DOVER, Del. - The legislative session resumed on June 10 for representatives in the House. However, Rep. Stell Parker Selby remains absent from Legislative Hall.
CoastTV went to Dover for answers on the Milton-area Representative. When looking for Parker Selby's office, Director of Communications for the House Democrats, Jenevieve Worley, escorted CoastTV out of the hallway. Worley said that an appointment had to be made, however CoastTV has reached out several times to Parker Selby's office and has not received any response.
Director of Communications for the House of Democrats, Jenevieve Worley, escorted CoastTV out of the hallway when we asked where Rep. Stell Parker Selby's office was.
Worley also declined to make a comment on Parker Selby's continued absence. The last statement from Worley said that the Representative's office continued to remain open and answer constituent calls. No calls have been returned to CoastTV News.
Top House Democrat refuses to answer questions
CoastTV did reach House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown for an interview. The House Speaker said Parker Selby is healing. Minor-Brown declined to say if Rep. Stell Parker Selby was cognitive. Sources confirm to CoastTV that Rep. Parker Selby suffered a major stroke this winter.
When asked why Rep. Stell Parker Selby was not voting, Minor-Brown asked if CoastTV reached out to her. CoastTV's multiple inquiries into Rep. Parker Selby's office and home have been ignored or rejected.
Minor-Brown is the only person CoastTV has interviewed who confirms she has spoken to Parker Selby. After the House Speaker ended our interview by saying "I'm Done," CoastTV waited for Minor-Brown to come back out to address further questions regarding Parker Selby.
Here are the questions we asked House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown. She refused to answer all of them.
Is [Representative Parker Selby] cognitive?
Why isn't she here voting?
Don't you think the people of the 20th District deserve to have someone voting on their behalf?
What is your message to the people of the 20th District who have not had a single vote on their behalf in the House?
The Governor says this is a House issue. Why are you not taking action?
Madam Speaker, why do you refuse to speak to us?
Sen. Huxtable: It's a "House Decision"
Senator Russ Huxtable, whose district covers a majority of Stell Parker Selby's, told CoastTV Monday that decisions about Parker Selby's seat were up to her or House leadership.
"That's not my place to say honestly. And the rules aren't there for that. I mean that that's why elections do have consequences," Huxtable said. "But it's not my role to say if she should step down or not. That's really a family decision. That is a House decision. And so that there is that separation in the chambers and things of that nature."
Huxtable said he has had conversations with House Leadership asking them to make a statement on Stell Parker Selby.
Still No Return Date
In March, Minor-Brown told CoastTV that she looked forward to welcoming Parker Selby back very soon. That statement followed Parker Selby being sworn in from home on March 24. The only image of Parker Selby released this year is of that swearing in, where Rep. Parker Selby is seen in a wheelchair. She previously did not use a wheelchair.
The House Speaker is the most powerful position for democrats in the House, who hold a majority. As Speaker of the House, Melissa Minor Brown would be the one to call for Parker Selby's resignation or removal while the House is still in session.
