A Sad Moment for Del Mar

Councilmember Dwight Worden announced his retirement from the Del Mar City Council, effective September 24, 2024, at the August 26th council meeting. Dwight has been an active participant in Del Mar politics since 1977, when he served as City Attorney, and on Council since 2014.

Worden’s resignation statement said that recent health issues influenced his decision: “my health and well-being and the City would be better served by bringing this chapter of my life to a close.” He recapped highlights from his time on council, and noted his earlier role as the drafter of three voter-adopted initiatives that protected our beaches, limited downtown development, and increased our local control over land use. His resignation will also end his leadership positions on regional organizations, diminishing the impact and respect that Del Mar has gained through his regional roles. Worden expressed appreciation for the outstanding job that city staff at all levels has done.

Worden’s council colleagues expressed their appreciation for his 10 years of service, his commitment to seeking consensus and his respectful manner of expressing his opinions, his guidance to new council members, and his long devotion to Del Mar. Mayor David Druker said, “yours will be exceedingly difficult shoes to fill.”  The Council will have until November 23 to appoint someone to fill the remaining two years of Worden’s term.

The Sandpiper thanks Dwight for all he has done for Del Mar. It is a legacy to be proud of.