Lewes council candidates square off at forum

Tim Ritzert wants an entrepreneurial zone, an affordable place for businesses to set up shop. Joe Elder wants fiscal responsibility and more parking. Kevin Keane wants to attract more people to serve in government.

The three candidates for Lewes City Council laid out their positions, and wish lists, on a variety of issues at an April 27 forum at the Lewes Public Library.

The forum was the only scheduled event with all three candidates ahead of the Saturday, May 9 election.

Elder, Keane and Ritzert fielded questions from Bill Shull of the Cape Gazette, Madeleine Overturf from WRDE-TV and members of the audience.

All three candidates listed their accomplishments as established city leaders.

“I’ve been an advocate for Lewes in every single thing I’ve done, fresh water at Burton subdivision, supporting Donovan-Smith and helping businesses struggling with permits,” said Elder, who is serving his first council term. “I called Father Jeff [Ross] from St. Peter’s and told him he was getting handicapped parking right in front of the door and discs on the cemetery wall repaired.”

“We live on Kings Highway, and we noticed on Halloween all the little kids running across the street. It was really dangerous. I approached [Chief Tom Spell] about shutting down Kings Highway. He worked with me and we got it done,” said Keane, the Lewes Planning Commission vice chair. “But good government is not driven by ego. I’m not here for myself. I’m not here to brag.”

“For three years running, [former Mayor Andrew Williams] and [former Mayor] Ted Becker ... asked me what committees and commissions I would like to serve on. My reaction was always that I would take any assignment they wanted to give me. As a consequence, I have a breadth of experience,” said Ritzert, a two-term councilperson, who is currently chairing a citizen-led working group on Dark Sky lighting.

These are examples of the candidates’ responses to three questions asked during the forum:

Parking garage

A citizen-led working group, chaired by Elder, concluded that a parking garage might be the only real solution to creating additional spaces downtown. But, the councilman said he is not fully committed to the idea.

“Let’s show we can make it work, then grow into it, without costing the public a whole lot of money or increasing taxes. I’ve created mobility parking and widened alleys to allow people to park. It is the major thing that will impact quality of life in Lewes,” Elder said.

“Parking is a complex issue. There is no single solution. A parking garage will depend on whether the city can afford one and if it really is the ultimate benefit. If it’s not being used 12 months, can we sustain it long term, and where do we put it?” Keane said.

“I too am concerned about the cost of construction and maintenance of a parking garage. The scale of the buildings and restaurants on Second Street were built to a scale of 50 of 100 years ago. Whether we are able to draw people into those small restaurants and stores, and support a garage is highly questionable,” Ritzert said. He said he would explore the concept of an entrepreneurial zone, because rents are too high on Second Street.

Fiscal responsibility

“Legal fees have gone up substantially in the last two to three years. I would look into what’s behind the increase. On the revenue side, I would look at more creative ways to raise revenue that don’t impact the people who are here full time. What are the avenues to raise revenue outside of parking fees?” Keane said.

“Many of our expenses are fixed budget items. One example is the maintenance associated with the care of our parks. We have a lot of parks, and the work done on those public lands is all done by contractors. The police budget consumes one-third of our annual budget, but that seems to be baked in at this point in time. I don’t see a lot of fat, and I think any cuts would have to be surgical in nature,” Ritzert said.

“Right now, with the prospects of a new municipal building looming, we have to start saving. I worked with a team [on the finance committee] and we delivered a zero-growth budget. The council built it back up by $1.6 million. We’re spending more than we should be spending,” Elder said.

The Lewes way

“The Lewes way is listening, having committee meetings, talking, using your head to figure out reasonable solutions. The Lewes way is compromise, debate and coming up with a good plan,” Elder said.

“Understanding the Lewes way is ... understanding the character of the city and the neighborhoods, and understanding what is most meaningful for the people who live here full time. We have a wealth of talent in the city, and I believe the Lewes way is finding a way to open doors to allow people to express themselves, give their opinions based on personal and professional experience,” Keane said.

“We understand that what we say, and what we do, is going to have a direct impact on our neighbors, our friends and a person who might live a mile away in another community. You cannot run from any decision that you make as a councilperson. You are held accountable. That is something I’m mindful of as a councilperson,” Ritzert said. “The other thing in the Lewes way is a fundamental respect for each other, respect for ideas and to practice tolerance, as well.”

The candidate forum was another in the Lewes250 Shine a Light series, designed to bring transparency to government. It was not an official library event.

Polls will be open at Lewes City Hall from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 9. For more information, go to ci.lewes.de.us.