My spouse and I have owned a condo at Spring Lake, just off Highway One, since 2000. Between us, we spend about half our time living in Rehoboth Beach, the other half in Silver Spring, Md. The division of time gives us a chance to look at how Delaware and Maryland treat their workers.

We purchase almost everything for both homes - food, pet products, hardware and clothes - at stores along Highway One. I eat lunch or dinner in restaurants at least once a week and buy either a bagel or oatmeal for breakfast after working out at Club Fitness every other day while I am here.

I am concerned about the many service workers who enable me to enjoy such a good life at the beach. I believe they should be paid a living wage.

I am writing this letter because both houses of the Maryland General Assembly voted last week to raise the minimum wage in that state gradually to $10.10. I wish that the Delaware General Assembly would also vote to raise the minimum wage. Ernie Lopez, who represents a large area (that contains both Rehoboth Beach and Lewes) in the Delaware General Assembly, last year voted against raising the minimum wage for what must be hundreds, maybe thousands of his constituents. If Senator Lopez does not pledge to vote to raise the minimum wage, I hope you replace him with someone like Claire Snyder-Hall, for whom raising the minimum wage is a priority.

Joanne Sinsheimer
Rehoboth Beach