For the first time in 27 years, Rehoboth Beach has a new mayor.
Paul Kuhns took the oath of office Friday night in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Rehoboth Beach Fire Hall. Kuhns defeated long-time Mayor Sam Cooper in an August election by a 60- to 40-percent vote.
Cooper had held the resort’s top seat since 1990.
Incumbent Commissioner Kathy McGuiness and newly-elected Commissioner Lisa Schlosser were also sworn in Friday night.
Mayor Kuhns nominated former Commissioner Pat Coluzzi to fill the remaining year on his term as commissioner. Kuhns, McGuiness and Schlosser voted yes, while Commissioners Stan Mills, Patrick Gossett and Toni Sharp voted no. Mayor Kuhns called the 3-3 deadlock vote, “very disappointing.”
Pat Coluzzi tells Delaware Public Media she’s disappointed for Mayor Kuhns since she understood Commissioners Mills, Gossett and Sharp told Kuhns they were onboard with her filling the remainder of Kuhns' term.
Kuhns’ commission seat remains vacant at this time.
