Three candidates vie for two seats on Seaford City Council

The Seaford municipal election will take place Saturday, April 18, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Seaford City Council.

The following are the candidates’ answers to the Seaford Star’s questions:

1. What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?

Mike Bradley- I am running for my second term, so I am already familiar with the city government and how it functions.

I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Salisbury University, and was in the Food and Commercial Workers Union #27 for 10 years, so I am somewhat familiar with negotiations, which the city is involved in right now.

I am a lifetime resident of the Seaford area, having lived downtown for the past 27 years. I currently own my own business, recently celebrating 36 years, so I am familiar with the operation, payroll, management, and controlled spending.

Dan Henderson- With nearly 12 years of experience on the city council and a lifelong connection to the 19973 area, I have a deep understanding of Seaford’s history, challenges, and opportunities.

As the former owner of a plumbing and HVAC business, I built long‑standing relationships with residents and business owners, giving me insight into community needs. Since 2014, I have worked closely with federal, state, and county officials to advocate for returning tax dollars to our city.

I also represent Seaford through organizations such as the Sussex County Association of Towns—where I currently serve as president—and the Delaware League of Local Governments.

Roberto Santos- The skills I bring to the City Council are time management, organization, collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to perform under pressure. These are essential when making decisions that impact a multi-million dollar budget.

My background in engineering required me to manage competing priorities, work within strict deadlines, and collaborate with others to deliver results. That environment trained me to stay disciplined, think critically, and make sound decisions, which is very similar to the realities of governing.

As an engineering student, I spent years solving complex problems using principles such as Bernoulli’s equation and the Navier-Stokes equations. These are not just academic concepts. They represent a way of thinking: breaking down complex systems, identifying variables, and arriving at solutions that work in the real world.

I also studied and applied models such as exponential growth, which are highly relevant outside the classroom. When evaluating public funding or tax revenue over time, understanding exponential growth helps determine whether increases are truly meaningful or simply keeping pace with inflation. For example, a 50 percent increase over 20 years sounds big, but that is only about 2 to 3 percent a year. Once you factor in inflation, it may not be real growth at all, just keeping up with the cost of living. That is why looking deeper at the numbers matters.

Beyond my formal education, I make it a priority to continue learning. I spend time reading and studying how organizations operate, how resources are allocated, and how better decisions are made, because better decisions lead to better outcomes for the community.

I am not coming in as a career politician. I am coming in as someone who has been out in the community, knocking on doors, listening, and learning directly from the people. Ultimately, I do not shy away from challenges. I approach them with structure, discipline, and a commitment to finding solutions. I believe that mindset, combined with my background, would allow me to serve this city effectively.

2. Based on what you know about City government, what do you see as top priorities for the city and why?

Dan Henderson- Since 2018, as vice mayor and liaison to police and fire, I have prioritized public safety. A safe community supports economic growth, attracts quality employers, and enhances our cultural and recreational environment. Responsible growth management is essential to expanding our tax base without placing additional burden on current residents and businesses.

Roberto Santos- Over the past few weeks, I have been walking through the community and speaking directly with residents. The most consistent priorities I have heard are improving transparency in utility fees, strengthening public safety, especially policing, and addressing speeding in neighborhoods.

One of the biggest concerns is the lack of clarity in utility billing. Residents are held to strict standards for on-time payments, yet fees continue to rise without clear explanation. For example, the “Customer Charge” has increased to $22, leaving many residents asking what exactly that cost represents.

When fees increase without transparency, it creates uncertainty and erodes trust. People do not expect perfection, but they do expect honesty and clarity. Residents have also expressed the need for at least 60 days’ notice before any rate and fee increases. We already see this standard in Delaware landlord-tenant law, where 60 to 90 days’ notice is required for rent increases. The city should aim to meet or exceed that same level of fairness.

Public safety, particularly policing, came up repeatedly during my conversations with residents. There is a strong desire for increased police presence and more consistent enforcement of speeding in neighborhoods. I saw these concerns firsthand while door knocking, especially in areas near Amazon, Rosetree Lane, and Hall Street where traffic control is limited. A visible and supported police force not only deters crime but also reassures residents and improves overall quality of life.

