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BBLA Beach News (Archived)

Volume 2 - Summer 2020 Special Edition

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Service

To Our Members and Community

BBLA Newsletter

It's Town Council Election Time - September 12, 2020:

In the event of contested Town Council elections, BBLA provides information on the candidates to our more than 1,300 members and other eligible Bethany Beach voters. In our efforts to create informed voters, we encourage eligible voters to review the candidate responses to questions posed by the BBLA Board of Directors. Please note that the candidates were given word limits and their answers are provided below without editorial changes.

Town Council Election Information:

Election on 9/12/20 Noon - 6:00 PM in Town Hall - 214 Garfield Parkway - absentee ballots are available
Please note important absentee voting procedures:
IMPORTANT: The Governor’s emergency order permits voters to vote via absentee ballots in an election based on COVID-19 concerns.
Any voter who has those concerns and wishes to vote absentee in the September 12 Town Council election, please check the box on the Town’s Absentee Ballot Request Form that states: “I am sick or physically disabled.”
The written Affidavit must be filed no later than 12:00 Noon on Friday, September 11, 2020
After approval of the Affidavit, an absentee ballot will be provided to you either in person or mailed. Absentee ballots must be received before the polls close on the day of the election.
Here are the Town's complete absentee voting instructions

Four (4) Town Council Members shall be elected - There are five (5) candidates:

Faith Denault (resident)

Russell Evans (non-resident)

R. Bruce Frye (resident)

Rosemary Hardiman (resident)

Lew Killmer (resident)

TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE QUESTIONS:

September 2020 Election

Background and Experience

Please provide a short summary of your background and experience relevant to serving on Town Council.

Looking Forward, as a 2020-21 Council Member….

a. What is your vision for addressing the COVID-19 related issues impacting the Town’s safety and economy? How can the Town help struggling businesses?

b. What are the action steps that you would promote to address storm water management and flooding in the Town?

c. How would specifically use collaboration and coordination with other beach communities in the region, including County and State Governments, to address these issues?

Aside from COVID-19, Provide Your Comments on What Will be Your Main Area of Emphasis as a Council Member.

Candidate Responses

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Faith Denault

Background and Experience

My late husband and I moved full time to our home in Bethany Beach after retiring in 2000. After retirement I became very involved in our Town and community. Prior to being elected to the Town Council in 2018 I served on several Town committees including Planning and Zoning, Non-Residential Design, and the Election Board. My community activities included serving as President of the Friends of the South Coastal Library, Chair of the Beach and Bay Cottage Tour, member of the Advisory Board of the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation and Meals on Wheels. I retired as Vice President of Corporate Real Estate, Facilities and Business Services for two international corporations. My background in executive management required many skills including project and capital planning/budgeting, property acquisitions, project development and implementation, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, working collaboratively with others and independent thinking.

Looking Forward ...

a. COVID 19 – I am proud of how our Town has managed the challenges associated with this pandemic. No decision has been made without considering the impact on our Town’s residents, visitors, businesses, and the financial impact of these decisions. Council has been and will continue to communicate and work with local businesses along with the Chamber of Commerce to further discuss ways in which the Town can reasonably address issues raised. Council and Town staff are continuously monitoring the impact of the Governor’s guidelines for the State of Delaware on our town, residents and businesses..

b. Storm Water Management – For as long as I can remember, the Town has been studying ways to alleviate the flooding in our town which, as we all know, is at or below sea level. We have discussed flood gates, bladder dams, impact of wetlands among many topics. A recently released study commissioned by the Town is showing some favorable findings on the topic of flood gates. A copy of the results, along with some background and an explanation of what the report is saying will be uploaded to the Town’s website soon. If it is proven that the findings from this report are viable, I will work with Council and Town Manager to help pursue and obtain necessary funding.

c. Collaboration and Coordination – We are one of the seven beach communities that are members of the Association of Coastal Towns (ACT) as well as the Sussex County Association of Towns (SCAT), and the Delaware League of Local Governments. These organizations continue to discuss and formulate recommendations on issues that impact our coastal towns such as flooding, storm and climate change readiness and beach replenishment. Being members of and working collaboratively with these groups provides the opportunity for more influential and ongoing communications with county, state, and federal decision makers.

