Dave Davis takes on incumbent commissioners in Dewey election

Dave Davis is running for Dewey Beach commissioner because he says the current members do not fairly represent the town's property owners.

“Frankly, I don't see anyone on council doing much for the property owners,” he said.

Davis has owned a property on Swedes Street for seven years and is the owner of a business that specializes in medical devices.

After coming to a decision on Aug. 19, Davis filed for his seat in the closing hour of the deadline day, Aug. 21. He said he had been mulling over whether to run for a couple of weeks, but a discussion with his wife spurred the move.

“Life rewards action,” said Davis, who said after having been asked to run for commissioner in the past, he's at a point in his life where he can make the personal commitment to representing the town. “Doing the job of a commissioner is not something to take lightly,” he said.

Davis said there are three main issues he's running on.

He would like to see more transparency in town government. He suggests the number of Freedom of Information Act requests the town has to process shows there's not enough information being disseminated.

He would like to see businesses in town, specifically restaurants and bars, pay more to the town in way of taxes. There's a big inequity between the businesses and the homeowners, he said.

“No one begrudges the bars and restaurants for trying to make a profit, but they should do the right thing and contribute more,” he said.

Finally, Davis would like to see Dewey's image change. He said he understands that young and old people come to town to have a good time, but “there needs to be a rethinking of what will be tolerated.”

He said the image is not only attracting the wrong crowd; it is affecting the real estate market in town. He points to ocean block properties on the market for $500,000 or $600,000 go unsold for months as examples.

Davis said he's not looking to change the image of Dewey Beach wholesale, but, he said, he supports a toning down of the acceptance of bad behavior that town officials currently accept.

“There needs to be more meaningful action,” he said, pointing to his website, Dave4Dewey.org, for people looking for more information on his background and views on the town.

Davis is one of three candidates for two seats in the Dewey election. The other two candidates are Commissioners Gary Mauler and Courtney Riordan.

The election will be held from 10 a.m to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.