Richard Byrne files for re-election in Rehoboth
Rehoboth Beach’s 2021 municipal election is Saturday, Aug. 14. Commissioner Richard Byrne is the first candidate to file.
“It has been my privilege to have served as Rehoboth Beach Commissioner for the past three years. It’s been an active and productive term working in service to the citizens and I am pleased to announce I will run for re-election this summer,” said Byrne, in an email May 15. He submitted the paperwork for his candidacy at city hall May 14.
Byrne listed a number of accomplishments during his first three-year term – authoring the legislation creating Steve Elkins Way; creating the environment committee and promoting endeavors to take care of the city’s natural environment; reviewing the city wireless communications facilities ordinance; being involved with bringing back recycling to the Boardwalk; chairing the animal issues committee during a major rewrite of city animal code; brought forward several measure to improve pedestrian safety; and securing a grant to support the beautification of the public triangle on State Road.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the many months of working as a team member with the mayor and commissioners to ensure that Rehoboth Beach responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a safe and responsible manner,” said Byrne, who also serves on the tree and green infrastructure committee and the city personnel committee. “It’s been an inspiring and challenging time and I’m very proud of the many initiatives I’ve been involved with.”
Byrne said if he’s re-elected he’ll continue to preserve residential neighborhoods, protect the city’s natural environment and promote ethical, open, fair and transparent government.
“I will continue listening to concerns of residents and business owners as well as ideas for improving our city,” said Byrne.
Commissioner Pat Coluzzi is the other commissioner up for re-election. The filing deadline for Rehoboth’s election is Monday, June 7. Interested candidates must turn in a petition signed by at least 10 qualified voters, but not more than 25, to the city manager that day no later than 4:30 p.m. For a full list of qualifications, go to cityofrehoboth.com/government/elections.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014 and has the local parking passes to prove it. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories, random stories on subjects he finds interesting and has a column called ‘Choppin’ Wood’ that runs every other week. Additionally, Chris moonlights as the company’s circulation manager, which primarily means fixing boxes during daylight hours that are jammed with coins, but sometimes means delivering papers in the middle of the night. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design. People are often surprised to learn that Chris was able to convince someone to marry him and, more surprisingly, convince that person to then have kids with him.
