News Briefs 02-10-17

Dewey audit committee meeting Feb. 10
The Dewey Beach Audit Committee has scheduled a meeting for 3:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.

The agenda calls for a year-to-date review of the town's unaudited financial information. A full copy of the agenda can be found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., on the message board at the life saving station or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Special Dewey council meeting Feb. 10
Dewey Beach Town Council has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, to discuss trash and recycling for residential property owners and the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018, which begins April 1.

The meeting will be held in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. A full copy of the agenda can be found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., on the message board at the life saving station or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey council meeting set Feb. 11
Dewey Beach Town Council's regularly scheduled monthly meeting is set for 9 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The hefty agenda calls for a discussion and possible vote on residential trash and recycling requirements for property owners under a single vendor; a review of the town space purchased two years ago and the steps moving forward; a discussion and possible vote to approve the Fiscal Year 2018 budget; and a discussion and possible vote to partner with the Center for Inland Bays on a request for grant funding for water management on Read Avenue. A full copy of the agenda can be found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., on the message board at the life saving station or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Citizens Climate Lobby meeting Feb. 11
The Citizens Climate Lobby is hosting a discussion on environmental change and showing a documentary video on the issue at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The video being shown is called "Facing the Surge," a film by Adaptation Now, and its goal is to raise awareness about the impacts of sea level rise and inspire action among coastal communities. The event is free. For more information email Delaware's lobby Chair Charlie Garlow at charliegarlow350@gmail.com.

A 'We will not be silenced' rally Feb. 12
In response to the Feb. 7 silencing of Sen. Elizabeth Warren by Sen. Mitch McConnell, there will be a We Will Not Be Silenced rally at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12, on The Circle in Georgetown. Warren was speaking in opposition to Sen. Jeff Sessions' nomination for Attorney General by reading aloud a letter written in 1986 by Coretta Scott King in opposition of Sessions' nomination for a federal judgeship. Sessions was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Attorney General Feb. 8. Mrs. King's letter will be read at the rally.
The rally is sponsored by Jane Hovington, Sussex County Democratic Party chair, and Joanne Cabry, Progressive Democrats of Sussex County chair.

After the rally, attendees will walk around The Circle and then to the Democratic Headquarters, 10 W. Pine St., to meet fellow activists and learn how to be part of the Trump Administration Resistance Movement. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs that let all know they will resist any violations of anyone's civil rights, honor Coretta Scott King and Elizabeth Warren, and commemorate Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. If it is raining, the rally will be held inside the Democratic Headquarters. For details call Cabry at 302-228-4210.

Greater Lewes Community Village sets protection of older adults program
An educational program for older adults on how to avoid becoming victimized by unscrupulous scammers will be offered for members and volunteers of the Greater Lewes Community Village, 16686 Kings Highway in Lewes, Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m.

The program will be led by Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell; Gavin Radka, assistant vice president of County Bank at Five Points in Lewes; and John Saul, an executive with EverSafe Financial Protection Inc., that insures families and seniors from fraud, scams and identification theft. "On Jan. 26, the Lewes Police Department was made aware of an attempt to scam residents into paying fraudulent parking tickets online. This is an excellent example of why we are having this program to alert older adults to scams," said Jackie Sullivan, GLCV executive director. Both prospective members, and men and women from Lewes and Milton who are interested in volunteering, are welcome to attend. Registration is free. For more information call 302-703-2568.

Family Law Commission sets hearing Feb. 16
The Delaware Family Law Commission will hold its annual public hearing Thursday, Feb. 16, at Legislative Hall in Dover. The hearing, which will be held in the Senate Chamber, will begin at 7 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

The Family Law Commission was established by the General Assembly for the purpose of studying and evaluating the domestic relations laws of the state, the rules and procedures of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, and reviewing both existing and proposed domestic relations legislation and court activities. Those wishing to speak at the hearing should limit their remarks to five minutes, but members of the public may also share written remarks with the commission, both at the hearing or at any time. Any changes to this schedule will be listed at www.flc.delaware.gov.

P&Z nominee to appear at Feb. 14 meeting
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is an interview with planning and zoning commission nominee Kim Hoey Stevenson. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov.

