I am writing about the recent developments taking place at the Paradise Grill in Long Neck.
There is quite the uproar concerning this subject and maybe this will not be the last letter to the editor but I wanted to express some of my thoughts. We have lived in Bayside year round for three years, and are proud of the beautiful grounds, pools and surroundings that are here. And we are also proud to bring friends and relatives to Paradise Grill. It is such a lovely setting (including beautiful palm trees ) that it is nice enough to forgo a trip to Rehoboth on Route 1, which can be quite a long time in summer traffic.
Change is difficult, and there are many things that have been accomplished in my lifetime that have been difficult to accept.
And with each accomplishment there were hurdles, but rewards in most cases. I am confident that when Rehoboth Beach was a small seaside town, the residents there were fighting the changes that were coming because they were also concerned about noise, traffic, safety and security as the opposing residents in Pot-Nets have expressed.
One complaint about Paradise Grill is the noise factor with the music. It was acted upon by having sound experts draw a plan to solve the problem, and a large sum of money was spent to do so, but it is not operational because it isn’t completed. The design of the new stage/restroom building is expected to solve the noise factor. Roads have been widened, parking increased, an entire parking lot to be used specifically for golf carts driven by residents, speed bumps installed to keep down speeding. There are many changes that were made with only residents in mind.
There was a mention in a previous letter to the editor that stated “a carport has already been damaged by someone leaving the grill” is somewhat a reach since that was in a five-month period and accidents happen wherever you live. As for the safety of the 14-year-old children driving the golf carts I think that should be under parental control and they should not be allowed to drive carts except on the golf carts paths which are specifically for safety. Personally, I think they should have a license to drive a car or at least be 16 in order to operate a golf cart. It’s a fact that many are driving recklessly.
The security of our area is threatened more in the winter with so many unoccupied homes than in this busy time of the year.
I think Paradise Grill is an attraction for people to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere rather than to case the area with crime in mind.
I think that to keep the new addition to the establishment closed even temporarily is affecting more than just the owners. It is affecting the jobs of many of the young people (and retirees I might add) in our area who otherwise would not have a job. So many of these people live right in Pot-Nets and can walk to work. It also helps the economy here because these workers need groceries, pharmacies, gas, restaurants and many of the amenities that Long Neck has to offer - which, by the way, were not here 10 years ago.
This is a growing area and has become much more appealing, and Paradise Grill is part of that growth. The young owners have spent a large amount of money on these improvements and put a paycheck in pockets that may have not had a regular one for the past three months.
I’m sure alcohol is a concern, and it is a fact that some people will be under the influence, but except for a few situations that hasn’t been an issue.
Many of us here are disappointed that the new area is not being opened, and we are hoping that these concerns can be handled in a timely manner so all this effort for this new season is not in vain.
Patricia Fitzkee
Pot-Nets
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