Letters to the Editor

Bay communities on brink of extinction

The Delaware Bay beaches have been getting much press of late, due mainly to the breaches at Fowler Beach within the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. I hold in my hands a copy of a letter written by the Department of the Interior dated July 3, 1963.

Among other things it states: “In explaining the Department of the Interior’s plans for the preservation of the Primehook marshes, Gottschalk [director of the Northeast Region, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife at the time] said, 1) the severe storms of the recent years have shown that this barrier beach can be breached so as to flood the marshes with salt water. If left unprotected, these invasions of salt water would damage the dikes and ruin the impoundments of fresh water which are so necessary for waterfowl management.

Therefore, we plan to stabilize and maintain these barrier beaches at their optimum height as to protect against storm tides.” 2) “With the ever-increasing shrinkage of public access to East Coast beaches, the citizens of Delaware can be assured that the beaches within Primehook National Wildlife Refuge will be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.”

Well folks, it’s those promises and assurances that hopes, dreams, and lives were built on. The government took control of that land and made promises to the agricultural community and neighboring communities that had prospered there for hundreds of years prior.

Now less then 50 years later much of that land is looking like a wasteland and those same agricultural communities and neighboring communities face a very uncertain future! The Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and community of Prime Hook Beach presently suffer most from this blatant neglect of PHNWR dunes and reserve. There’s even talk among high-ranking state officials to let the community go to ruin. Imagine what that will cost the state in lawsuits, etc. Not to mention the irrationality of it all.

And the fact that Sen. Gary Simpson and Rep. Harvey Kenton of that area are being disregarded by our governor and head of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Sec. Collin O’Mara (it’s a matter of public record: see Delaware House of Representatives e-newsletter Issue 39 Oct. 28, 2011 www.delawarestatehouse.com).

Simpson and Kenton are positively involved while our two U.S. senators, Tom Carper and Chris Coons, are mysteriously absent along with U.S. Rep. John Carney. Carper talks proudly about a national park coming to Delaware, yet he appears to condone by inaction the destruction of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and even attributes its demise to air pollution. (Anybody for term limits?)

In stark contrast, the state's ocean beach communities are having $35 million spent on beach replenishment this fall and winter. Additionally they rest easy with a 50-year commitment from the federal government to maintain those beaches, which hopes, dreams and lives are also being built on. Yet the state's Delaware Bay beaches have broken promises, intermittent replenishing, and studies ongoing for the last six years for a possible 10-year replenishing program.

Tourism seems to matter more than Delaware residents. Yet it was stated in your paper's article “Help or harm in sand dredging?” dated Oct. 24, 2011: “Beach replenishment supports the local economy by protecting coastal communities from damage caused by severe storms. Beach towns depend largely on tourism to support their economy, but protecting property - not improving tourism - is the primary goal of beach replenishment.” The Delaware Bay beach communities wait for that to come to fruition!

And not to go unmentioned is the new Indian River Inlet bridge fiasco.

Beach erosion on the north side of it is given daily attention and priority, along with ongoing sand bypass system placing 5,400 tons of sandy material per day on the eroded dune and beach. Just this past weekend the bridge had to be closed due to erosion issues. Sea level rise doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the mix of things along the ocean beaches but is given top billing pertaining to the bay beaches. Odd, isn’t it, when in actuality the problems at Fowler Beach which have adversely affected the PHNWR and whole area are more from neglect than anything else.

At the time the breach first happened it was a simple fix and has been allowed to manifest into a much larger problem. Which ironically is much farther reaching than many may realize, affecting the whole watershed in that large area causing much flooding and damage. Not only is the community of Prime Hook Beach living in peril as a result, but other communities such as Broadkill Beach, Slaughter Beach, agricultural communities and a host of others are greatly impacted and face an uncertain future. Even the towns of Milton and Milford and all those in between are seeing increased flooding as a result.

