Statements by Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.
552 statements from meeting recordings, newest meeting first.
Machine transcript. Statements are matched to this official by machine and can be wrong. Check the recording.
Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay. Okay. That I I'm satisfied with that. Yeah, I yield at this time. Thank you.
Play from 43:34Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you. Um so yeah, I know I've been on I concur with what you're saying, Dr. Sudler, but I do I do want to see it at least in front of us during the budget hearings and see what we can do to work it in, because, you know, I've been crying about this for like the last six almost six years. So we have to do it, and if we would have did it six years ago, we probably would have saved $100,000. So now is the time cuz things aren't getting any cheaper, so I think we just have to, you know, get get it put in front of us. Uh I would recommend uh Mr. Simmons add it to his budget or put it on our budget or whatever budget it goes under, and then if we delete, remove, delete, we just have it in front of us to to make that decision. Uh and with that, I yield.
Play from 50:42Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Ms. Williams, um I thought I understood what was going on, but after your last statement, I'm kind of lost. So you're asking us to to do something with the property lines versus the frontage of the um potential building construction, or could you explain it one one more time so for my understanding?
Play from 1:06:57Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Understood. Right.
Play from 1:07:33Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Which is Gotcha.
Play from 1:07:53Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Okay. And that frontage doesn't necessarily have to be on DuPont Highway; it could be Leipsic Road, right?
Play from 1:08:56Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
And are there any examples along DuPont Highway that we've waived before?
Play from 1:09:16Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Yeah, I think uh I don't see an issue with it um other than Dr. Sudler had brought up, but um I think it's the fact that they're anticipating selling the property shows and if the property owner opens up a business and they own the property, I think that's a benefit to the commitment to the city to keep their business here. So, I I I think that uh we should be amenable to that. I I agree with uh giving them the waiver, so that's that's my view. I yield.
Play from 1:10:51Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Real quick, the the access to this property, there will be access coming off of DuPont Highway, correct?
Play from 1:14:28Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
as amended.
Play from 2:45:43Feb 26, 2026, Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
I make a motion we adjourn.
Play from 2:46:26Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Yes.
Play from 05:58Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Second.
Play from 06:23Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Yes.
Play from 06:34Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
resources into our community as well as serves our citizens. Yeah, and I think much of the rest of the information's in the resolution itself. I yield, Mr. President.
Play from 09:49Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Thank you, Council President, for recognizing me. Um, Ms. Melson-Williams, um, I'm just trying to picture, is this across the street from Garrison Oak, or
Play from 19:26Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Thank you, Council President. Although I I tend to agree with with what Dr. Sudler is saying, we're not at that point yet though, are we?
Play from 31:55Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Right. And then um the the C-1A zoning looks like it's according to this map I'm looking at seems consistent with most of the parcels in that area, correct?
Play from 32:36Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Second.
Play from 37:25Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Thank you, Council President. Um this is directed towards City Solicitor. Um I thought I heard you say, I might be misinterpreting, but um in reference to what the General Assembly has, did did you say that if if it's the intent of the state or am I did I mishear what you what you said?
Play from 2:15:51Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
So in your opinion, are we in this in that category right now?
Play from 2:16:44Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Because they
Play from 2:16:56Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
So would that automatically negate this ordinance if that time came?
Play from 2:17:31Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
So, I really, you know, this is just me talking, I'm not voting yet, I'm just thinking and and and contemplating. I don't know if I heard a strong enough legal opinion to move this ordinance forward.
Play from 2:39:10Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
Um, I'm waiting to hear case laws, things of that nature come about, and I didn't hear anything being quoted that says that this law, or this ordinance, if passed, is going to is going to um pass the litmus test in a lawsuit. And based on uh you know what Representative Lynn, who to me carries a lot of weight because he's a he's a he's a lawyer, and you know, I can't take what he said for granted. Although I do I do want to side with the ordinance because of the safety portion of it, um does it pass the the litmus test from a legal standpoint? And I'm I'm I'm now not convinced that it is. So, I'm going to vote yes on this ordinance. And you know, it took me a long time to get here. Um, I want to commend Michelle Paul.
Play from 2:39:24Feb 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting
I don't always agree with everything that she presents at the podium, but she did it the right way this time. She did it the right way. And, you know, it might be AI or whatever, but she did it the right way, and it caused me
Play from 2:40:16Feb 18, 2026, Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting
Okay. How much of a deficit is the organization in, do you know?
Play from 43:05Feb 18, 2026, Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting
Is that for a year, six months, four months? How much of a timeframe?
Play from 43:30Feb 18, 2026, Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting
I'll see if I can make some calls and see if I can find grants.
Play from 43:36Feb 18, 2026, Dover Human Relations Commission Meeting
And I'll keep in touch with uh everybody.
Play from 43:40Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Good morning.
Play from 28:18Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
I wanted to thank you personally for some of the folks that I have referred to you who have called my office, because one lady actually called me back and thanked me for, uh, referring her to you because she said that's the first time that she has ever dealt with anyone who showed any type of compassion and understanding toward the issues that she was facing. And it's very refreshing to have you in that position, and I want to thank you publicly.
Play from 28:20Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Uh good morning, uh Paul.
Play from 40:18Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Mr. Waddell. The, uh, meters, is that still on the front of of mind for for fiscal year '27?
Play from 40:20Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
What solutions for, you know, closing What are some of the solutions for closing the gap of feeling burnout? And what areas do we as Council need to focus on or as an organization and municipalities and governing not only our constituents, but also, um, our workforce, uh, to avoid some of these sentiments and feelings of being burned out and fatigued? What can What can we do in your view, um, that would, not we We already know that we appreciate what what all of you are doing when you step up and, you know, fill in the gap. But how can we go even further, um, without, you know, um, you know, hurting the constituents financially? Because I know, you know, money Time is money, money is time, right? But the same time, what else could we do? Could Could maybe some flexibility in, um, workplace policies, like a like a maybe a day off or work from home. You know, I've been a I've been a big, uh, advocate for, you know, working from home, remote working, or, you know, something of that effect. In your view, you've been here many years, you're very seasoned, and we and we respect, uh, your wisdom and dedication and insight, and your connections with with our workforce, um, and you you and others. So just in in in your view, um, what what do you think something not makes small, but at the same time, significant that we can do to show our appreciation and reduce, mitigate some of that, uh, you know, that fatigueness and that feeling of being burned out?
Play from 1:18:38Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Thank you. I yield.
Play from 1:22:00Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Thank you. Thank you for recognizing me. So,
Play from 1:30:56Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
uh,
Play from 1:30:58Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
Ms. Poole, I, I, I do, uh, hear, uh, what you're saying as far as, uh, th- the the, uh, alignable process to to get this off the ground and and running before any deadlines. And I know there's other hiccups that's getting in the way right now with the ne- the new consultant that's coming on board, right, if I'm using the term correctly. A new...
Play from 1:30:58Jan 30, 2026, Council Workshop
No hiccups regarding that. Okay.
Play from 1:31:21