CAMP Rehoboth Candidate Forum 2014
On Saturday August 9, voters in Rehoboth Beach will go the polls to elect a Mayor and two City Commissioners. In the mayoral race, incumbent Sam Cooper is being challenged by Tom McGlone. In the Commissioner’s race, Francis “Bunky” Markert, Kathy McGuiness, John Meng, Larry Myslewski, and incumbent Lorraine Zellers are seeking to fill two positions. All candidates responded to our questions.
Introduce yourself to the readers of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and explain why you are running for office.
Cooper: I am a life-long resident of Rehoboth Beach and have been Mayor for 24 years. I am a business person, who owns rental cottages, and a share of a motel. Most of my non-work time has been spent in service to the citizens of Rehoboth Beach. I served as a Commissioner for eight years before being elected Mayor, and have been a member of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Co. for 41 years. As someone who grew up here, I have a deep sense of “community” and what it means to our City. I have worked with many organizations, including CAMP Rehoboth, to address the needs of our City, and to advance the sense of community. I have the knowledge, experience, and commitment to preserve the community you and I love. Your vote for me will ensure that we build on the successes of the past and do not turn back the clock.
McGlone: I am Tom McGlone, 51 years old, originally from Collingswood NJ, but lived for 20+ years in Ellicott City Maryland. My spouse Andy Meddick and I have been together for 20 years and our anniversary is right after this election on August 12th. Andy owns Morgan & Gower Cheesemongers on Baltimore Avenue. We have two Jack Russell terriers, Gracie and Stella, and live in Country Club Estates. We have been fulltime residents of Rehoboth Beach since 2005, and have owned a house in town since 2001. I have been a financial advisor for the past 19 years, and have worked in finance since graduating from Drexel University (Philadelphia) in 1986. After receiving my BS from Drexel, I went on to receive my MBA from George Washington University in Washington DC in 1989 also in Finance. I currently co-own Heirloom Wealth Advisors with offices in Lewes, Delaware and Sparks, Maryland.
This is my second run for Mayor of Rehoboth Beach. I ran for this office in 2011. At that time I received approx 42% of the vote. I am running for Mayor as I love Rehoboth Beach and feel that I can provide the proper balance of preserving our town’s charm with a vision that will allow the City to capitalize from the talents that exist in our community. I want to be the Mayor of Inclusion. As Mayor, the first thing that I plan to do is a comprehensive survey of our property owners, business owners and visitors. The results of this survey will allow the Mayor and Commissioners to develop a working plan for the next year. We need to be accountable to our community. What better way to connect with our constituents than to ask them what is important to them and then develop a prioritized working list based on their feedback.
Markert: My name on the ballot is Francis Markert Jr., but most know me as Bunky. My wife Kate and I bought our home in the Schoolvue neighborhood in 2004 and became Delaware residents in 2010. I am a CPA and a retired finance director of non-profit organizations, and previously ran the accounting division of the MD Dept. of the Environment. Kate is the director of the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in DC, a job she loves. We shuttle back and forth but spend most of our time here throughout the year.
I have always been committed to public service and I volunteer as chair of the CityLit Project in Baltimore, a literary arts organization, and am the treasurer of the Rehoboth Beach Sister Cities Association which was responsible for the Garden of the Navigators on Olive Avenue which recently won a national award.
I am currently the Secretary of the Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission, appointed in 2009. Serving on the commission has been a tremendously valuable experience, providing me with a deep understanding of issues concerning the city. It has also instilled in me the ability to work through complex issues to make our city better. Particularly valuable for us are the discussions with citizens and experts at the commission to arrive at workable solutions. In the past two years we have completed and issued the Lakes Study and reviewed and drafted common sense revisions to the Tree Ordinance to be sent to the Mayor and Commissioners for their acceptance. I believe this experience has prepared me to be a most effective and qualified commissioner.
