Rehoboth commissioners split on replacement to fill new mayor's former seat

On a night that was supposed to be a celebration of newly-elected Rehoboth Beach officials, the commission split on how to fill the open spot left from Mayor Paul Kuhns' commissioner spot.

And, while his name was never mentioned, former Rehoboth Beach mayor Sam Cooper's shadow loomed large over the discussion, with calls to rise above divisiveness some commissioners felt was an issue.

At the meeting on Sept. 15, Kuhns was sworn in as Rehoboth Beach mayor, and incumbent Kathy McGuiness and newcomer Lisa Schlosser were sworn in as commissioners.

Kuhns appointed former commissioner Pat Coluzzi to fill his former spot on the board of commissioners and serve the remaining year of his term. There was no conversation surrounding the nomination.

However, Coluzzi failed to be confirmed as the vote was deadlocked at 3-3. Kuhns, McGuiness and Schlosser voted for the nomination, and commissioners Stan Mills, Patrick Gossett and Toni Sharp voted against.

BACKGROUND: New Rehoboth Mayor Paul Kuhns takes pro-business line

BACKGROUND: Longtime mayor defeated in Rehoboth election

Mills then nominated Susan Gay, who ran for commissioner earlier this year and lost to McGuiness and Schlosser.

“Obviously, I am supporting appointing her for several reasons,” Mills said. “She meets my criteria for elected official, not unlike the criteria set forward by other people.”

Mills voiced his displeasure with the process, but acknowledged the board has no other way to proceed as the process is in the city’s charter.

Commissioners Sharp and Gossett both agreed with Mills' nomination.

“We are bound by power of people and take their input into consideration,” Sharp said. “For me, it is extremely important to stand up, and I am finding it hard for the 600-some votes placed on Aug. 12 for Susan Gay be ignored.”

Gossett echoed Sharp’s comments.

He said the public interest is very much part of the decision of who should fill the vacant role.

“Susan Gay is the most qualified person to go into the position,” he concluded.

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However, McGuiness, Schlosser and Kuhns all disagreed with the decision to appoint Gay to the vacant spot.

McGuiness said Coluzzi was the best choice.

“I cannot think of a better choice for someone to fill in for a one-year term on the board,” she said.

Schlosser underlined McGuiness’ comments.

She said since Gay did not receive the votes necessary to serve on the board during the Aug. 12 election, she should not be allowed to serve on the board.

“Our obligation to listen to our electorate and our voters who voted for change and discontinued the divisiveness,” she said. “Rise above the divisiveness and party lines and support our new mayor.”

Kuhns said he selected Coluzzi because of her six years of experience serving on the board of commissioners in the past.

One of the reasons he feels Coluzzi stepped aside was the divisiveness on the board previously.

“Pat is a very reasonable person,” Kuhns said. “We need to get over this divisiveness, and Susan Gay will continue that. Our job is to bring the community together.”

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Another vote was taken, and the vote was 3-3 once again, meaning Gay’s nomination failed as well.

Kuhns tried once again to have Coluzzi voted in, but that voted failed.

Later in the meeting, Gay was selected as a member of the planning commission by a vote of 5-1, with McGuiness serving as the lone nay vote.

Because of Gay’s appointment to the planning commission, McGuiness recommended that another vote be taken on Coluzzi filling Kuhns' old spot on the board.

Schlosser asked that the other commissioners vote for Coluzzi, and Kuhns said he searched “high and low” through the community for someone to fill the spot.

“I spoke with a number of different people for recommendations and took those into account,” he said. “I look at qualifications and time in Rehoboth, being involved in the community, having a vision and foresight for the future, and only one person stood out, and that was Pat Coluzzi. I wholeheartedly recommend her.”

Yet the the vote was deadlocked once more.

A new vote has not been scheduled for the open seat.

On Twitter @hughesg19