Rehoboth candidates shed light on issues

The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association hosted its annual candidates forum July 19. Two of the three candidates spent the majority of their time talking about how they would be good for the city, while the third candidate spent the majority of his time talking about how the other two would be bad for the city and encouraging voters to send a message by voting for only him.

There are three candidates for two soon-to-be-vacant commissioner seats – Chris Galanty, Jeffrey Goode and Susan Stewart. All are first-time candidates. Galanty is an urban planner with three decades of experience, and has been active as a volunteer in Washington, D.C., and Rehoboth. Goode, who is married to sitting Commissioner Suzanne Goode, is an economist by trade and recently retired after a 40-year career with the federal government. Stewart, who is currently a member of the planning commission, has been a financial advisor for decades and has a law degree from Penn State Dickinson Law.

Candidates were provided the opportunity for opening and closing statements. In between, association President Susan Gay and Vice President Mary Good asked seven questions over the course of about 90 minutes covering a variety of topics – the budget; the diversification of revenue; safety on the Boardwalk, neighborhoods and streets; management of growth and development in residential and commercial districts; the amount of city regulations and if those regulations are working; the current dynamics of commissioners’ relationships; and how to fill vacancies in the commercial district.

Galanty said he was taught at an early age to be an active member of the local community and to lead with purpose. His campaign is about service, he said.

Goode said the old guard’s political machine doesn’t want him to be a commissioner. If the other two candidates win, which the political machine wants, there will be no change, he said.

Stewart said she would like to see the city’s government functioning better, with an eye toward the future, not just putting out fires.

Related to the budget, Galanty and Stewart acknowledged the city has debt, but generally described it as good debt because a lot of it is tied up in the wastewater system, which brings money to the city.

Saying the city’s budget is in bad shape is a false flag, said Galanty.

Goode said one way to increase revenue is to annex communities into Rehoboth that the city’s wastewater and water systems are already serving. He said another way to increase revenue is to decrease spending.

Generally, in terms of crime, all three think the safety throughout the city is pretty good.

There are some dark locations on the Boardwalk, said Stewart, adding she does have some concerns about curfews. The high-profile incidents that occurred at the beginning of the summer didn’t involve minors, she said.

As for growth, Stewart and Galanty said the planning commission is doing a good job holding applicants accountable to city code. The problem is with the applicants, said Stewart.

Galanty acknowledged the city could improve when it comes to the enforcement of regulations, but generally has had a good experience working with the city. He likes governance and process, he said.

Goode said inconsistency in enforcing the code is one of the top issues he hears about on the campaign trail. It’s the minor things that drive people crazy, he said.

The question about commissioner collegiality drew a murmur from the audience.

Galanty said the current dynamic isn’t healthy and is embarrassing. His approach would be to build consensus through respectful persistence, he said.

Stewart said commissioners often agree on issues, and civility doesn’t stifle commissioners from expressing their opinions. Civility is the lubricant to get those conversations going, she said.

Sitting Commissioners Edward Chrzanowski and Francis “Bunky” Markert are not running for re-election.

The election is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, in the convention center, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The deadline to register was July 10.

Absentee ballots are now available. Ballots will be sent to everyone who has an absentee ballot request form on file. The deadline for the city to mail ballots is Tuesday, Aug. 5. Any qualified elector may request an absentee ballot to vote by filing a request for an absentee ballot form no later than noon, Friday, Aug. 8. Ballots must be received by mail or in person before the polls close on the day of the election.

The Cape Gazette’s candidate questionnaire will run in the Friday, Aug. 1 edition.

For more information on the election, contact the city’s election office at 302-227-6181, Ext. 108, or go to rehobothbeachde.gov.