I strongly support the re-election of I.G. Burton to Sussex County Council. I first met I.G. when he visited the new Lewes Public Library for a tour and briefing on library operations. From the moment he arrived, he was engaged and interested in the details of library services and obtaining a better grasp of the challenges it faced as an “independent library” within the statewide system under the Delaware Division of Libraries. His extensive business background became evident when he wanted to do a “deep dive” into the details so he could understand what the library had to do to raise over 50 percent of its operating budget on an annual basis.
Since that meeting, I have had several opportunities to discuss other Sussex County issues with him and have always been impressed with his breadth of knowledge and mastery of the details. He understands that there are never any simple issues and other perspectives must be taken into account before decisions are made in the public interest.
There are many examples of his successful collaborative approach to problem solving, but the most recent example was the announcement July 28 of the Sussex County purchase of a parcel of land between Sarah Run and Chapel Branch near Burtons Pond and Herring Creek off Route 24, to protect it from future development and preserve it as open spac
Additionally, I.G. Burton was one of the principal players in facilitating a partnership with the City of Lewes and the Lewes Board of Public Works to purchase the 37.5-acre Jones Farm. The land, just outside Lewes city limits along Kings Highway and Clay Road, is now protected in perpetuity as a wellhead protection area, a zone established to safeguard the local drinking water supply.
He is a person who knows how to build bridges to help chart a course that will make Sussex County a better place for future generations. His substantive and holistic approach to problem solving will be especially important during the formation of the county’s new comprehensive land-use plan, which must be completed over the next two years. He has said “we need to balance the rapid growth our neighborhoods.” His leadership and experience as a Sussex County Council member, coupled with his background on the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission and his business background will be critical in the development of the comprehensive land-use plan. We need an experienced, substantive person with leadership skills who is not afraid to take on the hard problems facing our county. I.G. Burton is that person.
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