News Briefs 05-12-17

Dewey parking meters/passes effective May 15
Parking meters and parking passes go in effect in Dewey May 15. A seasonal parking pass is $200. A pass for seven consecutive days is $55. A one-day pass Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is $10. A one-day pass for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday is $15. A one-time parking pass for any consecutive Friday, Saturday and Sunday is $35.

Dewey Beach property owners who have paid their Beach Replenishment Tax may purchase up to two seasonal permits for $150 each. Parking meters are in use at selected sites. Parking permits are not valid in parking meter locations. Seasonal parking permits are available for purchase at Dewey Beach Town Hall, 105 Rodney Ave. There is free parking at permit and metered spaces from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. The last day for permit and metered parking is Thursday, Sept. 15.

Bill legalizing marijuana passes House committee
By a 7-2 vote, the House Revenue and Finance Committee voted in favor of releasing a bill legalizing marijuana in Delaware May 10. House Bill 110, the Delaware Marijuana Control Act, would establish a regulatory infrastructure similar to the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement. Estimates by supporters say the bill could bring in more than $20 million a year, and the pro-pot group pushed that aspect.

House Bill 110 proposes retail stores, testing facilities, cultivation facilities and manufacturing facilities would apply for licenses. There would be an application fee of up to $5,000 for a license and a $10,000 biennial fee for each license. The bill also would create an excise tax – $50 per ounce on marijuana flowers, $15 per ounce on all other parts of the marijuana plant, and $25 per immature marijuana plant. As of May 11, the bill had not been scheduled to be heard on the House floor.

Milton Finance Committee to meet
Milton Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, May 15, at the Milton library to make a recommendation regarding investment options and to review the town's purchasing policy. For more information or a full agenda, go to www.milton.delaware.gov or call 302-684-4110.

Milton Personnel Committee to meet
Milton Personnel Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Town Hall. The committee will discuss revisions to confidentiality and personnel policies in the town's employee handbook and hold an executive session regarding personnel matters. For more information or a full agenda, go to www.milton.delaware.gov or call 302-684-4110.

Milton historic commission to meet
Milton Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at the Milton library. Commissioners will review a request to replace an addition at 207 Union St., review proposed commission by-laws, review a draft historic preservation brochure and elect a secretary. For more information or a full agenda, go to www.milton.delaware.gov or call 302-684-4110.

Dewey Audit Committee to meet
The Dewey Beach Audit Committee is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m., Friday, May 12, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The agenda calls for a discussion on the timeline for the completion of the independent audit for fiscal year 2017, which ended March 31. A full copy of the agenda can been found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey Town Council to meet May 13
Dewey Beach Town Council has scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m., Saturday, May 13, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The agenda calls for an update on the newly enacted trash ordinance, a discussion on a possible referendum to contemplate the town's financial role to mitigate sea level rise, a possible vote to amend the town's booting and towing policy, and a possible vote to change the fees associated with beach bonfires. A full copy of the agenda can been found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey Investment Committee to meet
The Dewey Investment Committee has scheduled a meeting for 2 p.m., Saturday, May 13, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The agenda calls for a review of the town's portfolio and investment policy. There will also be a discussion on reporting requirements and benchmark indexes. A full copy of the agenda can been found at town hall, 105 Rodney Ave., or online at www.townofdeweybeach.com.

Pettyjohn to hold coffee in Long Neck May 20
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, invites his constituents to join him for coffee and conversation from 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, at the Ocean Grill, 26089 Shoppes at Long Neck Blvd., Long Neck. Pettyjohn encourages District 19 residents to stop by to ask a question or share a concern on issues relating to the district or state government. He plans to bring attendees up to date on the current legislative session as well as any pending projects in the district. Pettyjohn represents the 19th Senatorial District, which includes all or parts of Georgetown, Bridgeville, Seaford, Millsboro, Greenwood, Ellendale, Harbeson, Milton and Long Neck. For details, call Pettyjohn's legislative office at 302-744-4117 or email Keri.Rapa@state.de.us.

