Sussex council adopts tributes policy

Sussex County Council now has a policy related to the issuance of tributes, proclamations and resolutions. The new policy has also been added to council's rules of procedure.

Council President Mike Vincent has expressed concerns that the process needs to be consistent for everyone.

“At the end of the day, this is about people who have done something extra special in Sussex County,” he said. “This needs to be about the person; we need to focus on that.”

Vincent said he contacted other county and town officials and local legislators to develop the policy.

The new policy is divided into three tiers.

Tier 1 is reserved for proclamations for public recognition of extraordinary events. Proclamations will be presented and approved by a vote of the entire council.

Tier 2 is for tributes of noteworthy events. Tributes will be a certificate issued by the county with the official seal and signed by an individual council member who initiated the tribute. Tributes do not require county council approval. Memoriams will also be included in Tier 2.

Tier 3 is a new style of recognition in the form of a congratulatory letter drafted by a council member. District-specific cards will be issued to each council member for their sole discretion to be issued as a hand-written letter.

Council approved the policy and amendment to rules of procedure by a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Cindy Green casting the lone negative vote. Green said she didn't know there was a problem.

Councilman Mark Schaeffer, who has been issuing tributes to his District 3 constituents, said he agrees with the policy.

“It brings some formality to the process,” he said.