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In one of the most unprecedented moves in county government history, three well-known Sussex County Council Democrat incumbents are not expected to seek re-election in November.
Council President Finley Jones, Vice President Lynn Rogers and Councilman Dale Dukes, with 44 years of combined county service, were scheduled to hold a joint news conference Tuesday, July 22, on the steps of the county administration building in Georgetown, prior to the county council meeting, to announce their retirements.
Dukes confirmed Monday that the announcements would take place.
The announcements bring to an end speculation of all sorts swirling around the county as the Friday, July 25 election filing deadline approaches.
It also places the seats wide open to challengers in the three councilmanic districts and sets up some intriguing election scenarios.
The three incumbents will serve until Dec. 31, when three newcomers will take their seats.
Republican Judson Bennett of Lewes, who lost to Rogers by three votes in 2004, and Democrat Joan Deaver of Lewes have already filed for the District 3 seat. Republican Mike Vincent, who serves on the Seaford City Council and lost to Dukes by fewer than 300 votes in 2004, has filed to run in District 1.
Jones’ announcement leaves District 2 wide open. There was speculation that Jones would announce a run for the 35th District seat vacated by retiring Rep. Ben Ewing, R-Bridgeville. Jones said he will not run for the representative seat.
Democrat Aaron Chaffinch of Bridgeville, former state police superintendent, and Republican Dave Wilson of Lincoln, county recorder of deeds, have filed for Ewing’s seat.
If no one files for Jones’ council seat by the Friday deadline, county political parties can place candidates on the ballot.
Dukes of Laurel, with 20 years of service, said early on that he was contemplating retirement. He said he wanted to be with his family and take more time to spend at his houses in Fenwick Island and Florida. “I’ve had 20 good years and it’s time for somebody else to do this,” he said. “I’m going to miss it, but the time has come to step down.”
Jones of Greenwood, who has served on the council for 12 years, spends very little time with his wife of five years, Michelle, who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has plans to work and live part time in Canada and part time in Sussex County to be with his grandchildren.
“I feel good and feel sad at the same time,” Jones said. “But I need to get back to some kind of a normal life.”
Rogers of Milton, who has also served on the council for 12 years, is helping with his wife’s recovery from a horseback-riding accident. His wife, Linda, received numerous traumatic injuries in May after a fall from her horse.
“They see the writing on the wall. It’s not a good year to be an incumbent. Personal circumstances make the choice easier. Each of their personal circumstances tends to make it a wise choice,” Councilman Vance Phillips said.
There is a strong chance that the council will switch from Democrat control, which it has been under for more than a decade, to a Republican majority. The two remaining members of council are Republicans George Cole of Ocean View, the veteran on the council with 22 years of service, and Phillips of Laurel with 10 years of service.
Even with the switch, and partisan comments made by members of both parties during discussions of issues, Phillips said council members tend to vote on the issues and not on party lines.
“As far as whether it would make a difference to have a Republican or Democrat majority on Sussex Council, in the end, most everyone is focused on their constituency,” Phillips said. “Sussex County government is closer to town government than it is to state or federal government. It’s more about people than it is about party.”
COUNCIL DISTRICTS
District 1: Western Sussex including areas around Seaford, Blades and Laurel.
District 2: Northwestern and central Sussex around Bridgeville, Greenwood, Georgetown and parts of Millsboro and Milford.
District 3: Northeastern Sussex area around Route 24 northward and the communities and areas around Lewes, Milton, Broadkill Beach, Ellendale, Lincoln, Prime Hook Beach, Slaughter Beach and parts of Milford.
THE DUKES’ YEARS
At lot has happened since Dale Dukes was first elected to Sussex County Council in 1988. For example:
• In 1988, there were about 150 county employees; compared to more than 600 today.
• The county budget was $12 million in fiscal 1989; compared to $142 million in fiscal 2009.
• County population has increased from 113,229 in 1990 to more than 176,000 in 2005, according to the U.S. Census, an increase of 56 percent.
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