On the afternoon of September 20th, Delaware’s Newcastle County District 5 Councilwoman Valerie George hosted the inaugural Community Resources Expo at Newark High School. The event brought together various organizations to provide a diverse range of free consultation services to the public, including public safety departments, environmental organizations, energy companies, libraries, parks, emergency responders, mounted police, will registration offices, and contract registration offices.
Councilwoman George stated that the main purpose of organizing this expo was to address the public’s dissatisfaction with the recent increase in real estate taxes after a reassessment of land taxes. She explained, “The government has done a lot of things, but the public does not understand. They call to ask: What is my tax money actually used for? Many of the resources showcased here today are either fully funded by your taxes or partially funded by your taxes.” She hoped that through this event, the public would gain a clearer understanding of how tax funds are utilized.
She also gave examples such as Delmarva Energy Company staff explaining on-site how to pay bills, coping strategies during power outages, and how to save money through free home energy audits. Furthermore, they provided subsidies for low to moderate-income individuals to assist families facing financial difficulties.
Regarding the controversy sparked by the tax reassessment, Councilwoman George pointed out that the Delaware State House had passed Bill 242, allowing school districts to reset tax rates, imposing rates on commercial and other non-residential properties up to twice the residential tax rate to alleviate residents’ burdens. The bill was signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer on August 12th this year. Councilwoman George mentioned that the “2025 Supplemental Tax” bills are expected to be sent out on September 30th or October 1st, with the new tax bills due by November 30th. She noted that the school tax rate for residents of Christina District is expected to decrease by approximately 23%.
Newcastle County Police Department’s Senior Chief Tracy Duffy also participated in the expo. She wore a vest weighing about 35 pounds and showcased the police equipment she carries, including a handgun, stun gun, baton, and body-worn camera.
With 21 years of policing experience, Duffy emphasized that communication is the most crucial part of police work. Regarding being a female officer, she believed the most important aspects were to “be firm in your will, firm in your goals, firm in your faith, firm in your beliefs, while also maintaining good mental health.” She expressed that despite the risks of the job, she was not afraid and “passionate about my work.”
She also reminded the public that while other crime rates in Delaware have decreased, motor vehicle theft and theft from vehicles have been on the rise. She advised everyone to lock their car doors and take all valuables with them. She especially emphasized, “No matter what emergency occurs, dial 911. Whatever the situation, you can always call us.”
Councilwoman George reiterated multiple times at the expo that she was willing to provide various forms of assistance to the community. Having worked in government for nearly 20 years, she was elected as a county councilwoman in 2022. She encouraged residents saying, “If you have any needs but are unsure who to call, or what exactly it is, or any other situation, you can call my office.”