By Mike Finney

DOVER — All three candidates who are vying for the at-large seat on Dover City Council have at least one thing in common — a passion to improve conditions in the state’s capital city.

Andre Boggerty, Michael W. Lewis and LaVaughn McCutchen will be participants in the only council race that will be contested in this year’s Dover municipal election April 20. The victor will be filling longtime Councilman Tim Slavin’s seat in May.

The election will take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at Elks Lodge No. 1903, 200 Saulsbury Road, Dover.

Gerald Rocha Sr. (1st District), Council President Bill Hare (2nd District), Fred Neil (3rd District) and David Anderson (4th District) will all be reelected to their seats, after no opponents challenged them.

Tricia Arndt is another newcomer who also ran uncontested in the special 3rd District election to fill former Councilman Scott Cole’s seat.

As for Mr. Boggerty, Mr. Lewis and Mr. McCutchen, the at-large City Council seat means a chance to become involved in key municipal decisions and an opportunity to make a difference.

“I’ve always worked in the community, being involved in various organizations, and now I’m on the Police Chief Advisory Committee, and I admire the work that the City Council has done, especially during these times,” Mr. Boggerty said. “The (COVID-19) pandemic that we’re all going through, these (social-justice) issues that we’re trying to resolve with making Dover safe for everyone — I just felt like it was time for me to be a part, and this opportunity was there, and I just want to try to be a part of the solution.”

Dover has been home for Mr. Lewis, a native of Milford, for about two decades. He met his wife, Kristin, in the capital.

“I had conversations with several people prior to filing and was energized and humbled by their enthusiastic response,” said Mr. Lewis. “Dover is where I’ve made my home for more than a decade. My extended family has deep roots here, and I am ready to do my part in helping the city move toward a positive future.

“This is a special community, and I want to ensure it remains that way, not only for current residents but for future generations to come.”

Mr. McCutchen is a lifelong resident of Dover. He has seen the city prosper during its good times and has also been there to see the more recent difficult times, with shootings and drug activity on the rise.

“I am trying to unify Dover and bring everyone together to make the city a great place,” said Mr. McCutchen. “What made me choose to run for a seat on Dover City Council is because I’m a lifelong resident of Dover.

“I remember how prestigious the city was, and I remember going downtown on weekends to shop with family and friends. That’s the feeling that I intend to bring back, that kind of joy to the city of Dover. My goal is to bring the city together as a whole and for the community to have pride in this great city of ours.”

The following is a look at each candidate’s position on a number of issues. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.

Andre Boggerty

Age: 48.

Education: Master of Science in human resource management.

Spouse: No response given.

Have you ever served in public office?: No.

How many years have you lived in Dover?: 29 years. I was stationed at Dover Air Force Base and made Dover my home.

Q — What do you think is the most important thing the city should focus on while trying to bring business back to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic?

A — “I believe we have to partner with business owners by allowing flexibility for them to become creative in the methods in delivering the goods and services they provide. For example, we may have to review permits and make adjustments, as long as they are within reason and do not jeopardize safety. Additionally, we have to increase our citywide marketing campaign.”

Q — The Dover Police Department is focusing on community policing, adding body cameras and, eventually, mental health counselors to its toolbox in the coming months. What else do you feel the department can do to improve relationships with the community, in particular among its minority members?

A — “I am currently on the recently established Police Chief Advisory Council, so I am aware on the efforts the Dover Police Department is making to address the needs of the city. I believe it is imperative for not just cadets but officers to get out of their vehicles and speak to citizens. I am also in favor of the mobile police unit proposed by current members of City Council to monitor high-crime areas throughout Dover.”

Q — What do you see is the most pressing issue that needs to be faced head-on right now by the city and why?

A — “The obvious answer is addressing the increase of crime in our city. However, I also want to make sure we continue to do the right things to attract companies to the area, which provides more job opportunities for our citizens and increase(s) revenue for the city. I believe when basic needs are met, issues such as crime and homelessness are mitigated.”

Q — What would you encourage the city to do in regard to its homelessness issue? There are more than 300 homeless individuals currently living in the Dover area.

A — “There has to be a common interest to solve homelessness amongst the decision-makers. Therefore, I will not ask, ‘What should we do?’ (but) instead, ‘What happens if we do not find a resolution to the issue?’ The homeless population is not going to go away but only increase if we fail to act expeditiously.”

Q — What attributes do you have that you think would best suit you to become the next member of Dover City Council?

A — “My professional experience as a human resources professional has given me negotiation skills, the ability to work with diverse populations and bringing sides together to find win-win solutions. I also have held leadership roles in various organizations, which makes me comfortable stepping right in and becoming part of the City Council team and leading a commission with a reduced learning curve. Lastly, I love Dover and its citizens. Dover has a lot of pride, and I want to help those who live here to have a voice. That is why I will continue to operate and promote the principle of ‘All People ... All Voices ... One Dover!”

Michael W. Lewis

Age: 41.
Education: University of Delaware (graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree); Milford High School (graduated in 1997).

Spouse: Kristin Wheatley.

Have you ever served in public office?: City of Dover’s Silver Lake Commission (appointed in 2019).

How many years have you lived in Dover?: Approximately 20 years.

Q — What do you think is the most important thing the city should focus on while trying to bring business back to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic?

