|
John Atkins, Millsboro
Age: 38
Key Issues: increase jobs, control growth, preserve agriculture
Occupation: former small business owner, current farmer
Education: 1988 graduate of Sussex Central High School
Family: Lives in Millsboro with his wife. Has three sons.
Amount of money available 30-days prior to the election: $12,000
Quote: “The rank-and-file working people in the 41st District – the Democrats, Republicans and Independents – are calling me saying we want you back in Dover,” said Atkins.
Greg Hastings, Millsboro
Age: 54
Key Issues: increase jobs, fight tax increases, promote education
Occupation: Owner of a residential design firm for 20 years
Education: Associate’s degree from Del Tech in 1973
Family: Lives in Millsboro with his wife. He has two sons.
Amount of money available 30 days prior to the election: $41,000
Quote: “Fortunately, we still live in a democracy. Everyone has the right to run,” said Hastings.
...
John Atkins, who last year resigned from the 41st District seat as a Republican, switched parties, winning the Democratic nomination, and this year, he will face off against Republican Rep. Greg Hastings.
The 41st District is the southernmost representative district in the state, which also contains the largest number of manufactured homeowners in Delaware. It includes the towns of Millsboro and Frankford and half of Selbyville, divided by railroad tracks between the 41st and 38th districts. In 2007, Atkins resigned as he faced a House Ethics Committee investigation, after he was stopped for driving under the influence. The same night he was arrested for offensive touching in a dispute with his wife.
Atkins, however, remains popular in his district. He now has the support of the Democratic Party and the endorsement of the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners’ Association.
Hastings, who won the seat last year in a special election, sits on nine committees, including Housing & Community Affairs, Agriculture and Land-Use and Infrastructure. He, too, has pledged support for homeowners and introduced three bills last year on their behalf.
State representatives serve two-year terms and make $42,750 a year. The Cape Gazette posed four questions to the candidates and their answers were limited to 75 words.
Do you support legislation that would cap land lot rents for manufactured homes, or do you have other specific legislation to help residents of manufactured housing?
Hastings: I think rent control would ultimately prove harmful because such a law would result in the closure of housing communities, displacing residents and reducing affordable housing opportunities. I have proposed three new measures to help residents: One bill seeks to expand the Lot Rental Assistance Program; another would provide prospective manufactured housing residents with more information before signing a lease; and the third would increase enforcement and oversight of state law concerning manufactured housing communities.
Atkins: As the endorsed candidate of the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association (DMHOA), I have a good grasp on issues unique to those communities. About five years ago, I was a cosponsor of the Manufactured Home Owners and Community Owners Act (HB 2), which increased the rights given to manufactured home owners. Now, it is time for legislation that will ensure the stability of ground rent. Manufactured home owners must be able to make financial plans, and that is almost impossible without rent predictability.
A horse-racing facility has been proposed in your district. Such facilities are often accompanied by casinos. Do you favor expanding casinos to Sussex County?
Hastings: The horse racing facility proposed for Sussex County is actually just outside the borders of the 41st Representative District. However, I oppose the expansion of legalized gaming in Delaware.
Atkins: The current proposal for a horse racing facility does not currently involve a casino. While such a plan would be controversial, it’s no reason not to support the horse racing facility. The $300 million facility that’s been proposed would improve our area, especially in this economy. It would provide 500 jobs, and farmers in the area would have the opportunity to board their horses, grow hay and alfalfa, and cut straw. I’ve spoken to many such farmers and they are excited to have these opportunities.
In light of the economic downturn, what cuts would you make to balance the state budget? Do you see any additional avenues to raise revenue?
Hastings: The state government cannot enact a budget that is not balanced. However, as a small business owner, I was extremely disappointed in the way state budget writers conducted themselves this year. In an economic downturn, they presented a budget that increased state spending by $62 million! I voted against it. I don’t think we have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. We need to look for opportunities to make government more efficient.
Atkins: Delaware needs to closely monitor every dollar it spends. I support a line-item veto to make sure the Legislature isn’t making purchases in the middle of the night. I also agree with Jack Markell that we need to go to cabinet secretaries and ask them how we can make their departments more efficient. I’d like to make our state friendlier to small businesses and entrepreneurs to raise revenue. We can target unhappy small businesses in surrounding states and lure them over to us.
What’s your favorite magazine and why?
Hastings: Golf Digest is my favorite magazine. It offers an opportunity to improve my golfing skills that most definitely need improving and provides a mental break from the serious and important issues that I work on daily as your representative.
Atkins: I prefer reading the local papers to magazines. Newspapers keep me up on the issues affecting my district and help me stay in touch with the problems facing my neighbors and friends.
|
