Time goes by all too quickly. Just two years ago I had the privilege of being elected to serve you on our city council, and now it is time for another election. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve on council.
I have had the advantage of being able to work with the best mayor in the State of Delaware and outstanding, dedicated council members, and I hope that I will have the opportunity to work with my fellow council members for another two years.
People often ask: “How have you liked being on council?” and I quickly respond that it has been enjoyable - a lot of work and time commitment, but I have enjoyed serving. Hence, I am seeking re-election and asking for your vote May 11.
Over the past two years the council has addressed a number of important issues in which I have participated; for example, the paving of Bay Avenue, keeping the new library in Lewes, and development of a franchise agreement with Chesapeake Utilities to bring natural gas to Lewes. I have served as secretary of the council and as a member of the finance committee.
In addition, I’ve represented the Council as ex-officio member of the commercial architectural review commission and the parks and recreation commission. Having said this it is important to note that the individuals on council work together, as one, in the formulation of a decision.
Most recently, I proposed the establishment of a new traffic safety management advisory committee, which was approved by the council and I chair. While this committee is new it has begun its work, addressing several issues: improving the intersection of Kings Highway and East Third Street, parking along Franklin Street between the driveway into the BPW parking lots and Kings Highway, management of the public parking lot on West Third Street, and the issue of vehicular speed on our streets.
There is still much to be done and, without question, new issues will be raised in the future. One of the more important, if not the most important issue, that the council must pass on is the budget. I believe very strongly that the council must manage the city’s finances carefully and that we exhaust all options before considering any increase in taxes; this means that we will be restrained in accepting new projects or obligations.
With the council having been able to acquire the land for the new library, making it possible for the library to move forward with its plans to build a new facility, council will soon be confronted with having to decide what to do with the current library building. I strongly believe that, if all possible, it should be used for the benefit of our citizens; after all it is a public building. Another issue that will be coming before the council is the utilization of the land between the college and New Road which the city leases from the state.
The lease agreement requires that the land be used for recreational activities. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that the city can take on the burden of developing the land for recreational use; we simply cannot afford another park. We have to be creative in finding ways to utilize the land to best benefit the public. The Lewes City Council must limit its involvement in property management.
With your support, I look forward to serving our community for another two years. As I said two years ago, I make only one pledge to you and that is to study each issue that comes before the council carefully, ask questions, listen to what you have to say, and make my decision based on what I believe to be in the best interest of Lewes and its future. And in doing this I would always be cognizant of the need for fiscal responsibility.
Fred Beaufait
Lewes councilman
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