Wilmington Mayor Purzycki starts fundraising, says one term is not enough to accomplish goals
Jeanne Kuang
Halfway through his first term, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki has begun fundraising to run for re-election in 2020.
Purzycki sent out letters to supporters late last month soliciting donations, though he has not officially announced a campaign.
"My two years as mayor have affirmed my affection for our city and faith in its future," the letter reads. "Politics dictates we begin our 2020 fund-raising effort now."
In an interview, Purzycki said one term won't be enough time to get things done.
"We want to institutionalize changes so the plans are not easily undone," he said. "If you're there for four years, someone else can come in and change the culture."
Purzycki was elected two years ago after winning the mayoral Democratic primary with nearly 24 percent of votes, the most of the eight candidates, and significant help from his own district. He also raised far more than his opponents.
The primary served as a de facto election because of Wilmington's large Democratic voting base.
In the fundraising letter, he touted reduced crime in the last year attributed to his hire of Police Chief Robert Tracy, new downtown development and revitalization efforts in parks and neighborhoods — including development projects in Riverside, the 76ers Fieldhouse and 1,000 new apartment units in the city.
"These projects are proof that we can make Wilmington better," he wrote.
He said his next priorities are revamping city government's service delivery to be more accountable to residents, and getting changes to the housing code passed.
The latter, a plan for the city to more easily crack down on vacant and blighted houses, has been a controversial effort hampered in City Council.
Purzycki has been criticized by residents and some Council members for a perceived attempt to have the city repossess the homes of residents who are too poor to make repairs.
Purzycki brushed off the criticism and said his office has made many concessions already, including a change in the proposal in October that would shield owners who live in their homes from foreclosure.
He said amending the housing code remains one of the most important measures he wants to accomplish as mayor.
"I'm confident that's going to change," he said. "It's a priority so people live in suitable housing ... Not one person has been displaced in any development we've done and won't be."
Shortly after Purzycki took office, he designated West Center City, the neighborhood that sits between downtown and the I-95 freeway, as the first site for revitalization. He said his administration is working to expand those efforts to other "priority neighborhoods."
"Every other victory is a shallow victory" if residents continue to live in neighborhoods with blighted properties, he said. "They have to feel as though they're part of it."
Contact Jeanne Kuang at jkuang@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2476. Follow her on Twitter at @JeanneKuang.
WILMINGTON NEWS:
Wilmington council seat remains vacant after volatile meeting
For some Wilmington children, winter coats an essential hard to come by