My thoughts are in response to articles/editorials in the Gazette June 16.
One person, one vote is fine, but taxation without representation is why the Revolutionary War was fought against England. Also, 47 states may not allow nonresident property owners to vote, but Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island and Slaughter Beach all allow nonresident property owners to vote in city elections.
The other thing that is happening in Lewes and other Delaware beach towns is that people from Maryland, D.C., Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states are moving here and becoming residents because Delaware taxes are cheap compared to the other states I just mentioned. This means these people vote in Delaware. However, what I am seeing is these people also keep their homes in their home state. So these residents stay in Delaware for six months April to October, then return to their home state for the rest of the year. The six months in Delaware makes them residents and gives them voting rights, but are they really committed to Delaware and being part of the community?
I am a Delaware native going back generations and have a home in Newark and Lewes. We come to Lewes year round and participate in the Lewes community like we do in the Newark community, including decorating both homes with lights at Christmas. The comments of the residents who said nonresident property owners are not part of the community cut to the core with me. I have been coming to Lewes since elementary school bus trips in the 1950s.
The point about keeping Lewes' small-town charm escaped in the 1980s and 1990s when the building boom began with Pilot Point, Port Lewes, Cape Shores, developments off Pilottown Road, New Road and Kings Highway, not to mention Fourth Street. Lewes also advertises to come on down in Southern Living and like publications. This does not help to keep Lewes small.
Lewes Beach Civic Association was established so beach residents would be heard, and that group submitted a petition with almost 200 names saying nonresident property owners should have a vote in Lewes municipal elections.
Lewes Mayor and City Council members vote on laws and taxes that affect all that live in Lewes,including the nonresident property owners. It is time that nonresident property owners have a vote in municipal elections.
Thank you for listening.
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