McGuiness: Hello, I am Kathy McGuiness, an RB native who has served four terms as Commissioner, bringing you extensive hands-on City experience. I grew up here, attending Rehoboth elementary, Junior High and Cape H.S. After college I returned to own and operate Rehoboth Pharmacy, then a real estate business. For the City, I chaired the personnel, bandstand, convention hall and special event committees, and was secretary of the boardwalk committee. I’m the founding president, and current board member of RB Main Street; was selected Delaware Tourism Person of the Year 2000, partly for bringing fireworks back to downtown. I’ve run the effort with a wonderful committee going on 20 years now. In my 12 years as commissioner I was a team player, built consensus and got results. I’ve been involved in much City progress, including streetscape revitalization, new bandstand, cleaner lakes and buffers, improved infrastructure (bathrooms, boardwalk, playgrounds…) I have great working relationships with state and local officials and helped make Rehoboth a great hometown while encouraging tourism to bring us economic health. I’m for crafting policy that works well for everyone to protect our beaches and make our city a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
Meng: My name is John J. Meng III. I am originally from Massachusetts where I was a Massachusetts State Trooper. After leaving the state police I moved to NYC to manage a bar, while living in NYC I visited Rehoboth for the first time and fell in love with it. I moved to Rehoboth full time 18 years ago. In 1997 I opened the Double L Bar on Rehoboth Avenue and have owned and operated it for the last 17 years.
I am also a firefighter for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
I think the combination of the fiscal prudence of running a business combined with my ability to deal with the public makes me an ideal candidate to serve as a commissioner.
After all, our Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, similar to citizen Volunteer Firefighters.
Myslewski: Thank you CAMP Rehoboth for this opportunity to introduce my background, experience, and vision—credentials that place me as the top all-around candidate for a Rehoboth Beach Commissioner.
First and foremost, I have been a Rehoboth Beach homeowner for the past 18 years (in the Pines). I know first-hand how the City government needs to respond to home and property owners by providing efficient municipal services that do not interfere with basic rights nor intrude on our property. As a former Rehoboth Beach business owner for seven years (Vespa Rehoboth Beach), I know how the City needs to help businesses start-up and prosper by lowering annual license fees. As an international Human Resource consultant for 26 years (currently with The World Bank Group, Washington, DC), I know how the City must adapt to competitive labor market practices, and in the process save taxpayer dollars.
I also bring community-based experience to benefit Rehoboth Beach. As the Founder of the Foggy Bottom Historic District Conservancy, Washington, DC, I worked to preserve the historic character of Foggy Bottom. I also served on the City of Rehoboth Beach Architectural Review Committee, developing architectural guidelines but not forcing requirements on builders. And yes, I proudly served in the U.S. Army. Background and experience are very important, but Commissioners must be able to intellectualize information, concepts, and issues. In that regard, I submit my academic credentials—an M.B.A., Marketing, from The George Washington University, and a B.S., Insurance and Real Estate, from The Pennsylvania State University.
Zellers: I was born and raised in Baltimore where we still keep a home to be closer to our son and his family. My working career has been in the medical field—the last 14 years in medical research at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore.
We found Rehoboth by accident 40 years ago, but embraced it as our own because of what we found here. We bought our home in Country Club Estates 15 years ago and were thrilled to learn that we could vote and have a voice in how things were done.
My reasons for serving have not changed over my last two terms.
I’m committed to preserving what makes Rehoboth unique—our quality of life, our neighborhoods, our sense of community, our green spaces, lakes and beach. These are the things that make people come back to live, to visit, to invest and do business.
I’m committed to the responsible management of the city’s finances and to developing budgets that speak to the city’s current needs while planning for the infrastructure improvements needed for the future.
I’m committed to bringing an independent voice and a spirit of cooperation to the commission so that government works “together” for the good of all of its citizens.
Rehoboth Beach is on the list of top five cleanest beaches. What would you do to make sure we stay on that list?
Cooper: We must continue to commit significant resources to cleaning our beach. Also, we need to, as we always have, be looking for ways through better or additional equipment and practices to make our efforts more effective; getting improved results and more “bang” for our tax dollars. Since most debris is human related we must take opportunities to educate the public that their actions matter and take enforcement action when necessary. It is likewise important that the Boardwalk, streets and sidewalks be equally well maintained. If one area is perceived as being “dirty,” the beach and whole town will be perceived as “dirty.”
McGlone: This question is easy, I would halt the City’s current plan to dump treated waste water into our oceans.
