Candidates get in last word before November 6 elections

It has long been our policy to not allow letters to the editor in the last issue of the Coastal Point we publish before election day. Instead, we offer Q&A sessions with the local candidates, which allows them to speak directly to you, the voter, without any unintentional bias attached to it.

In this week’s paper, we offer the candidates in the 20th Senatorial District, the 37th, 38th and 41st Representative Districts and Clerk of Peace office. We list the candidates for each seat in alphabetical order.

20th Senatorial District

Rick Eakle (D), Challenger

Q. What role do you see yourself fulfilling as a senator, and which issues will you actively advocate?

A. I am running to preserve and enhance the quality of our lives in the 20th Senate District. As a Selbyville/Fenwick Island resident who believes businesses, farmers and residents in Sussex County’s 20th Senate District need stronger representation in Dover, I am offering my dedicated time, energy and considerable expertise to run as the Democratic nominee for that open seat. I want to represent you in Dover to focus on six major issues:

• Preserving our farming community.

• Coordinating infrastructure improvements.

• Preserving affordable housing and housing values.

• Maintaining and creating jobs.

• Supporting our veterans.

• Protecting our natural resources.

Q. How does your experience best qualify you for this position?

A. I grew up on a dairy farm, where I learned at a young age the value and rewards of an honest day’s labor. After graduating from high school, I served my country by joining the U.S. Navy. After receiving an honorable discharge, I earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and engineering technology from Johns Hopkins University, I served as a program manager responsible for directing numerous submarine technology development programs for the U. S. Navy and as the operational director for the Strategic Defense Initiative.

I later served as chief operating officer for the newly formed Delaware Department of Technology and Information and then as the Deputy Secretary for the Delaware Department of Labor. I also held a part-time position as an adjunct instructor at DelTech in Georgetown, teaching mathematics and electronic technology.

Q. How would you help keep jobs local and flourishing?

A. We must use tax incentives and cut unnecessary regulation placed on business so that they may expand and grow as our population grows. Delaware Tech has numerous educational opportunities that focus on training students for specific growth industries in the state.

The Delaware Department of Labor estimates that by 2018, Sussex County will have thousands of job openings in the medical, financial and professional management sectors. Under my leadership at the Center for the Inland Bays, the Center established a team to explore the possibility of an aquaculture program in our Inland Bays, which has the potential to reach an estimated $28 million in new revenue, and over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Q. You’ve mentioned the importance of communication in the Route 26 project. How specifically will you keep people up-to-date?

A. I plan to work with DelDOT on minimizing business and residential impacts of the Route 26 project by encouraging DelDOT to: include a work schedule in the contract bidding process that allows for minimal disruptive activity during the peak business season; ensure appointment of a strong project engineer who understands business and residential needs; mandate that the contracting agency work with business owners and residents to get buy-in from those owners and residents to minimally affect their business and access needs; and, provide daily coordination with contractors to ensure that the project is being conducted as efficiently as possible. I will set up a Web site and dedicated phone line to get input from all constituents on this and other critical issues.

Q. How do you approach/unify a new population in the 20th district, and how will you work the legislators of other political affiliations?

Over the course of my professional career as the operational director for the Reagan Administration’s Strategic Defense Initiative, which ultimately became the Clinton Administration’s National Missile Defense Program, I was extremely successful in working across the aisle with both parties. My commitment to the residents of the 20th Senate District, their priorities and needs, will be the guiding directive of my service as state senator. I will be successful at working with all legislators to ensure that my constituent’s needs are met.

Q. What is the biggest challenge of this position, and what do you expect to accomplish by the end of your term?

A. We are at critical stage in helping our businesses, whether they are large, small or micro, to prosper and grow. I want to learn from our small businesses if there are regulations that stymie growth and will work diligently to champion appropriate regulatory change. Similarly, we need to provide more tax and other incentives to hire veterans and the unemployed. To this end, I will work closely with the governor and his economic development team to assure that my district is part of their focus.

