Our View

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Monday in downtown Wilmington.

Those who follow the goings-on of the city may have been surprised to see a particular person among the dignitaries.

There, along with Gov. Jack Markell, city and development officials, sat a man in a suit and tie. He held a ceremonial hard hat. He wore sunglasses.

His name is Dennis Williams, and he has been the mayor of Wilmington since January 2013.

Williams says he wants to remain mayor. We’ll have to take his word for it because, as unusual as it is to see him in public, Williams has been all but invisible on the campaign trail.

That, he says, is by design. Political gamesmanship? A sophisticated strategy?

Let Williams tell you. Here’s what he wrote when asked about his refusal to participate in four News Journal/WHYY Democratic primary mayoral debates: "These debates were nothing more than a targeted attempt by The News Journal to diminish all of the accomplishments that this administration has made and I refuse to be a part of it."

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Mr. Mayor, it seems that you do not want to be part of anything or work with anybody. This isn’t about your working relationship with the media. Your reputation among many significant stakeholders in the city, county and state is that of a leader in title only. We’ve heard repeatedly from those in the business, government and nonprofit arenas that it’s a constant struggle to even have a phone call returned from your office.

Mr. Mayor, you are neither a uniter nor a divider. You are a covert operative.

But this isn’t the Cold War, and Wilmington doesn’t need a James Bond.

Wilmington residents need a leader with the courage and humility to know what they don’t know. Wilmington residents need a leader who will shout with pride about their city and residents from the rooftop, not shout at those residents on social media.

Consider this from Mayor Williams: "Why should I [participate in the debates] when all I will be is the punching bag? I will not get a word in because the deck is stacked against me."

Seven months ago, the mayor took a decidedly stronger tone when he wrote this for The News Journal and delawareonline.

"A five-star general and prolific war veteran, Douglas MacArthur, once defined a leader as, “one that has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.”

As the leader of the city of Wilmington, I can attest that those responsibilities still hold true.

Where is your courage, Mr. Mayor?