Experience gives Rehoboth incumbents edge

As has become the norm in Rehoboth Beach, a well-qualified crop of candidates seeks election in Saturday's polling.

Incumbents Stan Mills and Toni Sharp, and challenger Rick Perry, bring a variety of strengths to their bids for two three-year terms. Mills' and Sharp's commitment to all things Rehoboth Beach, and record of city service before and during their elected terms, gives them an edge.

Both attend lots of city meetings, including Mayor and Commissioner meetings and other committee meetings discussing city business. That involvement keeps them well positioned to discuss issues and make informed decisions.

Mills is a no-nonsense, walk-around-the-city style of commissioner who keeps a close eye on the complex infrastructure needed to accommodate hundreds of thousands of summertime visitors and the same infrastructure that has to go into almost-dormant mode in the winter when the population shrinks significantly. He brings perspective as a member of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, Neighborhood Watch, stints as tax assessor and a prime mover in the storm drain program. As vice mayor - a mayoral appointment - Mills is always ready to step in when Mayor Sam Cooper is unavailable. He knows from his deep involvement that beaches, Boardwalk and trees are core to Rehoboth's character.

On trees, Mills and Sharp both express concern about loss of canopy in residential areas and want more focus on, and teeth in, the city's tree ordinance to help reverse the trend. Both have also been vocal supporters for ordinances to keep houses from getting out of scale in Rehoboth's traditional residential neighborhoods.

Sharp brings knowledge of Rehoboth's business community as an active member of the Main Street organization. With a home fronting on Silver Lake, she has also taken a keen interest in the health of Rehoboth's three unique freshwater lakes as a member of the managing board for the Save Our Lakes organization. "Trees, open space, bicycles, pedestrians and cars. We have to keep all of that in mind as we develop our next comprehensive plan," said Sharp. "We will never get any bigger, but we'll always be attractive."

Mills and Sharp have solid perspective and experience and deserve re-election.