Polling places listed in Third District Levy Court primary

    Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, for the Democratic Third District Levy Court primary election.
    Locations of the polls, broken down by election district are:
    • Leipsic Fire Hall for election districts 7-28 and 8-28.
    • Delaware Technical & Community College for 10-28 and 14-28.
    • Towne Point Elementary for 11-28 and 12-28.
    • Little Creek Fire Hall for 13-28, 7-32 and 10-32.
    • Dover High School for 4-31.
    • Fairview Elementary for 5-31.
    • East Dover Elementary for 1-32 and 8-32.

Allan F. Angel

    Age: 55

    Political affiliation: Democrat

    Occupation/military/employment experience: Angel Dental Laboratory Inc., president, 35 years experience in the dental field; U.S. Army 1973 to 1976; Reserves 1978 to 1982

    Family: wife Peggy, for 31 years; daughters Christina, 29, Kelly, 28 and Jennifer, 25

    Academic education: Delaware State College, Baylor University Army Campus, University of Maryland Army Campus, J. Sargent Reynolds A.A.S. degree dental technology, Delaware Technical College

    Prior political experience: Capitol School District Board of Education, six years

    Campaign website or email: angel13levycourt@aol.com

   Why are you running for the office of District 3 Levy Court Commissioner?
   I truly believe integrity and commitment are the true convictions to those who serve the public. Levy Court now has a teamwork approach and the respected voice of the people it was elected to serve. The last two years we have been able to bring those concerns, wishes and desires of Kent County residents. I also believe that one voice equals one vote. Simply put, that the residents of the county need to know who is committed and available to step up to the plate on their behalf for the issues that matter the most to them.

  The upcoming budget year is expected to be another tight one. Do you believe the county should balance its budget based on questionable realty transfer tax income? 
  Yes and no! The realty transfer tax is a projected amount of income that trickles in over a period of time. That’s why it is important to base it on solid figures. The budget already has Levy Court’s financial staff looking into that issue. The economy is tied to the bank/mortgage issue that is problematic across this country. Salaries, insurance and regular business expenses come out of our general operating funds. While state law requires that counties use RTT revenues, 89% goes to public safety, which funds paramedics and 911 services. Available funds left go toward capital projects and economic development.

  Where do you believe cuts should be made if it becomes evident that expenses outweigh revenue?
   The county properly manages the revenue and continually evaluates the fiscal availability of funding. Cuts to the budget should be made internally first, like cutting back on gas/mileage and vehicle usage. Then start looking at the community service grants. Then, if it becomes even more evident that expenses outweigh revenue, we take a hard look at the whole process of cutting expenses. That is why we have balanced budgets!

The developer lawsuits don’t appear to be ending anytime soon. How do you plan to protect the county from incurring additional punitive expenses? The first thing I was taught by a lawyer: Anybody can sue for any reason at any time. Our law team is on the cutting edge for challenging litigation, prevailing on issues that had not been previously decided by any Delaware court — the emergency moratorium, APFOs and the bulk utilities ordinance. So we believe our legal team is doing great. When it comes to protecting the county and its future residents, Levy Court will do what is best for their Quality of Life. There is always someone with a different point of view. That’s why we have lawyers!

   What is your position on growth?
   Growth … infrastructure before development. We need growth but we want smart growth. Simply put, our taxes should not have to pay for the influx of people moving here! Hospitals, fire, police, schools, roads all need to be part of the big picture that is starting to look small as land and roads become more congested. We tried to get an impact fee in place before the surcharges were passed, which I still favor.

    What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the county today and how would you resolve the problem?
   Growth and congestion which Levy Court is working on. Loss of manufacturing and jobs and economic development. Levy Court is looking at a new partnership for economic development. Based on performance and a new work ethic, we can assure that the taxpayers dollars are being used most wisely.

    Why are you the best qualified candidate for District 3 Levy Court Commissioner?
   Communication, availability and the desire to help those who want answers to their questions, issues and problems! A four year investment made in my first term in Levy Court experience has provided me with an education in making policies and ordinances that have greatly changed the way government used to be. Either we keep on the path the people asked for or we move backwards in time where we were before! While providing the Third Levy Court district with a voice in its government and the dedication and respect of all Kent County residents and their issues, I will continue to work with my Levy Court commissioners to promote long range planning to ensure a better quality of life for all Kent County residents and especially to live up to my oath of office to the best of my ability.

