News Briefs 04/13/18

Candidates continue to file for 2018 election
The 2018 election continues to near and more candidates have recently filed paperwork. In the race for U.S. Senate, Demitri G. Theodoropoulos, a Newark resident and Green Party member, filed his paperwork April 2. He is the only candidate to have officially filed. Democratic incumbent Tom Carper has held the seat since 2001.

In the race for state treasurer, David B. Chandler, a Newark resident and Green Party member, filed his paperwork April 2. Republican incumbent Ken Simpler filed his paperwork for re-election March 14. In the 38th Representative District, Meghan M. Kelly, a Democrat from Dagsboro, filed her paperwork March 23.

The district is represented by Ron Gray, a Republican from Selbyville. Gray, who has not yet filed paperwork, was first elected in 2012. The district encompasses all or parts of Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Dagsboro and Selbyville. The deadline for candidates to file for a statewide office and all other offices is noon, Tuesday, July 10. The statewide primary election is Thursday, Sept. 6. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, Aug. 11. The statewide general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Saturday, Oct. 13.

Bill limits large-capacity magazines
A bill ending the sale of large-capacity magazines in Delaware was introduced April 11 by Rep. Larry Mitchell, D-Elsmere. House Bill 375 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer or delivery of large-capacity magazines, ammunition-feeding devices that can accept more than 10 rounds and fire dozens of bullets without a person having to reload. Bill provisions allow residents who already own large-capacity magazines to be able to keep their devices in areas that are not public places, or rent the devices for use at a shooting range.

The bill contains several exemptions for employees of shooting ranges, members of active military and qualified law enforcement members from the prohibition.Under the bill, people would be able to possess or rent and use large-capacity magazines at shooting ranges. The penalty for a first-time violation of this law would be a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or possibly up to one year of incarceration. Any subsequent offense would be a class G felony, punishable by up to two years in prison.

Bill bars terrorist listees from buying guns
House Minority Whip Rep. Deborah Hudson, R-Fairthorne, introduced a bill March 20 prohibiting a person named on the federal terrorist watchlist from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm in Delaware. This bill is modeled after legislation passed in New Jersey in August 2013.

Overfalls return to Lewes postponed
Due to anticipated unfavorable wind conditions causing low tides in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, the return of the Lightship Overalls to Lewes has been postponed. The next favorable tidal cycle for a return is the last week of April, but an official date has not been set. More information will be released as it is announced. The Overfalls has been at the Dorchester Shipyard in New Jersey since November undergoing regular maintenance, including a major cleaning, replacement of zinc blocks designed to protect the steel hull from deterioration, and a fresh coat of paint.

Rehoboth planners to meet April 13
The Rehoboth Beach planning commission will meet at 12:45 p.m., Friday, April 13, to continue discussion of the scope and a path forward for the city's 2020 comprehensive development plan. Discussion will include an executive session to interview consultants who may take part in drafting the plan.

Tree committee meeting rescheduled
The Rehoboth Beach Mayor's Advisory Committee on Trees has postponed its Friday, April 13 meeting due to a lack of a quorum. The meeting was rescheduled to 9 a.m., Friday, April 20, in the city commissioners' room.

Blunt Rochester to address foundation
The current state of affairs in the nation's capital will be the topic of Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester's keynote address at the 18th annual meeting of the Greater Lewes Foundation at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 14, in the meeting room of the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center, 101 Adams Ave., Lewes. Also on the agenda that morning are presentations by three GLF charitable funds, the History Book Festival, Go Fourth!, and Friends of the Lewes Canalfront Park. Longtime community leaders Ann and David Burton will be presented the 2018 GLF Community Achievement Award during the meeting.

At the conclusion of the GLF event, participants and others are invited to attend the unveiling of Silent Sentinels of Lewes, the first outdoor art project of Art in Bloom, which is also one of the 50 charitable funds managed at the GLF. To confirm seating, call 302-644-0107.

Arlett to address potential run for office
Sussex County Councilman Rob Arlett released the following statement April 12: "During the past several months, many elected officials, community leaders, and grassroots activists throughout the state of Delaware have encouraged me to run for statewide elective office. I have been humbled by the amount of support I have received and have given considerable thought to those calls to serve. On Monday, April 16, I look forward to announcing my decision." More information is to come and will be posted at www.RobArlett.com.

Comprehensive plan update on agenda
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is an update on the 2018 comprehensive plan. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov.

