Rehoboth candidates face off at forum

Property rights were the major issue at a Rehoboth Beach candidates forum July 22 as three candidates for two seats laid out their vision for the future.

Incumbent Commissioner Stan Mills played up his nine years of experience as a commissioner spearheading a variety of projects such as the Boardwalk reconstruction in 2009, and improving communications with citizens through measures such as creating a supporting documents program for city meetings, making all documents debated by the commissioners available at the meeting. Mills said he has tried to be a workhorse for the city.

Attorney Rick Perry, sporting a walking boot to help heal an injured foot, said his platform is based around protecting property rights, fiscal responsibility and government transparency. He said as commissioner, he would like to see the city get away from from solutions in search of a problem, specifically naming the recently passed trash ordinance - championed by Mills - that mandates the times people can have their trash cans out.

Incumbent Commissioner Toni Sharp said she ran for a second term in order to continue the work she started in her first. Sharp said at first she tried to stay largely in the background and learn but she became confident enough that during the most recent discussions over the city budget she told her fellow commissioners she could not support the budget without addressing the need for a communications specialist. Sharp said she also wants to conduct public opinion research to get feedback from citizens.

At the July 22 forum, hosted by CAMP Rehoboth and the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association at CAMP Community Center, the candidates were asked what are the three most important issues facing the city over the next three years.

Mills said the first major issue is managing the city’s identity, defining the city’s sense of place and what Rehoboth wants to be. He said the city’s identity ties into trees, his second major issue, and how to preserve and improve the city’s tree population. Mills said the city needs to do a better job managing its stormwater systems, which run into the city’s water bodies. He said while the city has taken measures to limit the amount of pollution coming from stormwater runoff, he speculated the recent water advisory at the Rehoboth Avenue beach could be linked to stormwater runoff. Finally, Mills said parking and traffic remain major problems for the city.

Perry said the biggest challenge the city faces is financial stability. He said there is a great deal of pressure on the city’s revenue streams every year. As an example, he said, homebuilding is down this year, causing a drop in permit fees, a major drop in revenue for the city. The drop in revenue comes at a time when the city has taken on large expenses for the City Hall reconstruction and ocean outfall projects, putting pressure on the city’s budget, Perry said.

Like Mills, Perry said that increasing the number of trees is a concern. Lastly, Perry said the final core issue was making Rehoboth a more harmonious community in light of the divisive meetings last summer on the use of pools and the changes to the city’s zoning ordinance meant to shrink the size of residential housing.

Sharp said her three issues were planning - both financial and administrative - improving relations with the public, and simplifying the city’s rules and regulations. Sharp said she would like to give citizens more input in the process, giving the commissioners a sense of what people believe is a priority.

Moderator Steve Elkins allowed questions from the floor, giving registered voters the chance to ask first.

Lynn Myers, 34 Oak Ave., asked how the commissioners would improve the relationship with residents affected by commercialization of residential homes.

Mills said he wanted to make sure people are informed about what is happening in the city to get them more involved in city meetings. He said he wants as broad an audience as possible and to gather perspectives before making decisions.

Perry, who the question was aimed at, said last year he was painted as a developer or an outsider, something he was not. Perry was embroiled last year in a lawsuit against the city that has since been stayed, challenging the city’s moratorium on pool building. He said he was trying to help a friend build his dream home. Perry said while the home is large, it fits in with the character of Rehoboth.

Sharp said the city has been on the right track as far as improving communications and should continue to stay on that path.

Mark Saunders, 255 Country Club Drive, asked the candidates if they would vote for the controversial zoning changes enacted last year again.

Perry said he would hope that what he saw as deficiencies in the ordinance would be corrected before passing it again.

Mills and Sharp, who voted for the package last year, said they both would vote for the ordinance again.

Jan Konesey, 42 Oak Ave., asked how the commissioners would balance property rights versus community rights.

Sharp said balancing property and community rights requires compromise using the city’s comprehensive development plan as guidance. She said it is in everyone’s interest to preserve Rehoboth as a charming seaside community.

Mills agreed that a balance is needed, but a balance that is in the best interests of the community, even if it may anger some.

Perry said while he respects community rights, at the same time Rehoboth is a resort town for a 10- to 12-week period. He said there have always been rental properties in town and that some residents may need to give a little. While he does not support party houses with loud noise, Perry said people should be able to enjoy what Rehoboth has here.