In an emotional and candid address, former Mayor John Shwed delivered a farewell message to the people of Laurel as he officially turned over the reins of leadership to a new administration. Speaking both to a live audience and Zoom attendees, Shwed reflected on his time in office, acknowledged those who supported him, and outlined the challenges Laurel faces moving forward.
“I would like to make some comments as I turn over the operation to a new mayor,” Shwed began. “Some of my remarks may be controversial, but I believe I have earned the right to speak openly.”
During the April 21 meeting of Laurel Mayor and Council, Councilman Donald “Bo” Bolden, who ran a successful campaign for reelection to represent an “At-Large” seat on the council, was sworn in for another term by incoming Mayor Carlos Oliveras. Pictured with Bolden is wife, Marybeth LaFleur, who held the Bible during the ceremony.
During the Monday, Nov. 21, meeting of council, Shwed opened with thanks to key individuals who influenced his decision to enter politics. “I want to thank the late Johnny Janosik, founder of Johnny Janosik World of Furniture, and banker Bob Thompson for encouraging me to enter the Mayor’s race in 2003. They gave me an opportunity to help the Laurel community in several ways.”
He also extended his appreciation to Laurel’s town staff, both past and present, for their dedication and service, as well as members of the town council. “I believe we had a high percentage of unified actions on town issues,” he said.
Shwed also credited numerous state and federal leaders for their support, including Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, multiple Delaware governors, and members of Sussex County Council. He paid special tribute to the late Senator Robert Venables, the late State Representative Cliff Lee, and current legislators Bryant Richardson and Tim Dukes.
Quoting General Douglas MacArthur, Shwed echoed the values that guided his leadership. “As an Army veteran, I believe I have executed the office of Laurel mayor with these three words in mind: duty, honor, and country. I did my duty, I did it with honor, and I did it with love of country and community.”
Shwed addressed a growing concern: behavior and public safety. “America has a behavior problem. Some people have lost their moral compass,” he said. “In places like Newark, Wilmington, Dover, Seaford, and here in Laurel, some young people are using guns to resolve differences.”
He commended the Laurel Police Department for partnering with residents through Ring camera access and announced plans to install license plate readers and additional surveillance tools to deter crime. “Soon the word will get around: if you come from somewhere else and commit a crime in Laurel, the police will track you down.”
He praised efforts by the Delaware Department of Justice’s local committee but urged more action from the state. “We need a State Attorney General who is more focused on the victims of crimes rather than being soft on criminals,” he said. “This problem is not going to be solved with candy and food giveaways. Those things are nice, but it is going to take tough love.”
Shwed pushed back against claims that the Laurel School District is a “failing system,” saying, “That’s an insult to the dedicated staff like Amy Handy of Operation West Laurel and David King, who works tirelessly with student athletes,” he stated.
He went on to reference former Presidential candidate and Cabinet member in the first Trump administration, Dr. Ben Carson and his life’s story as proof that poverty does not preclude achievement when supported by committed parenting. He also voiced concern over school funding disparities, specifically criticizing how Sussex Tech receives funds without going to referendum. “We need a new funding system for all Delaware schools,” Shwed asserted.
Shwed didn’t shy away from local frustrations either. He called out Delaware’s Department of Transportation (DelDOT) for misplaced priorities in infrastructure, lamenting a 10-year delay in addressing sidewalk construction on Discount Land Road.
He also urged efforts to convince a local business owner to sell property near the Laurel Boys and Girls Club to allow for expansion—including a new swimming pool.
Shwed plans to stay involved in certain projects, including the construction of pickle ball, tennis courts and a skate park at the North Laurel Early Learning Academy.
In closing, Shwed once again turned to the words of General MacArthur, quoting his farewell to Congress: “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
“I wish the new administration success,” he said. “Soon you will learn governing is more challenging than talk. Now, as your old mayor, I am going to fade away.”
After 22 years, Shwed lost his bid for another term as mayor in the recent Laurel municipal elections. His challenger, Councilman Carlos Oliveras, was sworn in as mayor during the Monday, April 21, meeting of Laurel Mayor and Council.
