Time to look forward in Dewey Beach

An unusually bitter battle for three seats on Dewey Beach Town Council came to an end last week when voters elected newcomers Anna Legates and Joy Howell as well an incumbent Diane Hanson, all by impressive margins.

Before it ended, the most contentious election in recent history produced a new political action committee and highly adversarial political advertising.  Both in tone and in substance, the campaign was bitterly fought as candidates sought to get their supporters out to the polls.

This election was decisive, and it’s now behind us. Just as calm seas followed Hurricane Irene, Dewey property owners and businesses must now work together to find common ground in the wake of this stormy campaign.

That can be accomplished by laying aside the divisive rhetoric of the campaign and searching for concepts that can unite the community to move the town forward.

Developer Dewey Beach Enterprises announced last week the company has filed motions requesting dismissal of four Chancery Court suits and a federal lawsuit against the town. DBE has also agreed to represent the town in the one remaining suit, brought by four property owners against both DBE and the town.

While the legal case must still run its course, Dewey Beach has much to celebrate. By all accounts, events such as movies and bonfires on the beach have attracted families, diversifying crowds long attracted by weekend entertainment.

Music and dancing are certainly part of the Dewey Beach scene, attracting tourists by the thousands.  The good news is that based on police reports this year, problems long associated with late-night activities were on the decline this year, and there’s reason to hope that trend will continue.

Dewey Beach has so much to be proud of: great venues, great music, great beaches, and plenty of great places to enjoy good food and good friends.

It’s time to end the rhetoric that has recently divided the town. Both businesses and property owners will prosper if they work together to give new meaning to the Dewey Beach way of life.