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Newcomer to take seat on Lewes BPW in May

Levenson to replace Richmann, who did not seek reelection
April 15, 2014

There will be no election for the Lewes Board of Public Works, but that doesn't mean there will be no changes.

BPW Vice President James Richmann did not file to run for another term, handing his seat over to newcomer Nancy R. Levenson. President C. Wendell Alfred and Treasurer Jack Lesher, also up for election this year, will retain their seats for two years. The three members will be sworn in at the May meeting.

Levenson, a recently retired lawyer and lobbyist, said she finally has enough time to give back to the community.

“I have not had the opportunity to do any public service or community service, so this is one of the first things I wanted to do,” she said.

Levenson has been a weekend resident of Lewes since 1996. She discovered the city after spending a few years renting in Rehoboth Beach.

“One summer I had an opportunity to rent a cottage on Rodney Avenue,” she said. “I fell in love with the place, and that was the end of that.”

She has moved around the city a few times since and now lives on Savannah Road.

During her time in Washington, D.C., she worked with companies associated with natural gas, wind turbines, cogeneration and other utilities. That knowledge prepared her with a solid background to serve on the BPW, she said. She is specifically interested in improving natural gas access in Lewes.

“I really want to look into it more and see what makes best sense for everybody and what's in the public's interest,” she said.

She is confident her background as a lawyer and lobbyist will complement her colleagues on the board. Alfred is retired from a career in insurance loss control and safety management, Pres Lee is a professional engineer, Lesher is a certified public accountant and Tom Owen owned his own insurance agency for more than 30 years.

“We have a commitment, and we all deeply care about Lewes,” Levenson said. “I hope we will work well together.”

She has already had conversations with Alfred in preparation of taking her seat on the board in May. She is eager to get to work, she said.

“Like anything, I've got to take things slow and learn from my colleagues and peers,” she said.

For more information about the Lewes BPW, go to lewesbpw.delaware.gov or call 302-645-6228.

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