New Castle County subcommittee advances slate of board nominees and suspends in‑person requirement to move an absentee forward

Dee Durham, chair of the New Castle County Boards and Commissions Subcommittee, presided over the April 21 meeting that reviewed several county board nominations, approved the March 17 minutes and voted to suspend a rule so an absent nominee could be advanced for a vote next week.

The committee unanimously approved the March minutes before turning to a slate of nominations from the county executive. ‘‘He’s been involved in land use both at the state and the local level,’’ the nominee Herb Inden said, describing decades of experience that include work at the Office of State Planning and Coordination and as a planning director in Wilmington. Committee members praised Inden’s background and welcomed him to New Castle County.

Chair Durham noted the agenda incorrectly labeled one item: the nomination of Christopher DeMarco is for the New Castle County Board of Assessment Review in Councilmember Cartier’s district. A committee member said the board is handling ‘‘a tremendous volume of appeals from the recent property assessment’’ and described DeMarco as having extensive property‑management and real‑estate experience; DeMarco was not present online.

A committee member moved to ‘‘suspend the rule requiring new appointees to be present’’ so DeMarco’s nomination could be moved forward for a vote next week; another committee member seconded the motion and the committee approved it in committee. The suspension allows the subcommittee to consider DeMarco’s nomination despite his absence, with the formal vote scheduled for the full council session next week.

Shawn Michael Kelly, nominated to the New Castle County Ethics Commission, said he would be ‘‘honored’’ to serve and summarized a legal career that includes clerking for the Delaware Supreme Court, private practice and time at the Delaware Department of Justice. Robert Hicks, speaking during public comment, said, ‘‘I’m speaking on behalf of the New Castle County Ethics Commission, and I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of you and to the county executive for the excellent nomination of Shawn Michael Kelly.’’

Monica Gonzalez Gillespie, nominated to the Human Resources Advisory Board, said she retired last year after serving as director of talent management and labor relations for the state and previously as HR director for the city of Wilmington. Reyna Harper Allen, nominated to the Diversity Commission, joined by phone while driving her daughter on a college visit and said she was ‘‘honored’’ to be considered and emphasized the importance of civic engagement and inclusion.

A local resident, William Simpson, used public comment to introduce the Wilmington Hawks community group and offered the club’s support for local efforts. After public comment, a committee member moved to adjourn; the committee voted and Chair Durham adjourned the meeting.

None of the nominees were confirmed at today’s session; the committee repeatedly noted the formal votes are scheduled for the next council meeting.