Sean M. Lynn

    Age: 33

    Political affiliation: Democrat

    Occupation/military/employment experience: Trial lawyer and partner in the Dover Law Firm Hudson Jones Jaywork & Fisher LLC, former public school teacher, Bronx, N.Y.
 
    Family: wife, Alexis B. Lynn

    Academic education: Pace University School of Law, J.D., Marymount Manhattan College, B.F.A.

    Prior political experience: None

    Campaign website or email: www.lynnforlevycourt.com, lynnforlevy court@yahoo.com

   Why are you running for the office of District 3 Levy Court Commissioner?
   In order to preserve our quality of life for future generations, we must carefully manage all of the resources at our disposal – fostering a sustainable economy and creating quality job opportunities while at the same time remaining vigilant in protecting our precious natural resources. I believe that I have the vision, judgment and leadership skills to strike this balance, and that is why I am running for Levy Court.

The upcoming budget year is expected to be another tight one. Do you believe the county should balance its budget based on questionable realty transfer tax income? As in all fiscal matters, the real key is “diversity,” harkening back to the old adage “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The problem with relying on the Realty Transfer Tax, as we’ve recently seen, is that the Realty Transfer Tax can be threatened by the state during times of financial crisis. Ultimately, I believe the answer to this question is no, as the current real estate market is simply too unpredictable. Above all, we must control spending, exercise fiscal responsibility, continue to fund the county’s reserves, and review our fees. Above all, we must cut spending rather than raise taxes. 

   Where do you believe cuts should be made if it becomes evident that expenses outweigh revenue?

   To prevent the likelihood that county expenses outweigh county revenue, clearly we must reduce the budget to make it less susceptible to market conditions. In the event budget cuts become a necessity, the areas of the budget that I think are likely candidates for budget cuts are the county’s administrative budget and the county grant-in-aid funds. Grants in aid, donations to non-profit groups, with the exception of the required items such as grants to our necessary fire companies and Kent conservation, would, unfortunately, likely be the first areas to cut.
Additionally, a review of the budget should take place to determine whether any items can be outsourced in an effort to reduce overhead. Again, above all, we must cut spending rather than raise taxes. 

The developer lawsuits don’t appear to be ending anytime soon. How do you plan to protect the county from incurring additional punitive expenses? The county’s approach has put them in a precarious position, and I would explore ways to reduce/minimize risk going forward by ensuring that all future legislative initiatives comply with all procedural requirements and do not violate already-vested property rights, something my opponent has failed to do.

   What is your position on growth?
   I want to make it abundantly clear in no uncertain or ambiguous terms that I intend to manage/control growth proactively, and I will do it the right way. Contrary to what my opponent would like you to believe, I am not “the developer’s lawyer.” Quite the opposite. My ideas are anathema to many in the development industry, because I intend to pursue the same goal as my opponent, only I will do it the right way, without making all the mistakes my opponent has repeatedly made.

   What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the county today and how  would you resolve the problem?
   The most pressing issues facing Kent County today are development, property taxes and the struggling local economy.

    I have a number of ideas for preserving our quality of life which I believe warrant your support. First, in order to insure that all development is accountable for the impacts it causes, I propose to implement a “building permit surcharge” which would help offset the impacts which development imposes upon our roads, schools, sewer and water infrastructure, and fire, police, and emergency services – thereby capturing not only all future subdivision projects, but also the 19,000 building lots already on the books which have been exempted from the county’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances.  Second, I propose to improve the county’s Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program, by increasing the incentives which steer development into the growth zone, toward existing infrastructure and away from our precious open spaces, thus preserving valuable farmland while at the same time compensating farmers for the equity value of their land. And third, I will cut wasteful government spending and fight any effort to raise property taxes during these difficult economic times (unfortunately, our current Levy Court has not been as diligent in this effort as they could be). 

    These are just some of the new ideas which I offer to county residents in an effort to protect and preserve our quality of life. We can and must do better. The future of Kent County depends upon it.

   Why are you the best qualified candidate for District 3 Levy Court Commissioner?
   I believe that I am the most qualified candidate to serve as the Third District Levy Court Commissioner because I have the ability to examine the issues, weigh the facts, and exercise the patience necessary to make the best long-term decisions for the county without the need to re-visit each of the issues year after year. Additionally, in examining the litigious nature of land use and development issues in Kent County, I have the judgment, vision, and (as an attorney) understanding regarding how to draft, adopt, and implement the laws we need to preserve our quality of life.