Fleur McKendell announces run for Mayor of Camden
CAMDEN, Del. – A prominent Kent County business professional and human rights advocate has announced a run for Mayor of Camden.
Fleur McKendell, a longtime resident of Camden who is also the President of the Central Delaware NAACP, announced her intentions to run this week on social media. She has more than 20 years of public policy and leadership experience working to further human rights and transparency in government.
McKendell tells 47 ABC News that she was encouraged to run by residents who are concerned over the way the city is headed. If elected, she vows to be a champion for the people of Camden.
“There’s a lack of transparency and accountability, there’s nepotism at certain levels, and the resources and the supports and the substances, the community just doesn’t feel is there and they don’t feel like we’re unified,” McKendell explained. “So, here I am, and I welcome the challenge and the charge, and so I decided to throw my hat in the ring!”
One of the top policies McKendell tells us she’s running on is developing ways to increase transparency and make it easier for residents to take part in the process of how their town is governed.
“A vote for me is to enhance community engagement,” McKendell said. “So that every single resident of this town feels heard and valued, and respected. A vote for me means responsibly managing our resources, our budget, allocating resources in a fair and efficient manor. Enhancing public safety and emergency response services.”
McKendell says one of the ways she plans to boost community engagement is through utilizing technology to make it possible for more people to take part in town meetings and to share their views on issues that impact them directly.
“Leveraging technologies,” McKendell stressed. “So, that folks can get to meetings without having to bundle up, get in their cars, or pack their children up, or interrupt dinnertime. They can click the button and they can join us and they can have their voices heard.”
McKendell is running against the current Mayor Larry Dougherty. Camden’s election is set to take place Saturday, February 24th – polls will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
