No Election in Dewey for Fourth Year in a Row
The deadline to file to run for the two soon-to-be-open Dewey Beach commissioner seats was last Thursday at 5 p.m.
Only the two incumbents filed, Commissioner Gary Persinger and Mayor William “Bill” Stevens.
“The fact that we haven’t had an election in four years is a testament to our commissioners and town employees working together to make Dewey Beach a better place every day,” says Bill Zolper, Dewey Beach town manager.
This past Saturday, Comm. Persinger and Mayor Stevens attended the annual Dewey Beach Civic League’s candidate forum at the lifesaving station moderated by former Mayor Diane Hanson, the league’s president. They were joined by Comms. Elisabeth Gibbings and Paul Bauer along with Zolper and Police Chief Constance Speake.
Topics covered during the 90-minute forum included sea-level rise with associated flooding, the new town hall, avoiding debt and associated cost overruns, pedestrian safety including safety fencing and crosswalks, bar noise, parking, canopy and tents, LLC voting, unsightly trash cans, bonfires and fireworks dangers, Coastal Highway island landscaping and electrical vehicle charging stations.
Chief Speake mentioned the numerous improvements to the police department including addressing most all previous audit report findings, hiring a 13th police officer, a full-time detective, two K9 officers, year-round bike patrols, and an upgraded computer-aided dispatch computer system to eliminate paper logs.
The town manager’s report included re-paving residential streets and future beach replenishment that is scheduled for 2025-2026.
City officials encourage people to report public safety concerns to the police department when they occur, and not simply contact town hall the following day or email the council members. This includes complaints like bonfires, fireworks and noise. Chief Speake says the DBPD has a dispatcher working 24/7 year-round to handle these complaints which town officials want documented promptly. Complaints should be made to the DBPD’s non-emergency number, 302-227-1110.
At the forum, Jenny Taylor, one of the Civic League’s board members, presented Eleanor Tyler, wife of James “Jim” Tyler, who passed away on July 2, with a plaque for his dedication and service to Dewey Beach. “Both gave many years as members of the Civic League and were always available to help with projects and events. Jim also served as chair of the Infrastructure Committee from 2012 until he stepped down in 2023. His background in civil engineering made him a valuable asset to the committee,” the certificate of appreciation reads.
The entire forum has been posted on the Dewey Beach YouTube channel.