Other sources of state revenue should come from some of the new opportunities: the health care field, green technology and our farming community. At the end of my first term as 20th District senator, I hope to have made strides in preserving and enhancing the quality of our lives in the 20th Senate District for our seniors, veterans, business owners, workers and students.

Gerald Hocker (R), Challenger

Q. What role do you see yourself fulfilling as a senator, and which issues will you actively advocate?

A. I always said as being a state representative, I am always accessible to my constituents. They know where to find me — home, stores or office. I go to great lengths to help them in any way I can and I know how to get things done.

The issues I will actively advocate are increasing the job market. I feel this is a must to control regulations, and I will strive very hard to get HB201 passed (a bipartisan bill which will help existing businesses and new business startup). Education: I work very closely with our schools and will continue to do so. Public safety, health care, taxes and fees, and environment are among other issues that are important to me.

Q. How does your experience best qualify you for this position?

A. I have been a self-employed businessman for 41 years. I know what it is to meet payrolls, balance budgets, and I know what it is to make tough decisions. I have firsthand experienced these tough decisions, working with regulations by the government that were very costly to me in many cases.

As the representative of the 38th District for 10 years, I have continued that role model. I have made some tough decisions and worked hard for my constituents. I will always try to help them when they call on me and I have been successful in fulfilling their needs and also giving them direction. As the senator for the 20th District, I will continue to fulfill my duties as a public servant and will always be there for my constituents, willing to help them in any way.

Q. How would you help keep jobs local and flourishing?

A. Being a businessman, I know that dealing with government regulations can be very costly. The government should keep the cost down as much as possible by keeping the taxes low and doing away with the unnecessary regulations. It is very costly for a business owner to operate his facility, hire good workers and keep his place of employment strong and profitable, thus creating local jobs. My wife and I started out 41 years ago being able to grow our business. All this has reversed now. We want to see young couples starting out with the opportunity to expand and grow.

Q. You’ve mentioned the importance of communication in the Route 26 project. How specifically will you keep people up-to-date?

A. I will continue to have meetings with DelDOT officials and discuss ways to keep road construction going smoothly and traffic flowing at a good pace. Sen. Bunting and I have regular meetings along with DelDOT and contractors which are open to the public. I will continue my monthly Coffees and more often, if necessary, to update my constituents on all issues.

Q. How do you approach/unify a new population in the 20th District, and how will you work the legislators of other political affiliations?

A. I will be as accessible to my new constituents of the 20th District as I have always been in the 38th. I plan to have meetings as I do in the 38th and keep everyone updated on old and new business. The majority of the new district already know me, and they too know that I am there for them and will do my very best to help them in any way possible.

Q. What is the biggest challenge of this position, and what do you expect to accomplish by the end of your term?

A. The biggest challenge is being able to get important issues out of committee and not being able to get them on the agenda. This is due to the one-party rule. I feel the one-party rule, no matter which party, is no good, as we do not need checks and balances.

37th Representive District

Ruth Briggs King (R), Incumbent

Q. How do you foresee improving the education of the kids in the district?

A. I believe that our district has many quality educators who genuinely care about their students; however, student achievement relies on parents that are active and involved with their child’s education. We need to increase parents’ involvement in schools.

Secondly, we need to ensure the schools are empowered to make local financial and curriculum decisions based on our students and not a “one-size-fits-all” approach from Dover. Finally, education should be focused on quality instruction and not a standardized test. State mandates and frequent testing create stress on everyone and take away from instructional time. Last year, our children were simply over-tested.

Q. There has been concern regarding safety in the Long Neck area. How will you tackle the rising crime rate?

A. This year, while serving on Joint Finance Committee, I had a former program reinstated that brings more troopers to Sussex. I also requested that we receive additional officers to address the tourist season, which increases our traffic and swells our population from May through September. I have met with the DSP and some property managers in Long Neck to discuss increased patrolling, neighborhood watch programs and better communication so residents can be informed and aware.

