This year's Milton elections feature two candidates vying for the mayoral seat, plus three candidates running to fill two town council seats. The Sussex LWV is sponsoring a public forum for these candidates on February 15, 2025, in the large meeting room at the Milton Library, from 12-2 pm (doors open at 11:45). Voters are encouraged to submit questions in advance at this link.

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The forum will be moderated by LWVSCDE member Fern Goodhart. It will be recorded for posting (with closed captions) on the LWVSCDE YouTube channel within 24 hours of the event. 

In the mayor’s race, incumbent Mayor John Collier will face Vice Mayor Lee Revis-Plank. Candidates for the town council include incumbent Tom Arkinson, as well as Robert Gray and Alan Pongratz. Brief bios of Ms. Goodhart and the candidates are provided below.

Moderator: Fern Goodhart

Fern Goodhart, MS, RMCHES, has a 40-year career in public health, first working in the NJ State Department of Health, directing the NJ Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, and serving on 3 Governors’ councils and advisory boards. She later directed the Rutgers University Health Services’ health education department, developing health programs, conducting research, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, managing grants, and consulting nationally and internationally, while having written 24 book chapters and peer-reviewed journals articles.Ms. Goodhart held appointed positions for ten years as a member of local autonomous boards of health and elected public office to the Highland Park Borough Council (NJ) for seven years. As the first APHA public health legislative fellow, Ms. Goodhart most recently launched an 8-year career with the U.S. Senate, serving Senator Tom Udall (NM) as a senior policy advisor on health, education and other domestic issues, including during the crafting and passing of the Affordable Care Act. Living in Lewes, DE, Ms. Goodhart now volunteers with the League of Women Voters/Sussex County and the Humane Animal Partners, sings with Encore Creativity, belongs to 100WomenWhoCare and the Sussex Cyclists, enjoys bowling, Tai Chi and local theater and cinema, and taking many UDel OLLI classes.

Mayoral Candidates

John Collier (incumbent) 

John Collier, a Delaware resident since 1957, is married to Cathy Reed Collier, a native of Milton. In October 2001, John and Cathy returned to her hometown of Milton. Over his 45-year career in public service, John dedicated nearly 40 years to the Delaware Department of Transportation, retiring as the agency’s Geodetic Control Coordinator. Following his initial retirement, he served the Town of Milton as Project Coordinator for almost six years before retiring once again. John’s involvement in town government is extensive. He has served as Chairman and member of the Board of Adjustment and the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as a member of the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Town Council from 2013 to 2014, participating in several committees, including Streets and Sidewalks, Water, Personnel, and Charter and Ordinance Committees during his tenure. In 2021, he was elected to the Town Council again and subsequently became Mayor in 2022. As Mayor, John Collier is deeply committed to Milton’s future while honoring its rich heritage. He is a strong advocate for proactive measures and decisive actions to ensure the town’s long-term financial stability. Known for his responsiveness and accessibility, he takes pride in being available to serve the needs of his constituents.

Lee Revis-Plank 

Lee Revis-Plank, currently the Vice Mayor, is a Delaware native and a descendent of a Delaware Revolutionary War veteran from Selbyville and of a family of strong women. Her own daughter lives nearby in Lewes. She grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School and the University of Delaware with a BA in Psychology and M. Ed in Leadership. She worked in corporate America for 45 years and retired from two Fortune 100 companies, DuPont and Bank of America, where she was a Vice President and project manager. Since retiring to Milton, she has served on the Wagamons West Shore Civic Association Board, the Board of Trustees and as Interim Executive Director of the Milton Historical Society (MHS), and the Board of Trustees of Preservation Delaware, Inc. She steps away from the Town of Milton Historic Preservation Commission as the Education Chairwoman to serve on the Town Council. Lee is a historian at heart and volunteered as an historical interpreter at Fort Delaware with her daughter for several years. She has demonstrated a deep appreciation for Milton’s history and pledges to widen and deepen it through appreciating the contributions of all Miltonians. Lee is very proud of her leadership and vision in initiating the recent MHS exhibit, “Walking Into Greatness” a biography of Milton native Bryan Stevenson. Lee believes in taking an active role in her community and offering her skills and experience for the betterment of the greater whole.

Council Candidates

Tom Arkinson

I am currently serving as a Councilman on the Milton Town Council after being appointed to fill a vacancy created by a resignation. I began serving in October of 2023 and am seeking re-election to that seat. Over the past 20 plus years that I have lived in Milton, I have been involved in a variety of community organizations and activities, including the Milton Community Foundation (vice president), the original Milton Farmers Market (vice president), the Charles Court II Homeowners Association (president), and as a volunteer at numerous special events. Through these activities I have met many of the town’s people and created friendships, listened to and discussed the happenings of our town, as well as learned the history and culture of the town. I am a retired middle school teacher from Trenton, NJ, where I taught math, science, and wood shop in the Trenton Public Schools. I have a B.S. in Business Administration from Rider College as well as a teaching certification in Industrial Arts from Trenton State College. I grew up on a horse farm in the small town of Medford, NJ, and appreciate the quality of life in a small town. I am at home in Milton!

Robert Gray 

 Robert (Bob) Gray retired to Milton in 2019 after serving 31 years as Assistant Attorney General for Maryland. He has represented three of Maryland’s counties, and spearheaded the Town of Chesapeake Beach’s 10 year comprehensive plan, as President of its Planning Commission. Bob served on Calvert County Maryland’s Board of Education for 12 years, acting as President for 4 of those years with oversight of an $150,000,000 budget. Bob is currently president of the Chestnut Crossing Owners Association and an active member of the Milton Board of Adjustments. He has just concluded work with Milton’s ad hoc Workforce Housing Committee commissioned to develop ways to support the town’s growing affordable housing needs. Milton currently has a structural budget deficit that unless it is corrected by solid downtown and peripheral business development will ultimately increase the tax burden of its residents. This year, Milton’s Comprehensive Plan is about to be rewritten. providing the residents of Milton the opportunity to provide input and determine how the town will look and be to live in 2035 and beyond. If elected Bob promises to work with the community to preserve and enhance Milton’s historical, quaint ambiance while at the same time developing a viable and attractive commercial base.     

Alan Pongratz

I had the privilege of working as the water and sewer commissioner for the Town of Greenwood for 10 years before relocating to Milton. In that timeline I saw many infrastructure projects come to fruition.  My wife and I have lived in Cannery Village for 13 years and I am currently serving on the Cannery Village Homeowners Association Board and a board member of the Milton Historical Society. I am currently employed by the State of Delaware/Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) serving 25 years, as an Environmental Control Supervisor, working with the public, contractors, and consultants, providing guidance of environmental regulations for the construction of water wells and septic absorption facilities. I enjoy working in local government to have a voice for myself and for our constituents involving topics relating to Town and County issues.  I would like to be involved in decision making for responsible development, to be sure our resources and infrastructure are not overwhelmed.  As the Town of Milton continues to grow, it would be an honor to work with fellow council members representing our constituents in forthcoming events.