DOVER, Del. - District 20 Rep. Stell Parker Selby has now been absent for at least 133 votes, more than six months into the legislative session. However, the House Speaker finally had a comment when CoastTV visited Legislative Hall.
As CoastTV took to Dover on Thursday, papers were placed on the windowpanes of a door that leads to Parker Selby's office. House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown did take the time talk to Anchor Madeleine Overturf, saying that her solution to Parker Selby's absence is virtual voting.
"If someone's been absent for six months and no one's voting on their behalf, do you think that's acceptable?" asked Overturf.
"We're going to focus on getting virtual voting passed to our rules and then that way we can most likely see Rep. Parker Selby." replied Minor-Brown.
House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown did take the time talk to Anchor Madeleine Overturf, saying that her solution to Parker Selby's absence is virtual voting.
Minor-Brown told CoastTV it's up to Stell Parker Selby to decide to resign or not. She told us to reach out to Stell Parker Selby's office for further answers.
The CoastTV newsroom is located in Milton, part of the 20th District. This was explained to Parker Selby's aide, Salvador Alarcon, who responded via email that, "It is not appropriate for me to share information about my Representative’s personal health details," when asked about Parker Selby's ability to serve.
Alarcon said he can only comment and assist with issues such as road projects, drainage issues and housing assistance.
Multiple attempts at sit-down interview
On Wednesday, the Deputy Communications Director told CoastTV four times that CoastTV should email to schedule a sit-down interview.
"We'll figure it out," Quinn Kirkpatrick said.
However, on Thursday, Kirkpatrick's superior, Jenevieve Worley, rebuffed our inquiries about the aforementioned sit-down interview, saying the Speaker already answered all of our questions.
"I’m sorry you’re not happy with the answers but she’s answered everything multiple times," Worley told CoastTV.
Here are a few questions Minor-Brown has dismissed:
- Does Stell Parker Selby have the cognitive function to serve?
- Why isn’t the speaker calling for Stell Parker Selby to resign?
- Do you think it's acceptable for somebody to vote remotely when people have not even seen that [Parker Selby] is able to vote?
Minor-Brown did finally speak to the people of the 20th District directly for the first time. She said this:
"We are working on virtual voting."
Stell Parker Selby has not been seen at an official event all year, nor has any video of her been published. The only image released to the media has been at her private swearing-in ceremony in March.
Former Speaker: Stell Parker Selby has cognitive function
CoastTV also spoke with the previous House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, who was in attendance for Parker Selby's swearing in. Schwartzkopf said Parker Selby had cognitive function for that event, but did have trouble with her speech.
We asked Schwartzkopf about concerns from 20th District residents who have not had a single vote on their behalf in the House thus far.
"They also have a senator to vote for them. And she has an office for all people that are helping out on issues in the district," he said. "But guess what? It ain't my business. It's not my problem anymore."
Can Parker Selby Be Removed?
CoastTV interviewed with Thomas Reed, professor at the Widener University Delaware Law School, again to clarify what is allowed in accordance with the Delaware constitution.
Reed said that Article 2 Section 9 of the state constitution states the General Assembly has the power to expel a member with a two thirds vote. However, when this particular provision was reviewed in the case of Sincock V Gately, it was determined that it only applies to instances of misconduct. All that to say, if Parker Selby does not resign, there is no way to legally remove her from her position.
The governor also cannot do anything according to Article 3 Section 9. The constitution says it prohibits the governor from making interim appointments to the House and Senate, even if there's a special election, until they are out of session.
Reed said that if the governor did call for a special election, it probably would not happen until September. There's no time constraint on filling the vacancy until the General Assembly would be back in session.
"Is there anything the people can do under the Constitution other than express their frustration to other lawmakers for her resignation?" asked Overturf.
"I don't think so," said Reed.
Paycheck Without Presence
Parker Selby does continue to collect a paycheck, according to her fellow lawmakers. House Minority Leader Tim Dukes tells CoastTV that she's making about $55,000.
With no appearances at Legislative Hall and no votes, people in the 20th District remain unrepresented by their legislator.
CoastTV still awaits a response from the House's communications office for a sit-down interview with the House Speaker.
