CAMP Forum:  A Conversation With the Candidates

What do you consider to be the single most important issue facing Rehoboth Beach in the next few years? What solution would you offer?

Mark • The most important issue involves how we will move in and out of Rehoboth as traffic worsens. The Delaware Department of Transportation (Del DOT) is in the initial phases of the Rehoboth Access Study that will examine what can be done to improve traffic south of the Canal to Route 24. Del DOT is looking at identifying problems with how residents, visitors, and other travelers use our roadways. It will be a year and half to bring this through concept design and land purchase to solve problems. I will work to represent our interests as solutions are discussed at county and state levels.

Joe • Although the wastewater treatment plant and the beach replenishment projects will be important issues Rehoboth will soon face, I believe the pending Streetscape Project will transform our city into a more beautiful and functional place to live and do business. The challenge for residents and businesses will be to endure the process and work together to safeguard the practicality of living and working in Rehoboth. My role as a Commissioner will be to expedite the process for those whom I represent. That means continuing to make myself available to residents and businesses and to advocate for those I represent with those in charge of the Streetscape Project: City management, the engineering and contracting firm. I believe the work should be performed in the off-season, and cease May 1 each year. I am glad that financial incentives have been stipulated in the contract with the construction firm. While financial assistance is available to small businesses to offset any substantial lost income, I believe the best protection policy is the assurance that work will be done quickly and well. The City needs to support the Chamber’s planned sophisticated PR effort during the revitalization.

Nearly a hundred business owners and residents approached me to run for City Commissioner, and as a lifelong resident, I look forward to a proactive, no-nonsense approach to all of the city’s daily operations. We live in a great little town here.

Betty Ann • The most important issue facing Rehoboth Beach in the next few years is dealing in a positive manner with Rehoboth’s increasing role as a year-round city center for a rapidly growing county, accommodating change while preserving the city’s charm, diversity and unique character. Right after Labor Day the city will start construction on a major infrastructure and beautification project for the commercial areas that will take three years to complete. My solutions include keeping close watch over the downtown revitalization project to minimize disruption, developing a plan for maintaining the improvements and keeping the boardwalk and commercial areas clean, increasing trees and green space, encouraging voluntary preservation of older buildings, being sure city staff and city services keep pace with changing needs, and supporting Main Street and other organizations that encourage attractive businesses, promote the arts and cultural events, and beach replenishment.

What are your ideas for managing growth in Rehoboth Beach?

Mark • Our city’s one square mile size and building height restrictions together do more to manage growth than any candidate’s promise. Only 50 dwelling units have been added to the 3,117 that existed in 1990. That being said, there is much we can do to rewrite our building code so that it allows the flexibility that property owners want, while encouraging home builders and renovators to build in keeping with our beach community atmosphere. Combine this effort with a reasonable tree program that will help us maintain our Tree City USA award status and we can manage our growth even more successfully.

Joe • Clearly, we want to continue to preserve the quaint, charming character of our town by enforcing current development ordinances limiting the physical attributes and functions of new “development.” As a realtor, I am in a great position to consult with the City on policies and to review certain residential/commercial development plans for suitability for the city. I support the Rehoboth Beach Town and Cottage Award’s efforts to acknowledge excellent individual development projects. I do see myself working to protect the rights of property owners in town. We can limit the physical structures in town to preserve a certain character, but we need to address variables which need to simply be managed as they relate to seasonal population fluctuations (transportation systems and alternatives, availability of city offerings/personnel, crowding, resort activities, and waste removal, for example). While the Streetscape Project is happening, we need to prepare Rehoboth for the increased volume of tourists and year-round residents from then on.

Betty Ann • Rehoboth is impacted by growth problems beyond the city’s borders, under the control (or rather lack of control) of the County government and state agencies. Letters readers who vote in Delaware should also pay close attention to the views of candidates for county and state office regarding transportation and development. My ideas for managing growth within the city include adopting a comprehensive plan, after full community input, that discourages inappropriately large buildings while respecting property rights. I also will focus on traffic management-getting DART to extend the park and ride season, pushing year round public transit, and encouraging coordination of shuttle services.

Where do you stand on HB99?

Mark • I supported the HB99 purpose to insert “sexual orientation” into Delaware anti-discrimination code to provide legal protection in employment, housing, and accommodations. I turned that support into action through the Gay and Lesbian Project of the ACLU to encourage the bill’s release from committee to the Senate floor for a vote. The HB99 hearing began with a fundamentalist Christian’s diatribe linking lesbian and gay civil rights to causing the tragedy of September 11th. The bill never reached the Senate floor. We must work together to create a grass roots effort to pass similar legislation next year. Get involved by contacting me at markaguirre@aol.com.

Joe • I believe everyone should be treated equally. Period. In this modern day, it still amazes me that certain social issues are “issues.” I have a great deal of respect for the gay community here in Rehoboth and shake my head when people ask me what I’ll do to “keep Rehoboth a ‘family town.’” In this day and age, there are all kinds of families, and lifestyle choices and circumstances affect families, good and bad, regardless of sexual orientation. People should be assessed based on their own merits-that means all of us, one and the same.

