Stormin’ Norman. What’s his job? What’s his story? Gimme the good, the bad and the ugly.
Go…
Posted by Dominique in General
May 17th, 2008
Delaware Politics - Norman Oliver
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54 Responses to “Delaware Politics - Norman Oliver”
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jen says:
Well, there was the news last spring that both Christina and Red Clay had no-bid contracts with Mr. Oliver’s NOR Enterprises. Both districts, if I recall correctly had made similarly sized payments of over 1/4 million dollars each for some kind of unnamed student services. The problem was that any contract over $50,000 is supposed to be put to bid. These were not.
Plus, in the one district in the news story–Red Clay–there was no documentation of the services provided–no names of workers, no dates, no times, no record of students served–nada. Both Christina and Red Clay had identical contract dates–I cannot remember what they were.
Mr. Oliver is a big deal in Wilmington politics. He has a great deal of political influence. Could this have anything to do with the two largest districts in the state arranging to pay his firm for unspecified work? Who benefits and how?
May 17th, 2008 at 9:10 pm -
Paul says:
Repeat from another post, to include here.
What the 3 school districts did was criminal, and insulting to every educator. Yet no one pursued the crime. Any question what is wrong with our Education System, LOOK AT THE TOP.Why wasn’t there a further investigation on the $250,000 given to Norman Oliver, all of it was unaccounted for?
[ Two other districts also made a similar contribution, for a yearly total $3/4 million dollars. ]
That’s pretty insulting when teachers daily deal with accountability, DSTP scores, lesson plans, plan books, testing, grades, parent interviews, High paid admininstrator’s and Observations?
Where was the oversight?
Accountability?
Where was the school boards on demanding an explanation, and perhaps reimbursement for failure to fulfill the contract?
What about the those hired under those contracts that bypassed a State Police background check, and our students were exposed to possible felons, criminals, otherwise used because of their questionable backgrounds, because of some theory that they could relate to those who are marginal?
Where was the plan?
How was effectiveness measured?And then the district has the chutzpah to say they need money?
Paul.
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Southbridge Feds says:
There is a story about a sting operation, in southbridge.
Just as it was to be executed, it was called off. Word has it, it came from very high up the Federal executive and federal legislative levels. It happened shortly before an election.
Continued, a FBI agent requested a transfer away from Delaware.
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A few years ago the news Journal reported a gun selling operation. Happened in a southbridge barber shop. Someone came in to buy a gun. Norman went to another room and transferred the gun. Not a darn thing happened to Norman. Mr Teflon II.
A real criminal a real crime, no real results.
This should make you wonder about gun control legislation and enforcement.
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Honest people do not have a chance. -
Anonomous says:
Norman grew up in the public housing projects in Southbridge, but sort of made it out. He is a rascal, but is known and respected in South Wilmington by many. I believe he graduated from Del State, but am not sure.
I can’t speak to the contract or other activities legality or ethics, but do know that he is one of the few community players that can reach young kids in trouble in a pretty rough setting. He speaks their language and can intervene. Nor enterprises does take in a lot of the young kids and work with them, as it is just across the street from the Neighborhood House, which is the social services anchor for that community. They actually have a pretty nice set-up, and lots of computers in a lab for kids that would otherwise be on the loosing side of the digital divide. Trust me, at least a few more poor black kids may someday be able to read a blog as a result of this access.
Norm Oliver does own a number of buildings/businesses in South Wilmington, and is one of the few who can make things happen in a low income community without it first having to be gentrified and experience displacement of residents.
I struggle to sort out how much his actions are the necessary culture of getting things done in a low income area that Delaware Politicos turned their backs on several decades ago during the white flight/race riots and how much is out of personal gain. Unlike the suburbs, rural areas, or places like the Riverfront, this is a tough area to work in and you get little support from the Political players in Delaware. This drives a subculture that is unacceptable to many, but the harsh reality of getting things done in under served communities.
Better that Norm is out of political office. Sometimes it is OK to let sleeping dogs alone, and focus on those that are still in the game and biting the public.