Main area of emphasis - If reelected, I will focus on some of the following topics: looking for work arounds in the Town’s budget to mitigate losses incurred by the pandemic; encourage high speed internet technology and infrastructure; funding for beach protection; ongoing pedestrian and bicycle safety; completion of Town park and signage; encourage reviews of all planned capital spending; and communicating with our residents and business owners.

R. Bruce Frye

Background and Experience

We moved to Bethany Beach as full time residents in 2010 and I began attending Town Council meetings, serving on the Board of Adjustment and the Charter & Ordinance Review Comm. I was elected to the town council in 2014 and have served 3 terms, chairing the July 4^th parade committee. Since my professional background is in science and industry (PhD from MIT, 30yrs. at GE), I have been particularly interested in our beach’s health and in maintaining our wetlands. Joining the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. I attend their annual conferences to keep informed. Through the Institute for Public Administration I’ve taken classes in Master Planning, Board of Adjustment, Freedom of Information, and Resilient Communities. I am a native of Delaware! I have served as president of our home owners association for the past 9 years.

[See also Facebook.com/brucefryeBB]

Looking Forward ...

a. COVID 19 – The answer to Covid-19 issues is to follow CDC and state guidelines and get our exposures down so that both business and education can resume safely. By creating, modeling and enforcing a mask rule, the town encourages healthy behavior. Balancing crowd safety and business interests is a challenge. The Council carefully and diligently thought through the implications of procedures and implemented parking changes to balance these needs.

b. Storm Water Management –

Bethany experiences sunny day flooding when the tides remain high for extended periods and canal waters back up through our storm sewers. Happily, a newly completed study shows that a 2.5-foot high bladder dam with tidal gates will control flooding in Bethany without flooding property along the Assawoman Canal. The town will soon begin discussions with state and federal officials on funding and implementing this solution. Another approach is wetlands management. I was one of the main champions for protecting the last major wetlands in Bethany. This 10-year effort succeeded last year as the town was able to purchase the Walcek wetlands and prevent development.

c. Collaboration and Coordination – Our Town Manager and Council members regularly confer on many issues with the other coastal towns via the Assoc. of Coastal Towns (ACT). Additionally, we are involved with other Sussex towns via the Sussex County Assoc. of Towns (SCAT) and with state government via the Del. League of Local Government (DLLG). Covid-19 response is led by the governor, while flooding involves the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Our future regional challenge will be to develop creative funding for beach replenishment.

Main area of emphasis - I joined the Amer. Shore & Beach Preservation Assoc. to keep up to date on the best methods to both protect the town and maintain a healthy beach. This organization is a mix of academics, costal engineers, and local governments who study and remediate shoreline issues across the nation. After studying the best coastal science, I have learned that Bethany Beach’s large dune is the most cost effective and efficient means for protecting our town. The beach reduces wave force, protecting the wide dune, and the dune protects our town. Studies of Hurricane Sandy have documented on the Jersey shore that dunes definitely limited damage. Bethany is on the right course. I also follow the wind power debate.

Lew Killmer

Background and Experience

I have served on the Town Council for a total of fourteen years, five years as Vice Mayor and this year as Mayor. I have chaired a number of Town Committees such as the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the Non-Residential Design Review Committee. This year I am also the President of the Delaware League of Local Governments and I am a member of the Steering Committee for the Sussex County Association of Towns as well as the Association of Coastal Towns.