At the same time, we cannot overlook the importance of our fire department. Many of our firefighters are volunteers who live right here in our community, and their service is critical to keeping residents safe. Supporting recruitment and encouraging more volunteers will help ensure we maintain strong emergency response capabilities as the City grows.

These priorities matter because they directly impact trust, safety, and the day-to-day lives of residents. Addressing them now helps ensure the city is responsive in the present and prepared for the future.

Mike Bradley- For me, the top priorities are getting infrastucture in place for the future generations. The exodus of DuPont left Seaford in a vacuum, which has been difficult to fill. We have much to offer in retail, but we need work to attract permanent businesses that manufacture. We are blessed to have Amazon distribution (which I have toured), but I would love for potential manufacturers big or small to see Seaford as the go to place for the necessary infrastructure to supply their needs. You then have permanent roots taking hold supplying jobs, revenue for the city, and for the local businesses.

Crime is always going to be a concern, and I have seen a stronger law enforcement presence since I’ve been on council. Chief Craft is a great leader, and he has achieved his goal in manpower.

3. What do you believe is the role of the City Council in our community?

Roberto Santos- The role of the City Council is simple in principle but serious in responsibility: represent the people, protect their interests, and make decisions that move the city forward.

That starts with listening. Residents want to be heard, and it is the Council’s job to take those concerns, whether it is rising utility costs, speeding in neighborhoods, or public safety, and turn them into action.

City Council is also responsible for how every taxpayer dollar is spent. That means demanding transparency, asking the right questions, and making sure decisions are not just made but understood by the people they impact.

Public safety must remain a top priority. A strong and visible police presence improves quality of life. At the same time, we must continue supporting our volunteer fire department, whose members put themselves on the line for this community.

Most importantly, City Council should be forward-thinking. The Comprehensive Plan lays out where Seaford is going and it is our responsibility to make sure every decision moves us closer to that vision.

At the end of the day, the role is about leadership: showing up, making tough decisions, and always putting the people of Seaford first. This is why I am knocking on every constituent’s home and writing down issues, so that when given the opportunity to serve, I can fulfill my role as Councilman to the best of my abilities.

Mike Bradley- The Council’s role in the city is more than anything to manage funding to balance spending to fund the needs of the residents, keeping the burden of taxes as low as possible. I correlate spending as I would our household budget, and we have always taken  the residents in consideration to make sure they get the most bang for the buck. None of us on the council are self serving…we are a group of residents who love our city, and desire to make it better at the end of our tenure than it was when we began. We deliberate as adults…wanting the same end game, having discussions on how to do so, and using a word which you never hear today COMPROMISE.

Dan Henderson- City Council is responsible for setting the long-term vision of the city—not managing daily operations. Council selects and supports qualified professionals, including the city manager, police chief, and department directors, to execute that vision. Council must plan 1-, 5-, 10-, and 50‑year strategies that promote fiscal stability, public safety, environmental stewardship, and expanded recreational opportunities.

4. Community members have many differing opinions on the direction of the city. How will you maintain an effective and productive relationship with constituents?

Mike Bradley- From my standpoint, Seaford has hit bottom and is now on the upswing. The old shopping center is getting a much needed infusion, as well as the waterfront area downtown. I would be in remiss if I didn’t mention David Genshaw on his efforts with the shopping center, and Danny Short for the monies from the state to remove the powerhouse with the environmental cleanup. I am a positive person always seeing the glass half full, and instead of wanting people to leave the downtown for various reasons, I would encourage people to move there, to raise their children. This infusion of families has tendencies to spread into neighborhoods we are proud of.

Dan Henderson- I maintain accessibility through Facebook Messenger, email, and phone. I regularly attend community events and engage with local organizations such as the Downtown Seaford Association, Seaford Historical Society, Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce, and the Seaford School District. I also participate in services and events at various churches.

Roberto Santos- I will develop and maintain a relationship with the constituents by making myself accessible online and by attending community events so that I can listen to residents’ concerns. I believe people want to be heard, and it is important to give everyone the opportunity to share their ideas respectfully.

Productive relationships are built through communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen. When disagreements arise, I focus on understanding the reasoning behind different perspectives. I take those views seriously and ask for the same level of openness when sharing my own.

At the end of the day, we all want what is best for Seaford and I believe that common goal is what allows us to move forward together.

More in next week’s Seaford Star.