Gubernatorial candidate Meyer makes pitch to chamber

Gubernatorial candidate Matt Meyer is still months away from knowing if he’ll even represent Democrats in the statewide general election. However, he knows one thing for sure, if he makes it past the primary and is then elected governor, among the first things he’ll do is replace Shawn Garvin as Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary.

Currently serving as county executive for New Castle County, Meyer made his campaign pitch to Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce members during the group’s monthly luncheon Jan. 17. He began with a few prepared statements, but opened the floor for questions afterward, and he was asked for his thoughts on the electric vehicle mandate that was recently put in place.

Before addressing the question directly, Meyer said, “First of all, I’d be naming a new DNREC secretary.” He didn’t expand on why and quickly moved on to answer the question.

Following the meeting, Meyer couldn’t be reached for further comment. However, comments made at the luncheon before the question-and-answer period provided some insight into the matter.

As governor, Meyer said, he would see that state agencies and local governments work together better. There’s often a feeling of butting heads with state agencies, he said.

As a local leader, Meyer said, he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder, because he’s had to deal with state agencies that don’t want to deal with him.

Garvin, who was appointed by Gov. John Carney in March 2017, could also not be reached for comment.

Among other topics Meyer discussed, he said he would take measures to help with growth across the state, and specifically in Sussex County. Some of the hardest issues of growth in the entire country are happening here in this county, he said.

Something has to be done, because if it’s not, all the beautiful spaces people are moving here for will be gone, said Meyer.

Rehoboth Beach Main Street Executive Director Dan Slagle asked Meyer about workforce housing.

Meyer prefaced his response by saying, as governor, he would have little involvement in how city and county codes work at local levels. However, he said, a lot of the building codes currently in place were implemented decades ago and encourage suburban sprawl.

If regulated properly, developers will build the workforce housing needed to address worker shortages in the area, said Meyer.

Trey Kraus, longtime owner of Carlton’s Men’s & Women’s Apparel, asked Meyer his thoughts on theft of merchandise from stores. The government won’t prosecute, he said.

There should be consequences, said Meyer. Part of it is the justice system, part of it is police, and part involves liability issues, he said, adding that it all comes down to accountability.

As for the question that triggered Meyer’s Garvin comment, he said he’s an advocate for electric vehicles, but he also thinks people should have a choice. Delaware is so small that an EV mandate in this state won’t make much difference at a larger scale, he said.

Meyer closed his time with the chamber by soliciting people in the audience to join his gubernatorial election team. Delaware is a small state, which means it can be nimble and innovative, he said.

Meyer is one of two Democrats who have announced their intention to run for governor. The other is Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long. The state’s primary election is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10. The general election date is Tuesday, Nov. 5.