Small Town News

City of Lewes marks George H.P. Smith Day with tree dedication

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The City of Lewes recently planted six new river birches in the Canalfront Park, which it intends to dedicate in honor of people who have rendered extraordinary public service to the community.

On Feb. 5, the first of the tribute trees was dedicated to the honor of former Mayor George H.P. Smith. A crowd of family and friends watched Mayor Smith's wife, Lorraine Smith, and Mayor Jim Ford place a brick engraved with Mayor Smith's name at the base of the tree.

The event came on the Feb. 5 birthday of the former mayor, which the city has declared Mayor George H.P. Smith Day. Mayor Smith died Sept 11, 2005. He had recendy retired from service with the city: 18 years as a member of city council and 10 years as mayor.

"The mayor was instrumental in getting this park started and was very interested in seeing that it was maintained well," said Ford during remarks delivered in the park's Net House. "He was also a man who came to be mayor at a time of great controversy in the city. But his demeanor calmed controversy. He put critics to work. It's a reflection of the kind of person he was."

A scholarship fund for a Cape Henlopen High School student has been established at the Greater Lewes Foundation in Mayor Smith's name.

"We have $5,000 in that fund now and we want to double that to $10,000," said Ford. "A fund drive has just started to build me fund."

Lorraine Smith said George Smith was her soul mate "for the past and the future. He accepted people as they were. His birthday is as special to me as my own, which is one day past his, on Feb. 6. Many, many thanks to everyone for this great tribute. I love all of you."

Mayor Smith's cousin, Stell Selby, noted that Mayor Smith was a mentor to her. "We taught together at Rehoboth Elementary. In his last days he told me to never let the quest end, carryon, keep it going. We worked together to let people know that African-Americans lived in and around Lewes and were a significant part of the town's history."

Mayor Smith was the first African-American mayor of Lewes.

Barbara Shelton, one of Mayor Smith's daughters, has been instrumental in getting the educational scholarship going. She kept her comments short: "God never ends a story without bringing back the glory."





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