Lewes council meets Feb. 13
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, at city hall. The group will discuss recommendations from the State Planning Office regarding the 2015 comprehensive plan, a full-time residency requirement for planning commission members, and possible approval of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce's 2017 events. Council will also consider a resolution to set a public hearing to amend the zoning map and to change zoning district boundaries for the property at 707 Kings Highway from open space to residential medium density, and the property at 111 Adams Ave. from residential medium density to open space.

Also on the agenda is a report and recommendations from the public art ad hoc committee and a request from Sussex Academy Foundation to hold the Dragon Boat Festival Sept. 14-17. To view the full agenda, go to www.ci.lewes.de.us. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Dewey approves funds for rights-of-way survey
By a 4-1 vote, Dewey commissioners agreed Jan. 14 to spend up to $15,000 for a townwide survey depicting the boundary of the public right of way. Town Manager Marc Appelbaum made the proposal. He said there would be a general ground survey to determine, within a few inches, the public right-of-way line. There would be no stakes or posts put in the ground.

Mayor Dale Cooke said the goal is to alleviate confusion that arises because widths vary throughout town. There are properties in town where two people will swear they know what they're talking about, he said, and they'll have two different answers.

Steve Spence, attorney and property owner, was on hand representing a group opposed to the expenditure. He said the no-posts-in-the-ground survey would be useless in a dispute over where the line falls. He called it a waste of money.

Commissioner Courtney Riordan was the no vote. He said he didn't think the town was getting a project that was worth a whole lot and suggested town staff might be able to get the same work done for much less.

The project will be paid for out of the town's parking and permit revenue. For the past four years the town has been putting aside 5 percent of the revenue from that fund, expected to generate more than $550,000 for Fiscal Year 2017, specifically for signs and striping. As of Oct. 31, the balance of the account was greater than $86,000.

Governor calls for review of prison siege
Gov. John Carney has called for an independent review of a Smyrna prison siege that resulted in the death of a 16-year correctional officer. Members of the review group will be named Feb. 15. The independent review will begin after the completion of a Delaware State Police criminal investigation into Lt. Steven Floyd's death, so as to not interfere with that investigation, Carney said. A separate internal investigation at the Department of Correction also is ongoing.

The independent review will explore the immediate and underlying causes of the hostage incident at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, which began on Feb. 1, according to the governor's office. The group will develop a series of actionable recommendations to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future, officials say. More information about the review will be released Feb. 15.
20th RD Democratic Committee to meet

Delaware is facing major changes in its economic and business environment that will impact the state's 2017-18 budget. Bert Scoglietti, director of policy and external affairs for the Delaware Office of Management and Budget, is the featured speaker at RD 20 Democratic Committee meeting Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m., at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments and dinner for those who are interested. The public is welcome.

Scoglietti's topic is "How Delaware Will Develop the 2017/18 Budget." His unit is responsible for preparing and implementing the governor's budget and policy agenda through the integration of objective fiscal and policy analysis, program evaluation and financial management. Scoglietti's section also assists state agencies in the planning and implementation of their operational programs and capital projects that affect all Delawareans. Attend this meeting to learn about the budget issues facing Delaware and strategies for meeting the needs of the state while facing a changing economy. For further information, contact Kerry Thalheim at kerrythalheim@aol.com.

Racial Justice Alliance cites accomplishments
Since Delaware has recently convened the 149th session of the General Assembly, the legislative/advocacy committee will report on significant legislation. The committee will also introduce the APEX program where anyone can help previously incarcerated adults and youth expunge their criminal records.

The education committee will report on the development of the African-American Literature and History study program which will have its first meeting at the Lewes library in February. They also look forward to feedback from the audience on its mission, programs to date, and recommendations for future events and initiatives. SDARJ is a non-partisan secular organization that educates, informs and advocates for racial justice, equality, and fair opportunity. Everyone is encouraged to join SDARJ - membership is free - by signing up for email bulletins at www.sdarj.org. Support critical initiatives to combat the corrosive effects of racism in society.

Sussex awards grants to local nonprofits
Sussex County Council awarded the following during its Feb. 7 meeting: a councilmanic grant of $500 to Trinity Foundation in Seaford toward the purchase of medical equipment for Nanticoke Health Services, and a $500 youth grant to Friends of Court Appointed Special Advocates for volunteer training.