LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Forum |
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 Commissioner Paul Kuhns. In the Commisssioner's race, incumbents Dennis Barbour and Ron Paterson, and challenger Lorraine Zellers are seeking to fill two positions. All five candidates responded to our three questions.
Introduce yourself to the readers of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and talk briefly about why they should vote for you in the August election. Cooper | I am a life-long resident of Rehoboth Beach and have been Mayor for 18 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 8 years before being elected Mayor, and have been a member of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Co. for 35 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 this 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. Kuhns | I am a full time resident of South Rehoboth. My wife and I have lived in Rehoboth since April of 2005. Prior to that time, I spent 25 years in New York City as an Investment Banker with Merrill Lynch. My field was Municipal Finance. I have a B.S. in Accounting from Georgetown University and a M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia University. I am a partner in two very successful local restaurants, Arena's Deli and the Summerhouse. I am a board member with the Rehoboth Historical Society and The Rehoboth Film Society. In 2006 I was elected a City Commissioner. I am running for Mayor because I believe that I can make a difference, especially after serving two years as a Commissioner. My education and work experience will be of significant importance as the City focuses on much needed Long-Term Planning. We have a number of substantial capital expenditures in front of us that need to be carefully planned and financed. I have the time, energy and willingness to devote to our community. Rehoboth needs some new perspective. Rehoboth needs a strong leader, one who is willing to work with ALL of the Commissioners to arrive at the most effective solutions for the entire community. I will provide the much needed jumpstart that will move Rehoboth forward into the 21st century. Barbour | I'm just ending my first three year term as a "non-resident" (part-time resident) Rehoboth Beach City Commissioner. I spend more of my time in Washington DC, where I'm the CEO of an international physicians' organization, but I continue to live part-time in Rehoboth where I've owned my home since 1992. Up to three City Commissioners can be part-time residents, although I'm currently the only true non-resident Commissioner (the other non-resident actually lives in Henlopen Acres and merely owns property in Rehoboth). I was elected in 2005 by the largest number of votes cast then or since in a contested city election because I ran on a platform to protect the "small-town" character of our charming and diverse city. Paterson | I am a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and I am seeking my second term as a City Commissioner. As a City property owner for over thirty years and a full time resident for over eleven years, I have been extremely active in the affairs of my "adopted" City. Prior to my election as Commissioner, I served on the City's Planning Commission for seven yearsthe last two of those years as Chair of that group. As a Commissioner for the last three years I currently serve as Chair of the Parking Advisory Committee and the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee. I am also a member of the Personnel Committee and the Budget Committee as well as representing the City on the Cape Henlopen Senior Center Board of Directors. In non-governmental matters, I hold membership in the Rehoboth Beach Home Owners' Association, the Historical Society, Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club and the Save Our Lakes Alliance-3. It has been said that if you want a job done, find a busy person to do it. I believe I fulfill that criterion as you make a decision as to who can best serve you as a City Commissioner. Zellers | I am Lorraine Zellersthe new face on the block. I was born and raised in Baltimore where we still have our home. I have been married for 39 years and have one son. My working career has been in the medical field. I've been coming to Rehoboth with my family for 34 years. Ten years ago we found and bought our fixer-upper in Country Club Estates. I am a part-time resident who comes every weekend, a concerned citizen and a registered voter for 8 years. I want to be your city commissioner because: I love this town and those things that make it different and I want to help make decisions that will bring Rehoboth into the future, but still preserve its roots. I want Rehoboth to remain financially sound. Initiatives are being considered that could cost the taxpayers a great deal of money. I want to help set priorities for these initiatives to ensure that the city is not overburdened by debt. I want citizens to know that decisions are being made for the right reasons especially since we'll be spending so much of your money. To build credibility and get citizen buy-in, I support full disclosure for all elected officials. I want to ensure that the voices of part time residents continue to be heard no matter how far from the city they live. I am concerned about discussions to limit participation on committees to those living within a 50 mile radius of the city. Part time residents make up 60 percent of our voters and bring talent and ideas that should not be ignored. What is the single most important issue in this election and how will you address it? Cooper | I believe that the single most important issue in this election centers around making informed decisions that are sensitive to and build on the positives. The Rehoboth Beach of today did not just happen. Many courageous people over a long period of time have made difficult but important decisions about the future of this City. We need to fully appreciate what makes Rehoboth so special and make decisions for our future that maintain these essential qualities. Special care must be taken to ensure the continued viability of both our residential neighborhoods and our