As residents of the City of Lewes prepare for the 2020 election, I would like to express my public support for a neighbor and good friend, Tim Ritzert. Tim’s family acquired a home in Lewes about 35 years ago, so you could almost say he grew up in Lewes. He spent most of his summer days here in our beautiful city, and for the past 10-plus years he has been a steady fixture as a concerned citizen at most, not all, the city council public meetings.
Tim is known as a person who asks thought-provoking questions, and many of his questions even members of council have not always thought of themselves. Within the broader community, Tim has had an email broadcast to neighbors on all important topics coming up for discussion by city government, and he reminds us of the next meeting we need to attend. For some of us senior citizens that has been very helpful.
Tim has a degree in political science with a minor in public administration from James Madison University and worked for many years in a Virginia power company as a project manager. He later worked for several years in the telecommunications field. Tim is fully retired and, if elected, plans to work full time on duties of city council. He has no work connection with any business in the region that will cause him to have to recuse himself on votes due to potential conflict of interest. (An important fact when considering that the city council has only five voting members).
Tim has a reputation for helping his many senior neighbors prior to and, more recently, during the pandemic, and has provided help with errands as well as some physical tasks, and informing the neighborhood when someone has a problem and could use some extra help. But in addition, Tim is an excellent listener and super researcher. He also seeks input on all issues related to Lewes city matters. These are just a few of the reasons I believe Tim Ritzert would be an excellent member of city council and encourage you to consider him as you cast your votes soon.