In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with former Dover Mayor Jesse Andrew Galt about his time as a policymaker in Dover during the 1980s. This episode is the second in a series with Dover policymakers over the decades.

Galt served on the Dover City Council beginning in 1983, and then as mayor. Galt explains that he first got involved with local politics to oppose zoning changes on Central Avenue that would have transformed the residential neighborhood into an office and commercial area. After speaking out at public meetings, Galt was asked to join the City Council, representing Ward 1. As mayor, Galt focused on building consensus among the diverse Councilors to make decisions that benefited the whole community. Key issues he worked on included moving the downtown sewage treatment plant to rejuvenate the waterfront, passing a sprinkler ordinance for new multifamily housing, and rewriting the outdated city master plan and zoning laws to better manage rapid growth and development in the 1980s. Galt also reminisces about starting the tradition of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Henry Law Park and cutting ribbons for many new businesses opening in Dover during his tenure.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about a boxing match in 1900 that took an unexpected turn.