Letters to the Editor
Dewey attorneys should pay license fees too
If musicians and cleaning ladies have to pay for a business license, why do all of the town, CPD and Mayor Hanson's lawyers get off for free?
Let's see if the following attorneys paid up for 2012. We probably should go back a few years and check those too. It's only fair....right?
What is the fine for not paying? Late fee of 10 percent of the fee owed plus a $500 fine and then you still have to pay for the business license. Large out-of-town businesses are $382.....Ching Ching! From a rational observer's standpoint, the legal industry must be showing record profits in Dewey over the last five years.
Let's see which firm is representing plaintiffs Tony Murray, Charles McKinney, David Kaminsky and Elizabeth Cadell in their suit against Dewey Beach.
Michael McDermott is the attorney for the plaintiffs. Was he on the business license list published on the Town of Dewey Beach website? I don't see the name. Did I miss it?
Who did Diane Hanson hire in her Public Integrity Commission complaint?
David Finger and Chip Slanina of Finger & Slanina represented her. Do you see those names or that firm on the business license list? I can't find it. The town hired Town Attorney Fred Townsend of Schmittinger and Rodriguez, but I am not seeing that name or firm on the list. Why not?
How about former Town Attorney Glenn Mandalas of Baird Mandalas LLC? Not seeing that on the list either. Megan Mantzavinos of Marks, O'Neill, O'Brien & Courtney, P.C.? Can't seem to find that one either. How about the employment attorney hired to settle our former Town Manager Diana Smith's case?
Who did CPD hire for representation in their lawsuits? How about D. Barrett Edwards of Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher? Tim Abendroth from Washington, D.C? Apparently there are a whole slew of attorneys doing business in our town. I hope they all paid their "fair share."
If you are making Realtors buy licenses, why not real estate attorneys, title companies, and banks/mortgage brokers, etc.? I am not trying to drive up the cost of everyone buying or selling their homes but somehow our commissioners look the other way when it comes to them paying. We all realize that these costs will only get passed onto us in some way shape or form anyhow so why do it?
The company that sold the town those new parking meters had a business license.........didn't they? ........Checking Duncan Solutions.....Nope, missed them too! Quit picking on the musicians and cleaning ladies and find real revenue generating practices. How about going after Comcast, Verizon, DelDOT, US Postal Service, UPS, Fed Ex, DelMarva Power and trash companies, or do you only want to go after small businesses?
Paul Bauer
Dewey Beach
Bagpiper protects market from many dangers
I must respond most strongly to Ms. Sara Coleman’s criticism in the June 15 edition of the Cape Gazette letters to the editor of the unnamed Mr. Bagpipes disturbing her tranquility and shopping enthusiasm at the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market. What Ms. Coleman is sadly unaware of is the degree of sophistication the market manager, Pat Coluzzi, has achieved by having the bagpipes piped in at the opening of the market. Prior to its introduction, the sale of the free range arugula was off by 47 percent, and to think nothing of artisanal cheeses. Nothing herds a flock of cheese vendors better than the stirring chorus of “Scotland The Brave.”
Has Ms. Coleman ever wondered why we have not seen the market ravaged in its entire existence by the likes of the fierce wolverine or the even fiercer honey badger? In a word, bagpipes. As though the safety of the market patrons is left to chance. And might I mention that if it weren’t for Mr. Bagpipes, there may be a force to contend with that is far more cruel than a plaid goatskin bag and a couple of reeds and drones.
Dare I mention Mr. Accordion?
Bunky Markert
Rehoboth Beach
A quick-win solution for bicycle trail extension
I must voice one observation and offer a suggested common-sense, quick-win solution for the proposed Junction & Breakwater Trail extension.
Problem: Dangerous bicycle/pedestrian conditions on Gills Neck Road from the trailhead at Hawkseye into downtown Lewes and the perception that no complete route exists between Rehoboth and Lewes.
Observation: Current signage for the trailhead out of Hawkseye directs people onto Gills Neck Road to get to Lewes; then again signage at the traffic light in Lewes (Savannah and Gills Neck) directs people onto Gills Neck from downtown Lewes to the trail. Well of course they're going to take Gills Neck if the signs tell them to! Also, there is no sign at the end of the trail at Cape High School.