Looking Forward ...

a. COVID 19 – Dealing with the pandemic is a very tricky balance between protecting the health and welfare of our residents, property/business owners and visitors and at the very same time being concerned about the health and long-term viability of our local businesses. The Town is limited as far as the number of ways to assist our important local businesses. Parking is one approach on how the Town has helped the businesses, such as 15-minute free parking for take-out, no charge for employee parking, and eliminating all Town wide parking fees at the end of August.

b. Storm Water Management –I have served on Delaware’s State Senate Committee that developed new legislation that focused on Stormwater Management and Flood Damage Prevention. I have reviewed and updated our Town Code to ensure that the Town Code complies with and in some cases exceeds the State Code especially for all new construction and projects that involve major reconstruction.

c. Collaboration and Coordination – The Association of Coastal Towns (ACT) is made up of Delaware’s seven coastal communities. ACT meets on a regular basis that also includes members from Sussex County Council, DNREC, Governor Carney’s Office and on occasion representatives from both Senator Carper and Senator Coons office.

ACT meetings are an important vehicle to make sure that we are all on the same page with all of our representatives from the Federal Government to our locally elected officials as to what our concerns and needs are and how best they can be addressed from the sharing of expertise, the availability of grants and low interest loans and training.

Main area of emphasis - To develop a three to five-year business/financial plan for the continued financial health and well-being of our Town. To make sure that the Town controls cost, that low local taxes are maintained as well as making sure that the Town has adequate funding and reserves so that Bethany Beach continues to be a wonderful place to live, to invest, to do business and to be a choice vacation destination for families.

Russell Evans

Background and Experience

My family has called Bethany Beach home since 1702 (When my Great, Great, Great Grandfather bought land here). I have spent time every summer In Bethany for the past 62 years. I grew up here, worked here (BBBP lifeguard), met my wife here, and have raised our 3 children here. I care deeply about this town and its future.

My business career, I founded a printing company in NJ in 1978 and have been in business for 42 years, employed and managed 500+ employees in 5 locations. I understand fiscal responsibility.

My Civic & Non-profit participation include the Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Chairman, American Red Cross Chapter NJ, Board member, Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, and Kiwanis Club, Past President of EANJ, Member, Elks Club, and VFW.

As a Non-Resident Property Owner, I will be a strong voice for keeping Bethany a “Quiet Resort”.

PLEASE VOTE FOR RUSSELL EVANS!

Looking Forward ...

a. COVID 19 – The safety of our town comes first. The pandemic has created unprecedented challenges. In order to keep our residents, visitors & small business owner’s safe and thriving I suggest the following: (most should have been already done by now)

- Collaborate with business owners to assess their needs & take action immediately.

- Increase parking – reach out to the Church for additional downtown parking (temporary basis) to help feed foot traffic to all businesses.

-Create areas for outdoor dining in a safe manner to support local restaurants.

- Conduct Resident and Business surveys.

PLEASE VOTE FOR RUSSELL EVANS!

b. Storm Water Management –We need to stop the studies and take action. The development of vacant lots over the years has worsened the flooding of beachside roads/properties.

I believe the only solution is to install a pump station to pump the flood waters out. Constant flooding effects residents’ property and hinders access to roadways, and bike and foot traffic to downtown businesses. The floodwaters also pose a danger during strong storms with the outdated above ground electrical lines. My goal is to see all power and cable lines buried underground just like most other areas in Bethany.

PLEASE VOTE FOR RUSSELL EVANS!

c. Collaboration and Coordination – Coordinate meetings with the surrounding communities to facilitate planning and shared needs for the upcoming year(s). I will be an advocate for the town to keep Bethany Beach a “Quiet Resort”. I will work with all other communities including local and state governments on any and all issues that need to be addressed including flooding & Mediacom alternatives, always keeping Bethany’s best interest in mind.

PLEASE VOTE FOR RUSSELL EVANS!

Main area of emphasis - I am running because I feel the current town council does not have a clear and well thought out plan for keeping Bethany Beach a “Quiet Resort.” For example, I was not in support of the development of Central Park West.

