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Commissioner candidates Kris Appel and Marty Seitz appeared to agree more than they disagree when it comes to major issues facing Dewey Beach.
Nearly 70 people appeared at Venus on the Half Shell to hear the two candidates present their platforms and respond to questions at a candidate and issues forum hosted by the town’s civic league Saturday, Aug. 23. Candidate Marc Appelbaum had a prior commitment to take his daughter to college that day and could not appear, but Dewey resident Rick Judge read a statement on his behalf.
Moderator and Dewey Beach Civic League President David Main said, “It seems to me the challenge for Dewey has always been how we can change and remain the same.” A dilemma arises, he said, from the desire to allow development in a way that retains the Dewey lifestyle.
Appel, a resident of Baltimore, introduced herself as a Dewey Beach homeowner and seasonal resident of 12 years who cares about the town and wants to give back to the community. Ranking town divisiveness as one of her greatest concerns, Appel said she is not affiliated with any local group or political action committee. Appel focused on her corporate and federal managerial experience, including 17 years at the National Security Agency. She suggested the town should strive to find a pragmatic approach and not be restricted by a preconceived agenda. Previously uninvolved in Dewey politics and governance, Appel said she believes she can provide a new perspective that can help Dewey adapt to its changing circumstances.
Seitz, a resident of Silver Spring, Md., said he has enjoyed Delaware beaches since moving to the East Coast in 1984, culminating in purchasing a Dewey vacation and rental condominium in 1999. He said he wants to ensure responsible growth, safe and clean beaches, and prosperous businesses while helping to maintain the community and plan for responsible growth.
Seitz emphasized his involvement in community affairs in Silver Spring, his service as president of a civic association representing 425 homes and work on various community planning and zoning issues. Seitz said he has attended many Dewey town meetings and has publicly voiced suggestions on pending issues.
Rick Judge read a prepared statement from Appelbaum. A resident of Chevy Chase, Md., who bought a condominium in Dewey about 25 years ago, Appelbaum wrote that he wants to do everything he can to protect and preserve Dewey.
“Last summer, a developer and his attorney attempted to rewrite our zoning code, and three commissioners prevented citizens from having a referendum to protect our town. I support legislation at the state and town level to be sure that doesn’t happen again,” Appelbaum wrote.
Appointed to the town’s budget and finance committee in February, Appelbaum advocates review, control and reduction in town spending. He wrote that his time, desire, passion, experiences and skills make him uniquely qualified to help the town with its financial, development and other issues.
Enforce height limits
Development issues and town finances dominated the questions from Main and from the audience.
Seitz and Appel both said they would enforce a 35-foot building height limit and both said they support the referendum that would impose a townwide 35-foot building height limit. Asked regarding existing buildings that exceed the 35-foot limit, Appel said she would take actions to work with property owners to reduce building height. Seitz said the town does not have the ability or authority to go back and should look at the existing buildings as grandfathered while ensuring new construction conforms to the 35-foot legal limit.
Asked how the town could best meet its financial situation, Seitz said the town should reduce expenditures in a responsible manner while keeping strong police and lifeguard services. Appel said the town should look for creative funding sources and create a sound revenue stream that will allow the town to maintain services during difficult economic times. Both candidates said they approve the referendum for an accommodations tax of up to 3 percent to be paid by renters. Seitz and Appel supported tree protection and town beautification projects, and continuation of Dewey’s policy allowing dogs on the beach under control of their owners. Both also supported enhanced public transportation, car-pooling and better management of street parking to help alleviate Dewey’s parking problems.
Asked to identify their most important role model, both candidates chose people they said epitomized excellence through commitment. Seitz chose vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and baseball great Stan Musial. Appel chose Michael Phelps, saying he inspired her by showing what can be achieved when someone focuses and really wants something.
Asked about their visions of Dewey 10 years from now, Appel said the town will have small-town charm and an intimate feel with services and venues citizens want.
“Some people say when you move into a community you want development to stop the day you move in,” said Appel. The Dewey of the future will have charming neighborhoods, residential areas and a defined commercial area with hotels and restaurants, she said.
Seitz said he sees the greatness of the Dewey the citizens have today and will have as a result of development under the comprehensive development plan.
In closing Seitz discussed his desire to become more involved in the beach replenishment program. Appel reiterated her belief that her lack of prior involvement in Dewey politics can provide a fresh perspective.
Main said that though the Dewey Beach Civic League tries to remain neutral and objective, it may endorse a candidate if 75 percent of its members are in agreement. He added that the civic league has not endorsed a candidate for several years.
The civic league has made a tape recording of the candidate and issue forum, including the candidates’ statements and answers to questions and the position papers of the three candidate, available online at www.deweybeachcivicleague.org.
Dewey voting registration and absentee ballots
Dewey Beach residents, property owners, holders of leases of five years or longer and nonresident trust holders of recorded real property trusts are eligible to vote in the town’s Saturday, Sept. 20 general election. Voter registration has not yet been implemented, so voters must show up in person at the Life Saving Station, located at 1 Dagsworthy Ave., with proof of their status, said Town Manager Gordon Elliott.
Any voter who wants to vote by absentee ballot must first provide the town with a Delaware affidavit for absentee ballot. Voters may obtain an affidavit requesting an absentee ballot by mail, telephone, email, in person or on the town’s website. All requests for affidavits must be received no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16.
If the reason for voting by absentee ballot is that the voter is sick or physically disabled, in public service of the United States or Delaware, or an eligible nonresident, the affidavit does not have to be notarized and may be transmitted to Town Hall by fax. If the reason for voting by absentee ballot is due to the nature of the voter’s business or occupation, that the voter is incarcerated, absent while on vacation or due to religious reasons, the affidavit must be notarized and must be mailed or hand delivered to Town Hall.
Affidavits requesting absentee ballots must be received at Town Hall no later than noon Friday, Sept. 19. The absentee ballot must be received at Town Hall no later than noon on Election Day, Saturday, Sept. 20.
Dewey Beach Town Hall is located at 105 Rodney Ave. For more information, call 227-6162 or toll free at 877-227-6331, or fax 227-8319. Information is also available online www.townofdeweybeach.com.
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