Solution: Why spend hundreds of thousands dollars on a new trail when we could just spend hundreds of dollars and get better directional signage to use the existing, safe bike path on Gills Neck Road to Cape High and then another sign to turn right onto the shoulder/eventual bike lanes on Kings Hwy./Freeman Hwy. into Lewes? This is an exisiting route already linking Lewes and Rehoboth. Estimated mileage saved with the proposed Showfield extension path behind the Breakwater community would be minimal - less than one mile. Also, removing the small bike lane coming off the trailhead at Hawkseye (less than a quarter mile to Wolfe Runne) would remove the temptation of bikers to take the "wrong" way on Gills Neck into Lewes.
The Delaware Scenic Byways and Highways initiative (delawaregreenways.org) is prioritizing the plan to mark Kings Hwy./Freeman Hwy. shoulder with bike lanes anyway, and so combining these initiatives will gain efficiency and save taxpayer money.
Save taxpayer money, save time, use existing resources - no-brainer!
This project should not be about getting more miles of bike trails just to tally up Delaware's national standing - we always need to be responsible with taxpayer money.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss this common-sense solution in more detail.
Marie Hagen
Lewes
It must be summer on Long Neck Road
Summer must be here! With the warm weather, it brings out the best at the Landing in Long Neck. With Long Neck Road being completely redone, drivers can now reach speeds of 50 mph plus some pulling boats or RVs - poor Long Neck Road may sink.
There are a few other joys that go along with summer - the fishing and boat launching area at the foot of Long Neck Road produces motorcycles, cars and trucks leaving the park at great speeds; residents and nonresidents bringing their dog or dogs to the park and allowing them to roam around (no leash) and no one cleaning up after them.
A few more joys are when the people fishing on the piers argue with the boaters - the foul language knows no bounds. Nighttime brings out its own special joys - vehicles again racing in and out of the park. (Wait until one of the golf carts traveling in and out of the park or along the roadway gets hit.)
One of the more aggravating happenings - we have all types parked and touring to the launch area with their radios blasting and enjoying a few beers; foul language again can be heard over the loud radios.
How about the beer drinkers coming in with their boats and jet skis - let's say a little under the weather. It amazes me how when people are leaving the Landing, they are on their cell phone with one hand and a beer in the other - who's driving? The last problem is who cleans up the trash left behind at the Landing and along Long Neck Road - the residents! Are there rules about these occurrences in a state park - certainly there is a large sign posted stating the rules and regulations. The rules even say the park will close from dusk to dawn, but I was told that because the Landing was supported with state funds, they could not close the area.
Well, why doesn't the state enforce the posted regulations? Maybe they could borrow some from DelDOT. I have read they have a lot of extra money with checks not being deposited. I guess when someone dies from one of the violations mentioned above, something may be done. Don't hold your breath waiting.
Lewis Newman
Millsboro
NARFE thanks golf tourney supporters
The Coastal Sussex Chapter of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) would like to thank the Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach and Ocean View communities for the support we received for our charity golf tournament May 11, at Salt Pond Golf Club. Generous support for the tournament and our charity auctions netted over $6,000 which will go directly to support Alzheimer’s research.
Local businesses and organizations that supported this charity event included: Bethany Dental, Bob’s Marine Service, Brasure’s Pest Control, Brooks Furniture, Cattails, Center for Dermatology, Cindy’s Manicure, James Cohee & Associates Accountants, Cottage Café, Dagsboro Paint, Delaware Electric Co-Operative, State Sen. George Bunting, State Rep. Gerald Hocker, DiFebo’s Bistro, D’Ortone’s Restaurant, Fenwick Hardware. Gale Force Carpet Cleaning, Henlopen City Oyster House, RE/MAX Real Estate - Kim Hook, Edward Jones Financial Services' Max Hutsell, Just Hooked Restaurant, Long & Foster Real Estate's Leslie Kopp, Dentist James Kramer, Lobster Shanty, M&M Computers, M&T Bank's Pia Calhoun, Mid-Atlantic Marine, Mio Fratello’s, Don Birch and Chris Vane of Morgan Stanley, Smith Barney, Ocean View Family Restaurant, Overture Home Electronics, Port Bar and Restaurant, Rotary International, Southern Sussex Chapter, Ruddo’s Golf, Sea Level, State Farm Insurance's Denise Beam, Steen Waehler & Schrider-Fox Law Firm, Studio 26 Hair Styling Salon, Sussex County Council, Tidewater Physical Therapy, VFW Mason Dixon Post 7234 and Ladies Auxiliary, and Law Offices of Susan Pittard Weidman.
