Lewes continues to face many significant challenges, highlighting the importance of decision making that takes into consideration the viewpoints of town residents. On recent key issues of annexation, development and transportation, Andrew Williams has been methodical and attentive to concerns, and I believe his election to mayor would restore the goals of sound decision making and citizen input.
The need to improve and review the annexation process for the city is an area where Councilman Williams stands out among the candidates. In November 2018, Mayor Becker voted to annex the Brittingham property before awaiting a decision from Sussex County Council to enact an ordinance that would exclude tidal wetlands from the calculation of open space. The city's vote to turn a property that was zoned low density and environmentally sensitive into a high-density annexation district far from any main commercial or similar land uses, and on the narrow New Road corridor, went fully against the will of local residents. Councilman Williams’s statement at the time of the subdivision’s final approval in July 2021 was sound in that the project should have better addressed issues of safety and open space.
Another recent political issue that illustrates the gap between the viewpoints of citizens and current council was the decision to create a summer jitney bus service, which posed many uncertainties and a $157,000 Lewes taxpayer expenditure. The service travels in a lengthy, single, circuitous direction and is unnecessarily redundant with the DART 204 line. While Mayor Becker voted to approve the measure without a ridership study or public workshop, Councilman Williams abstained, declaring that more information was needed and the city should not have to bear the burden of outside development. Other questions on the adequacy and safety of bus stops (e.g., absence of a pedestrian/handicapped-accessible stop inside the 1812 Park/Front Street parking lot) and the condition/maintenance needs of the bus fleet remain unanswered. Many residents correctly felt the vote was rushed, and as seen at the Feb. 14 meeting during which this measure was voted on, the outstanding issues were not addressed, showing that Andrew Williams wanted to be more careful on the issue. With higher gas prices and the service details still far from being fully established, I was thankful Councilman Williams again raised questions about this proposal.
Consistently, Andrew Williams has shown to be more questioning and investigative on key issues, which is something citizens desire from their elected officials. The town should strive for increased accountability, reasoning and transparency to ensure decisions with large-scale implications are made correctly. A vote for Andrew Williams represents needed change that would positively impact the city government and citizens alike.
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