Dewey Beach has a clear choice
Dewey Beach is now a far cry from the lawless, unincorporated community it was in the late 1970s, when Delaware State Police decided it would no longer staff a seasonal outpost there to keep a lid on rowdiness.
The town has steadily evolved from its wild west days in the early years of incorporation to a self-sustaining, formal community that deals, mostly, with issues in the collaborative and deliberative manner that marks mature governments.
For the past couple summers, Dewey Beach headlines have dealt primarily with an activity-oriented, beach-loving community that works constructively to iron out the inevitable wrinkles of a resort town with a swollen seasonal population. Gone, at least for now, is much of the foaming-at-the-mouth rancor that typified the political tenor of the community for many years. An improving economy, of course, is helping.
More people in town and more real estate transactions have eased budget pressures and tensions between businesses and property owners who - when times are tough in Dewey - point at each other as the potential source for more revenue.
Dewey Beach Mayor Diane Hanson has weathered many Dewey storms and inquisitions, has worked hard for the town and has held fast to the proposition that Dewey can be a town of responsible and fun nightlife as well as a family-friendly community that loves the sun-soaked beach and bay scene.
She is also challenging the recently and rapidly passed, and misguided, resolution that would have department heads in the town report to specified commissioners rather than to the town manager. That would be a step backward for a community that now enjoys a tried-and-true chain of command, as well as an administrator who manages fairly and lightly.
Dewey would be well served by re-electing Hanson and continuing the progress that has been made. The town would also be well served by electing Dale Cooke, who brings an open mind and experience as a previous commissioner, as well as Mike Dunmyer, who offers youth and a family perspective.
Those three are also committed to retaining the town manager style of government that allows commissioners to be policy makers rather than micromanagers.
