News Briefs 9/24/24

Budgeting award presented to Sussex

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, based in Chicago, recently awarded Sussex County the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which county council adopted in June for the budget year that began July 1. The award is given to public bodies that have demonstrated an observance of the highest principles of governmental budgeting according to the GFOA.

To receive the award, a governmental entity must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, which must serve an entity as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device. In addition to standard projected revenues and expenditures, the documents include an introductory background, organizational chart, narrative on the budgeting process, and outline of the county’s financial policies and goals.

“The budget award is a reflection of Sussex County’s long-held, unwavering commitment to sound fiscal management,” said Sussex County Finance Director Gina Jennings. “We are honored to have again earned this award, which is recognition by our peers, but just as important, we are honored to have earned the trust and confidence of the public we serve.”

Lewes council discusses ARPA funds

Lewes Mayor and City Council held a roundtable discussion Sept. 17 on potential uses for remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The city has until Dec. 31, to allocate $351,000.

Council discussed several possible uses, including workforce housing and transportation projects.

The next roundtable is set for Tuesday, Oct. 22, at city hall.

Public input sought on Dewey trash

With the current residential trash contract set to expire this spring, Dewey Beach officials are seeking public input on trash collection services to determine if any changes need to be made to the waste and recyclable collection process. Residents are asked to complete the survey at townofdeweybeach.com/TrashServiceSurvey.

Rehoboth keeping one north bathroom 

During a meeting Sept. 20, Rehoboth Beach officials announced they will be keeping one of the temporary bathrooms on the north end of the Boardwalk in place for the annual Sea Witch Festival.

The city installed the two temporary bathroom facilities on an undeveloped, Boardwalk-fronting, city-owned lot immediately north of the One Virginia Avenue condominiums in May to replace the ones at the Boardwalk end of Baltimore Avenue that were demolished earlier this year as part of the new beach patrol headquarters project. Each trailer had two stalls and three urinals on the men’s side, four stalls on the women’s side and a handicap stall.

The city had said it was going to remove both trailers after the beach patrol season ended Sept. 22. 

Now, one will be removed, while the other is closed and will reopen for festival weekend, Friday to Sunday, Oct. 25 to 27.

Lewes financial group to meet Sept. 24

The Lewes Financial Stewardship Subcommittee will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes a discussion on nonprofit requests and city outlays.

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Hypnosis and paranormal experiences seminar set Sept. 25

A free introduction to hypnosis seminar will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Lewes Public Library. 

Hosted by Debora Sartain, a certified hypnotist with over 40 years of experience, the seminar will introduce attendees to the transformative power of hypnosis. Sartain has dedicated her career to guiding clients through regression and timeline therapy, helping them process and heal from profound encounters with the unknown. 

Sartain will explore the mysterious world of alien abductions and paranormal experiences, offering insights into how hypnosis can help uncover the truth behind these extraordinary occurrences. She will share real-life stories and case studies from her extensive practice, illustrating the impact of hypnosis on those who have faced the unexplainable. A special guest who has undergone alien regression hypnosis will share their personal experience, and attendees can ask questions and gain deeper insights into the topics discussed. The seminar will also include calming, healing sounds to enhance the experience.

For more information and to sign up, go to eventbrite and search Exploring Hypnosis: Alien Abduction & Paranormal Experiences Seminar.

Learn about tax planning for retirement Sept. 25

As retirement approaches, individuals face a new set of financial considerations, particularly when it comes to taxes. To address these concerns, InFocus Financial Advisors will offer a workshop titled New Tax Planning Ideas Your Retirement is Missing, from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.

Led by Gregory Holman, FPQP, senior relationship manager and financial advisor at InFocus, the workshop aims to equip current and future retirees with essential knowledge on navigating taxation during retirement years. With years of experience in financial planning, Holman will guide participants through strategies to minimize taxes, efficiently take distributions from assets, and implement advanced tax planning techniques to optimize their financial situation.

