Beaufait, Reardon seek re-election in Lewes

Deputy Mayor Fred Beaufait and Councilman Dennis Reardon are seeking re-election to Lewes City Council. Both men filed the necessary paperwork on the first possible day, March 1. 

If challengers file, an election will be held Saturday, May 13. The duo ran unopposed when last up for re-election in 2015. 

Beaufait is seeking his fourth term on council, while Reardon is eyeing his third. Unlike previous election cycles, this year’s election carries three-year terms. Mayor Ted Becker was the first to receive the new three-year term when he ran uncontested last year. 

Beaufait joined council in 2011 after winning by nine votes. Beaufait is a former educator, working more than four decades in higher education. His career path took him from college professor to president of New York City College of Technology. He retired to Lewes in 2004. 

“I feel like we’ve got a strong city council, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” he said. “I welcome the opportunity to serve the city and would like to continue to make a contribution to the welfare of Lewes.”

Beaufait said he brings no agenda to the table if reelected, and he’d like to see current projects through to conclusion. 

“I simply want to be able to help the city in terms of listening to the issues and making some decisions to move the city forward,” he said.

Annexation is the primary task Beaufait said he’d like to see completed. He’d also like to finish work on the transportation alternative project proposed for the beachside of Savannah Road, which is slated to add a separated bike and pedestrian path on the marsh side of the roadway, among other improvements. 

Reardon moved to Lewes in 2006 and joined council in 2013. His family has been visiting the First Town since the 1940s. He unsuccessfully ran for council in 2012 and was appointed to the planning commission the same year. 

Prior to retirement, Reardon worked as an attorney in Family Court for about 20 years. He also worked with the Attorney General’s Office and in private industry. 

“As a city councilman, I have learned a lot, and I believe I am making a positive contribution both on council and in the community,” he said. “I have enjoyed being a member of a strong and cohesive council, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the city of Lewes.” 

Reardon said there is more to being a city councilman than making decisions in city hall. He said he used his position to help several of those in need in the community, including drainage issues on Iowa Avenue, stormwater issues in Pilottown Village and street lights in Bay Breeze.

Beaufait and Reardon said they each put a lot of work into solving the zoning/building requirement issues in Abbott Park, a nonconforming mobile home park off Washington Avenue. 

Anyone interested in running for Lewes City Council must fill out a Candidate File Form, which can be obtained at City Hall, before 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 6. A candidate must be 21 years old, a full-time resident of Lewes for at least one year and must not have been convicted of a felony.