Greater Lewes Civic Coalition hosts mayoral debate
Considering mayoral candidates for the first time in 24 years, Lewes residents packed the Lewes library May 3 for a chance to hear from the three men running for office.
Incumbent Mayor Ted Becker, who has held the office since 2014, was joined bt challengers Ric Moore and current Deputy Mayor Andrew Williams, lobbying residents for their votes in the Saturday, May 14 election.
Fisher’s Cove was a persistent theme throughout the night, with the first inquisition focusing on transparency. The resident asked when minutes would be available for the March 2 executive session when council voted on the Fisher’s Cove settlement. Becker said minutes are in draft form and will eventually be posted for the public to see. The reason for the delay, he said, is because they have been advised to hold off until legal matters have been resolved.
Williams said mayor and city council failed in its duties and he apologizes, but they had consulted with legal experts and taken that advice.
Moore said he believes the decision was unacceptable and, in his opinion, there were legal protections afforded to mayor and city council in city code.
Complicating the Fisher’s Cove fiasco is that Becker and Williams are prohibited from speaking about the issue in detail. When he’s able, Becker said, he’s open to hosting a public forum. Williams said he also looks forward to speaking when able and wonders if council was given bad advice. Moore, not bound by a gag order, was all for a public discussion about Fisher’s Cove as soon as the city could possibly have one. Moore said he believes the way to avoid a future debacle like Fisher’s Cove is to start with the city’s comprehensive plan, trimming it down to five years instead of 10 years. Suggesting a moratorium on major development until 2025, when he thinks the first five-year plan can be adopted, Moore encouraged meetings with the public similar to those held in the ’90s. When the city has the plan, he said, they need to use it and enforce it with the rule of law. Highlighting a recent workshop about the comp plan’s five-year review, Becker said the plan is being updated substantially with an emphasis on zoning ordinances and code. Becker repeatedly said he believes the city can do more to strengthen code and ordinances, but he believes public input is valuable in shaping such policy. Solidifying subdivision and zoning code and ordinances is the best way to protect against overdevelopment, Becker said.
Williams acknowledged development within the four square miles that make up Lewes, but asked why the public vilifies developers and realtors. Williams suggested a more open dialogue, saying if they form a healthy relationship with those building and selling, then perhaps, they can get a better understanding of overall goals. Williams discussed transparency extensively, and he applied those same principles when detailing how he would work with developers.
All candidates noted unprecedented growth in the Lewes area, but each offered different ways to address it. Becker cited his experience working with Sussex County and the Delaware Department of Transportation as the reason he is the best candidate moving forward. Several intergovernmental projects have been accomplished during Becker’s tenure, with others in progress or on the books, and he believes his leadership has been pivotal. Moore said a strict adherence to a publicly involved comprehensive plan and enforcement of existing code could manage growth. Moore also believes there were conflicts of interest that exist and complicate matters of stewardship. While Williams did not say there were conflicts of interest, he did believe the city had entered into contracts and grants with entities that didn’t have the best interest of Lewes in their plans and the city should hold contractors accountable or have more control.
Candidates, pressed on mayor and city council’s relationship with the Board of Public Works, were in agreement over the value of the entity, but each had different ideas for how the relationship should work moving forward. Williams believes it is important to connect properties on septic to BPW’s sewer system, but he said annexation does not have to occur for that to happen. Williams also discussed the value of the city’s outfall and believes the city should be properly compensated if it is utilized by Sussex County.
Moore reminded residents of the contentious relationship between council and BPW, saying their legal battle was resolved by a judge throwing it out of court. While mayor and city council and BPW cannot sue each other now, he said, protections preventing litigation end in 2026, and he believes it's important to avoid such frivolous lawsuits in the future. Becker said the relationship with the BPW is important and is generally positive, also agreeing with Williams about the importance of the outfall.
During closing comments, Williams called for open dialogue within the community as opposed to talking over and at each other. By listening to one another and not wasting the talents, he said, Lewes will continue to grow in the right way.
Moore’s final remarks focused on putting the community first, and increasing engagement mayor and city council has with residents. He said he will continue community outreach efforts.
Becker asked residents to volunteer for committees, attend city meetings and increase civic engagement. There are opportunities at city hall, he said, stressing the importance of volunteerism in the functionality of city government.
The election is set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at city hall. For information, go to ci.lewes.de.us/273/Election-Information.
