I am disappointed with the recent wave of comments regarding Suzanne Goode. I have known Suzanne for the past few years, and she has always spoken from a thoughtful, consensus-building point of view. Rehoboth is at a crossroads, and I believe it’s better for the commission not to be a California-type one-mindset rule. Suzanne offers us a chance to have a commission that is more representative of the entire Rehoboth community.
California is seeing a mass exodus of businesses and people, skyrocketing costs, taxes and crime with a debt now exceeding $145 billion. I have to believe California would have been better served with people of different mindsets compromising to meet the needs of its citizens. I use California as an example of single-minded mistakes. In my corporate career, I embraced differing opinions that always served to produce a better outcome. The single mindset in Rehoboth now has property tax rates up more than 30%, along with other expenses, while we have cost overruns on the new lifeguard station of $500,000, millions of dollars in overruns in city hall, and are paying a city manager more than the Delaware governor and 500% more than the average Delaware resident.
Without a countering but balanced view like those expressed by Suzanne, things will continue to spiral downward, and being a resident or business owner in Rehoboth will continue to become challenging.
The latest barrage against Suzanne, who will be a voice for all of us, comes from those that want the old ways to endure (like California). We’ve seen the silliness of that endeavor and the explosive rates they’re inflicting on us. Suzanne stood up on that committee and dared to oppose groupthink decision-making.
The recent comments regarding Suzanne seem coordinated and do not reflect the person I have known for many years. Reasonable, common-sense opposition is healthy and in short supply. I suggest we focus on the issues that matter here, and that’s where Suzanne excels. Her inquisitive, engaged and analytical skills will make her an excellent addition to the commission and ensure all of Rehoboth homeowners are represented. We need Suzanne and her courage to speak up, speak out and act for all of us, and thankfully she’s running to represent all of us.
Thanks, Suzanne, you’ll have my support!