LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP forum: A Conversation with the Candidates |
On Saturday, August 11, voters in Rehoboth Beach will go to the polls to elect two of the three candidates running for the Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners. All three candidates incumbents Rich Sargent and Patty Shreeve, and challenger Mark Aguirreresponded to a series of questions from CAMP Rehoboth. Their responses follow: What is your vision for Rehoboth Beach? Mark I envision a city where all residents know that the city's leadership is working for them. This can be accomplished when Rehoboth's elected leaders work hard to build consensus and encourage open communication. No one individual should believe that they are able to drive public policy alone. To do this we need open lines of communication where people's involvement is encouraged and treated with respect. It's important to determine when others are mistakenly putting narrow self-interests before broader community concerns. Working together is the best way to find the right responses for the challenges before us. Richard Rehoboth Beach is unique as a resort town. We have an active commercial center and boardwalk surrounded by distinctly residential neighborhoods. I have always tried to preserve the unique nature of our City, and I will continue to do so if re-elected. Downtown revitalization is the most important project the City has undertaken in many years. The plan calls for widening the sidewalks, planting shade trees, and providing traffic calming elements to slow down vehicles. All of these will lead to a more pedestrian friendly downtown that will have a tremendously positive impact on our downtown businesses. Unlike many resort communities, our residential areas consist of homes in neighborhoods, rather than high-rise structures. With community involvement, we will address issues such as natural area, building size, and the impact of commercial areas on residential neighborhoods. We must identify ways of preserving the character of our neighborhoods without unreasonable restrictions on property owners who want to improve their homes. Patti My vision of what Rehoboth Beach should be into the future closely mirrors our comprehensive long range plan. As one of the many participants who helped craft it, I believe that it defines what our city is and our fervent wish to preserve the best aspects of its charm and ambiance into the future. To quote the four main aspects of our vision: "1. Rehoboth Beach's careful use and preservation of its oceanfront is at the heart of its social and economic vitality. 2. Rehoboth Beach is a year-round full-service community with seasonal tourism as its major industry. It maintains a large town infrastructure to serve all of its communitiesresidential, business, tourist, natural and regional. 3. Rehoboth Beach's residential areas are reminiscent of a 'slower' era and reflect small town neighborliness. 4. Rehoboth Beach's downtown is a balanced mix of year-round and seasonal businesses with a distinctive pedestrian character." What is your solution for creating positive growth while preserving the traditional elements that give Rehoboth Beach its charm? Mark Our work needs to be focused on neighborhood preservation, downtown revitalization, and reducing traffic congestion. We need to renegotiate a moderate solution to the residential building code that protects the character of our neighborhoods and allows the flexibility that some need to update their homes. The streetscape plan should balance functional and aesthetic needs to preserve our unique downtown with as few extreme changes as possible. We must follow through with the city's Long Range Plan for downtown revitalization and complete a study to determine if an intra-city shuttle bus would alleviate traffic and parking problems. Richard The single factor most responsible for the charm of Rehoboth Beach is our neighborhoods. This past winter, the Commissioners changed the minimum lot size required to build townhouses in the R2 zoning district. There is no longer a financial incentive to demolish two houses and replace them with three townhouses. We need to continue to identify changes in the zoning code that allow homeowners to improve their property, but prevent drastic changes to our neighborhoods. Patti As a long time proponent of Main Street and downtown revitalization, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity presented to us in the next few years. In fact, that is my main reason for seeking reelection. With the chance to remove unsightly wires from our streetscape, and to enhance our tree-lined residential scale commercial district with emphasis on pedestrian and bike traffic, we can pull together all the positive features of our downtown. Merchants are already improving their facades and signs, and with the infrastructure improvements, featuring our traditional white benches, Rehoboth Avenue will highlight our charming traditional commercial district. Are you familiar with the plans for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center? In what ways could you envision the Community Center working with the City of Rehoboth to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors? Mark I am familiar with, and support, the plans for the Center. It will be an asset to Rehoboth. The leaders and volunteers