Dorfman and Wode re-election bids fail under strong absentee balloting
Two of three incumbents seeking re-election to the Bethany Beach Town Council were ousted on Saturday, with Vice-Mayor Tony McClenny the only incumbent on the ballot to retain his seat. And, after narrowly failing to unseat Mayor Carol Olmstead in 2007, resident Margaret Bogan Young finally made good on her efforts to join the council, topping the final vote count at more than 50 votes ahead of her nearest competitor, McClenny. Young and McClenny will be joined on the council by returning member Lew Killmer, who did not seek re-election in 2007 but aimed to rejoin the council after a year off, and by Budget & Finance Committee member Jack Gordon.
Incumbents Steve Wode and Jerry Dorfman finished sixth and fifth in the voting, respectively, with first-time candidate Joe Bellistri completing the field. Councilman Tracy Mulligan did not seek re-election this year. Each of the four seats carries a two-year term.
The results from the Sept. 6 voting, in order, starting with the top vote-getter:
Candidate:..................................Machine..............Absentee..............Total
Margaret Bogan Young.....................333.....................296...................629
Lew Killmer.....................................344.....................235...................579
Tony McClenny................................325.....................234...................559
Jack Gordon....................................317.....................232...................549
Jerry Dorfman.................................296.....................193...................489
Steve Wode.....................................254.....................160...................414
Joe Bellistri......................................224.....................144...................368
The council will hold its re-organizational meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at the town hall. At that time, the council will nominate from among its membership and select a mayor, vice-mayor and secretary/treasurer -- roles that have a one-year term. Any of the council members can hold those seats, as they are all residents -- the only requirement, beyond council membership, to hold a council officer position.
For more on the Sept. 6 elections, pick up the Sept. 12 issue of the Coastal Point, or visit our Web site after Sept. 11.