DOVER – There is only one primary being contested next Tuesday for a nomination as a commissioner on the Kent County Levy Court.

Keith Mumford is challenging incumbent Allan Angel for the Third District seat on Levy Court in a primary showdown between Democrats.

The winner of the primary will represent the Third District for the next four years since no Republicans entered in the race.

Keith Mumford

Mr. Angel, who moved to Delaware in 1965 as part of an Air Force family from California, is seeking his fourth-consecutive four-year term on Levy Court.

“It’s all about the people,” Mr. Angel said. “I’m very in touch with my constituents and vice versa. I’ve always said the people I represent are my boss and that it’s their needs and concerns I help fight for. It’s not about what I want.”

Mr. Mumford said that the fact that he recently retired after serving Kent County for 30 years will give him plenty of time to focus on the needs of his constituents.

“Being retired this will be my full-time job and I promise to be readily available to the citizens of Kent County,” he said. “I am not striving to be a politician, just a hard-working Kent Countian working for hard-working Kent Countians.”

Mr. Angel touts a record where he has served as president of the Capital School Board, was founder and president of the Dover High School Alumni, which has offered more than $50,000 in scholarships, and co-founded and is co-director of Code Purple, which helps the homeless people and military veterans in Kent County.

Allan Angel

He also serves on a number of appointed boards, including tourism, and is a county-city liaison.

“I think that economic development is the biggest issue facing Kent County heading into this election,” said Mr. Angel. “I do believe we need to take a look at our zoning laws and make it quicker and faster for businesses to get up and running. We need to cut the red tape.

“We also need to continue to promote long-range planning for a better quality of life for all Kent County citizens and ensure that our tax dollars are being used and saved to their best potential.”

Before retiring this spring, Mr. Mumford had served as director of Kent County Community Services for the past seven years after stepping up from a role as director of Parks and Recreation. Community Services includes oversight of the parks, recreation and the county library system.

He was also past president of the Delaware Parks and Recreation Society and is a well-known wrestling official. His retirement coincided with the opening of the $10 million Kent County Parks and Recreation Center in Dover.

He believes his wide range of experiences will help him if he is elected.

“I want to ensure that we continue to offer our youth opportunities to experience many types of extra-curricular activities,” said Mr. Mumford. “It has long been proven that children who are engaged in music, drama, athletics, etc., are less likely to get in trouble and do much better in school.

“Simply put, we need to keep them involved.”

During Mr. Mumford’s time with the county, he was part of the team that developed Brecknock Park in Camden, Browns Branch Park in Harrington and Big Oak Park in Smyrna.

And just a few years ago, he celebrated the county’s new library opening in Woodside.

“The hard-working citizens of Kent County deserve the best quality of life that county government can provide them,” Mr. Mumford said. “Whether it be a new ambulance, a park improvement or an upgrade to our wastewater facilities plant.

“Public perception at times is that these expenditures will raise our citizens’ taxes, when it reality, it will not. If it is something that is truly needed, let’s get it done.”

Mr. Angel said his involvement in a variety of different organizations helps him keep an open line of communication with his constituents.

“I enjoy all of them and I still learn something new every day,” he said. “It makes me a better person in learning, helping, communicating and ensuring their issues are represented.

“Working together, I believe we can make Kent County a better place to live today, tomorrow and for future generations.”

Mr. Mumford believes his longstanding close relationship with the community will be a positive factor.

“The most important thing is to listen to the people that I will be working for,” said Mr. Mumford. “This will be the easy part. I have been doing that for the past 30 years.”

Reach staff writer Mike Finney at 741-8230 or mfinney@newszap.com.