OPINION
Smyrna Council Members Vote to Double Local Property Tax Rate
Dear Friends,
I like to address local Delaware issues occasionally. I was once a city Councilman in Lewes for 6 years. Approving and managing budgets, city expenses, and future development is an important part of the job. Constant fortitude and perseverance on a yearly basis is necessary to run a successful city government. I wonder about the city of Smyrna, Delaware which suddenly doubled its property taxes. Apparently for the city to make this extreme adjustment to stay above board was necessary, however this move will affect business property owners severely as well as many residential folks.
Low property taxes have been a boon and a blessing for Delaware folks for years. Not so now for Smyrna! I question the reasons and efficiency of the Smyrna Mayor and Council. We would have been lynched if we doubled the property taxes in Lewes!
Not far from the town itself is Delaware’s top state prison where most of Delaware’s incorrigibles are housed and occasional executions are carried out.
Please read the articles below about this significant financial development.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
JUDSON Bennett-Coastal Network
Smyrna Council members vote to double the local property tax rate. (story from WDEL):
https://www.wdel.com/news/smyrna-council-members-vote-to-double-local-property-tax-rate/article_ee28b276-f110-11ee-900c-efee8709716e.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share
This Delaware town doubled property taxes. Utility repairs and upgrades are one reason (Story from Delaware News Journal):
https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2024/04/04/smyrna-delaware-doubled-property-taxes-utility-repairs-upgrades/73201984007
Judson Bennett
Author
Captain A. Judson Bennett was a life- long resident of Lewes, DE. He served the maritime industry for 33 years, primarily as a Delaware River Pilot, guiding large ships to the Port of Philadelphia. Captain Bennett has been an active and consistent entrepreneur over the years.
He was elected as a Lewes City Councilman for 6 years. Afterwards he ran for the Sussex County Council as a Republican, and with 20 thousand people voting, lost Delaware’s closest election by 3 votes to an 8 year incumbent. Abandoning his personal political ambitions, he became the Republican District leader, advocating conservative values. Captain Bennett became a lobbyist in the state legislature advocating among many ideas, financial literacy concepts in education. He managed several political campaigns, including one for Governor of Delaware and one for the US Senate against VP Joe Biden. He is now the owner, operator, and writer for the Coastal Network which communicates regularly with over 6000 people throughout the State of Delaware.
Captain Bennett is a graduate of St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE (where the movie “The Dead Poet’s Society was filmed) and also graduated “Magna Cum Laude” from the University of Delaware with a BA in Criminal Justice and an MA in Liberal Studies.
He is now a Widower, living in West Palm Beach, Florida. Captain Bennett has one son, three grandchildren, and one great grand-daughter, all who live in Richmond, Virginia.