Applications are first with commercial zoning
The first applications with Sussex County's new commercial district zones have surfaced. At its April 10 meeting, council introduced two ordinances for applications in the Cape Region. Beebe Healthcare has filed a rezoning application from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to I-1, industrial district for a 20-acre parcel on the east side of Warrington Road near the Route 24 intersection between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Beebe has plans to construct a short-term, inpatient surgical center. The proposed facility would have five operating rooms, pre- and post-op care areas, 12 recovery bays, 24 inpatient private rooms and all necessary support services.

Ferguson Enterprises has filed a rezoning application from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to C-5, service/limited manufacturing district for a 5-acre parcel at 32359 Lewes-Georgetown Highway east of the Nassau Commons Boulevard intersection near Lewes. No plans were submitted for the parcel. The two applications will be placed on future planning and zoning and county council agendas for public hearings.

County P&Z Chairman Ross is retiring
At the April 10 Sussex County Council meeting, Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford, read a letter from Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Marty Ross announcing his retirement when his term expires June 30. Arlett said the search for a replacement is underway. He said applicants must live in District 5 and be registered either Democrat or Independent. Ross, a farmer from Delmar, has served on the commission for nine years.

DNREC open house to review Cape trail plan
DNREC's Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public open house from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 19, at the DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Services facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, to review the Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Concept Plan. A series of maps on display will show existing and proposed trail alignments covering a range of environmental aspects related to existing and conceptual trail systems. Public comments are welcome. For more information, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/Information/Pages/Cape-Henlopen-Trail-Conce....

RD20 Democratic Committee to meet
In addition to the small historical Delaware towns of Lewes and Milton, Representative District 20 is made up of rural communities, new developments, and adjacent private residences. The RD 20 Democratic Committee will hold a big tent panel discussion regarding issues of concern to those living in the differing areas of District 20 at its regular monthly meeting Thursday, April 19, at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd., Lewes. Committee members and guests gather at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and dinner (optional) followed at 6 p.m. by the panel discussion. The public is welcome.

The panel includes Kevin Gilmore, executive director of Sussex County Habitat of Humanity; Prentice Perry, former correction officer, now a driver for Generations Home Care; Capt. Alice Brumbley, former captain of Troop 7 in Lewes; and Fay Blake, co-founder and executive director of Pathways to Success Inc. Democrats Kathleen Jennings, candidate for attorney general, and Jack Bucchioni, candidate for state Representative District 20, will discuss their respective platforms. For further information contact Kerry Thalheim at kerrythalheim@aol.com.

Georgetown to host walkability workshop
The Town of Georgetown has retained Simone Collins Landscape Architecture of Norristown, Pa., to complete a Walkability and Connectivity Study to determine opportunities and priorities to improve the ability to walk and bike in Georgetown. The plan will serve to guide and support decision-making by Georgetown Town Council on how to plan for sidewalk and bike route projects, and support efforts to attract and secure funding for these improvements. The public is encouraged to attend the first public meeting workshop for the study from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 19, in Town Hall, 39 The Circle, Georgetown. For more information, contact Town Manager Gene Dvornick at 302-856-7391.

Carney to address Eastern Sussex Dems
The April meeting of the Eastern Sussex Democrats is set for noon, Saturday, April 21, and will feature Gov. John Carney, champion of Sussex County Democrats. Several candidates on the 2018 midterms Democratic ticket for a variety of elected offices will also speak. The luncheon meeting will be held in the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach between Maryland and Baltimore avenues. Parking is free in the hotel garage. New members may join the club at this meeting; the annual dues for 2018 are $30. The luncheon buffet costs $20. Be prepared to pay with cash or check only (no credit cards). All dues go toward supporting Democratic candidates. RSVP to Lisa Haupt at liseshaupt@yahoo.com.

38th District Republicans to meet
Nicole Theis, founder and president of the Delaware Family Policy Council Inc., will be the speaker at the 38th District Republican Club meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 23, at South Coastal Library, 43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach. The Delaware Family Policy Council's mission in part is to rebuild a culture of life, marriage, family and religious freedom. Theis advocates for it through public policy and stewardship of government. She will provide an update on current bills before the House and Senate as well as other issues being addressed by the organization. District 38 members Rep. Ron Gray, R-Selbyville, and Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, will give their regular report to members and guests regarding latest issues on the legislative calendar. Admission is free. For more information, contact Drew Sunderlin, info@38thdrcp.com.

DNREC closes end of Cape fishing pier
DNREC's Division of Parks & Recreation has closed a 20-foot portion at the end of the Cape Henlopen fishing pier indefinitely due to ice damage that occurred this winter. Engineers evaluated the extent of the damage and recommended immediate closure.