What is it about Dewey Beach politicians that seems to have convinced them to give minimal lip service and even less actual support to the various townwide, family friendly events sponsored by local businesses, the Dewey Business Partnership and even the Dewey Beach Civic League?
There have been many sponsored events during the winter and spring seasons. No. 1: The Winter Gala to raise funds for the police department and lifeguards was sponsored by local business owners with some help from Friends of Dewey and other volunteers. No. 2 The holiday events and tree lighting was sponsored by the Dewey Beach Civic League with assistance from local businesses, and volunteers from the Dewey Lions Club and Friends of Dewey organizations. No. 3 The surfer light drop at New Year's Eve was sponsored by the Harry Wilson family. No. 4 The Easter Egg Hunt on the beach was sponsored by the Alley Oop business with volunteer help from Friends of Dewey and others. No. 5 The town yard sale was sponsored by the Dewey Business partnership with help from Dewey Lions Club and other volunteers. No. 6 The Dewey Arts Fest was sponsored by the Dewey Business Partnership with volunteers from Friends of Dewey, the Dewey Lions Club and local businesses. No. 7 The Town Beautification/Clean Up Day and meeting was sponsored by the Dewey Beach Civic League with volunteer help from local businesses, homeowners, the Dewey Lions Club and Friends of Dewey organization.
While all of these groups made a major concerted effort to sponsor, pay for and/or volunteer time and efforts to attract and entertain hundreds of homeowners and visitors into our town, very few of the commissioners bothered to show up at many of these events. Although the town employees attempted to help, the town commissioners seemed to make only minimal public efforts to actually assist and publicize a group of really spectacular, family friendly activities. I may be wrong; but, at the latest civic league beautification event, although the town manager made the effort to give his time to attend the meeting, I know of no commissioners who saw fit to help out or even make an appearance. Is it possible that petty politics and retribution again rears its' ugly head in Dewey Beach daily activities? I actually hope I'm wrong, but the apparent lack of concern on the part of the town commissioners, seems to show the extent to which our local politics has degraded.
I attend most of the town meetings; and constantly hear commissioners professing their desire to bring our town together, only to then turn around and all but ignore the efforts of other groups that they might perceive as the opposition. No one should take the chance of hurting the town just to snub another section or faction of property owners. Our elected officials are volunteers and should always be applauded for the donation of their time and efforts for the town. But, they need to show that they represent all of the stakeholders involved in Dewey Beach. Commissioners, you are certainly better then this! You need to start showing it on a more regular basis.
Dale H. Cooke
Dewey Beach
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