A — Fiscal responsibility. With everyone feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the business community, I would anticipate council attempting to do everything in its power to avoid approving tax or fee increases in the coming fiscal year. While it is impossible to predict future challenges or reactions to hypothetical situations, my first instinct is that this year, more than most, needs to be as fiscally prudent as possible, given the sacrifices our residents and business owners have already made in the past 12-14 months. At the same time, our infrastructure needs to be closely examined. We have 80-100-year-old pipes running beneath some areas of the city, and the bill for those improvements is going to come due sooner rather than later.

Q — The Dover Police Department is focusing on community policing, adding body cameras and, eventually, mental health counselors to its toolbox in the coming months. What else do you feel the department can do to improve relationships with the community, in particular among its minority members?

A — “I support Chief (Thomas) Johnson’s focus on de-escalation and have received positive feedback from community members on the department’s new training initiatives. Everything moving forward has to start with a basic respect for all people, regardless of position. That includes the public-safety officials who report for duty every day to protect our city, as well as private citizens who simply want their police department and local government to provide basic services with competence and kindness. Kent County has the highest percentage of African American residents (more than 27%) of any county in Delaware. As the economic and social headquarters for the county, Dover needs to be a welcoming community for all residents, where citizens and businesses can prosper and everyone pulls together for the common good. I support any initiative that helps encourage residents to both respect one another and care for the community that we all share.”

Q — What do you see is the most pressing issue that needs to be faced head-on right now by the city and why?

A — “Nothing is more important than putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror. COVID-19 touches every other issue within the city, from hotel occupancy rates to school openings to sports and entertainment options for our citizens. Keeping Dover’s employees safe and sharing updated vaccination offerings and information across city platforms (social media, etc.) (are) critical. COVID-19 is personal to our family, as my wife was hospitalized for several days last fall with a serious case of the virus and was later featured in a (Delaware State News) article on long-term health consequences of COVID-19. And compared to the families of the 1,500-plus Delawareans who have lost their lives to the virus, we, of course, have been lucky.”

Q — What would you encourage the city to do in regard to its homelessness issue? There are more than 300 homeless individuals currently living in the Dover area.

A — “I support the city’s contributions and assistance to groups like Habitat for Humanity — which has built almost three dozen homes in Dover in the last five years — as well as the efforts of our local churches and community groups, such as Code Purple and NCALL, to alleviate and assist with this situation. I hope that city assistance can continue in at least its current fashion in what is anticipated to be a very tight budget year. I would also like (to) explore what the parameters are for entry in our local halfway houses, to help this community receive a helping hand when possible. As always, the issue is funding. I look forward to doing a deep dive into the budget process and exploring new ways to assist the most vulnerable among us.”

Q — What attributes do you have that you think would best suit you to become the next member of Dover City Council?

A — “Since beginning this campaign, I have been proud and humbled to receive support from former state legislators and former Kent County Levy Court commissioners from both parties, as well as backing from two City Council members who will be serving in the 2021-22 term. I also have a good relationship with (Dover) Mayor (Robin) Christiansen and have had positive interactions with several other council members. This support demonstrates my ability to form coalitions, listen to all sides of an issue and make the best decisions possible for the city of Dover. No candidate’s proposals or ideas will be successful unless you can bring a majority of council members together to back your plans.”

LaVaughn McCutchen

Age: 28.

Education: Dover High School; Delaware Technical Community College.

Spouse: Aujanna Richardson.

Children: Setareh McCutchen, Zendaya McCutchen, A’kaiyah McCutchen.

Have you ever served in public office?: No.

How many years have you lived in Dover?: Born and raised in Dover, almost 29 years.

Q — What do you think is the most important thing the city should focus on while trying to bring business back to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic?

A — “Crime and drug activity are major factors in bringing in businesses. No one wants to own a business in a high-crime and drug-usage area. It draws away customers, you’ll lose business, and the businesses won’t thrive.”

Q — The Dover Police Department is focusing on community policing, adding body cameras and, eventually, mental health counselors to its toolbox in the coming months. What else do you feel the department can do to improve relationships with the community, in particular among its minority members?

A — “They need to build a relationship with the community, with everything going on right now. Not just in the city but all over America. People are genuinely scared of a basic traffic stop because they fear they may not come out of it. Building a relationship will build trust and show not all cops are out to get you. Many are there to protect and serve.”

Q — What do you see is the most pressing issue that needs to be faced head-on right now by the city and why?

A — “Homelessness. I’ve addressed this many times. There are over 300 homeless individuals in the area. We really need to find a building to house them and also establish workshops to help them gain employment and teach them financial responsibility. I would like to see the city maybe find an establishment or building on the outskirts of Dover, as the city did for the Boys & Girls Club.”

Q — What would you encourage the city to do in regard to its homelessness issue? There are more than 300 homeless individuals currently living in the Dover area.

A — “As I stated above, finding a suitable building or build one that can house (these homeless) individuals. Also, make sure public transportation is in close proximity for them to use.”

Q — What attributes do you have that you think would best suit you to become the next member of Dover City Council?

A — “My job plays a major part. I’m a teaching assistant at a behavioral school. I work with different minorities and diversities five days a week, eight hours a day. They all come with different sets of problems and come from different backgrounds, just as all the constituents from the city of Dover (do). I’m already serving the community by helping these young children overcome obstacles and obtain a high school diploma, instead of them dropping out and becoming another statistic. They come to me for direction or where to find resources for their everyday life, not just school. The problems brought to me as a council member won’t be the same as my kids at school but maybe similar, but my experience with what I provide at my job ... it’s just a matter of moving on to the bigger state of Dover City Council. I have never served in public office, but nonetheless, I feel I am the best man for the task.”