Dale Cooke named mayor in Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously to elect Dale Cooke to a one-year term as mayor at town council’s yearly organizational meeting Oct. 3.

Commissioners-elect Gary Persinger and Bill Stevens were each sworn in for two-year terms during the meeting; Commissioner Paul Bauer was also unanimously elected to a one-year term as secretary.

“I don’t know whether it's congratulations or condolences to all of you,” Cooke joked before turning serious. “We've got a lot to do ahead of us. There’s a lot of controversy right now, and I'm sure we’ll be able to work to bring it all to fruition.”

Cooke has served as mayor since a special town meeting April 24, when he was unanimously elected by commissioners following the April 7 passing of Mayor TJ Redefer. 

First elected in 2002, Cooke served as commissioner until 2008, and  was re-elected in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Cooke previously served a one-year term as mayor in 2016 and was interim town manager for several months until the hiring of former Town Manager Scott Koenig in March 2018. 

Bauer has also served as secretary since the April 24 special meeting. First elected in 2017, Bauer served as secretary from 2017-18 and was re-elected to another two-year term as commissioner in 2019. 

Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9.