THE CITY Mayor Purzycki demonstrates the OpenGov portal at a news conference in Wilmington.
Stephen A. Smiith and Mayor Purzycki.
MAYOR PURZYCKI LAUNCHES OPENGOV—CITY’S NEW ONLINE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY PUBLIC PORTAL
ANNUAL HBCU WEEK RETURNS SEPTEMBER 15-21
M
ayor Mike Purzycki recently unveiled his Administration’s new online public information and data sharing portal, OpenGov. The service, which can be accessed via the City’s website (www.WilmingtonDE.gov), enables the public to view and download more information than ever before about City government, including current and historical financial reports and data, and information-filled stories about City departments and their respective capital projects. The Mayor said he hopes making more government information available to the public will promote more responsible and knowledgeable citizen involvement and enhance government accountability through transparency. “OpenGov provides enormous benefits to our government and for the people of Wilmington,” said the Mayor. “Our efforts to become more efficient and accountable will be aided by citizens knowing more about the inner-workings of their government. OpenGov makes greater citizen involvement possible by making more information available about budgets, capital projects and how spending is tied to strategic goals. Citizens should have the opportunity to develop more informed opinions about government policies, laws, programs, and services. We have moved into a new age of information sharing in Wilmington, and that’s how it should be.” The City has established a new email address so OpenGov visitors can ask questions about the site. The email is OpenGovQuestions@WilmingtonDE.gov. 40 SEPTEMBER 2019 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
F
or the third straight year, Mayor Mike Purzycki has proclaimed September as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Month in Wilmington. The City will again host a week-long series of events, from Sunday, September 15 to Saturday, September 21, to promote awareness among local students and their families about the importance of HBCUs as well as the opportunities that they offer young people. At the 2018 College Fair, attended by more than 1,500 students, nearly 700 high schoolers received college offers. Many of them were admitted to an HBCU on-the-spot, and of those who were offered college admittance, nearly 250 students received offers of scholarship assistance totaling over $1 million from the participating schools. Another highlight of last year’s event was the hugely successful Battle of the Bands, which packed nearly 7,000 spectators into Frawley Stadium to conclude the week. “This has been a very gratifying experience for all involved,” said Mayor Purzycki. “As we increase the number of young people who attend college, we are forever changing young lives and our communities for the better.” In addition to the return of the Battle of the Bands, to be hosted by Blake Saunders, a special feature of #HBCUWeek2019 will be Stephen A. Smith’s live taping of ESPN’s “First Take” program at the 76ers Field House on Friday, September 20, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bands from Delaware State Univ. and WinstonSalem will participate in the taping, which will coincide with the College Fair and Financial Aid Seminar. More than 30 HBCUs are scheduled to participate, with an anticipated attendance upwards of 2,500. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit: http://www.hbcuweek.org. A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE