Pete, on growing up in Sussex
County:
I have lived in Sussex County for almost 36 years. My father died
when I was six leaving my mother to raise four small children. We were
financially disadvantaged but survived by working
together and helping to support each other. My mother taught me
that working hard would bring it’s own rewards and I am proud of who I am
and what I have accomplished. While growing up, I clammed the
bays and worked as a lifeguard in Bethany and loved every minute of it.
As a lifeguard I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed working with people
and being involved in public service. I graduated from Indian River
High School and worked as an electrician’s helper to pay my way through college,
receiving my bachelors degree in Human Resource Management from Wilmington
College. After college, I managed a small business in Selbyville where
I came to understand the ups and downs of retail. But when I joined the
State police, I found a job that kept me involved with the community - for
25 years - and really means something to me. Being elected as the
representative for the 14th district was the next logical step in my career
in public service.
I have come a long way, having spent the past 30 years serving the public,
and I have much to offer and much more that I would like to accomplish.
Pete, on development and
traffic:
A coastal community decides-either by action or inaction- what kind of
experience it offers the beach-going public that supports it.
A clogged Route One and heavy congestion coming in and out of the area
is no way to provide a pleasurable vacation experience for the tourists
who support our independent businesses. We have unbridled growth and the
state has not kept up the infrastructure we need to support our tourism lifeline.
We can’t allow the problem to deteriorate further. Any solution must start
at Route 1 and 1A, the focal point of the problem – and then work north
and south from there.
There are improvements we can make right now with traffic light synchronization
and intersection monitoring – I know, I’ve been out there in traffic, handling
accidents and studying the situation. Ask me about specifics.
For the long term, we need better signage and getting our visitors and
residents in and out of downtown while expediting southbound traffic. I’ve
got very specific recommendations and will welcome discussing them with
you. Our economy and quality of life depend on it.
Pete, on health insurance:
The Number One concern of many of our citizens is unaffordable health
care coverage. This issue affects everyone and must be addressed at
the national level. Click HERE to learn more.
In Delaware it’s simple economics. Insurance companies prosper by
spreading financial risk among many. Ten years ago, there were twice as many
insurance carriers in Delaware as there are today. Why? Delaware is
a small group market. We can combine several states in a regional pool
to spread the risk; or group small businesses or Chamber of Commerce members
and include them in the existing state insurance plan. These are good ideas
but tough to implement. We can’t wait for a national solution and I’m ready,
along with some allies in Dover, to push for innovation here in Delaware.
Pete, on discrimination:
I support HB #99, adding the words “sexual orientation” to the existing
anti-discrimination statue in the state. Discrimination is nothing
more than hate. HB #99 is about equal protection in the eyes of the
law. Anti-Discrimination laws protect people from being
singled out and punished by a direct act of hate or ignorance or an indirect
act by denying a person of housing, employment, public works contracting,
public accommodations and insurance. HB #99 is not confusing, but a
lot of people seem to be confused. If you read the bill in it’s entirety,
you’ll understand it only amends the existing protections by inserting the
words “sexual orientation” anywhere that race, age, marital status, color,
sex, religion, handicap or national origin are listed. Why wouldn’t
everyone support an amendment that helps to discourage discrimination? Click
HERE to read what HB99 will
do.
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