Ocean View residents team up for council run

Ocean View residents Michele Steffens and Geoff Christ announced this week that they are joining forces in their campaigns to run for the two district seats in this year’s town council election, set for April 10.

Steffens will be running for the District 1 seat currently held by Richard Nippes, and Christ will be running for the open seat in District 2 currently held by Bill Wichmann. Wichmann is currently completing his second three-year term and is not permitted to run again for that seat.

Both candidates said they know each other well and are committed to the theme of fiscal responsibility for the Town of Ocean View.

“By joining forces, we are not only avoiding an unnecessary duplication of campaign expenses, but also demonstrating that candidates for office can work together in a spirit of cooperation, as opposed to one of confrontation,” Geoff Christ emphasized.

“We obviously are not going to agree on every issue,” said Michele Steffens, “but we both love this town and are seriously concerned about the town’s financial directions, especially during these uncertain economic times.”

Steffens’ family has a history in Ocean View dating back to 1930. She lives with her husband, Robert, and son, Derek, on Edward Lane. She said she chose to raise her family at this location in the shadow of her grandparents’ home. A 1980 graduate of Indian River High School, Steffens earned two associate’s degrees, one in architectural engineering and another in construction management, from Delaware Technical and Community College.

Steffens said she was instrumental for the Rally in the Park, spearheading the reconfiguration of the traffic light on Route 26 and Central Avenue and is on the Route 26 Committee. She is active in the Indian River Football Boosters club, serving as past secretary and current treasurer. She is co-chairperson for the club’s annual benefit Pig Skin Motorcycle Ride.

In 2009, Steffens joined the Millville Volunteer Fire Company as an active firefighter and she is on the Springtime Jamboree Committee. She has also served on Ocean View’s Board of Supervisors of Elections and Historical Committee. She is employed by Banks Wines and Spirits in Millville.

Christ has been a resident of Ocean View since 1994. He and his wife, Debra, are the parents of two young sons, Owen and Spencer, and make their home in The Cottages community. Christ graduated magna cum laude from Widener University Law School with a juris doctor degree in 2002, attaining the dean’s list every semester. He graduated from University of Maryland School of Pharmacy with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1994.

In 2006, Christ was appointed by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to the Delaware State Board of Pharmacy and he was reappointed by Gov. Jack Markell in 2009 to another three-year term. In 2008-2009, he was elected president of the Board, and he currently serves as vice president. Christ was admitted to the Delaware Bar in his initial exam in 2003 and hold State of Maryland and State of Delaware pharmacy licenses. Christ is also a volunteer attorney for the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate.

Christ ran for Ocean View mayor the year Gary Meredith was elected to his first term. He is currently employed by Happy Harry’s/Walgreens in Lewes.