Brown-Hicks appointed to Lewes council

Trina Brown-Hicks is the newest member of Lewes City Council. She was sworn in by Mayor Amy Marasco at a special meeting June 4.

The vote to approve Brown-Hicks was unanimous. Councilman Tim Ritzert was absent.

Brown-Hicks was nominated to fill the seat vacated by Marasco when she became mayor last month.

Council chambers were packed with Brown-Hicks’ family, friends and neighbors. After all, she grew up in Lewes and has a long family history in the First Town in the First State.

“I am truly overwhelmed by this show of support,” Brown-Hicks said. “I’m going to do my best to serve the city. I have big shoes to fill, but I’m up to it.”

Brown-Hicks has already served the City of Lewes in a number of ways. She has served as a parks commissioner responsible for George H.P. Smith Park and as chair of the city’s African American heritage commission.

But, she said, she never expected to move up to council.

“This was not on my bucket list,” she said. “But, I think all of those [committees] have helped me grow.” 

She has also been instrumental in bringing several projects to fruition:

• The honorific naming of West Fourth Street as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• The naming of the former Beach 2 in honor of Lewes businessman Johnnie Walker

• Organizing the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration, now in its fourth year

• The awarding of a Delaware 250 grant to the city.

Brown-Hicks said, as a councilperson, there will be a lot more for her to tackle.

“There are so many issues – parking, growth, open space – and many more I’ll learn about as time goes on,” she said.

Members of council and former Mayor Andrew Williams were among the many people who gave Brown-Hicks accolades.

“Trina has a background in customer service, healthcare administration and problem solving,” said Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba. “Those are the skills that are needed on a governmental body. We need to collaborate, we need to broach new ideas, but, in the end, we have to solve problems.”

“I’ve watched the work Trina has done and the support she’s given other organizations, like the historical society and the parks. There were many good candidates, but Trina rose to the top,” said Councilman Joe Elder, who has been a neighbor of Brown-Hicks for 30 years.

“The grace that you carry yourself with and the connection you have with the greater community is going to be a valuable asset. I’m proud to be a Lewes resident today,” Williams said.

On a more personal level, Brown-Hicks is the owner of a classic Chevrolet Impala and Oldsmobile Cutlass, which she sometimes drives around town. But, no matter her mode of transportation, the people who know her best said she will get to where she wants to go.

John Robinson, Brown-Hicks’ nephew, summed up what many others said about the city’s newest council member.

“Her heart is in Lewes and Lewes is in her heart,” he said. “I assure you that every decision she will make, every issue she will vote on, she will do it from the heart.”

With Brown-Hicks’ appointment, neither Mayor Amy Marasco nor the four members of council, were elected by citizens. All attained their seats by appointment or uncontested races.

Marasco said choosing Brown-Hicks is a positive step in her initiative to encourage more people to get involved.

“We are going to make sure this dais is open to people who are working part and full time, people younger than I am. We need generation-to-generation active in this city. Having someone who grew up in this community makes than even more profound,” Marasco said.