As we have seen from a national perspective, political transitions can be riddled with conflict. Change is sometimes difficult to accept. But changes in power and transitions that accompany them can also be very smooth and seamless. That was the case in Dewey Beach recently.
Ever since I got involved in Dewey Beach politics and committees, Diane Hanson has been the mayor. She originally reached out to me several years ago - as she did to many people in Dewey Beach - and convinced me I should be active with the town's committees. After questioning me about my background, she recommended that I join the Marketing Committee, which I did. I also got involved with the politics of the town.
I am absolutely amazed that Diane persevered through a very tough time in Dewey Beach. Her goal and the goal of a number of different people active in the town was to make Dewey Beach a family town. No easy task. I remember when we bought our condo in Rainbow Cove in Dewey Beach in the 1990s. We came down to the beach as much as we could, mostly weekends and holidays.
At that time during the summer there was so much foot traffic on our street it took me forever to get from one side of the street to the other when I walked my dogs. There were numerous parties throughout the complex. We had people who knocked on our door because they were confused about which condo was theirs for that week or weekend. I tried not to venture out very much other than to walk my dogs, and I tried to pick odd times to do even that. At one point I stopped coming down to Dewey during the summer.
Diane's role as mayor was more than full time. Plus she had a lot of enemies. She was trying to get the town under control, and there were people who did not want that to happen. The town was divided into different factions - similar to the way Democrats and Republicans are today in Congress. Diane faced such challenges as finding a dead animal in her front yard and having her picture put in places that were obscene. I have worked in corporations and on Capitol Hill, and I have never seen anyone with more perseverance than Diane. We didn't always agree, but we always respected each other.
The difference between Dewey even four years ago and now is absolutely amazing. It is not to say that the town is in perfect shape. But there are so many positive things happening that weren't so in the past. I now view Dewey Beach as a family-oriented (and dog-oriented) town. The town has undergone many changes and they are positive. So I am writing this to first say that the change to a new mayor has been seamless, which is a tribute to Diane. I want to also openly thank her for her sacrifices, her vision and her leadership.
Amy Levy
Rehoboth Beach
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
