West seeks to retain Georgetown’s mayor seat
With a change of heart, Georgetown Mayor Bill West on Monday filed for a sixth mayoral term, saying he has been asked by residents to stay on for another two years.
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West seeks to retain Georgetown’s mayor seat
By Glenn RolfeGEORGETOWN — With a change of heart, Mayor Bill West on Monday filed for a sixth mayoral term, saying he has been asked by residents to stay on for another two years.
“I am returning after receiving several phone calls from people in the community, saying I need to finish what I have started,” he said.
One such project is the completion of the Sussex County Family Court.
“A lot of the people that were involved in that want to see me finish that. And they want to see some other ideas and things that I might have coming to Georgetown,” Mayor West said. “They are very interested in the things that I am doing and the people I am talking to to try to bring things to town. They want me to continue that.”
The filing deadline for the May 11 election is 5 p.m. Friday. Besides the mayoral post, two Town Council seats — Ward 3, held by Angela Townsend, and Ward 4, held by Penuel Barrett — are up for grabs. The council terms are also two years.
Each of these races are uncontested, as of Monday.
Mayor West, a Delaware State Police retiree, served two years on Georgetown council prior to his election as the town’s leader. He is in his 10th year in that position, which carries voting power, along with the four council members.
Initially, his plan was to step down after 10 years. But Monday, he took care of the necessary paperwork at Town Hall.
“I was going to wait until the last minute, which is Friday,” Mayor West said. “But then, I thought, ‘Nope, I need to get it out there. I need to let the people know that I have a different thinking of heart, and I want to support them and do what I can to help the fine people of Georgetown.”
If any contested races develop, the May 11 election will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A candidate must be 21 or older, a citizen of the United States and the state of Delaware, and a resident of Georgetown.
Eligible voters must register with the Sussex County Department of Elections, 119 N. Race St., Georgetown, before May 8. For information, call 302-856-5367.
Any registered voter of Georgetown who is unable to appear on the day of the election for a qualifying reason under town code and who wishes to vote absentee can do so by obtaining an affidavit for absentee voting at the town’s office. These ballots will be available April 22.
Following the submission of a qualifying affidavit, an absentee ballot can either be mailed or picked up at the town office. Such ballots must be received by May 10 at 4 p.m.
Other Filings
Tuesday morning, Eric Evans filed as a candidate for the Ward 3 council seat, Mr. Evans. Town Manager Eugene Dvornick said.
Mr. Evans is currently a member of the Town Planning Commission.