I strongly urge especially my fellow Delaware Bay community and watershed residents to stand up and be heard and demand accountability, fairness, and commonsense approaches from our government officials, one and all. Among other things, are we going to condone our governor and O'Mara ignoring our state senator and representative?

Millions and billions of our country’s dollars are spent abroad and many times it’s wasted, abused, or flat-out unaccounted for. It’s time we demand more.  Let’s start at home. Please join us now! And then be sure to make your vote count in the next election!
Preston Parker
Slaughter Beach

Soup ministry feeds  souls as well as stomachs

I am writing to express my disbelief that a few people are creating such an issue when it comes to helping others.  To me, it's almost unbelievable that people cannot look outside themselves.  Oftentimes in this world, we fear what we do not know.  It is apparent the few people in Cool Spring opposing the full use of Jusst Sooup Ministry Ranch do not know how wonderful the ministry really is.

I have had the opportunity to volunteer for Jusst Sooup Ministry andthe  Rev. Dale Dunning going on four years now.  It seems to be the Leishear family's concern about the types of people the soup kitchen would bring in.  For starters, just because a person is homeless does not make them a sex offender.  All of the people that come to the soup kitchen are not criminals, mental patients or drug abusers.   Most of the people who come to the soup kitchen drive or have some form of transportation (and the ones who don't have already figured the bus comes out Route 9 or the local churches will help provide transportation).

A good many of them are senior citizens who cannot afford to eat because their medications and heating bills are bankrupting them.  Many people have lost their jobs because of the economy and find the soup kitchen a way to be able to cut down on their grocery bill and be able to eat out at the soup kitchen because they cannot afford to go to a restaurant.  Others are bankrupted by medical bills from cancer or a spouse who walked out on them.

I also have young children (ages 5 and 9) and concern myself every day with their safety.  I bring my children to the soup kitchen when they are not in school!  If I did not feel my children were safe, I would not do that.  However, being at the soup kitchen, seeing what goes on, my children love to interact with the "soupers."  My children have seen people having tough times; my children have learned that life is not always easy.  My children have learned the value of giving back to the community and do it joyfully.

Route 9 is a commercially traveled road, with businesses not far from the Cool Spring intersection.  What kind of people go to those businesses?  I can assure you there are all types of people that go there.  Those people who were concerned about the use of the soup kitchen were invited to come spend some time with Jusst Sooup Ministry, to see what goes on.  As far as I know, up until now, not a single one of them has taken the Rev. Dunning up on the offer.  They do not realize that it takes love to change the world, one person at a time.  By showing God's love, his grace and his mercy, the Rev. Dale has helped people to heal, found them assistance, located housing and services as well as assisting in finding jobs.

I urge you to support full use of Jusst Sooup Ministry Ranch so the Rev. Dale Dunning can feed her sheep. The Rev. Dale Dunning not only feeds their bellies, she feeds their souls!  I would welcome her and all her "soupers" in my backyard!
Michelle Snyder and family
Lewes

DNREC’s policy of inundation unacceptable

Recent statements by some state officials suggest Delaware is charting a new and troubling course when it comes to the protection of our small coastal communities.

At issue is the repair of protective dunes on Fowler Beach in the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.  About two years ago, several nor’easters produced wave action that overwashed the dune line south of Fowler Beach Road, forming a mini-inlet that caused severe erosion of the protective berm.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Delaware Audubon Society have opposed the restoration claiming, among other things, that the government should not act to interfere with the natural process.

Although legal challenges launched by the group have been unsuccessful, they have delayed repairs. Without the dune barrier, saltwater from Delaware Bay has intruded into a man-made freshwater impoundment, destroying habitat frequented by wintering waterfowl and upland animals.

During Hurricane Irene in late August, the breach allowed bay water to move inland, resulting in flooding that undermined the already fragile Prime Hook Road (CR 39), leaving it unsafe for travel.  Impassable for several days, the loss of the road severed the only public access to Prime Hook Beach, leaving some 200 homeowners unable to reach their properties. In the wake of that flooding, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Cotrol moved sand to close the breaches.

