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Sussex P&Z appointment gets hung up

Council delays vote on Bob Wheatley nomination
June 14, 2016

Will the longest appointed member of Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission be reappointed?

Chairman Bob Wheatley of Laurel has served on the commission since 1995; his term expires this month.

At the June 7 meeting, Council President Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, nominated Wheatley for an eighth, three-year term, but did not get a second on his motion. Instead, Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View, made a motion to defer on a vote, which was seconded by Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford.

The action seemed to catch Councilwoman Joan Deaver, D-Rehoboth Beach, off guard and she sought a clarification from Arlett and Cole.
 
“Is your issue the state law and more than one person in a district? Because we do not have one for one, is that the issue you are concerned with?” she asked.
 
“Yes,” Arlett answered.
 
Wheatley and Commissioner Marty Ross both live in the boundaries of Councilmanic District 5. There is no commissioner serving from District 1, which is the district Vincent represents.
 
Prior to the action, County Administrator Todd Lawson told council that state law allows two commissioners to be appointed in the same councilmanic district.
 
Council President Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, said Wheatley’s experience is needed for two specific reasons. He said the commission has a new member in Douglas Hudson and could have another new appointee if current Commissioner I.G. Burton of Lewes is successful in his run for the Sussex County Council District 3 seat.
 
“To change three people at this time would not be a good move for us especially with the comprehensive plan process in place,” he said.
 
Unless the agenda is changed, the matter has not been placed on council’s Tuesday, June 14 agenda.

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