Rehoboth Beach voters have an important choice to make Aug. 12. No matter who wins the mayoral race, there will be at least one new city commissioner at the end of the day. My choice for one of the two commissioner positions on the ballot - and I think it should be yours also - is Susan Gay.
Many Rehoboth voters already know Susan from her tireless work as a member of the boards of the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners' Association, the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum, Rehoboth Neighbors United, the Save Our Lakes Alliance and the Country Club Estates Homeowners' Association. Susan also serves as co-chair of Mayor's Advisory Committee on Trees, which focuses on preserving and expanding the city's trees, especially its high tree canopy.
Now it's time for Susan to bring all this experience to the city's board of commissioners, a role for which she is uniquely qualified. Susan is not only whip-smart when it comes to understanding the complex fiscal and operational issues currently facing the city, but also she has the professional background in finance and management to develop and implement strategies for addressing those issues.
In this regard, Susan recognizes the importance of planning well and spending wisely, including developing a long-range capital improvement plan, investing in infrastructure, instituting stronger budgetary controls, and seeking new revenue opportunities. Her environmental priorities for the city involve protecting its lakes, assuring its water quality, improving its stormwater management, and working with DNREC as a citizen stakeholder regarding ocean outfall issues.
Well known as someone who consistently does her homework, Susan takes positions only after thoroughly developing all the relevant facts and listening to all points of view. These leadership qualities as well as her congenial and consensus-oriented personality will enable her to work constructively with her colleagues on the commission regardless of who wins the other races on the ballot this year.
I am a city voter who has been a property owner in Rehoboth for nearly 25 years, a renter for 10 years before that, and a full-time resident since I retired five years ago. I believe that Susan Gay has all the qualifications necessary to move the city forward by protecting the quality of life in its residential neighborhoods, enhancing the economic vitality of its downtown business area, and preserving its traditional charm as a small-scale seaside resort attracting visitors from near and far.
Julie Davis
Rehoboth Beach
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