Town employees, residents gather for Dewey meet and greet

Attendees of a meet and greet with Town of Dewey Beach employees not only learned the roles and responsibilities of staff members, but also got a glimpse into their backgrounds and personal lives as well.

Dewey Beach Civic League hosted the Oct. 16 networking event at the Lifesaving Station. League member Mikki Underwood said the group addresses issues for the betterment of residents and visitors.

“We just want to continue to improve our little jewel of a town that's here between the bay and the ocean,” she said. “Who else really has that?” 

Town Manager Bill Zolper, in his position since February, said his goals are ensuring public safety and keeping the town clean.

Employees have accomplished many tasks during his tenure, Zolper said, including getting the speed limit reduced to 25 mph, adding additional pedestrian crossing lights and larger stop signs, and replacing speed bumps. Another full-time police officer was hired to ensure three full-time officers are on duty at night, Zolper said, and officials are exploring options for a new town hall and police station.

“It's a joy every day coming in,” he said. “I have found that people with passion are the best employees. They’re the people who get the job done, and I feel we have that with our employees.” 

Zolper said he was born in Lewes, and while he graduated from Smyrna High, he spent summers at the beach working as a Rehoboth lifeguard, and at the Waterfront and Summer House. His career spans three years in the U.S. Army, over nine years with the Delaware State Police and 23 years with the FBI.

Maintenance Supervisor Don Richard retired after 30 years working in a sawmill factory. An auctioneer college graduate, he has run auctions since 1984. After working for the City of Rehoboth for nine years, he accepted the job in Dewey about six years ago. Richard has three children and six grandchildren.

“I love it here,” he smiled.

Chief Sam Mackert grew up and attended school in Milford. After graduation from Delaware Technical Community College, he worked as a dispatcher for Milford Police Department before taking a job with a security company responsible for monitoring beach-area neighborhoods.  

After taking a position with Dewey, he graduated top of his class at the New Castle County police academy. Mackert said he developed a passion for firearms, so he attended the FBI academy and state police academy instructor school to become a certified firearms instructor. Building relationships in the community contributes to better policing, he said. 

“We’re only as good as the community working with us; we need the public’s help, too,” Mackert said. “This town can come together, and I love that about this town. It's amazing how everybody can come together and look out for each other.”

On his days off, Mackert works on his farm, where he grows corn and soybeans.

Sgt. Cliff Dempsey joined the force in 2000; he previously worked as a seasonal park ranger at the Indian River Inlet.

With more families in town these days, Dempsey said the number of violent crimes in town has plummeted. Like Mackert, he said, he lives on a 500-acre farm with about 80,000 chickens and a pumpkin patch, but unlike Mackert, he said to general laughter, he doesn’t farm because he’s lazy.

“Working here, it’s like a family, and that's what I love about this town,” he said. 

Accounting Clerk Sheena Hall has lived in Delaware for 11 years. She attained degrees in marketing and finance simultaneously and hopes to become certified in human resources this year. Hall has a senior and a freshman at Cape who are very involved in school activities.

Eight-year lifeguard Hank Coveleski said his family members have been lifeguards since his grandfather Frank served with Rehoboth Beach Patrol. A Cape High and University of Delaware grad, he is now pursuing an education degree at Wilmington University and wants to return to Cape as a teacher.

Administrative Assistant Joyce Poole said she began working in the police department 31 years ago, then moved to town hall. Parking Administrator Tammy Horne said she grew up in Millsboro; she started working for the City of Rehoboth Beach while in high school and has worked at town hall since 2008.

Patrolman Victor Letonoff said he began his career as a sculptor, but the job was too messy and he turned to law enforcement. He worked first for the Millsboro Police Department and retired from the Rehoboth Police Department. Not long after, he joined the Dewey Beach Police Department as a part-time officer. He said he holds a master’s degree in homeland security and a bachelor’s degree in humanities.

Patrolman Dylan Ebke said he joined the force in 2018 as a seasonal officer right out of high school, and is now a full-time officer; Dempsey said Ebke is “almost engaged” to his niece.

Building Official Daune Hinks previously worked in the auto parts business, and with her husband, operated a construction company. The 2008 recession hit hard, so the pair found jobs as code enforcement officers for the City of Salisbury; he now works for the Town of South Bethany. Hinks worked as a residential inspector for Sussex County before joining town hall staff. 

“I want the best for everybody in what they're building and what they want,” she said, urging residents to meet with her about any proposed building projects.

Assistant Town Manager Jim Dedes retired in 2009 after managing the probation system in Fairfax County, Va., for 23 years. Dedes said he has owned property in Dewey since the ‘60s, and he and his brother own Sunrise Restaurant. In 2005, he began volunteering with the town and was appointed to the planning and zoning commission for 10 years. He said he also served three stints as acting town manager. 

“I hope never to do that again,” he said as listeners laughed.

Dewey Beach’s mayor serves a non-paid, volunteer role for the town. Mayor Bill Stevens said he grew up in New Jersey, in a blue-collar family that valued education. He said he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in accounting at Loyola College in Maryland, where he met his wife Janine. 

After 10 years in public accounting and six years in a public trading company as a controller and officer, Stevens said he quit in 2006 to serve as an outsourced CFO for startups. He retired in June. Stevens started visiting Dewey in 1989, and rented seasonally with his wife and other couples from 2011-17 before he and Janine purchased their permanent home on McKinley Avenue.

After introductions, attendees enjoyed Grotto Pizza, subs and a spread of appetizers.

Underwood said the Dewey Beach Civic League is welcoming new members. Email dbcivicleague@gmail.com for details.