I would opt for an alternative plan to the City’s wastewater mandate and will work with DNREC to get it implemented ASAP! Wastewater should be recycled, not discarded. We need to maintain our water quality for our residents, businesses and tourists. This is imperative. Tourism is important to our City and perception is everything. Wastewater is a valuable resource and should not be squandered. This will not take 10 years as I will tackle this mandate head on. Additionally, I support recycling on our City’s beaches and boardwalk.
Markert: The City of Rehoboth Beach simply must have a clean beach, safe for the enjoyment of all. The high standards maintained by the city attract people from everywhere. The city takes beach maintenance very seriously, and now that we have instituted a smoke free beach, the beach will be cleaner than ever. I have great confidence that the new and experienced city manager and recently promoted chief of maintenance will continue to achieve our consistently high rating. Regular inspection and supervision is key to this effort. The water is tested routinely to ensure high water quality and if bacteria levels spike, measures are taken immediately to isolate the source and to remediate. The ocean outfall, once connected, will not have a measurable effect on water quality or the enjoyment of residents and visitors, as the low levels of nutrients will dissipate upon discharge far from the beach.
McGuiness: I would continue to make sure we have innovative equipment and financial resources to protect our environment and precious beaches. I championed the 3-11 trash boardwalk crew, still in effect, served on the boardwalk committee and fought for state and national funding for our shoreline. I supported the smoking ban to decrease beach trash, and storm drain management for clean water. Vigilance is the key.
Meng: I think the current commissioners did a great thing this year by banning smoking on the beach (except in designated areas) which will go a long way in reducing litter from cigarette butts. I think most visitors are diligent about disposing of trash in its proper place. We won’t have to worry about pollution from our ocean outfall because our state of the art sewage treatment plant. The release from the outfall pipe is potable water so I believe there is no concern there. Other threats to our beaches at this time occur naturally, such as hurricanes and Nor’easters so a good relationship with DNREC and the Army Corps of Engineers is essential.
Myslewski: Preserving Rehoboth’s clean beaches has been raised as one of the main issues in this election campaign, but the City’s proposed effort for ocean outfall of wastewater has caused public consternation. This is the only issue that the City Commissioners will have to decide that potentially impacts Rehoboth Beach staying on the list of top five cleanest beaches. I will not commit to either the City’s ocean outfall proposal or the alternative land discharge of wastewater proposal until I have thoroughly studied both proposals and have solicited your opinion and preference through an internet-based survey. In other words, you get to vote not only on election-day, but also on every major issue that requires a Commissioner vote—my vote will always represent the majority of your votes.
Zellers: The city is doing something right to have made these rankings. We need to continue what we’re already doing, recognizing that there is always room for improvement.
Many factors affect water quality—stormwater run-off, boating waste, high numbers of beach-goers, heavy rainfall, and high temperatures. Water quality is most adversely affected by the stormwater that comes off our streets and the pollutants it carries down the storm drains and ultimately into our water bodies.
I support the development of a city-wide stormwater management plan so that aging infrastructure is replaced with updated technology. I also promote the creation of a policy outlining measures to reduce and filter stormwater run-off, such as installing silt fencing at construction sites, using permeable pavements where feasible and even establishing rain barrels and rain gardens at city facilities.
We also need to better educate our residents and visitors that clean beach water is everyone’s job and that simple things like picking up pet waste and keeping trash off the beach can help improve water quality.
What message do you have for the LGBT community in Rehoboth Beach?
Cooper: The LGBT community brings much to this City—economically, culturally, socially, politically and in many other ways. I see individuals for who they are, not as part of any stereotypical group. Based on their qualifications, I have appointed openly gay members to the city’s Planning Commission and supported the election of gay City Commissioners. Under my administration, the policies of the City have recognized all individuals as equals. For example, in cooperation with the LGBT community, we unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance and instituted sensitivity training for our police in order to better meet the community’s concerns. CAMP Rehoboth truly serves as “the heart of the community”, and is a welcome partner in all we do to make Rehoboth Beach a more positive place to live, work and visit.
