STONE HARBOR –– “I’m thrilled, honored and very pleased that the citizens have elected me for another four years. I’m especially pleased that they have elected my running mates, Tom Cope and Joanne Vaul, for council,” said Mayor Suzanne Walters, June 4, after unofficial results determined borough voters reelected her for a fourth four-year term in the Republican primary election June 3.

The Republican primary election was the determining race for mayor and council seats as the Republican-dominated borough had no Democratic contenders, and the deadline has passed for candidates to run on an independent ticket.

With no further competition in sight, Walters, Cope and Vaul will most likely take the oath of office in December.

Walters said important issues in the borough include the Waterfront Business District and beach replenishment. She said she doesn’t know if this will be her last term instead she said, “let’s see how the next four years go.”

Mayoral contender H. Brian Levinson said he and his running mates for council, Karen Lane and G. Wayne Harris, “ran the kind of campaign we were comfortable with.”

Planning Board member Joanne Vaul said she’s excited to be elected to a council seat.
“I appreciate the confidence people have in me and I think I have a good handle on what most people do and don’t want to see in Stone Harbor.”

“I have potential to have the impact that many people want to see and I look forward to working with people who may disagree with my ideas so that we can come together and find a compromise,” she said.

“Hopefully we can get some people involved who aren’t already and I hope we can focus on the things we agree on because we all came to the borough for similar fundamental reasons: the quaint downtown shopping area, the family friendly atmosphere and the beautiful natural surroundings.”

As part of the Master Plan sub-committee, Vaul said it’s important to focus on the long-range goals of the borough like enhancing the “fringe seasons” with more events in Sept. Oct. and May to bring visitors and help businesses.

“In the next couple of weeks there will be many big decisions made about the Waterfront Business District,” she said.
Tom Cope, a member of the Reality Owners Association for seven years, said he has a good understanding of the issues and values of the residents. He said his campaign was based on unity and progress.

“Unity is most important and that doesn’t have to wait until I’m sworn in. If people treat each other with respect, participate and are willing to compromise, then we can have progress. I want to work towards unity in this town based on common values.”

Cope said his business experience as project manager for the merger between Del Marve Power and Atlantic City Electric has prepared him to bring together the community.

“I know what it takes to create unity and the basic foundation is building trust, respect and participation. Everyone’s opinion has value. We need to share all of the available information and get their feedback.”

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com