Lewes Mayor Ted Becker seeks re-election

Lewes Mayor Ted Becker will seek re-election this May. 

Becker has been a member of mayor and city council since 2004, serving 10 years as a councilman and the last eight as mayor. 

With major road improvements and other big projects ongoing or planned, he believes the city can benefit from his leadership and strong relationships with local, state and federal officials.

“It’s a very dynamic time in this community,” he said. “Lewes is not a sleepy little community anymore. From the looks of things, the next three years are going to be pretty busy.”

Immediately in mind are the Delaware Department of Transportation’s plans to replace the New Road bridge over Canary Creek and significantly revamp Kings Highway, a plan that includes the addition of five roundabouts.

He said the continued growth of Lewes and areas just outside the city may provide opportunities for annexation.

The city needs to continue to address environmental issues such as climate change and sea-level rise, he said. He’s proud of the work he is doing with the city’s executive committee on resiliency. Through a state grant, the city was able to tap the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration to guide the resiliency committee.

“That committee will have at least two recommendations that will come before council,” he said. Those include real estate disclosure requirements and the framework for a resiliency fund.

In general, he said, the city has been at the forefront of the state’s reaction to environmental issues.

“We need only look at how many times we are called out by various organizations or by various state agencies for exemplary performance,” he said.

He said the city would not be what it is today without its volunteers.

“I think we’re very fortunate that our boards and commissions are very dedicated and have loyal people who provide excellent representation,” he said.

He said the current makeup of city council is strong, too.

“It is a very thoughtful council who all have the best interests of the community in mind,” he said. “That has been something I’ve worked for the entire time that I’ve been part of city council or as mayor.”

Other accomplishments he’s proud of are the establishment of the African American heritage commission, the honorific renaming of W. Fourth Street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and the continued expansion of area trails. He said he’s excited to add an alternative mode of transportation this summer with the introduction of the Lewes Line transit service.

Outside of his city duties, Becker serves on the state’s healthcare commission and health resources board, and the Delaware River and Bay Authority board. He is past chair of the Sussex County Association of Towns and served as chair for the Association of Coastal Towns for nearly three years. More locally, he is a member of Beebe Healthcare’s finance committee and an emeritus member of the Beebe Medical Foundation board of directors.

“I think the relationship with Beebe is going to be very important going forward as Beebe works to serve the larger community,” he said.

The Association of Coastal Towns brings together leaders from the state’s seven coastal communities. Recent issues on its agenda include the planned wind farm off the Delaware coast and Sussex County’s buffer ordinance.

“We've been able to speak with a unified voice,” he said. “As a result of that, when I was chair, we were able to meet with Gov. Carney. Individually, speaking on our own, we probably would not have gotten that individual attention.”

Building relationships with state agencies and officials, and Delaware’s congressional delegation has been important during Becker’s time as mayor.

“The intergovernmental and interagency relationships that have been built by both Mayor Ford and I over the years … serve the community well,” he said. “They make sure that our voice is heard at both the state and federal levels.”

Becker bought a home in Lewes in 1981 and moved to the city full time in 2000. He is the managing partner of Stewart Becker Properties. He previously worked with the U.S. Division of Special Education and the U.S. Department of Education, and served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves from 1978 to 1996.

In December, Becker underwent reparative cardio surgery in Washington, D.C. He says he expects to make an excellent recovery.

“I’m actively engaged in cardiac rehab through Beebe, which is going well,” he said. “I’m thankful that a program of this quality is so readily available to someone so close to home.”

This is the first time since becoming mayor that Becker will face an opponent, as resident Ric Moore filed necessary paperwork to run March 1. 

Anyone interested in becoming a candidate for the mayoral election must submit a candidate filing form to the city manager. The form is available on the city’s website at ci.lewes.de.us/273/election-information. The deadline to file is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 7. The election is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at Lewes City Hall, 114 E. Third St.