The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners' Association hosted its annual candidate forum July 11. While it was generally informative, in the end, there were few surprises from the candidates.

There is a historic number of mayoral candidates in Rehoboth Beach this year – Commissioner Suzanne Goode, property owner William “Jake” Raak, Commissioner Susan Stewart and Commissioner Craig Thier. No matter who wins, all three sitting commissioners will remain because none of their terms are up.

There are also three commissioner candidates – resident property owner Jeffrey Goode, Commissioner Patrick Gossett and Commissioner Mark Saunders.

Typically, a RBHA representative asks questions to all the candidates at one time, but because of the large field, a decision was made to have commissioner candidates answer questions first. The mayoral candidates followed. Charlie Sokaitis, local television anchor for WRDE, moderated the event. The races were separated, but the candidates were asked the same questions. Roughly 175 people were in attendance.

The Goodes spent the majority of their time being critical of the city’s growing budget, and the decisions being made by the other commissioners and senior city staff. The four sitting commissioners – Gossett, Saunders, Stewart and Thier – touted their successes as commissioners and defended their decisions related to the budget. Raak tried to stay above the fray, while also defending his absence of participation in city government since buying a home in 2008.

Beginning with the budget, candidates were asked if the city’s $50 million was absurd.

Jeffrey Goode said he agreed with that statement 1,000%, pointing to the growth of the budget compared to inflation. It’s frightening, he said.

Gossett broke down the budget – $30 million in operating costs, $14 million in capital improvements, $6 million in debt service. The city does not have a deficit and there’s been no tax increase in years, he said.

Saunders said he agreed with Gossett. Rehoboth is a town most other towns want to emulate, he said.

Suzanne Goode said the city’s last two fiscal years have been propped up by a $5.5 million loan taken out to finish the Rehoboth Beach Patrol building.

Stewart pushed back, saying the city is running a surplus right now because revenues are keeping up with, and in some cases surpassing, expenses. The budget facts are the budget facts, she said.

Raak said spending is relative, and he would work from a zero-based budgeting standpoint. Looking at what can be cut, what is needed and what are pet projects, he said.

Thier voted against the budget in March, but he said it was because he wasn’t comfortable with the capital improvement plan, not because he had a problem with the operating budget.

About the only thing everyone agreed on was that there was no need for an increase in taxes or fees.

Candidates were asked if they had concerns about the Goodes voting as a bloc if they were both elected. This question was also brought up in the context of a proposed charter change, which ultimately failed, that would have prohibited married individuals from holding office at the same time.

Jeffrey Goode said even if he and his wife were city commissioners at the same time and voted similarly on issues, they would almost always be in the minority anyway. 

Gossett and Saunders said they agreed with the proposal because it was something they heard last year from constituents when Jeffrey ran for a commissioner's seat for a first time.

There are 1,800 people in town and there have to be two that aren’t sleeping together, said Saunders.

Suzanne Goode said she doesn’t know any married couple that agrees on everything.

Raak said there could be a conflict of interest, but, he continued, reading the room, it didn’t appear there was going to be an issue. 

Candidates were asked about the civility, or apparent lack of such, among city commissioners and how it was going to get better.

Stewart said it was a mischaracterization of the issue. For the most part, commissioners work well together, she said.

Suzanne Goode said a lot of resources and intimidation tactics have been used to try and muzzle her. It's been horrible mudslinging, she said.

Saunders said the swearing-in of new commissioners will take place around the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. It’s a time of renewal, and he’s hoping commissioners will be able to set aside their past differences, he said.

That would be great, but he doubted it would happen, said Jeffrey Goode.

Thier said civility among commissioners was one of the issues he hears about most on the campaign trail. It’s preventing the city from getting beyond certain issues, and everyone needs to be better, he said.

Election information

The city’s election is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 8. The polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave.

The deadline to register to vote has passed. Absentee ballots are now available. Ballots will be sent to everyone who has an absentee ballot request form on file. Any qualified elector may request an absentee ballot to vote by filing a request for an absentee ballot form no later than noon, Friday, Aug. 7. The deadline for the city to mail ballots is Tuesday, Aug. 4. Ballots must be received by mail or in person before the polls close on the day of the election.

For more information, contact Donna Moore at 302-227-6181, Ext. 108, or go to rehobothbeachde.gov.