions where attendees can complete an application.
Ten teens will be selected to attend the drone classes and another 10 will be selected for the VR courses. Those who successfully complete the courses will also receive a six-to-12-week paid internship. Drone course graduates will also take the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) exam to become a licensed drone pilot. The Department of Parks and Recreation will provide students with transportation to their classes as well as lunch.
The Drone classes will be held on consecutive Saturdays beginning October 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for 16-weeks at the DWS headquarters located at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, 920 Justison Street on the Christina waterfront. Teen participants will receive a scholarship from the City covering all course costs.
The four VR classes will be held on October 23 and 30, and November 6 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center located at 501 North Madison Street. Teen participants will receive a scholarship from the City covering all course costs.
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Media Contact:
Yesenia Taveras, Wilmington City Council Director of Communications
302-576-2585 | ytaveras@wilmingtonde.gov
City Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com