Good public safety requires law enforcement and the public working together to create more secure communities. I have requested some satellite police stations be considered. Also, during the last session I voted for stronger home invasion bills to hopefully deter lawbreakers, and I supported tougher laws on those who exploit the elderly. Finally, we must get a grasp on the drug use and abuse in Sussex that is impacting the safety and health of our community. I will continue to work on strengthening the community.

Q. How would you encourage business growth and job creation in your district?

A. Delaware’s economy works best when Delawareans are working. It is proven that a business climate which supports small business development and growth leads to increased employment and jobs. Delaware needs to focus on supporting small business, rather than chasing larger companies, such as Fisker and Bloom, that take millions of taxpayers’ dollars and have not produced any economic benefit for Delaware.

Improved workers’ compensation laws, improved employment laws and less government red tape would create a better climate to recruit, retain and grow our economy. I will continue my efforts to bring broadband services to all of Sussex and to fight against taxes and fees that hurt small business. Small business, including agriculture, are the foundation of our economy, and we need to support, not overregulate and overburden, them.

Q. What is your position on rising lot rent costs in manufactured home communities and why?

A. I can understand the concern of residents who are faced with increased costs of living and making ends meet. I have worked for years with housing not-for-profits to address affordability and other issues.

The communities in Long Neck are located in a resort area. Inflation has impacted the savings, as well as the cost of those living in the entire district. The best solution is to encourage long-term leases with more favorable terms that maintain rates. By creating a “win-win” solution, we can better ensure the communities will remain viable and sustainable for many years. The legislature can ensure proper disclosures and good practices are used to protect the public and rework the Chapter 70 laws to provide better enforcement practices.

Q. What do you feel most passionately about and why?

A. I feel that a legislator should advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves and be responsive to the citizens. I am a vigilant watchdog on new legislature and good governance. I am passionate about justice, and I work hard to see that our citizens know their rights and that our agencies are responsive to their concerns.

I feel our priority must be improving the employment outlook in Delaware. We need to increase our State revenue to ensure we can adequately maintain the services that are essential to protect the public, provide quality education and take care of the most vulnerable, who are ill, aging or disabled. We need businesses and our citizens working to raise the revenue and raise the quality of life, through profitable ventures and not by increasing taxes.

Q. Why should voters in your district choose you to represent them?

A. It has been my pleasure and an honor to service the 37th District. I have established a solid foundation with the 37th District constituents, as well as others, that is built upon my honesty, my integrity and my hard work. I have a long history of service in our community, and I have a strong desire to continue addressing difficult issues that we face.

I have knowledge and experience in many areas, and I use this to solve problems, tackle concerns and help on the home front. More importantly, I keep my commitments. I will work to ensure we put Delaware and Delawareans first. I believe you need strong and proven leadership, and I hope you will continue to let me be your advocate. Simply put, I have more work to do for you!

Beth McGinn (D), Challenger

Q. How do you foresee improving the education of the kids in the district?

A. Although the education system in Delaware has improved, there is always room for further improvement. Some suggestions would be to give teachers higher performance-based salaries or merit pay for improving students’ achievements. Create strong links with community partners to include higher education and organizations that could provide mentoring, materials and valuable life experiences.

Q. There has been concern regarding safety in the Long Neck area, how will you tackle the rising crime rate?

A. Sussex County Council recently extended the contract with the DSP with the addition of four more troopers, but this still puts a strain on manpower to cover 335-square-mile service area. I see the DSP developing partnerships with volunteers in communities in the Long Neck/Oak Orchard area to provide a place to meet to identify crime, quality of life issues and develop resolutions. Neighborhood watch volunteer groups could track incidents of crime in their communities to provide police with a better sense of where and what types of crimes are occurring within their communities.

Q. How will you encourage business growth, and job creation in your district?

A. Sussex County has seen a surge in new business growth this year with three new health facilities, Royal Farms, auto parts store and many new small businesses. I would like to see that growth continue, especially in the Long Neck area, where there is an increase in retirees who will need basic services. Roughly 95 percent of businesses are in the small business category and we must focus upon making it easier for these businesses to grow. This means that tax incentives must be available and perhaps easier access to capital through government loan guarantees. We must take a hard look at regulations which are more business friendly and make it easier for businesses to thrive.

