Ethics Ruling Exonerates Dewey Beach Mayor - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

DEWEY BEACH, Del. - Mayor Diane Hanson is breathing a sigh of relief at the start of the Labor Day Weekend. The Sussex County Superior Court overturned an ethics ruling by the Delaware Public Integrity Commission.

"I feel totally exonerated after two years almost to the date," smiled Hanson. "It's something that I always thought would happen, it just took longer than I thought. I know I never did anything wrong."

Her vote on a Ruddertowne hotel project was accused of having a "conflict of interest."  She owns rental property - and, as she argued, do half of the Dewey Beach residents. 

Now, the project is moving forward, which officials say will mean big things for the Town.

"Our restaurants are going to thrive because of it and also all of the other restaurants in town," said Jim Baeurle, a partner with Dewey Beach Enterprises. "We have a thriving summer season currently and what Dewey needs more than anything is help through the shoulder seasons and into the winter."

With the Ruddertowne hotel project underway, Mayor Hanson says that it is time for the town of Dewey Beach to look ahead.

"I'm hoping it's done, I can't imagine public integrity commission appealing because the judge said that they had no evidence to speak of and that they violated their own rules.  So, I think it would be pretty silly of them to appeal it at this point."

Project officials said the Hyatt Hotel is scheduled to open Memorial Day 2013, with the restoration of local businesses and restaurants slating to finish by Fall 2014.