I have known Mark Schaeffer for many years. Mark has always been a good friend and neighbor, and over the course of his first term as Sussex County councilman for the past three-and-a-half years, he has been an outstanding advocate for the people of the Third District. Mark is seeking re-election to be our voice for another term.
Contrary to tales about Mark and environmental issues, which are all easily verifiable, here are the facts:
• Mark's 30-year history of working to preserve undisturbed lands, including the creation of the first comprehensive land-use plan sent to Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, is a matter of public record
• Mark saved almost 2,000 acres in perpetuity from development during his brief time as our Sussex County councilman
• Mark voted no on over two dozen development projects due to concerns about environmental disturbance and overdevelopment. Mark voted no on the appeal of the Stillwater Harbor subdivision denial. Mark voted no on the appeal of the Lockhaven subdivision denial
• Mark stopped the subdivision next to Love Creek Elementary, saving a large area of old-growth forest
• Mark voted no and stopped the construction of a nightclub/restaurant at the old Old Landing Golf course that would have been an environmentally disturbing eyesore
• Mark, as a member of Sussex Preservation Coalition, has made an out-of-pocket cash donation and supported educational outreach projects
• Mark is a trustee of the Sussex County Land Trust, and a board member of the West Rehoboth Community Land Trust
• Mark recently helped change the zoning code to increase the size of planted buffers
• Mark recently helped pass an ordinance protecting our old-growth forests from the practice of clear-cutting
• Mark was instrumental in the development of a Master Planned Design Housing ordinance that will help prevent sprawl in the future.
These are the facts and just a few of Mark’s accomplishments. His challenger has implied – unchallenged by the local media – that Mark Schaeffer and other county council members are somehow the beneficiaries of developer favors. This is an absurd, ludicrous accusation for which there is no evidence whatsoever.
I give Mark Schaeffer my full endorsement toward another term on the Sussex County Council and encourage you to vote for him too. Our community concerns are similar and he has represented those soundly. Mark understands balance, gets involved and takes action. There is more work to do, and Mark has demonstrated he is the right person to get it done.
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