Lewes Council race: great choices

Someone must have blown the Lewes city council election whistle louder than usual going into this year’s spring campaign season.

In many years, council seats go uncontested; some years see one or two candidates running. This year there’s a real horse race with five candidates seeking two seats.

Campaign signs have sprung up like mushrooms after an autumn shower, and there has been a steady stream of meet-and-greet parties to introduce candidates to neighbors and friends. Between parties, the candidates have been working hard to hoof the sidewalks, getting to know the people who will go to the polls this Saturday to cast their ballots.

Lewes is blessed to have five highly qualified, educated, experienced and credentialed candidates who want to put their energies and talents to work for the benefit of their community.

Even if the voters walked into the voting booth and did eenee, meenee, minee mo, they could scarcely go wrong with where their finger landed.  Any and all would make fine council members.

Incumbent Ted Becker, by his dedicated, fair- and open-minded, and diligent efforts as a council member, has earned and deserves re-election. He brings to the position the advantage of experience and several years’ perspective, which is helpful for keeping a community moving forward smoothly and efficiently.

Each of the other four candidates brings different strengths:

Bonnie Osler, the only woman running, has been involved in a variety of community-improvement initiatives; Rob Morgan and Dennis Reardon both offer a beach perspective long missing from Lewes Council; and Bill Landon offers the perspective of an increasingly rare commodity – that of a Lewes native.

Based on their backgrounds and records of achievement, all would serve Lewes well. In a race like this one, the winners will be the two out of the five who do the best job getting their supporters to the polls to vote.

Finally a kind word for Mayor Jim Ford. Running unopposed, his name won’t appear on the ballot. However, he has the quiet and solid support of a community that appreciates his steady efforts on behalf of all the people. If you see him around town or at a meeting, say thanks for doing a good job. Comments like that are appreciated.

Bottom line: Get out to the polls and be part of the process, like all these fine candidates.