Regardless of anyones perspective, Norm Oliver has done far more good than bad for those that no one else seems willing to work with or help. No doubt he has made some profit from it, but not nearly as much as the corporate interest in Delaware make from their insider deals. He is small pickings at best.
Rather than focusing on people like Norm Oliver, it would be better to focus on the unethical and underhanded Delaware Political Way. Until the public stops letting Delaware Politicos sweep issues like poverty under the rug and more fairly and equitably serve the people, there will always be a problematic counter culture approach that skirt what is ethical in the eyes of many. Big corrupt and unethical activities leads to more unethical responses.
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Al Mascitti says:
There is much to what Anonymous says. On the other side you’ll find that some of Norman’s, um, interests involve methods that would be, um, frowned upon in tonier districts.
It comes down to Norman gaming the system, for his own benefit and that of others. What you feel about him depends on how much importance you place on “helping others” ahead of “helping oneself.” If you don’t mind the order Norman often chooses, he’s your guy.
If you want to know more about his scandals, look into the Suburban Street Fund scam at the Center for Public Integrity’s web site. Here is the thumbnail rundown of Norm’s activity there:
# Wilmington City Councilman Norman M. Oliver, 39, [his age in 2000] Wilmington’s Democratic Committee chairman, considered a rising star in Delaware politics. Telling the Center that he thought the suburban street fund was “a pot of money for programs,” Oliver helped a college friend, John F. Kilgore, secure $85,000 in street fund money from Rep. Plant between December 1998 and August 1999. Oliver, Kilgore and Plant each told the Center that the money was intended, in part, for a gospel music performance in Wilmington. The event never took place, though Kilgore told the Center he still had to pay performers to book their time. Kilgore said he did his part by staging three rap-music “seminars” for Wilmington teens. Oliver collected another $45,000 in street-fund money from Plant and another lawmaker for a youth basketball program Oliver runs.
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Al Mascitti says:
There is much to what Anonymous says. On the other side you’ll find that some of Norman’s, um, interests involve methods that would be, um, frowned upon in tonier districts.
It comes down to Norman gaming the system, for his own benefit and that of others. What you feel about him depends on how much importance you place on “helping others” ahead of “helping oneself.” If you don’t mind the order Norman often chooses, he’s your guy.
If you want to know more about his scandals, start with a look into the Suburban Street Fund scam at the Center for Public Integrity’s web site. Here is the thumbnail rundown of Norm’s activity there:
# Wilmington City Councilman Norman M. Oliver, 39, [his age in 2000] Wilmington’s Democratic Committee chairman, considered a rising star in Delaware politics. Telling the Center that he thought the suburban street fund was “a pot of money for programs,” Oliver helped a college friend, John F. Kilgore, secure $85,000 in street fund money from Rep. Plant between December 1998 and August 1999. Oliver, Kilgore and Plant each told the Center that the money was intended, in part, for a gospel music performance in Wilmington. The event never took place, though Kilgore told the Center he still had to pay performers to book their time. Kilgore said he did his part by staging three rap-music “seminars” for Wilmington teens. Oliver collected another $45,000 in street-fund money from Plant and another lawmaker for a youth basketball program Oliver runs.
Here’s the link: http://www.publicintegrity.org.....e=delaware
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Nancy Willing says:
The full list just shows how incumbency works:
The late state Rep. Al O.
Wilmington Mayor James H. Sills
Wilmington City Councilman Norman M. Oliver
State Rep. Helene M. Keeley
State Sen. Harris B. McDowell III
State Rep. Dennis P. Williams
The Rev. Benjamin “Twin B” Brown
State Sen. Robert I. Marshall
State Sen. Margaret Rose Henry
State Rep. Joseph G. DiPinto
State Rep. Deborah Capano
State Rep. Arthur Scott -
Al Mascitti says:
Nancy: While that’s true, I don’t want people to be left with the idea that culpability should be measured out equally. There were people who hatched the idea and those who played along because they were newbies or toadies who did what they were told.
I believe Liz will have a few choice words on this subject if she finds this thread.
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Nancy Willing says:
Actually, Tom Noyes was smack in the middle of it wasn’t he? He administered the program.
