Georgetown, Del., May 3, 2016: A former state trooper, one-time builder and current real estate agent is bringing his eclectic background to Sussex County’s land use process.

County Council, at its Tuesday, May 3, 2016, meeting, appointed Douglas B. Hudson, 56, of the Dagsboro area to a seat on the five-member panel, a Council-appointed body that reviews and gives consideration toward subdivision applications and other land use requests. The appointment will take effect immediately and will last through June 2017, when the current three-year term ends. Commissioners are paid $250 a meeting.

County Councilman George B. Cole nominated Mr. Hudson in April to fill the seat vacated by then-Commissioner Rodney Smith, who resigned for health reasons in March after serving 12 years on the Commission. Mr. Cole praised Mr. Hudson for his vast knowledge of communities and residents in Sussex County from his work as a former Delaware State Police trooper and as a school safety monitor in the Indian River School District, and added his experience in custom home-building, design, and real estate sales make him an ideal candidate for the job.

“Land use is the single-largest function of County government. We need people who understand the role of government in serving the people, the needs and trends within the development community, and most importantly, how to work with people who have differing perspectives,” Councilman Cole said. “Doug has spent his career working with people of all types, sometimes in stressful situations. I think he will be a great fit on the Commission.”

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