Schaeffer files for second council term
Republican Mark Schaeffer of Lewes has filed to run for re-election to Sussex County Council District 3.
Schaeffer said, “I would like to continue my work to ensure the viability and sustainability of our volunteer fire/EMS companies in Sussex County. The men and women of our volunteer fire/EMS service deserve our full support and respect. I will fight to guarantee that this vital public safety need is supported for decades to come.”
He said he is proud of his continued dedication supporting local police departments and Delaware State Police. He said he is a strong supporter of efforts to successfully fund 44 additional Delaware State Police officers in the county during his three years of service.
Schaeffer said he supports small businesses and businesses that create quality jobs for citizens, affordable housing opportunities, and he aggressively works to prevent development sprawl into agricultural lands.
He said he has routinely voted against residential developments that are proposed on insufficient roads with inadequate infrastructure. He said he will continue to advocate for road and other infrastructure to be installed before development occurs, not after. He said he works to protect old-growth forests, inland bays, estuaries and streams.
Schaeffer is a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes and is a volunteer EMT and firefighter along with his wife, Ruby, at Lewes Fire Department. He is also active in the West Rehoboth Land Trust, building homes for low-income residents. He is a former Kent County Republican chair, and was mayor of Little Creek and Smyrna for a decade. He is also a former Delaware River and Bay Authority commissioner, a former member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Mid-Atlantic Fishery Council, and a former board member of Kent General Hospital (Bayhealth).
Schaeffer has a background in commercial real estate, construction, appraising and auctioneering, and managed a manufactured home community. He and his wife have five children and 12 grandchildren.
Growing up, Schaeffer spent his summers in the resort area and moved to Lewes as a full-time resident 25 years ago.
District 3 runs from south of Milford down the coast of Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Inlet bridge. It includes Long Neck, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Henlopen Acres, Lewes, Argos Corner, Broadkill Beach, Primehook, Slaughter Beach.
Schaeffer is being challenged by Democrat Dana Paskins of Rehoboth Beach.
Schaeffer said he is always available and returns every constituent’s call. His cellphone number is 302-423-4801, his website is schaefferforsussex.com and his email is mschaeffer@sussexcountyde.gov.
