Published In The Milford Chronicle
MILFORD — On Monday evening, Bryan W. Shupe official began his two-year term has the mayor of the city of Milford. Since winning the April 26 election, he has been busy and wants to hear from the people he now serves.
Milford’s new Mayor told The Chronicle that he will be meeting with state officials next week to discuss economic development strategies and will soon schedule a series of town hall meetings to hear directly from residents about how to guide the Garden City of Twin Counties into the future.
Mayor Shupe began his campaign at the end of 2013, though he formally announced his intention to seek the seat in mid-January.
“It’s been an incredible feeling the last several months and very humbling. It is humbling to see so many people come out and support us,” said Mayor Shupe before taking his oath of office.
At the end of February, the race for mayor officially became a contest when James A. Oechsler Jr. and Betty Lou Schiedenhelm joined the fray. But Mayor Shupe became the clear winner by earning nearly two thirds of the total 988 votes cast on Milford’s Election Day, April 26. Mayor Shupe received 648 votes. Mr. Oechsler earned 280 votes, and Ms. Schiedenhelm got 60 votes.
“It’s been amazing. I have talked to a lot of different people and they are excited to get started. Excited to talk to me about their ideas. We will be holding some town halls in the next several weeks. I want them to know that I will also have an open door policy. I want them to bring their ideas for Milford to city hall,” Mayor Shupe said.
On Election Night, Mayor Shupe said his first action was going to be to call Alan Levin, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, to tell him Milford was, “open for business.” Mayor Shupe told said he didn’t have to make the call. The next day Mr. Levin contacted Milford’s new mayor to congratulate him on his victory.
“We are going to meet with him next week. We are really happy to have some really powerful people excited on the state level as well,” Mayor Shupe said.
The new Mayor replaces retiring Mayor Joseph R. “Ronnie” Rogers, who announced he would not seek reelection in January. Mayor Rogers served the city for four decades; ten years as a city councilman and 30 years as its mayor.
“I think Bryan will be fine. He has good people around him. I have pledged to him that if I can be of any help to him, I’d be happy to. I think he is a good man and he will do fine,” Mayor Rogers said Monday night before leaving the head seat at the city council table.
On Monday, Milford not only gained a new Mayor but a new First-Lady-To-Be, in Mayor Shupe’s fiancé Sherry Shaffer.
Like her future husband, Ms. Shaffer is excited to be a part of Milford’s future.
“We have always been excited about Milford. We’ve always been very active, being business owners downtown. This is just another excuse to get out all of the events, meet people and talk to them. We are excited and happy to be involved and both be able to participate in that,” said Ms. Shaffer.
The couple own a few businesses together that are located in downtown Milford, including Fur-Baby Boutique & Dog Daycare.
Mayor Shupe said he is looking forward to working with everyone in the city to help it grow.
“I just want to thank the people that came out and supported us and also the people that maybe voted for another candidate. Obviously they wanted to get involved, now is the time let us know what their thoughts and ideas are. We are looking forward to moving Milford forward,” he said.
Also Monday night, the Honorable William J. Walls Jr. not only presided over the Mayor’s swearing in but of four city council members.
Garrett L. Grier III, 1st Ward; S. Allen Pikus, 2nd Ward; Owen S. Brooks Jr., 3rd Ward Council; and Katrina E. J. Wilson, 4th Ward, all ran for reelection unopposed and retook their oath of office Monday.
Ward 3 Councilman Douglas E. Morrow Sr. was also elected Vice Mayor on Monday be the city council.
Before being elected mayor, Bryan W. Shupe served the city as one of its Ward 1 councilman. His new position left his seat vacant. A call for candidates was made and only one person answered. Therefore Christopher H. Mergner will be sworn in as the city’s newest Ward 1 council man on June 23.
Editor Logan B. Anderson
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