Osler to run for fourth term on Lewes council

Lewes Councilwoman Bonnie Osler recognizes that serving on city council has a shelf life, but she says there is still work to be done to better the Lewes community. 

Osler, 60, officially filed March 1 to run for her fourth term on council. She was first elected to council in 2012, re-elected in 2014 and ran unopposed in 2016.

She is council treasurer and chairs the finance committee. 

“I’m particularly proud of the work the finance committee has done, and also the financial strategies working group because we’ve put together a list for council to pick from if we ever have to raise revenue or cut costs,” she said. “I think it’s a good piece of work and will help in the [budget] process and in the future.” 

Osler also serves as ex-officio to the planning commission and the historic preservation commission, and was a member of two land review committees that considerably increased open space in the city.

The groups also identified city-owned lots on Tennessee and Texas avenues that could be sold for development. Osler said she would support the proceeds of the lots being used toward the preservation of property on New Road. 

Behind the scenes, Osler said, she and Councilman Dennis Reardon worked tirelessly to reassess the properties in Highland Acres, which was annexed into Lewes in 2015. The county works on an assessment from 1972, while the city works with an assessment from 2000. 

“I think the results have been fair and equitable to the city and to our new residents,” she said.  

As far as ongoing projects, Osler said, she will continue to work hard on the proposed bicycle and pedestrian project on Savannah Road, from the canal bridge to American Legion Road. She said working with DelDOT to develop a common-sense design that is safe for everyone is her ultimate goal. 

Osler said she has also been at the forefront developing positions on issues that affect the city, authoring opposition to Overbrook, offshore drilling and the placement of the Village Center shopping center. She also took the lead in writing the conditions for the development of Mariner’s Retreat, formerly Highland Heights. 

The last two years have not come without difficulties, though. Osler has missed a number of committee meetings in the last year to care for her sick mother in Florida. She said the team in city hall and on council has stepped up to fill in and keep her informed when she has been out of town.

“I don’t think [the staff] gets enough credit for what they do,” she said. “City council can set the tone and hopefully do a decent job hiring, but those are the people who get the work done around here.” 

Prior to moving to Lewes full time in 2011, Osler worked as deputy chief counsel for litigation with the Transportation Security Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She previously worked as assistant branch director and trial attorney for the Federal Programs Branch of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Osler bought a home in Lewes in 1993. She traveled to Lewes on weekends for nearly 20 years before ultimately making the city her home.

The seat of Councilman Rob Morgan is also up this year. Morgan also filed paperwork to run for re-election, but was unavailable for an interview due to a planned trip. An article about his candidacy will appear in a future edition. 

Anyone wishing to throw their hat in the ring may do so through Thursday, April 5, by filing a candidate form at city hall. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, a qualified voter for one year, at least 21 years old and have not been convicted of a felony.

For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.