Tower Shores Beach Association
Board Candidate Biographies
Pierce Bates
Beach Address: 39569 Dune Road, # 53, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
How long have you owned property in the Community?
My parents purchased our place in 1972, 47 years ago, and it has been in our family ever since.
What do you see as the most pressing issues in the community?
-Maintaining and preserving the peace and quiet of our community. Protecting the Dunes.
-Matt’s Fish Camp parking and traffic problems
What skills would you bring to the Board of Directors?
I have been on the Board of Directors for the past two years. I currently serve as chair of the Social Committee and am on the Budget Committee. My main goal is to keep Tower Shores the quiet, pleasant beach community that it is and to minimize change. I am a retired contracts attorney with a sharp eye for detail.
Karen Castle
Beach Address: 39589 Dune Rd, #65 Atlantic Watergate
How long have you owned property in the Community?
Since September 2016
What do you see as the most pressing issues in the community?
-Protecting Tower Shores homeowners’ investments in and enjoyment of their beach properties, including:
-Reasonable application of HOA rules and by-laws.
-Mitigating damage potential from storms through proper dune/beach management.
-Working to keep Tower Shores as a popular vacation destination.
What skills would you bring to the Board of Directors?
I am a CPA who specializes in financial management of small businesses.
Jeff Paro (Husband of Pam Rodman Paro)
Beach Address: 29181 Ocean Hamlet (#5)
How long have you owned property in the Community?
My wife’s family, the Rodmans have been here, in this unit since the late 70’s
And our children pretty much grew up coming down here. Ben is 29 and Jamie is 26.
What do you see as the most pressing issues in the community?
-I need to familiarize myself with the Towers Shore Charter to better understand this organization’s role in managing our community….but
-Consider Tower Shores community a special place…Part of Bethany, but off the mainline.
-In our 30 years, there has been some development, and what’s felt like an escalation of rental properties. During high season the beach can get a bit busy, but for the most part all is fine. Hope we can continue to preserve this experience through the proper guidance.
-Homeowner equity….We need to be respectful of the investments everyone has made in there individual properties whether as rental properties or family getaways. Anything we do should be designed to enhance these experiences and values.
-Broad strokes but look forward to learning more about the issues/challenges.
What skills would you bring to the Board of Directors?
-Currently serve on a variety of boards; non-profit and industry, two of which are involved in Conservation.
-Most recently CEO of a media company so have broad and general working knowledge of organizational management, marketing, legal, finance, etc.
Thomas Seamon ( Tom )
Beach Address: 29135 Ocean Rd. Unit #9, Atlantic Watergate
How long have you owned property in the Community
My parents, Lois and Ted Seamon, purchased our unit in 1971. After they passed on, my brother Ken, Sister Tina, and myself inherited our unit in 2012.
What do you see as the most pressing issues in the community?
-Life and Safety – It is always of utmost importance to continually prioritize and monitor beach safety measures, roads and signage, parking access and procedures, fire safety and overall security.
-Infrastructure – We need to provide beach access for all visitors using our cross walks. Our cable and IT systems may need upgrading in the near future.
-We should consider storm and flood damage control improvements, how we fund potential clean ups, possible mitigation efforts, and the necessity for the upkeep of the dunes.
-I’m very pleased with our repaved roads and I think that effort underscores the necessity for holding a healthy financial reserve for capital improvements or emergency needs.
-It is important to keep up the appearance of our buildings and grounds in order to maintain or increase the value of our properties and for our own use and enjoyment.
What skills would you bring to the Board of Directors?
-Over the years I have worked as a dairy farmer, contractor, and facilities manager/director. I still do facilities consulting work and so I have a degree of experience in building and grounds management and the trades.
-I have served on boards of trustees before but more often I have had to answer to boards. I know the necessity for the application of accountability, fiscal responsibility, due process, and common sense in all matters.
-I’m a good listener, learner, inquisitive, curious, and a firm believer in the collaborative approach to decision making.
-In the fall of 2017, the owners of the Building B units decided to replace our common roof. I served as the point person on that project, from developing the specifications, through the bidding process, and the final work and clean up. I am very thankful that the owners of Building B and their families graciously provided their expertise, building system knowledge, and willingness to work with me in order to complete the project in April, 2018.
-If any Tower Shores owners have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at tomseamom@comcast.net