- The very large cement wall sign does not align with the overall look and feel of our beach town.

- The upkeep of the park has now become an additional tax payer burden.

- $158,000 for the new park Gazebo?

Instead, I would focus on the following:

-Not adding more ongoing infrastructure costs or taxes to make up for the shortages we will suffer due to the current conditions and wasteful spending.

-Resolve flooding issues.

-Bury above ground power lines.

-Mediacom – Terrible service and need to fix now.

-Be a voice for all Non-Resident Property Owners.

PLEASE VOTE FOR RUSSELL EVANS!

Rosemary Hardiman

Background and Experience

Town: Council member since 2014; Vice Mayor since 2018; Chair, Charter & Ordinance Review Committee.
State and County: Delaware League of Local Governments Legislative Advocacy Committee; Past President, Sussex Co. Library Advisory Board & County Representative on Delaware Council of Libraries.
Federal: Secretary of the Board and Deputy Executive Director of a Federal agency.
Attorney in private practice representing and advising credit unions in the resolution of issues.
Community Volunteer Activities: Farmers’ Market; VFW Post 7234; St. Ann’s; So. Coastal Library.

Looking Forward ...

a. COVID 19 – (1) In addressing COVID-19 issues, we have to continue to protect public health and safety, based on Governor Carney’s emergency orders and medical advice. We have taken a number of steps to limit crowding and to promote social distancing; adopted an ordinance specifically requiring face coverings in the downtown commercial district and boardwalk area. (BBLA’s support was appreciated.) Those protective efforts should continue and, if required, others adopted until no longer needed. (2) We have to continue to assist businesses, a vital part of our community, during this crisis, consistent with public health and safety. In consultation with the business community, we have: Limited parking in the C-1 Commercial District to two hours to encourage turnover; provided free business parking permits for employees; provided free 15-minute parking for pick up orders; and implemented free Tuesday parking after 4 pm. We continue to explore other suggestions with businesses.

b. Storm Water Management –(1) Most of Town is at or below sea level. Maintenance of the beach and dune is essential to protect the Town in major storms. Engineers recently advised the Town that a bladder dam at the mouth of the Loop Canal and tidal gates at the north end of the Salt Pond would alleviate the majority of tidal flooding in Bethany Beach. We must vigorously pursue federal and state approval and funding for their construction. The recent purchase and preservation of the 12.5-acre Walcek property will also help mitigate flooding along the Loop Canal. (2) In addition to other measures, we should continue efforts to ensure DNREC participation in the Army Corps of Engineers’ Back Bay Study, to identify project-ready flood control measures in Delaware, especially in our area.

c. Collaboration and Coordination – The Town has well-established relationships with other local governments, as well as county, state and federal officials, and has worked with them to address continued funding for beach replenishment, flooding, pedestrian safety and other issues. We were instrumental in reestablishing the Association of Coastal Towns (ACT), which provides a forum for communication and cooperation on common issues. Council members also work with the Sussex County Association of Towns and Delaware League of Local Governments to ensure that the interests of Bethany Beach and its citizens are represented.

Main area of emphasis - In addition to the above, other areas I would emphasize include:

Continuing to work with DelDOT to ensure installation of additional pedestrian-activated lights on Route 1 (Ocean View; Central; Ashwood) and Kent Ave. at Wellington Pkwy. before next summer;
Improving Internet and cable services;
Maintaining financial stability of the Town, including consideration of priorities and plans based on the COVID-19 effect on revenue.
Enhance our family friendly, small town quality of life.
Continue to encourage citizen input and to address concerns that individuals bring to my attention.

For additional information regarding my position on issues, please visit my website at:www.Hardiman4Bethany.com or contact me at: Hardiman4Bethany@gmail.com.

Thanks to the BBLA for providing this voter service.

BBLA appreciates our readers taking the time to become familiar with their Town Council Candidates