Cannon: Elect women in Seaford to thwart negative ‘continuity’

On its surface, the idea of “maintaining continuity” between current and upcoming governments in Seaford sounds like a desirable goal — especially with three out of six seats (mayor and two City Council) being contested April 20.

However, 5,000-plus registered Seaford voters should pay close attention to the kind(s) of “continuity” that have been advocated and supported by two current city councilmen who are now 2024 candidates.

Negative “continuity” not needed in Seaford:

• Voting to raise electric rates without first considering budget cuts to reduce/eliminate the need for increases
• Overturning the will of the people by trying to allow hundreds of nonpersons to vote in municipal elections
• Closing Magnolia Drive with a farm gate, while ignoring citizens’ complaints of violations of charter and bylaw legal requirements
• Using highly political legal theories to pursue an illegal “fetal remains” ordinance, resulting in a resounding defeat in an impartial Delaware court
• Failing to attempt to remedy the severe problem of 4,680 eligible voters not voting in the April 15, 2023, municipal election
• Multiple legal violations of the Freedom of Information Act and election laws, as ruled by the impartial Delaware Department of Justice and the impartial Delaware Department of Elections, respectively

Check out their voting records, showing that the two current city councilmen running for mayor and City Council were/are right in the middle of support of these negative actions.

These wayward politicians should not be allowed to camouflage their highly undesirable political actions/beliefs under the “leaky” umbrella of “maintaining continuity” for the good of Seaford.

Other candidates — including Jose Santos for mayor and Stephanie Grassett, Roxanne Knights and Jim Walsh for City Council — are definitely business-friendly but not willing to give away the store by allowing nonperson voting.

Importantly, these other candidates also appear committed to following normal, not twisted, legal interpretations/procedures/obligations. They would right the wrong of the farm gate blocking off Magnolia Drive. But they would not look for and pursue highly political/controversial legal ideas, like the one that got our city smacked down in court over the illegal “fetal remains” ordinance.

Personally, my “money” is on restoring badly needed female representation in our city government.

Please consider the available facts about each candidate.

Then, go out and cast your votes April 20 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall (or get and complete an absentee ballot, available at City Hall, ahead of time).

Dan Cannon

Seaford

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.