The work was intended as a temporary fix until a more resilient barrier could be built.  Unfortunately, the repair lasted only a few weeks before high water and waves removed it.  This was not surprising given the project’s modest scope and the obvious drawbacks of using sand as the only building material.

In recently published remarks, Sec. Collin O’Mara said, "We do not expect in the immediate term to take additional action. The bottom line is, there are a lot of different views about the appropriate level of taxpayer support that should be invested in a small community with only a few visitors. It's one thing to spend $20,000 to try to deal with a short-term problem. It's another to spend multiple millions of dollars."

We have tried to meet with Sec. O’Mara and members of the governor’s staff to discuss this situation, only to be disregarded.  Based on Sec. O’Mara’s remarks, and the lack of response to our concerns about the property owners impacted by the damaged dunes, it seems clear Delaware is fashioning a new policy that could not only have dire consequences for those living in and around Prime Hook Beach, but which could also carry repercussions for the residents of many other similar coastal communities.

In the case of the breached dunes at Fowler Beach, DNREC is apparently abandoning its duty to protect residents’ welfare.  Allowing the dunes to break down and saltwater to intrude farther inland will jeopardize drinking water and irrigation wells, and make some agricultural land impractical to farm.  Also threatened is the continued viability of Prime Hook Road and access to Prime Hook Beach.

The state’s abandonment of its responsibilities will likely negatively affect property values, amounting to a “government taking by neglect.”  This could easily lead to legal challenges by landowners against the state, resulting in money being wasted in court battles and possible compensation payments.  In such a scenario, the repair of the Fowler Beach dunes becomes an increasingly cost-effective option.

DNREC’s stance seems to be influenced by the belief of agency officials that the sea level along Delaware’s coast will rise by more than three feet over the next 100 years.

According to a federal document cited in a DNREC report issued in September, Mid-Atlantic states “should prepare for sea level to rise by at least one meter (3.28 feet) by 2100.”  That same report notes that the current rate of sea-level rise actually measured in Lewes is 13 inches per 100 years.

Sec. O’Mara has already acted on the unproved prediction of dramatic sea-level increase.  Earlier this year, he denied a sewer permit to a developer building The Landings, a proposed housing project west of Leipsic.  The denial was partly based on O’Mara’s assertion that the community’s sewage treatment facility would be subject to flooding during its expected service life from rising sea level.  In response, the developer filed a lawsuit noting that DNREC has no specific regulatory authority to allow it to consider a projected increase in sea level as part of its permitting process.  DNREC reversed its decision and issued the permit.  The lawsuit was dropped.

DNREC has posted on its website an interactive Sea Level Rise Inundation Map (http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Pages/SLRMaps.aspx).  Visitors to the site can dialup various levels of sea level rise and watch how much of our state will flood if our officials take no action.  Under the one-meter scenario, Prime Hook Beach and Broadkill Beach would inhabit a narrow barrier island.  Most of our state’s small coastal communities - Slaughter Beach, Bowers Beach, Kitts Hummock and Port Penn - would largely be underwater.  All of these areas could also be described in the same words Sec. O’Mara used to describe Prime Hook Beach: “A small community with only a few visitors.”  It raises the question: If DNREC considers it cost-effective to write off the future of Prime Hook Beach, will these communities be similarly judged?

If the prediction of one meter of flooding does come to fruition, most of Delaware’s resort communities would also suffer significant inundation, as would many of the residents of Long Neck and other communities bordering the Inland Bays.  With regard to state intervention, will a different standard be applied to these homeowners, or will the state take no action and let nature take its course?

While it is generally commendable to plan for the future, those efforts should not shackle our actions in the present.  It is possible the sea may rise by a meter over the next 100 years, but at this point that possibility is speculative.  What we know with a certainty is that if the Fowler Beach dunes are not repaired, access to approximately 200 homes will be threatened; saltwater intrusion will damage the value of agricultural and residential land; and valuable freshwater wetland habitat will be permanently lost.

