Rehoboth candidates sound off on transparency, finances and more

Rehoboth Beach’s annual municipal election is set for Saturday, Aug. 9. This year, there are three candidates for two seats – Chris Galanty, Jeffrey Goode and Susan Stewart. Sitting Commissioners Edward Chrzanowski and Francis “Bunky” Markert are not running for re-election, which means for the second straight year, no matter who wins, there will be two first-time candidates on the board of commissioners.

What follows is the Cape Gazette’s candidate questionnaire. Candidates were given 100 words to answer each question, and told that they would be edited for length and clarity. The responses provided by the candidates are their own and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Cape Gazette.

The election will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 

The deadline for the city to mail ballots to voters 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. For more information on the election, contact the city’s election office at 302-227-6181, Ext. 108, or go online to rehobothbeachde.gov.

Candidates

Chris Galanty is running as a resident. He and his husband have been visiting Rehoboth for 30 years and have owned property since 2018.

Relevant experience: A career spent tackling urban planning, environmental policy and community engagement at the federal and neighborhood level. He’s led local revitalization and public safety efforts, served on the streets and transportation committee, and advised agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. He said he’s built coalitions and solved neighborhood issues like traffic safety on Munson Street.

Education:  Double major in political science and environmental studies, St. Lawrence University; master’s in urban planning, University of Virginia, high honors; change management advanced practitioner certification, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business; Project Management Institute: Project Management Professional Certification.

Jeffrey Goode is running as a resident and has owned property in town for 19 years.

Relevant experience: I have been an economist for 40 years. I had increasingly responsible economic and managerial positions at several federal agencies, including the FAA, Labor, USAID, Congressional Research Service and International Trade Administration. I also worked overseas as a foreign service officer in Egypt, and with the U.N. in Switzerland. More recently, I worked as an international economic consultant. I was an adjunct professor at several universities, including American, Georgetown, Catholic and Salisbury. During one college summer, I was a lifeguard in NYC.

Education: Ph.D., economics, Stony Brook University; M.A., economics, Stony Brook University; B.A., economics, psychology (double major), SUNY Albany.

Susan H. Stewart is running as a resident and has owned property in the city since 2016 and just outside city limits since 2013.

Relevant experience: Lawyer and financial advisor, currently senior vice president, The Stewart Group, RBC Wealth Management; Rehoboth Beach planning commissioner and on two city task forces; Ursinus College Board of Trustees.

Education: Ursinus College, BA; Dickinson School of Law, JD

Questions

Why are you running for city council?

Galanty: I’m running because I care deeply about Rehoboth Beach and believe we need thoughtful, transparent leadership to protect what makes our community special. I bring experience in urban planning, environmental policy and coalition-building, and I’m committed to strengthening our infrastructure, improving public safety and preserving our natural resources. This isn’t just about policy; it’s about people. I want to be a voice for residents, restore trust in city government and plan for sustainable growth that respects our unique character. I’ll work hard, listen closely and lead with integrity to make sure Rehoboth thrives for generations to come.

Goode: I am running for office to be a voice for fiscal sanity and competence. Since my moving to Rehoboth full-time eight years ago, the budget has ballooned from $19 million to $44 million. Most of this increase was in recent years. The city has increased its spending by over twice the rate of inflation over the last several years. The city’s debt is currently at $68 million, 90% of our debt limit of $75 million. Each resident now owes $60,000 per head for the city’s debt. We must bring down this city’s debt.

Stewart: I have embraced challenges as a lawyer, financial advisor and athlete. As a former member of the U.S. Women’s Lacrosse Team and collegiate coach, I learned the value of hard work, leadership and teamwork. Today, I am senior vice president of The Stewart Group at RBC Wealth Management, and a member of the city's planning commission and two task forces. I have the skills and experience to be an agent of change on the board of commissioners and for the city, prioritizing the needs of residents and business owners and creating solutions that reflect our shared values and long-term needs.

What is your take on the city’s financial well-being? Is the city in good financial standing? Why or why not?

Galanty: Rehoboth Beach has strong financial fundamentals, but we must stay vigilant. Healthy reserves and recent infrastructure investments reflect sound management, but rising costs, deferred maintenance and pending capital needs require forward-looking planning. I believe the city must improve transparency around budget decisions and strengthen long-term financial forecasting to protect taxpayers and avoid reactive spending. We need to ask hard questions about where our dollars go and how future obligations will be met. With a more collaborative approach, we can ensure Rehoboth remains fiscally resilient while still delivering the services and infrastructure our community deserves.