commercial business district. The residential neighborhoods are the definition of Rehoboth Beach, but without vigilance and the will to make the tough choices we could lose this essential character. At the same time, we must continue to maintain and improve our commercial areas and beach to keep our businesses competitive. Kuhns | I believe the single most important issue in this coming election is the manner which our government presently runs. Rehoboth Beach is supposed to be run as a Council-Manager form of government. Unfortunately, our City has been run as a Mayor-Council government. Our Mayor for many years has assumed too much control over the operations of our City. We must move back to the type of government that is best for our community. Council-Manager government combines strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong professional managerial experience of an appointed manager. The elected Council represents their community and develops a long-range vision for its future. This body appoints a highly trained professional manager to implement that vision. Political power rests with the entire Council, not a single Commissioner. The Mayor and Council share legislative functions. Day to day operations of the community resides with the City Manager not the Mayor. The Manager carries out the policies established by the governing body with an emphasis on EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT and EQUITABLE service delivery. The Mayor is one of seven Commissioners. He has very few extra powers as related in our Charter. As Mayor, I will insist that the seven Commissioners work together as equals with no animosity. Barbour | The single most important issue in this election continues to be the preservation of Rehoboth's small town character and diversity. The outcome of this election will determine whether we sustain the progress we have made in curtailing over-development that had spawned townhouse canyons, McMansions and clear-cutting of treed lots, or whether the real estate developers will regain the upper hand in our residential and commercial districts. We can't let the clock be turned back. Paterson | The single most important issue currently facing the City is how to deal with and, perhaps most importantly, how to pay for several "absolutely-must-do" projects and improvements. At the top of that list is how to comply with a court order that prohibits the City from pumping any wastewater from our sewage plant into the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. In a court order signed by the City, this must be accomplished by December, 2014. Additionally, it was recently determined by engineering studies that our world-renowned Boardwalk must be replaced very soon. Add to the list a new Public Safety facility to house our Police Department and 911-Center. The current facility is woefully inadequate. These three items are not optional and must be done in the near futureand they are all very expensive. Other possible City improvements that do not have the same urgency, but still need to be looked at, are the adequacy and use of the Convention Center as well as how to deal with the ever increasing issues caused by more traffic and a lack of parking. Those items, if the City and citizens agree to do something about them, also will require major expenditures. The challenge for City residents is to take on these projects and at the same time have a plan to pay for them. What is needed is an experienced, dedicated Commissioner who will be willing to put in the time, listen to residents, and make the best decisions possible. I would like to think I am capable, with your help, of doing that. Zellers | Change is inevitable and important for growth. I think the greatest challenge for Rehoboth will be making the decisions necessary for the future while preserving the character and quality of life that make it unique. Solutions to problems such as wastewater management, boardwalk restoration and upgrades to city services will be costly, and the way the city proceeds with them will impact the kind of city we become in terms of debt and quality of life. As City Commissioner, I will bring a fresh perspective and cooperative spirit to the city commission. Having no agenda other than what is best for the city, I will work for consensus and a common sense approach to handling the problems that face us, by setting priorities to complete the critical projects first, and then do others as the city can afford them. What message do you have for the gay and lesbian community here in Rehoboth Beach? Cooper | The gay and lesbian community brings much to this Cityeconomically, 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 gay and lesbian 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. Kuhns | As Mayor I will represent ALL of Rehoboth. Although my opponent makes that statement, I believe the members of our community know differently. I love this community and I really appreciate the diversity that has developed throughout our community over the past 100 years. However, the strides that have been made over the last 20 years are even more remarkable. I believe that much of that has been due to the development of cultural awareness that comes from such an eclectic community. We all continue to grow and learn from each other. That is what I know community to be all about. As Mayor I look forward to being an Ambassador of the community to ALL of the community. I don't plan to manage the City; I plan to embrace the City. That includes ALL of the people of our community. Barbour | Commissioners Kuhns and Paterson are backed by the real estate developersindeed, Commissioner Kuhns is a developer. Both have attempted to weaken our popular zoning and tree ordinances in the past year, characterizing our zoning amendments to encourage smaller houses as "offensive" and "a travesty." Both have voted to move ahead on consideration of a greatly-enlarged convention center to compete with Ocean City, a multi-level parking garage next to City Hall, and a new four-story government offices buildingthe key components of an ongoing study for which the City has paid almost $100,000 in consulting fees. Along with Mayor