The state has a duty to safeguard the welfare of our citizens and environment today, not base its actions on the hypothetical projections of what might happen over the next 89 years.
Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Milford
Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford

No reason to merge Milton schools

I have submitted the following letter to the members of the Cape School Board. I have been following discussion closely, and I am concerned that the discussion points of concern in my letter have not been addressed.  I feel that this issue has not been researched and presented to the public in an informative point-by-point manner.

The only response I have gotten is from Spencer Brittingham, who stated that he "feels the quick answer is this is a good enough idea to follow in the other elementary schools in the district in the near future."  If memory serves, the schools were previously broken up years ago and grades 3-5 were in one building and younger students in another in Lewes; however the practice was suspended as it did not work.  The letter follows for you, the public.

It has come to my attention that the discussion topic for tonight's agenda is to discuss merging Milton Elementary School and HOB Elementary School. I realize this topic has been tabled in the past and now that it is here I wish to express some concerns in this matter. While I do not have hard and fast research data to present you, I do have valid concerns. I hope that it is understood that I cannot access all the data necessary to answer my concerns but as officials representing our students and affected community members, I know that you can research the issue effectively.

I first must ask why this matter is being pushed to debate. Is this an educational issue? If so, then I ask is one or the other school failing in comparison to state and nationwide standards? As a parent of two MES students I could not be happier with the education that my children receive. I am of the understanding that from a testing standpoint MES is practicing above the expected averages. I also know several parents of HOB students who feel as strongly about their school as I do. I am also of the impression that HOB is also scoring above average and quite commendably so, based on state and national averages.

If then this is the case, and both schools are doing well, why are we debating this issue? I feel strongly that the two schools should not be compared to each other but to all schools in the district or not at all. I am also curious to know if the idea of breaking grades K-2 and 3-5 is an evidence-based decision. I work in the medical field and feel strongly about the use of evidence based practice. If, indeed, this is an evidenced based idea then I would urge you to consider it in every school in the district and not only in HOB and MES.

I am exceedingly happy to know that my children attend a school where they can see what it is to grow up as citizen of the school, and be mentored by the example of older children before them. I feel very reassured about the camaraderie and cohesiveness that the teachers, nay family of MES share and have worked over a number of years to build. I know parents of HOB children that also feel this exact same way.

I have a very valid concern over the the transportation of these children from a very spread-out two geographical points should the already spread MES boundaries and HOB boundaries be blurred. I would suggest that it would be a disservice to our students to lengthen bus times either because of coming from more spread areas or because of transfer busing. It would also be a huge disservice to decrease the productive learning hours in an already crowded day to make time for transfer busing. MES' location is not representative of a center point of the children coming to that school and is only in its current location due to the fact that it was already an existing building when the boundaries were demarcated. This issue would not be being discussed but for this fact.

Based on my current knowledge, there is no reason for me to support merging the two schools, and I hope you will consider my concerns when making your decisions. I feel that if neither school is failing or performing on sub par levels, teachers and parents are happy, and children are educated and flourishing, then this issue can only disrupt a seemingly working educational system.
Kerri Wiggins
Milton

Criticism of possible library site unfair

I feel I must respond to Ms. Williams' "rant" against the developer who donated land for a larger library for Lewes.  I don't think she knows that this family has very deep roots in Lewes and the surrounding area. They have done many good things for this area through the years. In this case, they saw one possible solution to the problem of the need for more space for the library and they offered to help.  This in no way suggests that they are trying to "steal" the library.  Oh, by the way,  Five Points cannot "go after the Historic Lewes Farmers Market" since Five Points is simply the name of a place.