Al, my point wasn’t to allocate a weighted culpability but to show that the incumbents playing the “go along get along even though it isn’t the right thing to do and they know it” thing.
I think that is the most important point here because the type of horsetrading that goes on from caucus to big head to the money committees behind the closed doors are what needs to be addressed NOW. And reading through the link you provided it is clearly all about horsetrading.
Helene Keeley is not the whip for nothing. She is the House minority whip because she played the game. She said at the time she was caught that she simply put the money where someone told her to put the money. To you that seems to be a lesser sin but I say it is the systemic disease that must help carry the weight of the whole.
So let’s say I smoke and get cancer and also live next to Connective’s dirty coal plant. The state is faulting my smoking for my cancer while ignoring the carcenogens in the air.
I choose to smoke, Keeley chose to play and meanwhile the carcenogens are still pouring out. Ignore the dirty coal plant at your peril.
Hope that analogy worked.
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Nancy Willing says:
It didn’t work, did it. oh well, you get the point.
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Al Mascitti says:
Agreed.
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Kilroy says:
Why did Jack Markell campaign give the following to Norman Oliver?
01/05/2006 $11,000.00
02/03/2006 $11,000.00
02/06/2006 $11,000.00
03/28/2006 $11,000.00
05/02/2006 $11,000.00
06/01/2006 $11,000.00
06/26/2006 $11,000.00
08/01/2006 $11,000.00
08/29/2006 $11,000.00 -
Savy Politico says:
Anyone in Wilmington will tell you that Norman Oliver killed Al. O.
He he ratted out the good Doctor to the Feds (re: streetfund money)……Al went home, had a massive coronary and died in his car….he knew his ass was going to jail. (Norman, once again, would have skated in exchange for selling out Plant.)
Dr. Plant’s wife State Rep. House, er, Hazel Plant picked up $80,000., unexplained to this day, in the ‘deal’.
AN ASIDE: I find it amusing that House Plant has kept Dr. Plant’s ‘Community Crossfire’ on Channel 28 and has her husband’s Judas sitting up there w/her grinnin’ like a Cheshire cat, shuckin’ and jivin’. Disgusting.
Now for some FUN:
Christiana School District wants suggestions (survey) on what to call its new school in Bear. I suggested ‘NORMAN M. OLIVER’. Afterall, while Norman was still serving on Wilmington City Council he moved to Bear (he started ‘collecting’ from the district later)… you can enter your suggestion at:
http://www.christina.k12.de.us/
Friday, May 23 is the deadline…vote now!!!
NOTES: 1) It is my understanding it was not an FBI agent who quit after (now) Chief Judge Gregory Sleeze* (then Fed. Atty. Gregory Sleet)refused to prosecute Oliver on the gun buy, it was an ATF agent. 2) I know for a fact that Oliver reads and writes on no nore than a junior high level…he is practically illiterate (and I believe Rep. House Plant is actually illiterate…I’ve heard folks who worked w/her at WPD state it as fact.!
3) A solid source told me years ago that DEL State Board manipulated records so that Oliver would get his diploma. With deals like this it is no to wonder State was ususally considered a Tier Nth school.(The Ivy Leaguers are Tier 1.)
4) Oh, yeah, and let’s not forget his connections to dirty developers….remember when he was on council his district included most of the riverfront.
This is the same area Shabazz now reps., and contrary to the spin in today’s Snooze about where she lives (paper says vaguely ‘Southbridge’), she is ensconced in one of the Buccini Pollin high rise design disasters on the riverfront.
I see no evidence that the city or its residents benefitted from Norman’s input or out take nor, for that matter, will they will in any way benefit from Shabazz’ “service” either.
I could go on about the Stormin’ Norman Classic basketball league and the dirt associated with that…but I’ll wait for another day.
*Sleeze was nominated for the bench by Biden, whom I believe, also considers Oliver one of his protégés…check out Norman’s photo next time you’re in Biden’s Wilmington office.
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Al Mascitti says:
As long as you’re dishing dirt, you might as well point out that Sleet is considered incompetent by many of his colleagues.
