Pettyjohn and Jones Giltner Examined the Week’s Court Rulings and Gun Laws

The opening summary: State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn and State Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner used their Wednesday visit with Mike Bradley to challenge two court rulings and several recently enacted laws. The discussion went beyond whether they agreed with the outcomes: they focused on how permanent absentee status works in practice, what could happen next in the under-21 firearm case, whether Delaware’s new gun-dealer license duplicates existing controls, and who ultimately pays when courts waive fines and fees.

Senate District 19

Brian Pettyjohn

Wednesday guest on Mike Bradley and the Talk of DELMARVA Morning Team.

Portrait source: State of Delaware · General Assembly · Reused from the September 6 edition

House District 37

Valerie Jones Giltner

Wednesday guest on Mike Bradley and the Talk of DELMARVA Morning Team.

Portrait source: State of Delaware · General Assembly · Reused from the September 6 edition

Permanent absentee voting

Pettyjohn discussed the Court of Chancery decision leaving Delaware’s permanent-absentee law in place. The court reasoned that “permanent” status does not expand the constitutional reasons a voter may use an absentee ballot and that voters must report when they no longer qualify. Pettyjohn argued that the law places too much responsibility on voters, candidates and returned mail to reveal an address or eligibility change. He compared the system with licenses and permits that require periodic renewal and said he favored a process that periodically reconfirms eligibility. The court’s decision remains controlling unless changed on appeal or by later law.

The under-21 firearm ruling

On the Delaware Supreme Court ruling in Department of Safety and Homeland Security v. Birney, Pettyjohn said lawyers were examining whether a federal challenge could follow. He also questioned the partisan composition of the panel after a lower-court judge was designated to sit for a vacancy. The majority held that House Bill 451 did not violate Delaware’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms; Justice Traynor dissented.

Dealer licensing and criminal-justice costs

Jones Giltner argued that Delaware’s new state firearms-dealer licensing law repeats recordkeeping, surveillance and inspection practices already required or commonly used under federal licensing. She said lawmakers should demonstrate how the added state layer will reduce crimes committed with guns. Discussing House Bill 133, which gives courts discretion to waive some fines and fees for defendants facing financial hardship, she emphasized the cost shifted to the General Fund and argued that lawmakers should preserve accountability. Supporters describe the measure differently: as a way to keep poverty itself from compounding a sentence. Restitution to victims is separate from the fines and fees addressed in that discussion.

Jones Giltner also described a multi-agency constituent event where residents could question DelDOT, DNREC, insurance and water officials directly. She cited road work, CWD rules, dock permits, well testing and PFAS screening as examples of issues residents brought to state representatives. That portion of the conversation supplied concrete service information alongside the policy debate.

Source: Mike Bradley interviews with Sen. Brian Pettyjohn and Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, Mike Bradley and the Talk of DELMARVA Morning Team, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 9, 2026, approximately 7:10–8:35 a.m.; court holdings checked against the published Delaware opinions.

Chronic Wasting Disease Meeting Set for Wednesday

This follows The Patriot Weekly’s September 6 report on Delaware’s first confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in a wild white-tailed deer and DNREC’s emergency rules for Wildlife Management Zones 14 and 16. The next step is a public information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, in the auditorium at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus in Georgetown. DNREC staff plan to explain temporary deer-hunting and wildlife-rehabilitation regulations intended to limit the disease’s spread. Microsoft Teams and audio-only telephone access will be available.

People who want to speak remotely must email DNREC_DeerMgmt@delaware.gov by 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 15. In-person speakers may sign up at the auditorium beginning at 6:10 p.m. Comments are limited to two minutes. DNREC says this is an informational meeting, not a formal regulatory public-comment hearing; any permanent rule changes would go through a later formal process.

Sources: DNREC event notice; WGMD report written by Mari Lou, September 11; The Patriot Weekly, September 6.

Property Taxes Are Due September 30

Sussex County said annual property-tax bills totaling an estimated $218 million are due Wednesday, September 30. About 10 percent of a typical residential bill is county property tax; the remainder primarily funds public education through eight independent school districts. Bills may also include county sewer and water, tax-ditch and street-lighting charges.

Payments may be made online, by mail, by telephone or in person. Mailed payments must be postmarked by September 30; unpaid balances are subject to monthly interest. The county payment center at 2 The Circle in Georgetown is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General payment questions go to 302-855-7871.

Sources: WGMD.com story written by Joe Ciccanti, September 10; read on air by Jerry Latherman in the Talk of DELMARVA newsroom, September 11; Sussex County Business Services.

Affordable-Housing Project Drew Federal Support

Delaware’s congressional delegation and NeighborGood Partners marked federal support for affordable housing in southern Delaware. Meadow View in Laurel is planned as a five-phase, 245-home development, beginning with 50 homes.

Source: NeighborGood Partners and Delaware congressional delegation announcements; WGMD.com story written by Mari Lou, September 8.