McGlone: Recently I received a call from a local merchant who had my campaign cards on her counter. A customer who lives in Downtown RB proceeded to tell the manager that she was not going to vote for me because I am a “radical gay.” Although the LGBT community is part of the diversity of Rehoboth Beach, there is more work to do. Once elected, I plan to be part of this continuing process of integration and inclusion.
Markert: The LGBT community is an important and vital part of the fabric of the city, which belongs to all of us. Our city has had a long history of welcoming all visitors especially those in the LGBT community, and in return, the LGBT community has been involved in our neighborhoods, our business community, and in elected and appointed office. The people of Rehoboth Beach are the greatest resource we have. They make the city special, vital, exciting, interesting, and fun. Diversity is extremely important to me, and strengthens our community. We demonstrate this every day by those who are our visitors, our business operators, our government leaders and volunteers, residents and guests.
I am gratified by the strides the LGBT community has made locally, statewide, and nationally. Thanks to the hard work of the staff and many volunteers of CAMP Rehoboth, Rehoboth has long been ahead of the curve.
McGuiness: First, I thank the community for being an essential partner in making RB the beautiful, economically healthy and wonderfully diverse community it is today. Years ago, I worked with our first openly gay commissioner to draft a LGBT civil rights resolution—one of, if not the first in the state. I was a vocal supporter for Delaware’s anti-discrimination bills, civil unions, and now marriage equality. I am thrilled with the progress made. I also continue to support the City’s important sensitivity training program—a great collaboration between CAMP and both City and Park police. I’m always available to meet with people about any City issue, and specifically LGBT concerns. I’ve met many wonderful people over the years and attended many awesome GLBT events in my life here and I’m greatly enriched by those experiences. I know personally there’s “room for all” here and look forward to continuing to serve the LGBT constituency along with all residents, business owners, and visitors to Rehoboth.
Meng: My bar, now called DIVE is the biggest gay bar in Rehoboth and is Rehoboth’s only dance club. I have been serving the LGBT community for 17 years (longer than any other current bar owner) even though our Saturday dance is called “mandance” the L,B,T are always welcome. I think Rehoboth is richer because of the gay community and how well we all work together as part of the fabric of our town.
Myslewski: The LGBT community should know that I am a proud member of the community. We have all benefited from the achievements of Murray and Steve’s vision of Creating A More Positive Rehoboth. My former business, Vespa Rehoboth Beach, actively supported CAMP Rehoboth. As Commissioner, my pledge is to promote and preserve the CAMP Rehoboth vision, and promote inclusiveness and diversity whenever possible through the City government.
Zellers: My message remains the same as before—I want to be your commissioner—that means everyone. I continue to believe that Rehoboth’s greatest strength is its communities where people are united by their love for our town. The LGBT community is an integral part of Rehoboth as homeowners, business owners, volunteers, and elected officials. Without everyone’s commitment, Rehoboth would not be the success it is.
So I repeat what I’ve said my last two campaigns—THANK YOU! Let’s continue to work together to preserve and enhance this community we share.
What makes your vision for Rehoboth Beach unique?
Cooper: My vision for Rehoboth is unique because it is shaped from many years of working with many people and all segments of the City. The Rehoboth Beach of the future, for me, does not outwardly look much different than it does today. The Atlantic Ocean remains the centerpiece of the City and we have continued to prevent its commercialization. We have continued to improve other natural features such as the two lakes and the abundant trees that set Rehoboth apart from other ocean resorts. The City, just as the style of its homes, has an eclectic mix of businesses, but rejects the extremes. I feel that if we truly focus on the City we will find there is much more to unite us than divide us.
I look forward to continuing to serve our city, and ask for your continued support on August 9.
McGlone: My vision of Rehoboth Beach is unique in many ways. With 80% of our property owners not living in Rehoboth Beach fulltime, outreach and inclusion is vital. City government is accountable to its citizens, and I will make sure that they are plugged in to the running of our City. No longer will the City only meet its minimum legal responsibility regarding communication. When elected, we will exceed it. I will keep elected officials accountable to their constituents by implementing term limits for all elected officials. Additionally I will review the composition of City committees and offer opportunities for all of our citizens to volunteer their talents to our City.
As a business person with extensive Finance experience, I will halt the wasteful spending of $500,000 studying a new McMansion City Hall.
