News Briefs 1/5/24
Sussex P&Z meetings now on Wednesdays
To start the new year, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission has changed its meeting day from Thursday to the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Vincent, Rieley to lead Sussex council
During its first meeting of 2024, Sussex County Council re-elected Mike Vincent of Seaford to his 14th term as president and John Rieley of Millsboro as vice president.
Councilwoman Cindy Green voted against both nominations, saying she was not given a fair chance to nominate a person from her district for the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission.
Her original nomination was voted down, and a subsequent nomination made by Rieley was approved.
Rehoboth Beach workshop set Jan. 8
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a workshop at 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
The agenda includes discussions on a lease renewal for Deauville Beach with the state, the city’s committee structure, changes to parking fines, offshore wind and community benefits, and funding for beach replenishment in the future.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.
Only in-person attendees may make comments.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Special Rehoboth meeting set Jan. 8
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
They will conduct an executive session and are expected to discuss personnel matters in which names, competency and abilities of individual employees are talked about.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.
Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
State chamber shares policy priorities
As the 152nd General Assembly prepares to reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is sharing its 2024 policy priorities. The coordinated list of feedback from members includes items identified as critical because they impact members as well as the business community at large, regardless of size and industry. The state chamber team members look forward to working with all 62 members of the General Assembly to achieve their 2024 policy priorities and more. Areas of focus include workforce development, training and education; environment, energy and sustainability; healthcare; economic development; and fiscal policy. For more information, go to dscc.com/priorities.html.
Lewes Mayor and Council to meet Jan. 8
Lewes Mayor and Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, at city hall.
The agenda includes continued discussion and possible action on the future of the Lewes Line. See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes environmental panel to meet Jan. 8
The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion of proposed freeboard and dark sky lighting regulations. See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Special Rehoboth meeting Jan. 9
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for discussions on the city’s parking and transportation study, and on parking-related issues brought up by the city’s parking staff.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Sussex council makes 2024 appointments
The following appointments were made by Sussex County Council during its Jan. 2 meeting:
Legal representation: County attorney – Everett Moore; assistant county attorney – Vince Robertson; legal representation for all matters involving the board of adjustment, P&Z Commission, county council and county government – Ballard Spahr; Barnes & Thornburg; Moore & Rutt; Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze; Potter Anderson & Corroon; and Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor.
Council appointments: Cindy Green, Delaware Association of Counties; Doug Hudson, Delaware Association of Counties and county airport committee; Mike Vincent, Delaware League of Local Governments, Salisbury/Wicomico Metropolitan Planning District; John Rieley, Sussex Conservation District board and Sussex County Land Trust; and Mark Schaeffer, county land trust.
Lewes BoA approves two variances
The Lewes Board of Adjustment gave preliminary approval to two variances at its Jan. 2 meeting.
The variances were for relief from rear-yard setbacks to allow enclosure of screened porches at 403 Railroad Ave. and 426 Johnson Ave.
A third variance request was removed from the agenda.
See details and a meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Sussex council awards nonprofit grants
Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its Jan. 2 meeting: $500 to Boardwalk Buddy Walk Fund for its Uncle David's Ice Cream Shop project; $500 to Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration; and $1,000 to Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce for the Jan. 26-28 Fire and Ice Festival.
Reserve seats for NARFE luncheon by Jan. 5
Coastal Sussex NARFE Chapter 1690 will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at 1776 Steakhouse in the Midway Shopping Center, Route 1, Rehoboth.
Guest speakers will be Richard G. Bunting Jr., Lewes Fire Department president, and Fire Chief Greg Bennett.
Reservations must be made via email to luncheon@narfe-de.org by Friday, Jan. 5, or by calling Warren at 302-236-4779 cell, Janie at 302-236-7215 cell, or home 302-226-5032.
Cost is $19 per person including gratuities. Payment is due upon arrival by cash or check made out to NARFE Chapter 1690.
Indigenous Women’s Ribbon Skirt Honor Walk set Jan. 6
Three sister tribes of the Nanticoke, Lenape and Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape will present an Indigenous Women’s Ribbon Skirt Honor Walk from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, on the Green at First State National Historical Park, Dover. Supporting the women will be warrior men in ribbon shirts. Refreshments will follow the walk at Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 State St., Dover. Everyone is welcome.
Ribbon skirts hold great cultural significance and are typically worn during special events and ceremonies. They represent personal identity, originality and strength.
In Canada, National Ribbon Skirt Day is recognized every Jan. 4. A bill to observe the day was created in response to an incident where a young First Nation girl was disciplined and sent home for wearing a traditional ribbon skirt to a formal school event. Rather than allow the child and indigenous practice to be shamed, her community came together to support her and native culture by establishing the observance.
Candidate to address 14th RD Dems Jan. 10
Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, will address the 14th Representative District Democratic Committee Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Iron Hill Brewery on Coastal Highway north of Rehoboth Beach.
As part of the 14th RD’s continuing series featuring Democratic candidates in the 2024 election, Dorsey Walker will discuss her background and the key voter issues of her campaign: education, job creation, agriculture and criminal justice reform.
The program will begin at 5 p.m. with a Dutch treat dinner, followed by Dorsey Walker’s remarks at 6 p.m. and committee business at 6:30 p.m.
The 14th RD Committee represents Democrats who live in and around Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. All registered Democrats are welcome to participate in 14th RD meetings.
Those planning to attend the Jan. 10 meeting should RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 9, to c.fruchtman@comcast.net.
Veteran Golfers Association seeks members and sponsors
In 2024, the nonprofit Veteran Golfers Association Delaware chapter will host at least 17 in-state events and five in Maryland. Competition is broken into flights that include veterans, wounded veterans, female veterans, family members and seniors.
The VGA is dedicated to enriching the lives of veterans and their family members through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf.
For more information, veterans and their family members interested in joining, golf courses that may be interested in hosting events and potential sponsoring businesses can go to VGAGolf.org or email Jeffery.Manalansan@vgagolf.org.