Early Voting Ends Sunday; Primary Day Is Tuesday

Early-voting sites are scheduled to remain open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday ahead of Delaware’s September 15 Democratic and Republican primaries. WGMD reported Friday that more than 30,800 Delawareans had used early or absentee voting through eight days.

There is no early voting Monday. On Primary Day, voters must report to their regular, assigned polling place—not an early-voting site. Polls are scheduled to open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Only registered Democrats may vote in the Democratic primary and only registered Republicans may vote in the Republican primary. Automatically registered DMV voters who have not chosen a party may designate Democratic or Republican affiliation through primary day under a provision that expires after this election.

Sources: Delaware Department of Elections; WGMD.com update written by Mari Lou, September 11.

Court Upheld Most Under-21 Firearm Restrictions

In Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security v. Birney, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Superior Court judgment and held that House Bill 451 does not violate Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution. The 2022 law generally raised the minimum age to purchase, own or possess certain firearms and ammunition from 18 to 21.

The majority identified exceptions for military personnel, law-enforcement officers, concealed-carry permit holders and supervised hunting, instruction, sporting and recreational activities. Justice Traynor dissented.

Sources: Delaware Supreme Court opinion, September 8; WGMD.com story written by Joe Ciccanti and read on air by Stacey Keane in the Talk of DELMARVA newsroom, September 10.

Three Measures Became Law

Gov. Matt Meyer signed three measures. House Bill 133 lets courts waive some fines and fees when a defendant demonstrates financial hardship, including receipt of public assistance or representation by the Office of Defense Services. It also creates a process for people already sentenced to seek relief.

House Bill 145 generally bars reverse-keyword warrants—orders seeking information about people who searched specified terms online—with limited exceptions for certain serious felonies. Senate Bill 292, the Grace Peterson Act, requires a discharge plan before a landlord receiving state-funded reentry housing assistance terminates a lease, with the stated goal of connecting the resident to support before housing is lost.

Sources: WGMD.com story written by Joe Ciccanti, September 9; read on air by Stacey Keane in the Talk of DELMARVA newsroom, September 10; Delaware governor and General Assembly bill materials.

Three Rulings, Three Different Questions

Delaware and federal courts issued decisions involving third-party campaign-advertising disclosure, permanent absentee voting and a proposed postal-approval process for ballot envelopes. The disputes have distinct parties, courts and procedural postures.

Sources: Delaware court rulings; WGMD.com story written by Joe Ciccanti, September 9.

Maryland Issued 2026–27 Vaccine Guidance

Maryland released guidance for COVID-19, flu, RSV and routine immunizations under its Vax Act framework. The state says the recommendations create no new mandates and school-entry requirements remain unchanged. The law requires insurers to cover routine state-recommended immunizations without out-of-pocket costs and permits pharmacists to administer recommended vaccines without a prescription to people age three and older.

Uninsured or underinsured residents may qualify for no-cost vaccines through state programs.

Source: Maryland Department of Health announcement and schedules.

Police Identify Two Victims of Route 404 Crash

Delaware State Police identified the people killed in Friday’s head-on crash as 19-year-old Jeremy Blem Lopez of Millsboro and 23-year-old Andrea Reyes Castellanos of Honduras. WGMD reported that both were students at Washington Adventist University.

The crash was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Route 404, also known as Seashore Highway, near Nelson Drive east of Bridgeville. Police said a Toyota Camry crossed the center line into the path of a dump truck. The dump-truck driver suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening; the driver of a third vehicle was not injured.

Source: Delaware State Police; WGMD.com update written by Mari Lou, September 13.

Second Arrest Reported in Bank-Robbery Case

Delaware State Police said a second man was arrested in connection with the August robbery of a WSFS Bank in Rehoboth Beach. Police accused Mark Smith of Ellendale of helping plan the robbery and driving the first defendant from the area. Those allegations have not been adjudicated.

Source: Delaware State Police; WGMD.com update written by Mari Lou, September 10.

Police Arrested Man After Hidden Camera Report

Laurel Police said an employee found a concealed camera in an employee restroom at an East Front Street business. Police identified and arrested a 41-year-old Florida man on a felony privacy charge. The allegation remains unproven.

Source: Laurel Police; WGMD.com story written by Mari Lou, September 11.

Garage Fire Injured One

WGMD reported that one man suffered a burn in a Friday morning detached-garage fire on Byrdtown Road. Maryland State Fire Marshal investigators reportedly classified the fire as accidental and linked it to a welding operation.

Source: Maryland State Fire Marshal; WGMD.com story written by Mari Lou, September 11.

AAA Reported a 34-Cent Weekly Jump in Delaware Gas

AAA’s Thursday report put Delaware’s average for regular gasoline at $4.32 a gallon, up 34 cents in one week and $1.18 from a year earlier. South Jersey averaged $4.36. Energy and shipping uncertainty were among the pressures discussed during the week.

