Speizer Crandell: Meyer is a new light to lead state

Matt Meyer has the energy, experience and knowledge to be the next governor of his native Delaware, the new light to lead us. As a candidate in the Sept. 10 Democratic gubernatorial primary, he attracted over 40 people to Ann Miller’s Cannery Village living room for a recent meet-and-greet. Surrounded by good folks and good food, amid yard signs, T-shirts and buttons, the New Castle County executive focused on Delaware as a whole and Sussex County in particular.

A former teacher and new father, he makes education a priority, from assuring new charter schools are approved only if they fulfill a need and are not subtracting from public school funds to creating a medical school here. With an increasing senior population, we need more doctors, which a med school would help achieve. Matt also wants to incentivize the system to keep those Delaware-educated doctors here and attract new ones.

Meyer laughed — echoed by the rest of us — when he discussed his affinity for sewers. He explained an innovative way to determine if a system is working. Workers play music at one location and judge the sound clarity at another — “They insist on classical, although I suggested (Bruce) Springsteen.”

I’m very concerned about homelessness and was pleased to learn about another creative solution he applied when two homeless shelters were closing during the pandemic. Under Meyer’s leadership, the county purchased a 192-room Sheraton. Christened the “New Castle County Hope Center,” it provides shelter and services for homeless families. So far, 500 of them have transitioned out of homelessness.

When asked, “Why do you want to be governor?” he quickly ran down a list of improvements he plans to implement, including education, health care, housing, safety and environment. “Delawareans are not getting what they deserve and need,” he concluded. After hearing him, talking to him and reading about him, I am convinced that, as our next governor, Matt Meyer will make sure Delawareans will get what we deserve and need.

Judith Speizer Crandell

Milton

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