Cooper and Commissioner Coluzzi, I have tried unsuccessfully to stop this wasteful study and the over-development it would bring to the City Hall area changes that would forever destroy the charm of our small town. Paterson | I believe the key word in this question is the word "community." A check of the dictionary finds the word defined as "a unified body of individuals with common interests living in a particular area." What an apt description of Rehoboth Beach. The diversity in the City has produced strength, not division, as indeed we deal with common interests that make our City so great. All elements of the City benefit socially, economically, culturally, and in many other ways primarily due to the fact that we are not all alike, but at the same time willing to work together. It would be hard to imagine the Rehoboth Beach we all know and love as existing any other way. With the superb leadership shown by CAMP Rehoboth, I anxiously look forward to an even better "community' spirit in the future. I know that I, as an elected official, will always fight for the full acceptance of every resident, business owner, and visitor. Zellers | My message is the same for all residents of RehobothI want to be your city commissionerthat means for all of Rehoboth. Rehoboth's character is many thingsthe beach, the communities, green spaces and lakes, businesses and restaurants. Our communities are one of our greatest assets and part of what makes us unique. The gay and lesbian community is an integral part of Rehoboth and makes significant contributions to the larger community of Rehobothas homeowners, business people, volunteers, and as officials in public service. As a result our businesses have more vitality and creativity, our neighborhoods and public parks, lakes and green spaces are better cared for and the town simply has more "punch" and appeal. Without the commitment and involvement of all of its citizens, Rehoboth would not be the success that it is. So my message is simpleTHANKS and let's all keep working together to sustain and enhance the community that we share. We are very excited about the expansion of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center and what it will mean for the future of CAMP Rehoboth and the City as a whole. Talk a little about what your vision for the future of Rehoboth Beach looks like. Cooper | 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 improved 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. If they are willing to contribute, Rehoboth welcomes anyone and no one feels out of place. 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. Kuhns | My vision for the future of Rehoboth is to see that it remains a vibrant, livable community, made up of safe, peaceful, distinctly different neighborhoods. I see a vibrant commercial district that embraces the residents and visitors alike. I see property owners and business owner sitting down and hashing out suggestions to help the City develop ideas for the future in order to help all stakeholders prosper. We need to embrace flexible growth, progressive ideas and extraordinary solutions. Our community has so many resources that we all can tap in order to help. We all need to work together to make sure this community continues to be what we all, together, feel it can be. Our future is limitless as long as we share it. Barbour | I am proud to be one of two openly gay Rehoboth Beach City Commissioners. Both of us were sought out by Mayor Cooper and encouraged by him to run for office. He not only campaigned for us but has worked closely with us. Mayor Cooper has also appointed several openly gay citizens to city committees and commissions, and CAMP's 'diversity training' program for police was begun under Mayor Cooper. My message for our community is that we need to continue to foster active involvement of the gay community in City programs and on City committeessomething that is threatened by Commissioner Kuhns's proposal to prohibit service on City committees by part-time residents who live more than 50 miles from Rehoboth. Mayor Cooper, Commissioner Coluzzi, and I have worked together to defeat this and other harmful actions by other City Commissioners, such as Commissioner Mills' recent apparent effort to make the already-stringent noise ordinance for businesses even much more onerous and arbitrary. For example, the Mills proposal could put businesses like Aqua out of business. Paterson | Obviously, the successful future of the City and that of CAMP Rehoboth cannot be separated. The decision to create the Community Center was an exciting, and very brave move on the part of the organization. I know it will result in an enhanced atmosphere for Baltimore Avenue and surrounding areas. Putting my beliefs to work, I am a member of the Founders' Circle. I also actively supported CAMP Rehoboth's efforts before the Board of Adjustment by writing letters and attending both variance hearings that, fortunately, turned out successfully. As our City grows better and improves, I know CAMP Rehoboth will be a major participant in that progress. I hope you will vote to continue my efforts to represent all of you. It makes me very proud to do so. Zellers | CAMP Rehoboth is another example of a wonderful "community within a community" and will no doubt add to its contributions to Rehoboth both as an institution and by its public projects. I see a city that will still be the same attractive, green town that we are now, but with better technology and up-graded city services, that is more user-friendly for its citizens and businesses. I see a city that has remained financially solventthat has implemented the capital projects needed and wanted by its citizens yet still has acceptable debt. I see a vibrant downtown that has less cars and is more friendly to pedestrians, bicycles and small local vehicles. My vision for the future stems from what Rehoboth Beach is right nowa charming and beautiful small town that works. My vision would preserve and enhance that character and retain the common sense, can-do approach we have always relied on. For voting information, call 302-227-6181. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 10 July 25, 2008 |