Rehoboth Mayor Paul Kuhns files for re-election

With well over a month before the deadline to file for the 2020 municipal election, Rehoboth Beach Mayor Paul Kuhns has let everyone know he intends to see the city through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Kuhns filed for re-election May 1. Elected mayor in 2017, he defeated former Mayor Sam Cooper, who had held the seat since 1990.

“I do enjoy representing all of the stakeholders of our small community,” said Kuhns, in an email May 4. “We are such a diverse community of people that brings so much to our city.”

Kuhns said when he ran for mayor he had three specific goals in mind – open the new city hall; start and complete the ocean outfall project; and establish a capital improvement plan.

All three have been completed. Kuhns said city hall has opened, and it has worked out better than anticipated; the ocean outfall project was completed and came in $1.5 million under budget; and a capital improvement plan has given city staff the ability to plan and address much needed capital improvements.

Substantial work has been completed in the past three years, said Kuhns. However, he said, there is more to do.

Looking forward, Kuhns said he wants to help shape Rehoboth’s new comprehensive development plan; complete a number of economic development projects; and, most importantly, continue to manage capital improvements.

“The city was hampered with so many situations of years of deferred maintenance,” he said. “I want to be able to see the continued improvement of our city services for our property and business owners.”

Other than the economic issues related to the current pandemic, Kuhns said the city's infrastructure is in need of a continuous make-over – the wastewater plant and water system need substantial repairs and upgrades.

Now months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuhns said he and city staff have done a phenomenal job of handling the circumstances given it was something no one had experienced or expected.

“Gov. John Carney has put out 14 iterations of his state of emergency, and through it all the staff has proactively performed their duties in a professional and appropriate manner with the safety of the public at the forefront of any decisions,” said Kuhns. “The situation is very fluid, but I believe the staff has stepped up to the plate and quickly addressed the issues as they appeared.”

Commissioners Lisa Schlosser and Steve Scheffer are also up for re-election. Schlosser is in her first term as an elected official in Rehoboth. Scheffer was appointed by the other commissioners in December 2018 to fill the vacancy that occurred when former Commissioner Kathy McGuiness took office as state auditor.

Rehoboth 2020 municipal election information

Rehoboth Beach’s 2020 annual municipal election is Saturday, Aug. 8. Interested candidates must turn in a petition signed by at least 10 qualified voters, but not more than 25, to the city manager by 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 8. To get a nominating petition, submit a request to elections@cityofrehoboth.com or call 302-227-6181, Donna Moore, Ext. 108 or Jean Lee, Ext. 114.

Absentee ballots will be available beginning Wednesday, June 24. Ballots will be sent to everyone who has an absentee ballot request form on file. The deadline for the city to mail ballots is Tuesday, Aug. 4. Ballots must be received by mail or in person before the polls close on the day of the election.

To be eligible to vote, a person must register on or before Thursday, July 9. Any qualified elector may request an absentee ballot to vote by filing a request for an absentee ballot form no later than noon, Friday, Aug. 7. For more information, contact Donna Moore at 302-227-6181, Ext. 108, or go online to www.cityofrehoboth.com.