When Rehoboth Beach voters head to the polls August 9, please vote for thoughtful, experienced leadership. Please vote for Sam Cooper for mayor, and for Lorraine Zellers and Francis "Bunky" Markert for commissioners.
Walking around town and on the Boardwalk this glorious summer, we marvel at the size and diversity of the crowds this year, the families of all kinds who are coming to experience the joy of this place. Keep in mind that the things which keep Rehoboth Beach truly special are not the result of good fortune alone, but of years of hard work by the city's remarkable leadership.
I first got to know Sam, Lorraine and Bunky in 2005, when each of them in their own way was working to help contain the impacts of rapid development in the city. Back then, Lorraine and Bunky were actively organizing the community in support of reforms in the zoning code, which now do so much to limit the "McMansionization" of this beautiful place. Of course, it was Sam who cast the decisive votes in favor of those crucial reforms. (Kathy McGuinness sided with the developers and voted against those reforms.)
Since that time, I have been gratified to see Lorraine elected to the city commission, where she and Sam have worked together to help lead the city through many important challenges in an open and transparent manner. Meanwhile, Bunky served with me on the Architectural Review Board Task Force, which made an important contribution toward more beautiful architecture in the city. Bunky and I now serve together on the planning commission, working on projects to protect the city's lakes and grow the city's tree canopy.
I am not a betting man. Like most of you, I have invested a great deal in Rehoboth Beach, both personally and financially, and I want to know that my investment is protected by great leadership, from people of deep experience and sound judgment. I know that Sam, Lorraine and Bunky have those qualities, and that I can depend on them to lead the City in the best interests of all of us. Please give them your votes August 9.
Brian Patterson
Rehoboth Beach and Davidsonville, Md.