Mayor and Town Council

The Town Council is made up of a mayor and six council persons. Mayoral terms and council terms are for three years each. Town elections are the first Saturday in March from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Successful candidates are sworn in at the regular monthly meeting in April. At that meeting, the Mayor appoints a Vice Mayor, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Monthly council meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Milton Library. The meeting time may be adjusted to allow for Public Hearings, if needed. An Open Forum session will be held near the beginning of the meeting for public participation and input. If the first Monday of the month is a town observed holiday, the monthly Council meeting will be held the second Monday of the month. Additional meetings may be held during the month if deemed necessary.

John Collier, Mayor

Current Term 2025-2028
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John Collier is a resident of Delaware since 1957, oldest son of a military family, who grew up in Wyoming, DE. He is married to Milton native Cathy Reed Collier. He and Cathy returned to her hometown of Milton in October 2001. John’s work history spans 45 years of public service including 39 years and 5 months with the Delaware Department of Transportation retiring as an Engineering, Planning and Surveying Technician V and the agency’s Geodetic Control Coordinator. Upon retirement, he served the Town of Milton for 5 years 7 months as the Project Coordinator before entering retirement again.

In addition to employment with the Town, his experience within Town government is diverse having served as Chairman and a member of the Board of Adjustment and Historic Preservation Commission; a member of the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee; and member of the Town Council 2013-2014 all while part of the Streets and Sidewalks, Water, Personnel and Charter and Ordinance Committees during that time. In 2014, John resigned from Town Council to pursue an employment position with the Town of Milton.

John Collier is firmly focused on the future of Milton while respecting its past and heritage. He pride himself on being responsive and always available to  constituents.

Lee Revis-Plank, Vice Mayor

Current Term 2024-2027
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Lee Revis-Plank is a Delaware native and a descendent of a Delaware Revolutionary War veteran from Selbyville and of a family of strong women. Her own daughter lives nearby in Lewes.

She grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School and the University of Delaware with a BA in Psychology and M. Ed in Leadership.

She worked in corporate America for 45 years and retired from two Fortune 100 companies, DuPont and Bank of America, where she was a Vice President and project manager. Since retiring to Milton, she has served on the Wagamons West Shore Civic Association Board, the Board of Trustees and as Interim Executive Director of the Milton Historical Society (MHS), and the Board of Trustees of Preservation Delaware, Inc. She steps away from the Town of Milton Historic Preservation Commission as the Education Chairwoman to serve on Town Council.

Lee is a historian at heart and volunteered as an historical interpreter at Fort Delaware with her daughter for several years. She has demonstrated a deep appreciation for Milton’s history and pledges to widen and deepen it through appreciating the contributions of all Miltonians. Lee is very proud of her leadership and vision in initiating the recent MHS exhibit, “Walking Into Greatness” a biography of Milton native Bryan Stevenson.

Lee believes in taking an active role in her community and offering her skills and experience for the betterment of the greater whole.

Perry Higgs, Secretary

Current Term 2026-2029
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Perry Higgs and his wife, Kathleen, are proud to call Milton home. They have two daughters and one grandson. Perry is often seen walking his dog, Wilson, around town and values staying connected with neighbors and the community.

Prior to joining the Milton Town Council, Perry served on the town’s Finance Committee, Streets & Sidewalks Committee, and Affordable Housing Committee, where he participated in discussions related to budgeting, infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and housing policy. He also served as treasurer of the Wagamons West Shores Homeowners Association during the transition from developer control to homeowner governance. In addition, he worked with concerned residents to bring DNREC attention to the ongoing problem of invasive weed growth in Wagamons Pond, an issue affecting water quality and recreation.

Perry spent several decades working for a major global energy company, where he gained experience in financial management, budgeting, and long-range planning. He holds an undergraduate degree in honors mathematics from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Business Administration from Villanova University, and a certificate in Certified Financial Planning from the University of Virginia.

His areas of focus include preservation of the town’s character and charm; sound fiscal management and long-term planning; safe passage through town, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists; and housing development that meets the town’s needs, including workforce housing.

Perry is committed to thoughtful decision-making, responsible stewardship of public resources, and maintaining the quality of life that defines Milton.

Scotty Edler, Treasurer

Current Term 2026-2029
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Scotty Le Edler is a Delaware native.  He was born in Wilmington in May 1980.  He attended Cape Henlopen schools since the 6th grade and is a 1998 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School.  After high school he attended Delaware State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History in 2003.

Upon finishing his undergraduate degree, he moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, to attend Midwestern State University for graduate school.  He earned his Master of Arts in History in 2006 with an area of expertise being Modern Germany, 1870 to Present with main focus on World War I.  His thesis was a reassessment of the role of Kaiser Wilhelm II in World War I entitled, “The Fall and Exile of Wilhelm II, the Last German Kaiser:  A 21st Century Assessment.”  More importantly, it was here that he would also meet his wife, Melisa, who was a Chemistry and Biology undergraduate.  They were married in August 2009.  He recently completed his Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha in December 2024 with an area of expertise being U.S.-Middle East Foreign Policy and Supreme Court and U.S. Constitution.  His thesis dealing with the Iran Nuclear Deal and U.S.-Iranian Foreign Policy was entitled, “The United States and Iran after the Iran Nuclear Deal: What Dictates Our Foreign Policy and How Shall We Proceed?”

