Prettyman wins Cape school board race

Noble Prettyman retained his seat on Cape Henlopen school board for another five years after beating Alisha Broughton by 52 votes May 14.

The total voter turnout was less than a third of last year's turnout; last year's loser alone tallied more votes than this year's combined total.

Voters re-elected Prettyman with 311 votes compared to 259 for Broughton.

"I'm really disappointed in the Cape Henlopen community," Prettyman said, after hearing the return numbers at Cape Henlopen High School. "For them to not come out and vote it sends a message to me that there's a problem in Cape."

The vote breakdown at the three voting sites were as follows: At Cape Henlopen High School 132 for Prettyman, 125 for Broughton; at Rehoboth Elementary School, 43 for Prettyman and 65 for Broughton; and at Mariner Middle School, 135 for Prettyman and 65 for Broughton. Broughton also received four absentee votes.

Broughton said she plans to run again in the future.

"Congratulations to Mr. Prettyman. A great gentleman, I wish him much success," she said.

Although disappointed by the low turnout, Prettyman said he thanks the residents who did go to the polls and caste their votes. He also thanked his competitor.

"I'd like to thank Alisha Broughton for running against me and wish her luck in the future," he said.

This election was the first in 10 years in which there were no forums or debates held by community groups, Prettyman said.

"To think what's going to happen in the next five years, you'd think they would've come out in masses," he said. "They've sent a message that they really don't care."

Looking forward to the next five years, however, Prettyman said, he encourages the Cape community to let him know how he can help improve participation.