Foundation honors Lopez and Smyk
The Greater Lewes Foundation didn't want two local legislators to slip away without paying tribute to their accomplishments on behalf of the Lewes community.
On Jan. 13, the foundation hosted a reception at the Inn at Canal Square in honor of former District 6 Sen. Ernie Lopez and former District 20 Rep. Steve Smyk. Both Republicans were in office for 10 years. Lopez retired from his seat, and Smyk lost in the 2022 election when he ran for Lopez's 6th District seat.
During the reception, Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, reached out to the pair via FaceTime. He talked about their successes working across party lines as The Three Amigos.
Presentations to the duo were made by Sussex County Council, City of Lewes, Lewes Board of Public Works and Greater Lewes Foundation. A tribute was given by former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, who served during the pair's tenure.
Becker said the pair not only helped the City of Lewes with various projects over the past decade, but also supported many of the city's volunteer organizations.
“They worked to ensure Lewes had the best possible representation. I don't think anyone could ask for better representation,” he said. “Many of the attributes that have directly impacted this community can be attributed to Steve and Ernie. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude.”
“I don't think we ever approached them when they said, ‘That's not my responsibility,’” said Greater Lewes Foundation Chair Joe Stewart. “They always said, ‘Let me look into it and see how I can help,’ and if they could, they always would.
“It's time we thank them for the Herculean efforts they have made for our community. They have proven their friendship, support and love for this community,” he added.
Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams presented city proclamations on behalf of the current and past mayors and city councils to the pair, listing some of the many projects they have supported, including charter amendments, helping to facilitate an agreement between the city and the Lewes BPW, Lewes Unleashed dog park, beach accessibility mats, Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail, streets maintenance and projects, kayak launch, Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association, Lewes Public Library, Lewes trailhead, Lewes Fire Department and new historical markers.
'Your voice, not mine'
“I made sure your voice went to Dover, not mine,” Smyk said. “Thank you for letting me serve with who has become one of my best friends and someone who has been a friend of mine for 25 years. We knew what was real and true, and we didn't follow any partisanship or anything else other than you.”
Smyk, a retired Delaware State Police trooper and an Army National Guard veteran, is now a Sussex County deputy sheriff.
“I hope this is not the last time I'm going to serve you,” he added.
Lopez: Full disclosure
Lopez came prepared with props, which he said, on full disclosure, were objects he took with him when he left office and are stored in his garage. “I took some things I thought were appropriate, but I got a little nervous watching the news,” he said amid laughs from the crowd. “For the sake of full disclosure, I have to get these off my chest to let you judge for yourself. And if I violated any statute, our deputy sheriff will say so.”
Among the objects were a shovel, pink hardhat, saw, nearly empty bottle of Fireball and a bright fluorescent safety vest.
Lopez said the Fireball bottle was full on June 29, 2022, as the legislative year neared a close. He said he and Smyk found out they weren't getting all of the Bond Bill money they had requested, including $750,000 for the Greater Lewes Foundation.
They went to see the Bond Bill chair and started pouring drinks. “We were able to get that $750,000 and all other money we got for our friends. We got every cent we went in for,” Lopez said.
He wore the vest during visits to local DelDOT projects, while the shovel and the saw he needed for friendly persuasion.
“We did it all for you,” Lopez said. “We showed up for our district and the people we served.”
Lopez said he looks forward to returning to his full-time job with the University of Delaware and doing some consulting work.