Attendees can expect to learn key strategies including methods to reduce taxes over the course of retirement, navigating IRMAA penalties, understanding required minimum distributions, and identifying common pitfalls in retirement tax planning.

The workshop is open to all individuals seeking guidance on managing taxes in retirement. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, ask questions and gain valuable insights from Holman's expertise.

Register to attend the class at: retireinfocus.com/new-tax-planning-ideas. For more information, contact Jessica Grangier at jessicag@retireinfocus.com.

Lewes art group to meet Sept. 25

The Lewes Public Art Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes a presentation from the Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association.

Lewes BPW to meet Sept. 25

The Lewes Board of Public Works will hold its monthly meeting at 4 p.m, Wednesday, Sept. 25, at city hall.

The agenda includes an update and discussion on the new water main canal crossing.

Cape school board meets Sept. 26

The Cape Henlopen school board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at Rehoboth Elementary. The board will discuss voluntary school assessment/impact fees and high school accountability measures, and possibly take action on a technology protection and internet safety policy. 

Dewey infrastructure committee to meet

The Dewey Beach Infrastructure Committee will meet at 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Members will review the status of town flood mitigation projects on Read, Jersey and Van Dyke streets, and will possibly vote to recommend to town council a proposal from Beacon Engineerig to address flooding on Jersey Street. Find the full agenda and meeting link at townofdeweybeach.com.

Gals That Give to support school gardens Sept. 26

Gals That Give will host a ladies-only event to benefit Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at  Bally’s Resort & Casino, 1131 N Dupont Hwy., Dover. The nonprofit’s mission is to inspire healthier lives by providing youth with joyful school gardening experiences, along with opportunities to learn science and eat the garden-fresh vegetables they've grown. The evening includes dinner and dessert, a pick-a-prize style auction, and 50/50 raffle. Cost is $45 per person for dinner only or $60 for dinner with wine. To reserve tickets, go to bit.ly/DoGoodHFHK. For more information, go to healthyfoodsforhealthykids.org and find Gals That Give Charity on Facebook.

Lewes council to meet Sept. 26

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a workshop at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion regarding planning and preparation for Lewes’ celebration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, America’s 250th anniversary.

Dewey organizational meeting set Sept. 27

The Dewey Beach Town Council organizational meeting is set for 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Incumbent commissioners Bill Stevens and Gary Persinger will be sworn in for new two-year terms. Commissioners will then vote to appoint a mayor and a secretary for one-year terms each. The meeting link is available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Women’s club food drive set Sept. 27 in Milton

In May 2024, the Food Bank of Delaware stated that 13.3% of the Sussex County population was food insecure. Food insecurity is an economic position where people may not have access to safe, healthy food, often compounded by elevated food prices. It is not just the homeless, but also the elderly, veterans, unemployed and families that can struggle to make ends meet.

The Women's Club of Milton will sponsor a food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Milton Food Lion, 110 Broadkill Road, to support the Milton Community Food Pantry located at 12898 Union St Ext., Milton.

WCOM members will be collecting nonperishable items at both store entrances. Volunteers will be on hand to distribute a list of appropriate and needed items. On the following Saturday, Oct. 5, WCOM members will gather at the community pantry to donate, sort and pack food for distribution to the needy in the area.

Beebe Goes Pink set Oct. 3 at Dogfish Rehoboth

The 2nd Annual Beebe Goes Pink event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, Rehoboth Beach.

Funds benefit Beebe’s Center for Breast Health, which offers individualized treatment with the support of medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, care providers and breast health nurse navigators. This comprehensive care team is with patients during their entire journey, including preventive care, risk assessments, breast biopsies and surgery.

Ticketed guests will enjoy an open bar and small bites. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink to compete in the best-dressed contest.

To purchase tickets, go to beebehealthcare.org/GoPink.

The Center for Breast Health is the only center in Delaware accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, an American College of Surgeons distinction. Earlier this year, the center was selected as one of just six across the country to participate in an NAPBC pilot, with data analysis and a site visit conducted in line with the newly established standards.