Lewes annexation committee to meet
The Lewes Annexation Regulation Review Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at city hall. The group will discuss a recent meeting between the city manager, city planner and Sussex County staff. The committee will also discuss priorities for potential annexation, the process for approaching property owners about annexation and future agenda item topics. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Beebe business services job fair to be held
Beebe Healthcare will host a Patient Business Services Job Fair from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, May 15, at the Sunshine Café in the hospital, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes. Beebe is seeking to hire those with advanced education such as a bachelor's degree for the positions of contract analyst, clinical denial auditor, and revenue integrity specialist. Beebe is also seeking those with related healthcare work experience for the positions of payer lead, payer team rep, and patient financial service rep, as well as college graduates for positions of cash reconciliation specialist, cash poster, payer team rep, and patient financial service rep. All positions are day shift, Monday to Friday. For complete job descriptions and requirements, go to www.beebehealthcare.org/career-opportunities. RSVP for the job fair by calling 302-645-3336 or emailing employment@beebehealthcare.org.

20th Representative District Dems to meet
The lack of affordable housing is one of Delaware's most pressing issues. Patricia Kelleher, associate director of Housing Alliance Delaware, will speak on how the shortage of affordable housing impacts communities and how the problem is being addressed locally at the RD20 Democratic Committee meeting, Thursday, May 18, at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes. Members and guests gather at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and dinner (optional) followed at 6 p.m. by Kelleher's presentation. The public is welcome.

Kelleher has worked in the fields of affordable housing and community development for more than 20 years. She is currently the co-chair of the Sussex Housing Group and also serves as a member of the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Policy Committee, the Nonprofit Housing Agenda, the South Wilmington Planning Network Core Leadership Group, Cinnaire's Community Advisory Committee and the Governing Board of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank. Kelleher leads initiatives to grow Delaware's Statewide Community Development Network that provides capacity building and training assistance to communities, organizations and residents.

Following the presentation, RD20 Democratic Committee will conduct its monthly business meeting. All Democrats in the district may attend. For further information contact Kerry Thalheim at kerrythalheim@aol.com. RD 20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in Lewes, Coolspring, Harbeson, and Milton areas of Sussex County.

Eastern Sussex Dems to meet May 20
The Eastern Sussex County Democrats will host Democratic National Committee member and convention superdelegate Karen Valentine at their monthly meeting Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m., at the Touch of Italy on Route One in Rehoboth Beach. Valentine, an elected DNC member from Delaware who served as a superdelegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, will discuss the unfolding DNC approach to Democratic politics under the new chair, Tom Perez, and deputy chair, Keith Ellison, and how these changes could affect the Delaware Democratic Party. Valerie Longhurst has been added as a second speaker. Longhurst is the majority leader in the Delaware House of Representatives and is a dynamic speaker on many topics, including women's legislative agenda, women and politics, and Democratic leadership issues.

"We are very pleased to have such a dynamic duo speak to us in May," stated Lise Haupt, president of the Eastern Sussex County Democrats. "They will address the crucial issues going on in our lives, both nationally and in our state."
The Eastern Sussex County Democrats is an independent grassroots political organization that meets monthly to discuss topics and issues that are important to all people living in Sussex County, Delaware. Its membership has more than tripled in the last four months, and continues to grow.

Those interested in attending the May breakfast meeting should RSVP to Haupt at liseshaupt@yahoo.com. Space is limited. The cost of the buffet breakfast is $20, including gratuity. Payment, by cash or check only, will be accepted at the door.

Death penalty bill passes House
A bill reinstating the death penalty in Delaware passed through the House by a 24-16 vote Tuesday, May 9. House Bill 125 would require that a jury must determine unanimously at least one statutory aggravating circumstance exists before imposing the death penalty. In August 2016, the state Supreme Court ruled Delaware's capital punishment law is unenforceable because the law, without a unanimous jury agreeing, allows a judge to rule a crime's aggravating circumstance justified a death sentence.

The bill, titled the Extreme Protection Act, was introduced by Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton/Lewes. All the Sussex County members of the House voted in favor of the bill. The bill now moves on to the Senate.