George Cole honored for 32 years on Sussex County Council

After serving 32 years on Sussex County Council, former Councilman George Cole was honored with a retirement celebration Jan. 30 at Baywood Greens Clubhouse Restaurant in Long Neck.

The event drew nearly 200 of Cole’s closest family, friends, governmental allies and well-meaning antagonists. The event was touted as a roast and a toast, but most of the comments were a toast to Cole, who is the longest-serving councilman in Sussex County history.

Cole, a Republican, took office in 1986 and represented District 4 for 32 years until his final meeting in January. He came across his desire to serve honestly. His father, Charlie, represented the district from 1974 until his passing in 1985. Cole’s mother, Kitty, was the first woman to serve on council when she was appointed to fill out the remainder of Charlie’s term.

Former Councilman Rob Arlett thanked Cole for being the only one who supported his candidacy when he decided to run for office in 2014. Arlett, a Republican, was asked to begin the evening with a prayer.

Afterward, Cole stood up and asked Democrat Dale Dukes, who served on council with Cole for 20 years, for a rebuttal. “I did not come here to say nice things about you,” said Dukes. “I just came here to make sure you leave.” This comment garnered the biggest laughs of the evening.

Former Sussex County Administrator Bob Stickels has known Cole for 55 years. Despite friendship, Stickels said Cole never voted in favor of anything he proposed, including his appointment as county administrator.

After a 4-1 vote, where Cole was the lone no vote, Stickels said Cole came over with a big smile and congratulated him on his appointment. Confused, Stickels said Cole’s response was, “My no vote was really a yes vote,” Stickels said, because Cole’s Democratic counterparts always voted against what he voted for.

Former Sussex County Administrator Joe Conaway, whose tenure with the county was ending as Cole’s was beginning, said he and Cole argued with each other on many issues over the years, but in the end it was a great pleasure to work together.

Conaway said much of Sussex County owes a great deal to Cole and his family - his parents for also serving, and his wife and kids for all the time Cole spent away. He said the Cole family’s legacy of service to the county will never be seen again.

After more than 90 minutes of good-natured ribbing and congratulations, Cole addressed the room briefly. He said he ran for council back in the 1980s because he had a vision for how he wanted the county to grow, and he wanted to protect and preserve what made the county special.

“I did it because I thought it was important,” said Cole.