He began his teaching career at North Central Texas College, serving as an Adjunct Instructor of History and Humanities from 2007 to 2010.  He also began working for Navarro College, where he served as an Adjunct Instructor of History and Government from 2007 to 2024.  When his wife began medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, he relocated and joined the faculty at Galveston College, serving as an Adjunct Instructor of History and Government from 2011 to 2022.  He was named the Galveston College Adjunct Instructor of the Year by his students and peers in 2013.  Since spring 2016, he has also served Southern New Hampshire University as an Adjunct Instructor of History and Political Science and as a thesis advisor for both disciplines.

After his wife completed her OBGYN residency in June 2018, they decided to move here to the Cape region for her to start her practice at Bayhealth Medical and to be closer to his family.  Having brought her on vacation to see friends and family many times, they knew exactly where in the Cape region that they wished to reside, Milton.

The Edlers have resided in Milton since June 2018 and have purchased a 1926 Craftsman home on Union Street.  They recently welcomed their first son, Scotty Le “SJ” Edler Jr.  They have one dog, a Bernadoodle (1/2 Bernese Mountain Dog, 1/2 Poodle) named Violet.

As a professional historian, he has a keen interest in the history and small-town charm of Milton.  He is committed to common sense, practical development to move our town forward while also seeking to preserve and protect the historic character of Milton.  He is also interested in helping solve the downtown parking issues.

 In his spare time, Councilman Edler enjoys surf fishing, boating, kayaking, gardening, and BBQing with friends and family.

Frederick Harvey, Councilman

Current Term 2024-2027
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Frederick Harvey is a lifetime resident of Milton.  He is married to Thelma and has two sons and a daughter.  Frederick attended school in the Cape Henlopen School District. After 22 years, Frederick retired from working for the Cape Henlopen School District; he has also been a part-time Bus Driver for the District for 30 years and continues to drive.

Frederick is a Lifetime member of Milton Fire Department Station 85. He actively holds the position as Fire Police and assists with emergency situations.

Frederick founded and directed The Boys To Be Men Club at Milton School to work with young boys that needed coaching in school.  He assisted them when
they struggled with behavior issues as well as classroom assignments. He also coached the Middle School Boys Basketball Team for 10 years.

Frederick is a dedicated member of CLJC Church for sixty plus years.  He was the President of the Young Peoples Department, and directed the Church Choir for many years. He presently assists with Church maintenance. Frederick worked with his Father in the studio/ engineering at the Church until his father transitioned this life.

Frederick helped manage The Slam Dunk on the Beach, a national Basketball Tournament held yearly at the Cape Henlopen School in Lewes, serving from 1992-2004. He is certified in the following: Active Shooter Operation, Rescue Task Force, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination, and a Delaware Alcohol Beverage Server. Frederick serves on several committees at Station 85 Fire Department, such as: Chairperson of Grievance and Conflict, Chairperson  of Parade committee (Town Events), Truck Committee, Dinner and Entertainment committee, Ways and Means committee, Fire Prevention committee, and the Alcohol and  Beverage committee.

Robert Gray, Councilman

Current Term 2025-2028
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Robert Gray (Bob) retired to Milton in 2019. He is a Georgetown University Law Center graduate with a long career in private practice and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland. While most of his career was centered in Calvert County, Maryland, he has represented several County Councils, Planning Commissions and Boards of Appeals. He counted as his clients, hospitals, Corporations, Homeowners Associations and private individuals.

A major part of his life has been devoted to public service. Bob served as the Chairman of the Chesapeake Beach’s Planning Commission and was elected for 12 years to the Calvert County Board of Education, serving half of that time as President of that Board, overseeing a budget of over $150,000,000.00. Bob has been a longtime advocate for individuals with disabilities, serving on local and State Boards dedicated to disability issues.

Bob’s major goals for his first term on the Town Council are to insure fiscal responsible governance, support community transparency and help create a sustainable Comprehensive Plan for Milton for the next decade.

fiscal responsible governance, support community transparency and help create a sustainable Comprehensive Plan for Milton for the next decade.

Alan Pongratz, Councilman

Current Term 2026-2028
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Alan Pongratz has lived in Delaware since 1973, when he moved to the area as a child.  Alan has been employed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for over 25 years as a manager and public servant with the goal of serving and working with the public on potential issues before they become problematic.   He also serves as the Secretary of the Delaware Water Well Licensing Board, responsible for regulating 100+ water well contractors throughout the State.

Alan and his wife, Jennifer, moved to Milton in 2011.  Prior to relocating to Milton, he resided in the Town of Greenwood for 30 years and served as the water and sewer commissioner for 12 years, providing guidance to many infrastructure projects throughout the town.  Alan also served for 5 years in the fire service as a first responder as well as the board’s fire recorder.

 He is currently serving a third term on the board of Cannery Village’s Homeowners Association and is a Board of Trustees member of the Milton Historical Society.

Alan enjoys working in local government to serve Milton’s constituents.  He hopes to be a reasonable voice in decision making for responsible development, to be sure Milton’s resources and infrastructure are not overwhelmed.

In their free time, Alan and Jennifer enjoy golfing/disc golf, kayaking, camping, surf-fishing, hiking and homebrewing.

Past Mayors

Photo courtesy: Gary Cooke

Past Mayors

Pictured from left to right: Ted Kanakos, John “Jack” Hudson, Marion Jones,
Don Post, John “Jack” Bushey, and Clifford Newlands
Not pictured: Ruth Batten and Bill Post