Delaware

$4.32

Weekly change

+34¢

Yearly change

+$1.18

Source: WGMD.com story written by Joe Ciccanti, citing AAA Mid-Atlantic, September 10. Figures are a Thursday snapshot.

Supplier Diversity Council Named

Gov. Matt Meyer named 12 members to the re-established Governor’s Supplier Diversity Council. Executive Order 22 directs the council to examine state purchasing, remove barriers for diverse, small and microbusinesses, build a vendor pipeline, recommend policy and create a Microbusiness Focus Program. Delaware reported $1.05 billion in fiscal-year 2025 contract spending with diverse suppliers and small businesses—6 percent of total state contract spending.

Council members and public-role biographies

• CJ Bell, chair — director of the Delaware Division of Small Business.
• Shavonne White — director of the Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity.
• Peter Korolyk — director of Government Support Services.
• Matthew Rosen — representative of the Governor’s Office.
• Marcella Saborio — owner of Qua Marketing.
• Helen Foster — Small Business Enterprise coordinator in New Castle County’s Small Business Office.
• Fayetta Blake — founder and executive director of Pathways to Success.
• Stephanie Eldridge — owner of Code Differently.
• Birviana De Leon — owner of Stone Nation.
• Victoria Daniels — director of supplier engagement at the University of Delaware.
• Veronica Palomino — owner of MBC-DEL, LLC.
• Edwin Perez — marketing outreach specialist at Independent Resources Inc.

Bell said the first work will be organized around spending accountability, the vendor pipeline, and policy and legislation. Each executive-branch agency must designate a supplier-diversity liaison and file an annual agency plan; the council must also submit an annual report by December 30.

Sources: State of Delaware announcement, member roster and role biographies; Executive Order 22; WGMD.com story written by Mari Lou, September 11.

New Standards Carry a Delayed Start

Delaware’s Fair Standards in Mental Health Care Act is expected to affect policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2027.

Source: Delaware legislative and governor announcements; WGMD.com story written by Mari Lou.

DELMARVA Paused to Remember

Lewes joined communities around the nation Friday in marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Delaware ordered flags to half-staff through sunset and named Delawareans and people connected to the state among those remembered.

Mike Bradley’s anniversary broadcast assembled firsthand recollections from former WGMD reporter Andrew Koch, former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich, Maryland Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and YNTA host Jake Smith, alongside archival Delaware voices. Their recollections are personal testimony.

Sources: First Light DELMARVA, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 11; Delaware flag-status notice.

Convention Messages Met Questions About Costs and Government

Powell discussed Republican midterm messaging, Iran and energy, health care, child care and family subsidies. Callers identified on air as Carol and Jay offered individual reactions to the political and economic arguments; their names are presented only as heard on the broadcast.

Source: Your Turn DELMARVA with MJ Powell, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 8, 2026.

Listeners Challenged Data Centers, AI and Education Policy

A caller identifying himself as Phil challenged claims about data-center regulation and misinformation, while another listener raised concerns about artificial-intelligence containment and China. Later calls reflected differing Republican reactions to convention politics. The final hour turned to education and parental discretion, drawing calls from listeners identified on air as Terry, Robert from Salisbury, Robin from Lewes, Bob and Dan from Lewes. These are individual viewpoints and do not establish broader public opinion.

Source: Your Turn DELMARVA with MJ Powell, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 9, 2026.

Would a $5,000 Promise Motivate Voters?

Powell asked whether the Republican convention and President Trump’s proposed conditional $5,000 dividend would motivate voters. Callers variously supported the pitch, questioned its design or compared it with stimulus policy. The program also discussed a reported proposal to restore a citizenship question to the census and New York’s September 11 commemoration.

Source: Your Turn DELMARVA with MJ Powell, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 10, 2026.

Listeners Worked Through the Meaning of September 11

Powell combined anniversary remembrance with reaction to the Republican midterm convention. Callers identified on air as Leo, Pat, Nelly, Bob and Phil discussed Iran, voting, religious pluralism and how the attacks should be remembered. Powell at several points steered the discussion back toward religious and political pluralism.

Source: Your Turn DELMARVA with MJ Powell, WGMD broadcast and transcript, September 11, 2026, 3–6 p.m.

Friday Fishing Report: Winds Kept Boats In; Bluefish Stayed Active

Eric Burnley’s Friday report said southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, five-foot seas and a small-craft advisory kept boats from sailing from Lewes and Indian River Inlet Thursday, according to Lewes Harbour Marina and Hook ’em & Cook ’em.

Breakwater Tackle at the Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier described a slow day, with only a few spot taken on worms or Fishbites and no flounder reported. The shop’s fall closing times are now 5 p.m. weekdays and 7 p.m. weekends. Old Inlet Bait and Tackle supplied the day’s brighter report: bluefish remained active beneath the bridge on metal lures and bucktails, while flies made surf fishing difficult.

Source: Eric Burnley, Talk of DELMARVA Fishing Report, September 11; written report posted by Mari Lou.