GEORGETOWN, Del. – Sussex County Council made a unanimous decision Tuesday to keep its leadership and legal counsel unchanged as it kicks off the new year.
In a meeting held Jan 2., Councilman Michael H. Vincent of Seaford was once again selected as the president of the County Council for the 14th consecutive year. Councilman John L. Rieley of Millsboro will also continue in his role as vice president for another year. Both had previously held these positions throughout 2023. In his capacity as council president, Vincent will preside over all council meetings throughout 2024, with Rieley serving as the presiding officer when Vincent is absent.
Additionally, the Sussex County Council approved the reappointment of J. Everett Moore Jr. as the county attorney. Moore serves as the chief counsel for the County Council and plays a pivotal role in legal matters pertaining to Sussex County.
In the legal arena, staff from the Moore & Rutt and Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze law firms will represent the Board of Adjustment and the Planning and Zoning Commission as assistant county attorneys, providing legal advice to these county bodies.
In addition to national and state elections coming up in November 2024, three Sussex County Council seats are scheduled for elections. Those seats are for the first, second and third districts in the county.
Sussex County Council districts.
District 1 represents southwest Sussex County including Delmar, Laurel, Bethel, Seaford and Blades. This seat is held by Vincent, who was elected to county government in 2008. He is a Seaford native and previous Seaford City Council member. He has also held multiple roles with the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.
District 2 represents northwest Sussex County including Bridgeville, Ellendale, Greenwood, Milford and Milton. This district is currently represented by Cynthia Green. Green was elected in 2020 and is a lifelong resident of the Greenwood area. She previously served as the elected Register of Wills for 10 years.
District 3 represents northeast Sussex County from Slaughter Beach to Dewey Beach and west to Long Neck. The third district is represented by Mark Schaeffer, who was also elected in 2020. He is a former mayor, serving both Little Creek and Smyrna. He has also been a commissioner with the Delaware River and Bay Authority and a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. He moved full-time to Lewes in 2003.