Bruce Mears appointed to Sussex Board of Adjustment

Ocean View resident Bruce Mears will replace outgoing Sussex County Board of Adjustment member Bud Rickard.

Mears, a Delmarva native, founded Bruce Mears Designer-Builder Inc. in 1985, and has more than three decades of construction experience.

He was introduced to county council Sept. 26 during a public interview. His appointment was approved unanimously.

“I want to serve because I always loved serving the community through public service and church,” Mears said. “I'm ready to do the job.”

The self-employed builder also has served on the Sussex County Building Code Board of Appeals since 1996, and has been chairman of that board since 2003.

“I appreciate you for stepping up,” said Councilman Rob Arlett. “We trust you to make good, valued judgments.”

Mears will finish Rickard's term, which ends in January 2020.

Rickard of Rehoboth Beach joined the board in January 2012, following his retirement from the county's planning and zoning office. He announced his retirement at the Sept. 19 county council meeting.