Q. What is your position on rising lot rent costs in manufactured home communities and why?

A. Lot rents should not increase every year more than the CPI-U unless the landowner can justify a higher increase due to upkeep of the community, such as improvements to infrastructure, drainage. One solution would be multi-year leases. Long-term leases provide stability and predictable rent increases, which would be needed to make manufactured housing a housing option for those living on a fixed income. Transferable leases with predictable rent increases would also be a selling tool and enable homeowners to sell their homes to potential buyers.

Q. What issue do you feel most passionately about, why, and what will you do to tackle it?

A. The rights of the homeowners living in manufactured housing on leased land and the lack of enforcement of the Manufacturing Act, known as Chapter 70. I will continue, along with other legislators, and established homeowner associations, to seek help from the Attorney General’s Consumer Affairs to aggressively investigate violations and look into revising it with stiffer penalties for those who are in violation.

Q. Why should voters in your district choose you to represent them?

A. I will provide excellent constituent services, as exemplified by my active involvement for 10 years with the American Legion Auxiliary. The residents will know that I will be accessible to them because, being new to the political field, I need to know where they are on certain issues. I will listen to what they say about controversial issues and will value their input, which will help me make a decision before voting.

38th Representative District

Ron Gray (R), Challenger

Q. How does your experience best qualify you for this position?

A. For many years, I have been accountable and responsive to the needs of the 300 residents of Shady Park and several hundred residents of The Refuge housing development. I am always available to listen and to help solve their issues and concerns. I am also available around the clock for people who have problems with our car wash businesses and try to provide satisfactory solutions as quickly as possible. I enjoy helping people. By listening to people’s suggestions, I typically find ways to improve our businesses’ performance. I have experienced working with numerous and talented people through all phases of creating and running a small business, from design and plan approval through construction, as well as day-to-day operations.

Q. How has your local background influenced your perception of Delaware, government and your role as representative?

A. Growing up here, on Route 54, near the bay and ocean, was a privilege that not many have had the opportunity to experience. It was quiet and rural here when I was growing up, and there weren’t very many people around. My dad and my grandfather were state representatives from this district, and I grew up watching them talking, listening and trying to help our neighbors. This area has changed quite a bit. It’s not as rural nor as quiet, but as your representative, I will still talk with, listen and try to help my neighbors in the 38th District to present their views and concerns in Dover and solve their issues here at home.

Q. How would you work with legislators of other political affiliations?

A. I will work with legislators of other parties the same way I work with the residents of Shady Park and The Refuge, and all of the customers and people who provide services to our home and businesses — with patience, persistence and respect until an amicable, satisfactory solution is reached. I will, however, always put the needs and wishes of the 38th District first and foremost in any discussion or compromise.

Q. Which issues will you actively advocate?

A. As a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience, I will see that the Route 26 improvement project will be completed with the least amount of hassle for our 38th District citizens, and avoid the pitfalls we have just experienced on the Route 54 project. Our senior population will continue to grow. We need to attract more doctors and facilities in the coming years, as well as transportation and assisted care. More police are needed to protect our growing population, with a troop located closer to our district than Georgetown or Lewes. We need to protect our beautiful environment, through a common-sense approach, including the continued expansion of sanitary sewer systems, the filtering of stormwater runoff from the roadways to our inland bays and dredging channels in the bays to provide better navigation and to enhance water flow during tidal changes.

Q. How help keep jobs/economy local and flourishing?

A. The 38th District is made up of mostly small business. The state needs to provide a solid and consistent business environment where taxes are low and regulations exist to protect people and property. State regulations have continued to increase in Delaware, to the point where it is very difficult to start a business today and more costly than ever to expand an existing business. This does not help us attract more business to this area. We need to take a good, hard look at these regulations and eliminate those that are not cost effective. We need to trim our state budget and slow its rate of growth so that it is consistent with private-sector performance.

