By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — A past council member and a newcomer will join the Town of Georgetown’s governing body as ward representatives.

Former councilwoman Sue Barlow edged Michael DiGiacoma by six votes, 165 to 159 for the Ward 2 council seat Saturday in the town’s 2021 municipal election.

Christina Diaz-Malone was unchallenged for the Ward 1 council seat.

“I want to see the town have a balanced budget,” said Ms. Barlow. “We need to have more code enforcement, and more open government.”

Ms. Diaz-Malone, who retired after more than 30 years in housing and community development, views council as a great opportunity to be involved in her community.

“I chose to live in this town, retire in this town. So true to my nature I have always volunteered in the places I have lived. I volunteer for Sussex County Habitat for Humanity,” Ms. Diaz-Malone said. “I believe housing is one of the cornerstones of Americans living the dream. Once you get people taking ownership of homes, they become more involved. I think that we need more people living in homes in Georgetown.”

A total of 324 votes were cast in Saturday’s 10-hour election at town hall. That’s about one tenth of the approximate 3,200 registered voters in Georgetown’s town limits.

Ms. Diaz-Malone will succeed Ward 1 councilman Steve Hartstein, who elected not to seek another term. Mr. Hartstein has served more than a decade on council, since 2011.

Ms. Barlow previously served on council from 1987-93 and 2004-2015. She will succeed Rebecca Johnson Dennis, who did not seek re-election. Ms. Johnson Dennis has served on council from 2015.

“I have things that I want to get done in town,” said Ms. Barlow. “There is no communicating here. Nothing gets distributed to the residents. The residents have no chance to comment on the different projects or proposals that are happening in town.”

Had he been victorious, Mr. DiGiacoma said he would work to keep Georgetown a wonderful place to live for his family, wife Victoria and 3-year-old daughter Charlotte, and take “the many things Georgetown has to offer and then improving on them.”

A native of the Dominican Republic, Ms. Diaz-Malone hopes to be a link to Georgetown’s Hispanic community and senior citizen population.

“From an immigrant’s perspective having been a Hispanic person not born in this country but raised in this country, that we have a communication issue with our retired community and my Hispanic communities. I represent both,” Ms. Diaz-Malone said. “We come with our own beliefs and our own culture values. So, we need to meld those values with the American values for the good of the community.

“I think there is a little bit of a disconnect between what my Latino folks from some parts of Latin American, Central America have, and what the culture and history of this town is. I think they would appreciate the history here because it is similar. It is about family.

“They need to feel like they are invited to share that history,” Ms. Diaz-Malone said. “Being in a small town we can’t afford to have a rift, or not be able to come together and appreciate each other.”

In Georgetown, council and mayoral terms are both two years.

Ms. Barlow and Ms. Diaz-Malone are expected to be sworn in at May 26 council meeting.

Next year, Ward 3 and Ward 4 council seats and the mayor’s post are up for election.

In the 2020 election, Penuel Barrett defeated Ward 4 incumbent Bob Holston, Angela Townsend was unchallenged in Ward 3 and Bill West was unopposed in securing a fourth term as mayor.