State Senate 20th District candidates speak at NARFE luncheon
The Coastal Chapter 1690 of National Active and Retired Federal Employees held a pre-primary general election debate when Senate District 20 candidates, incumbent Republican Gerald Hocker and challenger Democrat Perry Mitchell, spoke at the group's September luncheon meeting, held at 1776 Steakhouse, Rehoboth Beach. Neither candidate was challenged in their respective party's Sept. 13 primary elections.
NARFE Chapter Legislative Director Eric West said this luncheon was the fourth in a series of 2016 monthly events planned where the chapter has invited candidates for public office to meet local NARFE members and present their views on important issues.
Hocker was elected to the Senate seat in 2012 after serving as the state representative for the 38th District from 2002 to 2012. Hocker said, “Small businessmen are the nation's backbone for creation of jobs." He said he has worked to deal with transportation issues in Sussex County, citing work on studies to improve Routes 24, 26 and 54, and on the proposed 113 bypass around Millsboro.
Mitchell, a retired political science professor, served on the Ocean View Town Council from 2008-11. He discussed a number of ways to produce more jobs, including inviting manufacturing companies to locate in Sussex County, initiating federal-private partnerships particularly involving increased technology, providing tax incentives and improving education, particularly at tech schools. Mitchell said, "We need to do a better job in producing jobs."
The local Coastal Sussex Chapter 1690 is part of NARFE, a national organization that represents federal employees, retirees, and annuitants, promotes their general welfare, and provides advice and advocacy services with respect to their rights and benefits under federal and state retirement laws and regulations. For more information for any federal retirees interested in joining the Coastal Sussex chapter, email Ron or Carol Weber at rjw98@mchsi.com.
