Lyndie Hertrich sworn in as Henlopen Acres commissioner

In what was a standing-room-only event, Lyndie Hertrich was sworn in as Henlopen Acres commissioner during a brief ceremony July 29.

Hertrich is serving the final year of the three-year term of former Mayor Joni Reich, who announced she was stepping down mid-July after serving as a commissioner since 2014 and mayor since May 2018.

Hertrich has been a member of the town’s environmental approval committee, been on the board of the Henlopen Acres Beach Club and has a doctoral degree in early childhood development. She ran for office in 2021, but lost to sitting Commissioners Beatrix “Paddy” Richards and Tiffany Derrickson.

The meeting also marked the last for Commissioner Richard Thompson, who has been a commissioner since 2018. He is not running for re-election this year.

Commissioner Tim Hidell, who served as president pro tempore under Reich, will serve as acting mayor until at least the town’s organizational meeting Friday, Sept. 12. At that meeting, commissioners will appoint a new mayor for a one-year term.

Hidell thanked Thompson and Reich for their service, saying Thompson has been a stalwart during his tenure and that Reich’s service to the community was immeasurable.

The town municipal election will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 30, at town hall, 104 Tidewaters. There are three candidates for two seats – incumbent Commissioner Jeffrey Jacobs, resident and planning commission Chair Lee Raesly, and nonresident Alex Jacobs, who also ran last year. The Jacobses are not related. The successful candidates will be sworn in at the town’s organizational meeting.