Last week Mayor Cooper, 24 years in office, filed to run for yet another term as Mayor of Rehoboth Beach. As the mayor filed, he stated that his “primary reason for running again was to see through the city’s proposed ocean outfall project, which has been in the works for a decade.”
As a voter, one has got to ask themselves what else does Mayor Cooper plan to accomplish for our great city over yet another three years? Is there a plan?
As I run for mayor, many in-town constituents ask the question should we be dumping waste water into our award winning ocean? Rehoboth Beach is heavily dependent on the tourist industry for our economy. Guests to our town eat in our restaurants, shop in our businesses and contribute a large part of our city’s budget through parking fees.
The perception of our guests swimming in wastewater could certainly affect our local economy, not to mention our sea life. Ten years has elapsed since the original outfall project began. Ten years ago we did not experience the violent weather that is upon us today. Each summer we are plagued with potential droughts. Does it make sense to take this wastewater and discharge it into the ocean as we drain our aquifers?
I would like to re-evaluate the outfall project. Don’t you think after 10 years that we should? Lots of things have changed in 10 years including the cost of the project. This should not be full engines ahead just because this project has drug on for 10 years. We need to be smart about this.
Lastly, I have requested an update on the costs for this ocean outfall project? Is it $30 million, or is it now $60 million. Does the State of Delaware have the money in their struggling budget to help Rehoboth pay for this costly project or will Rehoboth have to pay its own way? We need answers!
As I run for Mayor in the Aug. 9 election, I have a plan of things I want to get accomplished in my first three-year term:
• Institute term limits for the position of mayor and commissioners of Rehoboth Beach.
• Halt $500,000 in spending to study a new City Hall. Re-evaluate the City Hall project with citizen input. Should we spend $15 million in tax dollars for a new City Hall which is completely overhead to the city? Does it pay for itself, Mayor Cooper?
• Protect pedestrians by installing and repairing sidewalks city-wide. This would be a Street & Transportation Committee project.
• Common sense/consistent government applied to all aspects of the city.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but represents feedback from our community. We can no longer govern on past accomplishments. Our citizens deserve better. We need a vision for Rehoboth Beach. I will work with our commissioners to develop one!
Thomas McGlone
candidate for mayor of Rehoboth Beach
