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Community advocates, legal and medical experts urge council to overturn veto on water-shutoff protections
Summary
A coalition of community groups, housing attorneys and a physician urged the Wilmington City Council to override Mayor Kearney's veto and adopt an ordinance that would bar water disconnections for certain vulnerable households, saying the measure was developed with residents and narrow in scope.
Representatives from legal and community organizations and a physician used a press conference to urge the council to overturn Mayor Kearney's veto of the ordinance. Speakers stressed collaboration in drafting the measure and argued the ordinance targets those most at risk rather than enabling widespread nonpayment.
Miriam Dade of Tide Shift Justice Project said the ordinance was drafted with community members who had experienced water access problems and called on council members who previously voted against the ordinance to correct that vote. "This ordinance was drafted in collaboration with community members ... it really is pinpointed to target only the folks who are most vulnerable to having their water shut off," Dade said. Advocates emphasized both the moral case and practical public-health and housing consequences of shutoffs.
The coalition asked residents to attend the council meeting the following night for the override vote and to speak during public comment.
