Dale Cooke elected mayor in Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Dale Cooke as mayor at a special town meeting April 24, when Commissioner Paul Bauer was also elected secretary.

Both terms will stand until the organizational meeting following the September 2020 municipal election. The vote was necessary to fill the vacancy created by the April 7 death of Mayor TJ Redefer.

Redefer’s commissioner seat expires September 2021; a possible vote to select a commissioner to fulfill the remainder of his term is set for Friday, May 8.

Town Manager Scott Koenig issued a notice April 27 informing property owners and residents interested in filling the vacant seat to send a note requesting consideration and resume to townmanager@townofdeweybeach.com by 3 p.m., Monday, May 4.

A Highway One ad in the Cape Gazette April 28 stated a committee of 58 people has formed to encourage commissioners to appoint Redefer’s widow, Bobbie Redefer, to fulfill the remainder of his term. It is unclear if Bobbie submitted her name for consideration; Koenig could not be reached to confirm.

Cooke said he hoped to have a new commissioner on board as soon as possible, as the town faces numerous issues due to COVID-19.

“We need to hit the ground running,” he said. “I would hope they have a background in Dewey and finance, and are willing to get along with the rest of the commissioners while having their own ideas and being an independent thinker.”

Cooke said the COVID-19 pandemic could cost the town from $700,000 to $1.5 million, depending on how long beaches are closed. 

“We want to be open and active, but we need to control the virus,” he said. “We live on projected incomes every year, and that’s a serious loss, so we’re going to cut costs, save money and spend only when necessary and still try to have as good a summer as possible while keeping the town safe.”

Cooke said the Association of Coastal Towns, a group that includes mayors and town managers of all Delaware beach towns from Fenwick Island to Lewes, is working together to provide the governor with recommendations. Cooke said it is important that Delaware beaches are open and/or closed simultaneously.

“We can’t handle the crowds on the beach if some towns close and not others,” Cooke said. “Crowds will swap one town for another and flock to the open beaches.”

First elected in 2002, Cooke served as commissioner until 2008; he was re-elected in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Cooke was elected to a one-year term as mayor in 2016; he was also interim town manager for several months.

Bauer said Cooke’s leadership is needed as the town navigates unique challenges to the budget and public safety.

“Our main focus at the moment, much like every other municipality, is our budget,” Bauer said. “We are facing many strenuous decisions in the coming months, where we need the stability of a balanced budget while also maintaining the cost of adequate public safety needs for our citizens and small business owners.”

Bauer said Koenig mapped out comparable financial models based on timelines for when the town can safely open for the summer.

“Each commissioner will be emailing recommendations for possible cuts in spending and priorities they deem significant prior to our May 8 meeting,” Bauer said. “I am confident that as long as we work as a team, considering all possible options, we will be able to get this right and be able to open for business while keeping our residents and visitors safe.”

First elected in 2017, Bauer was re-elected in 2019. He is commissioner liaison for the town’s marketing and event communications committee, and has previously served as council secretary.