By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — Saturday is election day in the county seat, and the mayoral reins are at stake.

Four-term Mayor Bill West’s bid for a fifth faces a challenge from longtime resident Ruth Ann Spicer.

Mayoral candidates and unchallenged incumbents shared their views at a Tuesday candidate forum hosted by the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in council chambers of the Sussex County Administration Building.

“My roots are right here with Georgetown,” said Ms. Spicer. “I have been dedicated to this community. I would like to see it prosper as much as it possibly can. I know that there is a lot of things that can be done in this town. I think that there is a lot of people that will work together, so that we can bring economic development into the town.”

Elected to council in 2012, Mayor West served two years, then defeated incumbent Mike Wyatt for mayor in 2014. He was unopposed the past three elections.

“In 2012, I was approached by an individual saying ‘This town wants nothing. Nobody wants to do anything in this town,’” Mayor West said. “I ran for council, and won it. The first year I sat and listened. I found out they were right, that nobody wanted to bring anything to this town. I looked into bringing businesses. There is not a day go by a business doesn’t call me that wants to come to Georgetown.”

“When I ran, I was told I needed to be the statesman for the town of Georgetown,” said Mayor West. “I think I have been that. I think I’ve gone on and beyond the call of attending meetings in Wilmington and Philadelphia and Dover.”

Two council incumbents, Angela Townsend representing Ward 3 and Ward 4 representative Penuel Barrett, are unopposed and have secured their council seats for two more years.

Ms. Townsend, who previously served on council from 2002 to 2005 and also was town clerk, says she jumped at the council opportunity in 2020.

“I said, ‘Why not?’” Ms. Townsend said. “I loved it before. I love helping people. I get phone calls all the time from my constituents. Problems could be big. They could be little. I don’t care what ward they live in. I am here to help if I can.”

Mr. Barrett, who serves as assistant chief with the Georgetown Fire Company and has been active in Georgetown Little League, believes he knows “both the strengths and the areas that require attention in order to improve and preserve our historic community. The last two years on the council have been very interesting.”

Police issues

Mr. Barrett said he was able to be a part of the committee that worked on rental property inspections and was on the committee involved in the process that led to council’s appointment of the new police chief, Capt. Ralph “Rusty” Holm in April.

“We’ve got to get our police department squared away. We budgeted for 21 police officers last year. We’re down to 12. That’s pretty tough,” said Mr. Barrett. “The state police have grabbed some of them but that’s not the biggest issue. But we are heading in the right direction.”

“The police department … a lot of hard feelings have gone on with the police department. I think we are gaining back their trust,” said Ms. Townsend.

“My son was a police officer here in Georgetown,” said Ms. Spicer, mother of Officer Chad Spicer, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2009. “My heart goes out to the police department. I would love to see them taken care of. You know this day and time is very hard for them to be out on the street. With everything they need, also possibly a new police station, they need the tools and they need the equipment to be safe each and every day.”

Mayor West, who retired from the Delaware State Police, notes he is on the council of police training.

“Everybody is seeing this putdown of police officers. Everybody is struggling to get police officers. Everybody is upset that the state police are taking a lot of our officers. That is what’s going on. They want good people, too,” said Mayor West.

“Yeah, we need more people. But do we want to lower our standards? I don’t think so. If we don’t keep our standards high on the police officers, we’re going to run into some serious problems. We’ve got to maintain that high quality of people to wear that gun and wear that badge.”

Mr. Barrett says there needs to be better communication with the mayor and town manager (Eugene Dvornick). “Communication is big. I can get along with anyone in here,” Mr. Barrett said.

Homelessness

One very hot topic is homelessness in the town. A nonprofit, Springboard Collaborative, is seeking $500,000 from the town in American Rescue Plan Act funding to purchase 40 pallet cabins for a secured village for the homeless on Kimmey Street. It’s proposed as a temporary home to help achieve self-sufficiency.

Council at its April 25 meeting tabled action on the collaborative’s request.

“My heart goes out to these homeless people. On the other hand, some people do not want housing,” said Ms. Townsend. “I do have to say $500,000 is a lot, and I do understand the need.”

“We all know we’ve got an issue with the homeless here in Georgetown. It seems like it is getting worse,” Mr. Barrett said.

“I know there is a lot of talk out there that the pallet houses are going to bring more people to Georgetown that are homeless. We’re not sure about that. I voted to table. It seems like every week I’m finding out new things that this money is used for.

“We’re getting ready to raise your taxes. We’ve got prioritize our issues. Before I turn around and vote for $500,000 towards this, I want to make sure it’s the right decision, because it’s not my money.”

Ms. Spicer agreed.

“I have deep concerns about the homeless situation in Georgetown. Telling them what to do and where to go and how they have to live, you’re going to have a job telling people that,” said Ms. Spicer, who feels the village location would be better suited on the outskirts of town for security reasons. “And I am not sure they would want to stay at the pallet houses. Hey, they are free-willed people. They just want to be free willed.”

Mayor West, who supports the pallet village initiative, says people don’t want to be homeless.

“But they are. If we show these people who have had a rough road that we are going to care, to try to do something to pick them up, I think we are heading in the right direction,” said Mayor West. “We have got to do something with them, and it needs to start now. If we just say we’re going to pass it on and we’re not going to do it, or we’re not going to give them the money, when they start knocking on doors again asking for money or food, don’t blame me. We’ve got the opportunity now to take the money and head them in the right direction.”

Polls Saturday will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 39 The Circle.

Those of voting age, 18, planning to vote must be registered with the Sussex County Department of Elections, 119 N. Race St., Georgetown, before Wednesday.