Dee Durham - District 2

Biography

A Delaware native, Dee Durham was lucky to grew up adjacent to what is now Brandywine Creek State Park near Rockland and her time spent outdoors in the woods and fields, and witnessing the loss of open space and historic places all around, inspired her passion for conservation and historic preservation.  She graduated from Wilmington Friends School and Swarthmore College.

Dee served as Executive Director of Preservation Delaware, and of S.A.V.E., a land use, conservation planning and smart transportation advocacy organization based in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  She spent time as an independent consultant in fundraising and nonprofit management with a focus on conservation, serving several area nonprofits including as the Interim Development Director for the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust.  Dee was also the Grants Manager for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  In 2012, she was honored with the Chairman’s Award from Preservation Pennsylvania.  She has earned recognition as a Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE).

Dee’s work as an environmental advocate made her aware of the need for increased transparency and ethics in government, leading to a stint as Program Director for Common Cause Delaware, 2012-2015.  Common Cause seeks policy changes to address money in politics including Citizens United, and reforms aimed at increasing fair voting policies, same day registration, no excuse absentee balloting, and increased transparency in Delaware’s government.

Dee has been an active volunteer in her community including service on many boards including the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter, New Castle Conservation District, and Preservation Delaware.  She initially obtained experience in the nonprofit sector and community service through her work with the Junior League of Wilmington including a term as President.  Dee served on then Governor-Elect Jack Markell’s infrastructure transition team and former Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Livable Delaware Task Force.  Past nonprofit board service includes the Civic Council of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH), Wilmington Friends 

School, Friends of Wilmington Parks, Friends of Brandywine Creek State Parks, Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve, Old Brandywine Village, Greater Brandywine Village Restoration, and Preservation Action.  Dee currently serves on the board of the Greater Wilmington Visitors and Convention Bureau.

In 2010, Dee co-founded and continues to chair Plastic Free Delaware (PFD) which aims to reduce plastic pollution in our Delaware communities and environment through educational programs, awareness building, and advocacy initiatives.  Through PFD, launched Zero Waste First State and YES!, the Delaware Youth Environmental Summit.  In October 2018, Dee was recognized with the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for her work on these issues. And in 2021, the Delaware Association of Environmental Education recognized Dee with their Meaningful Impact Award for her leadership in establishing YES!.

Dee was elected as County Councilperson for New Castle County’s District 2 in November 2018.

Legislative Highlights from County Council:

2022: 

• Ordinance 22-072 (Substitute No. 1) Protection Strategy for Byways, Wastershed Areas, and Villages

• Ordinance 22-091 (Substitute No. 1) Solar Roofs for Commercial Construction

2021: 

• New Castle County to Require New Homes to be EV-Charger Capable

• New County law leads the way in the State for the EV future

• Durham signs on to Back from the Brink letter to President Biden & U.S. Congress to support common sense policy solutions to prevent nuclear war

• All new streetlights in NCC after January 1, 2022 will now be LED thanks to Dee

• Ordinance 20-112 (Substitute No.1) Mandates Historic Properties Acquired by NCC be Placed in Historic Overlay Zoning Districts in order to enhance protection

2020:

• Durham Launches Little Free Library Program

• Launching the Little Free Library Giveaway!

• Durham Spearheads Comprehensive Historic Preservation NCC Code Revisions (Ord #20-071)

• Durham partners with Recorder of Deeds, Mike Kozikowski, to Address Vestiges of Redlining Language in Civic Association Deed Restrictions & Bylaws

• Resolution 20-180 Urging the United States Congress to Enact the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act

• Durham Establishes NCC Historic Marker Program

• Ordinance 20-093 exempts the obligation to register a vacant property when zoned Historic (H) or when the (H) re-zoning process has been initiated on eligible properties; and also clarifies the conditions for a one-time waiver of the annual vacant property registration fee.

• Durham's Ordinance 20-038 to Assist Little Free Library Installations

2019:

• Durham's Ordinance 19-106 Re-Establishes historic tax credits which had sunset

• Ordinance 19-080 clarified the application process and timeline for HRB demolition requests

All Legislation Sponsored or Co-Sponsored by Dee:

• Link to All NCC Legislation Sponsored by Dee