By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — Opting to forgo a council reelection bid, Angela Townsend is seeking to become the town’s first-ever female mayor, pledging to bring a change in leadership to town government.

Ms. Townsend officially filed Friday morning at Town Hall, aiming to succeed Bill West in the May 11 municipal election. Mayor West, elected mayor in 2014 after one term on the council, filed on April 15 for a sixth two-year mayoral term.

“I know Georgetown,” said Ms. Townsend. “I know what works. I know what the residents of Georgetown want, and I know what they have now, they do not want.”

She kicked off her campaign Friday with a gathering at the Old Courthouse, accompanied by family, friends and former and current elected officials. Ms. Townsend, who retired from Sussex County in 2005 after 33 years as assistant director of treasury, has served on the council as the Third Ward representative since 2020, having previously served on the council from 2002 to 2005.

She also served as Georgetown town clerk for nearly 11 years.

In her campaign speech, Ms. Townsend said she would continue to support the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, strive to treat everyone courteously, listen to others, practice self-control and adopt a policy of decorum for public meetings.

“I will not serve on any board as a trustee or director. As the mayor, I will be a resource,” Ms. Townsend stated in her speech.

Among Ms. Townsend’s key issues are traffic congestion, the homeless situation, loss of highway commercial business, drug and alcohol addiction issues that put a strain on emergency services, and the proposed recreational marijuana presence in town, which she strongly opposes.

“Each of the residents of Georgetown has his or her own hopes, aspirations, viewpoints and problems. You each contribute something unique to the life of the town,” Ms. Townsend said. “I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant. I always have been. I get things done. I will listen to you. I value your opinion. I want more resident participation and involvement.”

Ms. Townsend continued, “Let’s all work together to bring Georgetown back as the close-knit community where we all knew each other. We cared about each other. We knew our neighbors. We helped our neighbors, and we were proud to call Georgetown home.”