Golf courses donating golf foursomes included: Bayside Resort Golf Club, Baywood Greens, Cripple Creek Country Club, Heritage Shores Golf Club, Kings Creek Country Club, Man O’War, Nutter’s Crossing, Peninsula Golf Club, Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Rookery and Salt Pond Golf Club.
We would also like to thank Salt Pond Golf Club for a well-run golf tournament that was enjoyable to all participants, and Cottage Café for holding our post-tournament luncheon.
Special thanks are owed to D’Ortone’s Restaurant for separately hosting a Dine and Donate evening with proceeds going to Alzheimer’s research.
Ron Weber, golf chairman
Richard Oliver, Alzheimer’s chairman
NARFE Chapter 1690
The real crisis is the polluted fish we can’t eat
I am always astounded by the platforms of naysayers to alternative energy sources, with the looming possibility of the closing of the Indian River power plant, leaving us on the lower peninsula without any energy source. The thought of the loss of an $8 lure to a turbine located 60 feet below the water's surface during a tidal flow which most power boats can not steer against, compared to the electrical needs of 200,000 Delmarva power users is absurd.
In Eric Burnley's comments about the Indian River Inlet turbines, he does not mention the real crisis that affects the anglers' consumption of fish due to the burning of coal.
In January 2011, it was reported by the Delaware Division of Public Health the number of cancer cases in a six-ZIP-code area around the plant that the rate of cancer cases in the area was 17 percent higher than the national average. He also did not mention that eating as little as one meal of mercury-contaminated fish per week can pose significant health risks since mercury accumulates in the human body.
The most dangerous fish to eat from contaminated waters are the oldest, largest fish of the predator species most prized by sport fishermen. For bluefish greater than 14 inches, the new joint recommendation by the Department of Natural Resources is to eat no more than one eight-ounce meal per year. When fisherman Dan Dillon landed an 873-pound bluefin tuna in July off the coast of the Indian River Inlet, he brought in more than a record-breaking fish. His catch also broke a record for toxicity.
As an environmental educator for 31 years, my platform to my students has always been to utilize, appreciate and monitor your surroundings. You should prioritize things that will elevate the quality of life for your family and your community. We need to protect our waters, land and air and that means we need to seek alternative energy sources. Even the proposed wind farm off the coast (at 11.5 miles) due to the curvature of the earth would appear as a stick one-eighth of an inch in height on the horizon.
If we do not rally to save our environment, maybe we deserve to display the LSD stickers on our cars.
Patsy Cicala Jr., master’s degree
oceanography and limnology
Transit of Venus went off nearly perfectly for us
The June 6 transit of Venus observations went off nearly perfectly. The sky was clear and the nearly 500 visitors to the two Cape area observation sites were able to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event. The Cape area proudly continued its association with Venus transits, which goes back to 1769.
I would like to thank the many people who contributed time, effort and enthusiasm to make the transit memorable. In particular, I would like to thank Mike DiPaolo and the Lewes Historical Society, Bob Byorick, Bob Lingo, Mike Phoebus and Gerry Lyons of the Sussex Astronomical Society; George Kent of DelDOT; Dorothy Sheehan and Chris of Delaware Seashore State Park; Sandy Schenck of the Delaware Geologic Survey; Jeff Geidel and Frank Deming, who brought wonderful telescopes; and a guy named Steve who chased clouds all the way from central New Jersey to our cloudless Delaware.
Finally, Henry Evans of the Cape Gazette and Molly Murray of the News Journal published interesting and accurate accounts of the event.
Everyone who was approached supported the transit observation with grace and enthusiasm, and all who participated appreciate their contribution.
James E. Morrison
Rehoboth Beach
Don’t be too quick to judge Torres case
Just a mild reminder to Mr. Cahill that a judgement in a case is usually restrained until both sides are heard - but not "according to reports," however.
Two years ago, the politicians were against Sheriff Christopher even before he was elected. Maybe back then they didn't want a sheriff to protect the people from intrusive unconstitutional law. It's an elective job for a reason and the people wanted him for the job of sheriff and said so with an overwhelming 5,000 votes.So, who is really running up the tab and taxes for the county?
Those who don't want to understand the role of the sheriff as the top law officer of the county so they can mandate as they please? There is the 10th Amendment and the people's Bill of Rights.
Deputy Torres hasn't presented his case yet as well. You are too fast a jury and judge.
Roberta Carol
Milton
