As we move into yet another year, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the future of Lewes – especially after hearing that our mayor is promoting the idea of constructing a new town hall building to the tune of some $40 million.  

Even if we actually had that much money to spend, why spend it to replace a perfectly adequate structure? There are, after all, far less costly ways to handle the so-called overcrowded workplace situation at town hall – like office hoteling, remote working arrangements and online service portals.   

And if we did have the funds, shouldn’t we use them to build affordable housing for attracting young families, or invest in renewable energy sources to power a sustainable future? What about resolving the life-threatening health hazards in the Donovan-Smith community and addressing the traffic situation with a park-and-ride into Lewes?  

These are surely expenditures that city residents would enthusiastically support. But to push for them, we must rally around the concept of community-driven governance, which turns residents into active collaborators – rather than passive bystanders – in the decision-making process. And as such, empower us all to take ownership of the change we wish to see.   

That said, our elected officials will need to create a civic platform for dynamic discussion and participation, beginning with unlimited – and untimed – citizen input at council and committee meetings. They must also begin actively eliciting ideas from their constituents by walking the neighborhoods and regularly attending community events.  

Of course, while moving toward a community-focused future will not happen overnight, we the people of Lewes should begin by demanding a greater voice in the governance process. That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to show up and speak up whenever and wherever we can, which includes voting in local elections and establishing an organized citizen group to advocate policies that truly reflect community need. 

But it’s just as important for our elected and appointed officials to embrace our input, rather than simply creating the illusion of engagement in what is actually a top-down form of governance firmly grounded in the mayor’s agenda. To do so would help restore the public trust, ensure that resources are effectively allocated and support better outcomes for all of us who love this beautiful city.         

Kathy Harvatt
Lewes