Q. What is the biggest challenge of this position, and what do you expect to accomplish by the end of your term?

A. I am not a politician; I am a “doer,” with successful experience in solving problems and running businesses. My biggest concern is that I like to keep everyone happy, and that is probably not going to be possible, but I will do my best. I would like the constituents of the 38th District to feel that they can contact me at any time. I want to serve as their voice in Dover, to convey their concerns and requests, to work with them or direct them to the person or organization that will help them. I promise to work hard for all of the people of the 38th District.

Shirley Price (D), Challenger

Q. How does your experience best qualify you for this position?

A. I bring a lifetime of community service to this position. This community experience puts me in a unique position to develop solutions and continue my accessibly to 38th District residents. These experiences include: six years’ service in the legislature, establishing a record of bi-partisan accomplishments; firsthand experience with the problems facing small businesses, having worked in our family-owned business — Murray’s Bait & Tackle Shop — and for the last 10 years as a Realtor; diverse community involvement, both in and out of public office, Cheer Senior Services, Center for the Inland Bays CAC, AARP Scholarship Committee, Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, Ocean View Historical Association, Women’s Civic Club of Bethany Beach, Hightide Church and Mason Dixon VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Q. How has your local background influenced your perception of Delaware, government and your role as representative?

A. Growing up here has helped me appreciate all Delaware has to offer. I grew up spending countless hours on the Inland Bays with my dad, Jim Murray, and at the Bait & Tackle Shop with Mom. They instilled in me a great love of our natural resources, taught me the value of hard work, and about doing the right thing. They were constantly reaching out to help the community. What incredible role models! My role as state representative is to continue the legacy… helping people.

I see my role as state representative as a voice for the people both in Dover and at home. I will put in place systems that give the people I represent an opportunity to know what issues are before the General Assembly and to weigh in on these issues. I will also work with them to solve issues in the community. After all, it is the local issues that will affect them on a day-in-and-day-out basis. I will also continue my high level of visibility in the community to encourage their comments and involve them whenever possible.

Q. How would you work with legislators of other political affiliations?

A. We should and I will work together with other elected officials to meet the needs of the people in the 38th. I know the people of Delaware expect us to work together to address their concerns. It is something I did during the six years I was in office. Then, I was a member of the minority and sponsored many pieces of legislation, including protecting Delawareans from identity theft, created a Volunteer Fire Service Revolving Loan Fund to allow first responders to purchase equipment less expensively, increased the pension exclusion for our senior population, created a tax check off for the Veterans Home, and eliminated the inheritance tax.

All this required I work with all legislators regardless of political party. I worked with them to find areas of common ground. I also secured increased funding for our senior centers and kept our state park from being developed into housing. As a member of the majority I will be able to play a stronger role for the 38th District in the next session of the General Assembly.

Q. Which issues will you actively advocate?

A. We have an ever-growing senior population in our district. I know how the lack of state resources limits the services we can offer locally. I have spent over 15 years serving on the Cheer board, working for our seniors. I will work to obtain the services our senior population needs.

As a small-business person, I know we need to cut red tape and be more business-friendly in order to grow and retain our small businesses. Small business is the backbone of the 38th.

I will take the same fiscal responsibility I use at home to Dover. We need to cut back to make our budget work and not grow our debt.

Our students need the best possible education to ensure the best opportunities for them. I will work to make sure tax dollars are spent in the classroom and that our schools educate our children for the future.

We must protect our precious waterways, which add to our communities character, bolster our economy by providing job opportunities and provide endless fishing and recreational experiences. I will work to preserve these irreplaceable resources.

We have a great need for a Home of the Brave for our female military personnel. We need to make this happen so we can take care of all the brave men and women of our Armed Services.

Also there is the need for stronger penalties for under-age people trying to get served in liquor stores and bars. We have laws in place, but there is a concern that these laws are not serving as a deterrent. I will look into this issue.

