Public input transformed Five Points

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead. 

Public involvement in all levels of government is essential. Citizens provide checks and balances that ensure elected officials are accountable and projects they approve meet certain standards. 

While some people may not feel their voices are being heard in Sussex County, the fact the public has the opportunity to speak directly to decision makers sets our society apart from others in the world. 

Locally, outspoken citizens make their presence known at Sussex County Council and Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, workshops hosted by Delaware Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, municipal meetings and even subcommittee meetings about issues that may seem innocuous. 

But their input matters. It shapes the way decisions are made, even if slightly.

An example is the Five Points Working Group, which may soon be folding after eight years of effort. The group was formed in December 2017 to develop consensus on solutions and improvements to issues affecting the Five Points area. The very first meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd. 

In a collaborative effort, the 16-member group developed concepts to improve traffic flow and safety in the Lewes area. Before long, members of the public latched onto an idea they didn’t like — converting the former railroad between Lewes and Georgetown into a road. They showed up en masse with shirts and signs that read, “Trails Unite Roads Divide.” The working group responded by voting against the idea. 

Eventually, the group supported 78 recommendations, and further prioritized the list to rank certain projects or ideas higher than others. 

To date, DelDOT has completed 29, with eight ongoing and another 26 in the planning process. Other long-term ideas remain in the pipeline as well. 

The Five Points Working Group should serve as a model for public involvement. By bringing together a wide range of community members, the state has been able to effectively share information and ideas, and get real-time feedback from the people who use the roads every day. We need more of this in Sussex County.