I will charge the effort for a reevaluation of this plan which provides the Police department with the resources that they need along with increasing the parking inventory in our City.
Lastly, I will support an extensive review of our City’s sidewalks for pedestrian safety with feedback from our community.
Markert: Though I am often described as an affable guy, I am a serious candidate. I live in the city of Rehoboth and I have no hidden agenda or career that serves other interests. My desire is to get the hard work of the planning commission and the recommendations that are the product of thoughtful deliberation and citizen input before the mayor and city commissioners. Because of my experience, I am uniquely suited to do that. I want to use the skills I have acquired to help the city commission prepare strategically for our future. With the advent of modern technology, the city has the capacity to be in close contact with its citizens. The CodeRED and E-news systems adopted by the city are important first steps, and communication can be expanded through social media platforms, especially for those who wish to participate but cannot be present for city meetings throughout the year. We need to be connected and to have a dialogue from which to build a better informed and active community.
A common phrase is, ”in a perfect world…” I believe Rehoboth is a special place where that is not some unattainable abstract ideal. We have a beautiful locale, and diverse, intelligent, gregarious, and compassionate citizens. We are fortunate to have the financial resources to live comfortably, and we do not have endemic urban problems. How can we attain a “perfect world” for all our citizens and visitors? The answer is to turn “me” into “we.” The conditions are ideal, and with the focused work of our leaders and the determination and collective talent of this community, it can be done. That is my vision, and that is why I ask for your vote on August 9 for Markert as your commissioner.
McGuiness: Well, to be honest, it’s not the vision that’s unique—we all want wonderful things for our city. But it’s my ability, well-documented, to get things done that makes me deserve your vote. It’s the reason I’ve been top election vote getter four times before. I get things done. As for the vision, I see vibrant green space, healthy trees, upgraded parks, clean water, effective traffic management, perhaps streetscape revitalization for more commercial streets and to continue our reputation as a welcoming and safe town. Our wastewater situation is at the top of our “must” list to improve the health of our bays. But mostly, my vision and my ability to get results may really lie with my determination to see that Rehoboth provides the efficient services—maintenance, clean water, policing, trash pick-up, communication, low taxes, and other critical services that make this a great hometown as well as a thriving resort. It’s all about balance and getting things done. I want to rejoin the commissioners and get to work for the City. I’m not afraid to pick up the phone, email/text to make a case for what citizens need and push to get it done. Our diverse community has a bright future. I would be honored to represent and work hard for the people who live and work here to make this an even greater and more livable community. Put me back to work for you!
Meng: I think Rehoboth Beach has been run great. I don’t have a long list of changes or any radical agenda items because I don’t believe we have major problems. Rehoboth is not a major urban center, There are five other commissioners who have an equal say as well so a platform for major change would only result in being an angry outlier. I do believe I can offer insightful and pragmatic ideas for the decisions that do need to be made.
Thank You! And I hope I can count on your vote
Myslewski: I want to ensure that the small town character of Rehoboth Beach is maintained. The cottage environment of the City is quickly vanishing, so we must find ways to save the City’s history while planning for the next generation. I intend to bring my professional expertise to reforming the City’s Human Resource policies and employee compensation and benefits to state-of-art for municipal governments, and in the process save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, money that can be used for infrastructure and service improvements; and I intend to instill transparent, open, and honest municipal communications by streaming monthly Commissioner workshops and meetings via Internet for residents and property owners traveling or out of town, and I will ensure that my Commissioner votes are fact-based on evidence, and supported by your vote in every Commission vote through free, custom-designed Internet-based surveys. Letters readers, know that I will continuously listen to you, work for you, and prepare the City for the next generation. In anticipation of the August 9 election, I ask for your support and your vote, and welcome your comments and questions.
Zellers: My vision stems from what Rehoboth is now—a charming, beautiful small town that works.
I see a city that will be the same green city that we are now, but with better technology and up-graded services, a city that is more responsive to its citizens and businesses. I see a city that has remained financially solvent, that has implemented capital projects its citizens need and want and yet still has acceptable debt.
My vision would preserve what is already outlined in the Comprehensive Development Plan—what our citizens told us they wanted Rehoboth to be.