Goode: Post-COVID, the city has spent at over twice the rate of inflation going from $27.7 million in FY 2022 to $44 million in our current budget. It finances this explosive growth by borrowing, including $5.5 million to pay for the new lifeguard station. The city debt is currently at $68 million, 90% of our limit of $75 million. We must bring down this city’s debt through judicious spending decisions.

Stewart: The city is financially secure. Total debt of $68 million includes $44 million approved by voters. North Shores and Sussex County pay the debt service on $22.9 million of that debt. The city has $41 million in unrestricted funds that can be drawn upon to pay for unanticipated expenditures. Contrary to the assertions of Jeffrey Goode, the city is not near bankruptcy.

The city is basically at the $3 million limit it can collect in property taxes annually. Should there be a charter change to increase the limit? Why or why not?

Galanty: A charter change should only be considered after full public discussion and careful financial analysis. Rehoboth must explore all options to balance future needs, starting with maximizing efficiency, leveraging grants and diversifying revenue before increasing the tax cap. Transparency is key: residents deserve a clear picture of what added revenue would support and why it's necessary. If we reach a point where current limits hinder essential services or infrastructure investments, then a charter change may be appropriate. But that decision should be community-driven, not automatic. We owe it to taxpayers to be thoughtful and proactive, not reactive.

Goode: No. Rehoboth has lost control over its spending. Post-COVID, the city has increased its spending by over twice the rate of inflation. The budget during this time has expanded by almost 60%. This poor fiscal management has led to dangerously high debt relative to the taxpayer base. Until Rehoboth gets control of its spending, we cannot increase its power to tax its taxpayers.

Stewart: There should not be a charter change to increase the property tax limit, and the city’s five-year financial forecast shows no need to do so. As stated above, the city has $41 million in unrestricted funds that could be used to pay for unanticipated expenditures.

The city recently implemented code related to civility in the workplace. What are your thoughts on how to improve civility at the commissioner level? Do you have concerns that it could be used to silence commissioners if they don’t agree with others?

Galanty: Civility among commissioners isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a core responsibility. The recent code was a necessary response to allegations of harassment against city staff, and I support its intent to create a safer, more respectful workplace. No one should feel intimidated while doing their job. That said, the code must be applied with care. It should never be used to silence debate or suppress independent thought. Commissioners must be able to disagree without hostility. I believe in strong safeguards: protect employees, promote respectful dialogue and preserve diverse perspectives. Let’s model the respect we want to see citywide.

Goode: The “civility” code is designed to stifle dissent. It is directed against one commissioner after she called out the ridiculous situation at the July 7 meeting where the commissioners who made the poor decisions with the city manager contract continue to make all the decisions on the contract lawsuit, keeping the newer commissioners out of the loop. We had the spectacle of the city attorney screaming at an elected commissioner to shut up and then other commissioners joining in threatening to stop the meeting if she did not stop talking. Fighting this lawsuit is bleeding the city – over $150,000 to date.

Stewart: The personnel change was to address hostile behavior toward employees by Commissioner Suzanne Goode. In a separate instance, Commissioner Goode, aware of a legal settlement offer, insisted on discussing it in a public hearing. The city is entitled to discuss legal matters in executive session pursuant to an exemption under FOIA. This exemption exists to protect the city’s legal strategy from disclosure to opposing parties. Commissioner Goode has made clear she wants the city to lose the lawsuit. The decision to gavel her was not an effort to suppress debate, but a legitimate measure to protect the city’s legal interests.

There’s an ongoing lawsuit related to the hiring of the city manager. What should the city do about the city manager’s contract? Would you have agreed to the terms?

Galanty: When I read about the city manager’s contract, I was unhappy about the compensation package. It did not seem appropriate for the position. That said, the city manager is in place, he’s working hard, and we should be rooting for his success and capitalizing on the return on investment made. The city is spending a significant amount of money on the lawsuit, and I don’t believe any sitting commissioner should be hoping the city fails. We must move forward with transparency, hold leadership accountable and focus on what’s best for Rehoboth – now and in the future.