Also, don’t leave out the nearly $100,000 he landed from Mike Harkins before that one went to prison. I couldn’t find the archived story at the News Journal, which lost its first electronic archive a few years back.
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Al Mascitti says:
The ‘he” in the second paragraph is Oliver, not Sleet.
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Savy Politico says:
Mr. Al…one can’t put it all in one post…one looks piggish.
Thanks for the ‘add on’ and clarification on paragraph 2.
Another of my favs is in reference to Oliver (% family) drug dealing…rumor has it he supplied Frawley w/ coke and ‘black girls’ when he lived in Southbridge on Apple Street. More is welcome…we can sell the info to the Snooze for replenishing its missing archives
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Kilroy says:
But why did Jack Markell’s campaign give Norman Oliver $99,000.00 in 2006?
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Nancy Willing says:
Why did Jack Markell campaign give the following to Norman Oliver?
*
I guess you are not getting this from his campaign finances since I looked there. Where did you get this information? From the Treasure’s Office? -
kilroy says:
2006 Gen 30 day
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Down with Absolutes! » Blog Archive » Jack Markell has some ’splainin to do? says:
[…] Jack Markell has some ’splainin to do? As Kilroy mentioned (amount incorrect) in this post, why DID Jack Markell give Norman Oliver $110,000 $11,000 in 2006? I can only guess that these funds were awarded for some sort of services rendered; however, we already know of the services Mr. Oliver renders to local school districts in the form of assistance to youth with no casework to back it up. Note: All those $11,000s are simply the aggregate, meaning the total amount he received through the reporting period. For instance, Oliver received payments of $2,000, $1,000, $1,000 etc. — all totaling $11,000. […]
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Southbridge Feds says:
All this begs the question, where are the FEDS, ATF, and our own State Auditor and Attorney General.
Lots of people run around asking for “Just us”.
An honest person doesn’t have a chance.
An honest person has no dirt to trade.
An honest person can not plea bargain for a higher target.When a politician finally makes it to the top, how stupid are we to expect ‘change’? They have run the gauntlet that verifies how loyal they are to the system.
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Al Mascitti says:
Maybe Markell paid him all that money for the same reason the schools did: to prevent gang riots from breaking out.
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WHATEVER says:
Kilroy,
Please learn how to read a report. The TOTAL paid to NO is $11,000. -
littlebirdietoleme says:
why is Norman expecting six figures from the Markell race if HE brings the folks to Markell?
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Nancy Willing says:
I am pretty sure that I know who the person is who is using several sockpuppet personalities here and really going for the jugler. I spent alot of time with her in the past and have heard these exact stories from her. She is an old-time Wilmington politico, indeed and knows a thing or two but the lengths gone to here under her now-anonymity is completely disgusting.
Have you no shame Susie Que? -
Al Mascitti says:
I like Markell, so I want to hear his reason for doing ANY business with Norman Oliver from his own mouth.
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littlebirdietoleme says:
26. me too! we’ve been here before! at this point there must be hundreds of city folk who kmow the allegations against oliver. it was published after all. whoever would seek his services on any level, doesnt deserve to win. the political machine in wilmington needs changing top to bottom.
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Al Mascitti says:
“whoever would seek his services on any level, doesnt deserve to win.”
Birdie: Unfortunately for us all, but especially city dwellers, many of the “black leaders” in Wilmington are basically flim-flam artists. YOu don’t have to go to Oliver — you can go to Herman Holloway, convicted, pardoned and an annual fixture on the grants-in-aid bill. You can probably name the others as well as I could.
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littlebirdietoleme says:
i agree with that, but you left out all the Frawleyites who have done just as much damage to wilmington politics. dont forget bobbie marshal, whose uncle ran the city with an iron fist,now its only a change of hands.
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Sam Carpini says:
He had his building fixed up from a public agency to hustle votes for a Republican running for Gov. back in 2000. He had to pay the money back.IS IT TRUE NORMAN CAN’T READ? How can you graduate from college and not be able to read?
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sinbad says:
Cheats on his wife
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