LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
VIEWPoint |
by Andrew Keegan |
Rehoboth: Gay-friendly and Now, Gay Representation
At the conclusion of voting on Saturday, August 10, Rehoboth Beach residents had elected Mark Aguirre as the city's first openly gay city commissioner. Aguirre tallied 520 votes to secure one of two commissioners' seats in the three-way race. Incumbent Betty Ann Kane finished first with 528 votes to maintain her seat. Joe Hill, the other challenger, received 459 votes. Aguirre, who lost his bid for a city commission seat last year by a mere nine votes, was relieved and enthusiastic after the victory. "I really didn't do anything different this year with one exception," said Aguirre. "I did a lot more canvassing and discovered that my opponents did very little. I bet I've talked to more people in the community over the last two years than anyone else." Still, a victory was by no means a sure thing. The day before the election, the Cape Gazette, a widely-read weekly that covers Delaware's cape region, officially endorsed Kane and Hill over Aguirre. "I was disappointed with their reasoning," Aguirre said. "The editorial implied that individuals who have been around a long time have better connections because they can simply pick up a phone to 'get things done.' But that's exactly what I'm trying to change. In city government, it shouldn't be 'who you know' to get things done." The editorial probably cost him a few votes, admitted Aguirre. "I have a lot of respect for the folks who run the Gazette because they have endorsed a gay candidate before," Aguirre said. "In this case, it was a matter of perspectives." There was "absolutely no drawback" in running as an openly gay candidate, according to Aguirre. "My election proves that what matters most to voters is what a candidate can do for the city, not personal differences," said Aguirre. "I've not deviated from the points of my campaign, a campaign which includes all residents of Rehoboth Beach." Aguirre's campaign platform focused on three issues downtown revitalization, managing traffic congestion, and neighborhood preservation. Partners Rick McReynolds and Scott Standiford voted for Aguirre because he offered a "good balance." "His stance on rescinding the ban on vending machines was reason enough to vote for him," said McReynolds. The city has passed legislation banning outdoor vending machines effective next spring. "If it's 95 degrees and you're on the beach, it's absolutely ridiculous not to be able to find a soda. I don't want a town with laws that are so bluenose it endangers human welfare," McReynolds stated. Hoyt Decker and his wife were so impressed with Aguirre, they volunteered to work on his campaign. "We've been impressed with Mark's level of sincerity and willingness to listen and act on what people are interested in," Decker said. "The current commissioners have been obsessed with esthetics, like the ban on vending machines. Whereas, Mark has been more open and actually has worked out a compromise to the situation." "I voted for Mark because he's gay," proclaimed Dolph Spain. "Rehoboth has a large gay community and it's time we were represented. But make no mistake, if I didn't think Mark could represent the entire city then I wouldn't have voted for him." Aguirre, who began his three-year term on August 19, is anxious to get to work. "I have to balance my desires with how aggressive I should be as the new member and what's best to actually obtain results," Aguirre said. "More than likely, the first issue I will address will be election matters. There are things we can do to improve the process." In June, Aguirre criticized the city commission for failing to notify non-resident property owners of their eligibility to vote under Delaware law. According to a city election official, 890 people voted in the August 10 election. Rehoboth Beach has around 1,250 registered voters out of a year-round population of close to 1,500. However, hundreds of non-resident property owners may not be registered to vote simply because they are unaware, according to Aguirre. Aguirre becomes only the second gay individual to be elected to public office in Delaware. John Brady was elected as Sussex County Register in Chancery in 2000. Andrew Keegan is a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 12, August 23, 2002. |