of CAMP have a proven track record of community building. They work hard and know how to plan and execute successful programs. I look forward to CAMP Rehoboth continuing its role in providing volunteers from the gay community to help other organizations. In the past they've volunteered for the Public Library, the Community Dinner, and the High School Senior Prom. I can think of no better way than working TOGETHER to improve the quality of life for everyone! Richard Rehoboth Beach has so many people doing so many different things, that there is always room for more meeting and activity space. I am confident the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center will be one more bridge between different segments of our shared community. Patti My husband and I were happy to make a donation toward the effort of opening a CAMP Rehoboth Community Center at the kick-off party, so we are somewhat familiar with this project. While I do not pretend to know all that this facility is intended for, I know that there is a real need for additional meeting places in the city. The convention center is well utilized and cannot meet every organization's needs. As I understand it, this facility will also house the offices of CAMP Rehoboth, which I know sorely needs more space. As charter members of CAMP Rehoboth, Tom and I wholeheartedly support this effort. The gay and lesbian residents and visitors to Rehoboth Beach have become a strong and visible presence in Rehoboth over the years. In what areas do you see the need for more cooperation and dialogue between the straight and the gay communities? Mark The residents of Rehoboth should be proud of themselves in this area already. I attended a meeting with representatives from the Governor's office and gays and lesbians from throughout Delaware. A number of the attendees considered Rehoboth Beach to be an oasis of tolerance. Early 2000 census results indicate that gay and lesbian households have increased by over 700 percent in our state. This is one of the highest increases in the entire country. The most important area for more cooperation and dialogue is how we can help others to understand how diversity and acceptance can strengthen communities throughout Delaware. Richard In 1985, when my family first purchased a home in Rehoboth, relationships between the gay and straight community were strained at best. As time has progressed, relationships have improved due to the efforts of individuals, both gay and straight, to reach out to each other. Since I was elected to the Board of Commissioners six years ago, I have worked hard to make sure the City treats everyone fairlywithout regard to sexual orientation. We need to continue to reach out to each other, and to remember that whatever our sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or gender, we are all members of the Rehoboth community. Patti There is a campaign for acceptance of diversity that states "You know us already." This is true, people are people, and there is constant need for cooperation and dialogue between the straight and gay communities. I have always supported CAMP (Create A More Positive) Rehoboth because I think the lines are and should be blurred, Rehoboth Beach should be its best for everyone. These are not two separate communities in my life or perception. My wish is that everyone who wants to, will find a way to be part of this city and enjoy the pace and pleasure of life here. What single issue would you like to emphasize to the readers of Letters From CAMP Rehoboth? Mark This past year many people stepped forward to share their ideas and shape Rehoboth Beach public policy. My voter registration drive increased the number of voters for the first time in ten years. This interest translates into an opportunity to bring more people and new ideas together to address the challenges Rehoboth faces. I can't impress enough on all citizens how important it is to get involved. Register to vote, volunteer to serve on city commissions, and support our nonprofit organizations. Every investment of your time and resources will help to build an even more successful community. Richard To be successful as a community we have to work together. I have always been willing to listen to problems and concerns and to address those problems. For the past six years I have worked hard to be an advocate for the people of Rehoboth. I hope to continue as a Commissioner and I hope you will vote for me on August 11. Patti I would like your readers to know that I am a concerned resident, dedicated to this city and all of its citizens. As such, I've worked for eight years, as a committee member on the Comprehensive Long Range Plan, as a planning commissioner and a city commissioner, to further our shared vision. I've learned a good deal in my first term as commissioner and would like to put my experience to work in seeing through the next stages of downtown revitalization. I will have one more Sunday Social Meet and Greet on Aug. 5 at Cloud 9 from 4-6 p.m. Please come and express your viewpoint, I welcome it. A Candidate Forum, moderated by editors from the Cape Gazette, Delaware Coast Press, and Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, will be held Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Rehoboth Beach Public Library, 226 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 10, July 27, 2001. |