I am a resident of the Delaware 20th Representative District and, while preparing to cast my vote in the Nov. 6 General Election, I found some interesting contradictions in Democratic candidate John Bucchioni’s presentation.
Mr. Bucchioni supports the legalization of marijuana, claiming this will free up law enforcement resources. However, Mr. Bucchioni does not explain what he means by legalize. Would an individual be able to grow his or her own supply of marijuana? Or would the state be responsible for the cultivation and sales of marijuana? What amount of marijuana would be legal to possess? Would an individual be able to distribute the marijuana he or she grows or purchases?
Even if possession of one pound was lawful, law enforcement will still continue to investigate and enforce laws prohibiting amounts above the statutory limit. It’s no different than increasing the speed limit from 55 mph to 65 mph. Police officers still conduct speed enforcement.
Mr. Bucchioni states we need more mental health facilities in Sussex County. The new Sun Behavioral Health facility in Georgetown is a good step toward filling that need. However isn’t it ironic Mr. Bucchioni laments the lack of mental health facilities, yet supports marijuana legalization, which research clearly shows increases acceptance, accessibility, and use of marijuana by adolescents. Research also indicates increased use of marijuana by adolescents is linked to increases in depression and anxiety, and the potential for psychosis. Maybe legislators should support legislation that decreases the need for mental health facilities, and not put our most vulnerable population at greater risk.
Candidate Bucchioni wants to bring businesses to the 20th RD that do not impact current tourist, retail, real estate or agriculture industries, yet he supports an increase in the minimum wage. Studies have again clearly shown mandated increases in minimum wages disproportionately impact small businesses, and poor and moderate-income families. Most minimum wage earners work for small businesses and these businesses have very small profit margins. To remain viable, these businesses have two options when forced to pay higher minimum wages - pass along the increase to customers or reduce the number of workers. Either option negatively impacts low- and moderate-wage individuals and families.
Mr. Bucchioni’s campaign literature and his statements during candidate debates focus on the need for improved transportation infrastructure. While most of us who live in the district would certainly agree, what Mr. Bucchioni doesn’t share or maybe understand is improvements are on the way! The DelDOT Proposed FY2020-25 Capital Transportation Program identifies seven major capital transportation projects for Sussex County. Four of the seven projects are located in the 20th Representative District. Additionally, the front page article of the Sept. 28 edition of the Cape Gazette is titled, “DelDOT ramps up work in the Cape Region” and details a large number of transportation projects scheduled to begin over the next five years, and reports the projects total in excess of $250 million.
Lastly, Mr. Bucchioni claims “health facilities are setting up shop” outside the 20th RD. Apparently Mr. Bucchioni hasn’t traveled down Savannah Road lately. What used to be a residential area known to local residents as Quakertown is currently occupied by many Beebe Healthcare outpatient facilities. The Beebe School of Nursing that has been producing world-class nurses since 1921 is in the process of increasing the size of the school’s facilities, which will allow the school to double the number of yearly nursing graduates. Additionally, as reported in a recent Bayhealth news release, Bayhealth has entered into an agreement to purchase 18 acres of land located at the intersection of Hudson Road and Route 9 in the Harbeson area with future plans to expand healthcare choices in Sussex County.
Based on my research and Mr. Bucchioni’s contradictions, I now have a clear choice who I want to continue to represent my family in the Delaware Legislature.
Ralph H. Davis III
Lewes
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
