It was a good week in business for Delaware. Signs that the economy is seeing sustainable growth abound.
Even government had a good week with universal recycling legislation showing signs of success as a bottle deposit used to finance programs actually goes away, providing a small break for consumers How often has that happened?
The legislation was carefully crafted with an eye toward private sector investment. That has occurred. much to the surprise of some. Another bonus was an investment in capital used to buy newer and less noisy trucks capable of handling recycled refuse.
Not everything has worked out. A compost plant, not directly tied to the legislation proved to be a smelly mess with owners apparently giving up on the once promising project.
Helping businesses and individuals were falling fuel prices. The owner of the Delaware City Refinery, so far, seems to be overcoming the difficult terrain with smart buying practices that include use of crude oil transported by rail.
And did we mention that the refinery and the coal and natural gas-fired Indian River power plant saw double-digit reductions in toxic emissions?
Also, near the Delaware Memorial Bridge, British company Croda continues to invest in an Atlas Point complex that could have easily become one of the long list of clean-up sites in Delaware.
Then we have Wilmington, which is on its way back, but faces a terrible dilemma.
For too long, boosters have relegated the problem to a few bad neighborhoods. But recently a writer from Newsweek (yes it is still around) came in on Amtrak and spent some time exploring the issue and riding along with police.
The piece, containing the sensational headline “Murder Town USA,” lacked the sense of perspective someone would get from hanging around a while longer. Still, the piece was well written and painted a devastating portrait of the challenges facing the city.
You may have read the piece by now as it was quickly shared on social media. Many of us have down played the situation, or asked that the story not be shared, but the reality is staring us in the face.
While long-term solutions could take a generation or more, the murder and unsolved murder toll has to be reduced now. This is a threat to the well being of the state, – Doug Rainey
