After eight years, Councilwoman Deaver steps down

When Joan Deaver moved to the Cape Region full time in 1995 from her Annapolis, Md. home, it didn’t take her long to get involved in local land-use issues. That passion eventually evolved into a run for Sussex County Council.

Against all odds as a newcomer and female, she won the 2008 election and then won a second term in 2012. She was the first woman elected to council.

Although she officially retires Tuesday, Jan. 3, when she ceremonially turns her District 3 seat over to I.G. Burton, her last meeting was Dec. 13. Deaver is retiring to spend more time with her husband, Bill, and her family.

During the Dec. 13 meeting, County Administrator Todd Lawson read a proclamation in her honor and council presented her with a plaque for her service.

Council President Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, won elections the same years as Deaver. “We haven't always agreed, but we've always had great respect for one another,” he said. “And you have certainly represented the people of your district very well.”

“It’s not been Republican or Democrat issues to her,” said Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View. “Her issues have always been land-use issues. We’ve shared many votes together and many times we were outnumbered. I have to applaud her for her vision.”

“Sitting beside her, I coached her whenever I could, but a lot of the time she wouldn’t listen,” he said with a smile.

“George has been a good coach,” Deaver said.

“Joan has always been passionate about her issues, and she has my total respect,” said Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford, who has served with her the past two years. “It's about principles to her and not politics.”

He noted that Democrat Deaver was quick to have a Trump for President sticker on her car.

“You outed me,” Deaver said with a laugh.

“No, you outed yourself when you put on that bumper sticker,” Arlett responded.

“She broke the ceiling in Sussex County as the first female and county transplant to win a council seat,” Arlett said.

County Administrator Todd Lawson said Deaver was a voice for county employees and always worked hard on behalf of her constituents.

“I'll miss the county employees the most,” Deaver said.

“This has been a highlight of my life,” Deaver added. “The county has been improving every day and is much more transparent than when I started. I'm pleased with the progress.”

“I'm sure she will be calling and telling us how to vote,” Cole said.

The county hosted a reception in her honor following the Dec. 13 meeting.

Fighting an uphill battle

She's the first to admit that she often fought an uphill battle to curtail or scale down development in her district. “It's where everything is taking place in the county,” she said.

Deaver became involved in land-use issues as a lobbyist and community activist before getting elected to council. She was the lone Democrat serving on council.

She pushed for more transparency in county government and was instrumental in providing more information on council matters to the public. She used social media to keep her constituents informed about county issues. She said she's most proud of providing information and services to her constituents.

Deaver had praise for the county's financial department. “They keep a close and wise eye on the taxpayers' money,” she said.

She argued that the county needs to better integrate residents in the land-use process. In a March 2015 letter to the editor she wrote: “People are still not made part of the land-use process but are kept in the dark too long as to what changes are about to happen or even what could happen later.”

Deaver championed the hiring of a certified planner for the county, who was hired in 2015.

She has argued since she was first elected that infrastructure must keep pace with development. She pushed unsuccessfully for an adequate public facilities ordinance that would ensure roads, sewer and other infrastructure would be in place before development occurs.