Albert Mills, a native of Wilmington and lifelong resident of the city, is the new At-Large Council Member of the City of Wilmington.
By a vote of 10-yes (President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, 2nd District Council Member Shané Darby, 3rd District Council Member Zanthia Oliver, 4th District Council Member Michelle Harlee, 5th District Council Member Bregetta Fields, 7th District Council Member Chris Johnson, 8th District Council Member Nathan Field, and Council Members At-Large Maria D. Cabrera, James Spadola, and Loretta Walsh) and 2-absent (1st District Council Member Linda Gray and 6th District Council Member Yolanda McCoy), Wilmington City Council voted this evening to select Mills, who was sworn in and immediately took his seat.
“My focus, as At-Large Councilman, will be on connecting residents with the services and supports that they need and deserve by bringing planning committees and the community together to help create solutions to our shared challenges,” Mills wrote as part of his vision submitted to Council’s Committee of the Whole. “As an At-Large member on council, I will work every day to improve the quality of life for all.”
Mills replaces former Councilwoman Rysheema Dixon, who left the seat in January due to her expanded business endeavors. To fill the vacancy, Council’s Committee of the Whole reviewed letters of interest and resumes from qualified candidates and held public interviews to review the credentials of each applicant. Pursuant to the City Charter, a majority vote by the full body of council shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
“On behalf of Wilmington City Council, I’d like to congratulate Albert Mills,” stated City Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo. “I look forward to working with him. He comes from a family that has always had the best interest of Wilmington in their hearts.”
Through a resolution sponsored by President Congo, City Council voted on March 3, 2022, for Mills to fill the vacant At-Large seat, and immediately after roll call, Albert Mills was sworn in by New Castle County Justices of the Peace Judge James Hanby.
“I’m very happy for Mr. Mills to join us,” said At-Large Council Member James Spadola. “The City has a lot going on right now as we exit the pandemic, dealing with a structural deficit, violence on our streets, which seems to have gotten better, but we need reasonable people on Council and I think Al will be a steady hand to join us and help guide us move the city forward.”
Mills is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and currently serves as Program Coordinator for Youth Advocate Program Inc, Lead Therapist at Your Center, and Truancy Program Specialist at Art for Life Delaware.
“I am truly humbled and honored with this appointment to be City Councilman At-Large,” said Mills. “As a US Army Combat veteran and a licensed master social worker, I have always tried to put people first and I will continue to do that in my role as City Councilman At-Large.”
Source: City Council