Stay the course toward a family- friendly town ... or more mega scale development, more people. more traffic, more drunkenness?
Several years ago, voters in Dewey Beach decided to wrest control of the town's future away from the developers and monied interests by electing a council which over the years has steered a path toward a family-friendly easy-living environment. Always waiting in the background were real estate developers intent on building out every square foot as high as possible.
To them, dwindling parking, increased traffic congestion, and destruction of a comfortable lifestyle are simply an unfortunate inconvenience en route to further lining their pockets.
We are again at a crossroads. What kind of town do we want? Another Ocean City, or maybe Atlantic City? The fruits of our current direction can be seen all around. They have been gained through the difficult, dedicated, and often acrimonious efforts of volunteers who have little to gain other than the personal satisfaction of retaining and furthering the positive perception and character of the town.
Diane Hanson and Dale Cooke are two candidates in whom I have faith to carry the banner forward. The others seem to be backed by the same politically connected entities that initiated mega development years ago.
I have been a part owner of a small unit in Dewey for over 20 years. I like the changes that have occurred over the last several years.
I like the way the town has been governed. I like the fact that the town manager has cracked down on unruly tenants, landlords and realtors who won't deal with disorderly, drunk tenants. I applaud the police department whose members always seem up to the task in difficult situations. I don't like that they have ganged up on the town manager. I appreciate the personal sacrifices by council members who endured unwarranted personal attacks and persevered.
I applaud the accumulation of a reserve fund held for future town needs. I think efforts to deplete it are misguided since such action would inevitably be followed by a call to taxes.
What happens next is up to us. I'll cast my vote for Cooke and Hanson. I know I can rely on them.
Norm Cartier
Dewey Beach
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