During the past several weeks, we have been inundated with discussions about dirt in the 5th Councilmanic District race. However, these discussions are a diversion from the real dirt that has been occurring.
The real dirt is the site work that planning & zoning Commissioner Keller Hopkins has done, and is still doing, on projects that he has voted on. Even worse are the projects that he was already working on when a new phase or extension came before planning & zoning. In those cases, he not only did not recuse himself, as would have been proper, but he didn’t even mention that he was already being paid to work on the project and that his affirmative vote would extend his work on the project.
One such example is phase 13 of Independence, a large subdivision on Route 5, south of Harbeson. Hopkins Construction Company has done substantial work in the development. A review of DNREC well approvals shows that Hopkins Construction has been issued seven permits in the development since July 30, 2018.
On May 26, 2022, Independence was up for approval of its Phase 13. Hopkins voted on the project knowing that he had a working relationship with the developers, was continuing to work on the project, and knowing that an affirmative vote would extend his work on the project. Not only did he not recuse himself, as he should have done, but he made no mention of his long relationship on the project. This is a textbook example of a conflict of interest.
Independence is but one of a long list of votes on projects that Mr. Hopkins participated in while either working on or having a relationship with the developer or company doing work on the project. In none of those cases did Mr. Hopkins disclose his relationship or recuse himself. This is a clear pattern of conflicts of interest.
No wonder Mr. Hopkins and his team want to throw dirt and divert our attention.
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