The following letter was sent to Robert C. Wheatley, chairman, Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission, with a copy submitted to the Cape Gazette for publication.
This letter is written in regard to the public hearing you chaired in Georgetown July 14. I attended the public hearing along with neighbors from the Gills Neck/Kings Highway communities to add my voice of opposition to amending the comprehensive zoning map of Sussex County in favor of the J.G Townsend Village Center application.
This was the first county planning and zoning board hearing I have attended. Throughout the meeting I noted the disrespect you showed those in attendance. As one who studies the Constitution of the United States and respects the words, We the people, I was dismayed when articulate and succinct citizenry concerns were met with disrespectful comments from you.
Your actions revealed an unwillingness to allow concerned, intelligent, and informed citizens to make adequate record of their overwhelming opposition to the rezoning application.
Rather than appreciating the display of a government of the people, by the people, for the people you continually berated and bullied those who willingly and fervently offered comment. Bullying is not a suitable behavior for any adult, and most certainly not for one who chairs an important government office like the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission.
I feel you owe each citizen who presented public comment and all in the audience a personal and public apology.
"We in America do not have government by the majority - we have government by the majority who participate." – Thomas Jefferson.
The audience of people at last Thursday's planning and zoning meeting are the majority who participate. They want to be heard. Please do what you can along with your fellow commissioners to make fair and reasonable actions that will reflect the desires and needs of the people directly affected by this rezoning request. Thank you.
Pam Meador
Lewes
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