Goode: Besides violating charter and FOIA rules, the contract made no sense. Employers twice stationed me overseas. The employers either provided housing or a housing allowance. When I left, it went to the next employee. No one gave me a house. What is disconcerting is our leadership doubles down on an unwise decision. The commissioners who made this decision withheld lawsuit information from the new commissioners. The city should settle with the plaintiffs to stem the legal tab. I would like to see the city manager and the city renegotiate just the housing part of the contract.

Stewart: Your question infers that the city has choices to make about the city manager’s contract. It does not. Mr. Tedder has a valid, enforceable contract. Given that, it would cost the city thousands if not millions of dollars to abrogate it.

Many residents are calling for significantly increased transparency about decisions being made at city hall. How would you improve transparency?

Galanty: I would push for clearer communication, more accessible records and meaningful public input. That means publishing detailed agendas well in advance and summarizing key decisions in plain language with timely distribution to the entire community. I’d advocate for interactive workshops on budget and planning issues, not just presentations. Residents should feel informed before decisions are made, not just after. I also believe in regular check-ins with the community, including listening sessions and online updates. Transparency isn’t just about access; it’s about trust. Let’s make city government easier to understand and follow, and truly accountable to the people it serves.

Goode: The lack of transparency has led to many poor decisions, most notably the city manager contract. The contract itself was not shared with the public ahead of its approval. Transparency is lacking even in the handling of its aftermath, when only those commissioners who made the wrong decision are managing the lawsuit which resulted. So the people who made the wrong decision to begin with are the ones deciding how to proceed with the lawsuit. If elected, I would be a strong voice for transparency in any spending over $100,000, including hiring of personnel.

Stewart: I would increase transparency by conducting all government matters in a public forum unless a valid exception to FOIA exists.

While apparently not illegal, should there be a husband and wife be on city council? Why or why not?

Galanty: While it’s not illegal for a married couple to serve together on city council, each commissioner must act as an independent representative of the community. At the recent Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association forum, candidate Goode stated he would consistently vote with his wife – a stance I find unsatisfying. Decisions should be guided by analysis, data and dialogue, not marital loyalty. Public trust depends on transparency, diverse viewpoints and thoughtful debate. If elected, I’ll advocate for clear boundaries that prevent conflicts of interest and protect open deliberation. City government works best when every commissioner brings their own lens and accountability to the table.

Goode: The majority of board members vote the same. The lack of tolerance for other ideas has led to many poor decisions. Our bloated budget of $44 million was passed by a vote of 6-1, with my wife voting against it. My wife was also the only commissioner to vote against the civility rule. The idea that my wife and I would become too powerful is divorced from reality. My competitors, supported by the political machine, if elected, would help stifle the one dissenting voice on the board. The city needs a counterbalance to the autocrats to help preserve democracy.

Stewart: It does not serve the city well to have spouses serving simultaneously on the commission. Good governance depends on the independence of thought and open exchange of diverse perspectives. When spouses serve together, that independence is naturally compromised. The commission is already struggling to function effectively. The prospect of adding Suzanne’s spouse, Jeffrey, raises significant questions about the future functionality and reputation of the commission. The city deserves independent voices working in public interest.

What other issues in town are you concerned about and why?

Galanty: Beyond infrastructure and environmental resilience, I’m concerned about traffic safety, transparency in governance and long-term planning. We need clearer communication between city hall and residents, especially around major decisions. Traffic-calming measures – like those we advocated for on Munson Street – should be expanded to protect pedestrians and preserve neighborhood character. I’m also focused on ensuring smart growth that respects Rehoboth’s charm while preparing for future challenges. And we must be thoughtful about how tourism impacts residents’ quality of life. I believe in listening, planning collaboratively and leading with integrity to make Rehoboth Beach even stronger for generations to come.

Goode: We have a bloc of board members who vote together, and who control the material presented at the meetings. The lack of differing views has led to poor decisions. The same cadre with near-total control backs my two competitors. We do not need more of the same running our government. In addition, we should enact both a hiring freeze, except for replacements, and a limit on spending growth to the inflation rate. The complex code has led to unnecessary friction between property owners and the government. The code overhaul budgeted recently should strive for simplification, to reduce lawsuits and conflict.

Stewart: One is the weakening of business conditions. The city depends on thriving businesses, and several have reported a softening in sales. It is not clear whether the downturn in business is related to slowing of the economy in general or to specific issues that could and should be addressed by the city. Another concern and the single biggest source of frustration for homeowners is the length of time it takes, and the lack of consistency, in residential permitting. Lastly, the city needs to step up enforcement of speed and noise ordinances.