DEMOCRAT 

Jill Hicks

Age: 72

Hometown: West Chester, Pa.

Education: B.S. in music education with many postgraduate business credits

Experience: Corporate executive and classroom teacher

REPUBLICAN

John Rieley

Age: 70

Hometown: Millsboro

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: Retired financial planner, owns and operates Rieley Brothers Farm. Completing second term representing District 5 on county council. Eight-year member of Sussex  County Land Trust board.

In the race to represent District 5 on Sussex County Council, incumbent Councilman John Rieley, a Republican, is facing Democrat Jill Hicks, co-founder of Sussex Preservation Coalition, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The Cape Gazette asked the candidates about their top reason for running, legislative priorities, views on recently enacted state legislation that sets rules for development, and the next 10-year county comprehensive plan. They provided their answers below:

Top reason for running?

Hicks: Sussex County needs extensive land-use reform. I am experienced in strategic planning, budget management and problem solving.

Reiley: There are a number of reasons, but the top one is the upcoming rewrite of the 10-year comprehensive plan. I was not in office when the current 10-year plan was adopted. Working through the issues arising from the new Senate Bill 23 and how it will impact land use is another concern, along with keeping county taxes low through excellent fiscal management and a strong focus on public safety priorities.

If elected, what would your legislative priority be? 

Hicks: The 10-year comprehensive plan and the future land-use map that directs where and when development can – and cannot – take place. Through collaboration, county plans that align with the state’s infrastructure spending plans. Mandates for housing inventory for our essential workers: nurses, medical staff and technicians, teachers, EMS, public services. Protections for our working lands: farmland, forests and wetlands.

Reiley: My top legislative priority would be, as I mentioned, writing the 10-year comprehensive plan. In addition to the priorities listed above, continuing to focus on land preservation through the purchase of open space and funding farmland preservation. Also, we have passed a number of ordinances to protect the environment since I have been on council, and we will continue to prioritize protecting the environment. 

Senate Bill 23 requires the county to create an affordable housing plan to increase housing production, choosing five of 11 options to meet local needs and objectives. Which should the county pursue? 

Hicks: All of the 11 options are loosely worded and need further specifications. For example, affordable needs to be defined. Only five of the 11 options include affordable as a requisite: No. 3. Creation of expedited or accelerated permit review ... for residential development units that include affordable housing units. No. 4. Provision of fee waivers, reductions or deferrals for residential development units that include affordable housing. No. 5. Reduction or waiver of local impact fees for any affordable housing units. No. 11. Implementation of another strategy for increasing and diversifying affordable housing ...

Rieley: I have several concerns regarding the requirements listed in SB 23. I view the legislation as one more example of the state taking away local control while requiring the county to fund initiatives that have historically been the state's responsibility. The county has taken steps to address the need for workforce housing and affordable housing by updating our housing rental program twice, creating a housing trust fund and spending millions of dollars to help low-income homeowners with repairs so they can remain in their homes. We have supported these programs for years, yet SB 23 now creates more mandates that we are required to develop. As we begin to work on the new 10-year comprehensive plan, SB 23 requires us to create a new housing plan and select five strategies for that plan. I prefer to use incentives, not mandates, so I will be pursuing options that call for fee reductions, accelerated reviews and alternative development standards like tiny homes.

What is your vision for Sussex County in the next comprehensive plan?

Hicks: I am looking forward to including affordable housing plans for our essential workers, and a climate action plan. I am looking forward to a comprehensive plan that includes measurable goals with targeted progress dates that are monitored and accountable to constituents as well as the state. I am looking forward to a future land-use map that accurately reflects where growth can and cannot take place based on infrastructure capacity and plans, environmental resilience needs and essential worker needs.

Rieley: My goal will be to limit sprawl and retain as much open space as possible. It is important to retain as much farmland as possible in active production and limit the encroachment of development that puts additional pressure on farmers. I will be looking for ways to keep development inside the growth zone because the preservation of our farms and open space is necessary to preserve the character and quality of life we enjoy. Pushing for road infrastructure to be built in tandem with development is important, so we will continue to partner with DelDOT to build road projects like the Millsboro bypass and the new Georgetown Route 113 overpass. I will vote against projects that will further overburden our roads until the infrastructure is in place to support them. We will continue to prioritize public safety by funding and supporting our paramedic service as well as our commitment to fund additional state police troopers, local police departments, fire companies and ambulance services.