News Briefs
Jones’ mayoral term begins April 1
Recently elected Mayor Marion Jones will officially begin her term at the Monday, April 1 town council meeting. Jones and new council members John Collier and Michael Coté will be sworn into office at the beginning of the meeting, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Milton Public Library. Among the first orders of business Jones will do is schedule workshop sessions for April 10 and 22, and discuss council and committee appointments and website profiles.
On the agenda for the meeting is discussion of a contract with Pigg, Krahl & Stern for the town’s audit services, and an ordinance to amend town code for the completion of streets and sidewalks.
Under new business, council will review a conditional-use application from Paul Garchinsky to open an internet-based business in his Mainsail Lane home, where he plans to sell historical and modern firearms. For more information, go to milton.delaware.gov or call town hall at 302-684-4110.
Sussex council presents nonprofit grants
Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants during its March 26 meeting: $200 to Huntington’s Disease Society of America for the Team Hope Walk at Trap Pond State Park; $900 to League of Women Voters of Sussex County to supplement a previous grant of $3,075 to print its guide to government publication; $200 to Sussex Central High School Boosters for a sign; $2,000 to Lewes Historical Society for its annual Chautauqua Tent Show; $2,000 to Cape Henlopen Senior Center for repairs; $500 to Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Delaware; $250 to Delaware Storm U-12 travel softball team; $1,000 to Georgetown Little League; $500 to Milford Senior Center to sponsor its after-prom party; $500 to Sussex County Health Promotion Coalition for its summer camp; and $375 to Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club for its 2013 trail guide. Council presents grants to nonprofit agencies providing services to county residents.
Sussex County Council not meeting April 2
Because of the Easter holiday, Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, April 2. The next regularly scheduled meeting is 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the county administration building on The Circle in Georgetown.
Lewes sets zoning code amendment hearings
Lewes Mayor and City Council are set to hold a public hearing to discuss seven zoning code amendments at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29 in City Hall.
Lewes Planning Commission recommended each amendment; some are housekeeping changes and others are more substantial, Mayor and City Council said at its March 18 meeting.
Amendments are relating to: Variances and special exceptions permitting certain uses and structures in the Marine Commercial Zoning District, by special exception; front yards in corner and through lots; fences, hedgerows and landscaping along Lewes-Rehoboth Canal; boat slips in the Open Space Zoning District; definitions of dwelling and townhouse; dimensional regulations of dwelling, townhouse, and dwelling, twofamily; and permitting places of worship in all zoning districts except the Open Space Zoning District. To see full amendments visit City Hall or go to www.ci.lewes.de.us.
Dewey cancels meeting about Read Avenue
Dewey Beach Town Council has cancelled a meeting to discuss flooding on the bay side of town, including stormwater drainage problems on Read Avenue. The meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 29, at Dewey Beach Life Saving Station on Dagsworthy Avenue.
For more information, go to townofdeweybeach.com.
Rehoboth planners set tree meeting
The Rehoboth Beach planning commission will hold a special workshop at 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 12, called Trees vs. construction: How can they best coexist? The workshop will be an educational program conducted by arborist Bryan Hall about trees, construction practices and their impact on the city.
This program is part of the commission’s research as it conducts a comprehensive review of the city’s tree ordinance and is not intended to address regulations, but serve as a starting point for the commission’s study.
Following Hall’s presentation and discussion with the commission, public input will be taken. Citizens and other interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard. The city commissioners tasked the planning commission with looking into the tree ordinance. The commission is to conduct research, hold hearings and propose amendments to improve the comprehensive tree ordinance, which passed in 2006.
Dining with Progressives to meet
Dining with Progressives dinner and meeting will be held Sunday, April 7, at Fish On Restaurant in the Villages of Five Points in Lewes. Dinner will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a discussion on repealing the death penalty in Delaware.
Scott Bass, executive director of the Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation will be the speaker and moderator. MVFR is a national organization of 1,200 family members of homicide victims working to replace the death penalty with alternatives that build a safer society and heal the damage caused by violence.
In March, Maryland became the 18th state to repeal the death penalty. Since 2007, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Illinois and Connecticut have also abolished capital punishment. Delaware could join these states if Senate Bill 19 is passed in the General Assembly and signed by the governor. Dining with Progressives provides a nonpartisan forum for civil and open discussion and welcomes all progressives. There is ample free parking and a private dining room. Guests will order off the menu. Reservations are required by contacting Joanne Cabry at 302-226-5019.
Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens meeting set March 30
Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates its first year of existence at its public annual meeting for the board of directors, members and supporters Saturday, March 30, from noon till 2 p.m., at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., in the upstairs meeting room.
The annual meeting is required by federal and state law, and by the organization’s bylaws. The meeting will provide attendees with a financial report, an organizational status report, and a presentation featuring the accomplishments of the first year. SDBG has had an outstanding first year and is in the process of securing a garden site. The presentation will include a show on what the new public garden may include in buildings, gardens and features. The group may also be able to announce several new alliances or partnerships with firms for the advancement of the project. Questions and comments will be welcome.
Eastern Sussex Democrats to meet
The Executive Committee of the Eastern Sussex Democrats, consisting of Vice President Lise Haupt, Secretary Dick Byrne, President Peter Schott and Treasurer Mark Rosenthal, recently met to discuss plans for its 2013-14 session. The club recently passed a resolution on gun violence and heard a speaker on taxation disparity in Delaware. Members will be working with other Democratic clubs to identify issues and to assist in the election of Democratic candidates. The club meets on the first Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at Bethany Blues in Lewes. The April 4 meeting will feature the new chairman of Sussex County Democrats, Mitch Crane. For more information, email Mark at mjr42@yahoo.com.