Q. How help keep jobs/economy local and flourishing?

A. I believe the housing market is the backbone of our economy. If we can improve it, our economy will grow. Certainly, one thing that would help is a first-time home buyer’s credit on the state side. I have had several couples that would have been able to buy a house if they had just this little bit of extra help.

To support jobs, we need to reduce unnecessary red tape, offer low-interest startup loans, and a marketing campaign to support using local companies would all be positive moves. We also need to look at ways to support businesses that are impacted by local road projects.

Q. What is the biggest challenge of this position, and what do you expect to accomplish by the end of your term?

A. For me, the biggest challenge is putting in place a system that lets me meet my goal of outstanding constituent service. I will attack it with everything I have. When I run for reelection I want to have the residents of the 38th overwhelmed by the quality of constituent service I provide.

41st Representative District

John Atkins (D), Incumbent

Q. How do you foresee improving the education of the kids in the district?

A. We need to make sure that our public education dollars end up in the classroom, which gives teachers the resources and tools they need to educate our children.

We still have homes in the most rural parts of our district that do not have internet capabilities. We all agree that a first class education is a must in todays society.

I will work night and day to make this internet problem my priority for our childrens success.

The best educational scenario is when educators, parents and students work together to ensure that our kids are getting the best education possible. One thing we have in our schools in this area is a very strong mentoring program which works wonders. I am proud to say that the Educators and staff of the Indian River School District are doing a great job.

Q. There has been concern regarding safety in the Long Neck area, which boarders your district, how will you ensure that your district remains protected?

A. We need to continue to fully fund our dedicated municipal and state police force, providing them with the latest, most up-to-date equipment available so they have the tools they need to make our communities safe. We have already increased the number of state troopers patrolling unincorporated areas to improve response time to calls.

Community involvement and working with our police and other first responders on preventive measures cuts down on crime and accidents.

Recent tougher measures on drug dealers and home invasions laws were just passed, along with a nuisance and abatement law that I helped create. This bill was used in Frankford to root out unwanted and illegal drug activity and force the courts to seize, condemn and tear down these houses. I will do all I can to free the surrounding neighbors and communities of these open air drug markets.

Q. How will you help create or retain jobs in your district?

A. We must do all we can to attract new businesses to Delaware. We are doing this through the Delaware Economic Development Office strategic fund. Proof that this is working, were the recent announcements that Amazon.com, Cabelas, Capital One Bank, and Chase are all expanding in Delaware. And just recently M&T Bank and Mountaire Farms have expanded in our communities.

Q. What can you as a business owner offer to the businesses in your district?

A. Over regulations are hurting our small businesses. Gov. Markell just signed Executive Order 36 which will require an overview of all state regulations. Through public hearings this will allow businessowners to tell us which regulations are outdated or just unnecessary. This was a much-needed step in the right direction.

Q. What issue do you feel most passionately about, why, and what will you do to tackle it?

A. The Millsboro bypass is truly needed to alleviate the traffic congestion in the town of Millsboro, but not at the cost of destroying family farms, ruining our beautiful Millsboro Pond and the seizing of personal property. I worked with the mayors and concerned citizens of Dagsboro, Frankford and Selbyville to prevent this from happening in their respective towns where it was not wanted. We need to continue the dialog with DelDOT to move this bypass north of Millsboro on state-owned land, thus saving the taxpayers millions of dollars and protecting our farms.

Agriculture is our biggest industry in Delaware. As Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, I worked hand in hand with Ag Secretary Ed Kee and was the House prime sponsor on SB 117, The Young Farmers Program. This law sets aside millions of dollars for purchasing of farmland for those who want to start a career in farming. In its first year ten young farmers were chosen and four of them were from the 41st District.

We also worked hard to set strategic monies aside for the Delaware Rural Irrigation Program (DRIP) which has allowed hundreds of farmers to irrigate their crops to ensure bigger yields and continue to feed not only Delaware, but the world.

Q. Why should voters in your district choose you to represent them?

A. Providing excellent constituent services has always been my number one priority since I took office. As a lifelong Sussex Countian, my roots run deep in our community. I have been called the most accessible legislator in the