I would suggest that Ms. Williams use her obviously creative thoughts to help find a solution for keeping the library within the city.
Margaret Tappan
Rehoboth Beach

DiBonaventure’s will be sadly missed by ISOP

With sadness we read about the planned closing of DiBonaventure’s Provincial Bakery, operated by Alejandra and Jason Stickler.

For the past six years, DiBonaventure’s has donated delicious bread for International Student Outreach Program dinners served for 14 weeks each summer at Epworth United Methodist Church. These dinners were designed to provide a warm welcome to international students in our community as workers during the tourist season. The meals have been prepared and served by members of Epworth together with Westminster Presbyterian Church, and, beginning in 2011, by members of the Seaside Jewish Community.

Each week during the ISOP season, DiBonaventure’s faithfully provided 16 leaves of bread, meaning that the Sticklers' donation over six years totaled over 1,300 leaves of hand-made bread to accompany over 12,000 meals. We only wish the Sticklers could have heard all the praise this bread received from international students and our fellow volunteer workers. We want to publicly thank Jason and Alejandra for this labor of love!
Jim Blakeslee
Lowell Markey
Reber Whitner
Some of the ISOP volunteers at Epworth United Methodist

Godspeed to the DiBonventure’s owners

We, too, are sad to see that Jason Stickler and his wife Alejandra are closing DiBonaventure’s  Bakery.  We have enjoyed their breads, pastries, and other excellent food products for many years. A trip to the bakery to choose a special pastry has been a favorite part of our granddaughters’ visits to the beach. And the bakery has been a destination for other family and friends as well as ourselves.  Jason has given “the staff of life” as well as so much more to us personally and to the community. Not only the bread, but also Jason and Alejandra and their warm presence will be greatly missed.  We wish them well and Godspeed!
Roy Fitzgerald and Jennie Keith
Lewes

UD student behavior not good harbinger

Not long ago I was driving down Second Street toward Shipcarpenter and a van from the University of Delaware - state car - was pulling into a space on the left side of Second Street where there are signs that say "three hour parking."  I pulled into the right side.

Three people (all young, nicely dressed and clean) got out of the van and were standing in front of the meter discussing the parking charges. They said no need; the meters are not accepting money.  I said to them - you are right; however, this is a three-hour limit zone so please watch your time because you could get a ticket.  They said "it's okay - the van belongs to the university and it will be their problem."  I wonder now, could this be a problem when job hunting - could employers sense this irresponsibility in prospective candidates?
Carol Anderson
Lewes

'Occupy Rehoboth' plans very dubious

The plan by the Progressive Democrats of Sussex County to "Occupy Rehoboth" for a scant three hours indicates a serious lack of committment on their part. They must have dinner plans.
Tom Dwyer
Milton

Jefferson School couldn't do it without help

On behalf of the students, staff and board of trustees of The Jefferson School, I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time and talents to make the first annual Hidden Treasures: A Sampling of Sussex County such a success! By the smiles on everyone’s faces Oct. 9 it looked like a great time was had by all who participated in the silent auction, pumpkin painting, face painting, butter making, bracelet making, scavenger hunt, sack races, chair massages and tasting of the amazing food which local restaurants offered!

A very special thank you to Amanda Peters, a TJS parent, who chaired the event. To Marie and Charlie Burton for the wonderful tent which covered the food court. And, to the many other parents, friends and faculty volunteers who assisted! Participants included: The Kitchen at Paynter’s Mill, Mariachi, Go Fish!, Po’ Boys, Confucius, Nage, Kickn’ Chicken, Olde South BBQ and Catering, Fluffe Cupcakes, Abra...ca...dinner, Rehoboth Art League, Avery Bayard of the Rehoboth Beach Museum, Treasures of the Sea Museum, Zwaanendael Museum, Michael Chamberland of Edge Academy and Keith Lankford of The Red Barn! Vin Fischer performed the wonderful music and Dean Sherman provided the hayrides.

We couldn’t have done it without you!
Connie Hendricks
head of school
The Jefferson School