Dewey Beach re-elects mayor, elects two new commissioners

Results have come in after a municipal election in Dewey Beach, last Saturday.

According to the town of Dewey Beach's website, Mayor Dale Cooke was re-elected with 399 votes. Paul Bauer was elected with 411 votes and T. J. John E. Redefer III was elected with 417 votes.

Former Commissioner Diane Hanson was not re-elected. This comes after controversy surrounding town manager Marc Appelbaum. Appelbaum has been alleged multiple times to have sexually harassed former female employees by wearing pajama bottoms without underwear. He has also been accused of swearing at employees and denigrating them in front of co-workers.

A Commissioners meeting will take place in the town on Friday to vote to adopt recommendations of the independent investigator surrounding Appelbaum and to possibly hold him responsible for accusations against him. A commissioners meeting originally set for last Friday was postponed because a full and final report on Appelbaum had not yet been released.

The agenda for this Friday also includes a vote to indemnify Commissioner Dunmyer who released a quote to 47 ABC saying that a complaint had been filed against him, alleging that he had a conflict of interest relating to the Appelbaum investigation, because his wife was a 1099 contractor/ Project Manager. Ms. Dunmyer since resigned.

Commissioner Dunmyer went on to say that he was told by the town solicitor not to recuse himself and that his wife was "fed up with being used as a pawn in the politically motivated attacks of certain self-interested people in the town and has grown weary of the intimidation tactics being used by some non-Administration employees and property owners. This is a great loss to Dewey Beach as Mary's expertise is unique in town and has been essential to the success of numerous projects."

Dave Davis, one of the complaintants said at the time that, it was unfortunate that the Commissioner did not recuse himself and that they "believe the conflict of interest situation is heightened with his wife's resignation and that Mr. Dunmyer's close personal experience with his wife's employment and now resignation from her job serving Mr. Appelbaum continues to be a conflict that would affect Mr. Dunmyer's judgment in discussing and disposing of issues related to Mr. Appelbaum."