Betty Ann • I fully support enactment of HB99, signed the petition and was very disappointed in the failure to once again enact it. As a DC Councilmember I was a strong supporter of Washington’s comprehensive human rights law which includes strong prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and believe Delaware should do no less. I will continue to urge Delaware legislators to enact it, and urge those readers who vote in state elections to pay careful attention to the views of legislative candidates on this issue. Continued lobbying and education to remove the misguided fears of opponents is also necessary.

CAMP Rehoboth’s mission calls for it to be involved in the community. In what ways could you envision CAMP Rehoboth working in cooperation with the city of Rehoboth Beach?

Mark • First let me say that I appreciate all of what CAMP Rehoboth already does for the greater community through support of organizations from the Rehoboth Beach Film Society to Rehoboth Beach Main Street. You are meeting your mission. The most important way that CAMP Rehoboth can work in cooperation with the city of Rehoboth Beach is by serving in an unofficial capacity to inform city leadership concerning statewide lesbian and gay issues. Educational presentations concerning efforts such as HB99 will encourage city leadership to examine their own commitment and roles in helping lesbians and gays achieve equal civil rights in Delaware.

Joe • Let me say I’m impressed with the contributing role CAMP Rehoboth has carved for itself in the community, quietly and diligently establishing itself as a social resource for the community while managing discrimination issues. I envision CAMP Rehoboth as possibly co-sponsoring a mainstream event such as the Fireworks or, perhaps, joining in Chamber efforts to earn Rehoboth its fair share of State Tourism dollars which could be funnelled into mutually beneficial efforts related to serving all people here, managing growth, increasing public offerings and beautifying the city.

Betty Ann • CAMP Rehoboth already is a significant force in bringing together the Rehoboth community, and the new CAMP Rehoboth building will provide even greater opportunity to be a center for interaction as well as adding to the physical attractiveness of the city. I can envision CAMP Rehoboth working more with the City to involve a wider cross section of people in city projects, to tap a great talent pool of volunteers for city committees, and to provide sensitivity training for city employees, and continuing its worthwhile projects that raise money for community organizations.

Why should the readers of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth vote for you for City Commissioner?

Mark • Please do not vote for me because I am an openly gay candidate. Vote for me because I will be the hardest working city commissioner Rehoboth Beach has ever had. This past year I have worked with others, on the Boards of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, Rehoboth Beach Film Society, LOVE Benefit, and the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association on various projects and fundraisers. I have also attended nearly every Planning Commission Meeting, City Commissioner Workshop, and City Commissioner Meeting. My commitment to our city is as deep as it is broad. I ask you to vote Mark Aguirre for Rehoboth Beach City Commissioner.

Joe • Realizing that Letters is widely read among discerning and open-minded individuals in and around Rehoboth Beach, I believe I can represent the interests of many diverse groups in Rehoboth. I am out in the community walking, talking with people, and observing the city’s operations nearly every day. I routinely phone in issues to City Hall and the Chamber from the boardwalk. I follow issues to their resolution. I make people accountable to the best of my ability, and I get back to people who bring their issues to me. My being elected as a City Commissioner is a natural progression; I’ve been doing this all my life as a business owner and resident living in Rehoboth Beach for over 50 years. I hope CAMP’s readers believe there is at least one clear choice this year for Commissioner-that someone will represent their issues and be accessible to them in a feisty, down-to-earth manner. And I do look forward to sitting down at the table with the other Commissioners who will continue to serve their terms: Patti Shreeve, Kathy McGuinness, Don Derrickson, Rich Sargent, and Mayor Sam Cooper.

Betty Ann • It has been a privilege to serve as a City Commisioner for the past six years. I am seeking re-election as Commissioner to continue using my 23 years of experience in city government to meet the challenges ahead. I have been a year-round second homeowner in Rehoboth for 14 years. Rehoboth is also the permanent home of my daughter, son-in-law and three young grandsons. The City Charter gives the Commissioners “the powers and functions requisite to or appropriate for the government of the City, its peace and order, its sanitation, beauty, the health, safety, convenience, government and well-being of its population, and the protection and preservation of property, public and private, and the maintenance of a permanent seaside resort.” In carrying out that duty I have tried to listen to all sides and make sound, balanced decisions. I pushed to hold hearings on major issues on Saturdays so all homeowners, residents and business people could have their voices heard. I am proud of consistently voting for balanced budgets that meet our growing needs without tax increases, and supporting actions that attract and retain good city staff.

I served for 12 years on the DC City Council, eight years on the DC Retirement Board managing $5 billion in pension funds, two years on the Rehoboth Planning Commission, and two terms as Commissioner. I run my own government relations business and participate in the Sussex County Association of Towns, Delaware League of Local Governments, and meetings with the city’s Congressional delegation in Washington. I know how to work well and hard and would be honored to have the opportunity to serve another term and see the city’s important projects to completion.