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"Mandate for change" in Kent

(Delaware State News)By Kate House-Layton, Delaware State News

DOVER — Republicans have had the majority on Kent County Levy Court for nearly a decade, but Tuesday’s election shifted the balance of power to the Democrats.

Spurred by concerns that Kent County is growing too fast for its own good, voters ousted longtime Republican incumbents David R. Burris, Levy Court’s president, and Ronald D. Smith, the panel’s vice president.

“I think (voters) felt that growth could have been handled in a more positive way,” said commissioner P. Brooks Banta, a Democrat whose seat was not on the ballot Tuesday.

“Not to stop it, but to have it more controlled, and they felt that we had not done a significant job in handling that.”

Mr. Burris, who lost to Democrat Harold Brode by a little more than 300 votes, said Tuesday night that the two candidates waged a clean race, but the election became negative.

“The parties as a whole, they have to do what they have to do,” he said.

The election was more emotional than his past two races, he said.

“Because it dealt with the emotion of growth and stopping growth and what is growth, so there was a lot of question out there as to what was going on and what did or didn’t happen,” Mr. Burris said.

Mr. Banta, who has led Levy Court’s charge toward growth reform, agreed on Wednesday.

“I would have to say that in all camps it was probably one of the most negative election cycles that I have endured,” he said.

Bradley Eaby, who defeated Mr. Smith on Wednesday, said he thought the new majority spoke volumes about the feelings of Kent County voters.

“They weren’t happy with where things were going and said they wanted to change,” he said.

“That’s what I think gave rise to this Democratic majority.”

Mr. Smith said Tuesday that the Republican Party would spend the next couple of years rebuilding.

To him, the county could see less progress under the incoming Democratic majority.

“They’ll play around with it for a while and mess up and get handed their heads, too,” Mr. Smith said.

Public patience, he said, would wear thin without answers to issues.

Mr. Burris during his concession speech Tuesday listed some of Levy Court’s accomplishments under his and Mr. Smith’s tenures, such as cutting taxes, putting in three new county parks and implementing transfer of development rights land programs and ordinances for central water and emergency medical services.

‘Mandate for change’

Handling Kent County growth will be the first order of business for commissioners.

“Growth has to be number one on the list because that’s number one on the list of everyone in the county,” said 4th District commissioner-elect Eric Buckson, a Republican who was unopposed.

Mr. Buckson could be the only Republican on the new Levy Court.

The GOP held a 4-3 majority before Tuesday, but Democrats now have a 5-1 edge.

A special election will be held to fill the 5th District seat of Republican Donald A. Blakey, who was elected to the state House of Representatives Tuesday.

Since many candidates built their platforms on growth, Mr. Banta said new commissioners would do well to stick to it.

“If that sentiment does not carry through, you will see a Republican takeover in 2008,” said Mr. Banta, who is up for re-election in two years.

“These people have received a mandate for change. And if they fail to do it, then they’re in trouble in 2008.”

Some new commissioners said they would focus especially on passing the remaining proposed adequate public facilities ordinances — plans designed to keep infrastructure in line with growth.

“Something that (commissioners) said last year they were going to do and did not do,” Mr. Buckson said.

“Until you change the laws, you can’t do anything but talk about it.”

Mr. Banta hinted at some forthcoming action, but declined to elaborate further.

“At this point, there is a plan that has not been totally worked out in every detail,” he said.

“In a short period of time that will be unveiled. The end result is that most of our constituency will be reasonably satisfied.”

Updating the county’s comprehensive plan was another land use matter at hand, Mr. Eaby said.

Commissioner Allan F. Angel, whose 3rd District seat was not on Tuesday’s ballot, said he also would like to work on reducing the number of weekly agenda items to keep meetings from running late into the evening.

Mr. Brode said public safety and jobs also were important topics for him.

No partisan politics

Mr. Angel was still hoarse on Wednesday from celebrating on election night.

“I was elated, ecstatic, proud to be a Democrat, but at the same time, it’s not about being a ‘D’ or ‘R,’ it’s about being a team and everyone being on the same page,” he said.

Others shared his thoughts.

“It’s my desire and hope that we as a group check our Republican and Democrat hats at the door, sit down at the table and discuss Kent County issues as we would if we were (private) residents,” Mr. Buckson said.

“I plan on working with my fellow Levy Court commissioners as commissioners and not as Democrats or Republicans.”

“We’ve got to stick together,” Mr. Brode said. “You’ve got to forget the partisan part. And I think we’ve got a great group of people.”

Special election

By winning the 34th District House race, Mr. Blakey’s county duties technically ended at midnight Wednesday.

“He’s on the payroll for the state of Delaware so he needs to resign his seat,” state elections commissioner Frank B. Calio said Wednesday.

Joyce Wright, administrative director for the Kent County Department of Elections, said Levy Court, at the president’s discretion, must set an election date within six months of the vacancy.

In the meantime, commissioners are allowed to appoint someone to fill the open seat.

The last Levy Court special election was held in 1995 after commissioner Patrick Lynn died, Ms. Wright said.

Former commissioner Michael Cebrick was elected to fill the seat.